"Are you ready to go?" Emmanuel stood at the entrance door, a completely different outfit to the one he wore to dinner, more smart-casual than smart: basic grey fitted trousers, white t-shirt and white trainers.
Appearing a few seconds later, Leyton butted in and answered before I could, "sure am!" he responded spritely.
Emmanuel looked us both up and down in disbelief, "you guys aren't changing?"
"I don't look as stylish as you when I'm dressed down, I'm afraid. Keeping up appearances and the like," I answered jokingly.
Emmanuel shrugged and smiled, "dressing well is hard, but I've had plenty of practice. I can pass on my wisdom."
Leyton wrapped his arm over Emmanuel's shoulder, leading him down the steps to the blacked-out limo. "If you want to pass on your fashion wisdom, then please make Alexander one of the first."
"He is the first, don't worry."
The door was held open by the chauffeur, and Emmanuel and Leyton stood aside to let me in first, then entered afterwards. The limousine drove into the city, heading straight for the orphanage first.
I leaned forward to take a look at the newly renovated building which had gone from older fashioned dark bricks and old windows to modern large window panes and wood panelling. Casting my eyes further down, I caught sight of a whole crew of paparazzi and quite a crowd had gathered outside.
I slouched in my seat, completely confused as to how they knew we'd be here, and what had happened to the building.
"I... may have given a few anonymous tips that there'd be a surprise visit here," began Emmanuel sheepishly. "You- we need to get a good reception tomorrow. This'll help. So, put on your best smiles."
He flashed me and Leyton large grin before the door was opened by the chauffeur and he hopped out, offering me his hand to take. The door opening allowed a floodgate of sounds to fill my ears; names, directions, screams and cries filled my ears from the paparazzi and on-lookers alike, all with the cameras and phones at the ready.
We were led to the gate of the orphanage and that's where we stood for a few minutes, smiling and posing while countless pictures were taken.
It was a good job I didn't dress down, the crowd was huge and growing more each passing second.
Scanning the new building, my eyes locked on to multiple others staring wide-eyed back at me; the kids inside were practically pressed against the window.
I noticed a handful of the camera-men weren't actually taking pictures of us, but rather, behind us. Turn to figure out what they were seeing, I saw the head-lady stood frozen, her body barely through the doorway. Her thin lips were slightly ajar, her long face far gaunter than it was during my last visit. Her grey hair seemed to have thinned as it clung tightly to her skull in a bob.
She slowly approached us, her brows were furrowed and at first I thought she frowning, obviously displeased with the rabble and noise, but as she got closer, I saw the tears built up in her eyes fighting for release. She stopped right in front of me, a single tear slid down her cheek that she was quick to dab away with a handkerchief.
"Your Highness, would it- would it be okay if I was to give you quick hug?" Her voice wavered ever so slightly as she hesitantly came even nearer.
"It's completely okay!" I held out my arms, and the second she was in them, I felt warm tears drizzling down my back. I pulled her closer, sensing she needed the support.
"The work that you- that you all put in really helped build morale at such a low time. The money you raised is what allowed this place to be spectacularly rebuilt after it was burned down." My mouth dropped, no one had told me about this. "They're fine, we're all fine. Our noses saved us, as did the fire alarm," she added quickly.
"That's great. I'm pleased to hear that everyone is okay," I breathed out, relieved.
She curtsied towards Emmanuel, "my name is Ella Tut. It's an honour to have you all here."
"Yes, as nice as this is. We should have our conversation indoors, away from the prying eyes of this press," Emmanuel was eager to add.
"That you invited," I hissed in response.
Ella ushered us to follow her indoors, and the kids had grouped together at the top of the wooden staircase. I waved to them and offered them a smile. She offered us food and drink, but Emmanuel was quick to turn her down, stating that we had somewhere to be after this, but that we'd still like a tour.
Ella told us to follow her as she took us into a room to the left as soon as we entered, it was a library with bookshelves as high as the walls themselves. It was a cute area, with neutral coloured bean bags huddled together in different corners, computers at the far side of the room, and what looked like a den in another corner.
"Despite the increase in children, I'm pleased to tell you that the numbers of adoption and foster enquiries have also increased," she said. Her walk was brisk, obviously feeling rushed by Emmanuel, who probably should've said we weren't in that much of a rush.
She took us through the kitchen, dining room, garden, conservatory, and new a new edition: the game room. Apparently, it was all mostly paid for by the money we raised, and some things were donated by various charities.
We ended the tour at the foot of the stairway, near the front entrance.
"It's clear how much you care for these kids here, Ella. This place is remarkable. I'll have someone contact you, if you ever need anything, contact them and it'll be yours. These kids are the future," said Emmanuel as he walked ahead with Ella.
I felt a slight tug on the hem of my dress, to see the kid who gave me his one-eyed teddy bear last time. I remembered he didn't really speak.
"I remember you," I began, squatting as best as I could in my dress, "you gave me a gift, didn't you?" He nodded. "Your bear, he sits on my bedside table. Thank you for giving him to me." A smile formed on his face at the mention of the bear.
The boy was about to turn and walk off when Ella sternly called out for him to stop. "Paxon, you are in front of royalty. You are supposed to bow before and after you speak to them."
Paxon's stare stayed on Ella for a few seconds longer than it probably should've. I couldn't tell if he was challenging her or simply processing what she told him, but he bowed quickly at us all before running off.
"I wish my brother was like that," Leyton commented, I nodded in agreement.
"I want to thank you all for your visit, and please, feel free to drop by any time you like," said Ella, holding the door open for us.
"Thank you, too. Alexander wanted to come as well, unfortunately, he was busy. I'll be sure to bring him along next time. I'll try to give you notice next time too!"
Emmanuel rushed over to the driver and whispered something to him, before turning to us with a rather cocky expression, "now for my surprise for your two."
After closing the door behind us, and successfully not knocking over any of the paparazzi or crowd that were stood blocking the limo, the driver continued down the road and through the city.
He parked up in front of some kind of secluded warehouse, after driving for about half an hour, that appeared abandoned from the outside, apart from a few armed guards scattered here and there.
Leyton and I exchanged confused glances as Emmanuel sauntered over to the guard at the mammoth sized corrugated metal door. He slid the door open, flooding the grounds outside with light. In the centre of the warehouse, there stood a huge figure concealed by a white sheet.
Emmanuel stood at the foot of the object, a hand on the sheet, ready to pull. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," I answered slowly, gradually edging nearer.
Emmanuel clutched the fabric firmly in both hands and pulled it away effortlessly, revealing a white marble statue of Alexander's mother, a replica of the one Austin had blown up in the square.
"Leyton, you're here to gauge its likeness to Madeline. Arianne, you'll know whether Alexander will like it or not."
My jaw dropped as I went to get a closer inspection of it and it's beauty. She sat in a chair, one leg crossed over the other, as though she was posing for a portrait, a long flowy dress appeared to cascade effortlessly. It really mirrored the looks of Madeline and I could see Alexander in her features.
"When did you have this made?" I asked almost gingerly.
Leyton soon joined me, in awe of the statue.
"As soon as I found out he was safe. I had to do something for him. I remember how he raced down to the statue almost the second Austin destroyed the previous one, knowing he'd be outnumbered. The honour, the pride, respect just... everything that day was evident merely by his expression. He risked his life for that statue, his mother."
"Well, it's beautiful. I still don't know you that well, but I can tell you really care for Alexander."
"I know him exceptionally well, but I don't always know how he'll react to things. He's very unpredictable in that sense. I don't know if he'll be grateful for this, or hate it because of what happened last time he was near this statue." Emmanuel sighed and began pacing back and forth at the foot of the statue.
"Don't worry," I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently, stopping him in his tracks, "no matter his reaction, he'll be grateful that you cared enough to do this for him."
He let out a breath of relief, "in that case, I can't wait for his reaction tomorrow."
===========================================================================
Sorry for taking so damn long to write this chapter, I've been busy at university and at work so I haven't really had much time. I hope this chapter isn't too lacklustre.
But anywho, thanks for reading :)