10 Years Passed

"Can you not adopt me?" Abri's words echoed in his head. It isn't like Leo hasn't thought about it but he quickly rejected the idea as it isn't as simple as it seems.

He can know he can give her all external needs such as good education, a secure house, all she wants that can be bought with money, but he isn't sure about internal needs. With her experience, he doesn't think he can provide her with what she needs which is love and time.

He spends most of his time working, so time is out of topic as for love, he isn't sure how to love which makes her get none of what she needs. Seeing Leo interlocking his hands, Abri knew he is thinking so she decided to sell herself high.

"Uncle, I am a very good girl. I can take care of myself. I don't mind you working late. I am obedient and will listen to whatever you told me. Once I grow up, I will also take care of you." Abri was determined to make him take her.

She learned from Leo that he only met her parents once because of a charity, meaning they weren't close. But when she asked him why he come to help them, he told her because her parents were good people and they left him an impression he won't forget. Since then Abri was convinced that he is a good person and decided to stay with him.

Butler Franklin looked at the girl with a sad smile. He can understand why she wants Mr. Lincoln to adopt her since she doesn't have anyone left but it is just unfortunate because from what he knows about his boss, he will never agree to this.

Leo looked at the little girl again and seeing her expectant eyes, he said, "Abri, I am most of the time away from the house either working or on business trips. Since you are dead to the world in the accident, you are going to be homeschooled and avoid meeting people who knew you and your parents. That means you are going to be at home all day and night until you grow and your appearance change. Since I am out most of the time, there is no one to take care of you. You are going to be lonely."

This is the first time her uncle spoke this many words to her. She may be young but she is smart enough to understand what he is saying. But she doesn't mind being alone as long as it is him who is going to adopt her, "I don't mind. Don't worry, I am going to study and become a strong person. Also, there is Uncle Franklin."

Butler Franklin felt touched as he finally felt acknowledged. Leo nodded before he said, "Okay then. Remember that if you change your mind, you have to tell me."

Leo wasn't sure how long it is going to last. Although the girl agreed, words and experiences are different so he wants her to try it first and if she changes her mind, he can always let her go to families with children on her age.

That how she become Abrielle Lincoln legally.

The next day, Abri left the hospital with Uncle Franklin to her new home as Leo was busy. According to Uncle Franklin, yesterday Leo bought a new family house next to his work for her sake. Leo also requested Uncle Franklin to move with his family to the house next to him with all expenses covered by him. At first, Uncle Franklin hesitated because moving means his wife, who works as a chef in a restaurant next to their house has also to leave her job for his sake. But when Leo told him he is going to hire her as his chef with double the salary than her current work, Uncle Franklin agreed and asked him, "Mr. Lincoln, may I ask why are you doing this?"

"With you and your family, she will feel less lonely." That he said according to Uncle Franklin and Abri couldn't help but feel happy about the fact that he cares about her.

Abri met Uncle Franklin's family. His wife's name is Isabella and he had two children, a nine-year-old girl called, Sofia and a five-year-old boy called, Ray. That night, Abri spent her time with the family. Although she didn't talk much, they didn't take it badly instead they talked, snacked, and laughed together making little Abri feel included.

While Abri felt happy to be included, she was still feeling sad seeing the family because hers were gone.

Sofia talked to Abri from time to time with an interest in being her friend because Abri looked so pretty like a doll that she wanted to show her off to her classmates. Despite being talkative, Sofia was a caring girl which made Abri accept her as a friend, and so she gained a friend that she will truly value over time.

After two days Leo comes with two people. This was the first time Abri meeting him since she moved here but she didn't mind because she had Sofie and the others.

"Uncle." Abri ran to greet him and stood next to him before she opened her arms so that he can lift her.

"You like it when I lift you?" Leo asked even though he already knew the answer. Abri nodded and he lifted her as wanted with a smile on his face. "This is Nancy, she will be your practice teacher. And this is Marc, he will be your theory teacher. Anything that involves physical will be taught by Nancy and the rest by Marc."

"Okay." From that day on, Abri occupied herself busy by learning lots of helpful things. Her uncle comes home a couple of times a week and sometimes not even once but Abri didn't mind as she was also so busy with studying. She wants to be strong not only to find her parents' murderers but also to take care of her uncle.

Due to the traumatic event, Leo never asked Abrupi to tell him about the accident instead he chose to wait for the little girl to tell him herself. He didn't find out the mastermind but that doesn't mean he won't. As time passed, he started to care more about Abri and that made him invest more time to find the culprit so that there will be no threats to little Abri. And he still found nothing as if they don't exist at all.

Every thunderous day, he started to sleep with the little girl because she gets scared. And so on, 10 years passed by.