"Count Harrison Here is the girl you wanted me to research."
His personal aide Lester, placed the piece of paper on his desk then retreated back. Count Harrison was very interested in the girl he saw earlier, he then got the paper and read her name out loud.
"Laura."
What a beautiful name. If he had not seen her today he wouldn't be interested in her. Lester looked at the Count, smiling and shocked as this was a rare sight. Lester wondered if it's because that girl looked like his late wife or he was simply interested in her.
He had no idea at all.
"Master, may I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Why are you so interested in this young girl?"
Count Harrison stood up and looked out the window watching the sun as it rises slowly. He recalled how he loved the color of her hair and thought that she was a wise woman who could do almost anything.
"If I told you I myself don't know why, what will you say?"
Lester pushed his eyeglasses back up and laughed softly as it has been a while since his master had gotten interested in something. He himself knew that he shouldn't interfere, however, he wondered what will happen if count Harrison's daughter knew about this and it could become meddlesome.
"It is your choice master. But please do note that you do need to finish these documents because you went out yesterday."
"Give me a break. You're in your twenties yet you act like an old man."
"Is that a compliment?"
"No, it's not. I'm asking you to act like those young boys."
"I certainly cannot. You brought me to this mansion when I was ten, and I was trained for this."
"You're so stern Lester."
"Is that another compliment? If so thank you."
"Lester...I have a favor to ask you."
=====
Laura got off the carriage and saw a familiar mansion which was the Alvarado's. She couldn't believe her eyes and everything felt like a dream. Count Harrison got off the carriage and ordered the maids to start moving her luggage into her room.
Laura was escorted to her room not until her surroundings had changed. She saw Tine standing in front of her and intentionally fell off the stairs. Laura was in shock as to why this was happening to her again.
She didn't expect this to happen again and she saw nothing had changed at all. Once again her surroundings changed again and this time she was in the court once more. Laura believed that she was stuck inside of a dream and these were all flashbacks of her past. She then heard the gravel being hit thrice and as she looked up she saw Tine's evil smile.
"You are found guilty!"
"Aaah!"
Laura's eyes were wide open and she was panting heavily, her heart was beating crazily since her dream felt so real. She looked at her hands to see if there were any scars and sighed out of relief to see none.
She wiped the sweat off her forehead as she looked out the window as the sun was starting to rise. She then realized that she had woken up earlier than usual and sat up on her bed. Her eyes turned dark as she still remembered what had happened inside the court. For her, it was the scariest and saddest moment of her life.
Laura had almost died and yet she was this lucky to have a second chance to live again. She stood away from her bed and looked at the mirror and saw her face swelling. Yesterday was a crazy and tiring day after all.
It was all like an adventure for her. She never expected those events to happen. Everything all felt like a dream to her however she knew that it wasn't. Laura went to prepare for the day and tied her hair as she walked down the stairs to help.
She entered the kitchen to see sister Abby preparing breakfast and she went to help immediately. She tasted the chowder soup and smiled as she was content with the taste. Like every single day, she would wake the children up and help them get ready for the day. Laura cut the loaf of bread into smaller pieces to dip it into the soup.
By the time the seats were all occupied they all started to eat. Laura laughed quietly as she saw Joan who was a total mess at eating and quickly gave him a napkin to wipe his mouth. Sister Abby on the other side was feeling nervous as she had something to announce to them.
"Children please listen to what I have to say."
"What is it, sister Abby? you look serious."
"Laura, someone wants to adopt you into their family."
Laura dropped the spoon she was holding as she thought she heard something not right. She was lost for words as she remained frozen and didn't make a move to get her spoon.
'How could this be happening?'
The original date would still be in two months however it was moved to an earlier date. Was it because she had met the count in town? Once again Laura had changed her future. She shook her head in disbelief after all everything was progressing too fast.
Azera got off her chair and hugged Laura as if she didn't want her to leave. Laura who still in shock didn't know what to say at all. She kept repeating the words sister Abby had said and massaged her temples.
"I don't want you to go."
Lisa frowned while holding her spoon tightly, she knew that one day everyone in this orphanage would leave and it would become hard to meet each other. Laura also didn't want to leave yet since she herself isn't mentally prepared.
She never expected it to happen so fast. "Let's talk inside my office later, Laura." "Yes, sister." Luke who sat beside Laura patted her back and gave her a reassuring smile which almost let her cry.
However, it was not time for her to cry because she needed to face reality. She just didn't expect it to happen so soon. After washing the dishes Laura walked to sister Abby's office and knocked before entering the room.
She heard sister Abby asking her to come in and sit on the chair. Laura on the other side felt butterflies in her stomach. The room went silent as sister Abby tried composing herself since she didn't want to lose other children any longer.
However, this was her job as a nun who had volunteered to take care of the orphans. Sister Abby knew how precious this family was to Laura. She never felt this disheartening until she had to send the girl whom she had taken care of since birth away.
On the other hand, Laura nervously played with her fingers as she tried distracting herself while singing a song inside her head. But the silence didn't endlong.
"Sister who wants to adopt me?"
"It's count Harris. I'm sure you know him since he's quite well known because of his business."
"Yes I know him but why me?"
Despite Laura knowing that she would be sent off she felt sad that it was time to be apart from them. She wanted to act like a kid and complain but she knew that it would not work.
"I don't know the reason but his personal aide had informed me that he would be coming later this afternoon."
"Is that so?"
"I know that this week wasn't a good week but you should still be happy that you're about to have a real family."
Laura knew that however, she felt that everything was going too fast. She questioned herself and began wondering if it was because she had bumped into him or the future had clearly changed. Whatever it was she decided not to think about it any further as it was giving her a headache.
It was probably because of the bad dream and her having a crazy day. She held sister Abby's hand for the last time and gave her a heartfelt smile. Laura thought to herself that if one day they ever see each other again she would want to give her a present to thank her for the things she had done.
"I'll be alright sister. I've expected this already."
"Laura...I want you to be always happy and helpful. Also, remember this helping other will definitely benefit you and so no matter what happens always help the person who is in need of help."
"I understand sister."
Laura learned many things as she had stayed in this orphanage. One was always to be kind no matter what the circumstances were. Two was to always stay happy despite the hardship you would face.
Lastly, always help one another as this will benefit you. Sister Abby had always felt guilty of how mature Laura had become and never once did she hear her complain and never once had she fought with the children in the orphanage. She sometimes wished she could have spoiled Laura a little bit more.
The baby that she once picked up from the church was now a full-grown girl and who was ready to live her life out of the orphanage. What would her future be seeing as she already knew what would happen? The time has come to step on the battlefield.