Chapter 31: Photo Op
Moana

The very next morning, I called Sophia as soon as I awoke.

“Sophia, it’s Moana,” I said into the phone. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

Sophia was quiet for a moment. I could tell that she was hesitant; I had just informed her only a couple of weeks prior that I was working for the very man who frightened the orphans, and she no doubt had a suspicion that I was going to ask for something after how he acted.

“Yes,” she finally replied. “It’s good to hear your voice.”

I smiled, relieved that she was at least willing to talk to me. “You, too,” I said. “I know this might seem a bit contrived, but I wanted to ask if Mr. Morgan and I could come to the orphanage today. He wants to speak to you and the children after what happened yesterday.”

“Really?” Sophia responded, sounding a little surprised. “He doesn’t seem like the type to talk much.”

“Really. He wants to apologize.” Sophia was silent again. I grew desperate. “Please,” I said. “I’d really appreciate it if you gave him another chance.”

“Alright,” Sophia finally agreed. “When will you be coming?”

I glanced at the clock. “We’ll be there by noon.”

At noon, almost on the dot, Edrick and I pulled up to the orphanage. He was wearing a gray suit and tie that was almost as stiff as his demeanor, which was a sharp contrast from my light blue sundress. It was a scorching hot day; I was surprised that he was even breathing dressed like that.

and I out. I glanced over at the Alpha billionaire over the top of the car, noticing how his image seemed to wiggle a bit behind the heat haze coming off of the black car. He took a deep breath and straightened his tie before brusquely turning on his heel and storming up to the entrance of the orphanage as if he was on a mission, where Sophia stood with the children as they waited for him. The children had made a banner that they were all holding, which read: “Thank

came down the steps

said, her eyes squinting in the sunlight. “We’re happy to have

curt tone of voice, “Thank you. Where is

even harder. “Photographer?” she

for a photo op,” Edrick said, looking around. “Didn’t

Edrick’s arm before he could say anything else that was

phone pictures to make it on the

for the right reasons, Mr. Morgan,”

over at me with a disappointed look on his face. He stepped away, waving me over to him,

hire a photographer?” he

my head. “It’s not about the quality of the photos,” I responded, keeping my voice low. “It’s about the message behind them. And I didn’t want to make the children uncomfortable by having another stranger here to

glanced over at the children, who looked like they were broiling in the summer heat. One little girl’s bangs were glued to her forehead with sweat. “Fine,” he said, his tone of voice cold as he straightened his tie again. “Let’s just get

couldn’t make out from where I stood. She nodded and they walked over to the stairs; Edrick waved for me to follow again, and I did, this

stood off to the side. “Mr. Morgan

Morgan,” the little girl with

at her; he only stood off to the side with his arms folded, impatiently

Miss Moana doing here?” another

one little boy said, his face red from the

finished,” Sophia replied. She shot me a pleading look, practically begging me to just get the photo over with so she could bring the children back inside before they all had heat

I said with a smile, holding up my phone to take the picture. “On

miserable to smile, and the

stormed back off in the direction of the car. I mouthed an apology to Sophia, who glared at me angrily from the doorway, before I ran after Edrick and grabbed him by the

you doing?”

in his face to show him the picture. “The

Edrick complained. “I

made me

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