章節 3: chapter 2. Entering the life of Mariano
[chapter 2. Entering the life of Mariano]
The delinquent girl tip-toed in the dark hall with her back hunched. She tried her best to cut her presence. All she needed was to reach her room, waking no one up.
The lights switched on.
Her eyes flew shut as she cursed her fate. Her jaw clenched and relaxed. "Fuck," she groaned. Caught red-handed, she turned with a nervous smile plastered over her round face.
"Young lady," growled the plump woman, her hair as soft and white as marshmallows. Selena winced at the tone. She smiled back, her eyes twitching as she noticed her orphanage manager staring at her with her hands on her hips. Her brow furrowed in disappointment.
It gutted her. "Beth," Selena called.
"It's 1 a.m. you went out without permission, again," the elderly woman thundered. Can't this damned girl just stay put for a day? Her eyes turned soft when she looked at the girl. A harsh breath left her in frustration. She could not stay angry with the girl long.
Her eyes had sunk deep with prominent dark circles. They had turned red and puffy. The wind had disheveled her hair. Beth's heart clenched. "Did you have another nighm-"
"I am alright," Selena cut her off. "I am okay," she repeated.
Beth rubbed her throbbing forehead. The girl won't ever open up to her. She was getting too old to manage this orphanage. Besides, Beth did not have the heart to reprimand the girl. In a year, she had grown a soft spot for the troublesome girl.
"Well anyway, go to bed," she gave up.
"Wait a minute," Selena said, raising her hands.
Her voice raised an octave. "You're putting me to bed," she sputtered. In exasperation, she placed her hand on her mouth and looked at Beth as if she was an alien. "No grounding or making me do toilet cleaning as punishment," she exclaimed in disbelief. The Latina lady was far too strict to be so forgiving. Beth scoffed at her antics.
"What's going on, Beth?" an unsettling feeling surfaced inside her. The woman won't be so nice to her for no reason. It made no sense.
Now Beth's face fell with guilt and sorrow. Selena's eyes narrowed into thin slits. It looked like it was not good news. Her lips thinned into a straight line.
"Beth," she called once again, her voice filled with apprehension.
Beth took a deep breath and turned away from her. "Your biological family contacted us. You're leaving this morning. They completed the adoption papers," she ultimately said, looking at the shocked girl. Her chest constricted; Selena looked like someone had yanked the rug off her feet. Her face paled.
Selena's eyes widened. "Huh," did she mishear something? Biological family? Adopted? Leaving?
Mindlessly, she walked to her room and shut the door. With a plop, she laid on the bed, not bothering to sleep for the dreams that haunted her daily. Her grim eyes stared at the white ceiling.
A knock broke her blank stare. "Huh," she exhaled a tired sigh, brushing her hand through her unkempt hair. She looked out the window and noticed the warm rays illuminating her room. It was morning already?
She splashed cold tap water on her face, hoping to wake herself up from the thoughts which ran as deep as a valley and as vast as an ocean.
Her face turned a light shade of pink because of the cold water. She blinked, collected herself, and looked into the mirror. "Pretend," she reminded herself, and everyone will believe. Pretend everything is alright and face whatever is going on.
Her hand curled around the round knob and she pushed the door open.
"Your family has sent someone to pick you up. It's time you go home, my child."
----
Selena applied a generous amount of concealer under her eyes to mask the redness; a result of continuous crying. She went with the flow, not even interpreting who she was or what was going on. Mindless, she packed a duffle bag found inside the closet and stuffed it with all the important items.
Who were her biological parents? Why were they coming into her life now? Many thoughts raced through her mind. But one thing was for sure: she was not happy to meet the family.
She walked downstairs.
"I can assure you one thing, your parents would adore you, Selena. Your charm is simply too irresistible," Beth cooed. "Don't forget about this old lady, and try to visit me now and then," the woman said, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. The lady appeared to have aged a decade in a single day.
A queer feeling stumped her heart. It made her very uncomfortable. Selena cringed.
"Now, go," the woman said, turning away from the little girl she raised, unable to face her leaving the poor orphanage. But it was best for the girl; she could live a far better life. Selena was aware of her silent tears but uttered no word.
A man cleared his throat. Selena's attention turned toward the source of the guttural cough.
"Young miss," a man in his forties bowed to her. Her eyebrow raised at the curtsy and the way he addressed her. Young miss? In a flash, her eyes narrowed at the man. He dressed in a crisp ironed suit, which was free of any wrinkle. His shiny leather shoes had no speck of dust. He works indoors, she concluded.
A mix of gray and black hair perfectly styled and set with gel. He pays attention to how he looks, hmm. Make public appearances now and then? Her eyes stilled when she observed how his hairstyle helped him cover up an earpiece discreetly. The gears in her brain turned.
But then again, what about the biologicals? None of them came to pick her up.
A nonchalant expression remained on her face. Regardless, she wanted to avoid appearing overly suspicious, so she let out a hint of curiosity flicker in her green eyes. Then a tiny frown etched on her forehead and tilted her round face with a subtle mask of hurt.
The man's eyes softened as he observed the spark of curiosity in her clear eyes. Only to then make his heart clench, observing the hurt and confusion on her face. She must be disappointed that Madam and Master did not come to pick her up, he let out a sigh. His voice light and warm, "Miss, it's time for us to go home."
"I'll explain the details in the car," he said, his voice laced with concern, looking at the women behind her and the surroundings. Thereupon, bequeathing the significance of her identity.
Selena nodded once. Reluctant she parted her ways with the orphanage lady and followed the man in the suit.
"Allow me, please," the man said politely. He waited for her to settle in comfort and closed the door with a soft thud. It was a modest car, nothing particularly eye-catching. She thanked the man and relaxed in the shotgun seat.
"I apologize for not informing you about your parents prior; it is our top priority that you get to them safely before anything else," the man stated in all seriousness. Selena stared down her lap, deep in thought.
Our? She smiled inwardly, her assessment was correct. He wasn't the only one who showed up to take her 'home' as they called. The man had a slip of the tongue and didn't even realize it.
"Your family has missed you for years. They are ecstatic to see you back. They're going to love you; believe me. Especially your father," he said, his smile fading when he saw her wince at the word father.
"I'm sorry," Selena said, turning away from him. "Family is a new concept to me," she explained. Her eyes focused outside the tinted window. "I sincerely apologize. It was insensitive of me," the man admitted as he started the car. Now he felt like a jerk. How could he say such words?
He cleared his throat once more, hoping to make the conversation less awkward. "We'll be heading to the airport. Your family resides in the capital," he attempted to make small talk. But he seemed to fail because he only heard a hum from the young lady to his dissatisfaction.
His heart leaped, thinking he had offended the girl.
The man cursed under his breath. Great, Wilson, fucking great. He gritted his molars. The first impression, you nailed it. He muttered sarcastically to himself. The young lady is going to think you're a buffoon.
Selena rolled down the window, feeling stuffy in the closed space; a slight breeze helped her appreciate the view outside and the city she was in. She jerked back as the window abruptly rolled up. Her gaze inquisitively drew towards the man who squirmed in his seat. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"Ah, mm," he coughed and cleared his throat. "The wind is chilly, you might get sick," he said, nonetheless his gaze fixed on the road only. Her eyes narrowed in the barest at him.
Selena scoffed internally, sure chilly. Or are you afraid that someone will shoot me through the window? Again, how are the police not stopping them? The windows are way too tinted to be legal.
The two SUVs following them caught her attention in the rearview mirror as she turned her gaze away from him. Suspicious. But she decided not to question it. Let's play a little dumb and innocent. Anyways the things would unravel, and the most important thing now was to take control of her emotions first.
They were in an absolute whirlwind.
It took around an hour to get to the airport. Selena stepped out of the car and hugged her stomach. Her nerves were jittery, no matter what, she felt anxious. She might be strong but her mind was weak at the moment. She could not fight her way out if she got into any trouble with the man. Especially not when there were many more following them.
She cursed her damned luck.
"No checking, no waiting?", she asked. Her fist clenched. Control your emotions, Selena. Her curious doe eyes looked at everything in astonishment. The man smiled, "Little privileges when you come from wealth."
"You'll get used to this, young miss," he gently suggested, carrying her duffle bag and firmly declining her offer to assist. His little lady deserved better than to live a life in an orphanage and earn minimum wage for survival. She was a diamond and would shine the brightest. Now that she was back, it was time to lavish her with luxury and love.
Selena gasped.
Her legs stilled and her eyes widened as saucers when she glanced at the private jet's logo.
A Mariano.
Hell no.
~~~~
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