CHAPTER 43: THE PROMISE

The whole orphanage was in jumble when men in black started to get out from their cars. There were at least 7 SUV cars parked outside. 25 men were standing straight waiting for an old man to come out. Oh, he was not that old actually. Maybe a middle-aged man. He stood like a king. Children were hiding from him. They feared him.

"I'm here to see a young boy." He told the priest.

"Please come in." He invited him inside his office. "We have a lot of boys in here. Do you have a name in particular?" The priest asked.

"The name is Ethan." The man answered.

"We have 3 Ethan in the orphanage at the moment. Wait, I'll get their documents." The priest asked her secretary to bring their profiles then he handed it to the man.

"Master Omni, here are their profiles." Mr. Williams scrutinized them one after the other.

"I want to see this boy." He showed the picture.

After a while, they bought Ethan before him. He was definitely his flesh and blood. He had the blood of Saphiro Williams flowing in him.

"He is my grandson. I want to take him with me right now." It was rather a command, not a statement.

Ethan creased a brow. 'What's happening? Who is this man who claims to be his grandfather? And he wants to take him now? No way!'

"No! I don't know you! I will never go with you!" Ethan yelled then he ran out of the office. He ran towards the lake side.

The man was stunned. Unknowingly, Erika was at the door when they were having their conversation. She heard everything. 'Does that mean that they will have to separate ways? He is Ethan's grandpa? It looks like he is a rich man.' Erika observed.

"It seems like Ethan was surprised of your sudden visit. I think it's better to give him some more time." The priest uttered.

"No! I don't want to come back tomorrow. I want to get out in this place with my grandson!" Master Omni yelled. The staffs were afraid.

"Hey old man! You're scaring the people here and your own grandson! If you want to take him then try to be gentle!" Erika yelled from the door with her arms crossed.

'What a brave girl she is!'

"What the--!? Hey you little girl, this is not your business!" He yelled at her but she never batted an eyelid. She was fearless.

"It is my business since he is my best friend! Do you think he will go with you with that kind of attitude? You'll scare the hell out of him!" She was yelling back at him

Master Omni's men were stunned as well as the staffs of the orphanage. She was definitely fearless. They tried to tame her but to no avail.

"And what are you trying to tell me young girl?" Master Omni asked.

"Don't force him all of the sudden. Just come back tomorrow." She was irritated.

"And why should I do that?" He raised a brow.

"You scared him! At least give him time to process everything." She suggested.

Master Omni was thinking. This little girl had some guts. Her courage at a very young age would definitely lead her somewhere, he thought. He smiled suddenly.

"Okay young lady, I'll take your words today. But promise this old man that you will convince him, okay?" He was smiling at her while patting her head. The little girl sneered.

His men and the staffs of the orphanage saw how the situation turned upside down. Just who was this young girl anyway to command Master Omni?

"We will come back tomorrow then." After a minute, Master Omni went back to the car. His personal assistant was dumbfounded. He looked at the little girl in awe.

After the old man with the men in black exited the place, Erika went out to find Ethan. She found him sitting near the lake.

"Hey!" Erika greeted him. He didn't speak, he only look up. "I saw your grandpa earlier. I was able to talk to him. He seemed like a good old man though." She continued.

"How'd you even know that?" He asked in an uninteresting way. Erika sat beside him then she smiled at him. "He looked like a monster." Erika laughed at his description.

"I just know." Ethan was silent for some time.

"I don't want to go with him." He said.

"But why?"

"I--I don't know him. Also, I don't want to leave you here. We made a promise right?" Erika suddenly hit his head.

"Don't be stupid! You should be thankful that you still have your grandpa with you who wants to take care of you. You must take that chance!" Erika scolded him. He was silent.

"You have a better future with him." She added.

"But how about our promise? To grow together and be with each other for the rest of our lives?" Ethan reminded her.

"Let God decide that for us. But as for you, you must go with your grandpa tomorrow and pursue your dream. Be the man that no one can bully anymore." Ethan frowned but smiled a little.

"Your right, I have to be strong so I could protect you." Ethan always admired her. She thought like an adult already.

"Yes! That's right!" They laughed together.

"Then let's make a promise that we will find each other someday!" Ethan raised his finger for a pinky promise.

"Okay, I promise!" She smiled as they made a pinky promise.

The day came for them to say goodbye. The old man came and showed Ethan a picture of her mom and dad. He finally believed him. But before he totally left the orphanage he left something for Erika.

"Take this," he handed her an infinity anklet, "my mom gave this to me, but I am going to leave this to you now. Keep it until the day we meet again." Erika smiled.

Erika removed the butterfly bracelet in her wrist and handed it to Ethan.

"Then keep this too. My mom gave this to me, keep this until the day we meet again." She repeated what Ethan said earlier. They hugged each other then bid goodbyes.

"I will definitely find you Erika." Ethan murmured when he left the orphanage with his grandpa.