Cool like mommy

"What do we do now?" Aria asked. As soon as those words let her mouth her tummy started rumbling.

'Grrr'

Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment and she looked away. Adriana pinched her cheek and she chuckled. "Come on, we will go feed that little tummy of yours and then we will go to the another school." She offered and Aria nodded.

They had eaten food really early in the morning and it was a very light breakfast since both of them don't like to eat food in the early mornings. Usually their breakfast would turn into a brunch instead for that reason.

Adriana and Aria entered the car waiting for them outside the school. After instructing Ralf to where she wanted him to drive them next Adriana started going through her emails. She handed Aria her iPad and she started playing games on it.

"Ma'am." Ralf called out. "Hmm?" Adriana looked up at him. "I have a suggestion, if you allow me to voice it out..." He told her and Adriana nodded. "My nephew doesn't like going to places where there is other people so, we arranged him an online teacher. Basically there is a teacher video calls him and instructs him daily. It's almost like homeschool.

Since you will be busy with work these days, I was thinking we can have the Young Miss doing her school work while you work." Ralf explained.

Adriana glanced at Aria for her opinion. "Does that mean I can work beside mommy?" She asked and Ralf nodded with a warm smile. "Yes! yes! yes!" She responded.

Adriana gave it a thought but she wasn't sure because she wanted Aria to make friends. Since little she just hangs out with her brother at school and avoids making too much friends. The kids she talks to can be labeled as 'acquaintances.'

Adriana understood her perfectly since she too used to be a loner since she was smaller. Still, she wanted the best for her.

"I'll give it a thought. But for now we should still go to the other school." Adriana replied. Aria nodded obediently respecting her mother's decisions.

Her mother told her that she will always make decisions that are for her well being. Adriana had also once explained to her that those decisions might not always please her but that she had to be obedient. Knowing that this was probably one of those decisions she accepted it.

"Mom look!" Aria showed her the drawings she had made. Adriana turned to look at it and she smiled. "It's so pretty. My princess is very talented." She kissed her forehead, proud of the castle she had drawn.

"Of course I am!" She lifted her chin arrogantly.

"Pffft." Adriana was sure that her arrogance came from her father.

Looking at Aria's happy expressions, smiles,laughter and joyful actions made her relieved. She had been fearing that the familiar places would affect Aria's past trauma and bad memories. After all it is near this area that she had been under the care of Mrs.Garcia. The so called 'kind' woman who adopted Aria and 'took care' of her.

Thinking about what her baby girl had been through always made her furious. If only she had been strong enough....

If she had not blacked out after her birth maybe there could have been some changes. But back then she was so helpless. She looked out the window and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and let the dark memories sink in.

She could hear her own painful cries so clearly. The memories were so clear for her. Every time she would imagine the scenario in her mind it would feel so fresh and recent on her mind. It was as if it all had happened a few seconds ago and not 7 years before.

That day she would have probably died if she didn't have the will to survive for her children. Those 8 months were the most horrifying, traumatic experience in her entire life. Not even her loneliness as a child in that cold, lifeless orphanage could compete with it.

She opened her eyes with a jolt and she snapped back to reality. The reality is that it's in the past. There is no need for her to go through that again. The present is her children by her side...

She smiled and continued with her work.

Ralf sighed when he saw Adriana's complexion. If only he had been there by her side!

But he had no idea who to be loyal to or who to serve back then. He wasn't even aware that the daughter of his master was alive. He never even knew of her existence until a few years ago when Adriana started her change and growth to lead a path of revenge.

He pursed his lips.

"Ma'am, we have arrived." he announced.

"Alright, did you have your lunch yet?" Adriana asked. "I did." He nodded his head.

"Hmm, what about the preparations for our new household?" She asked. "It will take a bit longer then expected. You will have to stay in the hotel for another 4 nights unfortunately...." He responded.

"Okay, can you prepare for us a new hotel room with a kitchen? Aria prefers meals prepared by me."

Aria nodded at her words, showing that what her mother said was correct.

"Of course." Ralf nodded and bowed respectfully, opening the doors for them.

Adriana took the hand he offered and came out with her shades on. Aria put on her glasses because 'she wanted to look cool like mommy.'

Just like her mother, she took the hand Ralf handed her and landed on the ground with a small leap. She gave Ralf a small nod and her face turned aloof just like her mother's. She ran with her little legs to catch up with her mother. And held her hand. Adriana gripped it and smiled, guiding her towards the restaurant.

Ralf shook his head with a laugh and closed the car door. His eyes darkened in anger when he saw a car speeding up their way. His first thought 'Protect the Madam and her daughter.'

Thankfully the car stopped right on time and Adriana already had Aria behind her holding onto her protectively.

The car stopped with a loud squeal, instantly calling the attention of the people around them.

Aria held her mother's hand bravely. Her heart was racing quickly because she thought they would be run over.

The door of the car opened and a handsome man with a mask and glasses came out. "What the- did you forget how to drive?!" He yelled and walked towards them to apologize quickly.

The person in the driver's seat exited with a dumbstruck expression. She gulped and walked out.

"Is it really you?" She asked.

Adriana furrowed her eyebrows. "For our first meeting, don't you think trying to run over us is a bit....excessive?" She remarked and the woman laughed with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Yeah...It's really you."