CHAPTER 4: Marriage Proposal

GOD'S WILL ORPHANAGE

DEBRA'S POV

“Ma'am Debra's here! Ma'am Debra's here!” The cute little angels excitedly rushed forward immediately I stepped out of my car. They formed a small, energetic crowd around me.

I knelt down, smiling warmly at them. “Hello, my darlings! I’ve brought something for each of you.”

“Yeeehhhhh” They jumped up happily, and I found my lips smiling at their innocence.

My driver and two bodyguards brought out the large bags filled with food and toys I brought. My guards took the bags of raw food to the storeroom while I began handing out the toys to the kids.

“Look! I got a football!”

“I got a new doll!”

“Mine is a drawing board!”

“I love puzzles!”

They all gasped enthusiastically and their faces lit up in pure joy.

“Thank you, Ma'am Debra! We love you!” They bowed gratefully.

‘Awwwn! Such cutie pies!’

“Every time you come, you bring more smiles than I can count.” Mrs. Rose Beckley, the head matron, approached from behind as she watched the scene with fondness.

“It’s these little moments that make it all worth it. Seeing their joy, it’s the least I can do.” We both smiled.

******

I walked around the orphanage alongside Mrs. Beckley, taking in the smiling faces of the children, but also noting the wear on the buildings with a practiced eye.

“Are the repairs still holding up? Any parts of the building in need of attention?”

“For now, we’re managing, thanks to your last donation. But you know how these old walls are. They’re always in need of care.”

“I’ll have someone come by next week to take a look. We need to make sure these children have a safe place to grow.

A football suddenly bounced toward us, lightly hitting my leg. A boy ran up to us.

“I'm sorry, ma'am. It was an accident.” He looked down to the floor, apologetically.

I smiled warmly and knelt to his level, placing my gentle hands on his shoulder.

“There's no need to apologize, sweetheart. It was just a little tap.” I raised up his chin and looked into his eyes.

As my eyes met his, I froze. His eyes… those familiar blue eyes stirred something deep within me. I studied his face, my heart skipping a beat. 

‘He looks just like him when he was young.’ My inner mind mumbled.

Before I could gather my thoughts, four other boys approached us with folded hands. One of them had a striking resemblance to the first one. Just a little difference in his eyes. His were brown.

“Please forgive us, ma'am.”

I was completely taken aback. I handed them the ball with a soft smile. 

“Here you go, boys. Keep playing.”

“Thank you, ma'am!” They beamed in unison.

They ran off immediately, leaving me standing there, utterly baffled.

“They look just like him…” I whispered to myself.

I faced the matron “Mrs. Beckley, that first boy and the other one that looks like him, who are they?”

“Ohh…Kayden and Hayden. They are twins. They aren't orphans like the other kids.”

“Really?” My curiosity piqued.

“Yes, ma'am. Sophia, their mother, is a single parent. Her boyfriend cheated and broke up with her before she found out she was pregnant. She is also a product of this home.” She explained as we walked to her office.

We got to her office and she pulled out a photo album. She flipped to a picture of a beautiful young woman to me. I stared at it, mesmerized. 

“She looks lovely…” 

I was smiling to myself when a thought suddenly ran through my head.

‘This woman... Sophia... she would make a beautiful bride for my son.’ I mumbled to myself.

“Thank you, Mrs. Beckley.” I stood up to leave.

“All thanks to you, ma'am, for putting smiles on the kids' faces.”

I responded with a smile and walked briskly to my car. My mind wouldn't stop racing.

“Goodbye, Ma'am. Thanks for coming” The kids and the matrons all waved at me as my car took off with my bodyguards’ cars tailing behind.

I pulled out my phone and dialed his number, which he picked on the second ring. 

*********************

SOPHIA'S POV

I stood outside Mr. Graham's office, my heart raced steadily as I knocked on his door.

“Come in.” I heard his low and stern voice.

I gently opened the door and stepped inside, enduring the slight pain coming from my sprained ankle. 

“Wow!” I marveled at the sight of his office’s beautiful interior decors, and how spacious the room was.

“What a beauty!”

I noticed he was on call, with a tense voice and hard expression. He paced behind his desk, frowning deeply. He noticed my presence and signaled with his hand for me to wait.

“I said, I’m not ready to get married. How many times do I have to tell you?” He said, agitatedly.

I came to remind him of his meeting with the board of directors, but seeing the frustration on his face, I doubt if it was the right time. It was clear that he was arguing with someone, probably a relative.

“No, I told you, I already have someone in mind. So you can't blackmail me into marriage.” He hung up the call angrily.

'Such a rude man!’

He slammed his hands on the desk, making me flinch.

He looked up suddenly, his eyes locking onto mine. He stepped closer, and I found myself stepping back. His sudden approach and the dangerous look on his face made me shiver. 

‘Why is he coming towards me?’

The nearer he got, the behinder I moved, and I pressed my back against the wall. 

He was now closer and towed over me, his presence overwhelming. I smelt the faint scent of his cologne. I looked down in fear as I clutched my notepad tightly to my chest.

Mr. Graham raised his hand and tilted my chin up, his fingers brushing my skin in a way that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. His gaze on me made me feel like the air had been sucked out of the room as our eyes met. Those cute blue eyes of his. They looked so much like Hayden's.

“Marry me, Miss Sophia Clark.” He said, with a low, firm and gentle voice.

My eyes widened in shock, and my lips parted in disbelief. My mind struggled to process his words. Did I hear that right? Marry him?