4. Her only hope

Roseline's POV

"Sister, I have heard that we are going to be homeless," one of the kids asked, concern etched on his face.

He is a teenager so he understands things better than other kids in this orphanage. The others gathered around, their innocent eyes filled with worry.

"Is this true, sister?"

"Where will we go then?"

"This is our home."

The kids asked in their broken voices.

"This is our home and we will stay here only. Nothing is going to happen like that," I assured them.

Emma was standing silently, as she still didn't think that we would be able to save this orphanage. But I am confident that today we are going to win the competition.

"It is a very important day for me and your sister Emma, Wish us luck."

The children huddled around me, their small arms embracing me, showering me with their innocent love and wish for success. Their sweet voices filled the air with encouragement and hope.

After smiling from ear to ear, I stood up. All I want is for these kids to stay happy.

As we made our way towards the exit, we found Liam standing at the exit.

"I would have accompanied you, but you know I didn't get the leave," he apologized, regret tugging in his voice.

"It's ok, Liam." I nodded, understanding his predicament. "And your job is also important until our startup takes off."

The idea of the startup was mine, as I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and serve society at the same time. Emma and Liam are helping me with it.

"All the best," he smiled, his voice filled with goodwill and his eyes radiating with honesty. "But remember, whatever the result, maybe you are not going to bend in front of that man. We are into this together and we will surely find some way out of it."

I just thanked him again, ignoring the last request.

"Liam, I am also going with her," Emma said, looking slightly pissed off.

"All the best to you too, Emma."

"Thanks," she said, rolling her eyes. She doesn't like it whenever Liam talks to me.

Our conversation was cut short as the cab arrived. Without wasting any time, we just hoped in, as we didn't want to get late. I kept rubbing my palms together anxiously, attempting to calm the nerves that threatened to overwhelm me.

It is a very important day for us, as hundreds of lives are dependent on the result. The weight of responsibility pressed on my shoulder, urging me forward.

The car came to a halt with a screech. I saw a massive building standing proudly in front of us. We didn't have much time so we just walked inside instead of appreciating its beauty.

We did the entry and all the formalities before the volunteer assigned us seats. Out of all the ventures, only 5 have been selected and now only one is going to be lucky enough to get the investment.

The room burst with anticipation as the program commenced and the host took the stage, his words blending into a blur as my nerves took center stage.

"And now let us welcome our esteemed chief guest, the investor behind the winning project, Mr. Vincenzo De' Luca."

The room erupted in applause, everyone rising to their feet as the host announced his name My world stopped the moment I heard his name. My eyes are wide and my jaw has dropped. Shock and disbelief coursed through me.

Why, God, why?

Why has it to be him?

How didn't I know the investor in this project?

The air suddenly became thick as he walked on the stage. As usual, his face was stoic and his presence exhaled power and authority.

Standing in the middle of the stage, his eyes scanned the audience and stopped on me, as I was the only one who didn't stand up in his respect.

"Wow! He is so handsome."

"More gorgeous than he looks in magazines and interviews."

I could hear girls mumbling among themselves, appreciating his striking looks. But they don't know that, as much as he is attractive from the outside, his heart is black.

One of his eyebrows was raised, indicating that he was also surprised to see me there. Emma noticed it and she nudged me to react. With a sudden jolt, I stood up, and everyone else took their seat.

Emma pulled me down and my cheeks turned crimson red, overwhelmed by the embarrassment of drawing attention to myself.

I could feel the weight of his gaze, amusement dancing in his eyes. The intensity of his presence sent shivers down my spine, fueling a fierce desire to scratch off his face.

Ignoring the growing tension in the room, he shoved his hand in his pocket and walked to the podium.

The room hushed as he reached the podium, his commanding presence casting a shadow over the audience. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of fear and defiance surging within me. I refused to let his intimidating aura break my resolve.

With a calculated pause, his eyes scanned the crowd once again and lingered on mine. The silence was suffocating.

He finally took hold of the mic, and the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. The room held its breath as anticipation mingled with trepidation.

"I am glad to see such strong participation in this program. But only the best is going to emerge as the winner and I hope my team has performed its task diligently." His eyes moved around, this time intentionally avoiding my gaze.

He looked down to check the name of the winner.

I know he does not speak much so he is not going to waste time announcing the winner. I just hope that he doesn't do me injustice. He would respect the talent and not bring personal grudges in between.

Subconsciously, my palms came together and my fingers intertwined, while my brain was continuously chanting God's name.

Please, God! Please, it has to be us! Please.

Suddenly his gaze lifted, meeting mine with a flicker of devilishness gleaming in his eyes. He didn't care that the rest of the audience noticed him staring at me.

For the first time, I caught a glimpse of a twisted smile, a hint of mockery and a challenge that danced at the corner of his lips. The suspense thickened, threatening to consume me entirely.

The anticipation hung in the air like a heavy fog, choking my every breath, my heart drumming on the edge of an explosion. I know he was dragging the moment intentionally.

And then, in a moment that felt both eternal and fleeting, his lips parted to reveal the long-awaited verdict. My eyes squeezed shut with anticipation as his voice cut through the silence like a sharp blade.

"And the winner is..."