BROKEN PROMISES (Sample)

Three

Raymond congratulated himself for thinking so fast. He was taking a chance by forcing Alexis to spend the day with him but he had to make her see him somehow. This date was the perfect opportunity he needed. She was a New Yorker but she'd been away for two years and a few things had changed. His first destination was his favorite place. An orphanage he liked to visit whenever he had a chance and spend time with the kids there. He was always grateful that his mother had left him a letter telling him who his father was or he would have ended up there himself.

His parents had been high school sweethearts and they would have ended up married had it not been for his grandfather who had threatened her to leave. Not even once did he grieve for that man when he died. Sylvester Lachlan was the worst human being he'd ever known. Even after conducting a DNA test behind his father's back, he'd still not believed Ray was his grandson. To this day he wondered how his father grew up with such an evil man. It must've not been easy. No wonder he'd chosen to be a police officer rather than follow in his father's footsteps. "Ray, Ray, Ray" the children's voices brought him back to the present.

"Hey guys. Miss me?" he asked them waiting for Alexis to get down first before he could. She'd taken off her helmet and she looked confused. Prettily confused. "I brought a real life Princess with me. Say hi to her kids" some moved to shake her hands, other looked at her in awe while the rest were scared to touch her. And he understood their hesitation because after all, he'd told them she was a real Princess. He got off the bike just as the director approached them. She was a short plump woman who gave off maternal vibes the second she smiled. Her smile was always warm reminding Ray of his mother. "Hi Mary" he greeted flashing her his killer smile.

"Ray. I see you brought a guest with you" she said her gaze on Alexis. The kids had made a circle around them leaving them in the middle. Katia who was ten spoke up first.

"She's a Princess"

"Is she now?" Mary asked amused. Ray was sure the woman knew who Alexis was but was waiting for him to introduce her. Why? He didn't know. Nonetheless he turned towards Alexis

"Alexis meet Mary. The director of this nice place. Mary this is Alexandra Rutherford famously known as the Rutherford Princess"

"Hi" Alexis said stretching out her hand. Mary shook it studying her then turned her gaze to Ray with questioning eyes.

"She's pretty Raymond. Is she your girlfriend?" Ray's eyes widened and Mary laughed "I'm joking boy. You should have seen your face"

"That's not funny" he turned his face away scratching the back of his neck. It was so like Mary to put him on the spot like that. Clearing his throat he asked "Are they here yet?"

"What?"

"If you don't know then it means they haven't arrived yet."

"What did you do now?"

"Nothing" Ray shrugged turning to the kids. "Okay guys. Let's go. I have work for you to do" they groaned but followed him.

Two hours later they were all seated in the dining room drinking their midmorning tea. Ray had ordered new mattresses and blankets since he'd seen how worn out the kids slept on were. He had also taken a few minutes to calm Mary down because the woman was freaking out over how much money he'd spent. It was a lot but it was worth it. Then he'd put everyone to task even Alexis. At first Ray thought she would refuse to help and sit in a corner counting the minutes before they had to leave, but she'd surprised him by helping out. She looked like she was having fun judging by how hard she laughed. It warmed him from the inside out to know he was the reason she was so happy. Well indirectly of course. By lunch hour the kids were so hyped up that their disappointment was visible when they decided to leave. Ray had to promise them he would come back soon before they let them leave.