Chapter 9: To The Orphanage

After a small while of tranquility, footsteps was heard. The maid, gardener, chef and guards already went back in their stations. Only Oliver and Ana was left in the kitchen. 

‘Who else are here?’

 A small bark lapped with a hail of small steps. 

“Herald?... What are you doing here?”

Oliver was cut out for a moment as he forgot how he called the dog. He didn’t gave it a name yet which is not that pleasing for it serves as hindrance for him to call its attention. Herald slightly bowed to show his respect to Oliver. He was carrying the dog a while ago but then it jumps rushing down as soon as he saw Oliver.

“I forgot that I picked this dog up. Even so, what are you doing here?”

Herald took his phone and typed his response. Even with a small temper for what happened, Oliver didn’t say anything even if he find it annoying to converse with Herald like this.

‘It is not that I am mad or what but I assume it would be much easier to make a conversation if he will just talk with me. I mean, isn’t it much convenient and time saving? I wonder what Ian do to make Herald talk with him. Maybe I shall ask him when we meet again. Well then, if that thing is bound to happen’

 

 Herald explained that he stayed with the dog who Oliver brought back home the moment they went back to the mansion. He did try to help Oliver about the matter in the mansion but he think that it is not something he must joined to. His help isn’t asked for that is why he just help the dog get washed and fed it. He fell asleep after that and woke up as he heard the dog barking. 

“So that is what happened… so do you mean to say you haven’t eaten yet?”

Putting his hand on his palm, “Herald, order a food that is good for three. Make sure to have some dog food to-“

He didn’t finish his words as Herald brought out a pack of dog food. Where did he got it? Despite of having a curious mind about where did Herald get that dog food he didn’t utter any words about this for he know for sure that it would just take time for them to end the conversation.

“Stop licking- fufufu, that tickles~” Ana adores the dog which unknowingly playing with the little girl. Herald's eyes was set to the little girl. Oliver notice it and explained.

“She is the nephew of the head maid whom I put behind the cold bars.”

As they look at Ana, all they can see is a little girl enjoying the company of the small little puppy.

‘They match each other, they are both tiny… how cute”’

After realizing that he is now having a child in his custody, Oliver can’t help but feel a headache. But then, looking at how happy the little girl is, he can’t probably send the girl elsewhere. 

‘It looks like I have to take care her… for now, I shall let her stay for just a night. After all, I do not have the ability to take care of a child. Even if I came from an orphanage, that is something I was born not having a talent to. 

 Orphanage… sending her to one shouldn’t be bad. I can support her in her studies while she is there. So she won’t be just like me who got a wasted life when I grew up. Bringing Ana in an orphanage, I just think that it would be the best for her sake. 

The food that Herald ordered came. They also prepare food for the five personnel left in the mansion. It was Oliver’s order. After having a dinner, Oliver notice that Herald looks like a good babysitter. 

“You act as if you know how to take care of children. That is something I’m quite surprised of”

He started as he feel that the silence is killing him. Nodding his head with a faint smile, Herald put out his phone and show a picture of him with small little kids.

“Your siblings?”   nodding his head his lips carve a smile.

‘It looks like he really love his siblings. But… why does their hair color seems different. Aren’t they siblings… well that is something I shouldn’t concern myself to.’

“Thank you for the food, master”

Ana smiled with her brightest as the corner of her lips contains a small stain of sauce. Oliver finished eating and didn’t give a response to the child filled with joy to taste something so delicious. The little dog quietly eats his food. 

*Yawn*

“I shall head inside my room. Herald, stay for tonight and take care of them. I’ll double… no triple? Maybe quadruple your salary for today. You helped a lot that is why”

Looking at Herald who just stare at him, Oliver turn his back and didn’t wait for a response. The two whose left in the dining table just look at each other and make a small smile.

The day after,

“Ah, this feels uncomfortable…’”

Brushing his hair with his right hand, you can see a glimmering aura running around Oliver’s presence. 

“Wow…” Ana didn’t have the chance to shut her mouth in awe. 

It is indeed a good sight to see. Even for the eyes of children, he looks exactly like a good prince charming. 

“Shall we go?”

“Yey! We are going out!” jumping in excitement, her yellow polka dress and headband that Herald ordered and get delivered just a moment ago looks good at her. Just like a bright sun shining outside. 

‘I somehow feel bad. We are going to bring her in the orphanage yet…’

Taking a deep sigh he just think that it would be the best for Ana. Looking at himself in disguise, Oliver observe himself as he put on his cap and tinted glasses.

‘Why do it looks weird. As if I am some murderer hiding his identity.’

He remove his shades and annoyingly throw it. Thank goodness the dog caught it as if the glasses is some kind of a Frisbee.

   

Oliver’s eyes then land to the drawer with  a strange look. It is the volt that is much elegant but looks weird for some reason. He then remember having various weird things he received as a gift from different people. 

‘Now I know why it looks weird. Even if his room is fine and neat, this space looks like it wasn’t arranged orderly. The placings are in a mess!!’

Ana who was still standing at the door curiously look at Oliver. She tip her toes as she couldn’t see where Oliver is looking at. The dog rush to Ana and gave her the glasses.

‘I am quite surprise to see such things. A hair color changer it says?’

Oliver went out of his room with a shining crimson hair. Ana and the dog blink their eyes as they saw the large difference that happened in Oliver’s hair. It was once as black as the night sky but now it was bright red just like a ruby gem.

Ana look at her hair, it was light pink, just like a cherry blossom.  Herald saw them as they head outside the mansion. 

‘There are no quite changes compared to yesterday, maybe those five hasn’t start cleaning yet’

Oliver and Ana went in Herald’s direction. He is now standing beside the new car they will use. It was a little smaller than what they used yesterday for they will go to the orphanage in incognito. Ana and the dog obediently sat in the back seat with Oliver.

“Master, Ana loves your heyer”

“It is hair. Not hey-er”

“Heyr?”

‘Why does it still sounds weird? Well even so…. She is still a kid.’

“Very well”

A bright smile can be seen in the child’s face. As they went into the Orphanage, Herald saw a man being tortured and punched by a gang. It was near an alley.

‘It was bright and shiny outside. How bold of them to torture someone in broad day light’

He took a gaze at Ana’s direction. ‘Thank goodness she didn’t saw such sight’

With that, they stop by in front of the orphanage.

“Is this the Sunshine Orphanage you are talking about? Herald?” Oliver asked but didn’t hear any words from Herald. He look at him and was ready to saw him nod but what welcomed him was a young man with white hair shining through the radiance of the sun. it was staring at the Orphanage with his mind in deep thoughts.