The thoughts of the red-haired boy's accusation towards her bothered her throughout that day and the following day. She wondered what will make a girl go missing. There many factors that could cause it.
The girl might have run away from home but when she remembered Mara told her the police also considered the possibility of her running from home when she was kidnapped, she decided to strike out that possibility from the girl's case.
The girl was kidnapped and the police might also consider her a suspect since everyone was aware that she fought with the girl. Could it be connected to her case? She had a lot of questions with no answer. Those questions did very well keeping her awake throughout the night till she later slept at dawn.
"Happy birthday," Rose congratulated her crawling on her bed towards her. It was a Saturday morning which meant enough time for beauty sleep before going to do yoga with Rose down stairs in the gym.
She rolled and closed her eyes immediately at the bright light from her open window beaming into the room. "Hmmm," she murmured rubbing her eyes. She only got to sleep few hours and needed more sleep because today was her birthday and meant a lot of activities for her.
"Wake up. It's way past breakfast time. Mara told the cooks to bake the big birthday cake you wanted for your sixteenth birthday. I can't believe you actually gave mum the list you made," Rose said pulling Anna's comforter.
"Fine, I will wash up," Anna murmured trying to hold the comforter. She glared at Rose playfully and got up when she did not succeed in the tug-of-war.
While washing up, Anna tried lock up those thoughts bothering her so she could enjoy her sixteenth birthday. She once heard that sixteenth birthday had its own magic and she did not want to miss hers. Rose sixteenth birthday was a little too quiet because Rose asked to go back to school.
She wanted the two of them to have as much fun as they could have together. They could go out now unlike their fifteenth birthday and she wanted them to go to a lot of fun places. Thinking about the missing girl was going to mess with her birthday and she wanted none of that to happen. She was also very lucky her birthday fell on Saturday.
After dressing up, Anna went with Rose upstairs for her breakfast and to have her little birthday celebration with her family. Just like she wanted, the birthday cake was a foot tall with sixteen written around it. Mara must have done a good job relaying her message because a purple and black motorcycle rested on the top of the cake.
She looked around for Mara and hugged her as soon as she found her with the cooks in the kitchen. "I love the cake. Thank you. It is just what I wanted," she appreciated jovial all her worries locked up.
"I am glad you love it," Mara replied her with a smile. "Happy birthday Miss Anna," she said when they separated.
"Oh thank you. Tell me, where did they hide the motorcycle?" Anna asked so she could peep at it before she gets it as a birthday gift.
Mara smiled but shook her head in denial. "I don't know what you are talking about Miss Anna." With that, she turned and left the kitchen to avoid Anna because Anna was very good at getting secrets out of her.
"Hey, Mum and Dad are waiting," Rose called her making her hold back her curiosity or she would have gone after Mara.
"Oh, let's go," Anna pulled Rose to the dining room. She hugged her parents when they wish her happy birthday and sat down to wait for all the things she wrote on her list.
"Let's eat some cake before we give you what was on your list," Valerie told Anna when she saw Anna waiting impatiently.
Anna agreed immediately with a smile and blew the candle on the cake after making a wish and her family as well as the kitchen staff sang her a birthday song. She took the first slice before personally serving her parents and sister.
"Five of the things you requested on the list are abstract but as time goes on, we will make sure to give them to you," Valerie said when Anna was done eating the slice of cake she took and was waiting patiently to get the things she wrote on her list.
"Thank you," Anna answered happily as her excitement kept building up.
"Some of the other things are in your room, some are outside while the last one is waiting for you in A city," Valerie continued under Anna's excited gaze. "And . . . oh . . ." she got interrupted when Anna jumped and hugged her tightly.
"The most important thing is you love me. I will continue to act spoilt, I hope you understand. I love you. Thank you for adopting me," Anna told her in a very emotional manner as she sniffled. She really wanted to do this on her sixteenth birthday. She had never thanked Valerie and her husband for adopting her and this was just the best opportunity to tell them.
"I love you too," Valerie accepted her appreciation as she mopped the tears running down her cheeks. "Thank you for being my daughter and friend too."
Anna laughed to lighten the mood as she also hugged her father and sister. Anna got to see her motorcycle. It was the latest model of her favorite motorcycle brand. That was her favorite model although it was not as expensive as the other models. It was also best for her since she was going to be a beginner. She touched the bike with the look of someone lost in love that Valerie could not help smiling at her. It was black with a highlight of purple, her favorite color.
Valerie moved her attention to Rose who was stood in front of a pink feminine sport car holding the key. Anna requested for a car for Rose in her list and she made sure Rose got it. Rose wanted to reject the car saying she did not need it but she stopped her by telling her no one was going to drop her off at school anymore.
With that, Rose agreed very reluctantly. Rose had hugged her and Justin. She understood that Rose did not want to be a burden and she had always refrained from asking for anything. She was lucky to have Mara around because she handed over Rose's needs to Mara and Mara was doing a good job of making sure Rose had everything she needed.
She specifically told Mara to purchase a less expensive car since Rose might be bent on not receiving it if it was too expensive.
"Since you two don't know how to use any of these, I will have Mara get you teachers," Justin told the girls.
"I could teach Rose how to drive and you should teach Anna," Valerie stopped him immediately. Rose was a little distant and she wanted to use this as an opportunity to hang around with her. Anna loved her father and she knew Justin won't mind teaching Anna although he was a little detached when it came to their adopted kids.
"I don't think that is proper," Justin tried to object.
"We will start in the drive way. The drive way is big enough," Valerie argued back.
"I should not teach her to ride a bike she needs an experienced teacher. Riding bike is dangerous and not as easy as riding a car," Justin still tried to make his point clear.
"Start teaching her then hand it out to a professional later. I want you to spend some time with her," she said whispering the last sentence.
He nodded in agreement despite the fact that he wanted to refuse. Anna was a nice girl and spending time with her was not a bad idea. The girl had more than enough things to talk about and beside family members should spend enough time together. "I will get a teacher. It's been a while since I rode a bike last. It will be good to learn together."
"Wow, you will look hot when stepping out of your car in school," Anna told Rose as she threw her hand on Rose's shoulder.
"I don't need a car," Rose answered sternly.
"I don't care. It is a gift from me to you," Anna replied with a bright sincere smile on her face. The car might not be very expensive but it was a luxury car and most people can't afford it. Having Rose drive such a car will tell of how their parents loved them despite fact that they were adopted.
"I don't think it is right to ask for this much," Rose told her still uncomfortable. She might be living like a princess in this family without feeling guilt and that was not bad on her part as far as she does not cross the line by asking for too much.
"It is very right," Valerie answered her.
Rose turned surprised to see Valerie standing behind her. She did not know they heard her. She was conscious of their presence and tried to talk in a low volume but they still heard her. "I am sorry," she apologized awkwardly.
"I know you don't like to bother us but we have enough to give you anything. I am willing to give you anything you want because you are my daughter. I advise you to enjoy anything you get and remember that you are a part of this family."