Raphael POV
At Royal Group.The mood in the meeting room was somber. Everyone had their heads down and looked very cautious.I sat in the main seat and tapped my fingers on the desk surface.My secretary, Laurel, stood up and whispered, "Mr. Lancaster, we're all here. Is the meeting ready to begin?"I frowned slightly."Is the representative from Creaty Company here?"Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out."Mr. Lancaster, how are you? I'm the assistant general manager of the Creaty Company. My name is Leanna Elliston."She stood up and said respectfully, "Ms. Chancey has given me full responsibility for this project with Royal Group..."My eyes turned cold. Everyone dared not look at me and lowered their heads.I pursed my lips and stared at Leanna.Was Araceli going to keep running away?Wouldn't she even see me?I took out my phone and dialed a number.When the phone beeped, I suddenly realized what I was doinAraceli POVI 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 t
Araceli POVMicah whispered, "I don't mind...""Great. Then I'll call you Micky from now on."I laughed."You guys go play in the living room. Dinner will be ready soon."Essel takes Valeria's hand and walks to the living room."Vallie, I got you a new puzzle today..."Krish and Micah looked at each other without saying anything, but I could feel that they were not so aggressive with each other anymore.I let out a small sigh of relief and walked into the kitchen.It didn't take long for footsteps to come from behind me.Raphael came striding into the kitchen."Why are you suddenly willing to come over to my house and cook dinner again?"Raphael asked slowly as he stood behind me.My hand lurched, then said blandly, "I've been too busy the past few days, that's why I haven't come over."Raphael looked at the side of my face and smiled coldly.I glanced at him a little uneasily, wondering if he had guessed that I was lying.Judging from
Araceli POVIt didn't take long for dinner to be ready.Raphael sat at the main table."Ms. Chancey, your cooking is getting better and better! This is so delicious!"Essel excitedly ate the mashed potatoes I made.Micah put a piece of steak in his mouth and took a small bite.I looked at him and saw a surprise look in his eyes.Raphael held out the tickets to the painting show and looked to Valeria, who was sitting to his right."Valeria, are you free on Sunday afternoon? I'd like to take you to see the painting exhibition."Valeria froze for a moment and looked at me with some excitement.I took the tickets and Valeria immediately said happily, "I want to go!"Essel also said happily, "Daddy, are we going to the show with Ms. Chancey's family? I'm so excited!"I said calmly, "Krish, do you want to come with us?"Krish nodded his head."Micah, why don't you come with us, too?" Essel hurriedly said, "This exhibition is a joint effort by seve
Araceli POVA sourness came to my eyes at once."Valeria, sweetheart..."I hugged Valeria and Essel as tears kept falling down my face."Mommy..."Valeria cried out again, raised her hand to wipe away my tears, and then broke off to continue, "Mommy, give Daddy a kiss."I froze in my tracks.Essel clapped her hands and cheered, "Kiss! Kiss!""That's enough, Essel."Raphael said calmly, with undeniable authority, "Essel, if you keep this up, I'll have Maddox come get you."Essel shut his mouth and hid behind me.I dried my tears, bent down and picked up Valeria, and walked inside with them.I didn't think we would attract so much attention."Wow! That man is so handsome! Are those two boys his sons? I've never seen such cute and handsome little boys.""Those two boys look like their dad. Those two girls look like their mommy! Their family looks really happy!""He's really handsome. I like this kind of looking man the most...""If I were
Araceli POVIt was the smell of that man from that night five years ago...My heart suddenly trembled violently. Such dim light made me feel as if I had gone back to that night five years ago...That man pressed on top of me and kissed my body frantically. No matter how much I cried, he didn't stop.I still couldn't accept the fact that that man was Raphael. He was such a nice, gentle man, how could he be the man that terrified me?"Hey."Raphael picked up my water bottle and handed it to me.He stared at my trembling lashes, his brow furrowed slightly."Are you okay?"I tucked my water bottle into my bag, my voice extremely low."I'm fine..."Raphael continues to stare at me.I took a deep breath, stood up, kept my head down, and stopped talking.Just then, Raphael's cold voice rang in my ears."As for that thing you said, I've thought about it."Raphael was very close to me. As soon as he spoke, I felt his breath right next to my ear. I
Araceli POVValeria asked, "Mommy, can I call Mr. Lancaster 'Daddy'?"Every word Valeria uttered was very clear, and there was excitement in her tone.I was tempted to nod.Because, I was Essel's mommy. Raphael was Valeria's daddy.But I didn't dare to do so.I slowly turned my face to Raphael.Raphael's icy side face became gentle. He slowly said, "Valeria, as long as your mommy doesn't object, you can keep calling me daddy."Valeria's eyes glowed as she looked over at me.Anticipation was hidden in her eyes.I frowned and nodded slightly."Okay."Valeria happily pounces on Raphael."Daddy!""What about me? Can I call Ms. Chancey Mommy?"Essel asked, looking up anxiously.Raphael hugged Valeria and calmly said, "As long as Ms. Chancey doesn't mind, you can call her whatever you want."Essel looked at me with wide eyes and asked expectantly and cautiously, "Ms. Chancey, can I call you Mommy?"A sour feeling passed through me. I s
Araceli POVI pulled the car door open and sat in the driver's seat.The car left the place quickly.I parked the car in front of my house and pushed the door open to get out. Krish was already holding Valeria's hand and leading her towards the entrance of the villa."Valeria, go and bring me the drawing you have done recently."I said as I walked over and stroked Valeria's head.Valeria nodded and turned around and ran into the house.I crouch in front of Krish and whisper, "Krish, are you upset because I'm with Mr. Lancaster now?"Krish purses his lips."Mommy, you know exactly what's going on between Mr. Lancaster and Melany, so why are you still with Mr. Lancaster?""Actually, Micah and Essel..."I froze for two seconds, not finishing the sentence.The secret almost came out of my mouth.I took a deep breath and didn't say another word.Krish had been worried about me since I was a kid, trying to protect me and Valeria at all times.If I
Araceli POVMaddox walked over respectfully."Ms. Chancey, please."Melany snapped out of it."No, I'm not leaving..."Melany grabbed Micah's hand and screamed, "Micah, don't let your daddy kick me out! I'm not going anywhere! I'm cold...can you let me go inside and rest first? I won't make any more trouble! I won't..."Disgust and a bit of intolerance surfaced in Micah's eyes. He pursed his lips and said, "Mom, you can go upstairs and rest for a while, and don't attend the party tonight."Melany didn't even dare to look at Raphael's eyes and hurriedly ran into the hall, heading for the second floor.Calm returned to the surroundings.Krish lowered his eyes, came over, and whispered, "Mommy, let's go back after we drop off the gift."I smiled and stroked his hair."Baby, don't worry. Later you take Valeria upstairs to play with Essel and Micah. I'll come get you guys when I'm going back."Essel said confidently, "I'll take good care of Valli