At the Davison's villa, Valerie was waiting impatiently for the President to get back home. She couldn't stop staring at the receipt. All along, she had always wondered who could have paid for such an expensive dress just for her. The least person she had expected it to be was the President.
Thoughts kept running through her mind. Why would he pay for her dress? Is he going to ask her to pay in bits? That would mean that she'd work for the Davison's for the rest of her life. Oh, God!! How would she face President Ethan after what happened on the boat tour?
Reluctantly, she glanced at the wall clock. Her heart skipped a beat. It was getting late, and President Ethan could show up at any moment. She had already lost words… How would she tell him that she's grateful?
Lost in thought, she didn't realize when she fell asleep on the couch. A few minutes later, the President walked into the mansion. His assistant took his suitcase and headed upstairs first. He walked to the sitting room, and switched the light on.
Shocked, he saw Valerie sleeping peacefully on the couch. He smiled a little then paused, staring at her face like he had never seen her before. Likewise, he was about to touch her face when she suddenly opened her eyes.
In a bid to cover up for himself, President Ethan frowned and stepped backwards, while Valerie jerked up from the couch. “Good… Good evening, Sir”.
Without responding, Ethan nodded his head and stared sternly at her. “What are you doing here?”
Valerie choked. Words refused to come out of her mouth. Probably, she didn't know how to put words together.
“Are you deaf? Didn't you hear me, Miss Watson?” This time, Ethan's voice was colder. She was visibly startled.
“Uh mm… Sir, it's about this” With a shaky hand, she handed the receipt to him. Without a second glance, Ethan knew what that was, but he feigned ignorance and took the receipt.
“What is this, Miss Watson?”
Valerie gulped. “I… I found this in your room, Sir.”
President Ethan feigned anger immediately. “What are you doing with this? This should be in my room, and I don't see any reason why you should enter my room without permission. Tell me, what did you get into my room for?”
“I'm sorry, sir. I was only trying to help out the cleaner because she fell ill. I just wanted to clean your room before I found this.”
Ethan exhaled deeply, and continued. “You went to clean my room, and instead of doing your job and leaving the room, you decided to meddle with my stuff. Who do you think you are?”
Her heart skipped a beat and she thought.
“Did I make a mistake confronting the President about this? Should I have kept quiet, knowing fully well that this has to do with me?”
“Miss Watson! Are you even listening?”
Valerie nodded her head rapidly as his voice smacked her out of her thoughts. “Yes… Yes sir”.
“What are you doing with that? And what does that have to do with you?” Ethan asked.
Valerie could feel her palms all wet. She felt so uneasy. Bowing her head, she mumbled. “This dress… This dress was delivered to me for my sister's wedding party. I just… I don't know who bought such an expensive dress for me. Likewise, I've been trying to contact who it was, but I couldn't”
“What are you insinuating, Miss Watson?” President Ethan inquired.
Reluctantly, Valerie replied. “That you bought the dress for me. Uhm… Sir, I'm willing to do anything to repay you for the dress.”
There was silence between them. Valerie felt like she was suffocating. What exactly was he thinking about? She shouldn't have offered to pay him back for the dress, should she? On the other hand, Ethan smiled within himself, and thought.
“Is she willing to do anything I tell her too just to repay me for this dress? But getting this dress was simple for me. What's so special about a million dollar dress?”
Clearing his throat noisily, Ethan started. “Firstly, you shouldn't think so much about it. I only bought the dress because my daughter adores you. That's all, but since you're willing to do anything to repay me for the dress, then you'll have to keep your promise.”
Valerie nodded. “Yes Sir”
“You'll have to move in as a live-in nanny. That's for my daughter's own good. You're only allowed to leave the mansion during the weekends.” Ethan continued.
Shocked, Valerie turned to him with her eyebrows arched. “Is that all, Sir?”
“Yes, it is”
Smiles escaped her lips. She had thought it would be tougher for her. But come to think of it, why does the President want her to be a live-in nanny? She shook the thought off, and smiled. “Thank you, Sir.”
Concealing his excitement, President Ethan walked away with this suit hung on his shoulder. Now, he'll have to see her everyday. That way, she wouldn't be flirting with that stranger.
…
In Audrey's room, little Audrey was busy with her assignments while Valerie was preparing a glass of orange squash for her. Valerie was smiling absentmindedly, and that drew Audrey's attention.
Surprised, Audrey stared at her. Dropping her crayons, Audrey walked to her and tapped her shoulder. “Miss old-fashioned, are you okay? You've been smiling all day.”
“Uhm… What are you talking about, Audrey? I wasn't smiling” She tried to cover up for herself.
Audrey tuts. “Nah. You're really not a good liar, Miss old-fashioned. I saw you grinning from ear to ear. Oh, no! You really do not consider me your friend, right? Maybe because I'm little” Audrey pretended to be crying.
“Hey! Of course not. You're my friend and my baby girl. Don't say that” Valerie wrapped her arms around Audrey's neck.
Audrey sniffed hard. “Then why are you keeping secrets, Miss old-fashioned? That's unfair!”
Hearing that, Valerie stared around to make sure no one was watching. Bending over to Audrey's ear, she whispered some inaudible words.
Audrey gasped and screamed out. “You're going on a date with Uncle Hat?”