Restless

The matron nodded and smiled. The only kid in the orphanage that goes by the name Bella was the one adopted a few months ago.

“Can we get the information about your daughter and the legal documentation you signed? Amanda smiled and brought out all the necessary documents and placed them before the matron.

After glancing over it and comparing it with the copies in the orphanage. She realised that it’s her daughter indeed that has been given off in adoption.

“We waited for you for many years. Other parents returned to get their kids and many were adopted except Bella…”the matron trailed off.

They couldn’t reach her. She changed her address and her contacts were forever switched off. Since there was no information about her, they couldn’t inform her that her daughter had been adopted.

“I’m sorry about that ma’am. Life was unfair to me so I decided to go away for a few years. But I’m back now. I have a job and I’ve returned to fetch my daughter” Amanda Smith explained.

The matron nodded. She glared at the young woman and imagined what she’d been through to have brought her daughter to the orphanage to be raised within the first few weeks after her birth.

“I’m sorry, Bella has been adopted by a family” The matron announced. If she had the slightest knowledge that Bella’s real mother would return, she wouldn’t have given in to Mr Hudson’s persuasion to have Bella adopted.

“Adoption?” Amanda asked, her cheerful expression turned icy. Give her daughter up for adoption, at whose permission?

“We couldn’t reach you by phone or by your address. I’m sincerely sorry about that” The matron explained.

Amanda Smith gnashed her teeth. Her nails dug into her palm that she had to apply the last bit of restraint she had left to hold back from yelling into the face of the matron.

She couldn’t take care of her daughter at the time, hence she gave her up to be looked after at the orphanage. So, it then means that they now have the autonomy to give her daughter out without her consent?

“I would like to meet my daughter’s foster parents. We both need to talk” Amanda declared with the highest bit of calmness she could gather at the moment.

The matron sighed softly. She’s helpless. If this is what Miss Smith wants, she has no option than to make the two parents meet.

Chase Hudson couldn’t concentrate on anything else in the office, his mind kept flashing to the dream he had and frightening thoughts were overwhelming him.

He felt lost and guilt-filled just like he felt when Rosalinda had a miscarriage. Why that feeling? Back then, he lost a baby, but this time, what has he lost?

He left the office and instructed his secretary “If my brother comes asking for him, tell him I’m not feeling too well” he instructed and walked into the elevator.

The secretary responded “Yes sir” just as Chase slid into the elevator. The boss is not feeling too well? He can’t possibly be sick and his newly wedded wife would let him step out of the house.

Rosalinda least expected to see him when he walked into the sitting room. She descended the stairs and met him just as he stepped his foot on the penultimate stairs.

“Are you alright my love?” She asked, hugging him. Chase held her tightly as if holding her was a means of reassurance that everything will be fine again.

“I’m not. I don’t feel alright” Chase responded, holding Rosalinda to a side hug. The latter glared up at him but didn’t say anything yet.

He doesn’t look alright indeed. His facial expression appeared dull and his eyes sullen. He appeared so during breakfast as well.

But returning home just within a few hours of work really meant something is amiss. She would call the doctor immediately.

As they got into the bedroom, Chase sank into the bed. That cheerfulness in him was no longer there. He sighed audibly and closed his eyes.

“What is wrong with you?” Rosalinda asked. Before Chase could answer, she continued “I’m calling your doctor right away”

She doesn’t need to know what is wrong now. Getting the doctor down to the house is the most important thing at that moment.

“It’s not something the doctor can do. It’s psychological. I’m worried about someone I used to know…” Chase Hudson declared.

Rosalinda paused and sighed. She came over, her hand by Chase’s shoulders.

“Is there a problem about the person? Is it something you can help him with?” Rosalinda asked, thinking how best she can be of help at that moment.

“It’s not a ‘he’ she’s a woman. I saw her in my dreams. She’s asking me for something. But the dream has been bothering me since I woke up from it.

It’s making me feel terrible, exactly as I felt back then when you had a miscarriage. I’m very worried about it…” Chase explained.

He deliberately skipped the part of the dream where Amanda Smith was asking him to give her daughter back to her. It will only make Rosalinda worried unnecessarily about their daughter, Bella.

Rosalinda smiled. “You are being paranoid. Stay calm and relaxed while I give you a massage” Rosalinda coaxed.

Few minutes later, Chase’s phone chirped. He was already dozing off as Rosalinda massaged him but he gently opened his eyes and answered his phone.

Chase’s heart beat almost skipped when he was told to come over to the orphanage and bring Bella along. For a few seconds, he was tongue tied.

“Are you there, Mr Hudson?” The matron asked. The other side of the phone suddenly went quiet.

“Yeah, sure” Chase Hudson came back to his senses. His eyes had gone reddened. And when he hung up, he turned and glared at Rosalinda “I have to go to the orphanage and I’m told to bring Bella along” he informed.

Rosalinda glared at her husband. What is Chase saying? “The orphanage? Isn’t Bella your biological daughter?”