“What?”
Valerie managed to say, even though it came out as a muffle, but thankfully he heard her well. She could even feel his breath on her face.
Disengaging the hold on her waist, Ethan turned his back against her. He couldn't tell what came over him to behave the way he just did.
“What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I have to do that?”
Clearing his throat noisily, he replied. “I… I just want you to bear in mind that I'm the one you are working for, and… you're not allowed to flirt with my cousin's brother. It doesn't matter how close you are with him, what's important is that you should know your place”.
With that, Valerie bowed her head. “I'm sorry, sir, it's just that Nicole and I are excellent friends. We've been friends for a long time, and that's why we are close”.
Snorting, President Ethan walked to the couch and sat heavily. Why was he feeling bad after hearing that Valerie and Nicole are actually good friends? “I don't care how close you are with him. I just want you not to neglect your job”.
“Okay, President.”
Presently, at Justin's apartment, Patricia was glaring at him with an envelope in her hand. While, Justin stared at her confused. “What's with that look, Patricia?”
Patricia scoffed. “You'll find out about that after reading the content of this envelope” She dropped the envelope on the table in front of him.
Staring at her, Justin picked up the envelope. “What's the content of the envelope?”
“Not when it's right in front of you. I really don't have time for any dilly-dally with you. All you have to do is read the content”.
Taking a deep breath, Justin opened the envelope and brought out a white paper from it. Unwrapping the paper, he read the content inaudibly. “What?”
Patricia rolled her eyes, and countered. “Is that supposed to be a question? You took advantage of me just because you were drunk, and you are making that face, pretending to be innocent. Is that it?”
“I… I… I don't understand a thing that is written on this paper. Likewise, I mean, it's not true” Justin stuttered.
With a scoff, Patricia reprimanded. “What? Are you now calling me a liar? Can't you see the evidence in front of you, even if you think I'm a liar?”
“I'm not saying you're a liar. I just meant that this can't be” Justin snapped.
Patricia burst into tears immediately. “Is that how disappointed you are to find out that I'm 2 months pregnant for you? I know you never loved me, but can't you think of the baby inside of me? Do you hate the child as much as you hate me, too?”
Justin bit his lip, and shook his head. “Come on, Pat. I don't hate you. I mean, you and I are dating, right? Likewise, I'm just surprised because…”
“Surprised? About what? That you raped me? You got drunk, and you forced yourself on me, Justin. I decided to wave that off, only to find out that I'm pregnant with you. Do you think I'm so happy about this? But this is about our child” Patricia continued sobbing.
Justin exhaled deeply, cupping his forehead in his palms. “Patricia, I'm not ready for marriage yet. I just don't think this is the right time for us to think of having a baby. I mean, I would rather not force you to do something that you don't want to do”.
“What are you talking about? I just hope you're not suggesting that I get rid of my baby because there is nothing on earth that will convince me to do that. I'm keeping this baby, and we are getting married. You better start planning a wedding because we'll be having one soon” Patricia stormed out of the room, leaving Justin speechless.
…
“And the tortoise and his wife lived happily ever after.” Valerie concluded, and Audrey smiled.
“Miss old-fashioned, you'll reread this storybook to me every day. I really enjoyed every bit of it” Audrey chuckled.
With smiles all over her face, Valerie nodded her head. “Of course, baby. By the way, how are you feeling now? Are you still feeling pain in your ankle?”
Audrey shook her head negatively. “No, Miss old-fashioned. I feel better after you applied ointment on my sprained ankle”.
“I'm genuinely sorry for what happened today. It's all my fault that you got wounded” Valerie bowed her head, and Audrey tapped her shoulder.
“Come on, Miss old-fashioned. It's not your fault, I was the one who wasn't looking. I apologize for putting you through so much” Audrey replied, and hugged her tight.
Valerie smiled. “Good girl! I'll be off work by tomorrow evening. It's a pity, I won't see you when you get back from school”.
Her face countenance changed, and she pouted her mouth. “I'll miss you so much. I wish you'll never have to leave me at all”.
“Audrey? I'm not leaving you. I'll be here a day after tomorrow, okay” Valerie pecked her, covering her with the duvet she turned the table lamp off.
“Good night, Audrey baby”
“Nightie, Miss old-fashioned”.
The next morning, Valerie carried Audrey to the dining table, where she met the President already seated at the table. “Good morning, President Davison”
He only mumbled without sparing a glance. “MMH…”
Valerie helped Audrey sit, and passed the plate of oatmeal and milk to her. “Thanks, Miss old-fashioned”
“I hope I'm not late for breakfast” The voice came from the entrance of the dining room. It was Rebecca. Audrey frowned immediately.
Surprised, Ethan snapped. “Rebecca?”
“Why are you so surprised to see me, Ethan? Do you miss me that much?” Rebecca laughed hysterically as she sat on the chair beside the President.
Smiling dryly, Ethan replied. “I just wasn't expecting you”.
“Is that so? Well, here I am. Hey! Pass me the soup” Rebecca snapped a finger at Valerie.
“Me?”
“Are you deaf? Of course, I'm talking to you, silly” She snorted.
Valerie nodded slightly, and carried the bowl closer to her. She scooped the soup into the extra plate in front of her. “Fill my glass with some juice”.
In a rage, Valerie grabbed the transparent jug. Accidentally, she spilled some juice on Rebecca. Jumping up in disgust, Rebecca landed a dirty slap on her cheek.