Araceli POV
After Melany left, I felt a little cold on the roof and went back inside.
"Where's the restroom, please?"
I asked a footman. He pointed me in the direction to walk to the end of this hallway.
I nodded, said thanks, and walked over to see a room that was half open.
I was a little drunk and didn't think too much about it and was about to push the door open when I heard a familiar voice.
It was Raphael's voice.
What was he doing here?
A female voice rang out. "Wait, I want to ask you something."
I frowned slightly and looked into the room.
It was Raphael's mother.
Raphael had his head down. I couldn't read his expression.
"You like Araceli, don't you?" Raphael's mother's voice was cold. "You don't want to marry Essel and Micah's real mother, Melany, instead you want to marry that notorious woman? You're out of your mind!"
Raphael turned slightly sideways. I finally got a look at his expression now.
Raphael's brow furrowed. "Mom, this has nothing to do with you."
"You have to give up." Raphael's mother said, "Melany gave you two children, but you actually want to marry Araceli! If this gets out, do you know how people will laugh at us?"
"I love Araceli. It has nothing to do with this."
Raphael said coldly, "There's no way I would break up with Araceli just because of Melany."
My heart skipped a beat and my face quickly began to burn.
I was amazed, shocked...
All sorts of emotions were intertwined in my mind.
Even though Raphael was now my boyfriend, the truth was that I wasn't with him because I loved him.
I panicked when I heard Raphael say he loved me in front of his mother.
I felt as if an electric current flowed through my body, making me war and comfortable.
I let out a deep breath and raised my hand slightly, accidentally pushing the door open.
Raphael's mother looked back at me and froze momentarily.
"Mommy!"
Krish took Valeria by hand and ran towards me.
I gave Raphael's mother an awkward look, crouched down, and picked up Valeria.
"Didn't I tell you guys to stay on the second floor? Why did you bring Valeria down here?"
"I missed you, Mommy."
I kissed Krish on the forehead.
Raphael's mother's cold face suddenly gained a little more tenderness when she saw Valeria and Krish.
I coughed twice and smiled, "Mrs. Lancaster, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation. I'll take the boys back first."
"They're your son and daughter?"
Raphael's mother asked in a slow voice, "How old are they?"
She came over, raised her hand, and tried to touch Valeria's head.
Valeria stared in horror and immediately turned her head, burying it in my arms and nuzzling my neck.
"Mom, Valeria is shy with strangers," Raphael frowned, saying, "I'll take them back first."
Raphael bent over, blocking almost all the light from my head. He took Valeria in his arms and wrapped his other arm around my waist, imploring me to head out the door.
We walked to the door. The air was cold, but there was a familiar scent inside.
I couldn't help but shiver slightly.
He seemed to sense it and glanced at me slightly without saying anything. Then he walked over to the car and put Valeria in the back seat.
Then, without hesitation, he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
His movements looked so skillful, as if he did it without the slightest thought.
"I'll give you a ride back."
Raphael said in a soft voice as he pulled the car door open.
I shook my head. "Mr. Lancaster, thank you, but..."
Raphael looked at me and suddenly leaned close, then lowered his head and whispered in my ear, "Don't forget, I'm your boyfriend now."
His breath sprayed on my ears and neck, making me feel a little tickled, but warm.
Suddenly, I was reminded of what he had just said to his mother.
My ears started to get hot. I pursed my lips and said, "But my car..."
Raphael turned around, called a bodyguard over, and told the bodyguard to follow his car in mine later.
I had to get in the car and sit in the passenger seat.
He slowed the car down. It took half an hour for the car to arrive at my house.
I held Valeria, got out of the car, and politely said, "Mr. Lancaster, thank you for driving us back."
Krish waved his hand at him. "Mr. Lancaster, bye."
Valeria said sweetly, "Bye, Daddy."
In that instant, my desperately maintained, outward calmness and composure was on the verge of collapsing somewhat.
If I hadn't had Raphael's earlier remark in front of his mother, I would have been able to face him with equanimity and not be moved.
His words that he loved me kept echoing in my head...
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a cup of tea?"
Raphael suddenly said, "I'm a little thirsty."
I froze for a second.
Wasn't his intention a little too obvious?
I was about to refuse when I saw Valeria already leading Raphael by hand towards the villa.
I had no choice but to follow.
It was almost ten o'clock at night. Every night at this time, Valeria was fast asleep.
I walked in and said, "Mr. Lancaster, you can sit for a while. I'm going to give Valeria a bath. She has to be in bed by this time every day."
Without bothering to look at him in the eye, I carried Valeria upstairs.
Krish took a book and sat on the couch. I couldn't see the emotions on his face.
It was the perfect opportunity for him and Raphael to have a nice chat.
After all, Krish was his son.
In no time, I finished Valeria's bath.
Valeria was wrapped in a bath towel, as cute as a doll, making my heart instantly soft.
Raphael hears the sound, stands up and goes upstairs.
"Valeria, what story would you like to hear before bed?"
Valeria's eyes glowed. She reached out and threw her arms around Raphael's neck.
I was speechless and went downstairs to Krish.
He was still reading a book. I said patiently, "Krish, you can read tomorrow. Now you have to go to bed."
I took Krish by hand and headed upstairs. "Take a shower, lie down in bed and get some rest, okay?"
Krish nodded.
He grabbed his clothes and ran into the bathroom. Soon, he came out. His hair looked soft as it dyed with the dense vapor from the bathroom.
His eyes were big and clear. I always felt warmth in my heart when he looked at me.
But the more I looked at him at this point, the more I realized he looked like Raphael.
I led him into the room and softly said, "Baby, do you want me to read you a bedtime story?"
"Yes."
Krish brought down the storybook that was sitting on the bed.
I leaned against the bed and slowly told him the story. It wasn't long before Krish closed his eyes and fell asleep.
I turned off the lamp and gently walked out, closing the door to his room.
Just as I walked out, I saw Raphael coming out of Valeria's room.