The Orphanage

We pulled up to the curb and got out. I almost felt like running. The last thing that I wanted was to be tied down at an orphanage, but then I thought where I would go. Would I find another alleyway to crawl into and die this time? Edward was one of the special ones, he was kind.

As we entered the building, a felt a looming pressure coming from the inside. I don't know if it was just me, or the sense of what was to come. Feeling the peering eyes coming from other children around the corner Edward, George and I entered through I door that lead into a small office. A woman opened the office door. The moment she saw Edward she looked flustered, again I felt the feeling that Edward was not an average person.

The woman introduced herself as Karen. She began to ask Edward about me with a confused look on her face.

"Mr. Edward's just who is this boy you have here with you."

"This is Yuta"

"Mr. Edwards that doesn't answer my question."

"I am sorry my dear. Let me start over. This is Yuta I found him last night in the back of an alleyway. He claims that his parents abandoned him there. So I took him home with me."

Karen looked at me again, but this time out of pure pity, you could see it in her eyes. After just that split second she looked back at Edward and began to speak.

"What is it that you would like to do with him Mr. Edward's"?

This was when I felt the most fear I sat there for what felt like hours was only a few seconds.

"We can take him in if we nee--"

"No that won't be necessary Karen."

It was at that moment I was at a complete loss. What did we come here for then? I am more confused than ever.

"Than what do you plan to do with him Edward, he certainly can't live alone, he's much too young."

"George, please hand Karen the adoption papers."

George turned around and left the room briefly. He returned with the papers that were asked for. Karen looked astonished, almost like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. For god sakes, I couldn't understand what he was saying. It was at that moment that Edward turned towards me and said.

"Would you like to live with me Yuta."

Frozen stiff like a board, I couldn't say anything, I was too confused. Edward was a nice man, but I never imagined that he would want to adopt me. I was suddenly snapped out of the trance when I heard Karen yelling at Edward. She was saying you can't suddenly take someone's kid just like that. She continued by saying that we don't even know if my parents had abandoned me. Edward quickly rose his hand halfway up to his face to halt Karen's continuous attack.

"I understand how it looks Karen, but I am going to leave the decision up too Yuta."

Everyone in the room was looking at me I quickly looked at Karen who's face looked slightly irritated. I looked back at Edward who had a very calm and collected face. I couldn't help it anymore and yell out.

"I want to live with you, Edward."

With tears running down my face Edward reached over and patted my head. He stood up looking at Karen.

"Well there you have it Karen looks like we're going to make this work."

"What do you want me to do? Push this paperwork through"?

"My dear that's exactly what I want you to do."

With a deep breath Karen exhaled; finally giving up she sunk back into her chair.

"Edward, this is going to take some time, and I am going to need some details, so I hope you're free for the afternoon."

"Certainly Karen, let me just send these two on their way."

Edward turns to look at me. He said that since he needed to spend some extra time at the orphanage that George and I should go out and do some shopping. After all, I didn't have any other clothes other than what I was wearing. We left the building and headed to the car. George opened the back door. I looked at him and said that I wanted to sit in the front with him he nodded in agreement. When George went to get the door, I told him there was no need. He looked at me weirdly for a second but then gave in and got into the car.

George was concentrating on the road, but I couldn't help but start a conversation with him.

"George."

"What is it Yuta."

"Who is Edward? He's lives a life of luxury."

"I'd love to tell you, but I think that a question to ask of Edward, not me, sorry."

I can understand why he wouldn't want to say anything. It would be kind of unjust to go behind Edward's back.

"I Understand, I'll ask him tonight."

"You're a very sensible person Yuta, I wonder if that's why Edward has taken a liking to you."

It's true. I've always been a wise, and sensible kid. I've never been the type to think too highly of myself or treat others without any respect. The world is a place where those who are nice are eaten alive by those who are evil and rotten. Finding the balance between being good and evil makes you sensible. You must be strong enough to survive against the worst of the worst. However, be kind enough not to throw away the world for greed. That is my principle.

George stopped the car only to pull up to a department store. We exited the vehicle, and immediately we were being glared at. It must've been because of the car. George and I entered the department store and collected myself a full wardrobe which took at least two to three hours.

My stomach grumbled I was hungry, but I felt that Edward had already done enough for me today so I'd wait until later. However, I was seen through in an instant by George.

"Yuta are you hungry, let's go get some food. Shall we"

I shook my head saying that it was okay and that I wasn't hungry.

"I heard your stomach growling from a mile away Yuta. You can't-fool me. There's no need to be reserved if your hungry let's get something to eat. Your Edward's son now."

With a smile on his face, George looked at me and said only a few words that warmed my heart.

"You're family to us. Not just Edward, but myself included."

I gave in and admitted that I was hungry. It was already five at night. Though it still wasn't getting dark.

We decided to go somewhere quick. We ended up at a small restaurant on the street corner. They were serving subs and pizza. Simple and delicious food. We got our food and left. We arrived back at the hotel after about 20 mins.

When we walked through the penthouse doors, Edward was sitting back at in a chair with a drink in his hand. When he noticed us with all the bags of clothes and food, he immediately got up and rushed over to grab some of the bags from George and me.

"You should have called if you had this much I would have met you down in the lobby."

"There was no need for that Yuta, and I could handle it isn't that right Yuta"?

I looked up with a smile

"We sure could."

Edward smiled. He looked delighted watching as we moved the bags of clothes into what would become my new room. When we walked into the room, we put all the stuff away into drawers. When I opened the dresser drawer, I found a letter that was addressed to me. I picked up the message and examined it. It had a red and gold seal on it with a beautiful engraved C in the wax. I proceed to open the letter in which read. Yuta, I Edward officially welcome you to the Croft family.

Barely being to contain my own excitement I ran out of the room and jumped into Edward hugging him while holding the letter.

"I assume you found the letter."

"I did. Thank You, Edward, I can't say enough to thank you."

"There no need for that--. Son"

With just those words it felt like I was ultimately accepted into the family. Edward just patted my head and nodded that it would all be okay now.

George, who was watching the scene looked like he was going to break into tears. Instead, he told Edward he was going to retire to his room. Which turns out he was only two floors below us; so I could visit him whenever I wanted.

I suddenly remembered what I had asked George in the car about who Edward really was. So without any hesitation, I turned to ask Edward

"Edward"

"What is it"

"Just who are you exactly."

"What do you mean?"

Edward looked just a little confused over the question, so I elaborated.

"The expensive car, the huge penthouse, what do you do?"

Edward with a big smile on his face answered

"I am the Founder and CEO of Croft Financial; I work on Wall Street."

I knew a little about Wall Street from my time in New York. From the jest of it, I know that it's where a lot of money is exchanged.

Edward explained to me what Wall Street is and what his firm does. I understood it well for a 12-year-old. We talked about what a stock is and what it means to own it. I was very interested in the subject. My family was never poor, but we were never rich. I wanted to know the taste of being rich from my own hands; not just taking Edwards.

We went to bed after a short chat about his work. I asked if I could go and see his workplace, Edward agreed with zero hesitancy. I think he enjoyed the thought of me working in the same field when I grow up.