A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 1 (Part 4)

"Ah... I introduce you, Oliver, to your new adoptive parents, Mr Alexander and Mrs Layla Fuers!" the manager stated while standing beside the couple.

"Alex. For short!" Alexander raised a finger and smirked.

     Layla's lips rise on her left cheek. She steps towards Oliver as their gazes lock on each other. Once she stands closer, she bends down in front of him.

     Oliver's nervousness runs around his body. He holds tight on the caregiver's skirt. Then, his head tilts to the floor, his bashfulness dictating him not to make eye contact.

"Hello," Layla greeted with a calm voice. "My name's Layla Fuers."

Oliver slowly gazed at Layla as the caregiver patted his shoulders. "O-... Ol-Oliver..."

"Oliver Podeshire, it's nice to meet you," Layla said as she offered a handshake to Oliver.

"Nice to... meet you, too," Oliver responded as he shook Layla's hand timidly.

     After shaking each other's hands, Layla stands upright and turns towards her spouse, Alexander, in the gaping entrance. She then looks back at Oliver as her right palm flaps towards her, signalling him to follow. Oliver gazes up at the caregiver's proud face. Their eyes stare at each other for a quick, brief second. Then, Oliver begins walking forward and trailing down the Fuers' steps.

     Oliver and the Fuers pass through the grand door. Then, they step down from the entrance. Meanwhile, the manager and a dozen caregivers watch Oliver leave with his new adoptive parents from the back.

     Walking across the sidewalk, Oliver and the Fuers board a waiting carriage. Oliver takes a cosy seat that faces his new adoptive parents. Oliver and the Fuers give each other a beaming smile before Oliver takes a swift glimpse of the adoption centre with its staff at the entrance.

     A horse neighs as it stands on its hind legs before landing back down. Then, its hooves begin tapping across the concrete floor as the carriage's wheels groan. The vehicle commences its route to its destination.

"...Okay, we're far, honey. You may drop the act," Alexander whispered to his wife as he glared at the streets.

Layla nodded and glared at Oliver.

"Hmm, w-why...? Uhmm...? Hm...?"

"In our household, there are rules beyond reality," Layla said, glaring at Oliver.

"...Okay. I... follow... rules..."

"Are you sure? Violating rules will give you harsh punishment." Layla crossed her legs.

"Y-y-yes..." Oliver stuttered as his eyes winced.

"Good. The first rule is you must call us Sir and Ma'am. Understood?" Layla bid her command.

Oliver's head felt heavy and tilted towards the floor.

"Huh... nice kid," Alexander smirked.

"Erm... hmm... more...?"

"Oh, there's more. The second rule is you must do everything we ask you to do."

"Hmm... t-that... all...?"

"Chores! You'll be doing mega-tons of labour inside our house."

"Okay... okay."

"The third rule is you must never go outside the house. The fourth rule is you must never have any friends. And, lastly... the fifth rule is you must never tell anyone about how we'll treat you," Layla ventured with a hoarse voice.

     Oliver stares at Layla, feeling his soul zoning out of reality as he falls into his hurried, whirling thoughts. His brows furrow as his gaze slowly softens. Then, his jaw begins to shiver as he lets out a loud breath.

     Oliver then takes a moment to look at his sweating palms. His eyebrows furrow deeper, realizing he almost forgot about his innate ability. Oliver suddenly has the desire to use it, unlike before.

"I want... train... my power..." Oliver quietly whimpered to himself.

Alexander overheard Oliver's faint mumbles. Curious, he cleared his throat to catch Oliver's attention and asked, "You have powers, right?"

"Uhmm... erm..." Oliver was hesitant to answer at first. He then gathered his courage and nodded vigorously. "...Mhm!"

"El- el- elemental powers?" Alexander stuttered, grimacing every time his tongue stumbled on the word.

"Mhm, yes..." Oliver answered.

"...Oh? So, only you?" Alexander raised a brow.

Clueless, Oliver raised his shoulders and shrugged. "...Eh."

"Do you use your power?" Alexander continued questioning.

"Err..." Oliver shook his head before staring blankly at the floor. Suddenly, his answer changed as he nodded. "Mhm... m-maybe."

Layla glanced at her spouse, and he did the same. "Perhaps you can use your power when you're doing chores," Layla suggested without looking at Oliver.

"...D-doing chores...?"

"Yes. I told you that you must do whatever we say, right?" Layla rolled her eyes.

"...How...? How to use... p-power... for chores?"

"...You may use your water power when... washing the dishes and watering the plants in the garden... oh, and, uhm... doing the laundry. Then, you may light the candles and lamps at night by... summoning fire. Also! You may, uhh... use the wind element to blow the dust away," Layla explained with a low and deep voice as she leaned closer to Oliver. She then questioned, "Understood? Is it easy?"

Oliver refused to reply, only nodding as he closed his eyes.

     The conversation abruptly ended. Then, silence filled every corner inside the carriage. Everything became so quiet; Oliver could hear his pulse. Then, the loud horseshoes stomping on the street echoed, reaching Oliver's ears.