Chapter 37: their confusion
Valerie was puzzled when, after shopping, Elena asked the driver to stop in front of a monochromatic house with dominant silver tones. The spacious yard included a small garden, but with no gate, allowing a view of the surroundings and neighbors’ hos.
"Eh... Why are we here? Whose house is this?" Valerie asked.
Elena smiled, opening the door. "You’ll find out who the owner is soon. Better get out."
Valerie hesitated, then looked at Daniel. "You pray for us. We shouldn’t even be close to your grandmother," she said.
"Where’s Dad?" Daniel asked.
Valerie sighed, looking displeased that Daniel was seeking his father. She took him out of the car, not forgetting her bag, and walked across the tiles to the front door where Elena waited.
"Co here," Elena whispered.
Valerie approached, squinting her eyes, then lowered Daniel to stand in front of her.
"You might be surprised, but... You have to accept this." Elena handed her a house key with a butterfly-shaped keychain.
Valerie stood there, confused, accepting the key.
"This is your ho," explained Elena.
"My ho?" Valerie furrowed her brow.
"Yes... I know your parents’ house is comfortable for you, but I’ll give you this house. One day, if you don’t want to get married yet but want a more independent and comfortable life, you can move here. Plus, it’s not far from your parents’ house, so you won’t be far from them... You can move in whenever you want," Elena explained.
Valerie was taken aback, feeling strange about Elena’s behavior, as if indicating that she wouldn’t be with Damian anymore so she bought a new house for her.
’Maybe Damian is disappointed and doesn’t want to be with
anymore? But why am I sad about this? I’m the one who always rejects him... I shouldn’t be sad, shouldn’t even accept all of this... No, I can’t,’ she whispered to herself, shaking her head and handing the key back to Elena. "Mrs. McCourtney, I can’t accept this..."
"No..." Elena imdiately refused. "You have to accept this; consider it a sign of my love for you and Daniel. Daniel is my grandson, and I want the best for him!" She insisted, even reaching for sothing in her red bag.
Valerie fell silent, anxious, increasingly thinking about Damian.
"This is for you and Daniel," Elena said, handing Valerie a black card. "You can use it to buy anything you and Daniel need. Don’t refuse... Giving anything you need is my duty... Forever, even if you’re not my daughter-in-law. You’re the mother of my grandson, and nothing can change that!" she continued with a firm look.
Valerie remained silent, biting her lower lip, seemingly confused.
’I can’t discuss Damian, and I can’t accept this. Mr. McCourtney might get angry,’ she thought.
"Valerie?" Elena called.
Valerie looked at Elena. "I know your intentions are good, but... But I don’t deserve this. I’ve disappointed you, embarrassed your family... I don’t want..."
"You don’t need to think about that anymore. Besides, it’s also because Damian made a mistake," Elena interrupted, not letting Valerie finish her sentence. "And I already know why you hesitate to accept anything from
or Damian," she continued.
Valerie was stunned.
"My husband," Elena said. "I know he doesn’t like you, maybe even forbids you from getting close to our family... I know everything, and I don’t like his attitude. So, I will still give whatever should be Daniel’s and yours," she added.
Valerie swallowed nervously. "You already know..."
"Yeah, but don’t worry; he won’t dare threaten you again," Elena said with a brief smile, then turned to a concerned expression. She looked at Daniel, who was heading towards the driver standing in the yard. "I’ll do anything for Daniel’s well-being."
Valerie glanced at Daniel, then at the key and black card in her hand. ’Should I accept this after my bad behavior towards Damian and his family? Won’t this make his father even angrier? And is it because his father doesn’t like
that he’s not coming back, not pursuing
anymore, so his mother is providing a house for us?’
Phone ringing.
Valerie quickly turned to Elena, who took her phone from her bag and answered the call.
"Damian?"
"Mom... You said you were going to the office to welco Mr. Adam. Why haven’t you co here yet?" Damian asked over the phone.
"Um... I’ll co in an hour," Elena said with a worried expression.
"Mama!" Daniel called out to Valerie.
Valerie hurried over.
"Mom, who’s that?" Damian asked on the phone. "I hear a kid’s voice... Where are you now?"
Elena sighed, glancing at Valerie holding Daniel, and walking towards her.
"I’m with Valerie and Daniel now," she said. "I can’t help but care for them, even if you can’t be with them anymore," she continued.
Damian suddenly fell silent.
"I’ll call you back later," Elena said, then hung up the call.
Valerie stopped near Elena.
"I have to go to the office, but I’ll drop you off at your mother’s store first," Elena said.
Valerie just nodded.
Elena touched Daniel’s cheek, smiling. "I’ll be very happy if you and he moved into this house soon. I’m sure you can work on your books more comfortably... And I’ll recomnd my friends to buy your books."
Valerie shook her head imdiately. "No... I’m still not too confident to let you and your friends read my books... My books are not that good; they’re just stories about teenagers..."
"Even middle-aged won were once teenagers; they’ll like stories like that." Elena raised her eyebrows, seemingly unconcerned about Valerie’s rejection. "Let’s go back to the store." She quickly walked towards the yard.
Valerie hesitated, following with uncertain steps. ’I don’t know if this is good or bad, but I feel far from happy... I can’t stop thinking about Damian,’ she thought, as if not wanting Damian to stop pursuing her love.
....
In his tallic-thed office with touches of black on so furniture, Damian fell silent, staring at the view through the glass wall, his eyes empty, his face flat, showing how cold he had beco.
"I don’t know what you want... You’ve chained
now. Are you going to hate
even more? Are you positive about accepting Samuel? Have you never imagined continuing our beautiful plan?" he wondered in his heart, his mind floating, the images of Valerie and Daniel vivid, constantly spinning, evoking an unavoidable longing.
"I want you so much; I want you!" He clenched his jaw, then hit the wall with his fist.
The door opened.
Damian imdiately turned, finding his father entering the room.
"You should go to the airport to pick them up," Darius said.
"I asked the driver," Damian replied.
"Hey!" Darius furrowed his brow. "You should be the one picking them up. Show that you’re a good man... Don’t embarrass !" He stared at Damian firmly.
Damian sighed. "You know I’ve never been good... I’ll never be anyone else!" he said, then just left.
"Damian!" Darius shouted.
Damian remained silent, not paying attention to his father who kept calling him.
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