We're The Hansleys

Chapter 2: When Everything Went Wrong

A seven-year-old Sheila woke up to the sound of the birds chirping outside her window. She rubbed her eyes as she let out a yawn. It’s morning, a beginning of new day. But is it really a new day when she knows that nothing new will happen today? She sighed.

“Maybe I should just accept the fact that my life is now boring and I’m gonna grow up with the grown ups.” She told herself while getting out of bed

She walked towards the door of her bedroom, and when she opened it, Alexander and Harry were there with a little girl that she doesn’t know.

“Surprise!” Her father was visibly excited

“… Surprise?” She doesn’t understand what’s happening

“Sheila, this is Denielle.” Alexander introduced her adopted daughter. “From now on, she’s your sister.”

“Hi!” Denielle waved her hand

Meanwhile, Sheila is still processing everything.

“You said on your graduation day that you want at least one friend, so I got you someone.” Her father explained

“You listened to my request?” Sheila asked, and Alexander nodded with a smile

Sheila showed her smile too. She walked to her father and gave him a warm embrace. Maybe this day will be different after all. With that in mind, she turned to Denielle.

“I have a dollhouse. Do you want to play?”

“Yes!” Denielle happily responded

“After breakfast, I assume?” Harry joined the conversation

“Right! I have to feed Smokey first before playing.” Denielle said

“Smokey? Who is he?” Sheila intrigued

“He’s my cat.”

“Oh, cool! Can I pet him?”

“Sure. He’s really friendly.”

The nice coversation of the two girls kept on going. Alexander felt proud of himself for bringing the two together.

“They seem to be getting along.” Harry commented

The two adults followed the girl as they watch them talk to each other. One feels satisfied and relieved, while the other one is worried.

“I told you, this is a great idea.” Alexander replied. “I don’t know why you’re so worried about this.”

“Maybe. Or maybe not. Who knows?” Harry shrugged

“Is it because of Denielle? Do you think she’s a bad person?”

“Not at all, Sir.”

“Then what’s bothering you?”

“Well… If you’re right that this is a great idea, then you won’t need to know. But, if I’m right, then you’ll know sooner or later.”

For a whole month, Alexander believed that he was right. However, when he decided to celebrate Denielle’s 1st month of being his daughter by having a family dinner with all their staff, things turned downside pretty quick.

“I would like to give a toast.” He announced while they were eating

“I think it’s better to use the word ‘speech’ instead of ‘toast’ sir, since we’re celebrating for a kid.” Harry noted

Alexander simply chuckled. He’s too happy at the moment.

“When I first saw Denielle at the orphanage, my initial thought was that she’s different from other kids there. She’s much matured than them.” He started. “And guess who’s also a matured kid? Sheila.”

Everything was going well. Everyone has a smile on their faces, even Harry.

“That’s when I concluded that Denielle would be a perfect friend for Sheila. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. A little girl and her cat needs a home, and my daughter has been complaining that she wants a friend. Bring them together, and everyone gets what they want. I give an orphan a home, and she gives my daughter a friend. Now miserable lives including mine are less miserable!” He said that as a joke, but he's the only one that laughed. He’s influenced by alcohol, that must be why he worded that really bad. Even himself could tell, as the smiles on everyone’s faces started to fade. But still, he cleared his throat and raised his glass. “To Denielle Hansley.”

The toast ended and silence filled the event. It would’ve been better if the silence stayed, because Sheila was the one who broke it.

“Were you only being nice to me because dad asked you to?” She asked directly to Denielle

“Not really, he-”

“Oh wait, let me rephrase the question; were you only being friends with me because my father paid you and Smokey a big house?”

“Sheila, that’s not-"

“I’m not talking to you, dad.” Alexander wanted to clear the misunderstanding, but Sheila cut him off. “Actually, you know what? I think I don’t want to talk with any of you for a while. You all probably know about this.”

With that, she walked out and went upstairs to her bedroom. Now silence is back, but not for long, because another kid broke it.

“When you kept on talking about how Sheila and I are such a match, I didn’t know it was literally your only purpose for adopting me.” Denielle’s eyes started to get watery as she spoke the words. “I was in the orphanage ever since I was an infant. My parents didn’t want me, and no one wanted adopt a kid that’s not all smiley and energetic. I stopped joining the others in meeting parents who want to adopt. I know I won't be chosen, so why bother?”

No one dared to speak a word. Everyone was silent as they let Denielle speak.

“When you said that you wanted to adopt me, I thought you really wanted me to be your daughter.” A tear ran down on Denielle’s cheek while she’s looking at Alexander. “I was obviously wrong. You only wanted me to befriend Sheila.”

The atmosphere turned all gloomy and sad. Denielle’s story is melting everyone’s heart. Harry was only thinking of Sheila about the situation, but Denielle just won a soft spot on his heart.

“I’m sorry for everything you went through, Denielle.” Alexander couldn’t defend himself after hearing Denielle’s story

“Well, I’m also sorry that your purpose for me didn’t work out. I’ll make it up to you with other things.” She said and turned her back, but she says some few words before finally leaving. “You should apologize to Sheila as well, I know that she’s feeling terrible.”

“I think we’re all feeling terrible.” Harry stated when Denielle was no longer in sight

Alexander sighed. “Okay Harry, you can now say the words ‘I told you so!’ and slap it in my face that I was wrong.”

“Doing that won’t make anyone feel better. You know what would? Apology.” Harry answered

Alexander paused as he just hit a realization. The business person in him is taking over.

“No, I think this is great.” He said, which made Harry confused. “Let them be consumed by their emotions tonight, so that they’ll be a tougher person tomorrow.”

“They’re kids, sir.”

“It’s never too early to learn and grow.” He shook his head. “And I should learn to be tougher too. Being nice brought us to this situation. I wanted to do Sheila’s request, then boom, this happened.”

“You didn’t exactly do her request.”

“But, I’m going to see this positively.” Alexander wasn’t listening. “Because this happened, Sheila will learn to be independent and she’ll be more careful on who to trust. And Denielle, she’s going to be a hardworker because she just learned that nothing in this life is free, and that when people do something that seems nice, there’s a motive behind it. They’ll be both cautious on who to trust.”

“Sir, that kid already went through hell!” Harry screamed, but Alexander didn’t even budge

That means his words are final and no one can change that. Harry accepted that fact immediately, but he silently swore on himself that he’ll always be there for the girls.