“You…” Patricia glared at Audrey.
Forcing a smile, Claudia turned to Valerie, who eyed her. “Is this how you've been teaching your daughter? I know she's a little girl, but I'm certain that as a responsible mother, you should teach us some things that she doesn't know.”
“However I decide to train my child has absolutely nothing to do with you, Claudia. I don't need your advice on how to take care of my child.” Valerie snapped at her.
With that, Patricia eyed her and said. “Whatever!”
“It's okay, everyone. This is my first time meeting my grandchild, and this is my birthday. You would rather not cause a commotion, do you?” Mr. Watson said, as he carried Audrey and walked to the guests, introducing her to them.
Patricia walked to her mother, boiling in anger. She stared at Valerie as their father's colleagues kept admiring her. Why was not loved like Valerie? What does Valerie have that she doesn't have? Why is she loved by everyone? Then, she glanced at her father, the way he was showing off his 'granddaughter'.
“Mommy, have you ever seen daddy carrying my son like that?” She grumbled.
Claudia gulped hard. Of course, all she felt was bitterness. “He's so proud of her, like she's the only grandchild he has. That Valerie is nothing but a scheming witch. Who would have thought that the surrogate mother I forced her to become would make her so recognized?”
“I wish I'm the one who was the surrogate mother. I would have been the one with President Ethan Davison. I'm the one who should have been his daughter's mother.” Patricia sniffed.
Glaring hard at her, Claudia rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Patricia. Are you trying to blame me? You were the one who refused to be the surrogate mother because you were obsessed with that Justin of a man.”
“You are my mother, you should have stopped me. I can't believe I'm stuck with a person who doesn't care about me or my child. Mom, we need to act fast.”
Her mother exhaled deeply. “I know, Patricia. You shouldn't get into a fight with her just yet. Besides, we have to use your husband to get what we want.”
“But Mom… he's still the father of my child. I can't believe I have to include him in this plan of yours.”
Claudia scoffed. “Shut your freaking mouth. Do you really want to be in Valerie's shoes or not? Or do you want to continue keeping up with your baby's father?”
“Whatever!”
**
Patricia walked towards her husband, who was chatting with friends and taking some drinks. “Do you care for soda?”
Of course, she knows her husband Justin liked soda a lot, especially when taking alcohol. “Yes, please.”
With that, she showed the bottle of soda to him. He opened it and drank from it as she walked away.
Just then, his phone beeped. It was a message from Valerie.
“Let's meet inside the house. In my room.”
**
“Grandpa, why do you have so many sunflowers in your garden?” Audrey asked anxiously.
Mr. Watson smiled. Audrey was practically a replica of his daughter, Valerie when she was still young. “Your grandma… I mean, the one that is late liked sunflowers so much. She was the one who started planting them, and because it reminds me so much of her, I continue planting them remembering her.”
“Grandpa, don't you feel sad that she's not here with you on your birthday?” Audrey pouted her mouth.
“Of course, Audrey, dear. I feel sad because she's not here, but I know that she wants me to be happy. That's why I must not be sad on my birthday. She has always wanted me to be happy, and if she were alive, she would want me to have a Grande birthday party.” Mr. Watson continued.
Audrey smiled broadly. “Happy birthday, grandpa. I prepared a gift for you.”
“You did?”
“Yes! I'm sure you're going to love it.” Audrey brought out a bead bangle from her pocket.
Mr. Watson arched his eyebrows in surprise. He never thought the granddaughter he got to know now would even think of getting him a gift. “This is beautiful.”
“I made this with my mother. I wanted to give you something I made by myself.” Audrey smiled.
“My good girl. You always have to take care of your mother, okay? You're so thoughtful. This is precisely how your mother was when she was young.”
“Really, grandpa? Nobody has ever told me how my mother behaved when she was younger.” She chuckled.
Meanwhile, Valerie was sitting in the other corner, watching her daughter and father chattering. The scenario made her so fulfilled. She opened her bag and searched for her phone, but couldn't find it.
“Where could it be? Did I leave it in the car?” She mumbled.
“A glass of tonic water, ma'am.” One of the waitresses walked to her with a tray.
Without hesitation, she took from the tray the remaining glass of tonic water. “Thank you.”
The waitress walked away as she sipped the tonic water. After a few sips, she felt very dizzy.
She managed to get up from the chair where she was seated and staggered in. Trying so hard not to cause a scene.
Before she knew what was happening, she passed out.