Araceli POV
"Children with autism tend to close themselves off. It's become a habit for her, so she doesn't speak up easily. She needs to be in a particular situation and in front of a particular person before she will let her guard down."
Raphael continued, "Although I don't know why, I wanted to tell you that your daughter seems to be very dependent on me. Perhaps it is for this reason that she talks to me."
I wanted to deny his words, but thought better of it.
Valeria did have a soft spot for Raphael, and even I didn't know why, though I was her mother.
"Ms. Chancey, if you want, you can bring Valeria to my office tomorrow. We'll have a nice chat then."
Raphael clinked his glass with me and turned to leave.
I stared at his back and pursed my lips.
I didn't want to delay for a moment and hurried home.
I explained to Eliezer, took my dress and left the party, and Eliezer immediately arranged for a driver to take me back.
Half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of my villa.
I pushed open the car door and got out. I was about to enter the villa when suddenly a small figure rushed towards me.
I was startled and fixed my eyes on it.
It was a little girl...
No, it was Essel!
Essel didn't stand still and suddenly fell down and hit the ground.
The next second, she burst into tears.
"Ms. Chancey! Why didn't you catch me? It hurts!"
"Essel?" I hurriedly squatted down and picked her up. "Why are you here?"
"Ms. Chancey, I missed you..."
Essel cried out and hugged my neck tightly, lying on my shoulder and sobbing non-stop.
Soon, I felt my shoulder was wet.
Hearing the cries, Krish came out. When he saw Essel, his eyes went cold.
"Why haven't you left yet?"
I hugged Essel, frowned, and asked, "Krish, what's going on?"
"Ms. Chancey, I missed you so I came to see you, but he wouldn't let me in and kicked me out..."
Essel sobbed, confessing, "I missed you and Valeria. I just wanted to come and see you guys. I wouldn't do anything bad..."
I glanced at Krish, who looked very annoyed.
I felt helpless too.
Why did Essel come to my house in the middle of the night?
Luckily, I left the party early. Otherwise Essel would have caught a cold if he had stayed out all the time.
I sighed and said, "Okay, Essel, it's okay. Don't cry. I'm here."
I hugged Essel and walked into the villa.
Essel lay on my shoulder, stuck out her tongue, and made a face at Krish.
Krish clenched his fists and looked at Essel, clearly annoyed. I stroked his head and soothed him. "It's fine, honey."
Krish said as he walked, "Mommy, this little girl must have snuck out! Her family should be looking for her by now..."
Essel clung to my neck. "No!!! I don't want to go back!"
I nodded at Krish. "Thank you, baby. I'll take care of this, okay? Don't worry. "
I knew this wasn't the first time Essel had run away from the house.
After I put Essel on the couch, I walked to the bedroom, took out my cell phone, and called Raphael.
"Mr. Lancaster, it's me, Araceli Chancey."
Raphael coughed twice and said flatly, "Ms. Chancey, what's up?"
"Mr. Lancaster, your daughter, Essel, is at my house. Please send someone to come and pick her up."
I finished, hung up the phone, and walked toward the living room.
"Essel, would you like something to drink?"
"Ms. Chancey, can I stay here for the night?"
Essel ran over, hugged my lap, and whispered, "Ms. Chancey, do you mind having another daughter..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Krish immediately said coldly, "No! Mommy already has a daughter! Valeria is my only sister!"
I had to sit on the couch and hold Essel in my arms.
Essel whispered, "Ms. Chancey, I felt like you were my mom from the first time I saw you. I will treat Valeria like my own sister and be good to her..."
I was a little impatient, but didn't show it.
In fact, my appearance was always cold, so few children would approach me voluntarily. Usually whenever I showed an angry expression, the children would be so scared that they would rush away.
I really didn't understand why Essel liked me so much.
I looked at Essel's tear-streaked face and suddenly thought of what happened last night.
Valeria sneaked out to look for Raphael, and Essel sneaked out of the house to look for me...
What the hell was this going on?
I couldn't figure it out.
Looking at Essel's head, I gently stroked her hair.
It was covered with dust and mud.
Instantly, I felt some inexplicable heartache.
I picked Essel up. "Baby, your daddy should be here for another twenty minutes. I'll take you in for a bath, okay?"
Just as I got up, Krish followed, saying, "Mommy, she can take her own bath."
Essel wouldn't let go of me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and yelled, "I don't know how to take a bath by myself! I always have a maid at home to help me bathe..."
Krish said, his voice unquestioning, "Maybe this is a good time for you to learn how to bathe yourself."
I shook my head, put Essel down, and said softly, "Essel, Krish is right. Maybe I can take you into the bathroom and teach you to bathe, okay?"
"No!" Essel grabbed my wrist and said stubbornly, "Ms. Chancey, I'm older than Krish, right? He should treat me with some respect! I'm his elder sister!"
Krish raised his eyes and asked Essel, "How old are you?"
"Five years old!" Essel lifted her chin and said proudly, "You are four and a half, right?"
Krish narrowed his eyes and continued, "When is your birthday?"
Essel scratched her hair, thinking.
"I can't remember. Anyway, I'm older than you!"
"So you mean you're older than me, but you still can't bathe yourself?"
Krish said, his tone somewhat mocking.
Essel puffed up her cheeks like a puffer fish. She looked a little angry as she hugged my neck, but she didn't know how to retort.
"Believe it or not, my mommy likes independent kids."
Krish said again, turned and walked away.
Essel was momentarily a little disappointed. She lowered her head and said, "Okay. Ms. Chancey, thank you for teaching me how to bathe myself."
I put her on the floor. She gave me a firm look and walked into the bathroom.