58: Hands of Fortune

"I didn't expect you guys to be here! I miss you!" Liah was surprised to see Talia and Kiel. She jumped over them to have a hug as she was missing them so bad. She has not seen them for already weeks and she can not lie that she wants to see them. Talia promised her to go back. Liah expected yet she didn't fulfill her promise quickly as she was sent in the orphanage. She's been alone and sad even though the place where she is living is fine. It was just that she is lonely these past few days. "We miss you too, Liah," said Talia and hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. Kiel on the other hand caress her back as a greeting. "Anyway, we are now here." "Are you just visiting? Or you will get me out of here?" Liah looked at her with her begging yet questioning eyes. Talia then beamed widely and tapped her head. "We are here to bring you home," she said, making her eyes to widen in surprise and excitement. The feeling inside Liah upon hearing that was like the happiest in her entire life. Nothing can not explain the happiness she is feeling. They took care of the files and papers to be done so they could get Liah. She has no family already. Only that has left to her was her grandfather but because it was sent to the prison with Cage - his son, she is now alone and she can not live with that especially that she is just a girl trying to explore life. Liah wants to do things she wants - to study, befriend with other people, travel around the world and explore just like what people does. She has been locked up inside their house in her whole life and it is sucking her. She wants a new and different life, at least. "It is nice to see you smiling," Talia said while chuckling. They were already inside the car and are beading to the mall so they could by her things. "I am just grateful," Liah said with a genuine smile on her eyes and lips. "It was just that, I can not fully believe it. That today, you are now my parents. You will have a child soon, right? So, you still want me?" Kiel chortled because of what Liah said. "My wife wants dozen of children." They all laughed. "But really," said Talia. "I want to take care of you, Liah. You are valuable, you are important to me and I want you safe. That is why you should stick with us. Starting this day, your life will be different." "Different like?" she questioned and squinted her eyes, then she leaned over her seat. She was settling herself in the backseat while Talia and Kiel was in front, driver's seat and passenger's seat. "Like you are going to school," she answered. "You will meet a friend and you will never be alone again. You will live normally, Liah. You have your freedom now, but of course, you know your limitation. We know you are responsible and disciplined girl. We trust you." Liah smiled from ear to ear. She can not hide her happiness. As they went inside the mall, Liah can not help but to feel amaze. She have not went inside the town public store since before and right now, she was like floating could nine. Everything is just fine. "So, you want this?" They went into boutique to buy her things, clothes. Talia pointed a white polo shirt partnered with a hazel pants. Liah then bit her lower lip, feeling odd. She has not wore those kind of dress. "I guess?" she answered awkwardly. "I'm sorry if you will spend money for me -" "Everything for my daughter," Talia cut her off, making her to stun for a moment. "You will get used to this soon, Liah." "Yeah, right," Liah agreed. And then they continued to shop dress and wander around the mall. They also ate in a restaurant. They did anything they feel like doing to entertain Liah and to make her feel that they are happy like they should be. "Oh, nice to see you again, Liah." As Margo visited in Kiel's unit, she was surprised to see Liah in the couch, sitting and watching movies in the television. Liah then stood up to welcome Margo. "Hi, nice to see you too. Well, they made me live here." Margo grinned. "And?" Liah scratched the back of her head. "And they are now my parents. I am not used to call them this but I have to. Uh, Mom and Dad were not here. They went to somewhere." Margo was caught off guard for a moment when she heard the kid calling Talia and Kiel Mommy and Daddy. Well, she just find it odd but cute. Margo chuckled and tapped her shoulders. "Nice to know that you now have a family. Anyway, when they will be home yet, give this to them." She handed Liah a paper bag. "What's in here?" she asked out of curiosity. "Just a stuff Talia wants me to buy. I guess that is for you? But still, wait for her. I can not stay longer since I just stopped by," she told her. "I will see you again, Liah. Let's play together, hmm? We will have some fun." Liah nodded her head twice. When Margo left, she put the paper bag in the table and then she continued watching. Something is urging her to open the paper bag and take a peek on what is inside but she stopped herself from doing so. That isn't her stuff to be her business. Yes, it has been two days when Talia and Kiel get her from the orphanage. She just went to school yesterday and she cannot believe that she already has a friend, a girl. She has one and she would not ask for more anymore because she knows how to be contented to what is given to her. As she continued watching, she stopped when the scenario in the movie seems familiar. The protagonist and its half another was trapped in a dangerous place and someone helped them to escape because they knew to each other that they did not deserve to suffer. That you might want to get revenge for your loved ones but getting it while hurting someone will never be a good way. Do it with dignity. That all of us should not forget ourselves being good just to get what we want. Everything has a consequences and we should keep that in mind. Liah smiled to herself. She did not regret helping her parents, Talia and Kiel. While having her good time, her phone beeped. Yes, they gave her a phone. Liah get it to see what the notification is about and bit her lower lip afterward when she saw that she was tagged in a post in a social media. The post were saying, "A family of criminal. What kind of face do you have that you have the guts to show?" She heaved a deep sigh, hurting. She want to not mind it but how? It was the truth but it hurt her through her bone. She then messaged the person who tagged her. It was her schoolmate by the way, bullying her in social media platforms. Liah: I hope you don't do that again, tagging me. Unknown: Oh, why? Isn't it the truth, Liah? Liah: I mean, it is the truth but I am still a human who deserved to be respected. You can post what is in your mind but I hope you will not shame someone publicly. You are shaming yourself too. I tend no offense. Thank you. She turned her phone off and sighed heavily. Now, she regret messaging that person but anyway, she already has done it. It was just that she was triggered by the truth. She would not deny it, though. She do not lie and she do not fool anyone. She know what the right thing is, the right thing to do. She has to control her feelings. "Liah, we're home!" It was Talia's voice over the unit as they opened the door. Yet, they did not see her in the living room. Talia and Kiel looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders off. They put the things they bought in the table together with the paper bag Margo brought. Talia went inside their room to see Liah but she was not there. They checked the area that they think Liah would be, but they did not even see any signs of her shadow. "Where do you think she went?" Talia asked Kiel that is currently taking his coat off. He then hissed, looking around. "I don't know where she could be. But she might have a friend where she is with," Kiel answered. "She would not get out without telling us, Kiel," she said worriedly and sat on the couch. That is when she saw a note being spit under the paper bag, pressed against the table. She get it and saw a sentence from Liah. "I'm sorry if I did not tell you that I went out right away. I am fine, don't worry." – Liah "What's that?" Kiel asked, referring to the note. Talia then sighed and shakes her head. "She went out, alone. I should call her," she uttered and get her phone. She tried to call Liah but she was not answering. Even when Liah said that she is just fine, Talia would not believe and can not be convinced. She went alone! How can she be so sure that she would be fine? She is just a kid, not familiar in their place since she was just two days there. "She said she will be fine, let's trust her," said Kiel and walk over her. "Liah might want to be alone, Talia. If she will not come back after one hour, then let's go look for her." She has no choice but to agree. She nodded her head inwardly and worriedly leaned over the backrest. "I can not just relax in here when we both know that she is alone. But you are right, we should trust here but Kiel, we can not trust people around. And yeah, you are right again, we will wait. After one hour, without her here, we will look for her." Kiel smiled and leaned over to kiss her lips. She thought it would just be a peck but Kiel took her lips passionately. He sat on the couch and made Talia to sit on his lap, then they continued to kiss each other, burning fire amidst them. With their skin touching, they could not stop the desire to please themselves. "Oh, you guys..." They were in the couch making love and they did not expect the door to open, revealing the shocked and surprised expression of Liah. Her eyes were wide, jaw were dropped on the floor and shoulders were heaving. Talia and Kiel stopped and good thing Liah covered her eyes immediately. "I... I'm sorry!" she panicked. "I didn't know... Oh my, my virgin eyes! What are you doing?" Liah then ran inside their room to give the two a space. Talia and Kiel looked at each other, bit their lower lip. Then they chuckled in chorus because they found Liah's reaction cute. Who would not be surprised, right? Liah is just a kid for Pete's sake and she does not completely know about these things, and her mind were not that opened yet. "Told you she will come back," Kiel whispered and bit her ear. They both lift their body up and wear their clothes. Now they do not know how to face Liah out of shame. She caught them having that session. Why did they did that in the couch, though? Talia laughed at herself. "Maybe she will forget about it when you cook something for her." Kiel chuckled too, agreeing. "She will. Now we took her eyes' virginity." "Yeah, we are sorry." For Liah to forget what she saw Kiel and Talia did, they cooked for her. They stayed in the kitchen cooking for her favorite food. Not to mention Liah is sleeping in their bed. She was listening to them but she fell asleep all of a sudden. "Hey, Liah. We cooked for you," said Talia and opened the door of their room. When she saw her asleep, she went near her to check on her. Since she has to take dinner, she woke her up. "Liah, wake up. It is time for dinner." Liah groaned and moved a bit. She is quite hard to wake up so Talia has to tap her shoulders so Liah would know that someone is waking her up. "Hmm," she hummed and opened her eyes inwardly. With her half-asleep eyes, she looked at Talia. "Hey, good evening." "Yeah, dinner is ready," Talia said and kissed her forehead. "And, forget what you saw lately, okay? You already know that that is part of our lives." Liah's cheeks heated as Talia made her remember about earlier. She get up and nodded her head twice. "Yes, I already forget about it. What happened earlier anyway?" Talia pursed her lips and let out a chuckle afterward. "You are good. Let's go, your father is already waiting for us in the dining table." Liah beamed and completely get up. They went outside the room and see Kiel preparing for the plates and sporks. Liah kept on telling herself to forget about what she witnessed especially that Kiel is already in front of her and good thing it worked, somehow. They sat on their perspective seat and then they were silent for a moment, feeling awkward but Talia kept the moment smooth. "So, we should start to eat and have a talk about your short walk outside," she said. They agreed. They started to eat and that is when she asked about Liah going out herself alone. She just answered that she wants a small walk outside with fresh air and good view of the sky. Their conversation then flowed smoothly, being followed with another topic that entertained themselves well. It's about handling the situation to make everything right and fortunate.