"Oh, my God! Girlfriend, this is screaming luxury. I don't know how to thank God for uplifting you like this. I'm so happy for you, Valerie. Who could have imagined that you will not only have everyone's dream wedding, but an expensive car and a beautiful daughter. Of course, your handsome husband to be.” Susan shrieked in delight as she ran around the luxurious car parked in front of their apartment.
Valerie didn't even know how to express her excitement. “In my entire life, Susan, I've never dreamt of seeing such a car, talk more of being the owner. You know how wretched I was, right? I don't need to tell you how I lived from hand-to-mouth just to be able to feed. What would I have done without you and Andrew?”
“Val, you don't have to tell me. I know every f****** thing that happened. Actually, you know my favorite color, right? That's going to be the color of my dress.” Susan chuckled.
Valerie giggled. “Come on, Susan. I'll do that and more for you. You deserve the best after treating me like family.”
They were still chatting when Andrew rushed in from the gate. He couldn't help but gasp in astonishment, staring at the car. “Don't tell me this is yours, Val.”
“I can even count the number of times I've seen you at home for the past 6 months, Andy. What's up? You've been so into your new-found girlfriend.” Valerie teased him.
He scoffed. “You don't have to blame me for being with my new-found girlfriend. I mean, look at you, you've left me all alone. I don't even have to mention Susan, she's always with her new boyfriend. And you know that feeling when you're finally dating your crush, I just can't bear to leave her sight.” He joked and they shared a laugh.
“Scumbag! I don't care if you have a new girlfriend, but if you ever miss my wedding. Trust me, I'll never forgive you, man.” Valerie feigned annoyance.
He shook his head in disagreement. “That's never going to happen. I can't make such a glamorous wedding. Who knows? I might get a better opportunity there.”
“Uhm… Suzy, my wedding gown will be coming from France. I'll be having a wedding in less than 2 weeks. You know how hectic that will be for me. You have to help me, okay?” Valerie pleaded.
Without hesitation, Susan grabbed her wrist. “Come on, girl. You don't even need to ask me for that. Who else would do something like that for you if not the pretty me.”
“Oh, I know, right? Thank you so much, Susan. What would I have done without you? Your girl is going to become the Young Mistress of a very wealthy home.” They shrieked in excitement and hugged each other.
At the Watson's Residence, Valerie had gone to get her father informed of the new development.
Sipping from the glass of wine in front of him. Mr. Watson smiled in fulfillment, that was probably the most exciting news he had heard in a long time. “Oh, my dear daughter! You deserve the best of every good thing in life. Ever since your mother passed away, you have been a good child to me. You have been filling the space with a daughter and a wife. Who would have thought you'd find the daughter you had seven years ago?”
“Daddy, I just can't believe everything is happening, and it's happening so fast. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of becoming that surrogate mother. I have not only an adorable child, but a loving husband to be.” Valerie smiled broadly.
He nodded. “Don't worry, my dear. More good things are coming your way, and I'll always be here to celebrate with you.”
“Thank you, Dad. Cheers to the good news!” She said as they clinked their glasses together.
From the keyhole where Claudia and her daughter were peeping from, Patricia sniffed hard.
“Mom, are you really certain that this man outside there is my father? I have never ever seen him congratulating me, not even when I got married to Justin. What's so special about Valerie?” Patricia cried out.
Claudia glared at her. “Will you keep your voice low? Do you want them to hear us?”
“Mom, this is not the f****** case. Why does Daddy like Valerie so much? I have always tried my best to get his favor, but he has never noticed me. I'm his daughter too, right?” Patricia shook her head.
Blinking hard, Claudia sat on the couch. “That's because he loves his dead wife so much. I'm merely a replacement, or maybe someone who keeps him company.”
“All my life, I've practically worked hard just to get the love of my father. Why do you love my step-sister so much? Mom, that wedding must not push through. It mustn't. I already lost a marriage, you don't also expect me to lose my face, right?” Patricia cried bitterly.
Claudia rolled her eyes. “You think you're the only one who's going to get affected. Of course, I don't want my stepdaughter to get married to a billionaire, okay?”
“Whatever!” She blurted out.
Meanwhile, Valerie was out of the mansion, heading to her car, when she heard a voice calling her name. She paused and turned around.
To her utmost surprise, it was her stepsister, Patricia. She was faking a smile at her. Without being told, Valerie could tell the smile wasn't genuine. “Sister, are you going already?”
Valerie looked around to make sure she was actually talking to her, and she found no one else except herself in front of her. “Are you seriously talking to me? Or is that a slip of the tongue?”
“Oh, come on. Sister, do I have any other sister apart from you?” Patricia grinned.
Tucking her hair to her ear, Valerie snorted. “We lived together for more than 18 years, but I never, for once, heard you call me 'sister', so what is this about?”
“Valerie, I've just realized that no matter what rift we have between us, I don't have any other siblings apart from you.” Patricia continued pretending.
Valerie scoffed. “Are you just realizing that, or is this some kind of prank? Listen Patricia, I'm really running late. I have to go with my fiancé to get a perfect diamond ring for my wedding.”
“I just want us to make up. Sister, I think it's time we put every issue we're experiencing aside. I hope that you can find a place in your heart to forgive me.” She replied.
Without hesitation, Valerie responded. “Patricia, I really don't have any issues with you. It's you and your mother who have issues with me. I'm good… I mean, we are good as long as you decide to be. Anyway, you're invited to my wedding. I'll be leaving now.”
With that, Valerie handed the grand invitation card to her before driving off. Patricia gritted her teeth in annoyance as she dropped the card on the ground and stepped on it.
After a few minutes of fuming, she picked the card up and read the content. Then she groaned angrily.
“How dare you, Valerie? You even had the guts to rub it all over my face that you are getting married to a billionaire. Wait and see what's coming to you.”