At the Davison's Residence, Valerie summoned courage with the saucer and cup of tea she was carrying. Her mind was made up, nothing would stop her from having a word with President Ethan. Furthermore, her heart was racing. Would she lose her job after confronting him?
With her heart skipping beats, she stood in front of the door. All of a sudden, she lost all the courage she had summoned. She was still contemplating whether to knock on the door when the door was abruptly opened.
“Good… Good day sir” She stuttered, trying to hide her anxiety.
President Ethan glared coldly at her with his eyebrows puckered. He didn't say a word, but she understood him immediately.
Gulping hard, she reluctantly said. “Sir, your tea is here.”
“Take it in, and drop it on the table.” Ethan replied, and she nodded her head as she walked into the room.
Immediately, she dropped the saucer on the table and still stood in front of President Ethan, who was reading a newspaper with his glasses.
Adjusting his glasses, President Ethan raised his eyes at her. “Is there anything else? Do you have something to say?”
Valerie bit her lip hard. Why did her courage fail her? She was so determined earlier, but what happened now? Was it because of his hotness? Oh, God!! She found herself drooling at him.
“Damn! Valerie Watson, what the f*** Are you doing, huh? Why can't you speak up?”
President Ethan cleared his throat noisily, smacking her out of her thoughts. “Why are you blushing, Miss Watson? If you have nothing to say, kindly leave my room.”
“Uhm… Sir, it's about my phone” Valerie said. Okay! It came out as a muffle, but President Ethan heard her.
Ethan felt nervous, but he had to cover up by turning his gaze away. “Your phone? What about your phone? And what does that have to do with me?”
“Actually, I missed an important meeting because of it. I can't wrap my head around why when my cell phone was under your custody, a message was sent without my consent and…” Valerie paused, looking for the right words to use.
President Ethan cleared his throat noisily, and feigned anger. “What exactly are you insinuating, Miss Watson? Are you saying that I used your cell phone to send a message without your consent?”
“Oh, No… No… No, Sir. That's not what I'm saying, I just wanted to know if someone else had the phone before you did” Valerie shook her head.
Heaving a sigh, Ethan turned his gaze to her. It was cold and deep that Valerie got startled. She prayed that she wouldn't lose her job. “I don't know what you are talking about. If you have nothing else to ask or to say, kindly use the door. Don't forget to shut the door behind you.”
Valerie gulped hard. “Okay. Thank you, sir” She rushed towards the door, and twisted the doorknob open. Without hesitation, she hurried out of the room and shut the door.
Still confused, Valerie walked to the kitchen to get Audrey's lunch. She didn't go to school because it was a holiday, and she was taking her nap.
Valerie took, out of her uniform pocket, a timetable. She nodded her head in affirmation as she walked to the microwave to get the vegetable noodles and chicken. Placing the plate on a tray, she poured out the freshly squeezed orange juice into a glass.
“Some people are perfect at manipulating others. I'm sure they'll definitely regret it all.” She heard a voice and footsteps. Even without raising her head, she recognized the voice.
Without saying a word, she picked up the tray, and walked out of the kitchen while Anastasia snickered maliciously.
…
“Wake up, Audrey! It's time for your lunch” Valerie tapped The Sleeping Beauty, who yawned tiredly and slowly opened her eyes. “Miss old-fashioned!”
Valerie smiled warmly at her. “Yes, darling. Get up and eat”.
Audrey struggled up, and yanked the duvet off her body as Valerie helped her get seated. She started eating while Valerie arranged the clothes in her closet.
There was silence between the both of them before Audrey broke the silence. “Miss old-fashioned, there's a carnival going on today at the park. I'm so bored at home, why don't we attend?”
Valerie shook her head. She could never say no to Audrey. Besides, there was nothing to do at home, and she would also like to attend. “That's a good idea, baby, but I don't think your daddy will approve of it. He already left the house a few minutes ago with his assistant.”
“Oh, Miss old-fashioned! Do you really want to tell daddy about it before we can go? Do you think he'll consent to that? He never lets me attend carnivals. I feel so lonely.” Audrey cried out.
Valerie replied. “Since your Daddy will never consent to it, I don't think it's a good idea for us to attend. He already promised to enroll you into a swimming class, right? You've always wanted that. He also promised to get a new home-teacher for you.”
Upon hearing that, Audrey pouted her mouth and tears circulated in her eyes. “No one cares about me. You all don't want to know how I feel. Maybe because I don't have a mommy”.
Valerie rushed to her, and held her hands. She felt bad for the little girl. Then she thought of the child she had years back. If she were still with her, she'd definitely be the same age as Audrey. Who knows what she looks like? Would she also be wishing she had a mother just like Audrey? Plenty of thoughts filled her head. Shrugging it off, she kissed Audrey's forehead.
“Okay, baby. We'll go to the park carnival” Valerie wiped her tears off, and Audrey smiled brightly and hugged her tight.
Meanwhile, Anastasia, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, tiptoed back to the balcony and dialed the number on her phone.
Placing the phone to her ear, she whispered. “Yes, they're going to the park carnival. I heard her say that.”
“Perfect! Find a way to get her phone left at home” A voice came from the other end.