CHAPTER 1

HAYLEY

"Sister Hayley!" The kids at the orphanage shouted my name upon entering the main gate. They ran towards me with a wide smile on their faces.

"Hey, don't run!" I yelled. "Watch out! You might fall!" I warned them, running quickly to catch the kids. "Just wait for me at the entrance!"

The kids didn't listen to me though. They kept on running towards my direction until they reached me and all of them circled around me. Some of them holding my hands, others hugging my legs, and some just jumped because they were so happy to see me. It's been years since I last visited the orphanage.

They're about 4 to 7 years old. I chuckled upon remembering the scenario from years ago. I used to be like them as I stayed in the orphanage until I graduated college. The kids showed me so much happiness and excitement that it reminded me of how simple life is growing up. All I want before was to get gifts from Sister Mary whenever she goes to the city.

"Sister Hayley! We missed you so much," Ben, one of the kids closest to me, gave me a big hug. "We thought you already forgot about us."

"Of course not!" I pinched his cheeks. "I just became busy but now I have time to see you…I promise that I'll be seeing you more often.” I held them one by one, giving them gifts I had brought. “Now, go and play. Don’t forget to share the food with each other, okay?”

“Yes, Sister.” They bowed at me. “Thank you.”

I watched them happily run to the playground until I lost sight of them. I turned to the main door and saw Sister Mary with the rest of the sisters in the orphanage staring at me. They all welcome me with a smile and a big hug although sadness is evident in their eyes.

“I’m sorry for not visiting often, Sister Mary,” I told her with a sad smile on my face.

After graduating, I moved into another town which is approximately two hours drive from the orphanage. I hadn’t forgotten them as I always sent money for them. However, due to my busy schedule I rarely visit the orphanage. I know it’s a lame excuse because if you really want to do it…you would find time to do it. I guess a part of me just doesn’t want to come back to this place as it breaks my heart to remember that my real parents never loved me at all.

“How are you?” I looked at Sister Mary whom I considered as my mother since I was a kid. She had aged and the wrinkles were already evident in her face. If Klay, one of my friends in the orphanage, hadn’t told me that Sister Mary is sick then I would have delayed my visit over and over again.

“Are you drinking your medicine?” I asked again, trying to hold my tears as I held her hand.

Like before, even though I am stubborn and usually give her headaches, she still give me her warmest smile. She never once raised her voice towards me even during those times where I tried to rebel against them. She welcomed me with a warm smile that made me feel peace. She’s really an angel on earth more than she was our mother. I think God sent her for that purpose, to guide those lost souls on earth, and now it seems like she had done her duty so God is already asking her to go back to his side.

“I told Klay not to tell you because surely you will worry about me. I don’t want you to worry that much. I have enough so I don’t regret a thing,” Sister Mary wiped my tears. “I am okay. The doctor said that I can still live for a year and I want to see you happy for those remaining months. Can you do that for me?”

“I will visit often, send you food, and you can tell me anything you want. Please, tell me and I’ll give it to you.” I cried inside her arms while she was trying to stop me. She caressed my back like she used to when I was a kid. “I am sorry for leaving. I promise to take care of the kids.”

“It’s okay, Hayley. It’s not your fault. Just promise me you will be happy.” She wiped my tears and comforted me. I cried for another couple of minutes until I stopped crying.

“Sister Mary, I have news for you!” I showed her my finger with the diamond on my ring finger. “Harold proposed to me and we are getting married this year. I want you to be there, okay?”

Sister Mary’s eyes glistened by the news. She shared the news with all of them, making the whole orphanage as cheerful as ever. They prepared food for me and I played with the kids until we got tired. I spent the whole night in the orphanage then decided to go back to my house the next day. Although, I promised them that I would visit them often.

The next few days became busy for me as there are a lot of projects I need to oversee. It was already lunch time when I decided to visit the coffee shop to grab some coffee as I was already hungry and sleepy.

I wasn’t paying much attention to what’s in front of me, that is why I bumped into a guy. Thankfully, the coffee he was holding didn’t spill. I caught a glimpse of his face as I said sorry then looked back at my phone again.

“Harriet, what are you doing here?” I heard what the guy said although I didn’t look back as he might be talking to another person. Someone called him Young Master Cavill, too.

I ordered coffee, after a couple of minutes it was done, so I walked towards the door where the man I bumped was sitting. He looked at me and I couldn’t understand what he was trying to say so I just shrugged and ignored him. He’s a pretty weird guy, but he is handsome. I came back to the office and spent time finishing my backlogs.

It was already a bit late when I got out. I went to the parking lot and was looking for my keys when I noticed someone following me from the side mirror.

Before I could scream for help, someone put a handkerchief in my mouth and I fell asleep.