Araceli POV
"I have another painting exhibition in France. When this painting exhibition is over, I will take you to meet another student of mine. He is also a very good painter," Rhett smiled, "Valeria, I'm sorry I can't personally instruct you at the moment. I will have a set of my custom paints and brushes sent to your home."
Valeria stepped forward, took Rhett's hand, and nodded. "Thanks, Ms. Elford."
I was surprised again.
Valeria showed closeness to Rhett the first time she met him. This was proof that Valeria had a keen interest in painting.
I made the right decision with this one.
After we had dinner, I took the two kids and drove Rhett to the airport.
We waved goodbye to Rhett at the entrance of the airport, and after that, we went back to the villa.
Rhett sent over the brushes, boards and paints. I put the boards on the balcony of Valeria's room. It was well-lit during the day, and the view from the window was beautiful.
Now it was night. In the quiet darkness of the night, the night sky outside the window showed its enchanting beauty. The stars shone brightly, like silver sparks dotting the infinite blackness. The moonlight caressed everything, adding a gentle veil to the night.
Valeria sat on the surface of the drawing board, picked up her brush and painted the scenery outside the window.
I closed the door gently and did not disturb her anymore.
Krish sat in the living room with his computer in his arms, one eye glued to the screen.
I walked out of the room and headed downstairs. He glanced at me and said absently, "Mommy, let's go to the hospital tomorrow and see Essel."
I smiled gently, "Krish, I think you like Essel quite a bit."
Krish pursed his lips.
"Essel is quite nice to Valeria. I'll accept her reluctantly."
I smiled.
The world of children was innocent and pure, and I hoped Krish would always maintain that innocence.
"Good. We'll go to the hospital tomorrow and see Essel."
I said with a smile, getting ready to go to the bathroom to wash up.
...
Early the next morning.
It was Saturday, so the kids didn't have to go to daycare.
I held Krish, carried Valeria, and walked towards the hospital entrance.
Suddenly, some familiar figures appeared in front of me.
I frowned slightly and stopped in my tracks.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Melany. My eyes slowly moved down and landed on Micah's body.
Micah was Melany's son.
The two of them were holding hands and looked very close.
No wonder Micah has been treating me badly. He wanted to deal with me for Melany's sake.
I don't know why, but when I saw this scene, I felt a very uncomfortable, subtle tingling feeling in my heart.
My eyes swept over quietly, full of caution.
However, Melany was a little flustered.
Melany didn't even dare to look me in the eye, didn't say a word, pulled Micah and walked away quickly.
Micah froze for a moment, then shouted, "Mom! This hurts!"
I was a little confused, but didn't think too much about it and didn't want to interfere with them as I walked straight to the hospital.
I took Krish and Valeria by hand and went into the hospital room.
Essel was lying on the bed, looking boring, but she immediately jumped up from the bed with joy the moment she saw us.
"Ms. Chancey! I was just thinking about when you would come to see me again! And now you're here with Valeria! I'm so happy!"
I smiled, "Krish said he wanted to come over to see you. He was afraid you'd be too lonely alone."
Essel beamed suspiciously and frowned slightly.
"No way, Krish is the meanest to me! How could he offer to come see me?"
"It's true."
I stroked Essel's little head, lowered my voice, and said, "Actually, Krish is worried about you, but he's shy, so he doesn't show it."
Essel raised her eyes slightly and met Krish's gaze exactly.
Krish didn't avoid it and said calmly, "Valeria likes you, so I can try to like you too."
"Fine! But I don't need you to like me!"
Essel puffed out her mouth and turned her head away with some embarrassment. Her ears, however, quietly turned red.
It was obvious that she was in a good mood.
Krish sat down on the edge of the hospital bed, lowered his eyes, and said, "Where's your daddy? Why isn't he at the hospital?"
"He said he would come over to see me this afternoon. I don't know when he'll be done with work."
Essel pouted.
Krish raised his wrist, glanced at his watch, and was silent, not speaking again.
"Ms. Essel, lunch is here!"
Just then, Maddox walked in with a tray.
When Maddox saw me here, he said with a smile on his face, "Ms. Chancey, you're finally here. Last night Ms. Essel kept saying she missed you. She was even talking to you in her sleep."
"Maddox, come here!" Essel said excitedly, "This is Valeria I told you about! She's my best friend! Isn't she super cute and pretty?"
Maddox's eyes fell on Valeria's face.
Once he saw Valeria's face, Maddox's eyes lit up.
"Valeria? My goodness. She's so cute! It's the first time I've seen such a cute little girl... Wait..."
Maddox stared at Valeria's face suspiciously.
"Why do I get the feeling that Valeria and Ms. Chancey look a bit alike?"
Valeria's face was rounder, but her features were very much like mine. Veronica said that Valeria was like a smaller version of me.
Essel covered her mouth and laughed, "Maddox, you can guess why Valeria and Ms. Chancey are so similar."
Maddox glanced at me, then glanced at Valeria, and hesitantly said, "No way... So, Valeria..."
Essel slapped the bed and burst out laughing, "Maddox, let me tell you. Ms. Chancey is Valeria and Krish's mommy!"
"What?!"
Maddox's eyes fell back on Krish.
Krish was sitting on the couch, quietly looking at her iPad.
Maddox was instantly dumbfounded. He stared at Krish for a moment and then suddenly froze again. After a moment, Maddox shook his head vigorously, crouched down and said with a smile, "Krish? May I call you Mr. Krish?"
Krish said politely, "You can just call me Krish."
"Oh, okay. Would you like some candy?" Maddox pulled out a packet of Skittles from his coat pocket.
These were the ones he usually used to coax Essel.
Krish, however, shook his head.
"Thanks, Maddox. I don't eat candy."
Maddox froze for two seconds, shook his head, and gave the Skittles to Valeria.
Valeria didn't usually like candy either, but she took it anyway, and put it in her pocket.
I was a little shocked. It seemed to me that Valeria was getting used to being around strangers.