“Are you a clown?”
The question got Valerie scared and confused. Why would the President ask her if she was a clown? She stared at him, still in his arms.
“Are you done checking me out? Or you simply don't want to stand?” The President scoffed, and she quickly stood up properly.
With that, she dropped Audrey on the ground. “I'm… I'm sorry, sir”.
The President glared at her. She didn't need anyone to tell her that she's in trouble. “Are you deaf? Are you a clown?”
Valerie blinked her eyes rapidly. Audrey chuckled a little, and tapped her. “Huh?”
“The outfit, Miss old-fashioned. You're still in the clown outfit” Audrey whispered, and Valerie gasped. She bit her lips, embarrassed.
The President snorted. “Why are you putting on this attire? And where are you both coming from?” Valerie gulped hard. Her heart skipped as she thought of a way to explain to the President.
“Why do I always get into trouble? Now, how do I get out of this mess?”
Valerie coughed helplessly. She couldn't think of a way to talk herself out. She stuttered. “I… we… we went to a concert, and I…”
Just then, Ethan's eyes caught with his limping daughter. He widened his eyes, and rushed to aid her walk. “What happened, baby? Miss Watson, what the hell happened to my daughter? I can't remember telling you to go anywhere, so I need an explanation. Where did you take my daughter to? And why is she limping?”.
Tears circulated in her eyes. She wanted to speak, but the words were too heavy for her to say. Her silence fueled Ethan's annoyance. “Are you deaf? Where did you take my daughter to, and why is she hurt?”
“I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to hurt her. She sprained her ankle, and I regret that we went to the concert without your permission. Please punish me, Sir” Valerie went on her knees immediately.
“You…”
Ethan tried to hold back his annoyance. Staring at his daughter, he rushed to grab Valerie's neck. “Daddy, please don't hurt her”.
The President halted, and shook his head. Audrey has always been his weak point. “Baby, get up. You are already wounded”.
“Daddy, it wasn't her fault. I was the one who persuaded her to take me to the competition. She only did it because I convinced her, and I got wounded because I was so stubborn. She didn't do anything to me. If you want to punish Miss old-fashioned that means you have to punish both of us” Audrey limped to him, and held his shirt.
Valerie shook her head in disagreement. “Audrey, you can't be punished. Don't worry, I'll take whatever the punishment might be. I don't want you to blame yourself, baby. I'm the one to blame, okay?”
Ethan gulped hard on seeing the nanny and his daughter taking each other's blame. “Fine! Lady Veronica, take Audrey to her room. And you, come with me”.
Valerie didn't need anyone to tell her the 'you' was her. She quickly got up, still panicking. Audrey held her hand, and kissed her fist before whispering into her ear. “You'll be fine! I won't let Daddy punish you”.
Upon hearing that, Valerie forced a smile at her as Lady Veronica took Audrey upstairs. On the other hand, Valerie followed him fearfully.
They walked into the President's study room. Valerie stared around in awe. Even if she was in trouble, she couldn't help but admire the beautiful, well-decorated room.
Ethan cleared his throat, and she flinched. “Miss Watson?”
“Sir?”
“Do you know that I can have you sued and fired for what you did? Don't you know your place as a nanny to a little girl?” He started.
Panicking, Valerie bit her lower lip and bowed her head, sadly. “I know sir. And I think whatever punishment it is that you decide to give me, I'll accept it all sincerely”.
Ethan rolled his eyes. He couldn't even bring himself to punish her, but he just had to act tough. It's his daughter whose life was at stake. “How did you get to know Nicole?”
On hearing him, Valerie choked. She coughed for a while before raising her eyes. “Sir?”
“I hate repeating myself, Miss Watson? Are you deaf or is something wrong with your ears?” Ethan freaked out.
Valerie replied. “Sir, I didn't… I didn't get the question you asked”.
With a cold voice, Ethan snapped. “I said, how did you get to know my cousin, Nicole? Weren't you the one I saw at the airport with him?”
“Oh, that?” Valerie smiled nervously.
“So? That doesn't answer my questions, Miss Watson”.
Valerie explained. “He's my best friend, and we've known each other for so many years. I didn't even know that he was from the Davison's family”.
While saying that, Valerie was smiling heartily. Probably, the thought of Nicole made her so happy.
Ethan glared at her with furrowed eyebrows. He tried to get a hold of himself, but he just couldn't. Walking towards her, Valerie, who was panicking, kept stepping backwards until she landed her back on the wall.
He pinned her to the wall, and grabbed her by the waist. “You're mine!”