Chapter 2

ADOPTED HEIR **The strange lady**

     Isabella's P O V

I got into Karen's car and her driver started off the engine.

"So Isabel, I've been waiting and dying to know. What does Nathaniel want from you?" She asked with her eyes shining with pure curiousity.

"He wants to be my date on my birthday," I answered and watched as I eyes widened.

"Oh my goodness! Isabella, you are one lucky girl. I've liked Nathaniel since day 1 but it turns out you are the one he wants. Nevertheless I'm happy for you. I don't think Nathaniel has ever asked a girl out before.

You might be the first. So what did you tell him?" She inquired.

"I told him no," I murmured.

"You told him what?" She brought her ear closer to my mouth to listen to my answer.

"No," I murmured again.

"You...tell me it's a lie, tell me you just lied Isabella Anderson!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

I turned away from her and fixed my eyes on the roadside.

"Oh geez, when will you ever learn? You don't even want Nathan as a boyfriend. Do you know how many girls that have been dying for a kiss from him? Including me.

How could you do this to me? To yourself? Is it because of the stupid mathematics competition? You want to become a book nerd, don't you? 

Oh fück! I could have been so proud to walk around and tell all the girls that my best friend and Nathan are dating. Oh poor me."

I felt her relax her head on the car seat.

"I...I'm sorry, I never knew you'd get so hurt." I apologized to her.

Is it even right to apologise? I guess I'm just feeling bad myself, I'm feeling bad for rejecting him and I should be apologizing to him right now.

If he was really interested in me then he'll feel worst. 

I don't think I'll be able to face him again. I can't face him.

"It's not me you should be apologizing to. You have hurt the poor boy's ego, I don't think he will ever ask a girl out again. You should apologize to him tomorrow okay?" Karen faced me and said.

"I..I will try,"I agreed and faced outside again. 

**

Karen's driver pulled up few blocks away from my gram's bungalow. I got down from the car and thanked both Karen and her driver before proceeding to my gram's house.

What's all these cars? What are they doing here? I wondered as I stared at the numerous black jeeps parked in front of gram's bungalow. 

I got closer to see guys that were dressed in blacks blocking the entrance of gram's house. 

I hastened my foot steps in fear. 

Who are these people? Who the hell are they? I kept thinking as I approached the men.

They looked down at my small form then moved away from the way for me to pass.

I hesitated this time, before walking into small corridor. I opened the sitting room door and entered but to my relief, grams was sitting right at the middle of the sitting room speaking to a woman I'll say is in her late twenties.

I gulped down the saliva I didn't know had formed in my mouth before opening my mouth to greet grams.

"Grams, I'm back. How have you been doing?" I ask while dropping my bag on one of the available sofas.

"Welcome child. I'm okay. How was school today?" Grams asked with big smiles on her face.

"It was okay," I answered diverting my eyes towards the beautiful lady beside her.

"Go drop your bag in your room. Change into a comfortable dress then come out, there is something you need to hear," Grams instructed.

"Okay," I nodded once. Pulled my bag up and walked to my room. 

Damn I'm so curious to what that lady that seems super rich is doing here. I want to know and in order to find out quickly, I need to undress and go out to the sitting room again.

I rushed to my closet, picked out a random dress and quickly pulled off my uniform. I dumped them on the bed before putting on the new dress.

Then I rushed out again.

"Grams, what's happening?" I couldn't help but ask as I turn to glance at the lady.

"Okay, sit first child. Sit," Grams said. I sat.

"This lady here, her name is Felicity and she is here to help you with your education. She heard of how good you are at school and decided to help you to any level you want at school." I kept staring at grandma as she explained.

Help me? She wants to sponsor my education.

"Why?" I bluntly asked.

Then the lady chuckled.

"I like your sharpness. I watched the mathematics and other competitions and debates you've won. I became interested in you because I have no kids of my own. I had someone search you up, I got the results and knew you can't really go far with just your intelligence. You'll always need money, I'm willing to sponsor you with huge amount of money or even adopt you as my child, that's if you are willing."

Her last statement shocked me to hell.

Adopt me? Why on earth will she adopt me? I looked at grandma and she was also looking shocked by her last words.

"It's totally up to you. I can sponsor you without adopting you, but of course, the benefits you'll enjoy as my adopted child will be multiplled ten folds." She continued. 

I looked at grandma again.

I really don't think I wanna get adopted. That will mean leaving grandma all alone and I don't want that. She's my only family, my mom's mother. 

"What do you think?" She finally asks.

"It's...it's up to grandma to decide. She's my only guardian, so she gets to decide what happens to me." I answered honestly.

It's the truth, grandma will get to decide what she what happens me. 

I saw grandma smile a little.

"Let's think about it, Felicity. Of course I want the best for my grandchild but it's just too sudden and...I don't think I wanna be away from her now. So let's give it some time," Grams turned to Felicity and said.

Felicity smiled. 

"That's okay, Olivia, I'm happy with your answer." The lady which I know her name now as Felicity responded.

"But why can't you have a child of your own? You are young and... beautiful. Why can't you get married and have a child of your own?" I asked before I could hold myself.

The question seems to surprise her and grandma.

"Yes, that's true. You should get married and have children or your own," Grams supported.

I heard Felicity sigh. 

"I wish I can, but I can't. I have a communicable disease, I don't want to pass that onto my children. And I'm the only child of my late parents, so they left all their wealth and companies to me." Felicity explained.

"Oh, I'm so sorry about that dear." Grams said equally feeling her pain.

"It's okay. I've learnt to live with it. I became happy again when I saw how fast and intelligent she was at answering tough questions. With her brilliance, she deserves so much more which I'm willing to offer."

"Anyways, this is my card. My number is imprinted there, you can call me at anytime you wish. You can also call me if you need my help financially, just anything, I'm willing to offer help," Felicity explained while handing the card over to grams.

Grams received it.

"Okay then. I'll get going now," she smiled at me before exiting the room.

I kept staring at the door she just went through. I heard the car doors closings and the engines of the whole cars parked outside coming to life.

"How do you feel about her? Do you think she is a good person?" Grams suddenly asked me.

Grams know that I have the habit of pointing people I think are no good out. But strangely I have no such feelings towards her, I feel like all she said is true.

"I feel normal, Grams. She doesn't seems to be a bad person, she seems to be telling the truth and moreover she gave us two choices. We can either pick from one right?" I asked. "Both will benefit us."

"Yes, you're right. You must be hungry, I bought you pizza. Go to the kitchen," Grams instructed.

I jumped up from my seat.

"Really?" I hollered.

"Yes, I know how much you love pepperoni pizza, you just haven't been able to eat it like you do when your parents were alive. I'm sorry about that," Grams said and apologized.

"Come on, Grams. There is no need to feel bad, you can get it for me anytime you have the money, I'm not mad at you." I yell from the kitchen.

I brought the pack of pizza to the dinning table, rushed back into the kitchen to fetch my bottle of apple juice. 

Gosh, today is not all bad as I thought.

T B C