Greg's cold demeanor suddenly crumbled, and his eyes shone with extreme happiness at the sight of Valerie and Ruby. He doubled his steps, almost running, when Ruby started running towards him. Opening his arms wide, he caught the child and threw her into the air a couple of times, causing the child to laugh boisterously.
The scene was heart-warming.
Valerie and Grace couldn't help but let their jaws drop. Ruby and Greg looked harmonious, like a true father and daughter. Even though Greg seemed quite cold when he got down from the taxi, his temperament suddenly changed at the sight of Ruby.
It was rare to see a man love another man's child this much. As a business owner, Valerie had seen too many people and understood when a person faked their smiles. However, the smile on Greg's handsome face wasn't forced or faked, which simply meant that he genuinely loved Ruby.
Her heart swelled with warmth. Every single mother wants a man who would genuinely love her child. And Valerie wants this too. For this reason alone, Greg had scored above average in her heart.
After playing and chatting with Ruby for a while, Greg arrived in front of Valerie, still holding Ruby in his strong arms.
With every step he took towards the woman that had turned his world upside down, his heartbeat accelerated, and his legs grew heavy.
Greg is an outstanding business tycoon, an eligible bachelor, whom every woman would willingly spread their legs for, if he asked, but he had stayed single all his life and intended to remain so, until he met this woman six years ago.
After that night, he was caught up in the power struggle with his brother and nephew and when he finally emerged victorious, he went in search of Valerie, but she had disappeared into thin air. Now that she was standing right in front of him, for the first time in his 35 years of living, Greg couldn't find words and just stared at her.
Openly staring back at him, Valerie tried not to melt under his doting stare. The man in front of her was tall, with broad shoulders, and a strong chiseled jaw. His sharp eyes, filled with longing, were locked on hers. His hair was stylishly messy, framing his face in a way that defined his sharp features.
The man's aesthetic and aura gave off a rich and mysterious feeling, but his low-cost outfit was a contrast. Although he looked good, he subtly drew attention away from himself.
From the side, Grace, who had snapped out of her daze and poked Valerie, pulling her back from a stupor.
Valerie cleared her throat, feeling embarrassed that she had lost herself in his good-looks. To hide her embarrassment, she explained, "What took you so long? Don't you have a watch? We almost looked homeless standing under the sun for over thirty minutes!" Although she tried to sound strict and forceful, her flushed cheeks betrayed her tone. She turned her face, too ashamed to meet his hot gaze.
The fear in Greg's heart had subsided. From how long she stared at him without blinking, and how she blushed and tried to hide her face, he could tell she was also interested in him. Greg smiled broadly, revealing two small dimples as he apologized, "I'm deeply sorry. I was held up at work."
If James were there, he would have fainted from shock. He could never have imagined the iceberg he had been with for almost all his life, had this side to him.
Valerie was stunned for a moment when she caught those dimples and his deep voice... She suddenly had a sense of Déjà vu. The voice sounded familiar, and the dimples reminded her of her daughter, but then again, she'd never met this man before.
While she was lost in thought, she heard him say, "You must be famished and tired after your long trip. I know of a decent hotel downtown. It has a restaurant too. They sell delicious food." As he was saying that, Greg took the luggage from Valerie. With Ruby still in his arms, he headed for the taxi.
Grace leaned in and whispered to Valerie, "He's sweet and nice, and considerate. I second Ruby on this, you should totally marry him." She playfully nudged Valerie and winked before skipping off with a satisfied smile.
Valerie watched Greg and Ruby discussing as they approached the taxi and her lips subconsciously stretched into a smile.
A few hours later.
Greg and Valerie were seen dining at a restaurant. A few tables away, Ruby and Grace were also eating, but Ruby's gaze was on her mother's table. She was scared that her mother would find fault with Uncle Greg and send him away.
She had attempted to run there a few times, but Grace warned her not to, so she had no choice but to sit on pins.
Meanwhile, at Valerie's side, she was busy interviewing Greg. "Mister Greg Sinclair, right?" seeing him nod, she continued, "How did you know my daughter?"
Greg glanced at Ruby and smiled before shifting his gaze back to Valerie. "We met on Instagram by chance, so I followed her. She sent an appreciation voice note. I couldn't believe she was five because of how intelligent she was. That was how we became friends."
Greg lied through his teeth, but it didn't matter, he sounded convincing.
"Why did you become friends with a toddler?" not that she doubted his words, in fact, he didn't look, sound, or behaved suspicious. Ruby, although young, had a social media account, and Valerie made sure to control what Ruby should and shouldn't have access to.
Like he said, when she listened to their voice notes, they chatted as though they already knew each other, so the chemistry was quite shocking, making her think that they probably knew each other from somewhere before.
After hearing his own side of the story, it appeared it was destiny.
Greg shook his head, "I don't know. It just happened. When she told me she had a mother, but her father was late, I wanted to become her father–"
Cutting him off, Valerie retorted sharply, "So, you brought up the idea of wanting to be her father?"
She knew that wasn't true. It was Ruby who made the proposal to him. At first, he refused, claiming Valerie wouldn't like him because he was a construction worker, but after Ruby continued to throw tantrums, he gave in.
Greg remained silent for a moment, then nodded. "That's right. It was my idea."
Valerie gazed at him without calling him out. He took the blame for Ruby.
This man is responsible and kind to Ruby. She turned her head, Ruby was staring at them. When she caught her mother's attention, the child joined her hands in a plea. Her lips moving, she was begging her mother to marry Greg.
Valerie turned her gaze back to the table and uttered, "I don't have a problem with the type of work you do. I'm marrying you because my daughter likes you." She opened her bag and took out a file and passed it to him.
"That's a marriage contract. Read through it and if you agree to the terms, sign it. Tomorrow morning, 9 AM, we'll meet at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
Valerie could have gone to register their marriage today, as there's still a few hours before the government office closes, but she has no documents with her. She would need to visit the Wright family to get the necessary documents.
Valerie's lips curled, going to the Wright family means one thing; drama!