CHAPTER 79: FORGOTTEN PAST
"What's with your gloomy face?" Zion asked the disheartened woman while they were on their way to the orphanage.
Zion and Jade agreed to visit the orphanage together that weekend. However, Jade was obviously not herself most of the time. The man was obviously trying to brighten up the mood but he oftentimes found Jade lost in her thoughts. Did she have an argument with her husband? He thought before tapping the woman's arm.
"Are you okay?" He added.
"Ehm." She nonchalantly replied but her thought had certainly gone astray
"Did you perhaps had a misunderstanding with your husband?" He asked.
She sighed in distress. "I think so."
Zion raised his brows puzzled.
"He neither come home for three whole days nor go to work." She pouted dejectedly.
"What happened?"
"It's all because of a dog." She sighed. "I didn't know he doesn't like seeing one for some reasons but what can I do, the owner entrust it to me and I cannot just leave it on the street."
"He hated dogs?" He was a bit surprised.
"Uh-huh. But there's an awful story behind it."
"What do you mean?"
Zion glanced at the woman but she only sighed. He found it personal so he didn't push the question any further.
"Where's the dog, then?" He diverted the topic.
"I left it to the chairwoman yesterday. She hesitated but at least she took Makish. I Hope he'll come home tonight."
"You should call and notify him then."
"I did but when it comes to the dog, he'll only listen to Susan."
Zion chuckled mockingly. "What a complicated couple you are."
The woman hissed before removing her seatbelt. They had just arrived at the orphanage.
They immediately trekked the hallway as soon as they got off the car. They didn't want to waste much time since they are both busy with their own matters.
"Jade! Doctor Zion! I'm glad you came.�� Mother Tess greeted the two and invited them inside her office.
"I came because I really need to ask you something." Jade smiled hopefully but mother Tess frowned for a second. Jade may have not noticed the sudden change on the old woman's face but Zion did. And as someone who have a background on psychology, he somewhat knew there was something behind that uncalled expression.
"I hope this old woman can be of help to you, sweetheart." She tried to give a sincere smile while holding the woman's hands.
"How about you, young man, how can I help you?" She glanced at Zion.
"Ah that… I…"
"Zion came to ask if you are looking for a volunteer doctor." Jade butted in. "He's currently working on a project which involves children's welfare and development, that is why he came to check if he can do it here. Since I told him that you're looking for a physician. I think Zion can do it for the meantime while you're waiting for applicants." She explained.
Zion looked at Jade with a hint of confusion but as soon as their eyes met, he understood what she was trying to do.
He smiled and agreed with what the woman had said. "I hope you can help me out. Don't worry it will just take less than a month for me to finish."
"Of course! Besides, we are really in need of a physician at the moment. Ah, thank God for sending you. Please take a seat, I'll just get us some drinks. I'm sorry my secretary is on leave so I have to do everything." She smiled gratefully before leaving the two for a few minutes.
"I didn't know you were so good at lying." The man chuckled a little.
"Well that's not entirely a lie, isn't it?" She chuckled. "I only explained your real purpose in a different way." She laughed playfully. "You should thank me instead."
"How can I? You added another work on my list."
"Sorry, I know I overstepped my boundary. However, I knew mother Tess for such a long time. You need to gain her trust so you can move here freely. If you really wanted to discover what happened to the child you're looking for, you need to work on it…here."
"Well, you have a point there." He sighed.
"I'm sorry but it would only be for two weeks and I assure you, you'll love it here and you might want to keep on coming back."
"Well, if you promise to come here with me for two weeks then sure, I might really enjoy it." Zion might seem to be joking but he was actually telling the truth.
"You'll do great without me."
Zion was about to say something when the door to the office was opened and Mother Tess came in holding a food tray.
"Let me help you, madam." Zion rushed to her and took the tray from her.
"Thank you." They all sat opposite each other. "So tell me, what is it that you want to asked me?"
"I…" She stopped and glanced at Zion.
"Should I go out?" Zion asked as soon as he understood the woman's gaze.
"Why don't you start checking on the children's files for the time being?" Suzette suggested. "You can use the secretary's computer outside and feel free to asked me if you have any question."
"Sure. Thank you." Zion exited the room and rushed to the secretary's desk. He will take this chance to search the orphanage's records.
Unknown to anyone, Zion also did something to the secretary's computer and linked it in his laptop. He should be able to hack the computer from now. He smirked evilly.
JADE, ON THE OTHER HAND, breathed in and out before starting to speak.
"I know this is so sudden but I think I need to unravel my past." She voiced.
The old woman widened her eyes in unbelief. Although she already knew the reason of her visit, but to hear it from her makes her shudder within.
Jade lowered her head. She was obviously downhearted. "Do you remember my first year here? I told you about my constant nightmares so you started helping me out by coming to my room and prayed with me almost every day."
"And you said they were gone after a few months." Mother Tess smiled.
Jade sneered mocking herself. "But the truth is, it never went away."
The old woman can see the sorrow in her eyes. "You mean…. But why? Why did you hide it from me?"
"Sorry I lied. I guess I was tired being the central topic in the orphanage that time. I wanted the other kids to stop talking behind my back."
"Then that means…"
"It didn't leave me. It didn't stop—until now. But now, I think my nightmares have something to do with my forgotten past that's why I came to asked you if you know how I lived before coming here to the orphanage." She looked intently at the old woman's eyes.
Her eyes… They are pleading for help. But what will she do? The only person who holds the key to her past was not her but the chairwoman!
'Forgotten past?' Zion unknowingly furrowed his brows. Not that he was eavesdropping intentionally but he could hear their voices from where he is. Though it was very faint.
The man suddenly stopped all the things that he was doing and leaned his back on the chair. He knew about Jade's nightmares and if he recalls clearly, Jasmine told him about her forgotten childhood memories as well.
Could it be that Jade is…. He gulped realizing his thoughts!