Watcher

Chapter 19: First-day visit

Bradley continuously looks out the window, watching the city he lived in slowly slipping out of sight. Bradley still cannot believe that he will be going far away from his hometown.

"Once we pass through this gate, we'll be outside in the city." Madam Nigera speaks out while strumming her guitar.

"Madam, how long will this trip take?" Caden raised his hand making him instantly the center of attention.

"According to the driver, it will take about almost half a day and that's if it doesn't rain or get stuck in traffic."

"Half a day?" Caden's eyeballs widened at that remark.

"Yeah, but we'll stop by a few times if someone needs to use the restroom. "

All the children nodded at the explanation. Madam Nigera sits back in her seat next to Madam Theresa who has been sleeping the entire time the bus has been moving. The atmosphere instantly becomes quiet, and Caden cranes his neck to look around. Some of the orphanage children fall asleep until Caden lays down his body.

"Brad, please wake me up when we arrive." Caden yawns and immediately falls asleep.

"All right." Bradley continued to stare out the window at some wild weeds arranged neatly along the road.

A few seconds later he hears the sound of someone snoring quite loudly beside him. The sound belongs to Caden who has fallen into a deep sleep holding his backpack. Bradley shakes his head, looks back out the window, and sees the same views over and over again until he doesn't realize that he is asleep.

Finally, they are getting closer to their destination after a long and tiring journey. Bradley slowly opens his eyes and immediately sees colorful flowers blooming beautifully.

"Cad, look at this place." Bradley nudges Caden beside him. His finger pointed straight out the window. "Those flowers make me speechless.”

Meanwhile, Caden is awake and stays silent looking at the beautiful colors of the flowers looking like a rainbow in the field. Together, both of them continue to stare out the window endlessly, marveling at the beauty of the place

Madam Nigera claps her hands. “Wake up, wake up." Madam Nigera's voice came from the front row. " All right children, we are almost here."

The car slowly slows down and immediately takes a parking position. The sound of the vehicle's engine became subtler and subtler till it died away. Moments later, the door opens and Madam Nigera starts leading the children to get down. After a few seconds, a silver-haired man wearing a brown shirt, long pants, and a pair of black shoes greeted them.  

“It’s always nice to see you two beautiful women coming here.”

"Mr. Zwalinski, we are very pleased about this opportunity." Madam Theresa with a smile etched on her lips. “We love to see this place.”

“Oh, that’s good to hear it.” He smiles broadly. “Oh, maybe you should call me George. It feels strange that you keep calling me Mr. Zwalinski.”

"Well George, if you don’t mind."

Not long after, Mrs. Zwalinski appeared in a similar dress appearing from behind Mr. Zwalinski. Her face looked pretty with the simple makeup she is wearing, just like a princess.

"Welcome to our humble abode," said Madam Zwalinski inviting the group of children to enter. "Come, you must be exhausted from the long journey." She is stroking the children’s heads and starts to lead the way.

"Yes Mrs. Zwalinski, thank you," said Madam Nigera as she brings her guitar on her back.

"Please don't call me Madam. I am still young for a young lady," she said as she is in the front row leading the way. "Call me Isabella, but you can call me Isabel."

"You're already three-headed, why do you still consider yourself young?" George replied to Isabel's words with a laugh.

Isabel immediately hit George's arm. "George, you are such annoying.  Don't embarrass me," she whispered followed by a laugh.

They walk from the parking lot over a wooden bridge connecting it to the playground. On the left side, the sea is sprawled and looks pretty deep; on the right side, green trees covered the area. Two landscapes that look contrasting but appear beautiful, it's like being between two different places but the same.

 As they crossed the bridge, George suddenly received a phone call and stop, looking at Madam Theresa and Nigera.

"My apologies, but I have something to do. Isabel will escort you to the resort." George quickened his pace and moved away from the group.

"Ok, I'll take you to the resort." Isabella nodded in her husband's direction. "Come on, let's continue walking, we’re almost there."

Bradley and the rest of the children shock seeing this place is so massive yet they've never been to a place this big and spacious. A few meters in front of them several food stands have been set up and prepared. Some of the amusement rides are firmly in place and tested by some of the employees also chandeliers are installed and hung to enliven the event.

"Isabel, what is that building in front of us?" Madam Nigera's points to a large building with a red and yellow tent.

"Oh, that's the circus stage there" Isabel explained. "There will be a circus performance performed. It’s gonna be interesting.” She claps her hand with a smile.

"Circus?" Madam Theresa raised her eyeballs. "Isn't it dangerous to let wild animals roam around?"

"Don't worry, we've contacted our relatives who can control the beasts so everything will be fine." Isabel smiled at Madam Theresa's words.

The resort looks so big and lavish and it consisted of two floors extending to the back, the roof is brick red and the walls are decorated in light brown color with some unique decorations attached to the walls.

"Ok, here we are." Isabel stopped walking and turned her body around. "Welcome to the Zwalinski’s Resort."

"Oh my, this place is so big and lavish," Madam Theresa turned her eyes to look at it. "It's much bigger than the orphanage."

"Come on, let's go in." Isabel walked through the door the same color as the walls. "Markus can't wait to see you."

Isabel pushes the ivory-white door in front of her and the inside of the building astounded everyone. A collection of colorful hanging plants decorate the ceiling of the room and white lights glow brightly. In the center of the room is a large marble round table looking so beautiful and aesthetically pleasing giving the room a natural feel and elegance.

"My goodness, this place is so luxurious." Madam Theresa's smile never wavered from the beginning until now. "It's my first time living in such a luxurious place."

"Me too, Madam." Madam Nigera's eyes continued to look at the ceiling of the room decorated with special carvings and colors that were very aesthetic. "I feel like I'm in a palace."

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