Valerie stared at the long list that was handed to her with her jaw dropped. “Is this really for that little girl? These are the lists of things she does in a week?”
“You must be careful with her. She's allergic to seafood” Old Lady Vero snapped me out of my thoughts with her words.
“She's allergic to seafood? I'm allergic to that too, so we won't be having any issues” She gulped. Why does she feel attached to the little girl? They even had the same allergy, and the same favorite food.
“Good. You're expected to be here tomorrow, and don't be late” The old lady handed some documents to her.
“Thank you” Valerie mumbled as she grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the mansion. Just the little time she spent at the mansion, she felt rather fresh.
A cab dropped her in front of the apartment she shared with her friends, and she walked into the house.
“Hey! You're back” Susan raised her eyes from the cellphone she was operating. Probably, she could dictate whether Valerie got the job or not by looking at her facial expression.
Valerie sat heavily on the couch, taking off her shoes and earrings. “So, it looks like someone got a job, huh?” Susan winked at her, and Valerie smiled dryly.
“Well, I got the job… yeah! But I'm on a month probation period, so I don't know whether I should say I got the job or not” Valerie grabbed the shoes, heading to the room.
“But goodness me, Val. What's with the attire? I didn't get to see it properly when you left in the morning since you were rushing. Isn't it too old-fashioned?” Susan shrugged, and Valerie turned swiftly to her with her eyes narrowed.
“I've heard that already, Susan. The little girl who I'm going to take care of told me that already” Valerie snorted, and Susan burst into laughter.
“Gosh! I wonder the kind of friend you are, Susan. You're just making matters worst. Where's Andy?” Valerie shouted from the room, but Susan continued laughing without responding.
“That dickhead!” Valerie cursed under her breath. A few minutes later, she got out of the room with her dress already changed into a casual one.
“I'm so hungry. Is there any food prepared?” She asked, yawning hungrily.
“Nope. Andy called to say that he'd be treating us to dinner. Actually, he got a promotion at work today. Additionally, you also got a job, so it's celebration all the way” Susan giggled excitedly.
The door was flung open, and Andy walked in singing loud in excitement. “Congratulations, Andy” I chuckled, and hugged him tightly.
“I heard you got a job at the Davison's empire today. We have double good news” He snapped, and I nodded my head in agreement.
“Let's grab a few bottles of drinks and food. My treat, guys” He screamed, and we shrieked in excitement.
“You know what, guys? I've decided that once I get my first salary, I'd divide it into two, and give it to you both” Valerie bowed her head, and her friends turned to her with arched eyebrows.
“What for?” They chorused.
“Come on, guys, you both deserve more than that. For the past six years, you both have been more than family to me. You have me shelter, fed me, and even treat me to dinners. I don't know how to repay all the kindness, you guys have shown me” Valerie pouted her mouth, and they burst into laughter as they exchanged glances.
“What's funny? You both are just so annoying” Valerie cried out.
“It's funny because you sound silly. What the hell are you talking about? We are friends, and we should always look out for each other” Susan held Valerie's hands.
“We only did what we should do, as your friends. Will you stop being a crybaby, Val? Get ready, we're eating out” Andrew hurried into his room to change over into something simple.
They headed out of their apartment, and stormed into a bar. They already settled in a table when suddenly Valerie heard a familiar voice.
Turning swiftly, her eyes met with someone's. Valerie blinked her eyes rapidly to make sure she wasn't seeing things. It was really her, Patricia.
“Hey, sister” Patricia cat walked to her with a sarcastic smile. Valerie forced a smile at her.
“Patricia!” She called out, swallowing hard. She never expected to run into her. Patricia had told her that she was going to the university with Justin. What was she doing there?
“Oh! I thought I mistook you for someone, but I was wrong. Here you are, sister. You look so shabby, life must have been so tough on you. You've lost a lot of weight too” Patricia feigned concern. Of course, she was only mocking Valerie, and Valerie knew she was.
“Is… is that so? Susan and Andy, let's get the hell out of here” Valerie got up from the couch, and her friends followed suit. They could tell she wasn't comfortable anymore.
“You're leaving so soon? You know Mom, Dad, and I missed you so much” Patricia laughed mockingly. Valerie knew that was a big lie because her family never bothered to check on her. They must have wished her dead. Patricia, on the other hand, was so happy to see that Valerie didn't look so well. “Life must have been so tough for her?”.
“I'm doing well, Patricia. You can tell your parents that” Valerie turned to leave, but she heard another voice. This time the voice called her name tenderly. “Valerie!”
She halted, and slowly turned around. In front of her stood the man she loved so much, and could do anything for. It was Justin… she even noticed a love bite on his lip.
“Justin?” She raised her brows, as her stepsister rushed to Justin, and kissed his neck. “Baby, have you ordered?”
Tears circulated in Valerie's eyes, but she blinked it right in. “I can't shed a damn tear for him or Patricia”.
“Let's go, guys” She hurried out of the bar.
Valerie was on her way out of the club, and trying hard not to shed a tear for her sister and her boyfriend.“Valerie… wait!” She heard Patricia's voice again, and paused. If she didn't, then it will seem to Patricia like she's so much affected.“What more do you want, Patricia?” Valerie forced a smile at her, but deep down she was breaking down. Her friends couldn't help but glare at Patricia.“What are you up to, Patricia? Why do you have to call her back?” Justin whispered into her ears, grabbing her arm. “That hurts. Let go of my arm” With that, Justin released her arm, and she smiled dryly at him. “Sister, you know you're the only sister that I have. And you are the only sibling I have as well, so it will be very insensitive of me if I don't tell you this” Patricia walked closer to Valerie.“I'm surprised, Patricia. You've never for once, considered me a sister, and I really wonder what you have to tell me” Valerie shook her head, still showing a fake smile on her face. Her eyes
The next day, which was Valerie's first day at work. She got up very early in the morning… She wouldn't be late on her first day.Walking downstairs, she met Susan, who was serving breakfast at the dinning. “What's with your outfit? You should change into something more fashionable”.Valerie sighed tiredly, and scratched her head. “Really? This isn't good?”Susan glared at her, scoffed and replied, “Of course not. You should know where you'll be working now, young lady”. “Anyway, I'll be getting my working uniforms today. There'll be no need for the 'old-fashioned' dresses” Valerie rolled her eyes, and walked back into her room. Then she thought of the little girl, Audrey. Her lips curved into a smile, she didn't want the little girl to tell her she looks old-fashioned too.A few minutes later, she was already in a cab heading to the Davison's estate. In no time, she got to the mansion.“Good morning” She greeted the brutal looking security guard, and he nodded his head before showi
“What?”Valerie's shaky voice gasped, and the little girl raised her brow. Valerie couldn't believe her ears.“What the heck? That's her rules? What makes her think I want her daddy, anyway?“Why do you sound so surprised, Miss old-fashioned?”“Why… Why would you think that I'd want your daddy?” Valerie arched her eyebrows at her.“That's what all the nannies who came to take care of me did. They have always wanted my daddy” Audrey pouted her mouth, dropping her drawing book on the bed.Valerie exhaled deeply, and her eyes caught with the picture hung on the wall, close to her bed. It was a picture of Audrey and her handsome daddy. “He's really handsome”.“What are you looking at, Miss old-fashioned? Don't tell me you're already falling for my daddy, you just came a few minutes ago. I can't believe you! That's my number one rule from now on” The little girl shrieked, and Valerie flinched.Probably, she's her daddy's bodyguard. How funny! Valerie had vowed not to get involved in anythi
Valerie held her breath as she bowed her head, so she wouldn't make eye contact with President Ethan, who was glaring at her like he was going to tear her into pieces.All she could perceive was the perfume President Ethan was wearing. It was quite unique. “What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I thinking of such a thing when I'm in trouble?”.President Ethan stood in front of her for a few more minutes before turning to little Audrey, who was in tears, staring at him sadly.Audrey sniffed, and burst into tears again. Then said to her Father, “Daddy, trust me. It was Miss Old-fashion's fault. It was I was the one who told her I wanted rice cakes”.“You're not allowed to go near the kitchen, Audrey. Why did you disobey daddy?” He stared calmly at Audrey.“I'm sorry, Daddy. Please don't terminate the nanny's job”. President Ethan stared at her for a while, and exhaled deeply, “Let good, baby”. Both of them held hands and walked out of the kitchen.Valerie exhaled deeply in relief. For
Confused and shocked, President Ethan stared at his little daughter. He couldn't believe his ears. “What conversations was she having with the new nanny who brought about me falling in love with her?”“She promised me, daddy. I trust her, she's not going to flirt with you just like the other nannies who had come to work in the villa” Audrey smiled, and President Ethan forced a smile at her.“But Audrey, you shouldn't talk about things like this. Only adults are allowed to speak of falling in love. You're just a child” Her Father patted her hair. Audrey grabbed his hands, and stared into his eyes, then said, “Daddy, I'm wounded and hurt. Do I still need to get tutored by that boring teacher, Vicky?”.“Audrey?” He narrowed his eyes on her.Audrey bowed her head in guilt with her mouth pouted. “Sorry, daddy”“Good girl! About that, there'll be no need for it. I'll tell your teacher that you can't go to class today” President Ethan heaved a sigh, and Audrey grinned from ear to ear.“Than
At the Watson's Residence, Mr. Edmond had just returned. He turned to his wife, who was watching TV on the sofa. With a smile, he sighed and said, “Claudia, you won't believe the good news I brought. Guess what?”“What?” Claudia looked at him curiously.“I finally got Valerie's contact. I couldn't believe it. For the past six years, she's been at Northridge. I heard that from an old friend, and she gave me the mail address” Mr. Edmond said happily.He didn't realize that his wife's facial countenance had suddenly changed and the resentment in her eyes grew. “Why are you still talking about her? Didn't I tell you how she left this house on her own without trace? She shouldn't be let back into this house after leaving without trace”“Claudia, I've been thinking for some time. She's my daughter, and I should have gone searching for her even if she left. You know what transpired between us in the past, no one would feel good after such happens”.Anger engulfed Claudia, but she had to get
Valerie and her father came to a conclusion that she would come over to the Watson's Residence for dinner together with her family.Mr. Edmond had specially informed the cook in the Watson's Residence to prepare dinner for Valerie's arrival. Luckily, Valerie was off work, so she went to the mall to get gifts for her father. But Claudia made sure that the cook prepared only her daughter's favorite dishes. Not sparing the thought of Valerie at all. Soon, the cook came over and asked, “Ma'am, Master Edmond said rice cakes are Young Ms. Valerie's favorite, which is why he asked me to buy them. Are you sure you really don't want it to be cooked?”“No. You can go ahead and buy them. Cook them, but make sure it's tasteless such that the little witch Valerie would wish she never ate it at all” Claudia said in between her gritted teeth. Immediately the cook left to do as she ordered, Claudia fumed with anger. Her resentment for Valerie was growing even more. The fact that Valerie was going to
On seeing that their secret was about to be exposed, Claudia interfered sharply and said, “Valerie, dear, I know that you are upset with us for letting you become a surrogate mother at such a young age. But we had no choice, child. It was because we wanted to save your father, and to better the family finance”.Valerie scoffed in disgust, and shook her head. “What does that have to do with driving me out of the house? I was left in the streets for days. I had nowhere to go, and no one to ask for help”.“I need an explanation, Claudia. What exactly does Valerie mean when she said that she was thrown out of the house? Didn't you tell me that she left the house on her accord?” Edmond narrowed his eyes on her.“Dad. We didn't drive her out of the house. She's just making this up” Patricia snapped.Valerie wasn't surprised. Just as she expected, they were never going to admit to the truth. Seeing both of them shattered her health, and she realized she was much happier being away from them.