Chasing The Sun

Chapter 19 - Long Distance Call

Rosidora forced herself to cool down. Amada and Tom were obviously busy with one another and that gave her time to think and fully understand what was happening. She knew that, as long as the foster parents didn't object to it, the Orphanage kept in touch with all the kids that had spent time in their facility over the years. She also knew that they had been trying to find her ever since she escaped some 10 years ago, but she had managed to hack into so many electronic files and had bribed so many weaker minds that so far, she had remained unconcerned by their attempts.

But they were getting closer now if they somehow had identified Amada as having potentially been a resident at their orphanage. She didn't believe for a moment that they were simply trying to confirm the nature of Amada's relationship to their institution. As always in life, and she was well placed to confirm the saying, there is always more than meets the eye.

When night came, she placed her headset on her ears and dialed the long distance number on the touch screen in front of her. She had thought about it over and over throughout the afternoon, and had come to the conclusion that now was the time to make a bold move.

The digital tone made a series of odd sounds as if the numbers she had dialed were actually travelling through fiber optic cables resting at the bottom of the ocean. After what felt like an eternity, a clear voice answered the phone in perfect English at 200 Jalan Baktu, Jakarta.

"Faith Of Jakarta, how may I assist you?"

Rosidora closed her eyes and could almost feel herself being transported across the continents to the place she once called home. The scents of spices came teasing her nostrils and she could hear joyful screams of girls playing in the distance. A smile formed on her lips as she remembered happy times during her first few years there.

"Faith of Jakarta, how may I assist you?" The voice repeated.

"Yes, may I speak to Mother Lai, please?" Rosidora asked in an assured but friendly voice.

It took the woman on the other side of the line a few seconds to respond.

"May I know who's asking for her?" The tone was direct and professional but clearly not as inviting and friendly as the initial greeting when she had first answered the phone. Uneasiness was starting to make its way back inside Rosidora's belly but she kept her voice under control.

"I was under her watch for a few years, I'd just like to revisit the past a little."

"I certainly appreciate that." The lady replied. "Would you mind giving me your name so I can announce you properly?"

Rosidora had anticipated the question, so her response was ready.

"I'd rather make it a surprise if you don't mind."

"Please stay on the line."

Rosidora did as she was told since she really had no other alternative. She could feel something wasn't right, the general happiness she recalled from her time there had vanished from the woman's voice and the background noises the moment she had asked to talk to Mother Lai. And she was now on hold, growing more uneasy with each passing second.

Finally, a man's voice picked up the line and asked abruptly.

"Who is this?"

Again Rosidora forced herself to maintain her composure and followed the script. "I was on hold for Mother Lai."

"Yes, I am aware." The man replied instantly. "Please identify yourself!"

This time the question came as an order. An order only a select few can get away with. Instead of following the order, Rosidora once more tried to stay close to the script and reiterated that she wanted to surprise her old mentor.

"I'm afraid you won't be in a position to surprise her." The man said in a nicer but still firm tone. "Mother Lai left us two weeks ago. Now may I please have your name?"

This time Rosidora was clearly shaken as she wasn't prepared for that answer. Her ears were buzzing as she managed to respond.

"What... what happened?"

The man took a deep breath on the other side and finally sounded a little friendly for the first time.

"Ma'am, I really can't tell you much more unless you can identify yourself to me."

Rosidora's mind was going at 100mph trying to come up with the appropriate answer. As she was thinking, she noticed Tom and Amada on the top screen. They had been exploring the mansion all day, taking advantage of each new room's characteristics to explore their own newly discovered thirst for lust. They were now in the media room on the same section of the property that Rosidora's command center was in, and behind the left curtain in the media room was a hidden passage-way that granted direct access to Rosidora's private section of the house. She was fairly confident they wouldn't find it, but she couldn't take that chance so she went back to her conversation across the globe.

Though she couldn't be heard from the sound-proof quarters she was in, she instinctively lowered her voice.

"I was under her supervision for years, I wanted to surprise her." Rosidora paused while thinking rapidly. "Did she leave the orphanage or..." She couldn't finish the question.

Noticing the hesitation in Rosidora's voice, the man quickly replied.

"She left to Europe for a trip about two weeks ago. She was due back last week but no news since."

Rosidora sighed in relief. For a second she had imagined the worst. But it was troubling that Mother Lai would not inform the orphanage if she was meant to be back only a week later. She asked the next question without even thinking.

"Do you know where in Europe?"

The man seemed to hesitate but finally answered.

"Spain I believe."

Tom had found the hi-tech remote control in the media room and had powered the main screen on while Amada was making herself comfortable in one of the expensive love-seat recliners. As Tom was navigating through the options on the screen, the lighting in the room changed to match the mood of the movie that had just been selected.

"I will call back." And she touched the disconnect button on her screen.

Rosidora was fascinated by the two lovers and how quickly they had adapted to their new status. She wanted to push their limits a little bit further still, but for now she needed to find out where Mother Lai was. And why she hadn't contacted the orphanage after being a week late. Spain was surely not a coincidence.