April
I swear I was not expecting this kind of massive twist.
Sister Mary happened to be Javier Sanchez’s niece.
I was on my way to the orphanage when Abigail and Javier offered to give me a lift in their car.
They had decided to make a big visit out of it, buying a huge pile of gifts for the kids and the sisters at the orphanage to celebrate their wedding.
The moment those two exchanged formal greetings, I was standing right there, completely too stunned to speak. It felt like a sudden revelation crashing down on me.
I didn’t say anything out loud. I just quietly moved away, heading toward the garden section where the kids were always waiting for me to sit down and read them a book.
I also noticed that I hadn’t seen Benny around anywhere today.
She usually arrived long before me.
Before even stepping into the garden, I heard the clear sounds of children singing cheerful rhymes, mixed with someone skillfully playing a guitar.
When I finally reached the garden, all the children were sitting neatly in a wide circle around a lady wearing a black leather jacket, strumming a guitar.
I stood near the path and watched as they sang along with her. When the song finally came to an end, one of the little boys caught sight of me standing by the entrance.
"Everyone, the storyteller has arrived!" he announced at the top of his lungs.
Every single kid turned toward me at once and shouted, "Yay!"
A bunch of them stood up and came running straight over to wrap their arms around me in a warm hug.
"Welcome, Auntie! We missed you so much!"
"I missed you big time!"
"We’ve been waiting for you all day!"
"Did you bring the baloon bear with you today?"
So many high-pitched voices came at me all at once that I didn’t even know who to respond to first. I just kept smiling down at their adorable faces, patting their heads.
"Okay, that’s enough running around, children. Go back and sit down and let’s finish our song," a cool voice called out.
I lifted my head and looked directly at the stunning Alpha.
She had a sharp black, grown-out curly mullet. Her entire hairstyle looked like something straight out of a famous rock band from the 70s.
The kids quickly ran back to their tiny chairs.
"Hi, I’m CJ." She extended her hand straight out to me with a calm, confident posture.
I reached out and shook her hand, my eyes momentarily fixed on her pierced side labret and the sleek silver piercing right in the middle of her nostrils.
"I’m April Morningstar."
"Morningstar... You are from one of the most powerful, influential families in this entire country." Her hand was still holding mine in a steady handshake.
Curse that name. It followed me everywhere I went.
I just kept smiling, hiding my annoyance behind a polite expression, and then I finally broke the handshake to step back.
"So you’re the famous Ms. April they’ve been talking about all morning. You’re even more beautiful in person. I’m really so happy to meet you."
"Thank you," I replied gently.
"I’m their regular music teacher," CJ explained, shifting the guitar strap on her shoulder. "I come here twice a month to teach them music, play songs, and run fun games."
"That is so sweet of you. I actually think I’ve heard Benny talk about you once or twice."
"Oh, you know Benny?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with genuine curiosity.
"Yes, I do. She’s the main reason I started coming here, but I can’t find her anywhere today."
"She left a little while ago to run some errands, but she’ll definitely be back here tomorrow. If you’re coming tomorrow, that is..." She paused and looked me up and down with an appreciative glance. "Nice dress, by the way."
I couldn’t help but smile at the smooth way she talked. She had a naturally charming, smooth voice, and I couldn’t bring myself to dislike her energy.
So together, we spent the afternoon playing with the children.
When it finally came time for our reading session, CJ turned the entire book into a live song, strumming her guitar along with the sentences.
I felt a tiny splash of silly jealousy that she was taking my usual storyteller spot, but I quickly brushed it off. The kids were laughing and happy, so I was happy too.
While Javier was inside the main building busy discussing official matters with the Sisters, Abigail came outside to join us on the grass.
"So, who is this giant bear the kids keep bringing up?" Abigail asked, leaning against a tree as she watched the chaotic games.
"It’s Angel," I explained with a small laugh. "She was here a few days ago for a birthday party, so she dressed up as a giant mascot bear to play with the kids."
Abigail immediately burst out laughing, shaking her head in total disbelief.
"You have to be mistaken. Angel was actually here, playing around with kids? Actual human kids?"
"You don’t believe me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her reaction because her facial expression said it all.
"Obviously not," Abigail said, still chuckling. "That girl is completely terrified of children. She literally calls them annoying little ants."
"Yeah, I know she mentioned that, but she actually overcame her fear that day."
"What on earth did you promise her April?" Abigail pressed, leaning closer. "Because Angel would never do something like that unless you promised her something she really, deeply wanted."
I didn’t say anything back to that because, deep down, she was somehow completely right.
"Oh no! The evil queen has poisoned the princess! We need a true love’s kiss to save her life right now!" one of the kids suddenly shouted across the lawn.
They were in the middle of a dramatic roleplay game with CJ, who was lying flat on the grass acting as the poisoned princess.
Abigail immediately joined in on the chaos, acting completely dramatic.
"She’s going to die right here! April, kiss her right now and marry her to save the kingdom!"
I giggled as I knelt down on the grass, leaning over CJ to play along with the children’s game. I gently pressed my lips against her cheek to wake the princess up.
CJ slowly opened her eyes, sat up, and gave me a playful look. "I swear I refused when they asked. I said no a dozen times, but somehow, I ended up being cast as the sleeping princess."
She sat up fully, brushing the grass off her jacket. "Wow, you’re a really good kisser."
CJ smiled the exact moment.....
Looking straight into that smooth smile instantly reminded me of someone I didn’t wish to think about right now.
And just like that, she was stuck right on my mind again.
We continued the playful drama, turning all the stories from the children’s books into fun little live performances until the sun began to set.
Then the Sisters came outside to announce that an evening outdoor dinner would be held right here in the garden for everyone.
While we were all helping to set the long tables, someone arrived....
I stopped setting down the plates and turned my head toward that person’s annoying face..
I just wondered why on earth she was standing here right now.
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