Bianca took me upstairs and showed my new room to me.

"This is going to be your new room, and Gabby's will be right next to you. So, if you have any difficulty or discomfort, you can go to her for help."

"Thank you so much,"

I smiled gratefully at her.

Things at my new house were so far so good. The parents as well as the daughter had accepted me readily and wholeheartedly, something which I never expected and this, wasn't prepared for.

"Go freshen up dear, and meet us in the dining room for dinner in thirty minutes. For now, Gabby will give you some of her clothes and tomorrow, we will all go for dress shopping as well as sight-seeing. This is your first time in New York right?"

I then knew where Gabby got her sunny disposition from.

I nodded,

"Yes, it's my first time."

Hearing this she clapped her hands excitedly,

"Perfect! Then tomorrow's plan is set. Get ready by 10 a.m."

"Sure!"

I smiled gleefully. After so long, it finally felt like I was going to be okay; that everything was going to be okay.

During the time I bathed and put on the dress Gabby left for me, I could only think of how much Bianca resembled my mamma; not in her looks, but in her actions, her words, her innate sweetness and that motherly affection that she had no qualms in showering it upon me too, a complete stranger to her. That got me thinking how this earth wholeheartedly gave her protection to devils like my undeserving and thoroughly ruthless step-father, simultaneously nurturing sweet angels, sent from heaven like Arnold and Bianca. Our mother earth really is the most generous, sometimes even when she shouldn't.

Later that night on the dinner table, there was a tad bit of awkwardness from my side but the couple and their daughter left no stone unturned to try and put me to ease. They made sure I was well fed and that I wasn't feeling too much uncomfortable and yet again, proved to me, that people really could live on two extremely opposite ends of the Universal Scale of Ethics.

When I entered the room again to go to sleep, was when I really took in my surroundings. The floor was wooden, again, with white dominating the walls and ceiling colour. A medium-sized golden chandelier with white lamps hung from the ceiling. The bed, pillows and duvet were white and the doors to the bathroom and walk-in closet, grey.

Some plants accentuated the place and added the much-needed colour. But I think I wouldn't be sad even if there were no plants or flowers; because at this time, I am not searching for the innocent softness to engulf me and render me helpless and worthless.

At this time, I need the unforgiving thorns which would prick me at every step, keeping my head out of the clouds and completely in sync with the reality of this world, my reality and my only purpose of living. Not taking anything else into account or caring to think of ways to decorate it, I washed my hands and face and straight up went to bed.

After waking up the next morning from a sound sleep, I felt better than yesterday. The white curtains on my floor to ceiling windows weren't drawn, allowing the mellow sunlight of early morning to remind me that a brand new day in my brand new life has dawned. As I sat up in bed lazily, I couldn't help but think how drastically my life had changed in the past forty-eight hours. It didn't feel any less than a movie to me.

Knowing my step-father, by now he must have started to look for me in the fear that I would complain about him to the authorities. That thought sent shivers down my spine.

'Great job girl! Just what you needed first thing in the morning.'

Aaannndd my ever-irritating conscience was back. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but feel a little excited about my shopping trip with Bianca and Gabby, which made me skip through the room and enter my bathroom to freshen up.

I showered and put on some casual denims and a black top given to me by Gabby and went down stairs to the kitchen. Their kitchen, like the rest of the rooms in the house, was quite large and had all the modern appliances needed. It also matched the white and grey colour theme of the house. A short, middle-aged woman stood there preparing omelettes, toast and pancakes for breakfast and I found it really difficult to resist the urge to drool all over them.

"Good morning dear,"

The woman beamed at me once she noticed me.

"Um.. Hi, I'm Charlotte."

"I know dear. Mrs. Adams told me about you last night. By the way, I'm Maria."

"Ohh... Has nobody woken up yet? I'm new here so I don't really know their schedule,"

I inquired sheepishly.

"That's all right dear, don't worry. They will all be coming down in a matter of few minutes. Till then, you sit down and have your breakfast,"

She smiled at me reassuringly.

I was midway into my breakfast when Bianca and Arnold arrived. While Arnold was ready to go to work dressed in a proper work suit, Bianca was dressed in a pretty powder blue sundress with white strappy heels, her hair in an updo and a light pink lipstick gracing her beautiful lips. She already looked ready to go shopping.

"Good morning sweetie. How are you feeling today?"

Arnold asked me as sat down on the dining table.

"Good morning. I'm perfectly fine, thanks to you both."

"Oh, you're welcome dear. So that means we can leave for your shopping day after breakfast."

"But before anything else, we have to discuss something really important with you Charlotte."

Arnold said in a serious tone.

It made me stiffen. I wasn't sure what he was talking about but I had some good amount of speculations in my head and I felt like my head was going to explode.

I panicked and blurted out,

"What happened? Did Roberto come to know I'm here? Is he coming to take me? Wait...but how did he even know I'm here? Did he appoint spies to search for me? Did he--"

"Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte, calm down sweetie. He does NOT know you're here. Yet."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we can't keep you safe and away from his eyes if you will continue to look like this. So, you will have to change yourself."

"So, you mean..."

"Yes. Like a makeover. You will change your hair colour and wear contact lenses. You will also cut your hair short and change your dressing style,"

Bianca told me in detail.

"Oh, and you will also have to change your name,"

Arnold added that as the last thing.

I was silent for a minute. I didn't blame Arnold and Bianca for being circumspect, instead I was inexplicably thankful and grateful to them for doing everything they can, for me; but, at the same time, I also didn't like it that I would have to spend the rest of my life in hiding, living as someone I was not.

It disgusted me to the core and ignited another fire inside me. I would gladly go ahead with their suggestion but my resentment just got another incentive today which will result in a greater hell for my step-father. I will make sure of it.

"Okay, I will do all of those things."

Hearing this, both of them heaved a sigh of relief.

"...But, what about my name? Will you choose one for me?"

"It depends on you sweetie. You will get our surname for sure but you can choose your own name. And it doesn't have to be hasty, you can take your time and decide upon it carefully."

Arnold assured me.

"Thank you for believing in me and taking such good care of me,"

I said, my eyes filled with utmost gratitude.

Bianca came and sat next to me on the couch in the living room where we were discussing all this and took my hands in hers. I was immediately filled with the warmth and affection of a mother's delicate hands. It made me feel elated.

"Don't thank us in words dear. If you really are grateful, I want you to show it to us by calling us Mom and Dad. We really like you and want to bring you up as our daughter. This is all we want in return from you."

I couldn't believe my ears. Tears pooled in my eyes and I wasn't able to think straight. In my entire life, nobody except my mamma said such a nice, soothing and comforting thing to me.

"Okay. I'll call you Mom and Dad from now on."

This brought a huge smile on their faces. I wasn't just doing it to please them and grant them their request; but also because I wanted to have a perfect family for once. I never had the chance to experience what it is like and now that I got the chance, I cannot waste it. I would, for sure, never be able to forget my mamma. Her memories will forever be intact in my mind, but I will not ruin my future too. I will make the most of it and grow up to be a strong, powerful woman-- something my mamma will surely be proud of.

"Oh, my dear, you have made us so inexplicably joyful. We know how hard it must be for you to make this decision but we also want that you should have a normal childhood. You have gone through so much and are still here, stronger than ever. Seeing you like this makes me feel so proud of you. We never want you to forget your mother, but at the same time, a sweet, innocent girl like you shouldn't live without a family. You don't deserve that,"

Bian- Mom said, tears now falling freely from her eyes.

"I know. I know you both don't want me to forget my mamma and for this, my respect for you has increased even more. You both have loved me and taken care of me just like my mamma used to, so this decision wasn't hard for me at all. If anything, it is... liberating."

Mom and Dad smiled at this and hugged me. Finally, I felt at peace. I felt like I was in my mamma's embrace. And I also felt a sudden, really fierce urge to protect them, not that they were in any sort of danger, but just a feeling that I would be ready to do anything for them, make any kind of sacrifice when the time comes.

"Okay, now first let's go to your room. All the experts responsible for your makeover will be coming in a few minutes. After that is over, I'll take you to the mall to one of my showrooms where you can shop for clothes."

Mom said, happily clapping her hands having a huge grin on her face.

I gasped.

"You have a showroom? Then that means... Are you a fashion designer?"

I exclaimed.

"Yes my dear," Mom laughed, probably at the extremely comical expression that I had worn.
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