Mrs Skavinski in name only

Valerie's POV

I spent the past few days in my room, thinking about the Mateo gesture, and the forbidden room. Mom called almost every day, and we talked for hours on the phone because she couldn't help but worry about me.

She kept sharing tips on how to make kids love you, along with some careful warnings.

I was editing my unfinished business when I heard a small knock. I muttered a ‘come in’ thinking it was a maid and was surprised to see Landon and Layla holding a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.

“Hey there” I beamed brightly at them,

“Are these for me?” I questioned as I walked towards them, but I noticed they weren't smiling. it was obvious they had something to say.

“Is there a problem?” I pulled them into my room and sat them down on the blue sofa in the corner of my room.

“You can always talk to me,” I said again when I noticed how uneasy they were. Like they're not comfortable with what they're here for.

“I told everyone in school that I have a mom now, but they didn't believe me, and you didn't pick us up from school today,” Landon said sadly while looking at his feet.

“They were making fun of us today, they called Landon a liar because you didn't come to school” Layla sniffed back her tears “We're the only ones in school that don't have a mother”. She finished with tears streaming down her eyes.

I pulled them into a deep hug. They were too small to feel rejected and lonely.

“I'll be the one to drop you off at school and pick you up at the end of the day,” I said, patting their backs softly, giving them the little comfort I could offer.

“Really? You promise?” Layla questioned cheerfully, jumping up happily. I felt my chest tighten strangely while looking at the bright smile and happiness on their faces.

I was strangely getting attached faster than I thought, and I knew right there I would do anything to have this feeling again.

I hold them tightly to myself, seeing them like this makes me curious about how long they've stayed without their mom.

“I promise you” I gave them a hearty smile as I disengaged from the hug. Running my hand through Layla's hair with different thoughts running through my head when Landon pulled me by my hand, urging me to stand up.

I've noticed Landon is a guy with few words, he's either shy or something has happened that makes him say little to no words.

He took me to his room and I realized I had never really checked the kids' room out, I'd been all by myself forgetting the primary reasons why I was there in the mansion. He showed me his video games and toys. You could easily tell he doesn't have any friends, and he's all by himself.

“How do you play these games?” I said to him playfully as he was eager to show me his moves but was shocked to see I was a pro. I spent time playing video games with my dad while growing up as an only child. We went on for hours playing games and this was the happiest I have been since I moved in.

Then we went downstairs for dinner, and I was glad Leonard was not back yet. He's the type to change the mood in a room by just stepping in.

I put the kids to sleep after eating. I read bedtime stories to them. Landon was a fast sleeper, he was out before I finished the first paragraph.

“You promised to take me to school tomorrow, right?” Layla asked for the umpteenth time since I promised to come to their school, proving people must have let her down in the past.

“Of course baby, mommy is coming with you tomorrow” I reassured her again, running my hand through her hair as she was dozing off already. I tucked her in properly with a kiss on her forehead and did the same to Landon.

“Holy crap!” I screamed, shocked to see Leonard on the way, when I turned to leave.

“I didn't mean to scare you,” he said with a smirk. He was standing with his hands in the pockets of his black suit and was wearing a complete suit, he looked dashing and more handsome even though stress was written on his face, but he was not as handsome as my Mateo.

My Mateo?! No

“It's fine” I responded with my head bowed, he has intimidating eyes which I, avoid at all cost. I scurried out immediately and made my way downstairs to the maid's quarters, but she wasn't there. I needed to talk to Mrs Smith.

I saw her coming in through the back door and I rushed towards her. She is the nicest person in the house, and it's probably because she is the only mother figure in the house.

“Mrs Smith, I checked for you everywhere,” I told her, standing right in front of her.

“Oh dear, I was in the garden. Is anything the matter? I'm sure you've seen your husband”, she said with a sweet smile.

“Everything is fine, I need to ask you about something, and I'll need your help with some information too if that's okay,” I told her nervously. “ I don't know if it's okay to ask, but you're the only person apart from Leonard. I can ask” I am completely already thinking of backing out.

“It's okay dear, you can ask me anything, that's why I'm here for you”. I took my hand in hers and pulled me deep into the kitchen.

“I didn't mean to prey, I just want to know more about the kids' mother, when the kids last saw their mother and how dirty their divorce was.

Those two have been alone without a mom for so long, I want to know the situation, so I won't do anything to trigger them, you know………..”

“And who do you think you are to want that information? You are here to be their mother, not poke nosing, trying to root out things that don't concern you. I hate people that are people that don't mind their business”. Leonard cut in from the stairs, walking closer to me. “Curiosity killed the cat, let this be the last time you'll ever go around asking my staff silly questions”, he snarled harshly, his face hard with anger and his eyes cold as hell. I knew immediately I was in trouble.