Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Witch For Ivo

"Aileen, is there anything else I need to do today? I mean, aside from these papers." I asked and she shook her head.

"None ma'am. But we received an invitation. I'll just see it in my email and it was addressed with the name of our business. It also has your name on it."

My eyebrows met, "All right, just forward it to my email." I said and she nodded then left.

Invitation? For what? Aileen immediately forwarded to me the invitation she said so I immediately looked at it.

``We're pleased to invite you to our conference that will be held in the Azitech Hotel. Many business owners and professionals will be gathered for a mini celebration and a seminar. Hoping for your cooperation!’

It's said that it will happen this coming Sunday. The paperworks isn't heavy right now so I think I can also attend there. But I'm not required to go there, am I? It's just a gathering, nothing special. I'll just see if I can go there. If I'm lazy, I won't go.

I stretched my body when I stood up. I left the office first and decided to have a coffee at a nearby restaurant. My employees are busy with their tasks, so I can’t bother them at all. I will just give myself a time to rest even if only for a few minutes because I have also finished my paperworks assigned yesterday.

"One macchiato, please." I said and in just a few minutes, my order was given to me immediately.

I sat down near the glass wall and looked outside. My eyes roamed and stopped when I saw someone. A boy seemed like… homeless, passed in front of me, he approached the people who passed by but they ignored him. But I wonder, why is he still smiling even when they don’t give him attention?

My eyes widened when I saw him, looked at me and waved his hands. I gulped and smiled. I gestured for him to come over. He even pointed to himself to confirm if he was really the one I was talking to. I nodded so his face lit up. He immediately went to the entrance but the guard stopped him there. I stood up and approached the guard.

"You're not allowed here, kid." I heard the guard say so I spoke.

"I'm letting him in. I'll treat him, is it still forbidden even if I have money to pay?" I asked the guard and he looked embarrassed because of what I said.

The kid approached me and I could see the joy in his eyes. People kept on looking at us but I just ignored them till we got to the counter.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked and he looked thoughtful.

"The one with eggs, chicken, and rice. That's delicious, isn't it?" he asked and I just laughed.

I ordered the ones he wanted and also ordered water and juice. It's already afternoon but his orders are for breakfast and lunch. I'm worried that he might not have eaten yet. I just watched him eat because he was good at eating, it was just fun to watch him.

"Just eat. Looks like you haven't eaten since earlier." I just said and he smiled widely.

"I ate earlier, miss." he said to my surprise.

"Ah, it's good then---"

"I ate grass." he said smiling and ate again.

Grass? Is that even edible? Maybe some insects may still be attached to the grass he ate. It's not safe. But maybe that was his only choice because they had nothing to eat. Such a thing is still not good.

I just drank my coffee while watching him eat. The fun of this. Actually, I also help charities, as well as orphanages. All excess funds from our target sales were donated to all charities. Well, it should always be that way. What are we going to do with so much money? Where will all that go, right?

"Thanks for the food, miss." I was surprised when he stood up immediately so I almost panicked.

"Wait, I'll buy you more food. Take it to your family." I said and he shook his head.

"I don't have a family anymore." he was still smiling as he spoke.

I insisted that we leave the restaurant together. I really don't want to leave him but I still have a job in the office.

"Can I ask for a favor?" I asked him and he nodded immediately. "Can you please meet me here later around six o'clock?" I asked and I saw that he was surprised.

"Why?" he asked and I just smiled.

"It's a secret. So, can you?"

I saw him think of it then looked at me sincerely. "Okay, miss. I'll wait. Thank you for the meal again!" he said happily and I said goodbye to him.

I returned to the office with a smile on my face. It feels so rewarding. And I'm excited about what's going to happen tonight at six o'clock. I was inspired to work so I’m almost done with everything. My employees also noticed me so they couldn’t stop teasing me because of that.

"Ma'am, just slow down and you might have nothing to do tomorrow!" Aileen teased that I just laughed.

Until the time I have been waiting for has come. I fixed myself and my things up right away.

"Ma'am, we'll go ahead!" said Aileen and I just nodded. They bid goodbye to me and I went to my car and got in it.

I drove over to the front of the restaurant and was shocked to see that the kid I talked with was not there.

"Awful! They didn't stop kicking the boy! It's pathetic!"

"Yes, they always get money from children. They don't feel sorry for them anymore."

I looked at the women talking when I heard that so I immediately got out of the car and approached them. "Miss, where's the boy you're talking about?"

"There, in the back of that convenience store!" The woman pointed out where that was and I got it right away. I thanked her and went there right away.

Lots of people gather and talk around that area. I looked where they were looking and I was surprised to see that was the kid I treated earlier! He has bruises and was bent because it seems like his stomach hurts a lot!

I immediately called the doctor I knew to send an ambulance. My annoyance, anger, and sadness mixed because no one wanted to help. There were many of them around this child but they did nothing but talk about it and just look.

This is maybe the discrimination in this world.

The ambulance came and I can’t help but to feel pity on the kid’s situation. We have no relation in the first place but I’m definitely worried sick and about to cry. The trip went short as we reached the nearest hospital. They took him to the emergency room and I was very thankful for that. After several minutes of waiting for someone to come out, the doctor I’ve contacted appeared in front of me.

“You’re really going to adopt one because you realized that you’re not going to marry someone anymore?” he asked me which made me roll my eyes.

“How is he? Is he okay now?” I asked and I saw him laugh. This man!

"Don't worry. He fell asleep because he was given medicine. He has wounds and bruises that we have treated to prevent infection." he said and I took a deep breath. "We're going to move him to a confinement room. He can be released in two to three days. Sera, you're really going to take care of him?"

"Ivo, can't I adopt him? He said he has no parents at all and maybe those who beated him will come back. He will continue to suffer." I said and he smiled at me then messed up my hair.

"Instant mother? No worries, I'll be right here for you if you need an instant husband too." he said so I stepped on his foot which made him groan. He bowed in great pain because my shoes had heels.

Ivo Frontreras, we've known each other for a long time since Grade 11. Actually, I met him as an annoying guy during a sports competition. He was from CK University and he snatched the last piece of hotdog that was being sold there at a stall. I badly wanted a hotdog sandwich so I could have something to eat while Kira and I watched Patry's competition back then. We didn't meet after that but he was really stuck in my brain as one of the annoying men I met. And timing happened, we became schoolmates in college and here…. Until now.

"Anyway, thank you for responding quickly." I told him while he was still groaning about his sore foot.

"You witch!”

Of course, I can be bad sometimes especially for someone like you.

But, a good woman for someone like this kid. I will adopt him.