Ariana readily embraced this sensitive approach and was content to go along with the charade.

With a warm smile, she crouched down to Adele's eye level and extended her hand gently in greeting.

"Hello Adele, I'm delighted to meet you. I'll be teaching you art lessons from now on. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

Adele simply stared back with wide, unblinking eyes, her stoic little face revealing no emotion.

Just as Ariana began to retract her hand, thinking the child would ignore the gesture entirely, Adele unexpectedly reached out and placed a small wrapped candy in Ariana's palm. Surprised, Ariana looked down at the candy in her hand, her heart melting.