Chapter Three

*Some years later*

"So you said you will love to adopt her?" The matron asked politely as she went through the files.

"Yes. We will love too." The woman sounded so eager. Been unable to birth to a child could be so scathing and make someone impatient. The matron gazed at her skeptically with her glasses on her nose bridge.

The husband on seeing this spoke up. "Erm... My wife is just too excited, that's why." He explained, forcing a smile and gripping her hands tight under the desk. She wriggled her hands away from his grasp and scoffed out. The matron glanced at her immediately as she heard the sound. The husband cleared his throat.

"So if I may ask, what is your name?" The matron inquired.

"Mr Lincoln Adams and my wife over here –" he pointed towards his wife. "– Is Mrs. Sophie Adams." He answered.

"How many years have you been married?" She asked again.

"For about seven years." Lincoln responded. Keeping his irritation to himself as everything she was asking was already written in the file before her.

"So may I ask the reason behind adopting a child?" She asked. Sophie squeezed her hands on her skirt, preventing herself from bursting out. "Inability to birth a child." Lincoln answered with a forced smile and gritted his teeth. The matron picked her telephone and punched a few numbers then she placed it closed to her ears. "Yes, bring her in." She ordered and dropped the telephone.

The door opened and a young girl in a plain gown, hair slightly disheveled and hands fiddling with the hem of her dress nervously walked in with her head bowed in anxiety.

Sophie turned around and a grin crossed her lips. She clapped her hands together in excitement. "Be organized." Lincoln muttered with clenched teeth in her ear. As she heard this, she slowly calm down and sat down straight. The matron was beginning to think otherwise. "Bring her closer." She said with her hand in a come-hither motion. The young girl alongside the caretaker walked towards them.

"This is Rose." She introduced her. "Say something about yourself, sweetie." She urged the young girl. Nervously, the girl looked up slowly and smiled a little. "My name is Rose. I am pleased to have met you." She said in her childish voice. Sophie broke in a huge smile and spoke up. "I am happy also." Pure happiness could be seen in her face and body expression. Lincoln pinched her on her laps, signaling her to act moderately. She winced silently and glared at him.

"So Rose, will you like to have a mama and papa?" The matron asked. Rose's gaze darted between Lincoln to Sophie who had a huge smile grace her face.

"Yes, I would." She answered innocently.

"Then guess what?" The matron said with a smile. Rose looked at her, imploring her to answer.

"They are your new parents." She announced. Rose did not know whether she should be happy or sad. She did not know how she should feel. Just uncertain. ***

**

***********

~Rose's POV~

***********

After I was told that some couple were here to adopt me. I was ambivalent. The other children in the same room same as me cheered happily and congratulated me. I did not want to leave, I had chosen this place as my forever abode but I guess things don't work out as planned sometimes, i knew I would leave some day and that day already arrived.

I stood facing my supposed foster mother. I could see how happy and elated she is. Not to mention how her lips curved to a smile when I accepted to be adopted by them. The matron stacked the files together and gave the couple their part of files, which I noticed my supposed dad reluctantly received while she shove hers under the desk. "You can take your leave." She announced.

"Hey, Rose dear." The matron called me in a caring tine which I was still trying to decipher if it was real or not. "They are your new parents. Make sure you don't give them troubles and also respect them." She advised and feigned a tight smile. I was not her favorite child over here in the orphanage, even we hardly ever talk to each other. "You can go now." She said again.

The couple stood up. "Thank you very much, Mrs Meyers." My new dad appreciated with extended hand which the matron took delightfully. My new mom smiled at her and stretched out her hands, urging me to come closer and hold. I hesitantly walked towards her with a faint smile. I could see the woman smile with her set of teeth showing which strangely relieved me. I took it and waved at the matron and the caretaker before exiting the office.

The kids over here often tell me that once a child is whisked away by rich couples, it is either one becomes a maid or live a half wealthy life. Or even be a personal maid to their own kids. And that there is no day, one would have one's life to oneself.

We soon got outside and parked before us, is a red car. We were in the afternoon and the sun was scorching. My new dad hurriedly got into it while my new mom waited. I looked back at the orphanage building. This place had been my home for the past nine years. I have never been away from here. We rarely see the Alpha of the pack but for the Luna, she always teaches us about social morals.

I have always dreamed and wanted meet my real parents but I guess fate was very careless while arranging mine with the fate wheel.

"Rose darling." My new mom's voice brought me out of my reverie. I looked up at her, shading my poor eyes from the sun with my hand. She was holding the car door, actively asking me to get in. I got into the passenger seat while the couples sat down in the front seats. I noticed my new dad did not even show any emotion about my adoption, he did not even acknowledge me. I suddenly felt like I was entering into my own doom.

"Ready?" He asked. My mom nodded and he ignited the car before driving off. I spent my time checking the roadsides and how of a bliss day it was. "So tell me Rose, what kind of dress do you like?" She asked, trying to engage me in a discussion.

"I like anything you buy for me." I answered quietly. She grinned and looked at her husband. "Lincoln, can you see how shy she is?" She asked.

Oh, his name is Lincoln.

He did not give a reply but instead he had his eyes on the wheels. I saw my new mom roll her eyes and scoffed before turning to me.

"Hey, baby. Don't be scared, okay?. When we get home, after settling down, we will go shopping." She said excitedly like some teenager. She must really be excited about adopting me but why is my dad nonchalant about it?

"I like your eyes." She said with admiration. People tell me it was quite normal but hearing my new mom admire it, I am quite sure I won't suffer. But still I have uncertainty in my nerves.

Then suddenly the car pulled to an halt, making me jerk forward. "Ouch, Lincoln. Can't you inform us before stopping?" My mom winced out as she rubbed her forehead. He hissed out and got out before slamming the door shut.

I furrowed my eyebrows and stared at his retreating figure.

"What is with the attitude?" I thought as I looked back at my mother.

"Don't mind him. He behaves like that when things don't go the way he wants. You've got, okay?" She smiled at me which I know was obviously feigned. She got down and pushed the door open for me.

I did not even know that we passed through an iron gate.  It was when I looked back that I saw that we actually parked the car in garage.

Built before me, is a simple bungalow with a door and two windows in each sides. The outer part was painted in grey and white. They were obviously mediocre people. "Let's go in." My mom urged me, taking my hands into hers like I would disappear any minute. I had my second hand fiddling with tip of my dress as we marched in. My mom pushed the door open and we both went in.

Wow, my lips went agape. I think I will take back my word earlier. This house looks small from outside but the inner was huge and well decorated. The paintings hung around on the wall, well designed and coloured chairs arranged properly. The flatscreen television and set of speakers giving the place the millionaire kind of look.

I did not know when I dropped my hands and walked towards the chair.

"You will live here with your dad and I." My mom announced.

**