“What?”
President Ethan turned his gaze to Valerie. She turned her face away. Audrey covered her mouth with her palms on realizing what she had done.
Little Audrey cleared her throat noisily, and laughed. “Uhm… daddy, that doesn't matter. I can go to the swimming class next week.”
With a dissatisfied look, Ethan glared at Valerie. “I thought we had an agreement that you'll become a live-in nanny?”
“Except on weekends, sir” Valerie replied, and he clenched his fist. He immediately regretted that he exempted the weekends.
“You…” He paused. Taking a deep breath, he gulped hard. Was he being too clingy? He shouldn't make her realize he doesn't want her to go on a date with the stranger, right?
“Whoever you want to go on a date with is none of my business, what's important to me is that I don't want any harm to be done to my daughter. Do you understand me?” He sternly asked.
Valerie nodded her head. “Yes sir. You have nothing to worry about, I can't even bring myself to let any harm come to Audrey. She's more like a daughter to me, even if I'm going on a date with… I mean, I won't go with her.”
President Ethan picked up his cutlers to eat, but he was too annoyed to eat. He lost his appetite immediately.
“This knucklehead of a girl! She even had the guts to say it to my face that she's going on a date with that stupid stranger. Ethan, what is wrong with you? Why do you care whether she goes out on a date or not? She's just your daughter's nanny, and her life has nothing to do with you.”
Without having a second thought, Ethan suddenly said. “Are you that shameless, Miss Watson?”
Valerie widened her eyes in shock. What was he talking about? She couldn't help but wonder what he was talking about. “Sir?”
“How can a young lady just decide to go on a date with a stranger? Someone you barely know, what if something bad happens to you? I mean… who will… who will take care of Audrey?” He couldn't hold himself any further.
Audrey dropped her fork on the plate, and turned her gaze to her dad, who was ranting with rage. “Daddy, Uncle Hat is really nice. I don't think he'll do anything to hurt Miss old-fashioned. Besides, why are you angry, daddy?”
Blinking hard, President Ethan patted Audrey's hair. “I… I'm just concerned about you, baby. I know how much you love your nanny, and you'll miss her if anything happens to her. Likewise, I'm concerned about you, Audrey.”
Valerie bowed her head sadly. “I'm sorry, Sir”
“You don't need to apologize, Miss old-fashioned. You can go anywhere you like. I'm sure you'll be safe” Audrey held her hand, and Valerie smiled warmly.
Clearing his throat noisily, Ethan cleaned his mouth with the serviette. Probably, he couldn't bear how his daughter was talking so nicely about the stranger. “I'll go back to the study room now. Audrey, you should read your book after eating, okay?”
“Yes, daddy”
As soon as the President stepped out with his assistant, Valerie feigned anger and frowned. “Miss old-fashioned, are you okay?”
“Should I be? I thought you promised to keep it a secret. You have such a loud mouth, Audrey. Your daddy was so furious, didn't you see that?” Valerie said.
Pouting her little mouth, Audrey bowed her head, holding her ears with her hand. “I'm sorry, Miss old-fashioned. It slipped from my mouth. I shouldn't have told daddy about that.”
“You little punk! You just know that I can't get mad at you” Valerie touched her chubby cheeks and she chuckled.
Audrey whispered. “Get me some wine when you go for your date, Miss old-fashioned.”
“Shhh… keep shut, you chatterbox” Valerie smiled.
…
“Absolutely stunning. You're gorgeous, best friend” Susan complimented her as she applied some makeup on Valerie's face.
With a deep exhale, Valerie replied. “Do you really think all this is necessary? I mean, I'm only going to visit his orphanage. Why are you making it look like it's a big deal?”
Susan rolled her eyes, and scoffed. “It is very necessary. That's selfish President Davison, he has succeeded in imprisoning you up, all for working for him. You have to live in the mansion with them, and you're free only on weekends. That's why you need to make good use of the time you have, girl.”
“Whatever! I know you've always wanted me to go on dates. Sorry to burst your bubbles, this is just a friendly visit, not a date.” Valerie said.
Susan snapped. “There is always a first time to everything and…” She was still talking when they heard a car honking outside their apartment.
“His chauffeur is here, Val” Susan shrieked in excitement.
Valerie grabbed her purse, and walked out of the room. She was struggling with the heels that she had on. “Gosh! This is such a bother”.
“Cut that out. You should walk elegantly like a classy lady, not like someone who's been forced to put the heels on.” Susan told her.
Without hesitation, Valerie replied. “You forced me to.”
She opened the door, and saw the chauffeur standing right in front of the door, smiling calmly.
“Is that part of his job? Smiling?”
Before Valerie could say a word, the chauffeur started. “Good day, ma'am. I'm Mr. Paul, the chauffeur sent by Director James Wilford to pick you up.”
“Good… Good day” Valerie stuttered.
With a wave signal, the chauffeur humbly requested. “This way, please”
Valerie walked to the car, and he opened the car door for her. Hopping in, she waved goodbye at excited Susan as the Benz drove out of the compound.
Stealing glances at the car's interior, Valerie couldn't help but marvel. However, she didn't know Mr. James was that wealthy. The car was quite luxurious.
Suddenly, her cell phone rang aloud. Staring at the phone's screen, her heart skipped a beat. It was President Ethan.
After a deep exhale, she accepted the call and placed the phone to her right ear. “Hello, Sir”
“Valerie, come over to the mansion” Ethan's voice came from the other end.
Valerie glanced at the screen again to make sure she wasn't wrong. “Sir, I'm off work today. May I know why you want me to come to the mansion?”
Ethan became silent for a few minutes before speaking up again. “Audrey… It's Audrey. She got into an accident. Actually… she fell from the stairs” He stammered.
“What?”