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.

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 met with Justin's, and he bowed his head in guilt.

“If you would rather not be here, Val. I think we should leave this place. I don't see any reason why you'd be somewhere you want to avoid being in” Andrew grabbed Valerie's arm, and she turned to him with a weary smile. “It's okay, Andy”

“Take a look at my diamond ring, Justin and I are engaged. I'll be getting married soon, and I was just thinking It will be better if I get your contact. I mean, I could just invite you over to my wedding, don't you think?” Patricia smiled mischievously, and Valerie clenched her fist in fury. “That punk” She cursed under her breath.

“Patricia, what are you up to?” Justin glared at her.

“I just wanted to…” Patricia was still speaking, but Valerie cut her short.

“Oh, is that so? Congratulations, Justin and Patricia. That's good news, and you have nothing to be worried about, I'm surely going to attend your wedding” Without giving Patricia any opportunity to mock her again, Valerie snapped cheerfully.

With that, Valerie tapped her friends, and they strode out of the bar.

“I think that your ex-boyfriend is still affected by you, Valerie. Even though you really lack sense of dressing” Susan teased her as they were seated at the back of a cab, heading home.

Valerie rested her head on the seat with her eyes shut. Of course, she was influenced by what Patricia told her, especially the engagement ring she showed her.

“Yeah. I saw how he stared at you. His face countenance said it all. It looks like the witch is forcing herself on him” Andrew nodded in agreement with what Susan has said.

“So? What if he's still altered by me? Does that change the fact that we can't have anything to do with each other?” Valerie exhaled deeply. “If you still want him back, then you can snatch him from that malicious sister of yours” Susan snapped.

"What?” Valerie's voice erupted like a volcano. Susan and Andrew nodded their heads, and she shook her head in disagreement.

“I've never blamed Justin for once. The fact that I gave birth to someone's child is still something Justin can never forgive me for, and I kept it from him as well. Even though he accepts me back into his life, things are never going to be the way it used to be between us” Valerie smiled dryly.

“He should understand you. Isn't it that you gave birth to the child because you had no choice?” Susan scoffed.

Andrew patted Valerie's shoulder softly, “Stop being hard on yourself, Val. You didn't give birth because you wanted to do it”

Smiling sadly, Valerie bowed her head. “Although I was forced, it is still a fact that I gave birth to someone's child”

With a snort, Susan turned her gaze away. “Your family is just heartless. So insensitive!”

“I just feel bad for you, Val. It's obvious that you're still in love with Justin. I just wish there was something I could do to help you” Andrew countered, he felt bad to know that Valerie was still hurt.

Valerie smiled, and shook her head slowly, “I still love him, but I don't want him anymore. Probably, because he was my first love that's the reason I'm still affected, but I'll be fine guys”

Anyway, her love for him had faded after six whole years.

Susan nodded her head. “Yes, you shouldn't be with him. With all these beauty and brains of yours, you deserve someone better, not someone who chose that flirtatious half sister of yours”

With that, they burst into laughter. Valerie felt better after what they told her. She felt so grateful for her having such friends who are ready to defend her at all times.

“I could punch them hard in the face if you like, or perhaps you can walk down the aisle with me so that you can get back at them” Andrew suggested, and Valerie smacked his head.

“You punk! Walk down the aisle indeed! You're silly” Valerie snorted, and they shared a laugh again.

All Valerie needed was to focus on her new precious work at the Davison's mansion.

Meanwhile, Justin fastened his pace as he headed out of the bar. Patricia had to run after him since he was walking so fast.

“Justin, wait for me. What's wrong with you?” She cried out.

Without sparing a glance at her, he coldly replied, “Go home, Patricia. I have other important things to take care of. With that, he unlocked his car door.

Patricia gasped, and grabbed his hands,”What are you talking about, Justin? You're going to leave me here? Why are we leaving so soon, anyway? I don't have a car, and it's already too late to call an Uber”

Justin brought out his wallet, and threw some cash at her. “This will do. Don't bother getting into my car”

Shuddering in fear of losing him, Patricia grabbed his hands again and said. “Why are you so angry with me? Does this have to do with my sister?”

Justin scoffed. Slapping her hands off, he hopped into the car, and Patricia kept knocking at the car window. Ignoring her, he stepped on the accelerator and zoomed off without second thoughts.

Patricia fumed in anger, and kept stamping her foot in annoyance.

“Valerie, you tramp! Why do you have to show up?”