Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Chapter 12: Live your dreams

Aria held Rian's ear and pulled him back to stop him from beating the teacher Bell.

"Little Devil!" Rian screamed. He might push away anybody but he never did that to Aria.

Alan was surprised to see how obedient Rian was with Aria. 

Aria smacked Rian's head before checking his right backhand. "How many times do I have to tell you not to hurt your right hand?"

She took his handkerchief and dabbed on his knuckle which had bloodstain. It was common for Rian but others were flabbergasted knowing why she stopped Rian.

Teacher Bell was groaning in pain having nobody to tend to him.

Rian tried to loosen his hand from her clutch, "Little Devil, how else can I beat him without using my hands? Your palm was swollen yesterday. Leave me, I will break his bones."

Aria stretched his fingers to make sure he hadn't fractured himself. She looked at him pointing his legs, "You have the other two limbs. You are wearing boots and you will not get hurt using them."

Many wanted to puke blood hearing her.

All heard Alan chuckle hearing her which surprised everyone. Alan composed himself soon in surprise by his own reaction. He understood their care-hate relationship and he felt it was crazy.

Rian's mood quickly changed and pinched her cheeks hard making it turn red, "My little Devil is back."

Aria stomped her foot on his boots making him scream which amused everyone, "Crap, Little Devil."

Aria didn't respond to him and pulled him out following Alan but she spoiled Alan's mood right after exiting the office room, "President Morgan! Thank you so much for today."

Alan held her hand and took her out as he coldly instructed Rian, "Go to your class."

Rian sighed looking at Aira jogging behind Alan, 'Bro! Now I understand why you are single till now with your handsome face, toned physique, and such job.'

He quickly went to his class and narrated everything to his fellow classmates proudly. Noah and Eva chided him for not calling them to watch the live show.

Aria had to sit in the car again. 'Did I anger President Morgan?' She thought to herself glancing at Alan who was attending a video conference.

She got to know they weren't going to the Morgan mansion or Cooper mansion. Their route won't take them to Skyline or Morgan Industries which were present on the same road with just half kilometer distance. She glanced at Alan who was instructing some tasks to his employees and sat quietly without asking.

Nathan quietly drove the car to the outskirts for an hour before stopping in front of Arlaan Orphanage.

'Arlaan' was an acronym of 'ARia aLAn riAN.' It was started by the joint venture of Morgan and Skyline Industries.

Aria couldn't understand why Alan brought her to the orphanage in his tight schedule. She alighted with them and saw Nathan getting a carton out from the car trunk.

It had been a long time hence she was looking around checking the changes when Alan held her hand and walked in his long strides making her jog again.

Nathan pursed his lips thinking Alan was hopeless with girls. He coughed lightly before speaking, "President Morgan, Ms.Cooper can not keep up with your walking speed."

Alan shot daggers at Nathan making him look ahead and walk then he slowed down for Aria and heard her sigh. Aria wasn't short but Alan was tall and his speed was too much.

The orphanage chief greeted both, "President Morgan, Ms.Cooper."

Alan strode in without giving a response. Aria nodded at the chief. She wanted to tell Alan that she can walk and holding her wrist wasn't required but knowing his misogyny personality she gave up.

Both men asked her to distribute chocolates and snacks to nearly fifty kids in which only a few kids remembered her, greeted her, and told other kids.

"Sister Aria?... Hey, Dancing sister is here."

"Painting teacher sister is here."

Aria smiled at them as she gave them the chocolates. Then all surrounded her as they spoke to her, poked her, and they laughed commenting.

"Sister Hair is so long as in the stories of Rapunzel."

"Mini! This is Sister Rapunzel."

"No No, Sister looks like my doll. She is sister Barbie."

"Kooky! Sister is pretty. She is Sister Cinderella."

Kids continued as Aria's face turned red hearing everyone adding new names to her. Every time she came with Noah, Eva, and Rian to play. Since she was the only one with kids as other men sat away looking at them, all kids interacted with her.

Aria couldn't control her laughter when she heard, "Sister's cheeks are red. She is Sister Red Cheeks."

Alan who worked on his laptop kept his attention on Aria. He saw her smiling looking at kids, as it continued, the pain in her eyes dissipated and she talked, laughed and played with them. When he heard all the nicknames, his lips tilted up looking Aria.

All the kids went to the ground and played with Aria, screaming, cheering all the time. When it was time for lunch, all the kids were taken inside by caretakers to eat.

Aria sat down outside still smiling when Alan walked behind her and sat down on a different stair before speaking. "So it's true."

Aria turned to see Alan for making sure he told her. Alan continued, "If you are sad, play with kids. That smile will heal your pain."

Aria smiled and turned to look at the dining hall where kids had started their lunch. "True"

Alan spoke mildly, "Sometimes our life imposes with inescapable agony which we have to endure. We call it experience. We have to learn from it and move on accepting the changes."

He paused and glanced at Aria before continuing, "If you focus on the hurt you will continue to suffer. If you focus on the lesson, you will continue to grow."

Aria turned to him hearing him speak so much gently to her but his face didn't show any emotions.

Alan continued, "You may be broken but you are still alive. Live your dreams, not in agony."

Aria nodded as a smile appeared on her face, "Slowly but surely, I will make my way back to myself."

Alan was relieved hearing her answer and sat next to her.

Aria stiffened instantly and damn confused when he took her hand. He put on a bracelet as he asked, "I heard, Uncle Oliver gave a personalized design to prepare this. Who designed?"

Aria caressed the vibrant colored butterfly on a thin chain bracelet as she replied, "Dad explained the design and I sketched."

Alan saw her smile looking at the butterfly. "Do you like butterflies?"