Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Valerie sat heavily on the couch with her forehead cupped in her palm. She had tried contacting Nicole, but he was out of town. She would never want to inconvenience him with her issues. Furthermore, she was still lost in thoughts when her cell phone beeped.

Grabbing the cell phone, she read the message on the screen. “Val, I'm sorry I haven't been taking your calls. I've been so busy. What's up? Why are you calling?”

The message was from Nicole. “I shouldn't disturb Nicole with my affairs. He came back to take over the family business”.

…

Susan widened her eyes in shock as her jaw dropped. “What? Why did you have to tell that crazy sister of yours that you have a man when you don't?”

“Susan, you should have seen the way she said it to me. She was obviously mocking me, I'm making it look like I'm a loser. I couldn't stand it, that was why I lied to them” Valerie cried out.

Susan walked to her, and sat beside her, hugging her tight. “What do you want to do now? I mean, you can't possibly go to that wedding without a boyfriend”.

“I wouldn't have asked you if I knew what to do”

“How about I pose like your boyfriend?” Andrew snapped.

Valerie turned swiftly at him with a loud sigh. “You're joking, aren't you, Andy?”

Andrew rolled his eyes as he grabbed the pack of chips on the table. “Unbelievable! Do you still have a choice? I mean, I'm so handsome that every lady's jaw will drop staring at my face. You're so ungrateful”.

“Keep quiet! This is no joking matter, Andrew. Patricia knows you're just friends with Valerie. Besides, Valerie needs a man who would match up to Justin's standards,” Susan defensively reprimanded.

With a shrug, Andrew mumbled. “I was just trying to be helpful. It's obvious you guys don't need my help. I'm too handsome for you all”.

They burst into laughter, and it died down in a few minutes. “Guys, I'm really stuck here. The wedding is in two days' time”.

“I'm more confused than you are. What if you don't attend the wedding?” Susan suggested.

Valerie scratched her head, and reluctantly shook her head. “That's not possible. I already told them I was going to come. Besides, my father will not be happy if I don't show up for my half sister's wedding”.

“Now, we're left between the devil and the Red Sea. I can't even think of anything” Andrew exhaled deeply.

All of a sudden, Susan laughed. They turned to her with furrowed eyebrows. “Are you okay, Susan?”

“How about a blind date?”

“No, thanks” Valerie snorted as she walked away.

“Who will bail Valerie?”

At Watson's Residence, the happy mother and daughter couldn't stop rejoicing as they looked at the wedding shopping that was done for Patricia.

Claudia hugged her daughter tight, and replied. “I'm so happy for you, Patricia. You're finally getting married to him”.

With a mischievous smirk, Patricia commented. “Mom, I told you there is nothing I can't get. As for that useless step-sister of mine, she's the least of my problems. Just like I took Justin from her, I'm going to take everything that she has taken from me”.

On hearing that, Claudia patted her back. “You're truly my daughter. The house your father bought for that wretch, we have to get it back. I threw her out of this house years ago, and I will not hesitate to throw her out of this house again”.

“I invited her to my wedding. She said she was going to attend with her boyfriend. That tramp! What kind of man would date her if not a poor beggar?” Patricia mocked as they shared a laugh.

Claudia picked up the diamond stoned shoe in the box in front of her. “This is so beautiful. I can't wait to see you step into these shoes. You deserve all of that because you're my daughter. Valerie is only going to make a fool out of herself here on your wedding day”.

“Exactly” They roared in laughter.

The D-Day finally came, and Valerie still had no date for the wedding. With plenty of dresses littering on the ground, she was confused about which one to put on.

“Life is so unfair. I know I'm just going to make a fool out of myself attending my half sister's wedding, but I have no choice. What do I wear to the wedding anyway?”.

She was still lost in thoughts when she heard the doorbell ring noisily. She wasn't expecting any visitors. “Who could that be?”

Without hesitation, she walked to the entrance, and gently twisted the doorknob open. To her surprise, she saw a box on her doorstep. Peering around, she saw no one.

“Who dropped this?”

Bending over, she picked up the card pinned to the box, and read aloud. “For Miss Valerie Watson”.

A gasp escaped her lips. “This is for me?”

She carried the box, and headed into the house. Opening the box, she was astonished to see the black designer gown that was obviously worth millions, and an expensive shoe with a bag.

Susan walked out of the bathroom, and sighted the dress. “Oh my goodness! Is this for you, Val?”

“Yeah, I'm surprised that it's for me. I can't afford this for sure” Valerie snapped.

“Oh my God! This is more like a dream come true. You're going to look so gorgeous” She screamed.

Picking up the card, Valerie searched if she would see the name of the one who sent her that, but unfortunately, she didn't.

Glancing at the wall clock, she heaved a sigh. At least she had a nice dress to attend the wedding, even if she had no date.

Valerie shook her head. “But what if this isn't for me? I mean, who would gift me such an adorable dress? I can't afford this”.

“What are you talking about, Valerie? This is a gift from God. Even if you don't have a date, you would look more beautiful than the bride after I doll you up” Susan pushed her to the dressing chair.

Valerie exhaled deeply. “Are you certain?”

“Time to make you look like a princess that you are. The wedding of the season!” Susan chuckled.