ENDLESS LOVE [SERIES]

"I don't blame fate maybe they were just not ready​​ to give birth to me into this world."

ONTARIO

In a room, Viona sat tidying up some of the personal data files of her foster siblings for the prospective adoptive parents.

ZING

The door opened.

"Are the files all finished?" Asked Maria, the orphanage matron to Viona.

"Yes, Mother," Viona answered Maria's question, whom she already considered as her own mother gently.

"Hopefully, your foster siblings will have a better life with their new parents."

"I hope so, Mother. They will go to school, and they can improve their lives," Viona said happily.

Maria looked at Viona, who was standing excitedly. Eighteen years ago she found a baby wrapped in a blanket in a cardboard box crying in front of her house. Her home had now been turned into a orphanage because of her.

That baby had now grown into a beautiful girl named Viona Angel, a happy girl who chose to stay at the orphanage instead of getting adopted by new parents.

Viona gave Maria a dilemma when many so adopters chose her to be their adopted child, but their requests were always rejected by Viona. It made the prospective adopters angry because they felt insulted. They thought any orphans should have been grateful to be given the chance to be adopted, but she chose to refuse their offer.

"What are you thinking about? Why are you looking at me like that," asked Viona, startling Maria.

"Oh, I am just thinking about how fast time passed, my Angie has now become a big girl."

"I promise, I will never leave you, Mother!!!!"

"There will come a time when you will have to live independently, my sweet daughter," whispered Maria softly as she hugged Viona lovingly.

Angie was Maria's favorite nickname for Viona. She was a childless widow. Her late husband was a doctor who died while on duty to care for patients with communicable diseases.

Finally, Maria chose to leave her job as a nurse and devote her life to less fortunate children whose parents abandoned them.

Viona was the first child she rescued, so the bond between the two was very deep compared to the other children. Viona was still firm in her stance not to leave the orphanage even though some of her foster siblings chose to live with their adoptive parents.

"Come on, your siblings are waiting in the living room," said Maria gently.

"Let me carry those files for you, Mother," Viona said softly as she grabbed the stack Maria wanted to carry.

Maria smiled at Viona's persistence to help her. She followed the girl to the living room where the prospective adoptive parents were waiting.

"Apologies for making you wait too long," Maria opened the conversation.

"This is their personal data, Madam," Viona added while placing the file on the table.

The prospective adoptive parents read the files on the table, they looked at the photos seriously. Maria and Viona smiled seeing their guests this time. They hoped some children would be adopted.

"Can I see this kid?" asked a woman with blonde hair.

"I also want to see this child," added a woman who wore dark glasses.

"Okay, come with me, Ladies and gentlemen." Viona led her guests to the playroom on the second floor, where her foster siblings were at.

When they saw the children playing, some of the women looked excited. Two couples wanted to adopt immediately. Finally, four children were adopted on that day.

Maria quickly prepared the children's documents before handing them over to their prospective parents.

"Lisa, be a good child in your new home, okay," Viona said softly when she was tidying her sister's clothes.

"Big sister, why do we have to go? Do you hate us because we are naughty? Is that why you are sending us away?"

"Big sister Viona please talk to mom, we promise we won't be naughty anymore but don't ask us to go."

"Sobs... Big sister, I don't want to go!"

"Me tooo.... sobs."

Suddenly the sound of children crying came from the children's room on the third floor, Viona tried to calm her siblings gently.

"I would NEVER hate you, sweetheart. I want you to be able to go to school to achieve your dreams," Viona said softly, hugging them lovingly.

"Anne, you want to be a police officer when you grow up, right? And Jackson, you want to be a pilot, don't you?" Viona gently asked her siblings.

"But we can go to school here too..." The four-year-old girl, Anne, cried again.

Viona hugged her sisters alternately for thirty minutes. Maria only peeked at them from behind the door with a knowing smile. Finally, Viona managed to bring her younger siblings down and handed them over to their adoptive parents with a smile.

Some children cried when they found out that their foster siblings had gone with their new parents. The time spent together at the orphanage had made them very close.

Maria wiped the tears that fell on her cheeks when she saw four of her foster children leave with their new parents. Viona hugged her foster mother tightly from the side to comfort her. Soon they returned to the orphanage because it was getting late.

"Come with me for a while, Angie," said Maria, inviting Viona to climb to the balcony on the third floor.

Viona followed her mother from behind without the slightest suspicion.

"Angie, do you know that the orphanage is in trouble? That's why I am very keen to find foster parents for the ten remaining children at our home," Maria stared at Viona with a sad expression.

"I understand what you mean, Mother. However, I feel like you are keeping something from me," Viona replied quickly.

"Please read this, Angie," Maria handed over a lab document to Viona.

BADUMP.

Viona's body staggered and she almost fell to the floor when she finished reading the document.

"This can't be right...!" Viona wailed desperately.

"I also hope this test result is wrong, my sweet daughter, but I have already done tests in three different hospitals," said Maria softly. Tears started streaming down her face and wet the scarf she was wearing.

"Tomorrow, we will have more prospective adopters come here. I hope they will bring your three remaining siblings with them," Maria added slowly.

"I don't want to lose you, Mother," Viona sobbed in tears.

Maria hugged Viona tightly. Even though they were not bound by blood, but to each other, they were mother and child. They were crying hopelessly, lamenting the fate that would soon separate them forever.

Maria was diagnosed with late-stage leukemia. The doctor estimated that she only had less than two months to live. Viona was suspicious when she saw that her mother was getting thinner. Maria cleverly avoided her questions whenever Viona confronted her about it.

"The lawyer that you contacted has managed to sell this house. We have to vacate this house next month," said Maria softly. Her voice was trembling.

Viona did not respond to her mother's words. She could barely make a sound. Her throat felt choked and she couldn't find words to say. She just wanted to hug her mother so tightly that she didn't want to let her go.

"Come on, Angie, the air outside is getting cold," whispered Maria softly trying to coax Viona who was still crying.

Viona got up from her seat then walked inside while still hugging her mother tightly. Maria fell asleep after drinking the medicine Viona gave her. She held Maria's hand tightly, kissing the hand repeatedly.

This old woman was her savior. Eighteen years ago, Maria saved her and had been taking care of her selflessly. Maria cared for and raised children who were not born from her womb, while there were many women out there who killed or abandoned their own children without second thoughts.

"I will find the best doctor for you, Mom," Viona sobbed softly in tears. Her tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were from all the crying.

Viona kissed her mother's face. She had slept gently. Her cheeks were hollow, and her body looked thinner than before, but they couldn't reduce her natural beauty.

"George."

Viona stopped what she was doing when she heard her mother's voice called out her husband's name. The man had passed away decades ago.

"You miss Dad, don't you, Mom?" Viona couldn't help let out another cry.

Viona finally fell asleep beside Maria, still holding her mother's hand tightly and hoping to wake up from the nightmare. She hoped everything was just a bad dream and it was not real.

***

The next morning, the remaining three foster children were successfully adopted by their new parents.

"Goodbye, Children," said Maria when she led her last three children to the gate. She waved her hand gently.

Viona stood beside her mother, trying to hold her mother's body, which was getting weaker. Not long after, a lawyer came into the house with an assistant.

"This is the proceeds from the sale of this house, Mam," said the lawyer softly as he handed over the check and cash to Maria and Viona. He added, "They asked this house to be vacated no later than one week from now."

"Yes, Sir, I understand. Thank you for your help, Sir," said Maria gently as she greeted and escorted her guests away.

Viona tidied up the file given by the lawyer then led her mother into the room to rest.

"Angie, all this is for you, I hope you can continue your life with this money," said Maria weakly.

"This is money for your treatment, Mom. We will get the best doctors to treat you. You will be healthy again," Viona shook her head. She was in tears again.

"But..."

"Mother...!!" shouted Viona in panic when she saw Maria vomited a lot of blood. She quickly hailed a taxi and immediately went to take Maria to the hospital.

"Motherr...!!! Motheeerr...!!" Viona screamed in tears when she saw her mother could not be saved by the doctor.

***

Viona walked closer to her mother's grave. She dropped to her feet on the hard ground and embraced the fresh grave. It was Maria's last place of resting. Viona's voice had run out after crying for two days, mourning for her mother's passing. Many people came to console her.

"Where should I go now, Mom? You were the only one I have in this world," Viona cried incessantly. In her arms, was a picture of her late mother smiling beautifully.

Slowly Viona placed her mother's photo on the tombstone. She stared at the grave next to her mother's grave. On the grave next to Maria's, she saw a picture of a young man wearing a black tuxedo and a white coat typical of a doctor.

On the tomb was written the name: GEORGE ROBERT HARRISON, on her mother's tomb, written the name MARIA JESICCA HARRISON.

"Father, please take care of Mother in heaven. Even though I don't know you personally, but Mother has told me a lot about you," said Viona softly in front of the graves of her foster parents.

When Viona finally left the graves of her foster parents, she felt as if half of her soul was gone.

The next day, Viona tidied up some of her mother's belongings in the room. She wanted to put them in the box. She looked around the room where she and her mother used to share their lives together for eighteen years.

Viona's steps stopped in front of the house with a signboard "The Light Orphanage" by the gate. Her tears streamed down when she saw at the sign was being lowered by several workers to put in a car she rented so she could move to a small apartment in the city center.

Her mother's house that was converted into an orphanage would soon be torn down and turned into a pub by its new owner. Viona held her mother's important documents tightly and then walked to the car because she had to leave the house immediately.

"I will turn on the light elsewhere, Mother. That's my promise," Viona said softly as she looked at the house for the last time.

Viona walked into her new residence in a loft-type apartment. She deliberately chose the place because she wanted to keep some of her mother's stuff. Viona had already paid the rent for her apartment for the next year.

With the money left by her mother, she could support herself without having to live a miserable life. However, Viona was determined not to use the money for herself. She wanted to build another orphanage, just like what her mother did.​ ​

While tidying up some documents belonging to her mother, Viona came across a flyer she had picked up from an exhibition at the mall. It was a flyer about the entrance fees to one of the best universities in Ontario.

"I want to go to school here, but how can I have enough money for school," Viona thought as she looked at the flyer in her hand. Even though she had money from the house proceedings, she was determined not to touch it for her personal needs.

Because she was too tired to tidy her things, Viona finally fell asleep on her bed without changing her clothes. She also skipped dinner. The next morning, Viona went to the bank to deposit the money from the house sale proceeds. She didn't want to use it.

Viona saw her in her bank statements, she had 10 million CAD. She wanted to use the money to build an orphanage someday. Since her own money she currently had was far from enough, Viona needed work to increase her savings.

"Excuse me, can I have this flyer?" Viona asked a worker who was distributing flyers.

"My pleasure, Miss."

Viona read the announcement on the flyer. On it was a vacancy for a laundry staff. Viona enthusiastically walked towards the place written on the flyer in her hand. She chose to take the subway to go to her destination so that she could arrive more quickly.

"Thank you, Madam, for accepting me," Viona said thank you many times.

"No need to say thanks. You can start working tomorrow," said the laundry owner to Viona.

"Will do, Madame. Then, I'll take my leave now," Viona replied politely.

"See you tomorrow and don't be late. I hate late people the most!!" The lady said again.

With a big smile, Viona left her new workplace. This would be her first work. Viona should have continued her studies at university, but because she realized she had to share with so many foster siblings at home, she didn't even dream of going to university before.

"Viona!!!" Suddenly, came the voice of a man calling her name. It was Lexi, her senior in high school when she was a freshman.

"Lexi," said Viona in shock when she saw the person who called her.

"What are you doing here? Are you accompanying Maria to shop?" Asked Lexi repeatedly.

"My mother has passed away," Viona replied softly as she looked down. Every time she remembered her mother, she would feel sad again.

"What??? Come on, Viona, come with me," said Lexi surprised. He pulled Viona's hand to a coffee shop not far from the place they were at. Viona followed him.

"Where do you live now?" Lexi asked shortly after Viona finished her story.

"I rented a small apartment. I've also just got a job," Viona replied quietly.

"Why didn't you tell me that your orphanage was sold? I can help you Vio," said Lexi softly. He tried to touch Viona's hand.

When her hand was being touched by Lexi, Viona involuntarily squirmed. She quickly pulled her hand from the man's grasp.

"I'm sorry," said Viona. She was shaking because no man had ever touched her before.

"Sorry, Vio. I didn't mean to."

"It's okay, Lexi. It's getting dark now. I have to go home. Tomorrow is my first day of work," said Viona quickly.

Lexi stared at Viona's departure from behind the glass. Viona hurriedly got off to the subway station.

"This time, you can't get away from me, Vio," muttered Lexi irritably. He put out his cigarette in an ashtray.

During these three years, Viona was the only girl who rejected his love. Even the gossip spread in school said that Viona was the only virgin left in the school. She always refused invitations from her friends to go to bars or cafes to just hang out.

She always chose to go home to help her mother at the orphanage. Since Maria was considered an angel in her area, no one dared to mess with Viona.

In the subway, Viona sat next to a little girl with blonde hair who had red cheeks with cute freckles. She was probably around five years old, wearing an expensive outfit and a perfect ponytail that made her look even more adorable. Viona invited the little girl to chat during the trip.

"So, your name is Zevanya," Viona said softly, repeating the beautiful little girl's words next to her.

"Yes, I remember. Your name is Viona, right?" Zevanya's shrill voice answered Viona's words.

"Where are you going, Little Girl?" Viona asked softly.

"I'm going to my dad's office. It's my first time going on a subway... so, I'm very excited," Zevanya said with a big smile.

Viona noticed her expensive-looking outfit and realized this little girl must be a daughter of a wealthy family. To her, riding a train was an adventure, not a necessity.

"Be careful, okay," said Viona. "Where are you getting off?"

Zevanya turned to her nanny and asked the question with her eyes. The nanny smiled and nodded.

"It's the next station." She smiled at Zevanya. "Go ahead, say goodbye to Miss Viona."

"Goodbye, Viona," Zevanya waved her hand and smiled broadly. "Hope, we can meet again!"

"Bye, Zevanya. Take care."

"Excuse me, Miss," said Zeva's nanny.

Viona kept waving her hand at the little girl she had just met. She was reminded of her young foster siblings at the orphanage. Ahh.. she was so adorable. Zevanya chattered constantly during their journey and her enthusiasm made Viona happy, that she could forget about her sadness for a while.

Their brief chat left a deep impression on her. Zeva's small body finally disappeared from Viona's sight because the train had driven away from the station where the little girl got off.

The train that Viona was riding in finally stopped. She stepped out of the train. She decided to run to her apartment because it was already late. Viona was still new to her neighborhood, so she still didn't know what the situation was.

When she arrived at the apartment, Viona decided to wash up and then made instant noodles to fill her stomach. Back in the orphanage, her mother always scolded her when she tried to eat instant noodles.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I am eating instant noodles now," Viona said softly. Her eyes staring at the photo of her mother, who smiled sweetly. It was the picture of Maria with Viona and her foster children in front of the orphanage.

The sound of Viona's cell phone ringing made her stop her dinner.

"Hello Vio, it's me. Am I bothering you?" she could hear Lexi's voice on the other side.

"Hello, Lexi. I am just about to sleep," Viona replied softly.

"You just arrived at 9 pm? Where did you go?" asked Lexi searchingly.

"I walked from the station. It took me a long time to arrive home," Viona explained.

"Should I pick you up tomorrow?" said Lexi hopefully, trying to offer help to Viona.

"No, thank you. I can take the train," Viona said softly.

"Alright, it's already late. You should sleep now." Lexi tried to coax Viona.

"Thank you, Lexi," Viona replied quickly. Not long after, she put her cellphone on the table and continued her dinner then went up to her bed to sleep because she felt tired.

Somewhere else, Lexi was trying to find out where Viona lived by tracing her phone. It didn't take long before Lexi finally found Viona's apartment. Apparently, it was not far from his brother's house.

"You must be mine Viona," said Lexi in a determined voice.

Lexi became obsessed with Viona since many of his friends told him that they could never get her. Many boys at school decided to stay away from Viona after finding out that the girl was an orphan living in a foster home.

They initially thought Viona was the daughter of a wealthy family because of her beauty. She was also able to mingle with the upper-class students. She looked so beautiful and elegant like a rich girl.

Lexi's room was opened.

"Honey, let's sleep," said a sexy woman in a coyish voice to Lexi, who was still sitting at his desk.

Lexi smiled at the woman's words. He swiftly lifted the woman's body and laid her on the bed. He was a womanizer who couldn't feel satisfied with just one woman. The girl who was now in his bed was his second girlfriend for this month.

"You have to satisfy me tonight, Layla ..." whispered Lexi with a husky voice.