The police officers reviewed the CCTV footage, but disappointingly, they found no useful footage that could shed light on the incident.
The incident at the joint auction event, organized by several orphanages in the city to raise funds for children's education, added a somber note to the charity effort. Representatives from the participating orphanages were now dealing with the aftermath, trying to process the unexpected turn of events while also ensuring the charity's goals remained the focus.
With her volunteer duties completed and everything wrapped up, Luzella felt a sense of satisfaction knowing the auction event had come to a close. However, the unsettling events that transpired lingered in her mind, leaving her wondering about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the incident.
As Luzella prepared to leave, she bid farewell to some of the other volunteers, wrapping up her time at the event. With her work done, she departed the venue, heading back to her orphanage as the evening's somber events lingered in her thoughts.
As she arrived at the serene orphanage, surrounded by lush greenery and the warm glow of night lights, Luzella exchanged warm greetings with some of the staff and children as she made her way to her room, the weariness of the evening's events beginning to catch up with her.
After a refreshing bath, Luzella changed into comfortable clothes and settled in for the night, feeling grateful that she had eaten dinner at the auction event earlier, saving her the trouble of a late-night meal. As she slipped under the covers, her mind replayed the evening's events, and her thoughts drifted back to Alaric. She remembered the way he had leaned against a tree, absently playing with a lighter in his hand, his eyes distant. And then her thoughts shifted to the moment he had grabbed her hand, his touch sending a spark through her. The memory of his firm grip and the warmth of his hand lingered, as her thoughts fading into darkness she drifted off to sleep.
In the blink of an eye, morning had arrived, and Luzella woke up to the gentle light peeking through the windows of the orphanage. She stretched, feeling the softness of the bed, and yawned, letting out a quiet sigh. As she sat up, her gaze wandered around the familiar room, slowly coming to life.
After freshening up, she made her way to the dining hall, the aroma of freshly baked bread and porridge wafting through the corridors, mingling with the chatter of the younger children. As she entered the hall, she was greeted by the cheerful faces of her little sisters and brothers, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
They eagerly made space for her at the long wooden table, and Luzella smiled, taking her seat beside them. The breakfast spread was simple but hearty porridge, bread, and fruit, and the children dug in with gusto, their laughter and conversation filling the room.
With breakfast over, Luzella helped the younger children tidy up the dining hall before heading to the study room. As she had done the day before, she assisted them with their lessons, patiently guiding them through their reading, writing, and arithmetic exercises. The children's faces lit up as they grasped new concepts, and Luzella's encouragement and praise boosted their confidence. As the morning wore on, the sound of scratching pens, murmurs, and occasional bursts of laughter filled the room.
During the lunch break, Luzella seized the opportunity to return the call from her best friend, who had reached out while she was engrossed in teaching the children. She stepped into a quiet room, the peacefulness of a welcome respite from the morning's activities. She dialed her friend's number, When her friend answered, Luzella's face lit up with a smile.
"Aw, Luz, I'm really sorry I wasn't there to welcome you back," her friend said, sounding remorseful. "I had a sudden trip to another city and I couldn't get back. But I'm all wrapped up here now and I'll be home tomorrow. I'll come over to you and we can hang out, I've got so much to tell you and I'm dying to hear all about your time abroad." Her friend rattled on nonstop.
Luzella listened patiently, a warm smile on her face as her friend chattered on without stopping, barely pausing for breath. She laughed and interjected "No worries, Sophie. I totally get it." She said reassuringly. "I'm glad you're done with your work early."
"I know my sweetheart will understand my situation," her friend said, her tone infused with a deep trust followed by a gentle inquiry, "What are you doing now?"
Luzella chatted with her friend Sophie over the phone sometime, as Sophie regaled her with stories about her latest work trip.
Just like Luzella, Sofiya grew up in an orphanage from infancy. She was placed in the orphanage after her parents died in an accident. Years later, she was adopted by a loving family, but her bond with Luzella remained strong.
After wrapping up her call, Luzella finished her lunch and continued to help the children days lessons in the afternoon
As the evening classes came to a close, Luzella bid farewell to the little ones and headed to her room in the orphanage to freshen up. She had been looking forward to organizing her documents for the interview she was scheduled to attend in two days. Just as she was about to start, there was a knock on her door. It was one of the sisters from the orphanage, who informed Luzella that someone had come to see her.
Luzella's brows furrowed in confusion. 'Who could it be?' Sophie was supposed to come tomorrow, so, wondering who it might be, Luzella made her way to meet the person.
Luzella's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the unexpected visitor. It's the stranger she had met twice.