Darcia's pov

I looked in my closet to try to find the present my friend gave me when he left this town. He bought some expensive clothes for me, and I never thought I would wear them, but today is the day.

After a few minutes of digging through the closet, I found an old, big, dusty box in a corner. I carefully took it out and placed it next to me. When I looked inside, I found exactly what I hoped for. So many ugly skirts and high heels. If he'd seen me in such clothes, he'd probably burst out laughing and make me remember it for the rest of my eternal life.

I call this outfit "A rich whore" He gave me this as a joke because he knows I despise heels, dresses, and stuff similar to that.

I put on the sleek black pencil skirt with black platform heels and a red v-neck top. I checked myself in the mirror, and I instantly felt disappointed in myself.

"I never thought I would see myself dressed like this again." After I left my home, I swore to myself I would never wear such slutty clothes again. I've had enough of it while I was still there. My mother made me wear it. Another reason why I despise her.

This outfit will for sure catch Mr. Elwood's attention, regardless of whether he likes me or not. He'll change his mind immediately when he sees my long legs and décolletage. Men don't need much persuasion.

I'm sure about ninety-nine percent of my plan will work out, but I still need to have something up my sleeve if that one percent doesn't. And that is seduction. Believe me, I have zero interest in men, and why? Because they're the ones who hurt the most.

I walked out of my house, headed to my parked car in the driveway, and started the engine. I gripped the wheel tightly and stepped on the gas.

On my way there, I pull out of my make-up bag a red lipstick and apply it in a thick layer to my lips. "It now completes the whole thing," I smirked.

It's been such a long time since I drove a car that I don't even remember how it exactly works. I never had the need to travel or go somewhere else. But this is necessary for my plan. I need to look put together. Some kind of golddigger-looking woman who's driving her millionaire husband's car.

Since I hate slow driving, it took me ten minutes to get there. I got out of my car in the most elegant way I'm capable of. The owner of the orphanage, Mr. Elwood, was already waiting for me beside the gate. I called him last night and asked if I could come tomorrow. It was a spontaneous idea, and I was kind of surprised when he approved of our meeting.

To make a fake document, fake name, and fake life story is such a trifle for me. I've been on this earth for a very long time, so I'm skilled at many things. So many I can't even count them on two hands.

As I closed my car door, I extended my hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Elwood. I am Isabella Smith."

"The pleasure is mine; can we move to my office?" He replied as he glanced at my outfit, but surprisingly without any reaction. I smiled at him. "Yes, please."

I can't believe I'm stepping inside. It's more simple than I thought. Now I just need to show off my impressive acting skills to convince him that I'm the best mother under the sun.

When I entered the hall, I realized how large it was the inside. Walls were filled with old paintings, and big ass windows and so much sunlight was coming through. Too much for my taste.

When I turned around, I saw a young girl playing the piano. Such a passion in those hands. My mother taught me how to play so I could be the "perfect bride." I thought I would dislike piano because of her, yet I like to play even more. The sound of each note that she played gave me some sort of enjoyment. I've never praised a human, but if I wasn't dead, I would for sure praise her.

As I looked back, he had already begun walking up the stairs. His office is on the third floor. The last door at the end of the hall. The same hall as her room.

As a gentleman, he opened the door for me and pointed to the chair. "Please sit down. Do you want coffee or tea?"

"No, thank you." I elegantly sat down and pulled my skirt down.

He sat down in his big leather chair and clasped his hands. "So, you said in our phone call you want to adopt a teenager, not a child, am I right?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, you know, I think they deserve parents too. People tend to want small children and forget about the ones who have been here almost half of their lives. It's a pity really. Do you disagree with me?" I narrowed my eyes.

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"No, I completely agree. It's just sudden that someone genuinely wants to adopt one. You see, so many people came to look at them, but they changed their minds instantly when they saw the younger kids." Sadness clouded his features. "We have two sixteen year old, and two seventeen year old. I think they lost hope a long time ago..."

"Do you have any photos of them?" I forced a smile to ease the tension, "I would like to see their faces."

"Yes, I do. Give me a second. I need to find their files." He got up from his chair and started to look through the files that were placed on the shelf beside him.

Does he really feel sad because no one wants them, or does he just play on my feelings so I would adopt one of them?

"Here they are. On the left side are the younger girls." He placed their files in front of me and sat back in his chair. I looked at the first two files, but she wasn't in either one. My eyes turned to the right side, and I took the fourth file in my hand. My eyes widened.

Talia Laurer

This is the girl I was looking for. She looks so much younger in this picture, but I could still recognize her because of her hazel eyes. I put the file down, looked at him, and declared, "I'm interested in Talia." The corners of my mouth lifted.

She has soft feminine features, big hazel eyes, and golden brown hair that reaches her breasts. Her slightly pink skin shade brought up her freckles around the nose. It was the picture-perfect smile that she has that caught my eye.

"Oh, Miss Talia is very precious to me. Such a dark past of hers." He shook his head.

"Dark past? Can I know what happened?" I glanced at her file. I knew something was wrong with her just by looking into her eyes.

"Unfortunately, I can't give you that information." He looked straight into my eyes, "Talia might not accept you. Are you sure you want to adopt her?" He changed the subject immediately. "You know, she's used to the people and lifestyle here."

Not to accept me? It's not like she has a choice. I'm sure she will love my house. Maybe not my fangs, which will often bite her, but I can give her more than this institution.

"This might sound a little informal, but why did you choose her?" He asks and rests his head on his palm with his index finger pointing upwards.

I was not prepared for this question. "Well, I see in those eyes so much torment - I can't even explain how, I just do." With a serious face, I looked at her picture one more time. This is the only time I haven't lied to him. I know this look in her eyes very well. I had that look as well.

I pull out of my bag all of the documents I have for him. "My husband is currently on a business trip. I'm allowed to use his signature if it's needed. He always wanted to have a girl, you know." I stare at the floor. "I- can't have my own children..." Fake tears shimmered in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." He suddenly took my documents from my hand and looked through them. I knew tears would work. They always do.

My brows drew together. "I'll try my best to build a relationship with her. It might be challenging, but she'll get used to us. I'm sure of that." I clarified.

"Hopefully she will." He looked again at my papers and suddenly turned to me with shock on his face. "It says here you are twenty-six, but you look barely twenty."

"Well, maybe it's because I have a lot of botox in my face." I started giggling. "Fuck, did I screw up already?" I thought to myself.

He chuckled as he looked at me. "You're quite funny." He really liked my poor joke? I almost wanted to laugh.

He cleared his throat. "What does your husband do for work?" he asked.

"He is a lawyer, but he is interested in business too." I confidently answered.

"Adoption usually takes around six to twelve months, Miss Smith." Mr. Elwood pointed out. I already knew about this. Will I wait six months? Of course not. So, I will play with him until he agrees.

"Oh, such a pity. Well then, have a great day." I said this as I slowly began to rose from my chair.

"Wait-" Mr. Elwood almost screamed at me. I slowly sat back down and nodded for him to continue.

He cleared his throat again, almost as if he was preparing for a speech. "I cannot delay this no more. Any kid would be happy to have parents like you." He gave me a quick smile, "Your adoption papers will be ready tomorrow morning. I will announce this to Miss Talia after your leave. I'm sure she will be in disbelief."

"Thank you for everything, Mr. Elwood." I shook his hand once again. I got up from my chair and pulled my skirt down. "This fucking skirt, agh!" I muttered.

"Did you say something?" He looked at me with raised brows.

"Uhh- yeah I said goodbye." I grabbed the door handle, ready to leave. "Oh sorry, goodbye!" He noted.

I opened the door when, out of the blue, I saw Talia going up the stairs. I slammed the door and waited until I heard her get inside her room.

"Ohh, I forgot to ask-" Mr. Elwood looked at me with surprise, "When can I take her home?" I tried to cover my weird actions.

"Well, the day after tomorrow is suitable. She needs to say goodbye to her friend."

"No problem, have a nice day." I smiled.

I walked out of his office and gently closed the door. I was going down the stairs, looking at the paintings once again. "I wonder who painted them," I thought to myself. They are old, but I'm sure they cost a lot of money.

I walked out of the front door and took my eye contacts out of my eyes. Having them was so uncomfortable, but I don't think he'd appreciate my red eyes. They randomly turn on, and I cannot control that.

I got into my car and wiped the lipstick off my lips. I was proudly looking at myself in the rearview mirror for accomplishing this task. I do very bad things, and I do them so well.