Araceli POV
I spent the night tossing and turning. I didn't fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning. When the alarm clock went off, I sat up from bed tiredly.
Krish, sensing that I was in a bad mood, asked worriedly, "Mommy, did you not sleep well last night?"
"I'm fine, just taking care of some work."
I yawned.
"Mommy, the weather is turning cold. I got you a pair of thick socks."
Krish pulled out a brand new pair of beige socks.
I smiled, stroked his head, took the socks, and put them on.
"Thank you, Krish. These are so warm."
After we finished breakfast, I took the two kids out. After I dropped the kids off at daycare, I went straight to Creaty Company.
The company's new product had just been launched, so the whole company was busy. As the general manager of the company, I had more things to do.
I was almost finished with the day's work by 5pm.
I was torn on my way to pick up the kids from daycare.
I had an appointment with Raphael. He introduced me to Kenneth, so I promised him I would go to Royal Pack's villa every day to cook for Essel.
For the past few days, I've been going to their house every day after work, and the kids are getting along better with each other.
I thought this life would last for a while...
Now, I had some regrets.
Essel was Melany's child. I thought about it for a long time last night, and I still couldn't figure out why I was being so nice to Melany's daughter.
But I really liked Essel from the bottom of my heart, and the first time I met her and Micah, I felt a strong attraction compelling me to be close to them.
With a small sigh, I drove to Brizela Daycare.
As Krish and Valeria got into the car, I noticed that Valeria was holding a painting. I gently asked, "Valeria, what is this?"
Valeria opened the drawing paper in her hand and showed it to me.
On the drawing were two girls, one in a pink dress and one with a duck-tongue hat.
As soon as I saw the painting, I knew that the two girls were Valeria and Essel.
"This is a gift from Valeria to Essel."
Krish explained calmly.
I was a little surprised.
Krish and Valeria had grown up together, but Valeria had never given Krish a gift. I didn't expect Essel to receive the painting Valeria had drawn.
I had some mixed feelings.
Essel and Valeria accepted each other. If I were to forcefully break this friendship, I would definitely make Valeria hurt.
"Baby, Essel will be very happy when she receives your gift."
I said slowly.
I started the engine and drove towards the Royal Pack villa.
Whatever the feud between Melany and me, the children were innocent.
I couldn't reject Melany because she was so fond of me and Valeria...
The car drove slowly on the main road. It wasn't long before we arrived at the entrance of Royal Pack's villa.
Essel was lying in front of the window, watching. Upon seeing our car, she called out joyfully at us, then immediately came downstairs and ran out of the villa.
"Ms. Chancey! Wow, Valeria, is that me in the painting with the little girl in the duck-tongue hat? Did you draw this by yourself? I love it! I can't believe I got this gift from Valeria!"
Essel held the painting in her hands and cheered.
Valeria looked at her quietly, her eyes filled with laughter.
I felt so relieved.
Krish took Valeria's hand and walked into the villa.
Essel ran over after him. "Valeria, I have a gift for you too! I put it in my room."
Valeria follows Essel upstairs.
I smiled and shook my head. Krish stood beside me, holding my hand a little harder.
He seems a little jealous.
Krish looks at me, purses his lips, and follows me up.
I looked at the familiar house and went into the kitchen to cook.
The first two days of cooking, I was in a relaxed and happy mood, but my mood today was extraordinarily low.
A gloom, if anything, hung over me.
"Ms. Chancey, this is the bread that Ms. Essel asked me to buy. He said you like it."
Maddox walked into the kitchen and held out the baguette for me to see. "Ms. Essel is always big-headed, but only extra careful when it comes to Ms. Chancey and Ms. Valeria..."
My hand paused. "Maddox, may I take the liberty of asking you a question?"
Maddox smiled and nodded, "Ms. Chancey, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Can I ask Essel why she dislikes Melany so much?" I asked, eyes downcast, "I've heard Essel scold Melany several times and forbid Melany to come here. Why is that, exactly?"
"I..."
Maddox scratched his head and thought about it. He opened his mouth several times, but he didn't know how to answer.
As I washed the dishes, I said, "It's okay. I'm just a little curious. After all, Melany is Essel's mother."
Maddox explained, "Ms. Essel has always rejected Ms. Melany and never called her mom since she could understand. I sometimes felt that Mr. Micah and Ms. Melany were always very distant. I don't know if I feel wrong."
I lowered my eyes and said, "Micah is a restrained and polite boy. He's willing to call Melany mother, so that means he approves of her."
"Mr. Micah has always been very kind to Ms. Melany, and every year he would prepare all kinds of gifts for her. There is a room on the second floor filled with all kinds of clothes, shoes and bags. All those were bought by Mr. Micah."
Here, Maddox sighed, "but last time Ms. Melany angered Mr. Lancaster, so all the things in that room were thrown out. "
"What happened?"
I asked, frowning slightly.
Maddox looked around to make sure there were only two of us before he slowly said, "Ms. Araceli, in fact, Mr. Lancaster didn't like Ms. Melany. Ms. Essel rejected Ms. Melany, but Mr. Micah always respected her. Although Ms. Melany is not allowed to come here anymore, Mr. Micah has been paying attention to Ms. Melany, and this time Ms. Melany's exhibition abroad was arranged by Mr. Micah..."
Maddox shook his head.
A sarcasm slowly surfaced in my eyes.
Micah really did care about Melany, otherwise, he wouldn't have deliberately set a trap for me to jump into.
Since Micah went to great lengths to deal with me, would he turn the tables on Krish and Valeria?
I pursed my lips and paused with my hands.
Cooking was the most enjoyable thing for me, but now I was a little irritated.
At that moment, a car drove in outside the house.
Maddox said to me respectfully, "Ms. Araceli, it's Mr. Lancaster back."