NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

A HEAVY ATMOSPHERE enveloped the table where Zoe, Hans and Dacre were sitting. The two men threw a piercing gaze at each other while Zoe just sat there, stunned.

The soft giggles from the children inside the art room weren't enough to penetrate into the awkwardness surrounding them.

Zoe was the first one to came back to her senses so she chuckled to lighten up the mood, "Hans is just joking, Sir."

But nothing happened. The two continued their battle of deadly stares.

Zoe doesn't want the worse thing to happen so she tugged on Hans sleeve which the latter looked at her.

His dark eyes bore into her and she flinched back in fear. Zoe lowered her head because she doesn't want to see those murderous eyes.

"Alright. I'll just go back to the children for a while."

Dacre stood up and left the two to supervise the children with their activity.

Zoe remained seated nervously and she unconsciously reached her spoon and scooped a sundae. Before she could put her food in her mouth, a hand grabbed her wrist which made her stop.

"Enough with the sweets," Hans took the spoon from her and put it back to the cup.

Zoe watched as her sundae was taken away from her and she pouted sadly.

"Stop that."

"H-huh?"

"Stop pulling a face like a spoiled brat."

Well, that hurts a bit. She isn't a spoiled brat, she just loves food so much. It would be a waste if she will not finish her sundae.

Zoe nodded and fixed her face so Hans wouldn't be mad anymore. She just turned to watch the kids on art room but her mind is in a different thought.

"Why did you lied?" After some few time, Zoe asked in a low voice.

"If you could handle the shame of people knowing that your parents chose your spouse without your consent, well, not me."

That hits like daggers stabbing right through Zoe's poor heart and it hurts a lot, this time.

She didn't think that Hans was ashamed of their marriage. Their union as one was a humiliating experience for him and this fact was too much for her.

Zoe remained silent with a lump on her throat and did all her best to fight back her tears.

She shouldn't cry here!

"If everyone is already done, we will proceed to our sharing!" Dacre announced.

Zoe shifted her attention to the kids, ignoring her aching heart and overflowing emotions.

"My wish is to ride an airplane, and drive an airplane when I grow up!" Robert, the first one to share showed his drawing, a realistic plane. For a six-year old child, he was skilled in drawing lifelike images, but sad to say, he was infected with tuberculosis.

Zoe clapped her hands as Robert finished his sharing. The other children shared one by one about their wishes in life and showed off their unique drawings.

That put a smile on Zoe's face as she listened to the kids. Some have simple dreams in their lives while others dreamed high but not impossible. Zoe believed that these children will reach their dreams when the right time comes and she will always there to support them.

"I wished to have a happy and complete family," Jessica, a five-year old patient with asthma, showed two drawings, "this one is my family at home, Mama, Papa and my little brother."

She then showed the other drawing with a name Angels' Haven, "And this one is my family at the shelter," she pointed a stick figure of a big woman named 'Mami', "this is Mami and this is Dadi," she smiled while pointing her drawing of a big man with a word Dadi below.

"This is me and my siblings, Nurse Wendy, Sir Galvez, the doctors and nurses and all the people here!" Jessica continued as she pointed the other human stick figures in her drawing.

"We don't have a Dadi, yet!" Vegas chimed in.

"We have!" Jessica argued, "Mr. Hans is our Dadi, because he is Mami's husband!"

Zoe's was dumbfounded. She was speechless.

Jessica ran towards Hans and looked up at him, "Mr. Hans, can you be our Dadi?"

Hans looked at the hopeful eyes of the child, he opened his mouth to speak, "Sure."

Jessica beamed and jumped happily, "Yehey!"

Zoe doesn't want to end the child's joy but she needs to explain since she knew Hans really doesn't want to be their Dadi and she would not let these pure angels experience a false love.

"Little Jessica, listen here, Mr. Hans is a busy man so he can't be your Dadi," Zoe said softly as she stroked her hair.

"But why? Mami is also busy but you are our beloved Mami," Jessica's eyes teared up.

Zoe cursed herself mentally for making the little girl cry.

How would she explain that Hans doesn't want to be their Dadi and he just said yes since they are just little innocent children to understand a thing, just like how he was forced into their marriage just to obey his parents?

"No, don't cry. I said that I will be your Dadi," Hans scooped Jessica in his arms and wiped her tears.

Zoe pinched her palm as she watched the scene in front of her. This couldn't be real, but yes, it is actually happening!

"But Mami said-"

"Shhh. From now on, I am your Dadi, okay?"

Jessica smiled and nodded, "Okay, Dadi!"

She then gave him a hug and got out of Hans' arms. She also hugged Zoe before running back to her seat with a wide smile.

The other children also ran towards Hans and hugged him, calling him, "Dadi!"

The kids were very happy that they already have a Dadi. They felt that their family is already complete.

Vegas and Phoenix, these two, was not glad of the news, but if their siblings were happy about it, they would also accept Mr. Hans as their Dadi.

"Mr. Hans, don't forget what I said earlier!" Vegas said as he stood bravely in front of Hans.

"You can call me Dadi, Vegas," Hans teased as he saw the irritated look of the child.

Vegas' heart beat wildly as he heard his name from his Dadi's mouth. It sounded nice in his ears and he wanted to hear more of it.

Hiding his little blush, he threw himself to Hans and hug him, "Whatever, Dadi."

Hans suppressed a smile and hugged the shy Vegas back.

Vegas pushed himself off from the hug and faced Hans, "Hmmph, but I will still take Mami away from you if ever you make her cry!"

"I will always keep that in mind, Vegas."

Before he blushed even more, Vegas already ran away from Hans.

Phoenix was the last one give Hans a hug. It was a quick hug since Phoenix immediately pulled away.

"Welcome to our family, Mr. Hans." After saying those words, Phoenix walked back to the other children quietly.

'This kid will be a difficult one.' Hans thought.

Zoe just sat while watching the kids gave Hans a hug. The wide smile on their faces and the happiness in their eyes also made Zoe glad.

Honestly, her heart felt contented but at the same time, she couldn't help but felt sad for them.

What if Hans was not sincere in agreeing to be their Dadi, though Zoe could see that he has nothing against it.

But Zoe wanted the kids to experience a pure and honest love and not just an act.

She knew it is wrong to judge Hans' intentions but she couldn't help but to think about the children's feelings.

They deserve the only good things in life, not pain, not disappointment and not sadness.

They have gone through a lot of suffering and Zoe know she couldn't bear seeing them shed a tear if one day Hans will disappoint them as their Dadi.

"You shouldn't have said yes to them if you were just forced."

Zoe spoke while watching the children continued on their sharing.

Where did she got all her courage? It's from her little babies who were one of her treasures in life.

"How could you say that I was forced?" Hans asked in a cold tone.

The two of them were talking in a soft voice, enough for them to hear each other's words.

"Why? Are you not?" Zoe asked back.

Hans looked at her, "If I said that I will be their Dadi, I will fulfill it."

Zoe studied Hans' eyes but there's nothing she could see but only seriousness.

Maybe she's wrong. Maybe Hans really wanted to be the children's father figure in the shelter.

Why would she even compare it with their mere forced marriage? Of course, it was totally different.

He didn't hate the children. He personally said that he will be their Dadi. It was his own will and no one forced him.

Being her husband and being the kids' Dadi was two different cases so Zoe should stop doubting Hans' true intentions towards the children.

He is serious about it.

"I understand. Sorry that I invalidated your decision. I just hope that you will not disappoint these children. They are so precious to me and I couldn't afford seeing them hurt someday."

"I am true to my words. And why do you sound like you don't want me to be their Dadi?" Hans asked while staring deep into her eyes.

Zoe couldn't answer because she was caught off guard by his intense and accusing eyes. Zoe felt like she was in a hot seat and was asked by the most difficult question.

After a long time waiting for Zoe to answer, Hans didn't heard anything. Zoe was just staring at him with wide eyes and her lips parted slightly. He saw confusion in her clear beautiful amber eyes.

Hans reached for the strand of hair covering her small face that got lost in her ponytail and slowly tucked it behind her ear. He then asked another question with a sarcastic tone.

"Oh, maybe you wanted someone else to be the Dadi of these children, hmm Zoe?"

Zoe's breath hitched.

What the hell is going on???