Their table instantly became quiet. Maya and Detective Cross looked at Ellen with an indescribable look. Whereas Elias remained silent. Ellen didn't notice the change in her surroundings as her gaze was still resting on Ares.
"Ummm. She doesn't go to high school, Mom." Detective Cross spoke up.
"Oh! College?" Ellen looked between her son and Ares with a questioning look.
"Khoff-khoff!" Detective Cross was uneasily drinking a glass of water when he heard his mother ask persistently and almost choked, "No. Not even college. She's not old enough."
"Then- How old are you, Ares?"
Just when they were about to answer for Ares because they thought she wouldn't answer, Ares said, "Nine."
Clink! The fork that used to be in Ellen's hand fell, hitting the plate. Her expression was blank for a long time, and it started to worry the rest. Maya spoke up, "Ellen?"
But she still didn't respond. Elias this time approached her, "Grandma? Grandma!"
Ellen jolted out of her thoughts. Nevertheless, her gaze was on Ares. "You're nine years old?"
"Yes," Ares confirmed.
"How?"
Ares was aware of what Ellen meant when asking how. How is she nine years old when she looks the way she does? How did she come to look the way she does?
Ares met a lot of people who wondered the same thing.
However, she only knew their thoughts through their [life]. They never asked her. Ellen was the first person to ask her upfront. Now that she's asked straightforwardly, Ares didn't know how to answer. Although she's seen and heard these questions countless times, she never came up with a good reply. This time Ares didn't answer Ellen and avoided her eyes.
When Maya and Detective Cross saw Ares with her head bowed, it was a signal that she doesn't want to talk about it. Detective Cross intervened, saying, "Mom, can I talk to you for a second?"
Ellen didn't question him and compliantly followed after him.
"What is it? Is it about Ares? Is she nine years old?"
"Since Ben says she is, I believe she's nine years old."
"Then why-"
"She was found tied up on a table in the basement of a burning house. There were two bodies that we assume are the people responsible for her being 'caged'. The scene was gruesome, Mom. She was only wearing a ragged gown stained with blood," Detective Cross said before Ellen could finish.
His expression turned grim laced with rage and continued with gritted teeth, "I've never seen anything like it before. Those bastards soundproofed the basement. If the house hadn't caught fire, nobody would have ever suspected that they had a child down in their basement. The room was filled with medical equipment. It was like they were testing something on her. But whatever it was they did, I'm guessing that's the reason why she looks like she does now."
Ellen's mind was still processing what her son was saying. Tied up? In the basement? "What the hell did they do to a child?!" Ellen's jaw clenched in rage.
Her heart goes out to Ares. When her son was around Ares's age, he learned how to swim, ride a bike, and hang out with his friends. But Ares, she had to go through all that pain and suffering for who knows how long without her parents and love. Only darkness. She had assumed that Ares's mature disposition was because she was a grown young woman. How utterly wrong she was.
"Did you have Maya try to treat her?" Ellen asked. Her daughter-in-law was a Child Psychologist who works with children who have been through a traumatic experience, so it only makes sense that she brought up Maya.
"I did. But Ares's case is too special."
"What do you mean special?"
"If a child were confined and tortured for a long time, it would be understandable if that child has PTSD [1]. But Maya said that Ares doesn't suffer from any psychological trauma."
"And that's a problem?"
"Yes, it's a problem. She's bottling all those feelings up. I'm worried that one day she will explode." Detective Cross became anxious at the very thought of Ares breaking down.
"That! That right there is your problem! Not hers. You want her to express her feelings to you, to let you in. But you're just a stranger to her. Slowly, let her get to know you better. She'll come around," Ellen advised him.
Detective Cross took her words to heart and was driven more than ever.
"Besides, Ares seems like a special girl. Maybe one day she will tell you everything. You just need to give her time and be patient," Ellen added.
"Thanks, Mom. You always knew what to say."
"Of course! I am your mother," Ellen said with a soft smile but as soon as a smile bloomed her expression turned forlorn.
Kids like Ares, who has no family and nowhere to go, usually end up in the system where they will be put into foster care. She doesn't know whether Ares can handle any changes and was worried for her.
"What are you going to do now? What will happen to Ares?"
"I don't know. But I do know that I don't want to give up on her and I want to give her good memories." Detective Cross said, watching Elias and Ares getting along from afar.
The two of them talked for another five minutes before joining the rest. Ellen didn't bring up the topic of Ares's age but instead made more food for Ares to eat.
Ares gladly ate everything Ellen made for her. She couldn't help herself. Anything that Ellen cooked was all just too delicious. Since she was born, she felt full for the first time, and it wasn't from the food. She knew exactly what she was feeling, it was content.
Ellen was happy seeing that Ares has a healthy appetite. However, the rest were worried that she might get a stomachache after eating all that food.
But their worries were unfounded because Ares has a monstrous metabolism that breaks down fat at an alarming rate. So, even if Ares ate a truckload of food, she would never get a stomachache or become fat.
But they didn't know that.
Yet, they didn't have the heart to stop her from eating when she looks so content with every bite she takes. So, they just let her do whatever she wants.
After Ares ate her fill, it was time for them to leave. Ellen has grown fond of her and was reluctant to let her go. Detective Cross didn't know what to do. He was surprised to see how much his mother adored Ares. But they had to leave.
Ellen noticed her son's helpless face and had to give in. She fixed her gaze at the pale front of the girl she had only just met with an amiable smile.
"You're always welcome here, so come visit me once in a while. Or if you ever want to eat, I'll make it for you," Ellen said to Ares before they left.
The drive this time was mostly filled with Elias's endless chattering. He kept rambling on and on about everything. From school to his friends, he told Ares about it all. If he only knew that Ares already knew about everything he does.
But Ares didn't say a word and just listened.
Soon they arrived at a mall not too far from Ellen's diner. Ares closely followed them with Elias by her side. She marveled at the sight.
Groups of people entered and exited the massive building. In their hands, they held shopping bags while their faces showed they were in high spirits. A scene, like the time she was in the hospital, occurred again as she walked past them. Her appearance attracted the gaze of those around her. Some discreetly stared at her while others boldly pointed at her as they whispered words about her.
Ares didn't mind them. However, it wasn't the same for the Cross family. They disliked how people kept looking at Ares like she was a zoo animal on display.
In the next moment, they stood beside her. Elias was to her left while Maya was to her right with Detective Cross right beside her. They guarded her against people's prying eyes, hoping that she didn't notice anything.
"Do you want to take a look around?" Maya asked Ares.
"Yes," Ares answered, her eyes wandering about the mall.
"Let's go," Maya offered her hand out for Ares to take. It didn't take long this time for Ares to decide, she instantly took hold of Maya's hand.
Maya showed her around the mall. Maya happily took her sightseeing in almost every department store. She went into a jewelry store, a movie theater, an arcade, a clothing store, a bag store, and a dessert shop. She saw everything and, as hard as it is to believe, she's enjoying it. They had just finished eating another round of dessert when something caught Maya's eyes.
"Oh, my!" Maya exclaimed. She almost immediately ran towards the department store, pulling Ares along with her.
"Welcome! How may I be of assistance?" A saleswoman approached them with a smile.
"Get me all of your newly arrived winter season outfits in her size. I want to see her try it on first before I buy them. The price doesn't matter," Maya resolutely announced, pushing Ares to stand in front of her for the saleswoman to see.
The saleswoman's eyes lit up when she heard Maya say that the price doesn't matter. She could pretty much hear the sound of her commission being deposited into her account.
Ka-Ching!
"Please wait here while I prepare the clothes," the saleswoman said before turning on her heels, practically running, afraid that Maya might change her mind.
"Honey, didn't you already buy her clothes?" Detective Cross asked his wife, feeling cold sweat dripping down his back.
"How can those be considered clothes?! Look at this dress! Ares would look beautiful in it. And this! And this! And this! And..." Maya picked out a bunch of clothes. She couldn't decide which to buy when everything would look good on Ares.
"Here you are!" The saleswoman came back pushing a rack of clothes towards her 'golden customers'.
"Come, Ares! Try this one." Maya handed her a clear garment bag, pushing her into a changing room.
Looking at Maya's excited face, Ares couldn't say no and took the garment bag before entering the changing room. She wasn't gone long before she walked out, amazing those around her with her presence.
The outfit she had on was a tucked-in grey sweetheart neck shirt, garnet skater skirt with a black elastic waistband, black stockings, and a pair of Jefferey Campbell Lita boots.
Though her outfit was stunning, it wasn't what made her look beautiful. Her pale skin complimented her dark-colored clothes. An indifferent aura that was emanating from her made people feel that she didn't belong in the mortal world. Like she was a goddess walking among humans, noble and unblemished.
"Who's she?!"
"I don't know but I've never seen anyone that gorgeous. Do you think she's an actress?"
"Maybe a model. I mean look at those long legs!"
"She is so beautiful!"
People, who finished their shopping, chattered as they left the department store.
Click! Click! Click!
The sound of a camera shutter sound came from right outside of the department store. The camera was in the hands of an Italian man in his early 30's. One of his eyes was in the viewfinder when his finger pressed down on the shutter button, capturing an image of Ares through the clear glass window.
"Wow!" A masculine voice exclaimed.
"Travis, what's the holdup?" A woman's voice called out, drawing closer to stop at Travis's side.
"I think I found my muse," Travis claimed under his breath. He was breathless at the sight of a silver-haired girl with striking blue eyes.
Travis was a famous photographer under a reputable modeling agency from France. In this line of work, he has seen numerous girls with great figures and pretty faces. But none of them were like the girl in front of him. It was like he remembered why he wanted to become a photographer in the first place.
He watched on as Ares changed into different outfits and none of them could diminish her natural beauty. This time she came walking out in a jade color formal dress made from sleek satin. The fitted, off-the-shoulder bodice had floral lace applique and the lace sleeves covered up the large scar on her arms. Travis couldn't help himself and secretly snapped photos of her.
At the same time, Ares turned to face him with a cool look. Both aloof and imposing.
Detective Cross, whose eyes were on Ares the whole time, noticed her attention shifted and followed the direction she was facing. He came face-to-face with a man standing outside the store, taking pictures of Ares.
"Hey! Hey, you!" Detective Cross shouted, approaching him in a hurry.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He stood in front of him, blocking Ares from the camera. His brows scrunched up as a frown crossed his face. He stared at the man holding the camera with a dark expression. In his eyes, he had already marked him as a pervert.
Travis had no clue that he was labeled a pervert and quickly explained, "Hi! I'm Travis Taylor. Pleased to meet you." He handed Detective Cross his business card.
"I'm Detective Cross. Now would you mind deleting those photos you just took?" Detective Cross said, scowling.
"Oh, I apologize for taking pictures of your daughter without permission," Travis was well-spoken when apologizing.
Daughter? Detective Cross didn't know why but he liked the sound of that. His daughter. A little smile formed on his face.
'No! This is not the time to be smiling like a fool.'
That blossoming smile was fleeting, soon replaced with a glare, "Delete the pictures."
"Oh, of course. Of course. Deleting them right now. There, all gone!" Travis showed him the camera.
Seeing that the pictures were gone, Detective Cross turned to leave without another word.
But Travis wasn't done talking. Instead, he followed Detective Cross from behind to his wife, son, and most importantly the girl with silver hair. As he drew closer, his heart rate started to increase. From afar, she was stunning. Up close, she was… there were no words that could describe her beauty.
Shamelessly, he approached Ares with a friendly smile, handing her his business card, "Hi, I'm Travis Taylor. I'm a photographer for Venus Models, a modeling agency, and I wanted to know if you have ever had any thoughts on becoming a model?"
Ares looked down at the card in his hand, not reaching out to take instead stared unblinkingly before turning her gaze to face him.
Travis's gaze froze on Ares's face. His resolve to have her as his model grew the second he came eye-to-eye with her. It was like time had stopped and he had forgotten how to breathe. Those electric blue eyes that drew his attention like a magnet were unforgettable. But there was something about her gaze that made him uncomfortable. It was almost as if she could see through him. The feeling he felt was like when he was naked in front of thousands of people, exposed.
Ares was only able to maintain eye contact for a second before Detective Cross stood between. But that was all it took for her to see his [life]. While she was processing Travis's life, the situation was starting to get ugly.
Maya and Elias stood by Ares's side, guarding her against the strange man, Travis, that had approached her while Detective Cross shoved him further away from them.
"What the hell do you think you're doing approaching my family like that?! If you don't leave right now I will arrest you for child molestation and you better believe that those charges will stick," Detective Cross threatened him.
But Travis didn't heed his threat and his attention was entirely on Ares. "I want her," Travis proclaimed. Though he was saying it to himself, Detective Cross heard everything he said.
"You sick son of a b*tch!"
[1] PTSD- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder