Mr. President: You Are The Daddy Of My Triplets - Chapter 420

Chapter 420: 420- Mom’s transformation

“You made a mistake,” Lisa told her while adjusting the tablecloths on the tables. The restaurant needed to be ready for a lunch buffet and all the waiters were working together to make it presentable.

Aniya placed the napkin on every seat paired with a set of spoons, forks, and knives.

“Aniya!” Mr. Ramsey called out from across the room, “Don’t forget the glasses too along with the cutlery sets,”

She glanced up and gave him a mocked salute, “Sure, Mr. Ramsey. Consider it done,” she grabbed a stack of glasses from the corner table.

As she passed by, she noticed Lisa moving to the next table, still busy.

She darted over to her with a mischievous grin, “You can’t ignore me forever!” she teased, sticking out her tongue.

Lisa still did not respond and kept her focus on the table. She was still mad at Aniya for accompanying her mom.

“Lisa!” she finally caught Lisa by her shoulders, “Come on. Talk to me.”

Lisa sighed, placing her hands on her hips. Her expression was tinged with concern, “She is manipulating you, Aniya. Why don’t you understand? Why can’t you see it?”

Aniya ‘s playful smile faded. She looked down, not sure what to say.

Lisa turned back to the table spread, smoothing out the cloth without waiting for a reply.

“Lisaa…” Aniya tried to speak, “Believe me. She has changed. Trust me, Love.”

Lisa paused, giving her a pointed look, “Listen, I get it. I know she is your mother, Aniya. But you need to be cautious around her,”

Aniya didn’t seem convinced. She hesitated before nodding at her. Lisa wasn’t a fool. She could see the doubts in her eyes.

She stepped closer, gently cupping Aniya’s cheek as if Aniya wasn’t her friend but a mere kid who needed her protection, “You do know I love you. Right?” she asked her softly, “And I care for you. I don’t want to see my friend in any kind of trouble.”

“Don’t worry,” she chuckled weakly, “I’ll be alright. I’m telling you. She’s done a full one-eighty degree.”

As a friend, Lisa wanted to believe her, but a part of her couldn’t shake this uncertainty. She drew a deep breath, “Can I make a request, Aniya? Just one request?”

Aniya blinked, “What is it?”

Lisa hesitated before speaking, “Don’t tell your mom about your plans for Sangua City or Kanderton.”

Aniya’s eyes widened, “B…but Lisa…”

“No! Promise me!” Lisa cut her off a little sternly and held out her palm. Aniya was looking at her palm conflicted until Lisa pleaded, “Please, Aniya.”

Aniya gave it a look and then finally placed her hand over Lisa’s with a sigh, “OK. I won’t tell her about my plans. Though I’m sure, she won’t make a fuss.”

Lisa studied her face, but her heart was heavy with worry. She didn’t know what Valerie had fed this girl. She was singing praises of her mom, who was never there for her.

Her innocent friend was walking into trouble and Lisa didn’t know how to stop it.

***

Aniya pushed open the front door, kicking off her shoes as she stepped inside. She froze mid-step as her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Is this my house?” she asked herself.

The house which was usually cluttered with scattered laundry and wine bottles on her return, now looked sparkling.

Valerie wasn’t well, since Alaric left. Then who cleaned the house?

The floors were gleaming, and the furniture was dust-free. Even she could feel the faint scent of lemon cleaner lingering in the air.

Her parents never provided for perfumed cleaners. She usually scrubbed the stuff with a simple wet cloth. She wondered if she walked into the wrong house.

Valerie appeared from the kitchen, wiping he hands with a towel, “Hey, sweetheart. How was your day?”

Valerie was standing there with a casual smile while Aniya thought she was either dreaming or was about to faint. Was she hallucinating?

Aniya tried to smile, “My d-day? I-It was good…” She blinked and looked around her, still processing.

She didn’t know Valerie was capable of doing house chores and Aniya never got this type of treatment from her.

The things that were normal for other kids of her age were alien to her.

“Hey!” Valerie waved her hand in front of her face, “Now go and change. I’ll serve dinner when you’re ready.”

The second shock hit her, “D-Dinner?”

Her mom never cleaned the house, and she definitely never cooked dinner.

She couldn’t believe it. How she used to pray since childhood to make her parents better and less abusive. But Alaric’s absence had done some positive things to her life. After he left home, Valerie’s attitude seemed to transform. This was the new Valerie.

This one wasn’t her mother. She was someone else.

Valerie raised a brow with a knowing smirk, “Go. Change.”

Aniya trudged towards her room in a trance. She kept glancing over her shoulder as though to make sure that all of this was real.

“This has to be a dream,” she muttered and squeezed her eyes, “Lisa. You should meet my mom.”

***

After changing clothes, Aniya returned to the living room and found Valerie setting plates on the table. Aniya walked up to her and opened her fist where a small wad of crumpled bills was placed. Those were her tips from the day.

“Mom,” she said, offering her earnings to Valerie.

Valerie glanced at the money but didn’t reach for it like she used to do like a hungry ape. Instead, she gently pushed Aniya’s hand back towards her, “It’s yours, Aniya,” she said softly, “Keep it.”

This time Aniya openly stared at her mom as if she had grown a second head, “What?”

For a moment, Aniya didn’t know what to say. Wasn’t she the same Valerie who was paying bills with her money since she was a kid?

So, Valerie was also being abused by Alaric?

Her mom had to act badly due to that man?

“Thanks, Mom,” she murmured after tucking money back into her pocket. To be very frank her mind was spinning.