Chapter 16: Shameless Diana
Regan chuckled and ruffled his head “brave boys eat candy” he responded, the boy's eyes sparkled.
He received it with a big smile “that is why I love candy, am a brave boy” he hollered, the kids who were hiding with the caretakers, were jealous.
Regan stood and walked towards the elderly in their midst, the proprietor of the orphanage home, “Ma, I want to see you” he said.
The old woman hesitated before taking them to her office, they settled “I don't know the two of you, and this isn't visiting day” she voiced out her fear.
Regan nodded "we apologize for 'causing quite a scare, but we are here for an essential task” he said, and put the briefcase on the table.
“Ma, I heard the orphanage home doesn't have more capacity to take more kids, and most of your facilities are outdated. It is becoming more difficult to feed the kids in here” he told her.
She agreed with him “many donors are giving up on charity works, but we are sourcing for funds to run this, the government are only remembering us for political clout” she told Regan and Diana, making a sad face.
Diana's heart twitched, she has set up a foundation to tackle this problem “ma, hoe about Daney foundation, are they not funding this orphanage home?" she inquired.
The old lady nodded “we only received funds, when Diana's accident wasn't reported, subsequently, the foundation have contributed to nothing to this orphanage home” she responded.
Diana twitched painfully, she wished she could bring all these people to justice, Regan opened the briefcase and revealed the wads of dollar notes inside.
The old lady's mouth formed an 'O' shape, without uttering a word, “I hope this is enough” Regan said.
The old lady shook her head “thank you, sir, but we can't accept such money, we don't know if this is illegal money” she retorted.
Regan tried to convince the old lady, but she insisted not to take it, “I am Daney” Diana spoke up, the office became silent immediately.
A big frowned appeared on the lady's face, “how can you say such a thing, Daney isn't like you, you don't even look like her,
I beg you, don't taint her name, she is such a role model for the growing ones to emulate” she rebuked Diana.
Diana sighed heavily and brought a necklace, only wore by the Westley, it was a symbol of the family, that only a man dead could make.
“I am one of the Westley ma'am, and I am Diana, my stage name is Daney” she revealed herself to the old lady.
The old lady was shocked, her mouth parted hung low, a brief scream escaped her mouth “I am sorry to doubt you, my goodness what happened to you?” she asked, with great concern.
Diana sighed that the old lady believe her, “ma'am, I can't say anything for now, but I am convinced, you will find out the truth sooner than later” she responded.
The old lady nodded, and accepted their donation, she walked the two people out, the brave kids earlier was lurking around, he liked the aunty and uncle who visited, especially the uncle candy.
Regan and Diana were escorted to the gate by the old lady of the orphanage home “Uncle Candy” a tiny voice called out to the two of them.
Regan and Diana stopped, the matriarch of the orphanage frowned, it was time for the children lights out, and they are not allowed outside the hostels for their safety.
“Lionel, come back here” one of the caretakers called out to him, but he ran faster, with his tiny legs.
He met Regan and Diana “uncle Candy, I am sorry, I don't have much to give you, you are my hero, look I draw you” the kid said and flashed a paper.
Regan crouched to his height, he treated the kid kindly, and took the paper, the drawing wasn't too great, a total imagination of an underage.
The kid stared at Regan with expectation, “you are a remarkable artist” he praised, a big smile replaced the nervous facial expression on his face earlier.
“Really?” the kid asked happily, Regan nodded, “you draw more than any artist I know” he praised him more.
“Lionel, it is night, go in, follow the nurse” the strict matriarch said, Regan ruffled the kid's hair “I will come see you tomorrow” he promises the kid.
The kid became delighted, even when he was taking away, he kept on glancing back, and prayed inwardly he fulfilled his promise.
Regan and Diana entered the car, they drove there with, Diana was in a bad mood “I think someone out there is trying to ruin all I have worked for” she lamented, feeling weak and tired.
Regan patted his her back “hey, stop crying, if you show them your tears, they will win” he tried to persuade her.
She nodded reluctantly and agreed with Regan, he drove her back to the mansion, the next morning, Diana stretched and stumbled on her sister showing on the screen, interviewed by a presenter.
A nourishing smell was coming from the kitchen, she sniffed, and the hunger to taste what was being prepared in the kitchen overwhelmed her.
“Miss Olivier, there is a rumor going around, that you tried to steal your sister fame, is that true?” the presenter asked.
Olivier gave her best smile, “I am not bothered about what idle rumor mongers think, I also saw the deep fake videos,
the government should be doing more to eradicate fake news on the internet” she responded, with a straight face.
Her answer disgusted Diana, and she unwittingly clenched her fists, “why will someone try to steal a drowning artist image,
I won't do that, it is just a way for Diana to get back in the industry, if you are watching this Diana, you don't make comebacks with sentiment and emotions, but with good music” she said.
Her statement drove Diana crazy, the thought to smack her face heightened.