Their sunshine

Chapter 6

Vincenzo's POV

On the way to the orphanage, I stopped at our warehouse and brought my cousin and one of the men as my 'bodyguards'. We talked about that matter and decided to play it on control from the government. I also made some fake IDs and got information on caregivers and some children.

Once I arrived at the orphanage I walked up to the adult. "Where can I find a director?" I asked. She showed me the way and walked away. Without knocking I enter the office and sit down.

"Good morning. I am here to investigate if you are taking good care of the kids. I don't want you to interfere so you and all your co-workers will go outside and wait there. I have with me two men who are good with children so you don't have to worry about their wellbeing. After that, I will interrogate you and then you will give me a tour."

"You can't just come here and start to act like you own this place! Who are you anyway?"

"Oh, sweetheart I can. I am from the government. If you want you can see the papers. And let me tell you if I was you I wouldn't anger me. If I write one wrong thing about you, you would be out of here. So now stand up and go outside. Or it won't be a nice future for you."

I love the effect I have on people. Almost everyone is afraid of me and the rest respects me. Now I have to ask those small bastards questions. I studied a lot. One of my specializations in psychology is body language. I am way better than a lie detector.

I walked into the living room and told the kids to sit down. I didn't see Anna anywhere, but still started with interrogation.

"Ok, kids. If you tell me the truth we won't have a problem. I will ask questions and one of you will answer me verbally. If you answer how I want to at the end of our session there will be some treats for you. Do you understand?"

"Yes." everyone said. I turned to my cousin and told him to search for her. After he left I continued.

"Ok, first question. Are the caregivers nice to you?" I pointed at one girl. "Yes" "Are they nice to all of the children in here?" I pointed at a boy. "Yes." Lie.

"I think I said no lies. You?" "No to one girl." "Did she do anything wrong?" I pointed at Elena who according to my information started bullying. "No."

"Does she have different rules than you?" "Yes."

"Can you tell me some of the rules?" "We can't tell. We would be punished."

"Don't worry, everything we are talking about stays here. If you don't tell me, I can't help. So now tell me." I said with my voice full of venom. I think those kids were terrified of me.

"She has to clean, cook, do laundry, and gardening. She can't have friends, because if someone is friends with her, he or she would get punished as well. And after she is done with those she must hide or go outside, so she wouldn't bother anyone."

"What are those punishments?"

"We... We don't know. Sometimes it's slap or kick or they would pull her by her hair. But if she did something worse, she goes to the basement. We don't know what is there, but she screams a lot and after that, she is in pain."

"Did you bullied her?"

"Yes."

"Why?" I asked the Elena

"Because we have to. I am sorry. I really didn't want to. Marry told me she would adopt me and after it didn't happen and I wanted to stop, she told me she would beat me as much as Anna. I am so sorry." Elena started to cry.

"Why did you all lie to the police?" I asked someone else.

"Because they told us if we don't we would be homeless."

"Did someone try to help her?" One girl said: "Me, but after that, I wasn't allowed to eat for four days."

After that, my cousin came and told me she is chained in the basement.

" Take care of them and give them candy. I will go talk to her."

When I walked upstairs, I saw a small room. Everything was dirty. I opened cabinets where I found belts, whips, and knives. There was also a bathtub. In the wall were built chains. On the floor lay a small girl. I kneeled beside her and woke her up. First, she was frightened, but once she saw me she smiled.

"Sir. What are you doing here? The only person who is allowed here is madam Mary. Please go away so you are not in trouble."

"Don't worry about it. Tell me why you are here."

"Sir. I can't. I am sorry."

" Did you do something bad?"

"No, I think. But it was against Madam's rules."

"Are you hurt? Are you in pain?"

"Don't worry about me, sir. Nothing I can't take." So that would be yes. But I am starting to like her. Polite, know how to avoid the answer I want to hear and she is not frightened of me. Or she is not showing it.

"Do you want something to drink or eat?"

"No, sir. It's alright. "

"We have some time to talk. Would you like to tell me something about you?"

" Can I ask something first?"

"Of course."

" Are you related to sir James King?

"Yes. I am his oldest son. How did you know?"

"You have similiar features. Can I know your name? It's ok if you don't tell me. I don't want you to feel bad."

"It's similar and I am Vincenzo King."

"Nice to meet you, sir Vincenzo. I am Anna Smith."

"Can you please tell me how you get here?"

"I am sorry, sir. I don't want you to be in trouble."

"Call me Vincenzo or Vince or whatever you like. And even if I promised you it stays only between us?"

"Do you pinky promise?" She held out her pinky and I chuckled. She is so mature and still acts like a kid.

"Yes, I pinky promise."

"I became a friend with Ry and Madam saw me. She said it was against the rule to have a friend. So for my punishment, I have to stay here every free time. She wants Ry to think I ignore him so he would leave me."

"Did she beat you?"

"I am sorry Vincenzo. I am not comfortable answering this question."

"It's fine, sweetheart." I looked at my watch. "I have to go now, but I promise I will return. Do you think you can wait for me here alone?"

"Yes. I am fine. Have a good day Vincenzo. Bye." She waved at me and I walked downstairs.