Chapter 26: Chapter 26

“Me?”

Valerie stared at him with fear written all over her face. The President raised a brow at her, and scoffed dryly.

“Yes, you”

Upon hearing him, Valerie choked. After coughing helplessly for a few seconds, she replied. “You… Do you want to eat me? I… I really don't understand…”

“Are you silly? Why the hell would I want to eat you when you're not consumable?” Ethan snorted at her, and she swallowed hard. Probably, she was relieved to hear him say that.

“I'm… I apologize for the misunderstanding, Sir. Actually, I shouldn't have” Valerie forced a smile at him.

President Ethan glared at her, and turned his gaze away. “You just asked me who I would like to cook, and I said it was you who I wanted to cook for me. You're so indecent”.

“Sorry”

“Listen, I'm giving an hour to prepare for this. I know an hour is too much, but that's because I just want to fair to you, since you're not the cook. Beef stew and mashed potatoes” The President snapped, and turned to the laptop on the table.

Valerie shook her head vigorously, and picked up the tray. “Right away, sir”.

Stepping out of the room, Valerie exhaled deeply. She thought she was going to work here without getting to meet the President again, but here she is running into him almost all the time.

Meanwhile, Anastasia, who was standing downstairs, sighted Valerie walk out of the President's room. She clenched her fist in annoyance. “She's barely a month old here, and she's already flirting with the President. What a loosed woman!”

Valerie walked into the kitchen, and dropped the tray in the sink. Turning on the kitchen light, she was startled to see Anastasia staring at her furiously. “Anastasia, how can you stay in such a dark place?”

“What do you care? What are you doing in the kitchen at this time of the night? Aren't you off work yet? Shouldn't you be on your way home?” Anastasia confronted her.

Valerie nodded her in agreement. “Yes, I should. But there are things I should do first. Besides, it's already late. I don't think I'll be able to leave tonight”.

With that, Valerie opened the leftover food that the President left untouched on the plate. Anastasia frowned upon seeing the food. “The food… why is it untouched?”

“The President doesn't want it. He wants something else” Valerie responded as she disposed of the food.

“Something else? By the way, why are you the one taking his food to him? Shouldn't it be taken to him by Lady Veronica?” Anastasia narrowed her eyes. She had never stepped her feet into the President's room before, talk more of taking food to him, although she's the cook. But why would Valerie, who just started working at Davison's villa, already getting aqua tinted with the President?

“Oh that? Lady Veronica asked me to take the food to him. Too bad, he doesn't want the food” Valerie commented, leaving Anastasia confused.

“Fine! I'll prepare whatever it is that he wants. What does he want?”

Valerie scratched her head, and responded. “I'm sorry, he wants me to prepare it myself. There's no point disturbing you”.

“What?”

“He wants me to prepare his dinner. I shouldn't even be speaking with you right now, he gave me an hour to finish. I have to make good use of the time” Valerie walked to the sink, and washed her hand.

Anger engulfed Anastasia, and she felt like ripping Valerie's head off her body. All she felt was envy and jealousy. “You wretch! You're not just malicious, you're also trying to take my job away from me”.

“Huh?” Valerie huffed, and Anastasia smirked at her coldly.

“I won't let you take my job away from me. Keep that in mind, b*tch!” With that, Anastasia stormed out of the kitchen.

Valerie sighed deeply, and cupped her forehead in her palm. “Isn't it bad enough that I'm already in the President's blacklist, now this? Why would I even want to take away her job when I despise the fact that I'm the one cooking?”

She shook off her thoughts, and started cooking. She had to because the time was limited. Likewise, she needed to make good use of it.

“If this is the only way to get on the President's good side so that I can help Audrey. Then why not? I have to help the little girl speak to her Dad”.

A few minutes later, the aroma of the freshly prepared mashed potatoes filled the kitchen. Valerie was still dishing the food into a plate when her cell phone rang. It was her friend, Susan.

“Hey, Susie”

“It's late, Val. Aren't you going to come back home, tonight?”

Valerie snorted. “I wish I could. I don't think I'll make it home”.

“Is that so? Alright. Be safe, we'll speak to you later” Susan said before hanging up.

Taking a deep breath, Valerie carried the food she had prepared and headed straight to the President's bedroom. She knocked on the door before walking into the room.

Ethan was standing in front of the window, backing Valerie. She dropped the tray on the table. “Sir, here is the food”

Ethan turned around, and walked closer to her. He sat on the couch, and ate the food. Valerie stared at him, panicking.

“How is it, Sir?”

“Not bad” Ethan snapped.

On hearing that, Valerie exhaled in relief. At least he didn't say it was bad. Just then, her cell phone rang again.

“Shot!” She cursed under the breath, and quickly picked the call-up.

“Excuse me, sir” She waved at Ethan before taking the call.

“Hi, Valerie. It's me Nicole. I'm back in Northridge, doll” The cheerful, manly voice said.

“Nicole?” Valerie shrieked in excitement. She felt like she was going to burst in happiness.

Nicole laughed heartily. “What's up, doll?”

“I miss you, Nick” She bit her lip, and Ethan cleared his throat noisily. She was quickly reminded that she was still in the presence of her boss.

“Speak with you, later” She snapped before hanging the call-up.

“Sir, may I leave?” She said with a shaky voice, and Ethan glared at her.

She could swear she saw jealousy in his eyes as he stared at her. But why?

“Who is he?” Ethan couldn't control his anger anymore.