Practically Strangers

Chapter 2

Austin

It's weird reuniting with her after 10 years of lost contact. Even more so, we're engaged.

She's as pretty as I remember or maybe even prettier.

Her hair is still dark brown as I remembered, but now she has grown out her hair until it reaches her waist. It looks silky smooth, makes me want give it a touch. Her eyebrows are thinner than before, makes her look mature. Her lips are full and plump as usual. Her lashes grew long, and her brown eyes distract me a lot.

The black tight dress wrapped around her frail body perfectly. It emphasizes her beautiful curves as if begging me to wrap my hands around it.

"Yeah, they make a good match, don't they?" Mrs. Huxley commented.

My mom nodded, "I never thought I would be seeing my son getting married so soon."

"Thank you, you're doing a lot for me," Mrs, Huxley said while caressing Mom's hands.

"Oh, it's no big deal. I understand how much you want to see Marion settling down. I'm grateful to see my Austin getting married to someone I trust, Brigitta."

Evelyn, my younger sister, couldn't care less about her brother. She has been focusing on her phone for the past 20 minutes, which is how long we have been here.

"Hey, Eve, you haven't greeted Marion nor her mom," I whispered to her trying to not ruin the mood.

"Nor have you," she replied short.

I couldn't reply anything back. She was right. I haven't greeted Marion. I had only greeted her mom. But it was hard for me to say anything to her anyways since there's Eve between us.

Or am I just making excuses?

Marion

flashback

As soon as I heard that Mom only has a few months left to live, I left my job and moved back to Fresno.

I heard all the explanation from the doctor, and he said that the rate of survival is really small but considering Mom's body condition, she might survive.

I sat on the couch with Mom. None of us were talking. It was just really quiet and peaceful like we were enjoying the time we have.

"Honey, I want to see you get married before I die," Mom spoke, breaking the silence.

"Don't say that you'll die, Mom." I was shocked at her request, but I didn't want to hear her admit that she was dying even more.

"I want to walk you down the aisle in your wedding gown in your prettiest." Mom's calming voice relieved my ears. I felt her warm hands tucking my hair behind my ear.

I looked at her. "I don't have anyone else, Mom. I only have you and Jacqueline."

"That's exactly my reason. What if you will live alone forever with nobody taking care of you when I'm gone?"

"You will. You won't die. You have to stay with me," I held her hands.

"I can't. You heard the doctor," she reminded. "How about Lucy's son? He looked handsome. What was his name again? Aaron? Oh, it's Austin."

No no no, anybody but him. Mom doesn't know that I get weird reactions from him whenever I'm on my period. But her request is more important than I am right now.

"Don't you think he's handsome?" she teased while raising her eyebrows.

I looked up to the ceiling. "I mean he's just like any other guys out there. But Mom, I haven't seen him in 10 years. We never even texted each other or anything."