9 years old:
"Alexandra, wake up!"
"I'm already awake miss Miller."
It had been three years since Caroline had found Alexandra on a cold November day in the rain on that godforsaken bench. Three years since she had been removed from her family by Caroline Miller and the authorities. Three years since she became Alexandra Miller.
Alexandra walked down the stairs and went to sit beside Caroline at the dinner table.
"You have a photoshoot in two hours with Ralph Lauren."
Alexandra poured herself a cup of earl grey.
"I know miss Miller."
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Caroline?" Caroline scowled.
A small smile spread across Alexandra's face.
"At least a million times more miss Miller," she said playfully while her slender hands picked up a plum from the silver platter that was placed on the table.
"Oh, please child," grumbled Caroline, "we've known each other for three years. It's not as if we are strangers! I mean…"
She stopped speaking when she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. Perfectly manicured nails bore into her flesh.
"But miss Miller, I respect you way too much to call you Caroline," Alexandra whispered. She could feel the child's breath on her ear. She shuddered.
"Yeah, of course, darling."
As soon as the hand left her shoulder everything went back to normal: Alexandra took a bite of her plum and began humming a quiet melody and she continued to read the paper. It felt as if nothing had happened.
Yes, Caroline knew Alexandra was scary, she knew the child had a dark side that no child should have. When you looked into those green eyes you sometimes saw pain and a hatred that should be impossible for such a young being to feel. Yet she loved Alexandra all the same, admired her even. Cause even though the child was beautiful in her own peculiar way that wasn't the reason people were attracted to her. No, it was the feeling of mystery and danger she could sometimes give them.