Chapter 4. The Daddy's Dilemma

Valerie exhaled deeply, and her eyes caught with the picture hung on the wall, close to her bed. It was a picture of Audrey and her handsome daddy. “He's really handsome”.

“What are you looking at, Miss old-fashioned? Don't tell me you're already falling for my daddy, you just came a few minutes ago. I can't believe you! That's my number one rule from now on” The little girl shrieked, and Valerie flinched.

Probably, she's her daddy's bodyguard. How funny! Valerie had vowed not to get involved in anything that has to do with love. She walked closer to the little girl, and held her hands, then said, “You have nothing to worry about, Audrey. You can make it your first rule, that won't be a problem. The reason I was staring at the picture in the first place was because you look beautiful. Your smile is so contagious”.

Audrey turned to her with her head bowed. Valerie noticed that she was dull all of a sudden. She raised her face up, and found out that she was actually crying.

“Oh my goodness! Baby, are you okay? What happened? Did I say something wrong? Why are you crying?” Valerie covered her mouth with her palms.

Audrey sniffed, and wiped her eyes off, “it has nothing to do with you. You didn't do anything to me. It's just that, no one has ever told me that aside my daddy”.

Valerie blinked rapidly, and hugged her tight. Poor child! For some reason, she saw herself in the little girl. She never had that from her father after her mother's death. The only difference was that Audrey lives like a princess in the mansion, unlike her that was kicked out of her own home.

“You have nothing to worry about, Audrey. You should get ready. I'll tell you that all the time if you want” She patted her long, shiny hair.

“Thank you, Miss old-fashioned. You're really kind” Audrey smiled at her.

“How about we do this? I'll help you take your bath, then I can make really delicious rice cakes for you, huh?” Valerie winked at her, and she smirked.

“Good idea, Miss old-fashioned”

Meanwhile, President Ethan was busy with the laptop in front of him inside his study room. A knock came on the door, “Come in”.

Dan walked in with a saucer and cup of coffee. “Coffee, President”

“Thanks.” President Ethan mumbled, and Dan turned to leave. 

“Have you seen my daughter? Is she ready for class? You know how stubborn she is whenever it comes to going to class” President Ethan asked, his eyes were still fixed on the laptop.

“The new nanny is here. I think they are both getting along really well. Actually, I heard both of them chatting and laughing. That's so unlike Audrey” Dan chuckled, and President Ethan glared at him. He quickly frowned, and bowed his head.

“Chatting and laughing?” Ethan muttered. His little girl would never do that with any nanny… that's strange.

“Yes, President.” Dan nodded his head.

The aroma of the freshly made rice cakes filled the kitchen. Audrey stood outside the kitchen, giggling excitedly. She felt so free with Valerie. Probably, because she lets her do what no one has ever let her do. Standing close to the kitchen! That's something she has never done.

“Miss old-fashioned! Don't let yourself get burnt, okay?” She chuckled, and Valerie winked at her.

Valerie covered the pot that she had placed on the cooker, turned to her and said, “Why are you standing there, Audrey? Don't you want to get a better view of the rice cakes? Why aren't you getting into the kitchen?”

“Huh? Are you sure about that, Miss old-fashioned? Daddy is going to get mad at you” Audrey pouted her mouth. Valerie laughed.

“Come on, Audrey. I'll make sure you don't get hurt”. 

Audrey gulped hard, and glanced around to make sure no one was watching before running into the kitchen. No one must see her in the kitchen, so that her adorable Miss old-fashioned won't get scolded.

Audrey couldn't stop chuckling as Valerie prepared the rice cakes. Valerie would give her some pieces of rice cakes to taste, and she'd eat directly from her hand. All her life, she wasn't allowed to live this freely.

“You're really a good cook, Miss old-fashioned. I never thought anyone would prepare this as well as you do. You know what, daddy likes crab salad, I hope you can prepare that someday for him” Audrey whispered. Valerie laughed happily who would have thought that little saucy girl could be so fun to be with.

“Of course I can do that. There is absolutely nothing your nanny can't do… I mean Miss old-fashioned” She was starting to enjoy the nickname Audrey had given her.

“Good job!” Audrey smiled. Valerie was too busy preparing the delicacy. She needed to be fast before the home-teacher would be there.

Audrey's eyes caught with the knife on the slab. “I could help Miss old-fashioned cook faster by chopping some onion”.

She picked up the knife, and tried cutting the onions. Instead, she cut her hand with the knife, and shrieked in pain. “Miss old-fashioned!”

“Oh my God. What are you doing there, Audrey?” Anastasia, who was walking into the kitchen, gasped.

“Gosh. Baby, are you okay?” Valerie turned the cooker off, and bent over to Audrey, who was crying.

Audrey sniffed, and sobbed helplessly. “I cut my hand”.

“What? Did you let her into the kitchen? She's a princess, she doesn't enter the kitchen” Anastasia freaked out.

“What's going on here?” The deep, croaky but sexy voice said. They all turned their gazes to the door. It was President Ethan.

“Daddy?” Audrey hid her wounded hand behind her back.

“She got cut by a knife. That lady let her into the kitchen” Anastasia snapped.

Tears filled Valerie's eyes, and words refused to come out of her mouth. Was she going to lose her job on the first day?

Ethan walked closer to her, and her heart raced faster. Anastasia couldn't help but rejoice, and thought.

“She's definitely going to be fired”

“Don't you dare risk my daughter's life, or I'll have your tongue chopped off, and fed to you” President Ethan said calmly, but passionately.

“Yes Sir”