Chapter 1

"Your life will anew," Mrs Denver said as we watched a black BMW pull to a halt in front of the gate.

I still can’t believe the fact that someone out there is willing to adopt me- I’d been told children who don’t get adopted by the age of ten risk not getting adopted at all but here I am, about to be shipped off to someplace.

Fifteen years in the orphanage has made me quite used to the life there and even though we’re given our freedom at eighteen, Fefe and I planned to still stay at the orphanage; probably apply to work as one of the staff.

I’ll miss everyone; the laughs, the cries, shouts and even curfew. I don’t know what my future holds now, everything became confusing the moment I was informed that I was going to be adopted.

Every plan I had with Fefe is in a zone of limbo. I couldn’t say no because there’s some other poor kid who needs to take my space in the orphanage. Some other kid who has nowhere to go, It’d be selfish of me to say no.

I promised to visit every weekend because the memories I have here are too precious to let go of.

Here I am, standing on the exact spot I was dropped off by a woman with blonde hair. I’d begged Mrs Denver to show me the CCTV footage of the day I was dropped off.

The skinny looking woman had a veil that covered half of her face, it was hard to tell what she looks like. The woman tucked barely five months old me well before walking away without looking back. I’m grateful to Mrs Denver for taking care of me for fifteen years, I hope I love the world out there.

A man came out of the BMW coming towards us.

‘’ Afternoon Mr West’’ Mrs Denver acknowledged him.

‘‘Afternoon Mrs Denver’’ He said while they shake hands.

‘Your life will begin anew’ was what Mrs Denver said and now I know what she meant. Mrs Denver watched as we leave in the BMW.

********************

The car swerved to a halt in a massive compound after a long ride.

I alighted from the BMW watching the environment in awe of its beauty, fifteen years in the orphanage, there is really nothing much to see. As far as I know, Mrs Denver told me that Mr West owns a real estate company. He sells mansions, lands, commercial buildings, residential buildings, industrial buildings and resorts- he is divorced and he has a daughter.

‘ Let us go inside ‘ Mr West beckoned

The driver helped me with the items of luggage while we walked inside

‘Sandy?‘ he called out

A lady whom I instantly assumed to be the housekeeper emerged from a room.

"Welcome Mr West," she said

‘Where is Lucy? ’He asked

‘She left with Emily to a birthday party an hour ago ’ she said

‘Ok, Please show Sophie to her room and help her with her items of Luggage ‘ he said.

‘Follow me ‘ she ushered

We left the living room and went upstairs.

‘Here is your room next to Ms Lucy's room’ she said with courtesy

I simply replied with a nod before pushing the door open. OMG!!!

My room is nothing like that in the orphanage. The bed is a king's size and furnishings befitting for a princess.

I instantly room love everything about the room plus I have never seen a room as big as this before. I arranged my clothes in the wardrobe, took my bath and relaxed on my bed still admiring it. I hear a knock on my door and stood up to open it.

‘Mr West calls for you downstairs’ she said

‘I’ll be there in a minute ‘ I replied

She left and I head downstairs.

I saw Mr sitting down on a sofa in the living room.

‘Do you like your room?’ He asked

‘yes, I do’

He brings out a package and opens it.

An iPhone stared right out the packed box.

‘I figured the first thing you'll need is a smartphone. If you have any problem I’ve saved mine, Lucy and Sandy’s contact on it so you can call any of us. Sandy will also put you through on how to operate it” he said

‘thank you sir’ I thanked him.

I've never had a phone in my entire life. Children at the orphanage were only allowed to operate a very old desktop three days a week.

‘You can call me dad “

I hesitated. Calling him dad sounded too soon.

‘I need to be somewhere, remember, if you need anything you can call Sandy, she will help you" he said for the umpteenth time.

‘ok’

I wanted to wave at him but he hugged me instead and left.

*********

I played some games, got tired and stepped out of my room.

I decided to take a stroll around the compound and informed Sandy in case Mr West asks as regards my whereabouts.

I saw the swimming pool, the orphanage has one and heaven knows I was always afraid of getting inside the water.

Truthfully, I was afraid of getting drowned.

I strolled past the wide and naively scented garden and was making my way to the park by the gate when I heard a strange noise coming from the trash can.

I moved closer to see what is making the noise and saw a guy. From where I stood, he’s 5.9 feet tall in height , muscular looking which means he’s either a gym rat or sporty in nature. He has dark brown hair spiralling down the length of his cheeks and face like that of Adonis.

I didn't get the chance to fully access him before he abruptly turned to face me with a cold stare.

‘Whatcha looking at?’ he said furiously

‘sorry, I was just ………’

‘save it ‘ he said and left angrily

Quite rude, I mean I didn’t do anything wrong. My feet got tired and I went back inside.

Getting inside, I see two girls chit-chatting, laughing, one has blonde hair and the other has brown hair.

Mr West is watching the news on the plasma. When did he get back? And how come I didn't see him drive in? Could there be another entry I don't know of?

He notice my presence and called out immediately.

‘Lucy!’ he arrested the attention of one of the girls.

‘let me introduce you to someone important ‘ he said

The girl with the blonde hair came closer

‘what is that dad?’ she said

‘Emily, you should head home’ he said to the girl with the brown hair.

I guess the girl with the blonde hair is the daughter of Mr West, Lucy and the girl with the brown hair is her best friend, Emily.

Mr West already gave me the brief.

‘yes, I will be on my way, bye Lucy"

The girls hug each other before Emily's exit.

‘so dad what were you saying?’ she asked

‘I want you to meet…….’

Sandy came to the living room

‘dinner’s ready ‘ she announced

‘let talk about it while we eat dinner

She finally noticed my presence

‘huh, dad, who is she?’ she asked

‘Dinner?’ he looked at the both of us

‘ok’ I said

We got to the dining table and started eating.

‘Lucy, I’d like you to meet someone, your sister"

Lucy choked on her food, she drank water

‘what? what do you mean?’

‘I got her adopted today so I hope the both of you get along’ he said while he take a bite out of his chicken sauce

‘my sister?’ she said confused

She stood up and left the dining table angrily, Mr West followed her.

I followed them but i didn’t go inside Lucy’s room. Call it bad etiquette but I couldn't help eavesdropping on their conversation.

‘dad, what do you mean by my sister?, am I not enough for you, you didn’t inform me that you wanted to adopt her before you adopted her?’ she said angrily

‘I am sorry, I wanted you to be surprised, I already adopted her so you have to accept her and stop being a drama queen, ok?’

‘dad?’

‘no, let’s end this discussion here’ he said

I went back to the dining table to continue my food, Mr West came out with a little frown.

‘Sophie, you need to go bed early, you are going to start school tomorrow’ he said

I took off from the dining.

‘good night sweetie’

He pecked me on my head

‘night Mr West"

I went to my room, took a shower, brushed my teeth, and went to bed.

I think Lucy doesn’t like me, maybe it will take a little while for her to adjust.

I will just give her time and on that note, I sleep off.