Corpse Flower

IX. Perfect Man

Sophia’s POV:

I wasn’t always like this.

Void of emotions?

Sometimes.

But, I would never act this way. Particularly not towards children. But then, reality sets in.

In my first year in this world, I suffered more than I ever did. It made me realize how bitter life could be.

A few kids, the ones I helped, betrayed me.

I got whipped because of them.

I got locked up because of them.

I got sent here because of them.

This wasn’t the orphanage Micah and Aryan, the men who rescued me, dropped me off in. The one that they left me in was decent. The caretaker there treats the children equally. They required an extensive background check for the children that are being adopted.

If it weren’t for those rascals, I would’ve been adopted into a decent family. Then, I wouldn’t have to waste my time trying to survive.

After being whipped, beaten, and starved; I came to a realization that I miss Jake.

Yes.

I miss the older brother that beat me.

His beating was a slight slap on the wrist compared to the beating here.

Is this what they meant by you don’t know what you got till it’s gone?

What a toxic mentality.

The next day, I combined my hair and played my assigned role. I didn’t go to school and stay in the orphanage to meet the new family. I straighten out my clothes and put on my new shoes. The caretaker purchased shoes for all the candidates.

My roommate puffed her chest and straightened her clothes. I saw Lilith’s dress in the closet earlier.

She looked at me and grinned, “Let’s get breakfast.”

Breakfast wasn’t a surprise.

The boys and girls who were candidates had better breakfast. I placed the pancake on my roommate’s plate. She deserved some too.

“Do you think I’ll get adopted this time?” Lilith’s voice made its appearance in the dining room.

“Of course.” Enid and his gang enter. “Who wouldn’t want you?” His eyes met mine, and he smiled.

I smile sweetly in return. When I tried to get up, my roommate pulled me by the arm. “Where are you going?”

“Talk to Enid and Lilith. I feel bad that they’re only trying to be nice and let me borrow the dress, but I said no.”

“No!” She screamed. With the realization that some eyes were falling on her, she lowered her voice. “I mean, don’t worry about it. I already explained it to them.” She smiles, “They said: It’s okay.” She ushered me to sit down. “Finish breakfast! You don’t want your stomach to growl when the family is here. You can always talk to them afterward.”

With a light exhalation, I settled down. “You’re right. I’ll apologize after.”

After breakfast, we had a short break before the family came. I laid in the field of grass and stared at the sky. It’s blue with a mixture of white clouds. I closed my eyes, and the cool wind brushed against my skin.

Right now, I would’ve graduated from school. Get a job. Then, take Arlo into custody. It will be difficult, but we’ll manage. Arlo is a strong kid.

I wonder what he’s doing right now.

Is he alive?

Is he dead?

I’ll never know.

But, I do know one thing.

I miss him so much.

“You shouldn’t sleep here,” an unfamiliar voice said. I removed the arm from my face only to meet a handsome young man.

Handsome is an understatement.

If I were in my twenties again, I would’ve pounced him.

He is definitely not an orphan.

I sat upward, “Stranger? Danger?” I need to stay in my role to avoid any suspicion. My eyes waiver until it reaches the orphanage house. “Stranger!” I stood up and ran towards the house.

With my deduction skills, I can conclude he is one of the family members that want to adopt.

I look back.

A big mistake.

I fell flat on my face.

Stupid rock.

Times like this, I’m glad I’m a child. I can openly cry whenever something insignificant occurs.

A shadow made its appearance, and the young man kneeled on a single knee, “Are you okay?”

I shook my head, “You made me trip.” His good looks got me falling on my knees. I need to find something humorous in this miserable world, or else I would drown in sorrow.

The young man looked shocked before he snickers, “Yes. It was my fault.” He patted my head, “I’m sorry.”

I look up at him with my large watery eyes. Maybe I didn’t need to plan. Being adopted into this family didn’t seem so bad if he’s in there. It’s been a long time since I saw a good looking guy. Most of them are children, skinny to the bone, or dirty.

My eyes dropped to the scars on his wrists.

Spoke too soon.

I slap his hand away, “Don’t touch me!” I’ll act bratty. I stood up and scoffed, “It’s your fault I fell, and you touched me with your dirty hand?” It’s a lie. He had one of the cleanest hands I saw in this world. “Now, look at me! How am I going to get adopted?” I pushed him, but he didn’t budge. My handprints were on his white shirt.

I didn’t wait for his response and left.

When I got inside the orphanage, the caretaker rushed towards me. “Why are you late?” Her eyes widened, “What happened to your clothes?” She attempted to wipe off the dirt from my face.

I bit my lower lip, “I met a bad man.” He didn’t seem bad. Confused at most. I embraced her. ”Bad man.”

One of the works appeared, “The family is waiting for all the kids.”

The caretaker exhales, “No time to change. Go. Go.” She ushered me into the room with all the other orphans. A third of them were dressed nicely. The two third - including me - were in our usual clothes. No. I look worse than usual. My eyes beat red from crying, and my clothes are dirty from falling in the mud.

My roommate, in Lilith’s clothes, rushed towards me, “What happened?”

I cried, “I met a bad man.” In the distance, Enid was staring at me.

I walk towards Enid and Lilith. “What happened?” Lilith asks.

“I met a bad man.” Before anyone could respond, I held Lilith and dirtied her clothes. “Thank you.”

Lilith pat back, “For what?” Despite being strangers, she didn’t push me away. That’s Lilith. For a young girl, she has a strong sense of justice. She’s the type who wouldn’t push weak people away.

“For letting me borrow your dress. I’m sorry I couldn’t wear it, but I’m happy I didn’t or else it would’ve been dirty.”

Enid brows furrow together, “Wait-”

“Children! Children! Line up! The family is coming!” One of the workers said. Because of my appearance, I was placed in the back to not make the orphanage look bad. My roommate was in the front, while Enid and Lilith were in the back too. Generally, older kids are in the back since they have a lower chance of being adopted.

I couldn’t see anything or hear a single sound except the squeaky floor and deep breathing from the children. The thumping inside my chest was roaring with each step from the visitors.

I’m anxious.

I’m always anxious about most visitors.

In the past, I would often wonder what would happen if Jake decided not to take me in.

This is it.

And with time inside the orphanage, I find that it’s better not to be adopted. Most of the families aren’t great. To them, adoption meant owning the child.

It’s better to become an adult and fend for myself.

My stomach was twisting in a tight knot, heart pounding uncontrollably, and I peered to the side.

The door opened, and several people went inside. The first was the caretaker, tall and proud. I’m going to get an earful from her later. But, she won’t hit me. I didn’t bring any trouble, and I’m still cute enough to be adopted by another family.

Bless this cute face.

Leaving bruises on me will only decrease my value.

Behind her was a man in glasses and a suit. He seems to be doing well, but he isn’t the adopter. He must be the consultant.

Next is a young woman. Well dressed and arrogant. Daughter.

Then, another woman. Much older. Potentially, one of the wives. Behind her stood another one. In conclusion, two wives. The one in the front is the main wife, while the one in the back is one of the many potential wives - well, the mistress would be the more accurate term. She looks too well dressed to be a maid.

Afterward, a man stepped inside. Tall and firm. Father. His skin was wrinkly, but his eyes were still sharp.

Last but not least, a young man. The same man I met outside. Immediately, his eyes caught mine, and I withdrew. Yikes. His eyes are sharper than his father.

“Are these all the children?” The old man question.

The caretaker bows, “Yes, Duke Leigh Holloway.”

Hold the phone. Duke? Wasn’t it supposed to be an earl?

I remember the scars on the young man’s wrists. From the angle of it, most likely, he wasn’t the one who did it.

“I see,” he said. Duke Leigh made his way around the room, a room that seemingly got smaller with the number of people inside. The duke stood in front of my roommate, “You-”

She bows her head, “Greetings, Duke Leigh. My name is Maryam.” That’s right. That’s her name.

I forgot.

“Last name?”

“I am hoping, Holloway.” I admit, my roommate has confidence.

The duke lips twisted into something like a smile, but it wasn’t. “I like you. I’ll take her.” It didn’t sound like an adoption, rather a purchase.

Maryam smiles, “Thank you, Duke Leigh.”

He turns around, “Each of you selects a child too.”

What? Did I hear correctly? Wasn’t it supposed to be a one child adoption?

The caretaker didn’t make a rebuttal.

The young girl was the first to step up, “Father. May I really pick any child? I need a new maid.”

I hid even further in the back. I can’t believe they aren’t hiding their evil intentions.

“Go,” he responds.

She selected two random girls in the middle.

Next, it was the main wife. Her eyes waver around the room. She smiles, “You.” She pointed at Enid.

The caretaker’s face went pale. “Duchess Ruby. I don’t think-”

The duchess closes her fan, “Good because we didn’t pay you to think.” She turns towards Enid, who was red with anger. “Come, boy.”

He had no choice but to march toward her. Either that or get a beating from the bodyguards outside and get sent to a different orphanage afterward to please the duchess for his arrogance.

Afterward, the duchess selected three other girls.

“I guess it’s my turn,” the other woman said. Similar to others, her eyes went around the room. “I would like you.” She held Lilith’s hands.

Immediately, Enid’s face brightens up.

“I never had a daughter.” Which meant the young girl is the duchess’s daughter. “Caden,” she said.

The young man steps forward, “Yes, mother?” Caden must be her son.

“Meet your new younger sister. Isn’t she adorable?”

Caden smiles, “May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, younger sister?” It’s scary how quickly he accepted this.

“L-Lilith.”

Caden took her small hand and kissed the back, “Welcome to the family, Lilith.”

“Th-Thank you!”

“And you, Caden?” The duke asks.

Caden looks around the room, and even behind the largest kid, I can feel his intense stares. “These two boys will do. I would like to train them to become my personal knights.” The two boys’ eyes brighten up.

I release a deep breath of relief.

“Count Chance,” the duke said. “Since you’re here. Why don’t you pick a child too?”

Count Chance laughs, “Thank you, but I have to refuse Duke Leigh.”

“Don’t be shy. A house without wives or children isn’t a home.”

I’m guessing the count is a single man. A count isn’t necessarily a strong position, but it isn’t a weak one either. He’s straight in the middle. From his appearance, one can tell he used to be a fine-looking man. His hands are calloused, indicating that he worked hard to get into his current position.

The duke exhales, “You worked hard all these years to get to where you are only to have a hollow nest.”

Hollow nest.

No family.

The count seems uncomfortable with this topic.

He’s the perfect man to adopt me.