Chapter 6

We both run upstairs after her but she gets to her room first and locks the door behind her. We start banging against the door to get her to open up.

"Lily, can you please open up?". Who am I kidding? Why would she ever listen to me?

"Lily darling, please open up. I promise to make whoever did this pay dearly". Oh no. That's not the next thing to say. I mentally facepalm.

I glance at Mr Ross to try and see if he has any solutions for this. Our eyes meet and as if he understands why I am looking at him, he nods.

"I will get the master key. We can open the door that way". He rushes off to God knows where.

In the meantime, I'm still trying to get through to her because her sobs are not ending. I don't even think Mr Ross has ever seen her this upset and riled up. Something bad must have happened at the party.

Mr Ross arrives in no time and puts in the key. His hands are trembling. I place my hand over his and put the key to work while giving him a reassuring look.

Finally, the door unlocks and we rush in. We meet Lily in a disheveled mess on the floor crying her eyes out.

"Lily, what is going on?". She doesn't answer us. Instead, she stands up and starts behaving like she wants to run off again. Before she can swoop away , I rush to her and hold her tightly to myself. She twists and turns until we both fall over. I still hug her to myself while running my hands through her hair.

"Shhhh....shhhhh....shhhhh.... It's okay. Cry it all out. We are here. Nothing is going to happen to you. Cry it all out. You are such a strong girl. Where is that girl that gave me attitude in the morning? I don't see her anywhere. Did you perhaps run into her on your way here? Calm down. Calm down. Would you like to count to 10 with me?". She starts calming down and relaxing in my arms, her head buried in my chest.

"1...2...3...4...". She starts counting along with me until we reach 10.

"Do you feel better now?". She nods. Okay, I can work with that.

"Do you want to go to bed?". She mutters a low no and I continue stroking her hair.

"You are comfortable like this?". She nods. I chuckle at her. She raises her head up at me. I wipe her tears with the back of my hand.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened at the party?". I give her a reassuring smile.

"I just wanted to be their friend". Huh? What is she talking about? A whole heiress looking for friends? It sounds so odd.

"What do you mean Lily? Don't you have a lot of friends already? I'm genuinely confused. She shakes her head in response.

"No I don't have any. Nobody wants to be my friend because of what Rina keeps telling them". She sniffles.

"Who is Rina and what did she say?"

"Promise me you won't tell daddy. He will get angry and do something bad". She sticks out her pinky and I turn back to look at Mr Ross.

I almost forgot he was here with me. He looks so....sad. I almost want to hug him and tell him that everything is okay. Keyword: almost.

His eyes are trained on the both of us. I'm sure he is wondering what the both of us are talking about in hush tones.

"Okay. I promise not to say anything but you know he is still going to find out one way or another". I reluctantly do the pinky swear.

"Rina is my classmate. She told everyone that I killed everyone that I killed my mummy and if they become friends with me, I will kill them too". Rage instantly fills me up beyond words. How can little kids be so stupid, wicked and inconsiderate? Trying to keep my anger at bay for her sake, I take in deep breaths.

"So what happened today?". I raise her chin up to look into her blue eyes. The amount of sadness that swirls in them makes my heartache.

"Today is her birthday. I got her a bag that she was always talking about with her friends for her birthday. When I went to give her my gift, she threw it on the floor. She then said that I killed my mummy. I shouted at her to keep quiet and stop telling lies. But she pushed me to the ground. I go angry and I pushed her back. It was all her fault". She starts crying again. I stroke her hair again.

"She deserved it. I hope she looks worse than you do right now. Now look, I'm not encouraging fights but in this case, you were not at fault. It was hers. Her parents didn't train her well. How did she find out that your mummy is...?"

"Dead? You don't need to do that. I know what death means. Her mum told her". Gosh! Lily has really been through a lot at a really young age.

It means that an adult is behind everything. That's even good. It means I can do something.

"Don't listen to foolish girls like Rina. She's simply taking after her bad mother. From now on if she says anything bad about you in class, take your stand but don't get into any fights with her".

"Ok, I won't ".

"You are going to school tomorrow right?".

"Yes I am. Why?"

"I will be following you in the morning. I need to take care of something there". I look down at her and I see a huge smile on her face.

"Are you hungry?". She nods.

"Alright. Just go and take a bath. Change your clothes, then come downstairs. I will make something for us to eat". Surprisingly, unlike before, the smile remains on her face as she pulls away from my embrace and runs into the bathroom.

I stand up and leave the room, Mr Ross following me.

"I'm going to the kitchen to prepare something for us to eat. Do you have any preferences sir?". I face him as we stand outside Lily's room.

"What were you guys talking about and when did you become close?". Questions are written all over his face.

"She merely tolerated me up until two minutes ago and whatever cause the issue with her will be taken care of tomorrow. For her sake, don't dig around for information. I will handle it". I don't wait for him to reply before I leave and go downstairs.

After settling on Mac and cheese for dinner and making some banana milkshake as dessert, I call both of them downstairs.

"Lily! Mr Ross! Dinner is ready!". I set the table and wait for them in the living area. Lily comes running downstairs less than a minute later and Mr Ross follows right behind her.

They both follow me to the dining and we sit down. I and Lily are on either side of Mr Ross. I dish our food and sit back down. They are about to dig in when I stop both of them.

"What is it?".

"We need to say the grace first". Lily mumbles something incoherent and I give her a disapproving look. Mr Ross drops his fork and I smile at the fact that they don't resist.

"Close your eyes. Father, we thank you for this food you have provided for us today. Father, may you continue to give to us so that we can do so for others who don't have. Thank you for your mercy, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen". Unsurprisingly, their eyes are not even closed when I open them.

"Um...thank you Mia". I also receive a toothy smile from Lily with food in her mouth.

Perhaps this is a good start to a new beginning for all of us?