Regina knew that she couldnât do much for Daphne in any ways, but she could at least swing by her friendâs orphanage during her free time. Consequently, most of the kids were well-acquainted with Regina; they knew she was their beloved directorâs good friend.
And the director herself was family to them, which made her friends their friends too.
âArrived, have you?â Ablett had been seemingly waiting by the door for ages, and as soon as he spotted Reginaâs car approaching, he walked out to greet her.
âYou know the orphanage isnât lacking in supplies. You always bring so much stuff, and itâs not exactly convenient for you to carry it all by yourself.â
Ablett took the bags from Reginaâs hands with ease. Her car was still brimming with goodies.
âItâs not about what the orphanage needs; itâs about the presents for the kids. Itâs the thought that counts. I promised them last time that Iâd bring what they wished for. How could I go back on my word?â
Ablett touched his nose, âYeah, youâre right.â
Today wasnât just a typical visit for Regina. She had an important matter to discuss â the details about that developer Ablett had dealt with in the past.
She knew the ringleader was someone named Domingo, but the extent of his influence and his current whereabouts were unknown. She could only hope that Ablett would recall some of those crucial details.
With so many tenants involved, how had he managed to persuade them one by one? Regina was certain that Ablett was not the only resistant one.
âKids, look whoâs here!â Ablett, holding the presents, was quickly surrounded by a swarm of eager children.
âThese are all gifts from your friend Regina!â
Several little girls lunged into Reginaâs arms, and she bent down to scoop one up.
âOh my, let me give you a hug. Have you gotten heavier?â
âYou havenât been around for so long. Iâve gotten taller and a bit chubbier.â
âIâve been so busy recently, otherwise Iâd definitely come to see you more often.â
Once all the kids were herded off to lunch, the two adults finally had a moment to sit down.
âYou seem to get along great with the kids.â Regina commented as she sipped her water.
Ablett, who had been gulping his own drink, knew that keeping up with these kids required not just patience but also energy.
âI have you to thank for hooking me up with this job. Being around these pure-hearted kids, I feel like Iâm the one being healed.â
âHave you ever thought about going back to your wife and kids?â Regina hesitated but asked anyway.
Ablett now had a stable gig, and he could seek out his own children.
Every time Regina saw him watching the orphanage kids from a distance with that content smile on his face, she was reminded that he had his own kids whom he couldnât be with.