Daddy, We Found Mummy

Elina’s Pov 

Entering the new cafe that had just opened down my workplace, I inhaled the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sighed in relief.

It was a small shop with nice aesthetics and the smell? Urghhh….. divine.

It was just what I needed after a very chaotic and stressful morning at the office. I started walking to the counter, my eyes on the cupcakes displayed, but halted as something hooked my clothes.

I turned to look at what stopped me from moving, and my eyes fell on a beautiful set of blue orbs staring up at me with her fist clenching firmly on my clothes.

“Mummy,” she said and instinctively, I looked around for her mother but didn't find anyone near the both of us.

I returned my gaze back to her and found her eyes locked on my face. I raised my eyebrows, curious as to why this little girl was looking at me.

Did I have something on my face? I brought my hand to my face and brushed my cheeks. 

Nothing was on my face.

Something wasn't right.

She was looking at me as if she was referring to me. 

Me?

I must be mistaken.

“Hey, are you lost?” I asked, smiling down at the girl who didn't let go of my clothes.

“I found you, mummy,” the little girl said before hugging me tightly.

Mummy? I froze before regaining myself.

I looked around once again to see if I could see either of her parents but the cafe was empty with just us inside.

“Dad said you were with the stars but I found you,” she pulled away from me and said with a smile reaching her eyes. 

“You must be mistaken,” I laughed nervously, looking around for anyone to come inside and claim the little girl. “I am not your mummy,”

“But you look just like my Mummy,” she pouted, her eyes looking watery like she was about to cry.

How was I going to explain to this child that I wasn't her mum without her crying?

“Where is-” Before I could complete my sentence, a little boy pushed open the door and ran toward us.

“Camilla here you are. Why did you run off like that? I could barely meet up to you,” my mouth hung open as I listened to the little boy scold the girl.

He was so good with his English. Though it had a bit of Italian in it, he spoke so smartly that I could have sworn it was a teenager speaking if I hadn't seen him.

“Jay, see I found mummy,” the little girl who I heard from the boy is Camilla said, tugging on my clothes with excitement. 

The little boy, whose attention had been on the girl, turned to me, and I saw his eyes go wide in surprise. 

His eyes were the same colour as the little girl so I figured out they were siblings. I just stood there confused as the little kids stared at me like they saw a ghost.

The little boy seemed to collect himself quickly and asked. “Are you really our mum? But Dad said our mum was with the stars now,”

“I am not your mum. I might look like her but I am not. I can help you find your Dad. Is he nearby?” I offered to help.

“No, thank you, ma'am. Our nanny must be looking for us by now.” He said before taking his sister's hand.

“Jay, but she is mummy,” Camilla insisted, refusing to go with her brother.

“She isn't Cam, daddy said mummy is with the stars. Let's go before nanny gets worried,” while I found the way he called her cute, I couldn't look away from Camilla, who reluctantly left with her brother.

That was unexpected. 

I didn't know I looked like someone that much to get mistaken for them. 

I stood there, looking at the door they went out from wondering what just happened. 

The children were adorable but I don't think I could give birth to cute children like them.

What are you saying, Lina? You don't even have a boyfriend and you are a freaking virgin.

I hope they find their mum. I was about to head to the counter when my phone went off in my pocket, and I jolted out of my thoughts.

I brought out my phone and saw my boss's name on the screen. I answered it and put the phone against my ear. 

“Where the hell are you?” His angry voice filled my ear.

“I am out for lunch sir,” 

“Get to the office in two minutes, you have work to do and shouldn't be lazying around,”

“Sir, I wasn't lazy-” the call beeped as he ended the call. “zing around,” I completed before dropping my phone back in my pocket.

I literally just left my table 5 minutes ago. I hate my job so much but I have bills to pay. 

My phone went off again. 

Crap

I have two minutes.

Without bothering about my lunch anymore, I bolted out the door and ran to the office.

I just hope he isn't that angry.

*******

I knocked off my shoes immediately I got into the orphanage and fell on the couch. 

I can't believe I lost my job today. After my late nights at the office, sleepless nights because I was working and being yelled at at the slightest mistake, that old cargo fired me. And it wasn't even worth it.

My phone beeped and I took it. It was a reminder about my debt. I dropped my phone back on the couch and sighed in exhaustion.

The orphanage would be pulled down if I didn't pay the sum of $50,000 in two months. I have managed to pay $5,000 but now that I am jobless, I have no means to pay.

And to take out a huge loan is a lot.

I don't want to lose this orphanage. This is the only place I could call my home. This place reminds me of nanny.

She was my world until she suffered from cancer and died two years ago. The orphanage was the only place I found comfort in her absence.

I was dropped at the orphanage at a young age and no one came to get me. I was often rejected because I was too big, and nanny made it her responsibility to raise me herself.

I can't let her down by losing the orphanage. I saw her sweat and work hard to build the orphanage. I won't let her down.

I need a better job before they come here to pull it down. I only put up with my former job because I needed money, and it wasn't like it was paying well.

I know who would help me with that. I picked up my phone and dialed the number I knew by heart.

“Hey babes, how is it going,” after a long day, I finally smiled.