She rushed and embraced the old woman as tight as she could.
Oh, how she missed the people at the orphanage!
"I missed you so much, mother Tess!" She smiled as soon as she broke away from her.
"I missed you too, sweetheart." The old woman invited her inside her office.
"Busy?" She asked as soon as she sat on the couch.
"Not that much. I had to bring out these old files again because a young man came asking for information about a particular person." She answered while tucking the files back on the shelves.
"Maybe he was looking for his relative?"
"I don't know. But the person's information was under confidential status."
"You didn't ask him why he was looking for that particular person?"
"He said a relative of hers was looking for her."
"Then why don't you give him the information?"
"It would be a lot of work for me. Plus, it's forbidden to open a file once it says confidential. We might get sued for breaking our own rules." The old woman made a face.
"Oh, what a pity."
"I know." The old woman replied.
As soon as she fixed the files, she sat opposite Jade while her secretary served them snacks.
"So tell me about your life in the City. Are you enjoying it at least?"
"I am." She chuckled confidently.
"That kind of face, are you in love?" She teased the young lady.
"Maybe?" She chuckled jokingly. "I'm married, mother Tess." She grinned.
"Shut up." She made a face. "How could our girl be married without inviting us?" She chuckled but when she stared at the woman's face, she widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Oh please, tell me it's not true!" The old woman gasped.
She smiled. "Hard to believe but it is the truth."
"But you never introduced him to us. You did not even invited us. Is it possible that he didn't know about your background?"
"I'm sorry mother Tess for not telling you so soon. But my situation couldn't permit me to notify you about my wedding. It was held in private."
"Could it be that his parents did not agree with your union?"
"No. It's not like that. His relative knew I was an orphan. Just reasons here and there… you know…" She chuckled not knowing how to explain her situation.
"Fine. I won't force you to tell me now. But I hope I could meet him someday." She caressed Jade's hand lovingly.
'But you already met him a hundred times!' She wanted to tell her but she held it in. Her mother Tess will definitely announce it to the whole orphanage once she learnt about Marcus and her.
"By the way, I'm happy that you dropped by. You know, the orphanage is lacking manpower as of the moment because three of our primary teachers were on maternal leave and I wonder if you can help us." The old woman uttered.
"I'm not sure if I can do that but I am only free on weekends." She replied.
"Not a problem dear. You can come on Saturdays. Don't worry, it wouldn't be for long until we hire substitutes.""
"Oh okay, I'll try to come every Saturday." She smiled at the woman.
They were busy catching up when they suddenly heard a commotion outside. As soon as the old woman's secretary reported that a little girl got into an accident, they all rushed to the scene.
"What happened?" Mother Tess knelt down to inspect the bleeding child.
"S-she fell on the tree, mother." One of the kid's playmate answered.
The little girl's cries echoed at the back playground. Blood was flowing from her head and when Jade came closer, she staggered backwards. Dizzy!
Blood! Her eyes widened and her world started twirling round. Her ears became deaf not hearing anything. She could see Mother Tess babbling something but she couldn't understand her at all. Her body suddenly became numb.
She can't move, she can't talk. Fear engulfed her as her eyes picked up even the smallest detail of the blood trickling down from the little girl's head. She's feeling… suffocated.
Jade…? Jade! It was the last thing she heard before she passed out.
************
'Mom…. Dad…. Where are you?'
A little girl was crying in distress while looking around for her mother and father. She seemed lost in a big chaotic mall. Her tiny body curling in fear while leaning on the wall beside an elevator could only see big people rushing everywhere.
Everyone was running…. Running for their lives.
Fire! Fire! She could hear people yelling and running in a rush but no one seemed to have notice a little girl crying for help.
'Mama… Papa…' She teared up as she closed her eyes.
Jade! Baby! Where are you?!
She heard a female voice from a distance. Mom? Her heart lit up. Lifting her head, she stared at the woman standing from a far. She was looking at her lovingly.
Mom! She smilingly stood up and was about to run to her when she heard a dreadful yet very familiar sound.
Bangggg! A gunshot echoed in her ears.
Her body stiffened when she saw blood coming out from her mother's mouth. Yet, she managed to smile at her.
The woman fell on the ground lifelessly.
Mama! She cried in despair. She tried calling out for help but everyone was just passing by as if the person lying on the floor was not a human being.
After a few minutes, she saw someone moving close to them. She lit up momentarily at the thought that help had come but when she saw the gun in the man's hand, she fell backwards. Slowly, the blurry man raised the gun and pointed it on her.
'Goodbye, little princess.' He has an evil smirk on his face but she couldn't get a clear view of the man's face. Still, the man looks familiar. She saw him somewhere, that's for sure.
Bangggg! She screamed!
Dang it… aside from the sound of thunder, the sound of gunshot was all the more terrifying for her.
"Jade… Jade, wake up!" A man was shaking the woman whose been yelling on the bed. She was clearly having nightmares.
No! She suddenly woke up with tears rolled from her eyes. "Z-zion?" She stuttered when she got a glimpse of the man sitting at the edge of the bed.
"Are you alright?" His voice was filled with concern. To her surprise, the woman embraced her tight. "It's okay. Your back to reality now." He lovingly caressed the woman's hair.
She heaved a heavy sigh. Reality… Yes, she's back in the real world now. Ah, she's tired. She's too drained dealing with her nightmares. Is there a way to get rid of those nightmares?
Honestly, she's exhausted and she's desperate for peace.