As I handed Alice the white froak, I couldn't help but notice the look of excitement and anticipation in her eyes. She took the dress from me with trembling hands and held it against her chest, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
At first, I thought she was just overwhelmed with joy, but as she started to cry, I realized that something else was going on. I didn't know what to do, so I simply wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
She rested her head against my chest, still clutching the frock tightly to her chest. I ran my fingers through her soft hair, trying to soothe her.
We stood there for what felt like more than 10 minutes, locked in a tight embrace. Finally, she pulled away, and I instinctively lifted her chin to gently wipe away her tears by my fingers. As I did so, I leaned in slowly, feeling the weight of the moment, and kissed her tenderly. After a few seconds, we broke off, our hearts pounding with emotion.
I held her hand tightly, giving it a reassuring squeeze, and gently guided her towards the bed. She clutched onto the frock tightly as we sat down together. Sensing something was amiss, I asked her what was wrong. With a heavy heart, she revealed that she was going to be adopted by Doctor Elizabeth.
I knew that Alice was going to get adopted, but I didn't realize how hard it was for her to leave this behind. I felt a pang of guilt for not understanding her better. I reluctantly admitted to myself that I struggled to comprehend the complexities of girls and women.
I gave her a kiss on the forehead and wrapped my arms around her again, pulling her into a tight hug. She placed the froak aside and hugged me back, holding on as if she never wanted to let go.
Tears started streaming down her face as she adamantly refused to go with the doctor or be adopted. I tried my best to reason with her, to make her understand that it was for her own good, but she remained steadfast in her decision.
Desperation filled my voice as I pleaded with her, "Alice, please listen to me carefully. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am not sure, but you might get adopted by someone else. However, if you go with Elizabeth, everything will be better for you."
Her sobs intensified, and she shook her head vehemently, her long, dark hair cascading around her tear-streaked face. "No, I don't want to be away from you," she choked out between sobs.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to remain calm, my heart aching at the thought of her leaving. "Alice, believe me when I say, I don't want you to go either. The mere thought of you being away from me breaks my heart. But sometimes, we have to make difficult choices for the sake of our own well-being."
Her tear-filled eyes searched mine, filled with a mix of fear and longing. "But what about us? What about our bond?"
I sighed, my fingers gently caressing her hair, trying to offer her comfort. "Alice, you are more important to me than anyone else in my life. I can't deny that I'm sad too. The truth is, I don't want to leave you either."
As I spoke, I could see the turmoil in her eyes, the conflict between her desire to stay with me and the uncertainty of her future. I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to meet my gaze. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her face flushed with emotion.
With a determined tone, I made her a promise, hoping to ease her fears. "I promise you, Alice, that when I turn 18, I will find a way to get out of this place and come back to you, no matter where you are. I'll find a part-time job, rent a room, do whatever it takes. Trust me, I will figure something out and I will find a way to be with you again. I promise."
Her voice trembled as she spoke, her vulnerability shining through. "But... I don't want that. Why can't you understand? I don't want to leave you. Am I not important enough to you?"
Tears welled up in my own eyes as I struggled to find the right words. "Alice, I told you that you are the most important person in my life." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. Then, with a gentle touch, I wiped away her tears, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheek and cupped her face, making her look at me. Her eyes were red from crying, and her face was streaked with tears. She looked so vulnerable in that moment.
I spoke softly "Alice, our long-distance relationship will be tough, but think about it for a second and just imagine the day when we will finally be together. Close your eyes and picture it - the warmth of being together, think of your bright smile, holding hands, feeling each other's heartbeats and then We will say 'Yes, we made it.' Don't you think it will be worth fighting for?"
I could see the doubt in her eyes, but she nodded slowly as I continued to stroke her cheek. A small smile tugged at her lips as she leaned into me, seeking comfort.
I said with bright smile "It will make me kind of happy to know that you will be away from me, so that you will constantly be thinking about me. It will make me really happy to know that you will be constantly thinking about me."
Her smile grew wider as she leaned in closer, seeking solace in my embrace. I couldn't help but feel a surge of love for her in that moment, knowing that she was willing to fight for us despite the distance.
"Alice, you said that I will be away from you," I said softly. "But you are completely wrong about it. I will always be in your heart. And yes, it won't be easy to stay away from me. But I promise you, it will be worth it."
God, I am such a liar. I can't believe myself for lying to her so many times. The weight of my deceit hangs heavy on my conscience, and I fear the consequences of my actions. But for now, I have to focus on what lies in front of me. I will deal with the aftermath later.
As she slowly leaned off of me, her eyes found my lips, and she pressed them against mine for one last kiss. The bittersweet taste lingered on my mouth as she leaned back into my embrace. I gently began patting her head, noticing that her body was growing warmer. Concerned, I placed my hand on her forehead, confirming my suspicion - she had a fever again.
Without hesitation, I scooped her fragile form into my arms and rushed out of my room. The hallway seemed endless as I hurried towards her room, my heart pounding with worry. Finally, I reached her door and swiftly opened it, carefully placing her in bed and tucking her under a warm blanket.
Leaving her side reluctantly, I stepped outside her room and made my way to Elizabeth's room. Panic and urgency filled my voice as I informed her about Alice's fever. Elizabeth quickly grabbed her stethoscope and motioned for me to follow. Together, we walked back to Alice's room, the tension thick in the air.
Elizabeth instructed me to wait outside while she entered the room. I leaned against the wall, my mind racing with thoughts of Alice's well-being. Anxiety gnawed at my insides as I anxiously paced back and forth, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. Each passing minute felt like an eternity, and I couldn't help but worry about what the outcome would be.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Elizabeth emerged from the room. I held my breath, waiting for her verdict. With a mixture of relief and gratitude, she informed me that Alice was going to be alright; she simply needed some rest. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The worry that had consumed me slowly dissipated, replaced by a glimmer of hope. Just as I began to relax, Elizabeth beckoned me to follow her into her room.
I sighed and thought it must be about the plan. I nodded as Elizabeth led me into her room. The weight of the world seemed to lift off my shoulders as I followed her inside. She gestured for me to sit on the couch, and I obliged, watching as she disappeared into the room and emerged wearing a soft nightgown.
Elizabeth's nightgown exuded an alluring elegance, captivating the senses with its delicate allure. Crafted from a whisper-soft fabric, it embraced her figure with a subtle grace, accentuating her curves in a tantalizing manner. The gown's ethereal hue, a bewitching shade of moonlit silver, seemed to shimmer in the dim light, casting a spell of enchantment upon the room. Delicate lace adorned the neckline, tracing a mesmerizing pattern that hinted at the hidden treasures beneath. The gown's flowing silhouette cascaded down her body like a waterfall of silk, gracefully pooling around her feet, evoking a sense of timeless beauty. As Elizabeth settled into the chair, the gown's gentle caress against her skin revealed a hint of her sensuality, leaving an air of mystery and desire in its wake.
She settled into a chair in front of me and crossed her legs gracefully, her expression was serious yet gentle.
She began to speak, she informed me that she was adopting Alice the following day and that all the necessary paperwork had already been completed. Although I felt a wave of sadness wash over me, I knew deep down that it was for the best and nodded in agreement.
She went on to explain that she needed me to leave the orphanage the very next day after Alice's adoption, not two weeks later, and meet her at the docks in Miami. However, a question lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but ask, "So, let me get this straight. I'll be joining you and doing your dirty work, which means your enemies will be after me. What if they find out about this orphanage and try to gather information about me? Won't that put me and them in danger?"
She gave me a mischievous smile and said, "Oh honey, don't worry about it. I have already taken care of it."
A mischievous smile played on her lips as she assured me that she had already taken care of it. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she made a money sign with her hands, leaving me even more perplexed. I said, my voice filled with uncertainty. "I don't understand, what do you mean?
I was confused and asked her to explain further. She held up her hands, showing me the money sign again, and said, "I offered Mrs. Smith money to keep it a secret that I am going to adopt Alice and I also told her about you. They are going to clear all information about you so you don't have to worry. No one will ever find out about this."
As I stood up from the couch, disbelief etched on my face, I couldn't help but voice my concerns. I asked, my tone incredulous, "Are you serious? How could you do this?"
But Elizabeth simply met my gaze with a steely resolve, her eyes unwavering. "Trust me," she said softly. "I know what I'm doing."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Mrs. Smith, I had always seen as a mother figure, had fallen for money. It was hard to fathom that she had agreed so quickly to this deceitful plan.
She spoke with a calm and collected demeanor as she revealed further. "She gave me all your documents, so don't worry about it," she assured me, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "I have made your fake documents as well. You don't need to worry about anyone finding out your real identity. Trust me."
I listened intently, my mind racing with a mix of confusion and disbelief. How could Mrs. Smith, someone I had trusted and admired agreed to something like this? And what about the people at the orphanage? How could they have agreed so easily to this deceitful plan?
She noticed my confusion and smiled knowingly. "You are confused, aren't you?" she asked rhetorically.
I nodded, unable to find the words to express my bewilderment.
"Alvin, you are a smart kid," she continued. "I'll give you that. But you're still a kid. You don't understand the power that money holds. Money has power, and power is everything. I simply offered them money, and they agreed."
Her words hung in the air, leaving me stunned. I couldn't believe that money had such a profound influence on people, even those who had shown love and care towards me at the orphanage. It felt like a betrayal of the highest order.
As if reading my thoughts, she added, "I know it's hard for you to believe all of this, but it's the truth. You see, they have financial problems too. That's why they easily agreed to my proposition."
I nodded slowly, acknowledging the truth in her words. Financial struggles could push people to make desperate choices, even if it meant compromising their morals. But still, it was difficult to reconcile the image I had of the orphanage staff with their sudden willingness to participate in this deceitful scheme.
Her voice turned darker as she continued, "Even so, one woman didn't agree to it. She threatened to expose us to the police. So, I had to take drastic measures. I threatened her with my bodyguards and warned her that her family would be killed if she didn't keep quiet for now."
I asked "And who she is?"
She said "Someone named Warner I guess, she didn't agreed."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness towards Mrs. Warner. I pleaded to her, my voice trembling, "Please, don't hurt her. She is like a mother to me. I beg you, don't go after her."
Her smile widened, revealing a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Oh, don't worry, honey," she said, her tone almost mocking. "I won't lay a finger on her unless she decides to expose me. But if she does, she'll face the consequences."
Her attention shifted, her gaze fixed on me. "Well, sweetie, it seems we need to give you a new identity. Choose a different name for your ID, and also decide on two names—one for your work and one as a code name."
After some contemplation, I decided to go with the nickname the one who Dwayne gave me 'Vinny' as my alternate name and 'Shadow' as my code name. I shared my choices with her, and she was on board with making it happen.
She got up from chair and extended her hand, a warm smile on her face. "Pleasure to be working with you, Alvin Walker." she said. I hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed and shook her hand. However, her mischievous smile made me feel uneasy. As if sensing my discomfort, she handed me an envelope containing $10,000 and insisted that I would need it for my upcoming trip. After a brief internal debate, I decided to accept the money, realizing it could prove useful.
She gave me a wink, a glimmer of anticipation danced in her eyes she said, "Don't let me down, sweetie. I have high hopes from you."
I started to leave the room, but something made me pause. I turned back to face her, and she gave me a playful wink. "Did you forget something to tell me?" she asked, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
I nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I am trusting you on this one," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. "So please, be a good mother to Alice."
Her mischievous expression faded, replaced by a look of seriousness and gentleness. She understood the weight of my words. I continued, my voice steady and heartfelt. "Mom is not just a word Or a name. It's someone who you Trust and who gives you Hope. With her love, Even on a bad day, you have Reasons to smile, I hope you understand that if you don't please try to understand that."
Her lips curled into a warm smile as I rambled on, pouring my heart out. "So, like, I really hope you'll be a good mom to her, you know? Take care of her and love her... no matter what. Alice always wanted parents, so please, be there for her whenever she needs it. Sure, she can be a bit childish and immature at times, but honestly, she's the nicest person I've ever met. I totally trust you to look after her so please don't take advantage of my trust."
Her smile grew even sweeter, and she playfully nudged me, giving me the hint to scram. "Alright, buddy, time to go! Shoo, shoo." She gently pushed me out of her room and closed the door behind her.
Hmm that was weird. I let out a sigh, feeling a mix of relief and sadness, and started making my way back to my own room. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside and closed it behind me. Exhausted from the day's events, I walked over to the bed and sank down onto it, allowing myself to finally relax.