Adopted by Stromae

six

It was nearly a week into her stay, when Maelle got a call from social services, that things started to look up for her. They had told her that she'd be able to visit her father for the first time since he'd gotten into rehab, and to say the very least, she was beyond ecstatic.

Coralie had, earlier that morning, brought her breakfast in her room and kindly told her they'd be leaving in half an hour; which was met with a pause of silence and a nod. She was keen on keeping her stay here impersonal, even if she often came across as rude or harsh. It didn't matter to her, it would probably only last for a few more days.

After eating, she got ready to leave the house and ended up in the backseat with Paul driving. The pair in front of her spoke in French nonchalantly, and before tuning into their conversation, she mildly expected it to be about her— but as she listened, she sooned realized it was about groceries. With a sigh, she reminded herself she'd be backing living with her father very soon, and wouldn't have to be worried about not speaking her native language.

She cursed herself for bringing it upon herself, but she was too deep into the lie to dig herself out.

"We'll be back in thirty minutes," Paul announced, always remaining patient towards Maelle when she felt like snapping. He parked the car close to the building and smiled gently towards her. She knew, and she wouldn't admit it if you asked her, that she didn't deserve their hospitality. "We'll just be at the store. Oh, and call if you need anything!"

"I won't." she muttered, getting out of the car and slamming the door shut behind her.

When she walked in, she introduced herself to the receptionist. She told me he'd be ready any minute, and as she waited, the more excited Maelle grew to see her father. It felt like forever, even though she knew internally it was only a few days; but she had so many things to tell him. He was the most important thing in her life— one of the only things left in her life.

Soon, she was escorted to the room where he was staying. As soon as she saw him, tears formed in her eyes against her will, and she gave him a hug. It felt as if she'd been holding in her emotions for so long, forced to have a straight face and a cold response to anything that was said to her. "Je te manque, Papa." 1 (ill put in the little one's later)

He smiled sadly, and nodded. "I miss you, too, Maelle."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and sat down on one of the uncomfortable chairs that were in the room. "It's hard not being able to see you."

When Maelle took a good look at his father, she noticed he looked absolutely heartbroken. A wreck, even. Her father was an unempathetic man at times, but with her daughter, he'd always been filled with love. She knew that the loss of his wife had impacted more than she'd ever imagined when his eyes were dead– his glance cold, and his words were spoken as if there was no meaning behind it.

Maelle cleared her throat. "When are you getting out of here?"

He shrugged, taking a deep inhale. "If I'm being honest, I don't know. Maybe weeks, maybe months."

"Surely not," Maelle laughed, to hide the fact that she felt her soul crush completely after that had came out of her father's mouth. His features remained the same, and he non-verbally insisted his prior statement. "You have to be joking. A month?"

"A couple, maybe..." he mumbled, not even looking his daughter in the eye. "Even then, they told me it'll probably be a while until I get regain custody of you. So, that's that."

Maelle's breath hitched, and before she knew it, she was beginning to get angry at her father, too. He spoke as if his actions didn't cause her to go around being someone she wasn't, as if his actions didn't completely flip her life around. "Why did you do this to me?"

"Maelle—" he started, prepared to go on one of those long talks he used to go on when she was upset. The teenager shook her head, standing up.

"Usually when someone's mother dies you'd think that'd be enough," she spoke, choking on her words. "But I guess not. I guess there never is enough."

She ignored her father's pleading calls and walked out of the door, returning back to the main lobby. He didn't make any effort to follow her, which she was thankful for yet at the exact same time, made her feel worthless. She sat down in one of the many chairs and slouched, feeling worse than when she first got to Paul and Coralie's house. She checked the time on her phone— twenty minutes to wait, and here she thought that they would be waiting after her because she wouldn't want to leave.

She didn't know what to do to pass the ever-present time, but she found herself intruigued when she saw a woman walk in. What went from slight curiosity to full-blown panic was when she asked to see her father. Her eyes widened, and she wondered if this was the reason he'd been so distant. Was she his lover? Maybe he'd been cheating on Maelle's mom this entire time, she would've had no clue.

She didn't have enough time to see her return before Paul and Coralie picked her up, and when they asked how it went, she answered that it had gone just fine.

At this rate, Maelle didn't know if she would prefer to be staying with her father or two strangers anymore.

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a/n: heyo here's chapter six! hope you guys are enjoying this story so far :-)! its been super fun to write anyways!!!!! have a good day!

translations!!

1 - I miss you, Dad

-addy