“Valerie, I'm the one who is hurting here. Have you forgotten that I'm wounded?” Nicole feigned sadness.
Ethan scoffed. “ You're not a kid, are you? Can't you at least consider little Audrey?”
“What does age have to do with the fact that I'm wounded? Valerie, I'm your good friend, right? Ethan can always get a new nanny for Audrey. That shouldn't be a problem, but I can't entertain a stranger in my house.” Nicole continued.
“That's enough! Nicole, I can't leave Audrey anymore. Look, she almost died because her nanny added fish powder to her food. What kind of nanny doesn't care to know a child's allergies?” Valerie held Audrey's hand, and Audrey smiled.
Nicole freaked out. “Are you choosing Ethan over me?”
With that, Valerie snorted. “Ethan? Of course not. I'm only choosing Audrey's welfare. President Ethan is only concerned about Audrey.”
“Unbelievable! You already forsake our friendship.” Nicole continued mumbling.
However, Valerie beamed with a smile as she patted Nicole's shoulder. “I'll never forsake you, Nicole. Don't worry, I'll always come to visit you.”
Ethan, on the other hand, on seeing how passionately Valerie patted Nicole's shoulder, became green with envy. He quickly dropped the plate beside Audrey on the ground. Valerie quickly let go of Nicole and picked up the plate, while Ethan smiled in fulfillment.
“Miss old-fashioned, please don't leave me again. I can't stay in the mansion with you.” Little Audrey sobbed.
Valerie wrapped her arms around her and kissed her forehead. “You have nothing to worry about, baby. I won't leave you anymore, okay?”
“Okay, Miss old-fashioned. Daddy, you mustn't allow grandma to ask her out of the house.” Audrey pouted her mouth.
Ethan smiled. “Rest assured, Audrey. No one will ask your Miss old-fashioned out of the house.”
…
Rebecca sniffed hard on the cocaine powder on the table as she rubbed her nose violently. The door creaked open and Monica walked in.
“Any news?”
Monica nodded her head rapidly and said. “Yes, ma'am. I heard Audrey was admitted to the hospital and Valerie had reunited with her.”
However, Rebecca, whose eyes were shut, quickly opened her eyes and turned her gaze to Monica. “That Valerie… she has really got some nerve, huh? You know what the plans are, right?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Don't forget, I hate it when people make mistakes. Valerie and Audrey are the only obstacles I have, I'll stop at nothing until I get them out of my way.” Rebecca gritted her teeth.
Monica cleared her throat. “But ma'am… you are exceptionally unique, President Ethan is not the only capable, wealthy young man in the world. You can get any man you want.”
Upon hearing that, Rebecca jerked up from the chair and banged the table angrily. “Shut up! How dare you talk to me about whom I should choose and who I shouldn't? It's Ethan that I want, and he's mine.”
“I'm… I'm sorry, Miss Rebecca.” Monica fell on her knees immediately.
Rebecca snorted and said. “The earlier you stop making noise all for providing suggestions, the better for you. Get lost!”
“Yes, ma'am.” She snapped and stormed out of the room.
At Susan's Apartment, the next morning, Susan was preparing breakfast and heard the doorbell.
“Andy, are you expecting anyone?” She screamed from the kitchen.
Andrew was in the bathroom, taking a shower. “No, I'm not.”
With that, Susan turned the cooker off, and took off her cooking cap as she walked towards the entrance door. Twisting the doorknob, she threw the door open.
“You…” She paused with shock written all over her face.
The handsome looking guy, standing in front of her, smiled mildly. Susan found herself drooling. “Hi, Susan.”
She could recall immediately that he was the man who helped her the other night. “Hello. How do you know my name?”
“Actually, I… I wanted to return this.” He stretched out her identity card.
A gasp escaped Susan's mouth as she quickly took the card from him. “Oh my God! I've been looking all over for this, and I thought that I had already lost it. Thank you so much… uhm… Since you know my name, it's only right if you tell me yours, right?”
“Miguel.” He smiled.
“Oh, thank you so much, Miguel. I didn't know that I'd find this again. Why don't you stay for breakfast?” Susan offered, and he shook his head negatively but politely.
“No need. I have to go to work. Maybe another time.” He replied.
With that, Miguel gave Susan's his number before leaving. “Don't forget to give me a call.” He said and winked at her.
Susan found herself laughing dumbly. She felt butterflies in her tummy. “He's such a cutie.”
Meanwhile, Audrey was discharged from the hospital and was driven into the mansion with Valerie. She held Valerie's hands as if she would disappear if she let go of her. They walked into the mansion, chatting and laughing loudly.
“Audrey, would you like some oatmeal?” Valerie asked as she took her to her room.
Smiles escaped Audrey's lips. She had missed Valerie so much these past few days. “Yes, please.”
“Good girl. There won't be any classes for you today, all you have to do is lie down and rest. Once I'm done making oatmeal, I'll wake you up, okay?”
“Yes, Miss old-fashioned” She replied as Valerie helped her take off her sandals.
That night, President Ethan got back from work and went to see how Audrey was doing. She had already taken her bath and was set to go to bed. Valerie was seated on the bed with her favorite storybook.
“Daddy!” She shrieked in excitement, hugging Ethan tight. He didn't need anyone to tell him that his daughter was so happy.
“Audrey, how are you doing, baby?” He asked, and pecked her cheek.
Audrey smiled. “I'm fine, daddy.”
“I see you are about to go to bed. Don't worry, I'll let your Miss old-fashioned read bedtime stories to you, okay?” He said, and turned to go. Swiftly, Audrey grabbed his arm and he turned to her.
“Daddy, I want you and Miss old-fashioned to lie beside me and read a bedtime story to me together.” Audrey cried out.
“What?” Valerie and Ethan chorused.