Chapter 55: Butterfly & Snake

< Dylan >
"Where are we going?" I asked for the umpteenth time.
"Not telling you." Shirley stuck out her tongue at me. I huffed and tried looking for my phone to keep myself occupied but realized she had already confiscated my beloved phone.
I sighed in boredom, sinking back in my seat.
"Hey, why are you being so grumpy?" she asked with her eyes glued on the roads as she was driving.
"Isn't it obvious?" I growled, making her giggle. My eyes fell on the bunch of wrapped boxes in the backseat. "And what's with those gifts?"
"They are for someone special." Shirley grinned.
I doubted a single person would want that many presents. Was she going to donate those to an organization or what? What if she were a terrorist behind my back and those boxes had dynamite?
Nope, not possible. She was too dumb and innocent for that.
After a few minutes, the car came to a halt and both of us got out. I was slightly amazed by the sight in front of me. It was a place that I loved coming with my mom as a child. This was the place I met Xavier and Riley.
"Why did you bring me to an orphanage?" I inquired, being bewildered.
"I just felt like visiting today, and I wanted to make you do some noble works," she replied with a wide smile. "Have you ever visited an orphanage before, Dylan?"
I didn't respond and looked away from her. Shirley didn't need to know about this, but this orphanage was owned by me. My mom was the founder of many orphanages and old-aged homes all around the globe, which were currently run by me.
Also, Xavier and Riley used to live in this orphanage. Due to Xavier's violent behavior and Riley's cold attitude towards everyone, Mom had decided to adopt them.
Xavier was so violent back then, he almost killed my seven-year-old-self in our first meeting. I touched my cheek where Xavier had punched me for the first time. I also remembered thirteen-year-old Riley's first words to me after annoying him for half an hour, which were, "Don't bug me, brat."
Both of their first impressions were painful and harsh, but still, they brought back fond memories. Because of that, we were who we were today.
"Hey, stop smiling and help me out with the gift boxes," Shirley's soft voice brought me out of my thoughts. I looked to my left to find her fumbling with a tower of boxes.
I couldn't even find her forehead due to the heights of the boxes. But I could see her hair locks flying around due to the wind.
"Oof, oof, they are gonna fall. They are gonna fall. I'm gonna fal—" Even before she could complete her sentence, she bumped into the wall due to her carelessness, leading the boxes to fall on the ground, losing her balance as well.
As if on instinct, I ran towards her and held her by her waist before she could hit the ground. She clutched onto my shoulder with her eyes tightly closed. For a split second, her face flashed fear which made me concerned.
Did she twist her ankle? What if I missed? She could have injured herself badly. Even the thought made me want to strangle myself.
Shirley slightly opened her eyes to peek. I was going to lecture her for being so clumsy, but when she fully opened her eyes, I forgot what I had to say when her ocean blue eyes locked with mine.
So beautiful... and breathtaking.
Her eyes always held so much life and emotions in them, unlike mine. Especially right now, when she is looking into mine with that innocent look. She never failed to make my breath hitch whenever she would blink at me innocently with those round eyes. I especially liked the way her eyes always glowed whenever she smiled and rambled.
Ahem, Dylan… my subconscious notified me.
I snapped out of my trance and made Shirley stand up. I shifted my gaze from her beautiful face.
"Thank you," she mumbled timidly and started picking up the gift boxes.
"L—leave it. I will tell my guards to bring them in." Otherwise, she would again tumble and hurt herself.
"Sure?" she asked. I nodded, assuring her. A wide smile took over her lips as she held onto my arm. "Let's go in," she beamed.
I rolled my eyes and went along with her. After passing the gate, in front of me laid a big front yard with flower gardens on each corner. It brought back so many memories.
No sooner had we entered, to be precise Shirley entered, some of the kids started hollering when they spotted her.
"Hey, everyone! Shirley is here!" A little girl yelled, calling out for the other kids. A bunch of kids came out from their rooms and started surrounding Shirley.
I left her hand and stood far away from her. But it felt like she didn't want to leave my hand as if she wanted me to be with her. However, that wasn't my place. Only a butterfly like her would look beautiful in a garden full of flowers, not a snake like me.
I watched from afar as the children started hugging and kissing Shirley's cheek with huge smiles on their lips. Shirley also had a heartwarming smile—a smile that always managed to make my lips curve up. She hugged all of the kids one by one and asked them about their health and studies.
How charming and attractive, I thought.
So are you attracted as well? asked my subconscious.
Get lost, you bothering voice.
"Excuse me, sir?" someone called me and I turned to look at her. She seemed like the supervisor of the orphanage. She was wearing a nun outfit, I didn't know what they are called. "Are you with Ms. Shirley?"
"Yes, I am," I answered politely.
"Oh, okay, we have to keep records of everyone who visits here. So, you've to give a signature over here. By the way, what is your name, sir?" she asked, readying her pen to scribble on the notepad on her hand.
"Dylan Lewiston."
"Lewiston? Dylan Lewiston..." She started thinking deeply, trying to jog up to her memory while I arched an eyebrow in confusion. "Son of Karen Lewiston?"
"How do you know my mom?" I asked, being dumbfounded.
"You're the current owner, the founder's son, right?" the woman asked, and I nodded. "You have grown so big, Dylan."
"Ah, Ms. Periwinkle," I let out as I recognized her from my childhood.
"Why is your name Dylan Lewiston? Wasn't it Dylan Stra—"
"I changed my name to my mom's surname after her death," I replied. "And please don't ever utter my previous name." It had a disgraceful last name attached to it.
"You look just like your mom," Ms. Periwinkle said and I just smiled.
However, nothing was more disgraceful for my mom than having a son like me. My mom was someone who fought for justice till her last breath, then there was me—her only son who was a crime head. She used to save lives, and I was destroying them. She used to make people smile, and I was making people shiver and cry in fear.
In a way, Shirley was also like her. She had a kind heart; someone who made everyone happy. Her contagious smile made cold people like me smile as well. Also, her innocence and kindness always made me feel—
"How's your sister?" Ms. Periwinkle's hurtful question brought me out of my trance.
"Cordelia died a long time ago in an accident," I lied. There was no point in telling her that my sister was murdered.
"That's awful. I'm so sorry to hear that. She was such a sweet bubbly kid, the complete opposite of you," she mumbled and I continued faking a smile, even though it hurt so much to think about the way my family was. "What about your dad?"
"Busy...as always," I replied, flashing her tight-lipped smile. Just thinking about that man got my blood boiling.
"I see him on the TV sometimes," Ms. Periwinkle said.
"I'm sorry for not taking my responsibilities towards these organizations. I should have done more," I said in order to divert the topic.
"No, you don't have to apologize. You're already kind enough for paying the expenses for the kids. Just like Ms. Shirley does, you also send gifts for the kids twice a year." She smiled.
Little did she know that it was Riley and Xavier who managed all of this.
"Yes, yes, I know. I have to sign somewhere, right?" I again diverted the conversation as I didn't want to take credit for something I didn't do myself. After signing the papers, I gazed back at the children, specifically Shirley.
Shirley was sitting on her knees, distributing the presents among the children. The kids seemed really happy, full of joy. The big, wide smiles on their little lips could cheer up anyone, even me. The ache in my heart that bored out after remembering my long-gone family had vanished.
Shirley really is something… They all love her so much.
If it would have been someone else in your shoes, they would have been in love with her, remarked my subconscious.
Oh, please, she's still pretty annoying.
"Does she visit here often?" I asked Ms. Periwinkle since she was still standing beside me.
"Yes, almost every month. The kids love her a lot. Whenever she comes, she brings presents for them. She sometimes helps them out with their studies too. She is such a kind soul," Ms. Periwinkle replied.
"Indeed," I mumbled, a smile tugging on my face.
As I was staring at their way, Shirley's eyes fell on me. She stood up and approached me.
"Hey, I want you to distribute the chocolates. Come." She held my wrist and was about to drag me.
"But they don't know me. I'm probably going to scare them away. You should give them yourself; you bought them after all," I reasoned out reluctantly.
"Just introduce yourself with a smile, and they will love you. They are kids, Dylan. They are innocent. They know who is good at heart." She smiled warmly.
Yes, the kids would know that I wasn't who Shirley deemed me to be. I had no idea what used to make her think that I was a kind person.
Soon I was obliged to stand in front of the cute kids. The children looked up to me with curiosity in their little eyes.
"Uh..." I didn't know what to say. "H—hello, kids. I—I'm Dylan. How a—are you all doing?" I asked awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. I couldn't believe that I, Dylan Lewiston, the leader of a Mafia organization, stuttered in front of little kids.
"We are fine. How are you?" they replied in chorus.
"I'm fine as well." Goddammit, what was I supposed to say? "I would like to give you some chocolates. Do you all like chocolates?" I asked.
"We love it!" they exclaimed in a singsong voice, grinning in excitement.
"I love chocolates as well." After that, the flow of the conversation came naturally to me as I communicated with the children.
"But you're so big, you still love chocolates?" a little boy, who was around eight years old, asked.
"What's wrong with loving chocolates? Everyone can like chocolates. They help you relax and release stress. If you're upset about anything, it helps you cheer up. I don't know about you guys, but it works like a charm for me."
"Is that so? We didn't know."
"Give us the chocolates now!" some kids started jumping around my two guards, Jeremiah and Tim, who were holding the chocolate boxes.
"Wait, wait, don't get too excited." I chuckled and took the chocolate boxes from Jeremiah's hand.
I started with a little six-year-old girl with two pigtails. Her grey eyes reminded me of my sister. I wore a soft smile and kneeled down in front of her. I handed her the chocolate box which she happily accepted. Suddenly she kissed my cheek and said, "Thank you, mister."
I bit my lips, feeling the overwhelming emotions. "You—you are welcome, princess." I kissed her forehead in return and ruffled her hair. She giggled, wrapping her small arms around my neck.
"You're really sweet, mister," she said, grinning cutely.
A huge smile took over my lips as I continued to distribute the chocolate boxes among the children. Each of them kissed my cheek and gave me heartwarming smiles with genuine compliments. I returned their gesture as well.
The love those kids showed me really warmed my heart. I felt pleased after a long time. Because nothing could be purer than an innocent child's smile.
Indeed, this place brings waves of happiness just like you said, Mom.
All this time, I felt an intense gaze at me as if someone was staring at me. Obviously, it was Shirley. Whenever I glanced at her, I caught her smiling at me.
Shirley approached us and announced, "Do you know, kids, that this mister over here is the owner of your home?"
"Really, mister? You're the one who provided us shelter?" The kids were bewildered by the fact.
"How did you know?" I whispered to Shirley.
Grinning, she replied, "I stalked you for a month, Dylan Lewiston. Obviously, I would know."
She really was a hardcore stalker.
After that, they gave me a little speech which they had prepared to thank me.
"Are you happy?" Shirley inquired. I looked at her relaxed face as if she has never felt more satisfied than today in her whole life. Strange. I wondered why she was so happy.
"Yes," I answered honestly.
"That's great."
"Why... Why do you want to make me happy?" I asked reluctantly.
"Who said I wanted to make you happy?" She played it cool.
"I'm not dumb," I deadpanned. She sighed and put on a wide, contagious smile.
Shirley stood on her toes to reach my height and kissed my right cheek softly. My heartbeat accelerated as she inched closer. She whispered in my ears, giving birth to a whole new set of emotions, "Because that is what I want more than anything."