“Even the devil or the Red Sea would never stop me from coming on this boat tour.”
There was finality in the tone of Rebecca's voice. Her mind was already made up, and there was no way Ethan could send her back. They've gone too far for him to do such a thing to her.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan grabbed her hand and dragged her to the other side. She winced in pain. “Let go of me, Ethan. Your grip is so tight, and you're hurting me”.
Ethan let go of her forcefully, and she staggered backwards, but luckily got a grip of herself. “What do you think you're doing, Rebecca? This is supposed to be a bonding experience for my daughter and me, but you're ruining it all.”
On hearing that, Rebecca scoffed. “Is it really supposed to be a bonding experience for you both, or are you going with the nanny to complete your family?”
“What the f***….” Ethan paused, and turned his gaze to Audrey. He shouldn't use such swear words in front of his daughter, and he was just making sure she didn't hear him say that.
Rebecca continued. “Have you forgotten the reason I came back from the States, Ethan? It was your mother who convinced me to get back here, you punk.”
Cupping his forehead in his palms, Ethan rubbed his forehead for a few seconds Before breaking the silence. “I'm happy, Rebecca. Audrey is all I've ever wanted. I didn't agree with my mother's arrangement. Don't you want to understand?”
“No, I don't want to. Ethan, listen to me, there's nothing you or anyone can do to make me change my mind. Haven't you always wanted Audrey and I to get close to each other? This is my freaking chance, and you're denying me of it?” Rebecca breathlessly lamented.
Reluctantly, Ethan exhaled deeply and said. “Fine! I only agree to this because you're finally considering getting on good terms with my daughter, if not I would never concede to this.”
Rebecca smiled. Well, at least she was able to convince Ethan to take her along. This time, she was prepared to take care of what belongs to her like she always refers to Ethan. “You have to convince your little girl that I'm not as bad as she thinks.”
“Make her believe that.” Ethan snapped as they walked back to Valerie, who was suffocating and sweating profusely in her clumsy outfit. Audrey glared at Rebecca angrily.
Audrey ran to her father, and held his pinky finger. Pouting her little mouth, she sobbed. “Daddy, are you letting the witch come with us?”
“You…” Rebecca was one step away from smacking her face, but of course, she had to withdraw. She wouldn't do that if she really wanted to come with them. She thought within herself.
“That little punk! I can't wait to scratch her ugly face and cut her sharp tongue off.”
Faking a smile, she tried to pat Audrey's shoulder, but the little girl slapped her hand off. “Don't you dare touch me, you scheming witch!”
“Audrey… your manners” Valerie muttered.
Without hesitation, Audrey bowed her head sadly. “I'm sorry, Miss old-fashioned”
Anger engulfed Rebecca on seeing how obedient Audrey was to Valerie. She could see more than a nanny and child love between them. Who would have thought the sharp tongued Audrey would feel remorseful after calling her names just because Valerie called her to order?
Bending over to Audrey's height, Rebecca smiled falsely at her. “I know you don't like me very much, but you have to get used to seeing me around. Don't worry, Audrey, I'll be nice to you as long as you're nice”.
Audrey sneered. “I can't be nice to you, Rebecca. NEVER! You're an eyesore.”
Rebecca freaked out. “You little punk…”
Clearing his throat noisily, Ethan held Audrey's hand and smiled. “Baby, just this once, okay?”
Audrey frowned. She quickly turned her gaze to Valerie. Slowly, Valerie nodded her head in approval, and she sighed. “Okay. Just this once.”
Astonished, Rebecca stared at Valerie. How was she able to win Audrey over this quickly? While she had tried almost everything, she could do at least get the little girl's bit of affection.
“That's the reason I should have her thrown out immediately.”
They were about to enter the car when Audrey snapped. “Wait”
Everyone halted, and turned their gazes to Audrey. She smiled dryly and said. “Daddy, you and I would be sitting at the back with Miss old-fashioned. As for you, Rebecca, you can sit with the driver.”
Rebecca snorted. “Hell no”
“Hell yeah. Daddy, if she isn't going to do that, then why should she come with us?” Audrey feigned sadness.
Ethan quickly nodded his head in agreement. “You can stay put if you don't want to…”
“Whatever” Rebecca reluctantly agreed, and Audrey smiled mischievously.
Without further hesitation, they got into the Rolls-Royce and speeded out of the villa. Valerie was dying in the outfit, but she was too close to Ethan and wouldn't dare take it off. Being that close to the President was making her feel so uneasy, what more if she takes it off, and stared directly into his eyes. She thought.
“I dare not.”
A few minutes later, they were already at the beach. Audrey got down from the car and ran towards the beach sand. “Oh, how I love the beach sand, Miss old-fashioned”
“Careful, baby. You would rather not get wounded, do you?”
“Miss old-fashioned!” Audrey suddenly called, and Valerie turned to her immediately.
Audrey exhaled. “Don't you think it's time you change into the perfect beach wear you brought with you?”
Valerie blinked her eyes rapidly, and her heart skipped a beat. Yes, she brought with her a skimpy but sexy looking beach wear, but why would she wear it when she didn't want the President to dictate the uneasy look on her face? “I… I don't think it's a good…”
“Yes, you should sit over in the shade and sip some coconut juice while we ride on the boat,” Rebecca cut in sharply.
“No. Change your attire, Miss Watson” That was probably the first time Ethan said a word.
Reluctantly, Valerie walked to the restroom to change her outfit. Some minutes later, Audrey gasped, drawing everyone's attention.
“Miss old-fashioned's got a killing figure” Audrey giggled.
Turning around, Ethan and Rebecca sighted Valerie. She was looking stunning in the skimpy beach wear.
The President mouthed. “She's hot”