Chapter 29:

Zack's POV:

      Clutching the steering wheel tightly, I turned my head and looked at Nadia, whose face was a mixture of shock and disbelief, like she was shocked of what I just uttered, which left me in a position of confusion because I didn't say anything wrong, I just told her that I was taking her to my little secret.

What had gotten to her?!

       Pushing all of my doubt to the back of my mind, I smiled genuinely at her, repeating to myself that nothing was wrong and that everything was okay. I looked at the road ahead of me, and thought of what I was about to do, I was showing Nadia the real 'me' and everything will be displayed on the table.

      As the last turn of my destination came to my sight, flashbacks of my memories came back rushing to me just like every time I had been there before. How mom and I, used to buy all sort of gifts and go there, how I used to love the way kids looked at me with new hope in their eyes, and most importantly, the happiness that consumed mom whenever a kid approached her with a genuine grin.

      Nevertheless, it was all in the past, and there I was, proceeding my tradition with mom, with Nadia, who just found her own place in my heart. I was really losing my mind because I was starting to relate everything to Nadia, and it's driving me insane, in a good way.

      The moment I parked the car in the parking lot reserved for visitors, Nadia turned in her seat and looked straight at my eyes, with a puzzled expression covering her face and asked me "What are we doing here?"

"I told you that I'm taking you to my little secret and here we are" I gestured at the building in front of us.

"By why is it a little secret?" She questioned, curiosity evident in her voice.

"You'll understand once we enter" I winked at her, mischievously.

"Okay let's go" She stated, opening the car's door.

      I locked the car and reached for Nadia's hand, tugging her beside me as we started walking toward the entrance of the building. I knocked on the door since the hours of visits were off, and I personally took the permission from the head of the orphanage to spare them a visit, and she accepted right away, knowing that I was always one of their regular visitors and donors.

      After few seconds, we heard the sound of heels from the other side and soon enough, the door burst open, revealing Mrs. More, the head of the orphanage; she was a fine lady in her late fifties, she took care of the orphanage after her husband died ten years ago and she retired after it.

I guess she found her comfort in young children.

"Hello Mrs. More" I smiled at her but before she could answer me, Lily and James, came running toward us, but instead of greeting me like usual, they both hugged Nadia's legs, chuckling.

"Oh my god, Nadia is here, I told you, she'd come" Lily jumped up and down in her spot.

"Yeah, she would never forget us" Jams lifted his head and addressed Nadia "What took you so long?"

"I was kind of busy, I'm sorry" She pinched his cheek, lightly, making him giggle.

      I stood there frozen and quite shocked at the children's reaction when they saw Nadia. 'How did they know her? Did she know the orphanage? And if she did, it'd mean that she knew the place we were at all along, but why didn't tell me earlier? What was I missing?' I questioned myself as I stood there, watching the scene in front of me with curiosity that about to take the best of me.

"I guess I should get going then!" I stated, making the four of them, turn their head at my direction "No one even noticed me here"

"No way" Lily put her hand on her hips, attempting to glare at me "I won't leave you make a step away"

"It's a surprise that you both came together" Mrs. More barged in, gesturing at Nadia and I "I didn't know you knew each other"

"We're married" I told her, confidently, sending Nadia a significant smirk which resulted in making her cheeks red.

"Wow congrats" She offered me her hand to shake and I accepted it gladly, then she pulled Nadia in a tight hug "That's pleasant to hear, come on in"

       The moment we entered the orphanage, we were basically thrown in the middle as children greeted us one by once, wearing big goofy smiles on their faces, making my own grin cover my face, without even realizing. How couldn't I? And I was surrounded by angels.

      Before Nadia and I left Mr. Mathew's mansion, I made sure that the children received their gifts as usual, so when we were there with them, they all started thanking me while Nadia was obviously trying to understand what was happening. Therefore, I just leaned closer to her ear and whispered "I arranged someone to send the gifts while we were in your grandpa's house"

"You thought of everything, didn't you?" She smiled at me, genuinely, flashing me her Megawatt grin.

"Not everything, I need to steal you for few minutes later" I informed her and she nodded her head in approval, obviously understanding the reason behind my request.

I had to understand how did everyone know her because no one spoiled a word about it. Not even a hint... !!!

      Just like every time I had been there, I made sure to entertain the kids as much as I could, even if meant that I would pretend of being a clown for them, because their life was already hard so I wanted to at least try to make it a little bit more joyful, and by the laughs and giggles they were having, I knew that I was reaching my aim step by step.

      Nadia knew exactly how to deal with the kids; she was easy going and she was so spontaneous that everyone craved for the few minutes she offered them. They were all happy that Nadia and I, were married because it meant that we would go visit them together, which meant more fun for them.

      Time passed by really quickly and we didn't even notice until Mrs. More hinted at us that it was time for food then the kids would head to bed. The orphanage had strict rules when it came to discipline and following the schedules made for the kids so we had to stick to them as well. 

      That's why as soon as Mrs. More gestured at her watch, I stood up and told the kids that we were ready to leave but we would be back soon. Most of them frowned at me, saying that we didn't stay long but when I reminded them of the time, they all came and said their goodbyes one by one, making me give them a promise as usual to be back soon.

      I always enjoyed my time with the kids and that day was no exception because I had so much fun and I felt like I was on top of the world just by drawing a smile on someone'a face. It was worth it and I would do everyday if I had to chance to, since if everyone just tried to make the smallest step, everything would change for the best.

       I took Nadia's hands after saying our goodbyes and started leading her out of the building. Mrs. More insisted on taking us to the door, stating that she had something important to tell us "I am sorry for your loss Nadia, I feel like Jack's death was all my fault, if I have noticed that he wasn't here after school sooner, we would have found him earlier" She told us, lowering her head, signs of guilt covering her face.

"It was no one's fault, believe me, it happened for a reason" Nadia answered, patting her shoulder "Don't blame yourself for something you had no hand in"

"He really loved you" Mrs. More looked up at Nadia since she was shorter and breathed in "But he is in a better place"

"Indeed" I patted her shoulder and said "Take good care for yourself"

"Thank you, same goes to you" She waved her hands at us before she closed the door.

       Nadia was tensed up after we started walking back to the car, she was silent and she kept walking with her head low down, obviously Mr. More's words affected her and she was having a debate with her inner self. Moreover, the way she was walking was betraying how she really felt because she wasn't even paying attention to where she was stepping and almost tripped twice.

It hurt me to see like that, she deserved to be happy.

I knew exactly what I was going to do to cheer her up.

        I opened the car's door for her and she jumped-in immediately, lying her head back in her seat. I closed the door and ran to my side and settled in the car; I turned my face to have a glimpse on Nadia, and I found her, staring out of the window, at nowhere.

"Nadia" I called out for her but she didn't respond so I tired again "Honey" And no answer again so I reached for her face and made her look at me "I don't want to see you sad, it hurts me when you're down, and I can do nothing to help you"

"You're more than enough for me" She attempted to smile but it didn't even reach my eyes "Let's go home"

"Okay" I moved closer and kissed her forehead then fastened her seat belt.

       The car drive was silent and none of us uttered a single word, but it was comfortable, the kind of silence that even the sound of wind that was caressing our faces, didn't bother us and it made us more relaxed. I could see it because Nadia's shoulders were down and her hands sat proudly on her lap.

At least she wasn't tensed up like earlier... !!!

      I didn't want to take Nadia to the apartment just yet, I wanted to show her everything that she ever wanted to know about me so I took my way to the penthouse. I waited for Nadia to ask me about the reason why we weren't going back home but she didn't; therefore, I turned my head to her side and to my surprise, she was asleep, peacefully.

      I parked the car in the sideways and focused all of my attention on the sleeping beauty in front of me, who snoring lightly. I grabbed my phone, took a picture of her then recorded a video of her snorting in case I wanted to annoy her later because I was sure that she wouldn't believe me if I told her that she was snoring.

Cute...!!!

      I called a near restaurant from the penthouse and ordered Pizza because we hadn't eaten anything since we left her grandpa's house and I was actually starving. I ordered double cheese with chicken pizza because I knew how much Nadia loved it and she would leave me just to get a slice of it.

      I reached the penthouse and I parked the car in the parking lot. I turned in my seat and intended to wake Nadia up, however she was so cute that I didn't have the heart to snap her out of her peacefulness. Therefore, I just sat there watching her. Damn, what was happening to me!!!

        I watched her for few seconds before I reached for a stray of hair that fell on her forehead, and tugged it behind her ear, brushing her soft skin in the process. Her skin was so soft and tender that I couldn't get enough of it. And that's what happened next, I kept stroking her cheek until she opened her eyes and stared up at me.

"We're here" I kept my eyes locked with hers.

"Okay" She mumbled before she looked away and sighed when she took in her surroundings "What are we doing here?"

"I told you that I am willing to show you my little secret and I did it, so now I am showing you my past" I answered her, looking deeply in her eyes.

"Thank you" She grinned like a fool and moved closer to kiss me on the cheek but I was faster to react and she ended up by kissing my lips.

"Oups" I lifted my shoulders in defense and hurried to jump out of the car.

      All the way until we reached the elevator, I kept praying to just reach the penthouse without meeting anyone, especially Anna since I knew how much Nadia didn't like her and how much Anna wasn't Nadia's biggest fan. Therefore, if the two of them didn't meet, it would be better for both of them and me as well.

      As we reached the penthouse's story without encountering anyone, I sighed in relief and just opened the door. Nadia was standing behind me so as soon as I opened the door, I stood aside and gestured at her to enter the house.

"Welcome" I closed the door behind her as she walked in.

      The entire penthouse is just like every other apartment, expect the roof garden so I didn't waste time by letting Nadia room around aimlessly. That's why, I walked toward her, held her hand and started leading her to the second floor, where the door leading to the roof garden was.

"Where are you taking me?" She questioned as we started climbing the stairs.

"I am kidnapping you and leaving you here forever" I spoke huskily, making sure to look as serious as I could.

"Stop making fun of me and answer" She hit my upper arm, lightly "Tell me"

"Okay okay" I chuckled at her eagerness "I am about to show you my secret spot"

       The roof garden was situated on the roof, the only way to reach it, is to walk through a long hallway then climb the stairs; its door was hidden behind a wall at the end of the hallway. The idea of the hidden door my mother's, in order to obtain a certain level of privacy because the penthouse was her own escape, and with time it became mine and dad's as well.

      The moment we reached the end of the hallway, Nadia looked up at me confusingly, waiting for my next move, but then when I pressed a button and the door burst open, she raised her eyebrow at me and stated "I am really thinking of what you said earlier"

"I said many things" I stared down at her, waiting for her to explain.

"I think you're really kidnapping me" She smirked at me.

"Shush and just follow me"

       The stairs were lightened but with every step we took, the light was starting to fade until we walked into darkness when we reached the end of the stairs. Nadia squeezed my hand in hers and held onto my shirt when nothing was seen but the moon's and stars' light.

She was obviously startled.

       Although I couldn't see a thing, I managed to switch on the lights and everything was lightened in a matter of seconds, revealing the beautiful shapes of roses and flowers from different kinds, and the marvelously decorated ground, which was shaped elegantly to leave a path between different sections.

        All of the paths lead to a round white table with four white chairs, and the most comfortable rocking chair I had even sat on in my life. Overall, the roof garden was a beauty that my mother worshiped for years and made sure to always keep intact. That's why I took care of it with the help of Sarah after she was gone.

"Wow" She mouthed, obviously speechless.

"I like your reaction" I commented, chuckling at the wow expression her face was showing.

"It's so..." She started talking but then she ended up, lowering her shoulders, gaving up her search for a word.

"Perfect?" I suggested and waited for her answer.

"Yes" She smiled genuinely, turning her back to me "How can people leave after seeing this heaven?" She questioned running her finger on a petal.

"Well, only few people have seen the garden" I confessed.

"Why so?" She asked me, still messing with the rose.

"In face, this garden used to be my mother's escape so she wanted it all for herself; and after she was gone, Sarah was the only one who ever entered because she was the one taking care of it as I asked her to; I don't want anyone to know my secret spot" I moved closer to her and held her wrist "Stop playing, you might hurt your finger with the prickles "

"Who ever wants the beauty, should never complain of its pain" She wriggled her wrist out of my grip and winked at me, mischievously.

Her words were deep...!!!

       She was so stubborn that she reached for the leg of the flower and hurt her finger. She made the cutest face ever and held her finger in front of me with a glare on her face "Nothing would've happened if you haven't talked", while I burst out laughing at her because she could be a child sometimes.

"I told you'd hurt yourself" I held her hand in mine to see the small cut.

"It's nothing, I got used to this" She lifted her finger to her mouth and started blowing at it.

"It doesn't work like that" I held her finger, brought it to my lips, just like mom used to do to me.

        The moment I sucked the drops of blood, coming out of her small cut, she flinched but she didn't pull her hand away as I thought she would, she just closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. When I was done, I kissed her skin and patted her hand, gesturing at the rocking chair beside the table "Let's talk"

       I sat on the rocking chair and pulled Nadia to sit beside me, thinking of all of the questions I had on my mind earlier and a way to ask all of them. I turned in the seat, and faced her "I've got so many things to say and so many questions to ask" 

"I know what you'll be asking and I am ready to answer" She answered, wearing a smile on her face. 

"How did everyone in the orphanage know you? Because I took you there to surprise you, but  I ended up by being surprised" I questioned, remembering how everyone in the orphanage was treating Nadia. 

I had to put an end to my curiosity.!!! 

*****

/*I want to apologize for taking so long to update, I had so many things going on at once*/ 

/*Mom is back home but she's still sick unfortunately*/ 

 /*I finished my exams yesterday that's why I had time to finish this chapter*/ 

/*This chapter was the toughest chapter so far because I was so drained mentally and physically that I couldn't even bring myself to write*/ 

/*However, I hope you like what I came up with*/ 

/*The next chapter will be published Friday June 9th, 2017*/ 

/*Share, comment and vote*/ 

/* Thank you and happy Ramadan for my Muslim readers, may Allah bless with strength to survive through your day while you are fasting*/