Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Malinda Kristen POV

After hearing that he was popular, I knew we had to go inside before others saw him, he might have fans and if they saw him at an orphanage or something, the news was so easy to spread. "Where are the others," I asked, looking for an excuse to go inside.

"They are inside having their lunch." Annabel, who was speaking to Russeli about celebrity stuff, told me.

"Let's go see them," I told her and Annabel led the way, the orphanage was filled with young, small, short and tall children, I looked at Russeli who haven't been to an orphanage before, he couldn't stop looking at the children, maybe he was thinking how pitiful it was to live here or lose their parents.

He looked at me, so I don't know why, but I could see the apology in his eyes. He was apologising to me with his eyes, maybe for using the loss of my parents to punish me. I gave him a reassuring smile.

Seeing me, the children who were eating their meal, left it and surrounded me, with happy faces, to me they were my only family, my brothers and sisters, we all share the same pain in one way or the other.

I embraced as many as I could as they greeted me. "I miss you all too, so I got something for each one of you." I started handing it over to them one after the other, Russeli had also assisted her in picking gifts and he had also paid for most of the presents.

"Wow, it is beautiful, thank you, aunt Malinda." The children were all excited as they looked at their new presents.

"Aunt Malinda, if you had told us you were coming, we would have prepared you a gift," Annabel said softly as she looked down at the big doll she had always wanted.

Suddenly, to my surprise all the children came together and started singing me a happy birthday song, I covered my lips as I watched them, Annabel also joined and it made me smile, I look up at Russelli, he wasn't singing, he doesn't know and he was only staring at me with an expression I couldn't read.

I turned my eyes back at the children who had just finished singing. "You all remember my birthday." I often forget my birthday and it shocks me that they didn't, even when I wasn't with them, it was so touching.

"How can we forget?" They all sang together and brought out a small cake with a lighted candlestick on it. It was filled with warmth. "Hurry up and blow the candle.

I nod, almost in tears as I squat down to blow it. "No stop!" Annabel shouted with her hands raised and I looked at her. "It is not right." She told me and I waited for her to continue, still nothing knowing what was not right. "You have to make a wish." She reminded me.

"Oh...I forgot." I didn't know what to wish for, but I closed my eyes and a few seconds later I opened them and blew the candle off and they clapped and all cheered.

"Thank you, dear, I forgot my birthday," I told them with a smile on my face, Annabel cut a piece of the cake and lift it to my lips, knowing what she wanted, I opened my mouth and she put the cake into my mouth, I chewed softly and smile. "It is delicious."

The other children also fed me and I did the same. I raised my head and looked at Russelli, he was still standing like I had seen him before and not joining in the fun. "Wait!" I called out and the children stopped and traced my eyes and all eyes looked at Russelli.

"There is someone here who is not happy here, he is not involved in the play." I stood up. "Come here." I demonstrated with my hands since we had become a little close.

"No." Russeli shook his head and stepped back.

"Kids, how about a little fun, let's catch him!" She told them and they all went after him, laughing and having fun together.

It was evening when Russeli and I left the orphanage. Today was fun for me. I was smiling as I looked out of the car window, just thinking of how exciting it was to finally go to meet my family, and it was possible because of Russeli.

I looked at him and he was silently driving, I wanted to talk to him, to share the happiness I felt, and to break the silence. "They are really funny right?" I asked him, but he didn't answer.

"I grew up with those children, they are like family to me, that was why I decided to see them and It was also because I missed them so much." I paused and looked at him with a smile. "I don't even know they remembered my birthday."

Russeli looked at me. "Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday today?" The tune of his voice was cold which made me realize he was angry.

"I forgot and I don't see a reason I have to celebrate it," I told him, hoping this will make him less angry, I don't even know the reason he was getting angry over it.

"You still have to." He looked forward and continued driving. "I would have prepared something like a gift." He looked at me again and we both locked our gaze for a moment and faced a different direction.

We were silent for a long while and soon Russeli stopped the car and I was surprised since this wasn't the mansion. "Come out." He told me and stepped out of the car.

I unhooked my seat belt and stepped out of the car still in surprise. "Why are we here?" I asked him and looked ahead. Russeli smiled at me and held my hands still to my surprise. I looked at his warm gaze and wondered what he was up to now.

I looked at the large mall in front and wondered why we were here. Russeli held my hands and I looked around. What if one of his fans sees us? "Russeli/"

"I need to buy you a present." He held her hands and tried to lead me inside but I held his hands to stop him, he looked at me and I shook my head.

"I don't need a present." He had done enough for me and I am grateful to him, having him add another present was going to make paying him back hard for me.

He looked into my eyes and I could see his serious expression. "That's what I want to do for you." He held my hands and led me into the mall. There were a lot of beautiful things inside. I have never been to a place like this. I normally go to a place I know I could afford.

"I don't know what to pick, they all look expensive and beautiful." I turned to a staff member who was standing next to us. "Please, can I get the cheapest present you have?"

Russeli turns to me with a furrowed brow. "You are not the one buying the present for yourself, I am." He pointed at himself. "So go ahead and pick something." He was wearing sunglasses which made him unrecognizable.

"Then would you do the picking for me?" I asked him since I was confused as to what to pick, I saw him smile, this was a sincere smile and I know he was happy now.

He looked around and then back at me. "Since you are my star and you take music as your companion, I would buy you a gift for that." I watched him pick up a music glass globe with stars in it, and he handed it over to me. "Here, take this."

I looked at the present he had picked and it made me smile as tears filled my eyes. It was beautiful, something I had received from my parents on my fifth birthday but it had broken in the car accident since I had it with me then.

"It is pretty, but do I deserve this?" Ever since I lost my parents, ever since I was the only one who survived that car accident, I felt like I deserved nothing in this life, not even this person standing in front.

"It is the best gift I have ever given to a lady, so you deserve it." He paid for it and we both left for the car. Once inside, I turned on the button and a piece of cool classical music started playing with the stars twinkling in it. 'It is beautiful."

Russeli started the car engine and looked at me. "You like it, don't you?" I nod, unable to look away from the beautiful present.

"Yes, it is the best gift I have ever received from anyone after the death of my parents, I will treasure it for life." I smile.

"Well, to me you are my greatest gift." To my surprise, he leaned in and kissed me.