Chapter One: Follow Me.
Crane City, Police Station.
The officers went to and fro, each whispering ordeals to one another. Seven years old Acacia sat down in the waiting room, fiddling with the hem of her dirty gown.
“Sergeant.” A young policewoman called out. The Sergeant turned around.
“What?”
“No one has come to take this little girl. We have not even received a call or even a missing notice yet.” She explained.
The sergeant sighed and walked towards Acacia. She just looked at him with her numb eyes. She hardly ever spoke a word since the accident which was six days ago. Poor girl must have been scared and as a result had shock.
“Acacia…” Her ears picked up her name but she could not reply.
“I will be sending you to the welfare home. Do you want to go there?” he asked her softly. She just stared at him with a blank expression.
He exhaled deeply, this was really exhausting, trying to get a partially dumb little girl to speak. “You are so cute, how come you are so difficult?” He asked. He was about to say another word when he started hearing the indistinct footsteps coming from the entrance of the place. He slowly looked up away for Acacia, taking a glance at the young policewoman, he turned to look at the person that had intruded without warning.
Strong voice that exuded authority spoke. “Three less, this side.”
He was stunned for a moment at the person standing before him. The director was here and if he was here, someone else was coming. This person must be really great figure to have their director coming to welcome him. He could hardly close his mouth but he eventually did. Suddenly, he started hearing slow and careful footsteps coming towards them and his heart was his throat as he took note of the figure that made a turn to the place that they were. His hair was styled and his clothes was obviously from the expensive store, his shoes matched his look and he looked extraordinary. With his hands in his pockets, he looked formidable. His lips thinned together as he took in everyone that was present face. The atmosphere tensed and everyone knew that someone has really come to visit them as they could hardly take their eyes of him and stood in awe of his noble appearance.
The sergeant recognised the figure after his little stunned moment. This person was… Romano Cassano!
The son of the most valued CEO of the country. He was also the heir to the properties.
But what was he here for? No one has taken his goods or tried to touch him. Why was he here?
Romano picked his heels and moved towards Acacia who just gazed around like a living dead. The sergeant moved out of the way to allow Romano pass.
Romano leaned forward, removing his right hand from his pocket, he used his index finger to lift up Acacia's chin and examined her face for some time as if he was searching for something. His eyes were cold and dark, his face brood with no emotion at all.
“You are going with me, do you?” He asked, his voice having a rough edge to it as if he has not spoken in ages. The Sergeant was about to speak, but the director stopped him with a glare. Acacia looked up at man who had spoken to her, her eyes mirroring his emotionless and cold stare. Romano raised his brows. “Huh? Don’t want to go?” he asked. She looked away from his face and glanced at his finger that was still lifting her chin up, slowly picking her hand up which felt heavy, she took his finger and stood up. Without no spoken word, he carried her into his arms, his muscles straining against the suit he wore and she laid her head on his broad shoulders. He walked away from the police station without acknowledging anyone.
The sergeant still dumbfounded willed his foot to move towards the director. The director glared at him and gave him a warning look as he should not speak. But he insisted and went after him.
“The youngsters…” the director directed a gaze to him again and this time Romano got into his car, placing Acacia carefully on the back seat.
“Sir, someone already asked for the adoption of the child and I was completing it.” The Sergeant said, not wanting to give up on the young girl.
Romano's car soon drove away out of view, leaving the entire speechless.
**
Romano did not take Acacia to his family house, instead he took her to his villa where he always lived alone.
He did not like to be disturbed so the villa was the only place where he could find peace and real without any disturbance. And not to add, how he refused to have maids and guards. The only time they clean the place was when he was not around, his someone is always sent to clean every once in a while.
Acacia was not really comfortable with the way Romano was carrying her as he was hard in all the right places, his stomach and arm which was pressed against her delicate body but she uttered no word of discomfort. After they reached the living room, Romano dropped her and she looked up to him with her pure eyes like he had done something more for her. The fact that she was not scared or even frightened after all that happened made him not really worried. Sitting down on the sofa, he pinched the bridge of his nose in exhaustion ignoring her. Acacia studied him for a while with her fist clenched on both sides of her body.
“Are you tired?” her soft voice which came croaked said. These were the first words she has spoken after the incident. Romano paused at the unfamiliar voice and slowly opened his half-closed eyes and brought down his fingers to stare at her with his signature cold eyes. She slowly walked towards him with careful steps and stood before him.
“my name is Acacia, what of you?” she asked softly. Romano gazed at her with no emotion but a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes after a while and it was almost unnoticed.
“Romano.” He replied.
Her lips formed as if to say his name but she uttered nothing.
“Then what should I call you?” She asked.
“Anything you want.” He said.
She smiled softly.”Uncle Roman.” She said sweetly.
Romano narrowed his eyes slightly and responded with a hmm before looking away.
This has just created more mutual closeness between the two. Even though he tried to avoid it.