Araceli POV
I looked at Essel seriously. "Baby, are you crying? It's okay..."
"Araceli..." Essel sniffled. "I haven't seen you for too long. I missed you so much..."
She stared at me, tears in her eyes.
I put Essel on the ground, squatted down, and whispered, "Honey, I'm really sorry, but I have things to do now. I have to go back first. I'll see you next time, okay?"
"No!"
Essel hugged me. She cried, "Araceli, please don't go! I have a lot to say to you."
I looked up at Raphael. He frowned slightly and crouched down too.
"Araceli..." Essel's tears kept falling. "Daddy let me study at home, but I don't want to, and I hate the food the chef makes! I'm starving now. Araceli, please don't go, okay? Staying with you will make me feel better."
She hugged me and cried out.
I felt sad, too, so I reached out and patted her on the shoulder.
I whispered, "Essel, what do you want to eat? Maybe I can bring some food over to see you next time..."
Essel wailed, "Araceli, I'm starving... I want to eat doughnuts, ice cream, chips, pizza, burgers..."
My eyes fell on Raphael's face.
Raphael pursed his lips.
He didn't say anything and looked over at Maddox.
Maddox hurriedly said, "Ms. Chancey, Ms. Essel is quite picky about her food. Mr. Lancaster has been very worried. We're trying to figure out how to fix that, too."
I nodded, took Essel's hand, and said, "Essel, would you like to have a sandwich? If you want to try one, I can make you some. In fact, let me tell you secretly that the sandwich I make is magic. All you have to do is eat it, and you'll be the smartest kid in the world."
Essel looked up, her eyes full of disbelief. "Araceli, are you serious?"
"Of course."
I glanced at Raphael and raised an eyebrow. "But, we have to get your daddy's permission first."
Essel turned and threw her arms around Raphael's thighs.
"Daddy, I'm begging you to let Araceli go to the kitchen and make me a magical sandwich... Daddy, I promise I'll do what you say from now on! I'll never sneak out again..."
There was a hint of shock in Raphael's eyes.
He nodded his head and said, "Fine, Essel, but you have to promise me that you will eat well in the future."
"Okay, Daddy!"
Essel nodded happily and hugged Raphael's thigh tightly.
Raphael frowned slightly and looked at me.
I took Essel's hand and headed for the villa.
I followed Maddox into the kitchen. I was shocked. There were a lot of fresh ingredients here.
I found lettuce, bacon, eggs, and bread.
Maddox stood next to me and said, "Ms. Chancey, I have to tell you that Ms. Essel doesn't like bread..."
I shook my head and said, "Don't worry, Maddox. I bet she'll like it."
With that, I got out the pan, lit the fire, poured the oil, and made two sandwiches in one go.
Maddox shook his head and stood off to the side, watching in silence.
I walked out of the kitchen with the plate and placed it on the table.
"Essel, come and taste it."
Raphael frowned.
He was silent for a moment and said, "Ms. Chancey, thank you, but I think..."
Suddenly, an exclamation came.
Essel said happily, "Wow, Ms. Chancey, you're amazing! These two sandwiches look so delicious!"
She took a deep breath. "This smells great! Ms. Chancey, can I eat it now?"
I nod my head. "Sure. Eat slowly. Have some milk."
Essel took a big bite.
Her eyes lit up for a moment. Then she kept eating without stopping.
Maddox was stunned and confused. He even had fine beads of sweat on his forehead. His hands were also trembling slightly.
I looked at his face and smiled.
Raphael also had a look of disbelief on his face.
He held out his hand, ready to pick up another sandwich.
As if sensing what he was trying to do, Essel immediately pulled the plate toward herself and said guardedly, "Daddy, this is the sandwich Araceli made just for me! Both of these are mine!"
Raphael coughed twice and pretended not to care. "I just saw dust next to the plate. Don't be so nervous."
He got up and left with Maddox.
Essel grunted, picked up the glass with the milk, and turned to me.
"Ms. Chancey, would you like some milk?"
She suddenly lost her balance and lunged at me.
A glass of milk was splashed on my chest.
My skirt immediately became soaked and the outline of my underwear became visible.
"I'm sorry!"
Essel looked at me in a panic.
"Ms. Chancey, I didn't mean to..."
She took out a tissue and wiped my chest.
Raphael stopped and looked over at me.
I felt his gaze, blushed, and immediately covered my chest with my hands.
My bra seemed to be wet, too.
I thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Lancaster, may I use the bathroom, please? I need to clean this stain."
Raphael said indifferently, "OK."
Essel hurriedly took my hand and headed upstairs.
"Ms. Chancey, I have a dress that you should be able to wear."
She pushed open the door of a room on the second floor. "Ms. Chancey, please come in. This is my room."
Then the closet door was opened by her. I frowned slightly because the closet was full of little girls' clothes.
I pursed my lips. "Essel, I probably can't wear your dresses... They're all too small."
Essel suddenly pulled out a dress.
I was a little surprised, but I frowned slightly when I saw the dress.
This was indeed a lady's long dress, but Melany seemed to have a dress like this one before.
I picked up the dress, looked at it, and made sure it was the one Melany had. She loved this dress five years ago and marked it.
It seemed that Melany and Raphael were a lot closer than I thought.
I was a little annoyed, pursed my lips, and said, "Essel, thank you. I suddenly don't feel good, so I'd probably better go home now."
I turned around and saw Raphael standing in the doorway.
He said, "Ms. Chancey, are you sure you want to go out like this?"
I looked down and saw that my chest was soaking wet. My bra was dark blue and could be seen clearly.
I took a deep breath. "Okay. Maybe I can clean my dress and then leave."
Raphael turned around and walked away. I shrugged, ready to go to the bathroom, but he suddenly walked back in, holding a white shirt.
"This is my shirt. You can put it on if you don't mind."
He tossed the shirt at me.
I caught it in a hurry.
Just as I was about to unbutton my dress, I suddenly noticed that Raphael was leaning against the door frame, staring at me with interest.
A little embarrassed, I turned around and prepared to go to the bathroom.
Essel suddenly ran to Raphael, shouting, "Daddy, you can't watch girls change!"
I laughed and looked at Essel's angry face. She was so cute.
The moment she closed the door, I clearly saw Raphael turn around and glance at me.
I grabbed his shirt, my cheeks burning slightly.
Then, I went to the bathroom, changed into Raphael's shirt and cleaned my dress.
His white shirt covered my knees. I seemed to smell a faint scent unique to his body.
I looked around for a hair dryer, but couldn't find one, so I walked out of the room.
Raphael turned around and looked at me.
Obviously, he was stunned.
I felt a little embarrassed by a burning stare, so I coughed and said, "Mr. Lancaster, where is the hair dryer?"
Raphael looked away and frowned slightly. He coughed twice and turned toward the room and said, "Oh... I'll go get it for you."