Suddenly, I Am Rich

The park was just a short walk away from the cafe. It was not very big, but it was clean and lively since there were a lot of kids playing around. There were trees, a small playground at the center, and families scattered everywhere.

The atmosphere in the park was cheerful. A lot of kids were laughing while their parents were talking on benches.

The moment Eli saw the swings, his eyes widened in excitement.

”Can I ride that, Sir Gray?” he asked while pointing at it.

”Of course you can,” Gray answered right away.

On the other hand, Lily didn’t even wait. She knew she didn’t have to. She just gave her bag to Gray and started running off.

”Come on, Eli! Let’s play!!!” she loudly exclaimed.

Eli blinked, surprised at it. He looked at Gray, unsurely. However, when he saw that Gray was just smiling, he slowly ran to chase Lily.

Gray chuckled and let the kids. While the two ran off, he and Mara walked to one of the free benches. They sat there in silence and just looked at the kids.

At first, Eli sat on the swing awkwardly. It was evident that he wasn’t used to playing with unknown kids around. His hands were gripping the chains too tightly. Lily, being Lily, noticed it right away.

”You don’t have to be scared, Eli,” she said. ”It’s normal to play with strangers! And also the swing is fun!”

After saying those words, she pushed off her swing first using her feet. She swung it high. Her laughter rang out.

Eli watched her for a second, then pushed himself gently too.

Seeing it, Gray walked over to them. He smiled and raised a brow. ”Do you guys want a push?” he asked.

Eli silently nodded.

With it, Gray gave his swing a careful but big push. Eli’s feet lifted off the ground immediately when his eyes widened.

It was so much fun when someone pushed it for him.

Each push made him fly higher than the last.

It was so much fun!

A small laugh slipped out of his lips before he could stop it. He quickly covered his mouth when he realized it.

”Whoa, Eli!” Lily noticed and laughed even harder. ”You’re doing it! So high! Me too, brother! Me too!”

Soon, both swings were moving high. Lily talked nonstop, telling Eli stories about school and random things that came to her mind. Eli listened, then slowly started replying.

Mara sat on the bench and watched quietly. She smiled sweetly. For some reason, the sight looked perfect in her eyes. However, even if she was happy, her smile still didn’t reach her eyes.

After the swings, they played tag. Lily was loud and slow, while Eli was definitely faster. When Lily pretended to trip and fall, Eli stopped running away and rushed to her side at once.

”Are you okay?” he asked, worried.

”Got you.” Lily grinned and laughed out loud.

Eli stared at her, then frowned.

”That’s cheating.”

”It’s a strategy.” Lily laughed.

Even Gray laughed at that.

They bought ice cream after. Eli held his cone carefully and ate. Chocolate smudged the corner of his mouth.

”You got some there.” Lily pointed at him.

Eli wiped his mouth quickly, embarrassed.

”It’s fine,” Lily said. ”I always get messy too.”

By the time the sun started to set, Eli was slowly getting tired. When they got back into the car, Eli leaned against the seat, looking out the window again. This time, his eyes slowly closed, falling asleep.

”He fell asleep, brother,” Lily whispered right into his ears.

Gray glanced back and nodded. ”He had a full day, Lily. Now be quiet, okay? We don’t want to wake him up.”

Lily pouted but still nodded. She was also tired after all so she just sat there and watched outside as they passed of buildings.

When they reached the foundation, Eli woke up. He looked around, then stiffened when he realized where they were.

”It’s okay, Eli,” Gray said right away. ”We’re just bringing you back. Like we promised.”

Eli nodded. He unbuckled slowly and smiled.

”Thank you, Sir Gray, Miss Mara… and Lily,”he said. ”For today.”

”You’re welcome.” Gray smiled.

Lily waved both hands. ”Bye, Eli! We’ll play again!”

Eli hesitated, then waved back.

”I hope so,” he said.

They watched him walk back inside with a staff member. He glanced back once more before the door closed.

The car ride back was quiet.

Lily leaned against Gray’s shoulder and fell asleep halfway. Her head slowly slipped, and Gray caught it just in time.

”She’s also asleep now,” Mara said softly.

Gray smiled and chuckled, ”Yeah.”

When they arrived at the condo, Gray lifted Lily carefully. She stirred a little, then relaxed again.

”She’s heavier now,” he muttered quietly before sighing. It seems like with Selina around, Lily gets to eat more.

Mara just laughed but didn’t say anything more.

They went inside the condo and went to their own unit. Gray carried Lily to her room and laid her down gently. He pulled the blanket up and brushed her hair aside.

”She had fun today,” Mara said.

”She did,” Gray replied. ”So did Eli.”

They stepped out and closed the door softly.

For a moment, they just stood there in the quiet hallway.

”Mara,” Gray said. ”I noticed that you’ve been quiet all day.

’I guess it’s time to talk about it,’ she thought as she slowly looked up at him. She sighed.

”I need to talk to you,” she said. Her tone was more serious now.

”Alright then,” Gray nodded. ”Let’s sit.”

They moved to the living room. When they arrived, Mara hesitated for a bit.

”When I went to the foundation the other day,” she said slowly, ”I saw something.”

Gray’s forehead creased.

”Saw what?” he asked.

Mara swallowed. Her fingers clenched on her side before she continued.

”I was waiting in the office. Lita stepped out to take a call. I was alone,” she continued. ”There were files on the desk.”

Gray did not interrupt.

”One of them was an adoption paper,” Mara said quietly.

Gray’s eyes narrowed. ”Adoption?”

”Yes,” she nodded. ”Eli’s name was on it.”

”And?” Gray asked. He wanted to know more details, but somehow, his heart startd beating rapidly.

”It was already prepared,” Mara said. ”It was not signed yet. But it was there. And the timing felt wrong.”

Gray’s eyes slowly squinted.

”And that’s not all,” Mara added. ”The guardian listed was not a family.” She looked at him.

”It was one of the old workers who mistreated him.”