It was the first time I had seen so many clothes in such a large wardrobe. It was like having a department store inside my room because, aside from the vast collection of clothes, there was also a wardrobe filled with jewelry and another large one that contained a huge
collection of branded shoes, all in my exact size.
Before leaving the room hours ago, Leilani assured me that they were for me.
I chose a comfortable cotton dress and put it on. The garment was soft and light; it was the simplest piece I could find inside the wardrobe filled with expensive clothes. Looking at my reflection in the mirror one last time and seeing that I looked quite presentable, I made my way to the library, where I knew Leilani and my parents were waiting.
Pulling to a stop in front of the door, I gently knocked to notify them of my arrival before
entering. Sure enough, Leilani and my parents were inside and waiting for me.
Leilani elegantly sat on the long Victorian sofa like a queen. Seated beside her on the sofa was Sophia, looking as graceful as her mother. Both women looked up at me and smiled
when they saw me step into the room.
Philip, who was seated at his office table, lowered the papers he was reading and rose from
his seat.
“Have you slept well?” he asked,
I nodded in response, and he smiled. “Good. Your mother and I have something to tell you,” he said.
Ushering me to the single sofa opposite where Leilani and Sophia were seated, I obediently sat down and watched as Philip occupied the single sofa beside minę.
“We’re returning to Europe tomorrow morning,” Philip spoke. “We want you to come and live with us,” he added quietly.
I was taken aback by his words. Though I had known all along that the Phoenix family
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didn’t live in the country and were only here temporarily to check on their business, I wasn’t expecting them to leave so soon. Above all, I hadn’t expected them to want me to
live with them abroad.
“Europe is our home,” Sophia gently explained. “It is where our family has lived for generations. We couldn’t possibly leave you here, Lilibeth. If you don’t come with us, then we have to stay here for good because we want to be with you. However, we need to leave tomorrow morning because something important has come up. We won’t be back until the problem with the Phoenix company is settled. It will take us two to three months before we
can return here,” Sophia added, a hint of sadness in her tone.
Leaving the country had never crossed my mind, and I didn’t know what would happen to me once I left. But one thing was for sure: my simple and uneventful life would never be the same again, and that scared me the most–not knowing where my life was headed. The Phoenix family was still strangers to me. I had just met them days ago, and I was still in the
adjustment stage, slowly getting used to having them in my life.
Although a part of me was afraid of leaving the life I was accustomed to, another part told
me that Europe might be the perfect place for me to start rebuilding my life and dreams. It
was also a chance for me to get to know my family better.
When Sophia spoke, I was jolted out of my deep thoughts. “We are not forcing you to come with us, Lilibeth,” she told me, but despite her assurance, I could still see the regret in her eyes. She obviously didn’t want me to be left behind.
“Think about your future, Lilibeth. Imagine what your life would be like once you’re with
us in Europe.” Leilani, who had been quiet the whole time, met my gaze. “We will send you to the best school so you can finish your Hotel and Restaurant Management course. After
you graduate, you can return here and manage the Fleur De Lis Hotel. As my
granddaughter, it’s now yours, together with the chain of businesses our family owns.”
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“We’re not forcing you to decide now, Lily. Take your time and consider our offer,” said Sophia.
“I’ll think about it tonight, and then I will give you my answer tomorrow,” I told them.
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