6 Someone She Could Run Back To

"If that's the case then, I will leave you here first so you could talk alone."

"I will just be in the other room and if you needed anything, Sera could just call me there." Sister Liz said as she walked off the room with a smile.

The couple responded with a nod and smiled as well. Sister Liz went out and closed the door behind her. She stood there for a while and slowly her smile changed into a bitter smile. She was happy for Sera but sad at the same time. It was only when she heard some chuckling in the room that she started her way into the next room.

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In the room, Sera sat straight and modest. She can't look at the couple in front of her so she silently looked down and waited for the couple to talk to her first. A cold sweat flowed at the back of her neck and her knees started to tremble a little. Sensing her nervousness, Mrs. Stedore broke the silence,

"Sera? is that your name? You have a beautiful name."

Sera looked up and realized she hadn't introduced herself yet so she stood in a panic,

"I-I'm Sera. It's nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Stedore." and she bowed down to them.

The Stedore couple chuckled heartily.

"It's okay, child. There's no need for such formalities. Please sit." Mrs. Stedore said as she stood up from her original seat and helped Sera straighten her back. They both sat on the same sofa and the three of them started talking.

"Please, don't call us Mr. and Mrs. Stedore." she continued, and Mr. Stedore followed it up,

"You can call me Dad."

"And you can call me Mom", Mrs. Stedore said with a wide smile revealing her all white perfect teeth. "If you're not comfortable with it, you can call us by our names. I'm Rhael, and my husband, Agaven." she said, never removing her smile.

Rhael and Agaven asked more questions to Sera like what does she like, what are her talents, and some common questions. As they continued to talk her uneasiness was changed to relief. Sera never felt scared around them. She was comfortable talking to them even though it was just the first time. Ever since, the only person she could talk to like this is Sister Liz. It made her feel ecstatic.

They continued to talk and forgot all about the time. It was already getting dark outside when they checked, so the couple had to go. Before they left, they spoke to Sister Liz when they could come get Sera and other matters regarding the adoption. Sera waved the couple goodbye with a smile and the couple did the same. She watched as the couple entered their car and started to fade away in the dark. She felt wonderful. For the first time in many years she felt like her life is leading somewhere good. Sister Liz looked at Sera's expression and somehow didn't regret her decision.

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After such a long day Sister Liz stood frozen staring through the glass door going to the balcony. She seemed to be in deep thought about something. She blinked her eyes as she snapped out of her daze and clapped her hands twice. A few moments later, a knock came at the door.

"Come in, Sister Leia!" Sister Liz answered. "Please sit. I called you regarding the matter I asked of you yesterday."

"Yes, I've done all the preparations." Sister Leia responded.

Sister Liz thought for a while 'Now that I don't have to protect Sera, it's time I deal with this matter for good.' She turned to face Sister Leia,

"If that's the case, prepare the black room. Instruct all the nuns and priests to gather in the conference room at midnight."

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Sera was packing her things in her room when someone knocked on the door.

"Sera, are you here?" Sister Liz asked.

The girl stood up and opened the door for her old sis. Sister Liz came in and saw she was already packing up her things. It made her heart ache a little. Sera's going to leave her soon.

"What do you think of Stedore Family?"

Sera looked at her and saw her old sis' worried eyes.

"I think they like me and..." Sera paused trying to see her old sis expression,

"I think I like them too as my family."

Hearing this Sister Liz felt helpless so she went on and hugged Sera.

"Sera, if anything happens don't hesitate to come back here. I will always welcome you here." Sister Liz spoke, her voice almost breaking.

"Old sis, you're the only person I can run to when I have a problem. I know you're worried about me so I promise to take care of myself."

Sister Liz, feeling bittersweet happiness, pulled back from the hug and pinched Sera's cheeks. "Ouch." Sera complained and Sister Liz chided, "Oh sorry, I thought I was dreaming." and both of them started giggling.

"Dreaming?" Sera asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. It's just this is the first time you said so many words. I'm so proud of you!" Sister Liz said as she pulled Sera to a tighter hug.

In three days time Sera will be leaving the orphanage already and she wanted to get all the chances she has to let Sera know that whenever she goes, wherever she is, she always has someone she could run back to.