Lauren gets adopted

Lauren looked up at the woman who had just entered the room. Said woman was a tall, athletic woman who wore an elegant dress, shoes, and blazer that, all together, looked like they cost the same amount as three years’ worth of her rent. The woman looked around at the kids until her eyes stopped on Lauren, the little woman flinching back a bit as she turned a bright pink. The woman nodded briefly as she led Ms. Marigold into the hallway again. As April led the children into another room, Lauren stayed behind as she leaned against the wall, listening in to the conversation.

“Ms. Marigold,” the woman began in a British accent, “who is this little one?”

“Oh, that’s Rosie, Ms. Masters.” Ms. Marigold explained, “We found the little dear outside the orphanage about half an hour before you arrived.”

Ms. Marigold explained “Rosie's” story, but Lauren wasn’t paying attention. She was too busy turning pale at the name she had just heard. This was Madeline Masters?! The same Madeline Masters who made millions from her chain of restaurants? The same Madeline Masters that owned the very restaurant she worked at? The same Madeline Masters that Lauren had emailed in an attempt to get a promotion from waitress to management?!

And this very same woman just saw her wearing nothing but a small t-shirt and a diaper. If she ever got out of this mess, she would **** Maria before strangling Vanessa!

“Well,” Madeline said, snapping Lauren out of her thoughts as she listened in again, “I had originally come here to choose someone a bit older. But after that story, I feel like it would be a crime if I didn’t do something about this!”

“That’s wonderful!” Ms. Marigold cheered as she brought her hands together. Leading Madeline to another room, Marigold said, “If you just follow me, we’ll just write up the papers…”

“There you are!” April said, making Lauren jump as she looked at the younger woman. “C’mon, let’s get you to the – “

“That actually won’t be necessary, April.” Marigold said as she stuck her head out of the office, Madeline having just signed the last dotted line on the mountain of paperwork. Turning to the little woman, Marigold smiled as she said, “Congratulations, Rosie! You’re our fastest adoptee!”

“What…?” Lauren squeaked as her face paled.

“That’s right, Love.” Madeline said as she came out of the office, kneeling in front of the little woman. “I’m your new mommy!”

Lauren was completely stunned. The woman who was her boss’s boss had not only believed that she was a child, but had actually adopted her as her own?! Lauren felt tears forming in her eyes as her lip quivered.

“Aww,” April cooed, completely misreading her tears as tears of joy, “she’s so emotional that she’s speechless.”

“There’s just one question that I need answered before we get the much-needed supplies for you.” Madeline began, “How old are you, Rosie?”

Lauren was conflicted. If she continued this charade and said that she was younger than she actually was, then there was no way out of this nightmare before it got worse for her! And if she told them her real age and name then not only would they most likely think she was lying, but if they did believe her, they would most likely call the police on her.

Lauren let out a whimper as she weighed her options. Should she maje something up again, or tell the truth this time and hope for the best?