Chapter One

1802 Words
Ariana's POV "I am sorry Ms Bond but if you fail to make the payment by the end of this month, I am afraid we will have to discontinue treatment on him" The doctor's words replayed in my head as I walk down the hospital hallway. Tears welled up in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I have been strong and I shall continue to be. Hoping to see my dad wake from his vegetative state had been my greatest motivation to strive harder. 'Mom may be gone but I will try my utmost best to make sure dad lives.' This was my quest. I walked to the hospital reception to deposit the money I had been saving from my multiple jobs. I have series of job that I can't begin to mention. After I was done with the payment, it was time for my shift at the restaurant I started working few weeks ago. I work as a waitress Scurrying through hundreds of people, I got to the bus stop and the bus came just in time. I beeped the bus driver that I had reached my stop and i alighted from the bus and made my way to the restaurant. When I got to the restaurant, I saw a little girl of about 10 years old peeping through the transparent glass window of the restaurant from the outside. I moved closer to her and from her appearance; dirty clothes, untreated hair and what's worse? She was barefooted. Everything about her screamed "Stray." I walked closer to her and she cowered when she saw me. "Hey, it's okay." I assured her and motioned for her to come closer to me. "I am not bad." I tried to convince. She came closer but only an inch apart and I bent to her level. "Are you hungry?" I asked softly and she nodded. I looked from her scattered hair to her bruised toe. "How about you stay here while I go In to get you something to eat?" I suggested. Her eyes lit up and she agreed. I made her sit on a bench next to the restaurant and went inside the restaurant to get her food. I made my way to the kitchen and was greeted by some of my co workers. "Have you seen Linda?" I asked one of the other waitresses that was heading to the kitchen with a tray in her hand. "She is in the storage room." She replied. "Thank you" I said and walked to the storage and she was writing something down in her writing pad. "Hey Linda" I greeted the petite girl who happens to be the head staff. "Hey Ariana. What's up? I love your consistency, you are always early for work." She commented. "Thanks. Erm...... I was thinking if I could get my lunch earlier?" I enquired. "Why?" She crossed her eyebrows in a questionable way. "I just happen to be hungry." I grinned. "You know it's not allowed to have lunch before the due time. Right?" She arched an eyebrow. "I know...... Please?" I pleaded but she didn't bulgde and resumed what she was doing. "Fine. There is a hungry child outside who is in dire need of food and water." I explained. "What?" She gave me a quizzical look. "And she is obviously expecting me to come out with food right now." I elaborated. "Just buy her food then." She suggested. "Come on Linda. You know I can't. Please" I clasped my hands to plead. She sighed out in exasperation "Fine. Just this one time." She said sternly. "Yes ma'am" I saluted and she went to get me the lunch while mumbling to herself. A few seconds had passed and she came out from the storage room. "Here you go" she gave the lunch to me. "And remember this is the last time" She raised her index finger. "Yes I remember." I replied and went out of the kitchen area. I got out of the restaurant to see the little girl still on the bench swinging her legs, she looked up when she heard the doorbell ding and her eyes lit up seeing me. "Have it." I gave the food to her and she collected the food joyfully. She devoured the food, chewing hungrily. I opened the water bottle and made her drink. "Don't eat too fast or you will choke" I cautioned her. And she ate slowly. I looked at her bare feet and thought of what I could do. I brought out my cheap wallet from my back pocket and checked if I still had money. Luckily I had some money I ket aside from the one I deposited in the hospital. I checked my wrist watch to see if I still have enough time before my shift starts and I still had enough time. "Come on let's go get you something to wear on those foot of yours" I smiled and smoothed her hair with my hand. She looked at her feet and looked at me but said nothing. I took her hands in mine and we walked to the store that was just few blocks away from the restaurant. We entered the store and I took her to the footwear section to look for a flipflop her size. But the problem was I couldn't get her exact size. How would I know? She isn't even wearing a shoe to get a size number from. I had to call a staff to see if he could use his keen eyes to measure her foot. "Excuse me?" I called the male staff. "Yes ma'am, how I may help you?" He replied politely. "Erm..... Could you tell me the size of her shoe by looking at her foot?" I enquired He looked at her foot and looked back at me his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 'Hey! Mind ya biz okay? I am not a kidnapper.' I spat inwardly. "How old are you?" He asked her. 'shoot! Why didn't I think of asking her that? For an employee in a store how could it skip my mind?' And i realized that I do not even know her name. "8" she replied him. "Let's try size 12c and 13c then." He went to the flip flop rack and took out flip flops of the size range he mentioned. She slides her feet in the 12c and it fitted perfectly. "We will go with that one. Thank you." I concluded. I paid for the flip flop at the paying section and we left the store. We walked back to the restaurant because my shift would start in five minutes and I had to ring in before time. "Can you go back home by yourself?" I asked but she cringed when I mentioned home. 'doesn't she have a home?' I looked confused. 'judging from her appearance, what do you think?' My inner goddess interjected. But who would allow a child wander the street alone? What am I supposed to do now? "I will wait." She spoke. I was surprised to hear her speak because she had been giving me sign languages since I met her. "I will wait here for you" she said again. "No you can't wait here for six hours." I shook my head to show that I disagree with her. "I can" she pressed further. "No, you can't and you can't go in with me." The restaurant doesn't allow that. She pouted and bowed her head sadly. Then an idea popped in my idea. "How about you go to the park and I will come get you when I am done at work?" I suggested. She nodded frantically and went towards the park's direction. What are you doing Ariana? You don't even know whose child she is. I sighed and entered the restaurant to work my shift. I ringed out indicating that I was done with my shift. I said my goodbye to my co workers and made my way out of the restaurant. I got out and was greeted by the cool breeze of the evening. I stretched out my hands and body and suddenly I felt something tug at my pants. I almost freaked out but relaxed when I saw that it was the little girl from earlier. "Hey you." I smiled and bent to her level. "Didn't I say i'd pick you up?" I narrowed my eyes at her and tilted my head slightly. She said but giggled. "I forgot to get your name. What's your name?" I asked "Claire" she replied. "Nice name. I am Ariana." I introduced. "Can you find your house?" I enquired. She hesitated for a while and shook her head no. "You can't?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Do you have anyone's number?" I enquired further but she shook her head. "I will have to take you to the police station to help you find your home." I said and I saw her body go rigid. "Please no!" She shook her head frantically. " I don't want to go there." Her eyes welled up with tears. "The police will help you find your family." I insisted. "Please no. Don't let them find my house." Tears streamed down her face. "Take me anywhere but there." She shuddered. "Why?" I asked confused. "Where do you not want to go? The police or to your families" I couldn't help but to ask. "I don't want to go to any." She held my hand and tears wouldn't stop falling. I stood there thinking of what to do to the situation and I came to a conclusion to take her home with me. That's the best solution I could come up with. "I will take you home with me and tomorrow we will do something about your situation. Alright?" I suggested She agreed and I took her home with me. I just hope Aunt Matilda and Mercy doesn't freak out. Third Person's POV Ariana went home with the strange girl but unknown to her a sleek black car had been lurking around watching the both of them. "ma'am, she went home with the girl." A man in the car who wore dark shades said into the phone. "You can come back now." A feminine voice ordered from the other end. "Okay ma'am" The man said formally into the phone. He rolled up the car's window and drove off from there. ******* Paparan paparan?? There goes chapter one.???? How many of you are on your toes to find out what will happen next? Because I am on my toes too. Something big is coming to Ariana for helping the homeless child. It could be good or bad. But do you think it is bad to help a stranger? Drop ya thoughts beauties. Until later my loves??
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