Gulping hard, Valerie stared at him with her eyes bulged. She still couldn't believe her ears. Was he just pulling her leg or playing a prank on her?
“Sir… Sir, what are you saying?” She stuttered, even if she tried as hard as she could not to.
Ethan stared at her lustfully and kissed her mouth shut before replying. “Have I not told you that you are not allowed to call me sir? Why don't you give us a chance?”
“Us? You… I don't understand you. Are you joking? I'm not really in for any kind of jokes tonight. I just want to go to bed now. Good night!” Valerie snapped as she turned to leave, but he grabbed her waist.
He looked serious. She has never seen him this serious, except when it has to do with Audrey. “Are you going to turn me down? Does that mean that this is a one-sided love? Have I been drowning in my wishful thinking?”
“Uhm… Of course not! I dare not turn you down.” Valerie bowed her head.
Upon hearing that, Ethan's countenance brightened immediately. “Should I take that as a yes?”
Valerie snapped. “No!”
“No? Did you not tell me that you dare not turn me down? Now, why are you saying a different thing? Do you want me to force you before you say yes?” Ethan feigned anger.
Valerie pouted her mouth. “You… How can you possibly say you're my boyfriend when you sound like my Dad or a boss?”
Smiles escaped Ethan's lips. “So, you already consider me your boyfriend, don't you? Actually, I'd rather not be your boyfriend. I want you to be my daughter's legal mother and my wife.”
“I haven't said yes. Uhm… I'm feeling sleepy. I really don't want to talk about this now.” Valerie was already blushing.
Ethan smiled. “I allow you 24 hours to give me a response. If after 24 hours, I'm still single, then I'll blame you for making me lonely forever.”
Valerie turned her gaze away. She couldn't hold the smiles anymore. She had actually fallen in love with him long ago, but she didn't have the courage to confess her feelings to him.
Likewise, she was smacked out of her thoughts when Ethan kissed her cheek, smacking her out of her thoughts. He walked away after winking mischievously at her.
Immediately he walked away, she rushed to the door and slammed it hard. She placed her hand on her chest, breathing hard.
“Is this a dream? Was I hearing things? Oh my God! He actually loves me as much as I love him, too.”
She quickly glanced at the wall clock, counting with her fingers. “I can't wait for it to be up to 24 hours. That way, I can tell him how I feel about him.”
***
“Calm down, girl. Drinking will not solve the problem. If you keep drinking from now until tomorrow, it will not change the fact that he… he doesn't want you anymore.” Lisa, Rebecca's friend, tried to take the glass of drink away from her.
Rebecca laughed with bitterness written all over her face. “Are you listening to yourself, Lisa? Why should I stop drinking? You of all people should know why I came all the way back to this place, right? Now, he just chose a nanny over me? After all my efforts, I lost him to a peasant.”
“And you think getting yourself dead drunk is the best way to get your man back, huh? You are unbelievable, Rebecca. Drinking and sulking here only makes you a loser. Don't tell me you want the 'peasant' to win over you?” Lisa scoffed.
She burst into tears as Lisa took the glass from her gently. “What do I do, Lisa? I've done everything just to win Ethan's heart, but all to no avail. How on Earth did Valerie manage to do something that I couldn't do in so many years in a space of a few months?”
“We have to think of something rapid. I can't even imagine you losing the love of your life to that girl. How would you show your face to the public after being announced as his fiancée for so many years?” Lisa shook her head.
Heartbroken, Rebecca yelled in annoyance. The thought of what her friend had just said made her heart bleed even more. “With what Ethan told me, I think he's going to marry her anytime soon. I really wish I was the surrogate mother to his daughter.”
“He will marry her, huh? He's ready to settle down so fast with her, really?” Lisa gasped.
Rebecca sniffed. “That's the case, Lisa. I'm sure about that.”
“Now, this is bad. You don't have a lot of time on your side.” Lisa bit her lips, trying to think of something.
Just then, Rebecca's phone rang aloud. She picked up the phone and placed it on her ear. “Hello! Whoever you are, I advise you to go straight to the point because I am not desiring cock-and-bull stories.”
“I bring you good news! Don't you want to get rid of Valerie? I have an excellent idea and plan on how to get her out of your way. Do you still not want to hear what I have to say?” A voice came from the other end.
Gulping hard, Rebecca exchanged glances with her friend and gently replied. “Speak! I'm all ears.”
Meanwhile, Valerie wasn't herself the whole day. She found herself waiting nervously for Ethan to come back from work. Seated in the sitting room with Audrey, watching cartoons, she didn't stop glancing at her phone screen.
“Mommy, are you okay?” Audrey asked as she ate from the popcorn bowl in front of her.
Forcing a smile at her, Valerie nodded her head. “Yes, I'm fine, baby.”
“Okay!” Audrey shrugged, and they continued watching the movie.
At the Davison's villa, Valerie was waiting by the balcony for Ethan to come back. “Why isn't he coming back already? Was he drunk last night when he confessed to me? Was it just an illusion?”
Countless questions kept popping through her head. She was engrossed in her thoughts when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. “So, you just can't wait for me home, huh?”
Valerie smiled, but quickly frowned as she turned to him. “No. I just wanted to… to get some fresh air.”
Ethan knew she was lying, but he didn't argue, he only smiled. “There's only a minute left to get to 24 hours, Valerie. If I'm still single after this minute, I'll believe you never had feelings for…”
He was still talking when Valerie grabbed his tie, and kissed his lips passionately. “I love you too.”