The Empire's Descent (First Draft)

Chapter 6: Getting Help

TW: Mild abuse

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Lia came in the room, noticeably slower and with a limp, in an electric blue blazer and black bloomer pants.

At least the colour arrangement went together this time. Ada found herself smiling at the eccentric woman.

"So, I come bearing gifts!" She sang in the room of the triplets. A man came in with a box in his hands and immediately, Ada's heart monitor went off.

"So pretty, ewo, sorry, please," Mma hushed Ada. She recognized the beeping to mean something is wrong. (An auditory exclamation expressing sympathy).

"Travis, put down the box and get out quickly. Thank you," Lia rushed him, but he took no offence.

They didn't think the child had an aversion to men, but they should have thought of that.

"Hey, ebezi na," Lia tried her hand at the little Igbo she was able to grasp from Danna. (No more crying).

Ada giggled at the crude pronunciation, but it was the sentiment that she most appreciated.

"I'm sorry, Auntie," Ada bowed her head.

"It is alright, my precious," Lia hushed the child, "shall we see what goodies I've brought"?

"Yes, Auntie," Ada nodded.

"Pwesents!" Mma cheered, "so pretty, I get, yes?"

"You all get presents!" Lia cheered just as enthused. Ada sometimes thought she was just as much as a child as Mma or Danna.

She brought Science books and an Italian language book for Ada; Lia had got a hit on the hail Mary DNA test she ran and found a match in the database; even if the connection was through a convict. They could use his link to find the rest of the kids' family. Ada had given her the need-to-know on the rest of her family members.

Lia wouldn't share this news with the children until she had determined that the family wanted the girls and she had vetted the family. She would find a good home for them because they deserved it after the hell they had been through. Lia knew, all too well, the importance of a good home. She rubbed the sore spot on her ribs, unconsciously.

Ada pressed the Nurse call button on her armrest and, shortly, Nurse Sienna arrived.

"Is everything alright?" She startled everyone except Ada.

"Yes, sorry, could you take the girls outside for a second, please?" Ada said seriously.

"S-sure," the adults passed a look to each other.

"Ada, what is it, honey?" Lia looked to the child with concern.

"Who's hurting you?"

Lia didn't have time to throw up any defences. Christ, was the child perceptive!

"Honey, I just fell".

"You're lying. You're nervous. You're helping us, why are you beneath help?"

Oh, God! Lia was going to cry.

"I'll tell you what, let me help you all first and then I will make sure I get help, sound good?"

Ada tossed up the deal; it wasn't ideal, but she knew all about waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Who is it?"

"Ada, that is no concern of a child. Please, trust me," Ada bristled at the child jab. She had been through things women Lia's age could never imagine; she deserved respect!

"I see."

Lia felt a door close in her face. Crap, how was she going to do her job if her charge no longer trusted her?

"Ada, biko, ozugo," Lia pleaded. (Ada, please, it is enough).

"I want you safe, you're my friend," Ada revealed.

"Oh, baby girl, I will get help, but you guys are my top priority right now," Lia fibbed the first half. She wasn't sure if she would get help. She didn't deserve it...

"I- I am trusting you," Ada looked into her eyes and Lia didn't break the contact, but her heart sank.

The girls were back in the room enjoying their presents.

"Why did you choose Italian?" Ada asked suspiciously.

"I just thought you'd like to have that piece of your heritage," Lia lied smoothly.

Ada hummed a response. She wasn't convinced, but she figured Lia would tell them in time.

"I've got to get going now, but I'll be back tomorrow," she bid them farewell.

Lia left and went to her office to start making calls.

"Giordano Industries, may I ask who's calling?"

"Ah, yes, hello. My name is Cecelia Banks and I am calling from Cave Hill Social Services Department for a Mr. Luca Giordano?"

"Hold while I transfer you to the secretary on his floor," the receptionist chirped. After a minute, Lia heard a click and another voice came on the phone.

"Hello, Ms. Banks, can you state the premise of this call?"

"I am afraid that information is confidential and it is of the utmost importance I speak with Mr. Giordano as soon as possible," Lia spoke professionally. Eccentric as she may be, this was her calling and she did it with pride and professionalism.

"Please hold while I.T. verifies the authenticity of this call," came the reply.

"Alright," that's new...

Another 5 minutes on hold before she got a response.

"Yes, Ms. Banks, you will now be transferred to Mr. Giordano's personal assistant," damn, this man was hard to reach! She supposed she should be grateful that he was even accessible.

"Ms. Banks, Mr. Giordano, will be with you momentarily. Please, wait to be linked to his extension," the man informed.

Another goddamn click and the man of the hour was here!

"Ms. Banks," the voice said in greeting.

She relayed the situation at hand to him with basic details and asked to set up a meeting with him.

"Ms. Banks, are you sure you have the right individual?"

"Yes, we ran a DNA test and got a match off of a... Matteo Giordano and back-tracing that led us to your family," she informed.

"I will be there in a few hours... Marco, ready the bird," She heard him direct to his personal assistant.

"Is that all, Ms. Banks?"

"That is all, Mr. Giordano," she hung up.

God, he sounded stuffy as hell!

Lia felt satisfied that things were moving along smoothly. She spun in her chair and stopped when she felt dizzy. Her eyes landed on the framed photo of her and Adam... The damned dog!

"I will get help," she promised Ada. How could she be so hypocritical? She spent her days convincing kids this wasn't okay and look at her!

She left the office and went to hell. Lia got a slap as she entered the house. Her eyes were teeming with rage. Here we go...