“Dada!” My eyes immediately widened when I heard that loud shout as soon as we entered the place. Even before I could ask, the man beside me hurriedly attended to the kid approaching us. I froze right at my place. Is my intuition right all this time? Is he hiding a child? But why in an orphanage? “Dada, where were you? There are more of us already!” The boy smiled widely in front of Cornac. Bewildered, I took my cellphone out of my pocket and simply took a picture of them. I don’t know why I did that, but maybe I’m just worried I won’t see Cormac’s smile again. “Really? If that’s the case, I know you’ll be happier,” he said, smiling. I tried to ignore what I saw, but I also couldn’t help but smile. The man has this side. He’s not the Stoney that I used to know. “Sister,” I heard him greet the approaching nun. Cormac met her and then waved. This man has a very meek attitude here, but you may think he is always at war when he is in the office. When the nun’s gaze fell on me, I hurriedly approached her and did what CC had done earlier. “She’s a nice girl, C,” she giggled. I quickly turned to Cormac and then looked at him proudly, but he raised an eyebrow. “I’m Avery, sister.” I turn my attention back to the woman in front. As if I had never seen Stoney do that. Why can’t I fucking hit him? Why can’t I bang his head somewhere here? “For me, the name is just right.” Too much compliment, I might stay! “Let’s go. Sister Flori prepared lunch,” the nun added softly. We quickly followed it. Upon walking, I couldn’t help but compare my voice to the woman. Her voice was so soft. . . it’s like you’re constantly being asked to sleep. “The. . . the name is just right.” I imitated the woman. I tried to force the voice to be calm as well. “You’re like a goat.” I almost wanted to startle when I heard that comment from Cormac. Did he hear that yet? What kind of ear does it have? “Goat?” I can’t believe he said that. He addressed me quickly and nodded without hesitation. “You son of a–” “Good morning, Sister.” I felt like a fool who quickly closed her mouth when she saw another nun. I quickly felt embarrassed because of this man. A girl had already pulled Cormac towards some of her other friends, so I didn’t try to chase them. I’d better just sit aside so I can watch them from afar. Cormac was unable to deny that he loves the children. They seem to be very close. He’s even called ‘dada’ and that girl. . . she makes him smile. The man’s demeanor today is very different. But instead of thinking badly of that matter and get bored. . . I can’t help but be happy as well. I am happy to see him smile. He seems to be a very light man. He’s not the scary boss in the office, not annoying CC who is always teasing Avery. Today, he seems pure. Today, he seems free. My palm rested on my chest. I could feel my heart beating fast because of what I saw. “That is what the media should see. . . the CC that is pure and free. . .” I told myself. I know Cormac didn’t bring me here for anything. I know that in this way, even if he can’t tell the story, he’s already giving me information about what his life is like. Behind all those cars. . . contrary to what most people think of him. . . this is Cormac Carter— the real one. “This will become a sure hit,” I whispered to myself. “Why are you hiding the real you, Mr. Carter?” I continued watching them. I sometimes laugh when the kids agree with Cormac, so he does nothing but treats against it. I judge him— a big time. But then, right now, I know I will never regret it if I get to know the man even more. “That boy is a good man. . .” I sighed when I heard that soft voice again. I simply turned to the woman and smiled. Little by little, she moved to my side. “he is very close to the children. With them, he found comfort.” The two of us never lost our smiles as we watched them. I couldn’t stop myself from asking questions. “Is he here often?”, “Is he an orphan?” The woman laughed softly before speaking, “This is where Cormac became a good young man. He left after years that couldn’t even count. So, I’m pretty sure he can’t afford a week without visiting here.” I gasped in shock. Is Cormac already here since he was a kid? “Is he an. . .” orphan? I didn’t even dare to finish my question when she answered. “You didn’t know about it? I can still remember the first day he was here, you would think he couldn’t drop anything, and he’s so quiet. We were surprised the other day to see him playing with other children as well. So, there. . . when the man comes here often he is still really playing with them,” said the woman next to me. I felt the sudden entanglement of words in my brain. I don’t know what I might think first. “He. . . He was an orphan.” “I see. Hasn’t Cormac told you that yet?” The woman was startled. “My, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” I could not understand my sudden shiver. It was as if I suddenly wanted to wave my goodbye because I had developed an inexplicable fear of what else might be known. I should be happy, right? Him, being an orphan, will indeed become a great hit.
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