A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 2 (Part 4)

     Soon, the cold wind blows the thick, opaque clouds into the horizon as the sky becomes a gradient painting of blue and orange. As the sunset settles, Layla and Amelia gather on the porch and sit on polished wooden chairs with carves and mouldings. As they gaze across the damp street, they enjoy tea while conversing.

"I can't believe that kids these days study for eight years," said Layla.

Amelia took a sip from her tea. "I know. Back in our days, we only had four years of education," she said.

"Imagine. What if kids in the future study for fifteen years?" Layla shook her head.

"Oh, am I not just glad that we are born early?" Amelia smirked.

"I'm not," Layla stated as she exhaled through her nose.

"Oh..." Amelia's gaze softened as she slowly took a delicate sip of her tea.

Layla blew out a deep breath through her mouth. "I want to thank you once again for agreeing to do this. I know you will miss your family... not being able to see them for years only to educate that... adopted kid of ours."

"Aw, no! Do not worry! I can send them some letters instead," Amelia said. Suddenly, she gasped and questioned Layla. "Oh, wait! That kid. Oliver. He... he isn't your biological son...?"

"Yes. Alexander and I are infertile. Thus, we don't have the physical capability to bear a child. So, we have no choice but to adopt one," Layla explained with a deep, monotonous voice. "...Then, we heard that there was a Podeshire in the adoption centre, and no one had taken him yet because people were afraid to adopt him, so we took our opportunity and brought that kid as our own."

"Why were people afraid to adopt him?" Amelia inquired as she placed her teacup on a round table.

"Remember, his family got assassinated—his whole family! He was also supposed to die. But he was lucky enough to survive. So, think about this... what if the assassins are looking for him to finish their job? What if those assassins find that Podeshire living among us? Would his adoptive family get harmed as well...?" Layla leaned closer to Amelia's face as her voice slowly became faint at each word.

"Oh, good grace... y-you're right. But, since you adopted Oliver, aren't you scared? What if those assassins find him living amongst you all...?" Amelia asked as she placed a palm before her lips.

"No worries. We faked our address on the forms when we adopted that kid! And those assassins won't even recognize him once he is old enough," Layla said. "Besides, we do not even let him go outside."

"Aww... you're such a caring and protective mother..." Amelia thought.

"Oh, no, no, no... we are not letting him go outside—not because we are afraid that he might get killed by the assassins. We only do not want him to have a friend that he might gossip about how we toil him," Layla clarified with a smirk.

"Oh..." Amelia forced herself to form a smile as her glance fell onto the ground.

     Layla gazed at the sky. As the sun began to sink into the horizon, its golden beams of sunlight danced across the atmosphere, reflecting vibrant, warm colours in Layla's eyes. She stared at the heavens, watching the clouds turn thin each second.

"...Is your daughter reserved?" Layla asked while gazing at the sky.

"My daughter? Sophia...?" Amelia grabbed her teacup and looked at Layla.