“Are you sure of what you're saying?” Ethan asked with his eyes narrowed. Shock was an understatement of how he felt.
The man nodded and handed some files to him. “I'm good at my job, Sir. Actually, I found out that she was thrown out by her father's wife after she had the child.”
President Ethan sat heavily on the chair. He couldn't even say another word. What a small world! Who would have thought that his daughter's beloved nanny was actually her mother.
“Thank you! I'll have the rest of the money transferred to your account as soon as possible.” He said as the man walked away.
For a reason he couldn't figure out, he felt so elated to know that Valerie was the surrogate mother who had his child. He was going to tell Audrey and Valerie the truth once he got home.
…
“What do you intend to do, Nicole? Are you going to continue sulking?” Gabby snorted loudly.
Nicole rolled his eyes. “What will you have me do? You don't expect me to force her into doing something that she doesn't want to do, or do you?”
“Maybe if you continue trying, she'll fall for you eventually.” Gabby suggested.
Nicole exhaled deeply. “I feel so insecure to know that she's living in the same mansion with Ethan.”
“Ethan? Isn't he your cousin?” Gabby snapped.
Nicole nodded sadly. “Yes!”
“Why do you feel insecure? Shouldn't you be happy that she's at a place where you can visit her anytime you want?” Gabby asked curiously.
“Ethan has feelings for her, and that's bad for me. I just can't feel at ease knowing that she's right with him in the mansion. What if she falls for him? I've waited so long to confess my feelings to her, I would rather not be just a friend anymore.” Nicole lamented.
Gabby scratched his head. “This is astounding. You know, I thought Ethan will never fall in Love again after what happened between him and his late fiancée.”
“Even if he hasn't told me that he has feelings for her or that he denies the fact that he does have feelings for her, I'm a man. I know how a man behaves when he's in love, and that's precisely how Ethan is behaving. He's just all over her, and he gets furious anytime he sees her with me.” Nicole explained.
“Are you going to give her up to Ethan?” Gabby snapped.
Nicole snorted. “Never! I'm never going to give up on her. I'll make sure I give her reasons to fall in love with me.”
“Then, do your best. I know how much you care for her, and that's why I'm supporting your relationship with her.” Gabby said as they clinked their glasses together.
At the Davison's villa, In Audrey's room, Valerie walked out of her bathroom, holding little Audrey's pinky finger. Sitting her on the long chair in front of the dressing mirror, she combed her long hair.
“Miss old-fashioned, do you think I should start braiding my hair?” Audrey suddenly asked.
Valerie narrowed her eyes. She was surprised at her question. Audrey's hair was long and shiny, so she wondered why she would want to braid her long hair. “Why? Did you see anyone with braided hair?”
“Argh! That's not what I meant. I just saw a movie, and the girl had her hair braided. She looks so beautiful.” Audrey said.
Valerie smiled. “Oh dear! I think you look better with your long hair, you don't have to braid your hair to look beautiful.”
“Really, Miss old-fashioned?” Audrey chuckled.
Valerie patted her hair. “Yes, dear. By the way, your birthday is coming soon, and your daddy said he's going to throw a big party for you.”
“Yes, he always throws a big party for me on my birthdays.” Audrey said rather gloomily.
Confused, Valerie stared at her. Shouldn't she be happy that she always has a big party on her birthdays? Valerie couldn't even remember the last time she had her birthday celebrated. Probably that was before her mother passed away. Ever since her stepmother came to the house, her birthdays have never been remembered not to talk of being celebrated.
“Why do you look so sad, Audrey? Shouldn't you be happy that you're going to have a giant party with a big round cake with candles on it? Isn't that fun?” Valerie inquired.
Audrey pouted. “I'm not sad, Miss old-fashioned. I always have a big round cake with candles on it on my birthdays, so it's no big deal.”
“You're really lucky, Audrey. I can't remember having my birthdays celebrated since my mother died.” Valerie sniffed.
“At least you had a mother, but I don't. And I'm being forced to allow the wicked witch Rebecca to become my mother.” Audrey sulked.
On seeing how sad she looked, Valerie quickly cheered her up. “It's going to be different this year because I'll be celebrating with you. Don't you like that?”
“I do. I love you, Miss old-fashioned” Audrey kissed her cheek and they smiled.
***
The bell rang, and the security swung the door open. It was a delivery man. He handed a parcel to him, telling him to deliver it to Valerie.
The security guard was at the entrance when he met Clara. “Who is that for?”
“This is for Valerie. A messenger just dropped it over.” He answered.
Clara snapped. “I can help you deliver it to her.”
With that, the parcel was given to her. Clara looked at the parcel, wondering who could have given Valerie the gift. She walked straight to the servant's quarter. Valerie was still in a bathrobe as she had just taken her bath.
“Hey, Clara. Who is that for?”
Clara gulped. “Yours.”
Upon hearing that, Valerie's eyes widened in shock. “Me?” She took the parcel from Clara.
Slowly, Valerie opened the parcel. A gasp escaped her lips, and then a smile. “Wow! A sliver stiletto? This is my favorite color.”
Clara smiled. “It must be from someone rich. It looks gorgeous and expensive.”
“Could it be the President, Ethan?” Valerie smiled.
A few hours later, President Ethan walked into the mansion. Suddenly, Valerie rushed to him with excitement.
“Sir, good day. Thank you so much for the gift. How did you know my favorite color?” Valerie asked excitedly.
President Ethan paused and turned to her. “Gift? I didn't send you a gift.”
“You didn't? Uhm… sorry! I thought it was….”
Furious, Ethan freaked out. He growled angrily, walking closer to her, while she stepped backwards. She landed on her back on the wall and Ethan pinned her to the wall. “Who dares to give you a gift?”