Chapter 9

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So, how long have you and Ms. Boudreaux been friends?" Questioned Jazz, trying to start a conversation.

"Me and Charlotte been friends for over a decade, we met because we have some 'similarities' and she needed some help to get into a high-profiled Cooking school." Cleo stated looking over the menu.

"Oh, okay.. What about you, Cleo?.. Where did you grow up?" Jazz asked more questions, realizing that this was the only time she and Ms. WuHong spent outside the office together. She wanted to get to know Cleo, her likes and dislikes, she knew when something displeased her or when she was satisfied but she wanted to know the background of Cleopatra WuHong.

Cleo looked up from her menu with a small smile. Jazz wondered what she would look like with an authentic smile. Charlotte returned with a steaming cup of chamomile tea, that tasted so good Jazz nearly gulped it down. 

Charlotte swaggered off again towards the kitchen.

"I was born in Egypt, I don't know who my parents are since they abandoned me as a baby. My foster parents are from a wealthy background in Tokyo and they deal in Arts and Exotics. They found me... exotic so they adopted me from an orphanage in Cairo." Cleo left out that her parents saved her from undergoing surgery as a child.

                                                                                                   ❧

Cleo was on her own and would run away from the Orphanage. She didn't want the surgery they were forcing on her. They would usually do removal surgeries or on infants with her condition but since her biological mother birthed her in the Emergency Room and left, the hospital didn't want to spend any money on surgery that no one would pay for, instead they circumcised her and gave her to the orphanage.

Cleo was 5 years old when they found out she was in fact not just a boy, undergoing a routine physical and to get her immunization shots. The doctors were checking to make sure her testicles were forming correctly and found an extra hole between them.

Doing a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, they found that she had perfectly developing uterus with eggs and a working penis with developing sperm in her testicles. The doctors were worried since Cleo could accidentally impregnate herself when she reached puberty and wanted to perform the surgery as soon as possible. 

Most people that are Intersex, have underdeveloped testes or no ovaries so it usually wouldn't be a problem. They could take certain medications that would rebalance their hormones. Intersexual's had a spectrum. Cleopatra was different and even brilliantly smart at her age, she knew they wanted to do this surgery but Cleo didn't want it, she felt fine.

The doctors and the owner of the Orphanage was discussing this outside the room where Cleo sat.

The WuHongs' happened to be at the hospital, since her now foster mother ended up having an asthma attack the day before and was being discharged. The orphanage owner was stating pretty loudly that they didn't have the money to spare on one orphan for this surgery and the doctor replying that they could put her in an experimental study and the hospital would pay for it. Cleo opened the door and peeked out.

"I don't want to do that." Cleo told them. Both adults looked at the child, she was tall for her age with her sharp jade eyes. The doctor bent down towards the child and tried to explain.

"Listen honey, you need to have this surgery and you might have to take some little pills that would help you out when you get older. You might not understand now but you will when you get older. Your a boy and we want you to be a full boy." The doctor stated gently.

"I don't feel like a boy." Small Cleo stated. "I don't feel like a girl either, I just feel healthy and I don't want the surgery." The doctor looked at Cleo, stunned.

"I'm sorry, Jofari. But you don't have a choice in this matter, you have a pee-pee. Boys have pee-pees. Your not supposed to have girl parts too. Do you get it, boy?" The orphanage owner replied sharply. Small Cleo's eyes narrowed.

"I don't want the surgery," She repeated.

The doctor sighed. "Honey, Ms. Abebe is legally your guardian and we will have to proceed with the surgery tomorrow morning. You will understand when your older." The doctor straightened up.

Cleo's little mind was already thinking of an escape plan. Then Mrs. WuHong stepped forward.

"I see the little one doesn't want the surgery and that he's an orphan. We will gladly adopt him." Mrs. WuHong stated, smiling warmly at little Cleo.

"Well, we would have to do a background check on you first." Ms. Abebe stated, looking at the Asian couple suspiciously.

"That is fine. My name is Sakura WuHong and my husband is Kenichi WuHong. What is the little one's name?" Sakura asked, directing her question at the child.

"His name is Jofari. He is 5 years old and is going through surgery tomorrow to get his problem fixed." Ms. Abebe stated.

"That won't be necessary, we will adopt him just as he is and if he wants the surgery when he gets older, we will help him. We will also pay for his medical bills for his stay today and I believe you will enjoy a very generous donation from us." Mrs. WuHong suggested.

Seeing money signs, Ms. Abebe's attitude changed completely. "Well, we do need extensive repairs for our Orphanage and updated water pipes. How much would you say this 'donation' of yours would be."

Mr. WuHong stepped up, seeing his wife being fully invested on getting this child. Looking into the hopeful green eyes of the child, Mr. WuHong reached into his back pocket for his checkbook. Writing down a number, he handed a check to Ms. Abebe.

Seeing the shock that crossed her face, Mr. WuHong replied stoically, "I hope you don't mind, that is in American Dollars." Ms. Abebe grabbed her chest like she was having an heart attack.

"Little one, what do you call yourself?" Mr. Hong stated coldly. Cleo had a thoughtful look on her face.

"I am Cleopatra. Cleo..." She looked at the tall Asian man with child-like wonder in her eyes.

"Very good. We will be taking Cleopatra home once the check clears." Mr. WuHong ordered.

That day little Cleo learned that money was power.


Authors note: hmhmhm I love me some Boudreaux baybey!!
don't forget to vote, it's the little star on the left hand corner and thank you so much for taking the time to read my story! Any feedback and comments are appreciated

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