"I should be the one reporting you because you ran away from home and also stole your parents money" I said thoroughly staring at the little girl in front of me to find her face drop flat to the ground
"Re..report me? What evidence do you have that I ran away from home and also stole?" She boldly questioned although slathering
"That bag behind your back which containing money and some clothes is my evidence" I titled my head watching the liittle girl who seemed to be more bold than most kids I've encountered in the year and I could find her slowly withdrawing her steps and taking hold of Carmela's hand
"Who do we have here?" Luna questioned holding the collar of the little girl from behind
"Hey! Let go of me,how dare you pull me by my collar" she said half screaming trying to free herself and seems luna was enjoying the little girls antics but I wasn't
"Hold her properly,I need to report her to the police" I brought out my phone about to dial Ken's number just to have my phone snatched away by the little girl
"Chillax dude, chillax!"
Dude? Did this little kid just call me dude?
"We've not gotten to the point of you reporting me to the police have we?
Well no,so let's solve this issue amicably" she said smiling from ear to ear "My baby here surely is doing well staying with you and I can see that from afar so I won't take her away okay" she raised both her hands in the air "..about me running away from home,let's keep that between the four of us, although in a few days everyone would discover about it so let's leave it like that as of now.
And dude I didn't steal"she turned to face me with wide eyes
"Dude? Who though you such barbaric manners?"
"Manners? What exactly is that? Oops my parents never had the time to teach me those so I lack them in great volumes" she showed me a tight smile stretching out both her hands
"Back to what I was saying before you rudely interrupted,I didn't steal okay,I took them because what ever belongs to my parents belongs to me as well.
But I doubt you'll understand this so let me explain it to you in a more business way.
Let's make a deal"
"Deal?" I raised an eyebrow as she brought out some papers from her bag
"I'll give you these papers which I practically don't understand what it means and Carmela,but it doesn't mean I'm selling my baby okay... But in exchange you'll let me go with my bag of money" she stretched forward the papers
"How old are you?"
"Done deal,bye I'll get in contact with you once I have any useful information i can exchange for money"she forced the paper into Luna's hand and took to her heels and I couldn't help but notice the unsurprised express on Carmela's face
"You don't look shocked nor worried?" I questioned and she shaked her head and began scribbling something on her tab which she passed on to me
"She has always been like this so she'll be find,she just wants to gain her parents attention which I believe she'll have this time around since she told what's more precious to them" I read and a scoff escaped me.
Although she's a little girl she does have the brain of a bussiness man,but too bad she's wasting it on trying to get the attention of her so called parents.
They call themselves parents but are unable to handle their child and install proper manners
"You have to see this" Luna suddenly spoke in a surprise tone passing the paper the little girl passed on to her to me and for a moment i was at a lost of words after taking a look at it
I looked up to Carmela who was busy looking at the other art exhibit and back at the papers and the thought of 'could it be possible?' lingered
"What's going to happen?"
"Stay with Carmela I have to go" I folded the papers placing them beneath my suit as I turn to make my way towards the exit,just to feel the vibration of my phone
"Hello!" The speaker said from the other end of the phone
"Get me as much information as you can get on Carmela's adoptive family and keep an eye on the youngest member of the family" I instructed before ending the call.
...
I let out a sigh wondering how Suzy had been coping without me in that house and took another glance at the art work before me.
"Carmela I have to go meet up with someone real quick I'll be right back okay" Luna said taping my shoulder and I gave a slight nod. I wasn't really worried about the wellbeing of Suzy outside the house instead I fear what would happen if she goes back to the house.
Should I just ask Mr Dean to bring her over? I doubt he'll ever agree.
"I'm sorry!" I hissed as I bumped into a muscular figure knocking me off balance "are you okay?" I looked up to find a light skinned young man with a pair of glasses perched lowly on his nose,his curly hair neatly gelied leaving some stair of curls on his face.
He had a pair of sky blue denim jean on with a white long sleeve t shirt on that had a beautiful embroidery designs at the side
"Are you okay?" He asked again,with both his hands on my shoulder and I slightly nodded regaining my self and my words
"I've been looking for you and didn't expect we'd meet in such a caotic manner" he said with a gentle smile and I looked up to try identifying him but his face didn't ring a bell
"I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Damain, editor Damian" he took a step away from me stretching out his hand which I took.
"You're even more beautiful than you looked in the photo I was shown" he smiled still holding my hand which I slowly pulled away pulling out my tab pen
"What are you doing here?" I noted down passing it to him
"I wanted to meet with you and Suzy said you would be here" that brat never stops giving me surprises
"How about a cup of coffee?" I nodded with a smile in affirmation as he led the way towards the small coffee shop close by.
He placed the order and I nervously played with the heming of my skirt wondering the reason that prompted him to come all the way here just to meet with me.
"Are you nervous?" He asked, placing a cup of coffee before me and I quickly objected. "Don't worry I'm not here to talk about your book,I can leave it on hold until you're ready to complete it." He took a sip from his cup and I nodded, showing him a small smile.
I suddenly felt tensed up having his stagnant gaze on me,it was as if there was something written on my forehead that he so badly wanted to understand.
"Do you want to live with me?" He suddenly asked and I looked up to find his tensed gaze still on me.
I was left perplexed as I couldn't understand the angle that question was coming from and the role he was currently playing while asking me this
"Suzy told me everything and I feel disappointed in myself for not being able to protect you after the death of your grandma who was like an aunt to me. You may not be aware but she's one of the people who made me who I am today so she's more of a mother to me,and you are one of the things my mother held close to her heart." He dropped his cup of coffee,and took off his glasses
"From the looks of things you must be doing better with him than when you were staying at that house,but I'd be more at peace with you by my side.
I don't really care how much he paid but I'm ready to pay him twice the amount and even more as long as you agree to come with me.
Now it's up to you to decide,will you come with me or stay?" He threw the ball at me and I suddenly felt trapped between the devil and the deep red sea.
Although I was sold,Mr Dean never once made me feel that way, instead I felt welcomed although we've only met a few times,and thanks to him I've got a friend,a big brother,an aqutiance and gossip mate.
Editor Damian on the other hand has nothing but good thoughts for me which I doubt I'd be able to freely accept. I picked up my tab writing down my honest opinion about the issue on ground and about not wanting to leave Mr Dean's house,not because I was scared but because I felt indepth to him to have him sigh
"As you wish then,but remember I'm only a step away from you if you need help okay" he said with a smile which I returned "Except from being a good writer you surely are a gifted painter..I feel like you're a being filled with talents and gifts who knows what else you have hidden" he chuckled playfully but he's eyes said otherwise
"Till we meet again then".