CHAPTER 5 Meeting Mateo

Valerie's POV

I stared back at my reflection in the mirror, my eyeshadow smeared across my eyes with dark circles showing my lack of sleep, as I kept tossing and turning all through the night. I glance around the luxurious bathroom, everything here screams expensive, from the golden bathtub to the computerized toilet seat.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a blue towel around me. Picked out blue jeans with a pink crop top. I was packing my hair when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to find Leonard standing there.

"Hey, how did you sleep? I came to call you for breakfast, "he said softly.

Lord, his morning voice! I shiver slightly.

That's probably the after-effect of just coming out of the shower.

"Okay, I'll be done in a minute," I replied with a nod, shutting the door immediately.

I rested my head at the back of the door. It's my first day as a mommy and after what I heard yesterday, I can boldly say I'm not ready.

I finished packing my hair in a ponytail before walking out of the room in search of the dining room.

"Good morning madam, come with me ma'am, Master is waiting for you in the dining area," The maid said, bowing lightly.

I nodded before following her to the dining area. I heard a voice coming from the room.

"Daddy, Is she coming to eat with us?" I heard Layla asking her Dad.

"Of course, I'll eat with you," I answered as I entered the dining room.

"Valerie!" Layla shouted, running to me. I opened my hands widely to carry her when she got to me.

"Hey baby, did you enjoy your night?" she nodded happily as I walked with her to the chair. I settled in a chair, putting her on my lap.

"Where's Landon?" I asked after eye-searching the room for him.

"He left for school," the maid answered instead.

"Daddy said you're our new mommy, is that true?" I shifted my eyes from Layla to her father, our eyes met for the first time today. I looked away immediately.

"Yes baby, I am your new mommy," I said, glancing at my new so-called husband. He was dressed in grey sweatpants that fit him perfectly. His broad shoulders flex through the armless crew neck top.

He sits on the chair like the king that he is, as he watches the maid serve his food.

Layla's tight grip on my hand took me out of my thoughts. I smiled widely at her. I savored the smell of the food as the maid served us the spaghetti with sauce.

I couldn't eat the way I wanted because I could feel his gaze on me and the maids were still standing, which was making me uncomfortable. I picked at my food, trying to be a modest lady even when I was nowhere near that.

I kept stealing glances at him, he hadn't said a word to me since I got here and that shows he meant what he said yesterday. I looked up at the sound of his chair to see him standing already.

"Malia will show you around once you're done," he murmured, before leaving along with Layla. The air in the room lightened immediately after he left.

I looked around the room to see the maids still have their heads bowed. This is my chance, I thought to myself as I stuffed my face in the flavored spaghetti and sauce. I let out the sound I've been holding back since I took the first spoon.

"That sound should be reserved for other purposes," I heard an unfamiliar voice say behind me. I could die of embarrassment right now, but it got worse when I felt a hand hold my hair for me as I lifted my head to see the stranger.

This was worse than when Monica walked in on me using a sex toy. I shrink at the memory of how she tormented me for months.

I looked up to see who it was. As the universe was against me, I choked on the remaining food in my mouth, I grabbed the glass of water beside me to see it was empty.

"Here you go. Milady," He handed me a filled glass of water, I took the glass from him with a nod and almost choked for the second time when he started patting my back.

"Easy, easy, relax," he whispered close to my ear as he patted my back gently.

I close my eyes at the heartwarming gesture I'm receiving. It's been a while since someone cared for me like this.

He removed his hand from my back and, to my surprise, I missed the warmth it was giving me. I gasped slowly when I saw his face. Is this a real-life demigod?

"You must be the new mommy. I mean the new bride. I'm Mateo, your husband's best friend and right-hand man," He extended his hand with a smile that showed his cute dimples. And I must say God took his tune to work on him, and I'm impressed.

Is it creepy to say I have a crush on my husband's best friend?

"Hi Mateo, nice to meet you," I responded, taking his extended hand in mine. You can tell he's manly from his grip on my hand. I stared directly into his alluring eyes and I swear I saw our future together with kids.

"Sir, Master is waiting for you in the study," a maid said to Mateo, making us break eye contact.

"Okay Milady, see you around," he said with a wink as he left the room. I watched his broad back till he was out of sight and I couldn't stop thinking about the warmth I felt from his hand and how comfortable I was having him around.

"Hi dear, I'm sorry I wasn't there to welcome you last night. My name is Malia Smith. I'm in charge of the maids and housekeeping duties here. Come dear, let me show you around," Mrs Smith beamed with pride as she pulled me with her to the kitchen. She introduced me to everyone and I got to know their names, the kids' favorite food, and allergies.

But she pointed to a room I was not allowed to enter. She called it the 'forbidden room', and I'm curious to know what's behind the door.