“Magdalene Madyno.”

I saw my brother out of the corner of my eye, coming to sit beside me on the couch I was sitting, watching a sermon on TV with my mom who sat on another couch. Haxsel has just came from his bath after work and had joined us, but the sermon was over.

I turned to my brother to see if he's talking to me or reading something from the TV that was invisible to my eyes. “What?” I asked.

He was indeed glancing at the TV but turned his eyes to me as he heard me ask, “Magdalene Madyno. Have you heard the name before?” he asked me.

“What's that?” I asked the same time as my mom asked, “Who's that?”

Haxsel chuckled and ruffled my hair, “It's not a what, baby girl. It's a who.” he said.

“Then, who is it?” I asked.

“Are you sure you don't know?” he inquired.

“I only know Mary Magdalene from Bible and that there's a place called Magdala in Israel. Also... Madyno goes for the surname of one of the richest family in America. Nothing more.” I said. Who is it?

“Jonny, who is it?” mom inquired.

“A girl.” he said and I can see the annoyed look on mom's face that told, I know no boys has that name.

Suddenly, a thought struck me and I turned to my brother with wide eyes, “Are trying to tell us that, you're in love with a girl? This Magdalene?” I asked as much as didn't want it to happen. Because when it comes to my brother, I'm super selfish.

“What?” Haxsel bit back a laugh. “You silly little monkey, you thought I'm in love with a girl? Don't think of something that's impossible.” he said.

I frowned, and regretted for saying that. Because I knew what he meant by, impossible. My brother had been in a relationship before, when I was 10 but his girlfriend left him and went with someone else. I don't know the reason yet, but I've always wanted to squeeze her by her throat for breaking my brother's heart.

Although, when I told my brother that I want to squeeze her throat, he used to tell me that it isn't fair for a child of God even to think about it. I was surprised by his answer and wondered how on earth is he managing to remain calm and forgiving after what she has done to him. Because I know that it's probably not my ever so sweet brother's fault but hers. Later I realized that, it was God's kingdom in my brother, that helps him to be godly.

Ever since that accident, my brother had never shown any interest in love life. He has overcome the shock by God's grace and that's why he was able to joke about it. And, he is overprotective over me in befriending any boys because he doesn't want his sister to end up like him. What frustrated me the most was, my brother's ex was a believer and I thought she might've gotten any godly sense but no, and I didn't realize that, I'm about to meet someone who belongs in that category of believers, sooner or later.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to–”

“Oh come on, Huns. That's not a problem at all.” my brother cut me off, reassuringly.

“I don't blame her, I thought the same.” mom said leaning forward with her arm resting on her lap, “Who is this girl?”

“Hailey knows for sure,” Haxsel said an I frowned, trying to recall any Magdalene I know than the Mary from Bible. I saw my brother taking his phone from his pocket, scrolling and swiping on the screen, “Here,” he said, handing me his phone.

It was a news article.

My heart raced and my head shot up to my brother. “Read it,” he said as our mom joined us, sitting on my other side.

I started reading;

The lost Madyno princess whose missing news was viral almost 11 years ago is found! Just this afternoon, it was declared that, Emery Khuller–

I paused as my heart skipped a beat. “Emmy?” I asked, looking up at my brother with my shock filled eyes.

My brother nodded, “Apparently, she's a Mafia princess; a Madyno.”

I gulped and let my mom take the phone from my hand. Emmy? A Mafia princess? What will she respond to this? I know that she even hates the word Mafia. Because we've had enough of it, especially her, after living all these years there.

I was called back from my thoughts as I heard my mom read;

Just this afternoon, it was declared that, Emery Khuller, the runaway girl from the Khuller Mafia who helped the FBI for a raid, is the very Madyno princess who went missing all those years ago, without a trace. The Madynos believes that, they might've kidnapped her to get a revenge on their father. There's no other information about their revenge story but Emery has reunited happily with her real family.

Her news that was telecasted on every media is what that led her mother Mrs. Mary Madyno to recognize her long lost daughter. The next day itself, the family reached to where Emery was under protection but the FBI staffs didn't let them see her. To confirm if her feelings are right, Mrs. Madyno requested to arrange a meeting with Emery's dear nanny Rosetta, from whom they confirmed that, this is exactly their lost princess; Magdalene Madyno.

Emery's life was changed upside down beyond her imaginations, she herself said. The Madyno family now has brought her back to their home. The orphan Emery was is now a girl who has a mom, three older brothers and an older sister. Mr. Mariak Madyno, Emery's father had passed away three years ago.

Mom paused reading, but her eyes were still on the phone. I, on the other side was in utter shock. And my brother beside me was gently rubbing my shoulder in comfort, in case if I breakdown, again. But why should I cry? I should be happy for her.

“Is this her, sweetheart?” I heard mom ask and my head jerked to the phone, my eyes quickly landing on the picture mom was referring to. I grabbed the phone from her hand, in my trembling hands.

My eyes overflowed, yes, it was her, my Emmy.

Her dark brown hair was long and curled than I remember. She was tall, skinny but yet, beautiful. In the picture, she was being embraced by a well dressed lady I can tell as her mother, with same dark hair.

My heart cracked at her sight. The last news didn't had her picture in it because her safety was more important. I missed her. She was my everything until I met my brother. A longing arose in my heart to see her but I pushed it aside, telling myself that it won't be good now that she's popular.

“Thanks for telling me,” I said, leaning my head to my brother's chest.

“Yeah, you're welcome.” his answer didn't had energy as he said it.

I lifted my head up from his chest and looked up at him as mom took the phone from me again. “Are you alright?” I asked as I saw his frown.

He shrugged, “Oh, I was just wondering if...you would want to try the same way to find about your real family.” I sensed the pain in his voice and in his eyes.

“Jonny!” mom hissed warningly from my side.

But Haxsel ignored her protest and kept looking deeper and deeper into my deep brown eyes, searching for the answer. And as I looked deeper into my brother's elegant blue eyes, I saw emotions inside his blue irisis like a clashing sea wave, melting me, where I saw only pure love for me.

Tears ran up to fill my eyes. “No,” I shook my head, “You're my family.”

****

Even though I said no, my brother's question still rang in my ears. Why did he ask me that question? What made him ask like that? Did he really thought I would want to do such a thing? Don't he know how much I love him and that I can't live without him?

I believe, if God wanted me to reunite with my real family, He would have send me to them in the first place. But God wants me that be here; I'm the answer of God to my brother's prayers, as he always says. So, my answer to his late question is, an absolute no. Because this is where God wants me to be and this is where I belong.

Even though it was not quite acceptable to live a new life with the Houstons at first, now they've grown to be my everything as I've grown to be the same to them.

Now that Emmy has reunited with her real family, I can't help but be happy for her. But I've been honestly gloomy over dinner time ever since I read another news about her, in which she said that, she isn't completely satisfied yet but only when she'll get to meet me; the old Avery.

I didn't know how much she missed me until now. I had been trying to forget everything of my past but how selfish of me to abandon them? Her love for me is powerful than mine for her, that's what I learned today.

Mom asked me again if I want to meet her. But that was impossible to meet her in secret, now that she is being revealed as the Madyno princess. Her family is one of the most richest in America, who owns malls, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, charities and so many others all over the country. I've even seen her oldest brother, whose name is Mario Madyno, in the magazines; their family is so famous.

And that's what gave my brother an idea. I can't always depend on newses to give me updates about my friend. Haxsel suggested me to follow the Madyno family members on Instagram and Facebook, from where I might success to see more of my friend. That is, if they ever post publicly about their lost sister.

I appreciated the clever idea and followed my brother's instructions to track my friend. Oh brother, they'll literally kill me with bare hands if they find out I'm trying to track their sister.

But God was with me; that's my strength.

I laid down on my bed with my phone in my hands. I now have all four of Emmy's siblings in my following list and none except her sister Madryn Madyno has a post about Emmy. I clicked on the post and stared at the picture, not tearing my eyes away from it.

At least, I can see her like this, through her sister's Instagram.

That's where my brain worked.

I've been trying to find a boy on Instagram and Facebook and have given up in just a day. Why didn't I try to search him on his cousin Gideon's feeds? I quickly sat up on my bed and searched for Gideon without hesitation. Since we were already following each other, his account quickly showed up. I opened it immediately and scrolled down carefully trying not to miss any trace of Rill. Although, I was sure I haven't seen him in any posts I've got on my homepage ever since I started Instagram.

Suddenly my eyes stuck on a black-and-white filtered photo collage in which I saw the person I've been looking for. I clicked on the post quickly.

My heart raced, it was him, with Gideon. Not just that it was him but, he was tagged too.

rildengreen; it read.

So his name is Rilden; not just Rill.

My heart fluttered happily as I successfully found him on Instagram and entered into his feed. To my greatest disappointment, it was a private account.

I groaned. Why is this world so cruel?

I didn't hesitate to give him a follow request, with my heart in high-speed beating. That's when I noticed his bio; there was nothing written but just a flag emoji, the flag of America.

My eyes widened. He's an American?!

Questions filled up in my head and I soon quit from Instagram to WhatsApp to see if my helper is available online. Lucky for me, Rekenzel was active.

I texted her,

Hey! You up, early bird?

Quickly the double-tick of my message turned blue and I saw her typing.

Yes I am, you're not in bed yet?

Of course I'm on my bed.

😒I mean, are you not asleep yet?

😁 Sorry, I was just messing up with you, and no, I'm not asleep yet, I was checking on something.

Oooh, so, what's up?

Rill's full name is Rilden, I found him on Gideon's feed on Instagram.

You did, didn't you? I knew you wouldn't sleep without getting him in your hands.

Well, in that case, it took me three days to find him. Just now only I got the idea of checking him up on Gideon's feed; it succeeded but, Rill's account is private! How pathetic!

😂 Funny, I'm only feeling to laugh. So, what's his username?

rildengreen. You never told me he's an American!

I didn't?

No you didn't.

Oh, I might've forgotten that. He's on the summer vacation here.

Oh. Do you know which state is he from?

If I'm right, he's from Minnesota, not Chicago.

😒 Although I wasn't expecting him to be in Chicago, thanks.

So, did he accept your follow request?

Nah girl, I've just sent him the request. Have you seen him around after Sunday?

No, I haven't. Well, good luck with the follow request.

Thanks Rex, I'm off to bed. Talk later.

Alright. I'm always here if you need me. Laila tov. Love you.

Laila tov, love you more.

I smiled to myself, clearly unsure of why am I smiling. Victoriously? I can hardly call it a victory unless Rilden accepts my request. I sat on my bed with legs crossed and paced out for a moment about Rilden. I was definitely going crazy about him and if he'll accept my request, I hope I won't drop my phone in excitement.

I laughed at myself and shook my head. Clearly, this boy has really enchanted me like none I've seen or met before. I set my phone aside and crawled out of my bed and bend down on my knees before the Lord.

Dear Father, thank you for everything you've been, everything you've done and given me and my family today. Thanks for your grace that kept us from harm and sin and guided in your path. We are still imperfect but you make us whole and worthy of your rich love. Help us to be more like you.

Father, I came across the news of my best friend Emmy today, that she has reunited with her family. I'm so happy for her, I'm so happy you gifted her back her family like how you've given me. I believe this victory over the Khuller Mafia is your judgement over them for all what they've done to your children as you turned all water sources of the Egyptians into blood for the murder of Hebrew babies. But I know you're kind and forgiving, and I pray, please open the eyes of all who did the cruelty to us in the Mafia to know their fault and be redeemed by you. Please forgive them, Jesus, for they don't know what have they done.

As for Emmy, please lead her into your love as you've led me. Help us to meet and reunite in your perfect timing. Always, not my will by yours alone be done. Help me to sleep well and forgive me for every wrong thing you see in me; please remind me of all good I should be following and leave the bad behind. Especially Lord, I've developed a crush on your son Rilden. I'm so sorry, I know I said this before but I can't help it. Please be in control over me and help me to know if he's meant for me. The follow request I've sent him, I'm giving into your hands; I really want it to be accepted so I can see more of him. Though, let your will be done. In your son and my saviour Jesus' name I pray, Father, Amen!

I stood up from the floor, feeling my heart weightless from the heavy feeling of mixed emotions into the savior's touch of peace. I climbed up to my bed and laid back, praying in my heart restlessly again that, Rilden really is the boy God has meant for me.