Valerie stirred the milk absentmindedly. She still couldn't bring herself to believe what just transpired between her and the President. In her entire existence, if anyone had told her that Ethan would do what he did, she would have disbelieved the person. She thought out loud.
“That is really the height of it! What the hell does he take me for? I'm supposed to be out there having fun, oh, but hell no! Here I am even on my day off.”
She was still talking to herself when she felt someone's presence, and shut her mouth.
“You can't help but talk to yourself now, can't you?”
Without sparing a glance, she knew who it was instantly. No one else but Anastasia. “I'm not in the mood for dilly-dallying, Anastasia. If I were you, I'd stay away from me.”
Glaring hard at her, Anastasia laughed coldly. “What makes you think I'm afraid of you? Who do you think you are, Valerie? You just came into the mansion a few weeks ago, and you expect everyone to be afraid of you. Oh, you're a lousy joker, Valerie.”
However, Valerie clenched her fist in fury. She felt like slapping Anastasia on the face, but she had to get a hold of herself. “Excuse me.” She walked out of the kitchen.
Anastasia glared at her as though she could kill her with her eyes. “Damn you Valerie! You're such an eyesore. What the hell is she doing today? I thought I heard she's off-duty today. Oh, she can't help but show her ugly face, and throw herself on the President. Shameless!”
Meanwhile, Valerie walked to the pool side where Audrey was seated. She dropped the glass of milk in front of Audrey. “Have some milk, baby.”
With a slight nod, Audrey took the glass and sipped it gradually. “Miss old-fashioned, I'm deeply sorry about what my daddy did. You should be on your date right now with Uncle Hat. It is unclear to me why he did what he did, but that's so annoying.”
Valerie smiled calmly, and touched Audrey's chubby cheeks. “Don't you like the fact that I'm still here with you? Your daddy might be right. I really missed you when I wasn't here.” Valerie had to cover up. She would rather not be the reason the father and daughter would have issues.
Shaking her head, Audrey pouted her mouth. “Miss old-fashioned, why don't you call Uncle Hat? Tell him you are coming, then you can still go with him?”
“Audrey! Is that how badly you would rather not see me? I feel awful already” Valerie feigned sadness.
Audrey snapped. “Of course not. I just want you to be happy, Miss old-fashioned. I know that you really wanted to visit the orphanage, but because of my daddy, you couldn't.”
“Even if I really want to go to the orphanage today with James, being with you makes me happy too. I'm always happy to see you, Audrey. Do you know why?” She raised her brows.
Audrey pouted her mouth, and shook her head slowly. “No, I don't”
“Because you're my baby girl. There's no need for me to leave when I'm here.”
Audrey smiled. She had always wished to have someone who'll be a mother figure to her. Valerie became her prayer's answer. “Miss old-fashioned, I like you”
Upon hearing that, Valerie burst into laughter and patted her hair. “You little punk! Are you just realizing that now? I can't believe you. I've always liked you, and you're just liking me back now? Likewise, I feel so disappointed.” She faked sadness.
“I've always liked you too, Miss old-fashioned. You don't have to feel sad” Audrey held her hands.
With a deep sigh of relief, Valerie hugged her tightly. She couldn't tell, but everything about Audrey seemed to her like the younger version of herself. “Why do I feel so attached to this little girl? Will I be able to cope without her if I leave this job?”
“Good girl! Now drink up your milk. It's still warm, and you need to drink it all up” Valerie replied.
“Okay, Miss old-fashioned” She chuckled.
Just then, Valerie thought of Susan. “Holy crap. She must be trying to call me. I have to call her.” She turned to Audrey, who was sipping her milk, and said. “Baby, I need to get my cell phone. I have to call someone” She got up, and rushed into the house.
Storming into Audrey's room, Valerie searched for her cell phone. Surprisingly, she didn't find it in Audrey's room. “Where the hell did I drop my phone?”
She walked out of the room, thinking hard when she dropped the phone. Then, she met President Ethan on the balcony. “Sir, did you happen to see my phone? I dropped it on the table in Audrey's room. I just walked in there now and searched, but I couldn't find it”.
“Is that how desperate you are to call that stranger who might not be who you think he is?” Ethan was unable to stop himself from saying those words.
Valerie raised her brows and puckered them. She still couldn't wrap her head around what President Ethan was talking about. “Sir?”
Clearing his throat noisily, President Ethan quickly covered up. “You should look for your cell phone, Miss Watson. What makes you think I'll know where it is?”
“Sorry, Sir” Valerie bowed her head. She walked closer to the landline. Ethan widened his eyes in shock.
“What are you doing, Miss Watson?” He asked curiously.
Valerie stared at him with her eyes narrowed. “I want to dial my number with the landline”
“No, you can't”
“Huh? Why can't I, Sir?” Valerie stared strangely at him.