Inside the house, Patricia watched Valerie drag her luggage out of the Watson's residence. Her lips curled to a smile. I've finally gotten rid of that pest, and now no one can ever stop me from being the only favorite daughter of my father.

…

Six years later, Valerie walked into her apartment at Northridge, where she had been living after her stepmother threw her out of the house. It was a small, but comfortable apartment. In her hand was a dismissal letter.

She just lost her job. This was the third job she got this year, and she just lost it again. Why are men always lusting for my body?

Her employers were always after her body, and each time she refused to succumb to their wishes, she got dismissed.

Unlocking her door, she walked into the disarrayed room, and sat heavily on the couch.

“Is my life always going to be this unfortunate?”

She picked up the calendar, and stared at it. This was exactly six years since her family threw her out of the house she knew as home. She thought of her Father, and wished she could see him for the last time. She knew he wouldn't let her stepmother throw her out, leaving her with nothing.

“Maybe I should just drink out my sorrows. Life is even worse than it used to be” She smiled dryly.

Valerie grabbed the bottle of whiskey on the small table in front of her. She corked it up, and gulped it down.

She was already getting so drunk when the door flung open. Andrew walked in with Susan laughing and chatting. The moment they saw how pathetic Valerie looked, they quickly paused the laughter and the chat they were having.

Andrew and Susan happened to be Valerie's best-friends and roommates ever since she moved to Northridge. They became the siblings she never had.

“Hey, Val. What the f*** is this?” Andrew took off his backpack, and sat right beside her. Valerie laughed dryly as tears rolled down her face.

“You promised… you promised that you'd stop drinking and making fun of yourself like this. What happened?” Susan held her hand, sitting by her right side.

“Today marks six years since I was thrown out of the house and my child taken away. It didn't end there, I lost my job today as well because I refused to spend the night with my boss at five-star hotels” Valerie sobbed helplessly.

“That dickhead! Don't tell me you're crying because of him? He doesn't deserve you, and besides we've told you that it is prohibited for you to always remember today or grief about it?” Andrew raised his brow, and Valerie gulped down the last content of the glass she was holding.

“I would rather not be reminded, but my predicament seems to have gotten worse” Valerie cried out.

“Stop it, Val. This isn't the end of the world” Susan grabbed the bottle from her, and headed to the kitchen with it.

“Andy, tell her to give that back” Valerie scratched her head.

“No way! We can't let you keep wasting” Andrew shook his head in disagreement.

“What kind of friends are you guys? You're not even letting me celebrate my misfortunes. I can't believe you!” Valerie staggered up, but Susan grabbed her hand.

“I have good news for you, Valerie. The President/ CEO of the Davison's empire just came back from the States yesterday, and…” Susan was still speaking when Valerie cut her short.

“What does that have to do with me? Whoever the god-damned president or CEO is, that's none of my business” Valerie yelled in anger.

“Come on, you won't even let me finish. Anyway, I was saying there's a job vacancy at the CEO of the Davison's empire's mansion. Trust me, the pay is damn super” Susan winked at her, and she turned her gaze to Susan before shaking her head.

“What is the use of trying? He's definitely going to dismiss me. Do you know how many jobs I've lost in a space of a year?” Valerie cupped her forehead with her palms.

“There's no harm in trying, Valerie. It won't kill you to try it out” Andrew snapped at her.

“Fine! I'll give it a try” Valerie shrugged before walking into the bedroom. Here I come, President Davison.

The next day, Valerie woke up feeling very better. She decided to face the new page of her life, and not to keep remembering anything that would make her feel sad.

“How do I look, Susan?” Valerie walked out of the room in her corporate attire, and Susan smiled at her.

“You look much better, Val” Andy grabbed his backpack. He was already set to leave for work.

“I'm sure you'll get this job. Good luck, Mon Cherie” Susan air kissed her, and she smiled heartily.

“I hope so”

Thirty minutes later, Valerie was already standing in front of the Davison's mansion gate. She exhaled deeply, and mumbled some inaudible prayer.

She knocked on the gate, and the security through the gate opened. Likewise, she peeped through the gate into the magnificent mansion, and couldn't help but marvel in awe. Furthermore, she had never seen such a mansion talk more of getting into it. “This is a dream come true”

“Who are you?” The muscular build security man glared at her. She swallowed hard, holding her purse even tighter.

“I'm here for the job… the job interview” She stuttered, and he nodded before letting her into the house.

“Turn left once you get into the door” He ordered, and she forced a smile at him. The mean security man didn't even glance at her twice. “How cold!”

Her eyes caught with the convoy of sparking cars at the garage. There were assorted cars in the garage, and she wondered why only one person would have so many cars.

The moment she drew closer to the door, the automatic door opened, and she walked into the mansion. “Is this a paradise on Earth?”

Her family were comfortable, but their duplex was nothing close to the mansion she was in.

“Good day, ma'am” She greeted the elderly lady who took off her glasses, and glared at her.

“You're late” She mumbled, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Sorry” Valerie uttered simply.

“The CEO will be here in no time. You can sit over there, and wait for him to come downstairs” She turned her gaze straight to the desktop in front of her. “Is this a home or an office?”

Valerie settled down on the couch on the other end. She was still saying her prayers, hoping that she would get the job… she really needed it.

The elderly lady made a call with the landline, and she spoke in Chinese. She could speak many languages.

Valerie was still staring around when a little girl rushed downstairs, and almost rolled over the stairs.

“Oh child! You shouldn't run on the stairs, you could get hurt, baby” She helped her up, and the girl glared at her in disgust, slapping off her hands like they were gross.

“I'm not your child. Don't you dare call me baby” She sneered at her.

“Oh, sorry” Valerie forced a smile. Deep down, she was shocked and furious as well. “That little brat…”

“Audrey, your teacher is here” A deep, but attractive voice came from the sitting room, and Valerie turned swiftly. Her jaw dropped in awe as soon as she set her eyes on him. It was the President, Ethan Davison, she had seen him a few times on the television, but he looked more handsome in real life.

“I thought today was going to be a free day? Why do I need a home-teacher?” Audrey, the little girl, pouted her mouth.

Valerie stared at the smart girl with a smile. Why does she feel so familiar with the little girl when she hasn't met her before? She couldn't even believe that the girl could be so outspoken.

“Audrey, stop! You have to behave, young lady” Her Father cautioned her, and she exhaled deeply, and bowed her head.

Valerie turned to the elderly woman, whose name tag showed her name was “Vero”.

“Ma'am… Vero! Isn't the little girl so adorable? She speaks fluently too?” Valerie smiled, and the old lady scoffed.

“You're not here to see whether she's outspoken or not” She shrugged, and Valerie nodded her head. Why was the old woman being so hostile?

“You're new here, right, lady?” Audrey walked to Valerie, and she nodded her head. “Um…yeah”

“I heard you'll be working as my nanny. I hope you can make rice cakes. They are my favorite, and I don't want a nanny who can't make those” Audrey fluttered her long lashes.

“Really? Do you like rice cakes? That's my favorite, too. You'd have nothing to worry about because I can make very delicious ones” Chatty Valerie smiled, and Audrey raised her brows attractively.

“Woah! By the way, your dress is somewhat old-fashioned. That's off” Audrey added with a smirk. Valerie stared at her with her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe her ears, did the little girl just say that to her? Valerie couldn't help but chuckle, Audrey's height could barely reach her waist.

Her chuckle attracted President Ethan's attention, and he turned his gaze to her. Valerie forced a smile at him, but he eyed her before turning his gaze away. He was probably surprised that she could make his little girl chuckle… that's a first.

“Who is she?” Ethan asked with his eyes fixed on the laptop in front of him.

“Oh… that's Valerie. She's here to get interviewed because she applied for a job as Miss Audrey's nanny. Lest I forget, she's really nice” Dan, Ethan's assistant replied.

“Audrey, upstairs now” Ethan ordered, and Audrey sniffed before heading to the stairs.

“I'm definitely not your daughter. I can't believe you…” She mumbled under her breath.

“What did you say, Audrey?” President Ethan raised his brow, and turned to Audrey, who paused before turning her gaze to him.

“I said I'm not your daughter. Maybe I'm the cleaner's daughter or probably the cook…” The little girl breathed hard, and Valerie almost laughed out loud, but she had to get a hold of herself.

“This little girl is such a drama queen”.

“What? You're my daughter, and I want the best for you, little one. Go ahead now, and behave yourself. I don't want the teacher complaining that you haven't been paying attention to her” Ethan snapped, and she shrugged.

“Yes daddy” She ran upstairs.

“Haven't you had enough of the drama? Do you think you're here to moop around? You came here for an interview, and here you are making yourself so comfortable” A saucy young lady walked to her. Valerie gulped hard as she walked away with the lady. She had thought it was the President who was going to interview her, but she was mistaken. He wouldn't waste his precious time on a mere nanny.

A few minutes later, Valerie was already in the kitchen with the saucy lady whose name she learned was Anastasia.

Valerie was told to prepare a cup of milkshake, and then a dessert, which she did. Even though it didn't really match up perfectly to their tastes, it was manageable.

“Have you ever worked as a nanny before?” Old Lady Vero took off her glasses as she asked her.

“ERM… Actually, I haven't certainly worked as a nanny, but I love kids a lot. So, I get along with them each time I come in contact with any of them” Valerie simply replied.

“That is not enough. I thought you were sent by an agency. I can't believe you are just an ordinary…” Anastasia was saying, but Lady Vero cut her off.

“Anastasia, stop it! Okay, we will be placing you on a month's trial. If you fail to fit in, then I'm afraid we'll have to fire you” Old Lady Vero said, and Valerie forced a smile at her.

“Thank you, ma'am.” Valerie bowed slightly.

“I'll give you the full details of your work, you, and come back to the mansion tomorrow. By the way, meet Anastasia, she's the cook” Lady Vero walked out of the kitchen, and Valerie scoffed. “Anastasia is the cook? Why was she behaving like she's the President's wife ?” Valerie thought.

“Uhm… Barbara, what Lady Vero meant was that I'm the chef of this noble home” Anastasia gulped nervously.

“Correction! I'm Valerie, not Barbara, and a chef… you mean a cook? Of course, I understand” Valerie scoffed at her before walking out of the kitchen.

Valerie signed the necessary documents, and she was also told when and how to deliver her duties. It was shift work, so she didn't need to be present all the time. For the first time, she felt very comfortable with her work.

Then she remembered her encounter with the little girl, Audrey Davison. Her lips curled to a smile. She was six years old.

Suddenly, she thought of her baby, who she had birthed when she was very young. Her child would be the same age as Audrey.

“How dumb of me! Why should I think of a child who I didn't even get to see?”

Even if she meets her child, she won't even recognize the child. She told herself to forget about the child.

The doctor's words to her that fateful day kept ringing in her ears, and she blinked her eyes rapidly to stop herself from crying. It has been six years already, and she shouldn't think of it.

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-long 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 worse. 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 a 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 gave me shelter, fed me, and even treated 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 had already settled in at 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.