Mr. President's Lost Wife

9. Mini Alice

The little girl widened her smile. "Do you mind? You don't need to worry, Sir. I'm still small. My body is as light as cotton candy. You won't get tired even if you carry me for an hour.”

Edmund sighed. He knew she wouldn't stop pestering him until she got what she wanted.

"Come here."

“Hooray!”

The little girl drew closer to Edmund. When she was in his arms, her mouth immediately opened wide.

"Wow! This is much cooler than I imagined. Did you see that, Mr. Beard? The water comes together in the middle!”

While the child admired the sight, Edmund secretly studied her face. The little girl turned out to have eyes as green as his. And for some reason, Edmund felt familiar seeing her.

"Satisfied?" Edmund asked about half a minute later.

The little girl laughed out loud. She clapped her hands, exclaiming in her adorable sweet voice. “This is truly a beautiful day! Chamarel Falls is really cool! I'm so lucky to see it.”

A second later, her tiny hands wrapped around Edmund's neck. “Thank you, Mister Beard. You have helped me make my dream come true. I will never forget your kindness. You have made me very happy today."

Feeling that warmth, Edmund fell into contemplation. His heart tingled with a strange sensation that made all his pain ignored.

Could it be because he hadn't had a hug in a long time? His body mistook the little child for Alice—the person he loved the most?

With stiff movements, Edmund patted her back. Without realizing it, his eyes started to fill with tears.

“Mister Beard, can you help me again with one thing?” The little girl moved her head away from Edmund's shoulder and put on a pitiful look.

Edmund blinked, shaking off his emotion. "What is it?"

“I see your camera is magical. It can print out photos in one shot. How about we take a photo together? If I save our picture, I can always remember your face. So, when we meet again, I will still be able to recognize you.”

Edmund was stunned to digest the sincere wish. Smiling faintly, he finally nodded. They took photos together with the help of other tourists before continuing their journey to Chamarel Seven Colored Earth.

“Mister Beard!” The little girl clapped her hands again when they arrived at a stretch of mounds that had faint gradations. Her laughter made the day seem brighter.

“Isn't this really cool? Look! That part is red, that is brown, gray, purple, yellow, greenish, and bluish!” She looked proud to be able to mention all the colors.

Edmund nodded to avoid an argument. “Yes, I heard that the color will be more visible if it's cloudy. It's a shame, the sun today is so dazzling."

“That's not a problem, Sir. We just have to narrow our eyes. The colors can be seen more clearly.”

The little girl demonstrated what she said. After that, she laughed again and took Edmund's hand.

“Mister Beard, before we meet the giant turtle, how about we rest and eat? I brought a lunch box. We can share if you don't mind.”

Edmund's eyebrows rose at the offer. Before he had time to respond, the toddler had already pulled him to a table under a giant straw umbrella. Secretly, he wondered what lunch the four-year-old kid could prepare.

“Come on, Mister Beard. Don't hesitate."

Edmund almost snorted with laughter when the toddler put chocolates and candies on the table.

"You ran away from the hotel and only took this as supplies?"

While tugging at the knot of the hoodie under her chin, the little girl blinked innocently.

“I also brought a bottle of water and milk. But I'll drink it later after I eat the chocolate. I'm starving. I couldn't eat much this morning because I was too tense. I'm afraid my mission here has failed. Luckily, I met you.”

Seeing her having difficulty untying the knot, Edmund moved to help.

“I wonder where your courage comes from. Next time, don't travel alone. Not everyone is as kind as me. You don't want your organs to be sold, right?”

As the little girl pouted, Edmund smiled wryly. "What? Do you want to argue?"

Her shoulders dropped slightly. "No. I think you're right. Next time, I must not run away from Mama and Papa.”

"Good. Now, would you like a hotdog and fries? It is much more filling than sweets and chocolate.”

The little girl widened her eyes. “I would like to, but I don't have much money with me.”

She patted the small pocket in her backpack. Edmund could hear the sound of coins hitting each other from inside.

“You don't need to pay. Let me treat you. Just consider this a reward for finding my wife's compass."

Edmund shrugged his shoulders awkwardly. He hadn't been that kind to anyone in a long time. Then, without further ado, he went to order food.

While waiting, Edmund watched the little girl from afar. He secretly smiled, seeing her having difficulty pulling her hair out from under the hoodie. But when the toddler succeeded, Edmund was amazed. He found the reason why her round face looked familiar.

The mysterious kid had dark brown curly hair. She was very similar to Alice's portrait as a child! She was a mini Alice!

Returning from the café, Edmund sat awkwardly. He placed the food he bought on the table. His eyes never left the toddler even for a second.

"This is your food."

The little girl was now busy drawing something in her book. She just nodded, not having time to glance.

“Thank you, Mister Beard. Just put it there. I will eat it after finishing my journal.”

A few moments later, she spinned the book to face Edmund and stretched out her arms.

“Tada! Thanks to your help, I managed to circle Chamarel Falls and Seven Colored Earth. Soon, all my wishes in Mauritius will be fulfilled. And look at this! I already put a note that I was able to get here because of you. Even though it's a little less similar, I will always remember that it's you."

Edmund didn't pay attention to the picture of a man the toddler was pointing at. He was too stunned by the twinkle in her eyes.

Her spirit was so similar to Alice's. Her remarks about Chamarel Falls, her adventurous spirit, and the way she filled her journal—there were too many similarities to be a coincidence.

"Matchstick, what were your parents' names?"

The little girl blinked, a little confused by the sudden change in topic. “Lucas and Rachel.”

“Their last names?”

“Palmer. Lucas Palmer and Rachel Palmer.”

"Those are their real names?" Edmund raised an eyebrow.

"Is there any fake names in this world? Why did you sound suspicious? I'm not lying, Mister Beard."

Edmund froze. He realized that his assumption was too ridiculous. How could Alice possibly get to Mauritius? Even if it was true that the little girl was his flesh and blood, could it be that easy for the universe to bring them together?