Chapter 60

“Cat?” Loren also called me back and questioned the moment she saw me.

"W-What are you doing here?" I asked him again, full of wonder. I didn't think I would see him here because the last thing I remember was seeing him last night when I left the reception. "And, why are you with our club manager?" I raised my eyebrows when I saw Mr. Sol. I greeted him with a smile before returning my critical gaze to Loren.

"We came here to visit the kids before we went straight to DeepBlue." Mr. Sol stepped into the conversation which Loren immediately followed with a nod.

"But, isn't it too early for Loren to go to DeepBlue?"

"How about you, KitCat? What brought you here?” He diverted the topic by passing me the question.

I chuckled when I heard him say my name again. Since I started working at the nightclub, I can hardly count on my hands how many times he has called me by different nicknames.

For a moment, my eyes returned to the two of them because their answers did not convince me enough as to why my friend and our manager are also here together, alone.

"Ah, I brought Jaxson here to spend some time and enjoy the day. I didn't think you would go either. I know this day will be extra fun.” I said smiling and so did Mr. Sol.

He has been very nice to me and I don't want to believe Loren in what he told me and treat Mr. Sol as a manager and maybe at times a friend. He was very easy to be with and he has always been doing me favors but we didn't really get a chance to have a conversational talk and spend some time together.

"I also love the idea that you are here, KitCat. I'm sure that you and this best friend of yours will have less time to be together now that you are married."

I smiled at Mr. Sol as a response. I felt Jaxson's hand gently crawl into my hand and then hold it. I didn't look at him when Loren grabbed my attention because of raising his eyebrows at me with a sly grin on her lips.

"Let's go inside." Loren uttered. “I'm sure the children will be delighted when they find out who is here today.

I giggled. "I miss the kids so much. It's been years since I last came here."

"Why do you people keep saying kids?"

I was pretty stunned to hear Jaxson finally speak out. I thought that he would be shy to join our conversation and would just keep quiet while holding my hand.

I pointed to the large sign above us as we walked into the orphanage to answer Jaxson's question. "We are at the orphanage. This is the place where Loren and I volunteered to take care of the kids and gave them lessons like art.” The smile cannot be removed from my lips as I am reminiscing those days. "It has been years since I last visited the children. I couldn't volunteer and join other communities since my father left us because my schedule is so hectic. But I'm glad I can do it again today."

"That's really awesome, Catt." Mr. Sol said as he turned his head slightly to look at me because they were walking ahead. "I always knew that you have a good heart, but I just now found out that you are also volunteering for organizations. I also love visiting communities like this and helping them by sponsoring. In fact, I have a home for the aged to visit maybe next week. You will be free to come join me if you are free.”

"Wow, really? I'm happy to know that you are doing that for the people that really need help. Believe me, you are spending your money right because they are really happy when someone is helping the foundation. Especially here at the orphanage that seems to know very little. If I have free time next week, I will make sure to come.”

"I know, since I don't have my own family yet, I am spending my money for the people in need. It really lightens my heart just by hearing a simple thank you from them and seeing their smiles. Make sure to let me know if you can come.”

I nodded to Mr. Sol smiling. It's nice to know that a rich and young man like him is very thoughtful and helps people in need.

When my eyes caught Jaxson, I noticed that his muzzle was forward as if frowning.

I caressed his arm to grab his attention. I raised both my eyebrows to ask him what's wrong but he just stared at me for a second before he let go.

"Guys, look! It's Ms. Lauren!”

My attention was caught when I heard the boy's voice.

"And she brought another prince and princess today!"

The children came out one after the other when they saw us approaching them. When my eyes met a girl she gasped and then pointed at me with her finger.

"Isn't that Ms. Cat?”

"Really?"

Hearing Winter yell, their attention turned to me almost simultaneously.

"You're right! It's me!” I shouted back that seemed to be their cue to approach us.

I gently withdraw my hand from Jaxson to kneel so that the children are my equal. I greeted them one by one while patting their heads.

"You kids have grown so much since I last came here. Good thing you still remember me. Because I will surely feel sad if not." I acted as if I was being sad while my eyes were looking at them.

"How about us, Ms. Cat? Do you still remember us?”

I let out a feeble laugh and acted as if thinking, playing with them. “Hmm… Let me see… You are Winter!” I exclaimed. Pointing at the little girl with short hair and big doe eyes. “Adoration!” I said again to another girl. “Troy, Wimrod, Jessica, Simon, Gabriella, and Til!” I poked their chins as I recited their names. "Huh? You guys are missing one. Where is Tali? Your twin sister?” I asked Til, and apparently my hunch was not good when his eyes flashed sadness.

I pulled him closer to me and locked him with my arms, trying to comfort him because he looked really gloomy.

"Tali was already adopted." Winter said, that's why I turned around. "As we heard, the family that adopted her will bring Tali to California and live there. We haven't heard about Tali after she left. And Til was very sad ever since her sister was gone."

I felt sad hearing that from Winter. That's why I hugged Til tightly to give him strength as I patted his back. I saw that Jaxson also patted him lightly on his head.

"I am sure that your sister is missing you as much as you miss her. You and Tali are separated for now but believe that someday you will see each other again.” I tried to comfort the little boy and gave him hope to cheer him up.

"Tali promised to come visit me, but it's been a year." He said in a sad voice.

"Maybe... because she is busy? And hey, California is far away so it may take her a while to come back. But you know that your sister will grant her promise no matter what, right?" He nodded at me in response.

"She will. That's why I keep on waiting. I just want to see if she is okay. I don't have the intention to ask her to stay here and live with me forever."

I gave him a bitter smile as I hugged him again because of the sadness that I felt from hearing his voice.

"So..." Gabriella interrupted. "Is he your boyfriend? He looks cute.”

I softly giggled because of what Gabriella just said. I am guessing that she's still at the age of eight but the way she speaks is so mature like a fine young lady.

"He's cute, isn't he?" I asked and then slowly stood up from kneeling to shove my arm into Jaxson's and lean on him.

"Your boyfriend is like a prince." Winter said.

"I take your compliments but I am her husband."

The children frowned together in surprise. I secretly scolded Jaxson for what he said, slapping his back.

"You got a husband? Isn't that marrying a guy, though?" Wimrod asked in confusion as his eyes moved from Jaxson's head, down to his toes.

"How come you get a husband, Ms. Cattleya?” Winter asked. "Don't you have a boyfriend? You told us that apart from Charles and Til, you don't have any friends."

I smiled awkwardly because I didn't know what to answer her.

"She's right, Ms. Cattleya.” Jessica also joined. "Didn't you and Adora tell us that getting a boyfriend is just like getting a bag of problems?"

I laughed at what she said but I feel like I am dying inside because I also feel now that Jaxson is laughing at me.

"Next time, I will take care of what I say to kids." I whispered as I tilted my head a bit because of embarrassment.

"I didn't know that you see me as a bag full of problems."

I glared at Jaxson, causing me to start to titter.

"Do you love Ms. Cattleya?”

My attention was shifted to Simon.

"Looks like, Simon feels jelly because Ms. Cattleya brought a handsome prince.” Winter snickered.

I remember Simon, he is the kid who always makes sure to give me a hand picked flower every time I come here. He always tells me how he wants to have a girlfriend like me someday. Kids these days are really into something.

"Do you have flowers for me today, Simon?" I asked him with a hearty smile.

"No. I didn't know you would come." He answered me seriously, like a real grown man with a body of twelve years old. "Now, answer me. Do you really love her?”

I was amazed at how serious Simon sounded.

"I do. I love my wife, of course.”

I am fluttering at Jaxson's answer to Simon. I really hope that he is not lying to the kid. Because the fact that Jaxson can actually say those words out loud means so much to me and somehow proves that he actually means what he said in my room.