Chapter 23: Chapter 23

“Damn—”

Rebecca kicked the table in annoyance. The thought of what she just saw made her even angrier.

“Is that girl really just a nanny? What kind of nanny gets carried by her boss to bed? I hope she's not going to become a thorn in my flesh”.

With that, she grabbed the bottle of dry gin on the table and gulped it down again and again. She wasn't going to let anyone take him away from her. She didn't come all the way from Washington to watch a mere nanny take Ethan away from her. Hell no!

If there was anything that she so much wanted, that would be to get the freaking nanny out of the house. Then, Ethan's words rang in her ears.

“Lastly, if you really want to get on Audrey's good side, I'll advise you to be nice to her nanny”

Meanwhile, at Justin's apartment, Patricia was sulking bitterly. Justin, who was sitting opposite her, was sipping the tea in front of him, not minding the fact that she was crying.

Patricia kept whimpering, and sniffles hard before turning to Justin who seems so busy with his cell phone. “Justin, how could you think of doing something like this to me? I don't want to believe that you actually mean what you're telling me”.

“What more do you want, Patricia? It's bad enough that I'm with you, and you're so desperate to get married. Do you really want to know the truth?” Justin shook his head, and Patricia wiped her tears off.

“Yes, Justin. I want to know the truth. You can't simply turn me into the Lord of the Rings. This engagement rings have been on my fingers for so long. Is this because of Valerie? Do you still have feelings for her?” Patricia snorted.

Justin cupped his forehead on his palm, and exhaled deeply. “So what if I still do? Isn't it obvious that we can't be together anymore?”

“Then, what is this I'm hearing? Why did you go to visit her today?”

Patricia broke into tears. The thought that Justin, who she had worked so hard to get over for herself, still doesn't love her enough. It was more like she was the one forcing herself on him. It's been six years, and he should have forgotten about Valerie. But no, he still has Valerie in his heart after everything she had done.

“What… what are you talking about? How did you know that?” Justin stammered.

Patricia laughed with bitterness all over her face. Justin's stammer was evidence that he really went to see Valerie. Wasn't she enough for him? She had given him her all. Her body, her soul, and her affection— those were nothing to him. “Are you saying it's not true? Didn't you go to see her?”

“Fine. I went to see her, but it was because I had to. I needed to clear some things up” Justin shrugged. Of course, there was no way he could lie himself out.

“I hate you, Valerie” Patricia fumed. Every single thing she had always struggled to get, Valerie got it with ease. First of, she loved Justin and he adores Valerie.

Taking a glance at her engagement band, she picked up her purse. “You're unbelievable, Justin”. With that, she stormed out of the apartment.

Valerie had just shown up, but she had stolen almost all she worked hard for when Valerie was gone.

The next day. Light crept from the balcony, and rays directly to the window and Valerie's eyes. Tossing from one side of the bed to another, she gently opened her eyes. A surge of pain on the burn she had on her arm made her groan softly.

“How did I get here? Why am I sleeping here instead of the servant's quarter? I can't even remember getting into this room. Did I sleepwalk again?”

The thought of her sleepwalking made her heart skip a beat. She quickly got up from the bed, and suddenly the door creaked open. Her gaze went to the door immediately.

“Hello, Miss Watson” Lady Veronica walked in with a first aid kit. Valerie stared at her, confused. It was weird because she could even count how many times she has seen her since she started working at Davison's villa.

Jerking up from the bed, Valerie greeted politely. “Good morning, ma'am”.

“How is your arm? I came to administer first aid on it as instructed” Lady Veronica replied, sitting on the bed heavily.

Valerie swallowed hard. She was confused by what Lady Veronica said. “As instructed? By whom?”

“Who else if not the President?” She snapped.

“What? The President? Are… are you certain, ma'am?” Valerie was stunned. Why would the President care about her? From what she knows, he definitely despises her.

“Of course. He asked me to personally treat your burns. I heard you got hurt because of Rebecca” The old Lady shook her head.

Valerie scratched her head. So, everyone knows about Rebecca? Who the hell is she to the President, anyway?

“I didn't… I didn't mean to. It was an accident” Valerie stuttered, and Lady Veronica smiled dryly.

Valerie sat beside her as she started applying some ointment on the scald. Likewise, Valerie couldn't get her mind off what the old lady had told her. She still couldn't believe it. The President cared about her wound? Unbelievable!

…

Later that day, Valerie was seated at the sitting room with Audrey. She was helping her out with her assignments.

“Color the drawing correctly, Audrey. You should make your work look neat, okay?”

“Sure Miss old-fashioned.”

They were still busy when the President walked in with Rebecca whose arm was linked to his, and his assistant Dan who was walking right behind them.

Rebecca glared at Valerie, who bowed slightly at them. Audrey rushed to her daddy, and hugged him tight. She slapped Rebecca's hand off when she tried to touch her cheek.

Audrey walked back to Valerie, who helped her to the chair. The President and Rebecca were walking up the stairs.

Suddenly, Ethan halted. Rebecca turned her gaze to him with her eyes narrowed.

“Miss Valerie, how is your arm? How are you feeling?” The President asked with concern.

Valerie stared at him, stunned. Was she hearing right?