Prologue (2)

August 24, 2002

Franklin Parish Church, Entrance

-6 Years Later-

Several years have passed since that time when Ziv arrived at the orphanage, he turns from a baby into a cute, smart, and lovable kid with the help of people around him that took a good care of him throughout this years.

In one of the benches in front of the church there's a three people talking, a middle aged woman, an old nun and a little boy that was sitting on the bench.

"Look at this smart child, Sis. Veronica." a beautiful woman exclaimed while stroking his hair.

"Yes, and cute too." she said agreed while looking at the boy.

They're talking about a 6 year old boy that was reading a book with a facial feature of black hair, plain white face, but he was paired with enchanting black eyes that was immaculate on its own.

"Do, R-re, Me, Fa, S-sol, L-la, Ti, Do" the kid stuttered while reading the book.

"Good job Ziv, I knew you can read it for a few weeks and you're also talented in music." the woman complimented while smiling.

"What do you say to Mrs. Fiona, Ziv?" Sis. Veronica asked.

"T-thank you Mrs. Fiona!" he said hesitantly.

"My, my, you're welcome Ziv!" Mrs. Fiona smiled sweetly, then she walks near Sis. Veronica while she whisper at her.

"He's truly a smart kid and of course too many people will like him, but I want to ask 'if' what if someone tries to adopt him.." she compliment again then suddenly asked Sis. Veronica tries to confirm her answer.

"It's his choice when he will leave this orphan anyways." Sis. Veronica said without looking at her.

Of course Sis. Veronica will be sad when the kids got adopted by another family, but what she can do.

Mrs. Fiona Miller isn't a person that just went to the church for years just to pray and talk to her, she also has other motives. She wanted to have a son as her next child because she does have 3 daughters and no son, thus when she saw the cute little Ziv in the orphanage she becomes interested in him and try some ways to adopt him since then.

"Yes, Yes, you're right, that's his decision. Hehe!" she nodded while laughing awkwardly.

'How can I adopt him then?' she considered for a while, then think of many ways.

"Oh, I also hear some rumors that he's visiting some people and talk to them, what does it mean?" she then changes the topic.

"Yes, he said he was asking them to teach him different kind of things. Kids are curious about many things anyway, especially this little one." Sis. Veronica explained while she strokes his hair.

"Oh! So that's it!" Mrs. Fiona said while feeling relieved.

While the two of them keep talking to each other, Ziv suddenly remembers something then he asked.

"Sis. Veronica I-I have a question?" Ziv asked in a childish tone.

"Yes, what is it Ziv?" she asked.

"Sister, what does sex mean?" suddenly asked an unexpected question.

"Where did you hear that? Who is it?" both Mrs. Fiona and Sis. Veronica looked at each other taken aback before hurriedly asking.

"When I told Uncle Sam that someone is doing stuff in one of the alley that I pass by yesterday he just said, 'Maybe they're doing sex or something, kid, it's just for adults to know', what does he mean by that?" he imitated while explaining.

"Ah.. How do I say this? Ziv that is something you don't need to know for now, but what I can say is It's bad to do that when you're in public, church or someone that you didn't know about." Mrs. Fiona consider her words for a while, then patiently explain it to him.

"I don't get it, but it's bad, right?" he innocently said while they laughed awkwardly.

"Yes. You need to forget about it for now, okay?" Sis. Veronica strongly reminded him.

"But-! Okay." he retorted, but saw she's staring at him, thus he nodded reluctantly.

'I need to know about it' he thought otherwise.

The more they make him forget it the more curious he is.

"Ziv, don't think about, okay?" Mrs. Fiona also added to be reassured that he forget about that topic.

"Sis. Veronica, how about I brought him at some Art exhibit and Opera for some change?" she consulted to her.

"Ask him if he agreed, I won't stop him." Sis. Veronica hesitantly said.

"Ziv would you like to come with me tomorrow on Art exhibit and Opera?" Mrs. Fiona asked him.

"Art exhibit? Op-rah?" he curiously asked back.

"Art exhibit is where you can see some beautiful drawings and sculpture made by the famous and aspiring painter and sculptor, while Opera is where you can listen and learn music while see some acting on stage." she considered for a while then explained in a manner where he can somewhat understand.

"I-I don't know what you just said Mrs. Fiona, but is it true that there's music there?" he confusedly replied.

"Yes, and It's also a good music." her smile is getting wide when she saw him getting interested.

It's like a pedophile lured a kid with a piece of candy and will gave it to him when he come with him to his house, but in this case It's Opera. (Ah-san: Such a weird analogy. smh)

"S-sister can I?" he looked at Sis. Veronica with expectant gaze.

"Of course you can, can I stop you?" she sighed in helplessness when she saw that he gets interested in the topic.

"Yey!" he exclaimed happily.

"You need to prepare for tomorrow, ask Sis. Lily if she can help you with it." she reminded.

He nodded, then dashes towards the direction of the orphanage.

"Fufuu~! I'll pick him up tomorrow morning then." she grinned victoriously as if achieving her goal this time.

"Please! Take a good care of him while he was with you."

"Of course, nothing will happen to him. I'll take my leave then." she said while leaving.

"May the Lord be with you!" Sis. Veronica said before sighing, then she also walks towards the direction of the orphanage.

When she reaches there she heard Ziv excitedly talking about it.

"Sis. Lily, Mrs. Fiona will invite me tomorrow for some op-rah and Sis. Veronica said I need to prepare. Please help me sister?" he said while pleading at her.

"Is there something fun out there? Can I join?" Keith suddenly asked excitedly.

"Sure, but she said we're going to see drawings and music." he replied.

"Yee-! What? No playing?" he becomes happy at first before being dejected when he heard it.

"You knucklehead, don't just play all day, finish your assignment already! Hmph!" Clara retorted on the sides.

"Kahk! I-I finish it later! You dumpling cheek!" he insulted, then they start bickering again.

"Well, help me finish my chores, then I can help you with your preparations." Sis. Lily she replied while smiling sweetly.

"Okaay!" Ziv responded.

"I'll help too Sis. Lily." Isabel voice was heard from the stairs.

When Sis. Veronica saw the scene inside the orphanage, she remembers the times when they're still a little kid.

Now they growing up nicely, Chloe, Keith, Clara and Isabel already started High school and Ziv is already studying in elementary school while Gregor is now a 2nd year college in prestigious university with the help of scholarships, donations from the orphanage and his part time work.

"Time sure flies ain't it?" she silently mutter while looking at the whole scene.

They finished the chores and the things he needs for tomorrow morning and by the time they're done, the sun had already set, thus they eat their simple dinner, while they pray before going to sleep.

...

The next morning Mrs. Fiona is already in front of the church, including her 3 daughter and her husband outside the church.

They're all dressed formally, Mrs. Fiona's long black dress with a faux fur on her shoulder makes her look charming while Mr. Miller with his black tuxedo with a brown cane on his hand make him gentleman, while the 3 girls has an identical long pink gown decorated with simple designs complimenting their beautiful young faces, while Ziv is wearing a T-shirt with baseball cap pair with casual shoes completely opposite to their dress seemingly going for a field trip.

"Hello! Mrs. Fiona, Mr. Miller!" he greeted them when he sees them while behind him Sis. Veronica and Sis. Lily is following him.

"Please take care of him on our stead, Mrs. Fiona and Mr. Reynold." Sis. Veronica entrusts him to them.

"Sure, Sis. Veronica, also we're going to change his outfit later if you don't mind because we're attending a formal occasion." Mrs. Fiona said after seeing Ziv attire.

"Okay, we understand." she replied.

"Well, we need to get going sister while it's still early in the morning, it's time to say goodbye for now, Ziv." she holds his hand, then gently pull him towards the car while he was waving at them.

She introduces him, to her husband Mr. Reynold Miller, and her 3 daughters, Natasha, Natalia, and Nicole.

"I-I'm Ziv 6 years old this year, nice to meet all of you! " he introduced himself.

"Hi there little guy!" Mr. Reynold friendly smiled.

"You can talk to each other in the car while we're going to the clothes store." she reminded while opening the car.

They followed suit and also walk towards the car, while Ziv was walking to the car he looked back one more time and wave again before he went inside and they drive away from the church.

"Sis. Veronica, are you sure they will be okay?" Sis. Lily who's quiet earlier asked in a worried tone after they disappear.

"They will be, she likes the kid a lot I'm sure she will take a good care of him." she said while looking at the direction where they disappear, then she left and went towards the church, Sis. Lily also looks in that direction and followed inside.

...

Meanwhile, inside the car Ziv try to get along with the 3 sisters and talk a lot of stuff while driving towards the cloth store near the Art exhibit.

"We will pick you the best tuxedo for you! Then.." Nicole enthusiastically says.

"They said that there's new art created recently, also.." Natalia is uttering words that people can't hear.

'Another long, boring day.' While Natasha is brooding on the window of the car.

"Yes, yes." Ziv is nodding his head off while answering Nicole enthusiastic attitude.

20 minutes later they arrived at the City Centre.