Chapter 332 - Deborah Esteban

Viona, who was now called Anji in the Village of Elora, put on a blanket for her mother who had just slept lovingly on her bed. She tidied up the thick blanket to wrap her body. 

"Mother, why have you been daydreaming? What are you thinking of?" Viona asked softly. 

"I'm thinking of destiny, the beautiful destiny that brought our meeting, child," replied Mrs. Deborah softly. The fine lines on her twilight face became clearer when she smiled. 

"Destiny," Viona said slowly. 

"Yes, that night I didn't know what made me so eager to tidy up the old files so that I found Maria's letter that finally brought me to meet you, my child," said Mrs. Deborah softly while touching Viona's beautiful face, which looked fresher with her short hair. 

Viona's eyes glistened at her words. She then kissed respectfully on Mrs. Deborah's hand which was wrinkled due to age. 

"I'm very grateful to Adam and you, Mom. If I didn't meet you that night, maybe I'm now ..." 

"Hush! Don't talk about bad thing. Everything that happened has been planned by God in a very beautiful way. So don't talk about bad things anymore, the important thing is that now I have fulfilled Maria's wish to look after you, child," said Mrs. Deborah, cutting off Viona's words while placing her index finger in front of Viona's lips.

"Yes, Mom, I know, thank you again, Mom, for accepting me," Viona said stammering, hugging her mother tightly. 

In front of the door, Adam Morgan, who had taken off his oversized doctor's coat, seemed to be trying to hold back his tears from falling. In his hands he was carrying a tray containing a bowl of asparagus soup he just brought for the mother with a bottle of medicine that Mrs. Deborah drank regularly. 

"Excuse me…" Adam said in a loud voice, acting as if he didn't hear what Viona and his mother had just talked about. 

"Adam," Viona panicked, she immediately wiped the tears that wet her cheeks. 

"You, you're a daughter, but I'm the one who cooked for Mom," said Adam fiercely, pretended to be angry as he put his homemade asparagus soup on the nightstand beside Mrs. Deborah's bed. 

Viona only winced at what her brother's words. She slowly scratched her hair that was not itchy, just like a child who was caught stealing candy. Seeing Viona's behavior made Mrs. Deborah beat Adam's arm slowly. 

"Don't tease your sister, she was accompanying me here," said Mrs. Deborah softly in response to Adam's words. 

"Ah, Mom, you always defending her. I'm also your child, Mom," Adam said sulking.

"I don't defend anyone, son. You two are my children, so I will treat you fairly. Moreover, if I die, you have to ..."

"Mom! Don't talk like that," screamed Viona and Adam together. 

Mrs. Deborah smiled at the behavior of her two children. She then opened her arms wide, asking Viona and Adam to come to her arms. Lovingly, Mrs. Deborah hugged Viona and Adam who were beside her right and left. 

"You have to remember one thing, even if you are not blood related, you are brother and sister. Brother and sister must look after, love and protect each other no matter what. As the eldest in this orphanage, I hope you two can set an example for your younger siblings," said Mrs. Deborah softly as she stroked Viona and Adam's hair.

"Yes, Mom, I know," Viona replied softly with a hoarse voice.

"I understand, Mom, for that you have to be there with us. You will live long, we will continue to look after this orphanage together," Adam added to Viona's words.

"I think if I'm to die now I'm ready. Having the two of you here makes me calm. I won't be sad anymore to leave you children, I won't …"

"Mom, I told you not to talk like that. You will live a long life, so don't talk like that," screamed Viona with tears streaming down her face. 

"I won't allow you to go, you will continue to be with us here. So you don't talk like that anymore, Mom. Now you eat Adam's soup and take the medicine, and after that you have a rest, Mom," Adam said quietly as he got up from the bed and sat on the chair next to the bed. 

Viona immediately got up following the steps of her brother. She then helped her mother to get up to have dinner. Viona painstakingly fed her mother. Adam just smiled seeing his mother was served well by Viona. Soon after, Adam's bowl of asparagus soup was finished. Viona wiped her mother's lips with a napkin, while Adam immediately gave her the medicine that must be taken after dinner. Mrs. Deborah had a history of coronary heart disease, so she had to take medication to help her stay afloat with two rings attached to her heart. After taking the medicine, Mrs. Deborah fell asleep because of the effects of the medicine she was taking. Viona covered her with a blanket slowly. She then left her mother's room and walked out to Adam who was waiting for her at the door. 

"Come with me, Anji," Adam said quietly. 

"Where to?" asked Viona curiously. 

"Wait for me in the back, let me put this tray first in the kitchen," Adam replied quickly. 

Viona nodded her head slowly. She then walked to the back door and sat on a chair on the balcony behind. The view behind the Love Orphanage was directly facing the lake. 

"This is your medicine, Anji," Adam said quietly as he handed a menstrual reliever to Viona who was already sitting on the chair. 

"Adam ..." 

"It's the 15th, don't you have your period every 16th of the month?" Adam said quietly as he sat on the chair next to Viona and placed two cups of hot tea on the table. 

Viona held the medicine given by Adam. It had been ten months she had always been tortured every month. She could even roll around on the bed while menstruating. 

"Thank you, Adam," said Viona quietly. 

Adam nodded his head slowly while enjoying the tea he made. 

"How is your job today, Anji?" Adam asked slowly changing the conversation. Viona was always sad when she remembered her period. 

"It was okay, Adam. There are not too many restaurant visitors like yesterday. So I'm not too tired," Viona replied with a smile.

"That's good, if you're tired of working in a restaurant, just let me know, Anji," said Adam briefly.

"No, Adam, I like working in a restaurant," said Viona quickly. 

This was the sixth restaurant she worked at, because while working at her previous restaurants, she was always harassed by her bosses. This became one of the biggest problems for her, who had difficulty finding work, because she did not have any identity. Therefore, she could only work in places where a diploma was not needed. But the problem was that every time she worked in a new place, her superiors always bothered her, because they were fascinated by Viona's beauty, which indeed fascinated any man. But because Adam was a doctor and was highly regarded in Elora Village, they couldn't do anything further. So every time Viona felt uncomfortable working at their places, Viona would immediately quit. Even though Viona worked as a cashier at the restaurant, and wore neat clothes, but they were still hooked because they saw her face and figure, which was as slender as a model. Therefore in this new place of work, Viona felt comfortable, even though she had to work as an assistant chef where all the staff at the restaurant where she worked were all women and this was an advantage for her. 

Viona did not tell Adam what her former job was in the city, nor did she tell him her husband's name. Because for Viona, she didn't want to remember the people from her past. Adam only once asked about Viona's past out of curiosity. But when he saw Viona turned sad because of his questions, Adam never discussed it again, even though he was very curious and wanted to know who was the irresponsible man who had made Viona bleeding when they first met ten months ago in front of Mrs. Maria's grave. 

"Tomorrow morning I'm going to the city. Do you want to come with me, Anji?" Adam asked slowly breaking Viona's reverie. 

"To the city, why do you want to go to the city?" Viona asked back in surprise. 

"I have to take some medicines from the hospital there. The medicine stock at the clinic is running low, Anji," Adam answered honestly while giving Viona an empty list of medicines. 

"You come with me to bring the medicines, Anji," Adam said, adding to his previous words.

"Adam, tomorrow is the 16th. What if I go crazy in the city? You can go with Steffi," Viona replied, stammering.

"Oh my God, how could I forget that? Tomorrow I'll just go with Steffi, you can stay home with Mom. You have a day off tomorrow, right?" Adam asked without guilt. 

"Yes, Adam. I'll be at home with Mom," Viona replied quickly. 

"Well, I got to go to slept now, Anji, you go and sleep too, don't stay too long outside," Adam said quietly, saying goodbye to Viona while yawning. 

Viona nodded her head, slowly responding to the words of her older brother. Soon, Adam entered the house, leaving Viona who was still sitting on the bench enjoying a glass of warm tea. After Adam entered the house, Viona closed her eyes slowly while leaning back on the chair. She slowly felt her flat stomach. 

"It's been ten months since you've been gone, son, how are you in heaven? You must be happy right?" Viona said softly as she opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes were filled with tears as she remembered the bloody incident where she had a miscarriage that night. 

"Mommy is also happy here, kiddo, you have to be happy there too ... keep on guarding Mommy from above, champ," Viona sobbed with tears that had flooded her face. 

Without Viona knowing, Adam was still standing behind the door and listened to all of Viona's words. He sighed, staring sadly at Viona. 

"Open a little of your heart for me, Anji ..." Adam said without realizing it.

To be Continued