Maya was overjoyed to hear the news. Ethan had called her to ask her if she wanted to come for the trip. Not that he had to ask her because the kids had already told him that she agreed. But Ethan still asked her due to etiquette and as a show of respect. "Will you be able to leave your office for a few days?" Maya asked Ethan. "It's not a problem. My boss already approved of it immediately I told him." Ethan replied. He himself was his own boss. But Maya didn't know about it yet, he just had to come up with a convincing lie. "Alright!" Maya was ecstatic. "How about you? Can you really afford to leave your company? You don't have to force yourself or create troubles for yourself." Ethan said with a tone of concern. "It's perfectly fine." Maya replied immediately. She was lying, she was already getting into some little trouble at work for not being available most of the time and also using the company resources to look for information about the Waltons. Maya didn't really care
The next day, Ethan pulled up at an address that Maya had sent to him. Sylvie and Mark were already inside the car with enthusiastic expressions on their faces. Most especially Sylvie. She was simply delighted and in high spirits. "So this is her house..." Ethan mumbled to himself as he stared at the apartment block Maya had described. He got down from the car and spoke to the kids. "Wait here for a minute, let me go get Maya." He said. "Okay!" Sylvie replied between mouthfuls as she chewed on the chips Ethan had bought for her just some minutes ago. Ethan gave a wry smile and walked towards the apartment. Then he knocked the door gently. Meanwhile, Maya had seen him coming already. "He's here!" She yelled with a whisper. She was excited. She had already seen Ethan pull up with the kids and watched him through the window as he approached her door and knocked. Maya quickly adjusted her gown and bust while looking at the mirror. She also gave her hair a few pats before nodding in
Not long after, Ethan drove up to a beach side. "This is the place?" Ethan asked with furrowed brows. "Yeah." Maya replied delightfully as she stared at the scenery with a smile. Sylvie also beamed with a smile as she stared out the window. "Brother Ethan, let's go! Let's go!" She shouted with excitement and twinkling eyes. "Calm down Sylvie!" Mark grumbled as he tried to calm his restless sister. But Sylvie couldn't be calmed so easily, she was full of energy. Ethan simply shook his head wryly as he watched the drama. Then he drove Maya to the entrance with the kids. After a brief inspection at the security posts, they went in and registered for their brief tour of the beach. "Hehe.." Sylvie was all smiles as her eyes kept darting around inquisitively. She was almost pulling Ethan along to run. "Careful Sylvie, you've not been here before so you might get lost." Ethan cautioned with a sigh. The little girl could not be blamed, she hadn't ever had the opportunity to go to an
The next day, Ethan was once again driving the group to another stop during the vacation. Ethan wore a blue t-shirt with pale jeans and white Jordans. His hair was combed freely and he looked quite relaxed. "So... Where is our stop for today?" Ethan asked expressionlessly as he kept his eyes on the road. Maya who sat beside him was similarly dressed casually. She wore a peach top with tight black pants and also a facecap. Maya turned to glance at Ethan before looking back towards Sylvie and Mark. "Where do you want to go?" Maya asked with a smile. "I want to go to the park." Sylvie replied without giving Mark his own chance to respond. "The amusement park?" "Yes. That one with the roller stuff!" Sylvie replied with a toothie grin. "You want to ride the rollercoasters?" Maya asked with a light chuckle. Ethan took a side glance at Sylvie and smiled faintly. "I've not gone there before so I want to go today." Sylvie explained with a calm tone. Mark snorted. "It's not safe for
"Hahaha!" Maya burst into an hysterical laughter. Ethan's complexion changed and he had a grin expression on his face. He was already trying to stomach the sudden motions of the rollercoaster and now, Sylvie had thrown up all over him. He didn't even know how to react; or rather, he didn't even have the time to. The carriage kept making impossible and thrilling turns without giving anyone the chance to catch their breath. Even Maya was forced to clench her teeth after a short laughter at Ethan's plight. Sylvie on the other hand, simply switched her support line. She had been holding onto Ethan before but now that his cloth was ruined, she had to switch up to the next person... Mark. She gripped his shirt tightly too. "Ahh! Sylvie - don't - throw - up - in - my - shirt!" Mark warned Sylvie in panic, making sure that his voice was heard clearly. Sylvie didn't even pay him attention and continued holding onto him. Ethan's face was colored with embarrassment. He was still sort of
The short trip was turning out to be a success. Maya could tell because Ethan had been becoming more relaxed. The stoic expression he constantly had on his face was loosening up. "Which one do you want to ride?" Ethan stood facing the different kind of rides available at the amusement park while holding Sylvie in his arms. Mark stood by his side and Maya was just right behind them. They had just finished lunch. Sylvie had a cute pondering expression on her face like she was about to make a big decision before she pointed to a ride. "That one!" She said. "Oh..." Ethan furrowed his brows. Then he dropped Sylvie on the ground. "Go with her Mark, I can't get in that one." Mark nodded and walked off with Sylvie who didn't care whether Ethan was interested or not. "You're chickening out?" A voice sounded behind Ethan. He turned imperceptibly and saw Maya smirking at him. "It's not even dangerous. I don't think that's for adults to ride on." He shook his head wryly. "Yeah... Just lik
The next day. Ethan walked out of his room and walked towards the dining for breakfast. It was the last day of the short vacation. Ethan approached the table and saw Mark already seated. "Good morning brother Ethan." Mark greeted with a slight bow of his head. "Good morning Mark." Ethan replied and ruffled his hair. Then he took a seat beside him and sat."Are you having a great time?" Ethan asked him. Mark turned his head to Ethan and a smiled formed on his young face. "I'm having a lot of fun. Thank you for bringing me on this trip." Mark replied with gratitude and a shine in his eyes. "Don't mention it." Ethan replied Mark. "We're family. As your brother it's my job to take care of you." "Okay.""If there's anytime you have something that you need or you want to leave the orphanage to come stay with me then you just have to let me know." Ethan said again. He had already asked the kids if they wanted to stay with him some time ago. But they had said that they were comfortabl
Soon the interior of the arcade came into full view.It was large inside and there were a lot of people. Mostly kids. Many of them came with their families. As Mark walked ahead of the group, his excited gaze kept sweeping over the different games he saw children and even adults playing with. He saw people covered with virtual reality consoles and making all sorts of absorb movements which reflected on a big screen in front of them. There were different games which were being played. "Which one do you want to play?" Ethan asked Mark. His fervent gaze was just too obvious.Mark gulped. "I want to play all of them if I can!" He said. Ethan chuckled and pat him on his shoulder. "knock yourself out." He said with a smile. Seeing Ethan's approving nod, Mark discarded all his hesitation and plunged at the virtual reality games he saw. "Do you want to join him?" Maya asked Sylvie. Sylvie observed Mark with a deadpan expression on her face and shook her head. "I will play another one."