Araceli POV
I just finished looking at the album and raised my wrist to look at my watch.
It was already almost five o'clock in the afternoon.
The day at Royal Pack went by too fast.
I planned to pick up Valeria and Krish before coming to Royal Pack to cook dinner for Essel.
Just then, the phone rang.
"Ms. Chancey, it's my daddy calling!"
Essel hurriedly picked up the phone from the couch and handed it to me.
Essel's smile was so sweet.
I was impressed by her smile and my mood turned much better. I smiled and said, "Mr. Lancaster, hello."
"I happen to be on an errand near Brizela Daycare, so I'll stop by and pick up Valeria and Krish. You don't have to make a special drive to pick them up."
The cold man's voice came out of the phone. Instinctively, I wanted to refuse, because Valeria didn't like contact with strangers.
But...
I let out a small sigh of relief when I thought of Valeria's bright eyes whenever she saw Raphael.
Perhaps this was the subtle blood attraction between father and daughter...
At their first meeting, Valeria rushed into Raphael's arms despite all odds.
This natural attraction deep in the blood was not something I could stop.
Just like Essel would be attracted to me and like to stay with me. This kind of liking was instinctive and could not be cut off.
I stroked Essel's head and walked towards the kitchen.
Essel asked me, "Ms. Chancey, are you going to make dinner?"
I smiled and nodded. "Your daddy's gone to pick up Krish and Valeria. I'll start cooking now. They'll be ready to eat when they get back later."
Essel jumped off the couch and came running towards me. "Ms. Chancey, let me help you! I can do the dishes!"
I laughed and knelt down, picking her up.
"Really, Essel, you're wonderful. Let's go. Let's go do the dishes together."
Essel's eyes shone brightly as if there were stars. She blushed slightly and asked excitedly, "Ms. Chancey, will I be able to make food as good as yours?"
"Of course, baby. Do you want to learn how to bake chicken wings? I can teach you today."
I hugged her and walked toward the kitchen. When the servants saw me coming, they all bowed slightly and treated me with great respect. Likewise, I gave them a slight nod of respect.
"Wow, Ms. Chancey, thank you! I love your baked chicken wings! They were simply the best I've ever eaten. By the way, Ms. Chancey, I'd like to learn about magic sandwiches..."
I laughed, "Sure. I can teach you all about it. In fact, making sandwiches is easy..."
...
Essel and I chatted and laughed as we cooked. Every now and then there is laughter coming out of the kitchen. Sometimes the maids couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.
"Wow, Ms. Chancey, look how clean I washed this lettuce!"
"Essel, you're great. Thank you for helping me."
"Ms. Chancey, what else can I do for you? I can break eggs! "
Essel quickly put down the dish and ran to the other side to get a large bowl.
A little worried, I hurriedly put down the knife in my hand and turned around.
Suddenly, there was the sound of a bowl being broken.
Essel visibly froze for two seconds. She was too stunned to move.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Chancey. I didn't mean to..."
She lifted her foot and tried to come over. I rushed over and picked her up to keep her from stepping on the ceramic shards.
"Are you hurt?"
I hurriedly put her on the chair, squatted down, and checked her fingers. I was relieved to see that it wasn't bleeding.
"Essel, I was worried that you would get hurt easily in the kitchen..."
"But, Ms. Chancey, I just want to be with you... I'd do anything with you."
Essel snuggled into my arms, her voice soft.
I hugged her and gently patted her back, soothing her.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Raphael came in with the three children.
I glanced at him and then at Essel in my arms, gesturing for him to keep his voice down.
However, his eyes were clearly a little surprised.
I guessed that maybe it was because I had been cold to them the other day, and today I had a completely different attitude. He must be wondering what the hell is going on.
Raphael looked over at Maddox.
Maddox bent slightly and said respectfully, "Ms. Chancey came over this morning and spent the day playing with Ms. Essel in the living room."
Raphael frowned slightly and pursed his lips.
"Wow, Daddy! You're back!"
Essel suddenly looked up, jumped to the floor, and ran toward Raphael.
"Daddy, look, Ms. Chancey came to our house! Ms. Chancey said that no matter what happens in the future, she will come to our house and make us dinner. That's great! Daddy, did you explain everything to Ms. Chancey? Thank you so much! Wait, Micah? Why are you back too?"
Micah narrowed his eyes slightly.
He pursed his lips. "I've heard Ms. Chancey is a good cook. I've never tasted the food she makes."
I was cleaning up the ceramic shards on the kitchen floor. I looked up as soon as I heard Micah's voice.
Micah's cold little face slowly came into my mind and gradually overlapped with that tiny baby's face from five years ago...
Micah was my oldest son...
My eyes suddenly burst into tears. Teardrops fell down my face one by one.
I didn't even feel it myself.
"Mommy, what's wrong with you?"
Krish saw me and immediately ran into the kitchen and hurriedly wiped away my tears.
"I'm fine."
I looked down and hurriedly wiped my tears with my hands.
"Ms. Chancey, are you okay?"
Essel walked in as well. She hugged me and patted my back as gently as I had just patted hers.
Valeria came into the kitchen too and put her arms around me.
My heart was soft.
I took my three children into my arms and whispered, "I'm really okay..."
After a while, I looked up slightly and saw Micah standing in place somewhat shakily, not daring to come forward, but with anticipation in his eyes.
I looked at him and tears came to my eyes again.
He was startled, but stood with a pretense of composure, with some unease and nervousness in his eyes.
"Micah."
I smile gently, "Do you want to come over?"
Micah unclenched his fist slightly, pursed his lips. He hesitated for a few seconds and still walked over.
I frowned slightly and looked at his somewhat cold face.
Micah's world should have a little more innocence and childishness in it...
Suddenly, Essel waved her hand at Micah, smiled, and said, "Micah, come here!"
I looked at Micah and said softly, "Micah, do you mind if I call you Micky from now on?"
Essel burst out laughing, "Micky... I love Micky Mouse! Ms. Chancey, trust me. My brother is as smart as Micky!"
Micah's eyes held disbelief.