Chapter 3: Negotiation

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this foolishness. Tomorrow morning, I'll return you to the orpha—"

"No!"

Zadkiro furrowed his forehead when I unexpectedly cut him off, not allowing him to finish what he was saying.

He stared at me with concern and difficulty as he saw how I opposed the idea of returning to the orphanage. He was staring at me as if he was waiting for an explanation of why I burst out like that.

"Please no, I-I already left there..." I said in a low tone.

If I needed to plead then I would do it. I don't want to go back there anymore! He doesn't have an idea what he is talking about.

Zadkiro gaped at me and was still disturbed. He was speechless for a minute and was examining me before he slowly shook his head and spoke out.

"I've already chatted to Mother Fatima, the head of the orphanage, she told me you were missing. They didn't know you left, you have no idea how anxious they are right now," he stated in a firm tone.

I swallowed greedily to calm my nerves and sighed.

I feel sinful that I am causing chaos in the orphanage but I want to be selfish, even just for now.

"I... I-I'm begging you Zadkiro, please d-don't give me back. I need to see my parents," I begged for honesty.

I was staring directly into his eyes. I saw how he hesitated when I called out his name, not foreseeing me to mention it since he never introduced himself.

After a few seconds, he washed his hands over his face and looked up at the ceiling. The way he did it tells me that he was either torn about something or he was steadying himself.

It took him a moment before he returned his gaze to me. He licked his lower lips to moisten them before speaking again.

"Look... Whatever your reason for leaving that place, I am telling you, just go back... The outside world is cruel and you're too vulnerable for it," he said in a soft voice.

His tone is very persuasive however I've already made up my mind. I am finding my parents whatever they put up with and I will not back down.

"If you're not going to help me find my parents, then at least don't return me. I have my conclusions to make and I don't need other people's viewpoints about it" I retorted.

I may sound rude but I couldn't get him through begging so I have no choice but to act strong.

I heard Zadkiro scoffed.

"You're only nineteen, what makes you think your decision is best for you? I am sorry for kidnapping you and the least that I can do to regret what I have done is to make sure you'll be safe after I let you go."

My mouth gaped in shock. He knows my age? I looked down and tried to find the best answer for that.

I don't know how I will defend myself anymore. His answers are always on point. I am getting annoyed when in fact I shouldn't be.

"Go back and I will find your parents myself. Once I find them, I will come for you," he spoke again.

I shook my head. I'm already on the edge of crying. As much as I want to stay strong, my emotions are betraying me.

"N-No..."

I covered my face when I lost composure and tears started cascading through my cheeks. Drops after drops and I couldn't halt from sobbing.

I didn't know I was capable of crying like this in front of someone who I barely knew. I tried to stop crying but I failed.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

I felt a hand laid on my back, patting it slowly which gave me comfort. The feeling that I never felt from anyone except from Devika after I lost my parents.

I removed my hands from my face because the lack of oxygen was slowly making it hard to breathe. I cried and cried while Zadkiro was just patting my back continuously.

"Breathe slowly," he softly uttered.

What I did not expect was when he unexpectedly hugged me. That sudden action of him made me cry even more. The warm feeling of someone's hug is something that I always long for every time I miss my Mom and Dad.

"Let it out, it's okay..."

Zadkiro was hushing me while he gently stroked my hair using his left hand. I felt comfortable that I didn't realize he was someone that I only met hours ago.

"Calm down now Sereia. Relax and we'll discuss this matter once you're okay."

—

I accepted the glass of water that Zadkiro was giving me. I already stopped crying and he patiently calmed me in his arms.

He let me settle on the bed while he pulled the single couch to sit in front of me. I still felt intimidated by his stares but at least I was not scared about what he may do to me.

"Do you still need anything?" he asked after I took a sip of the water.

"N-No."

Zadkiro nodded. He took the glass of water out of my hand and placed it on the bedside table.

There was a moment of silence between the two of us. We were both trying to guess what the other was thinking. I wanted to communicate but I don't know where to start.

"Okay." I looked at him when he finally began talking.

He sighed and bent, putting both of his forearms on his knees, leveling his face into mine because he was too tall even if he was sitting.

"Let's try to negotiate here Sereia, but before that, I want you to answer my questions, no lies, no secrets, no exceptions. Am I clear?" There was a hint of dominance in his voice but not enough to scare me.

I nodded like a child. I want to ask for his help at the same time I want him to understand why I don't want to go back to my old home.

"Okay, since you've already told me the background of how you got separated from your parents, let me ask you. Are they the reason why you left the orphanage?"

I stared into his intense eyes.

I slowly nodded. "There's no day that I did not think about them. I still believe that they're alive and I will find them no matter what."

He bit his lip. "That's what I want too, to find them," he whispered.

I was taken aback by his answer but it was replaced with another thought when he spoke again.

"Do you have a place to stay? Or someone you knew who could help you financially while you try to find your parents?"

Is there?

Well, I left the place without a backup plan. I know no one and I don't even know how to start looking for my parents. I don't even know how to apply for a job so I could provide for my needs. I only finished senior high and it has been one year since I stopped studying. I can't support myself to enter college.

"I guess you left empty-handed..." he concluded when he received no answers from me.

Zadkiro leaned back to the couch and sighed. He looked at me with his forehead furrowed like he was looking at a huge problem in front of him.

I just stared down at the floor. I was ashamed of my actions a while ago and I don't know how to face him. I don't even know where this conversation will lead us to.

"Fine."

I looked at him. His face seemed angrier than it was when he looked at me. It's quite frightening, to be honest.

"You will be staying in my house from now on and we'll help each other so we can find your parents as soon as possible."

My eyes twinkled with happiness when he continued saying those. The concerns and stress that I was feeling instantly left me and it was reinstated by joy and excitement.

I stared at him full of hope and couldn't help but smile.

"Really?"

He nodded still having that scary expression on his face.

"Yes, but I want you to follow my rules. I will not inform Mother Fatima that you're with me and I will stop them from reporting that you are missing but do everything that I say. Do you understand?" he said precisely.

I didn't think of it much and I just nodded to agree. I don't want to upset him because he's the only person who could help me with my situation today.

"Thank you. But... if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to see my parents as well?" I asked out of confusion.

Zadkiro stared at me before looking in the other direction.

"You don't need to know, it's a personal matter. Just cooperate with me and we'll try to locate them. Don't worry 'cause I'll keep you hidden from Mother Fatima and I will not hurt you. Don't be a brat as well 'cause I don't have lengthy patience."

I pouted and nodded. I know I'm not a brat so it won't be a problem for the both of us. I'm just hard-headed sometimes and I admit that.

"I want to set rules as well, would it be okay for you?" Zadkiro asked.

"I won't mind."

Everything has rules and I am fine with it as long as it wouldn't go beyond my privacy. No matter how desperate I am to see my parents, I wouldn't let anyone abuse me and my rights.

"I'm glad we're on the same page. From now on, please don't leave the house without letting me know. If you need to go somewhere, just be upfront with me and I'll do my best to accommodate your request."

Going somewhere? "That's fine with me, I don't want to go outside for now. I-I'm afraid someone connected to the orphanage will see me."

He chuckled. I was stunned to hear his laugh for the first time. It was very pleasing in the ears and it sounds very relaxing. I hope he does that often. Smiling and laughing suits him more than furrowing his forehead.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Sereia, you can go and enjoy the outside world. All I am asking you is that ask permission so I know your whereabouts."

"O-Okay, fine..."

He composed himself before saying a word again.

"Next, I want you to always be honest with me. We need proper communication because we only have one goal here. A single lie can make it hard for the both of us."

I understand what he means.

"I will."

Zadkiro looks relieved. He smiled and for the second time around, I was amazed by the sight of him smiling.

"Third rule, no trying to escape. That's all, no more rules so you won't feel like a prisoner in this free country," he said with a hint of joke in his tone.

This time, I was the one who smiled.

"Trust me, I won't think of escaping 'cause I don't have a place to stay. I don't even have a work. Just help me Zadkiro, please help me find my parents," I begged.

His eyes softened with my plea. He nodded like he understood my feelings very well.

"Yes darling, I will try my best with your cooperation. Don't worry."

Hearing his words, I felt a surge of motivation I hadn't experienced in years. In a stunning turn of events, the man who had once held me captive under the mistaken belief that I knew my parents' whereabouts was now offering to help me reunite with them.

With the single goal that we have, I'm hoping that we'll see the answers that we're looking for.

I have every reason to believe Zadkiro is a man of integrity, and I hope that my trust in him will be well-founded. I am willing to place my full confidence in him, with the sincere hope that he will stand on it.