VOWS (Nalu story)

2

#863 words

After a long flight, I landed in Japan and shared the moment on IG Stories. My parents spilled my flight details to my annoying ex-Mom back in America, a move I found amusing.

It's 2 am, and I'm eagerly awaiting my two large suitcases. I bought a SIM card to text my brother about my arrival and coordinate our meeting outside.

During the wait, I catch some men glancing my way. I'm dressed in a tube crop top, high-waisted black wide-leg trousers, a cream blazer, and white sneakers. My long, wavy, shiny blonde hair adds to the attention.

I guided the baggage cart towards the exit, stowing my phone in a Chanel sling bag, a thoughtful gift from my brother and sister-in-law.

"Lucy!!!"

Turning around, I found my brother and sister-in-law beaming at me.

I pushed the cart their way, aware of lingering glances. Being slim, anything I wear tends to draw attention.

"Brother! big sis! Oh my gosh! I've missed you so much!" I exclaimed, embracing them.

My brother took charge of my suitcase, expressing concern about my outfit. "What are you wearing?! Aren't you feeling cold or getting pneumonia on the plane? Jeez, Lucy!"

"That's how she expresses herself. Let her," big sis intervened, and I winked at my brother while hugging her.

"You're taking her side. Come on, we might get into trouble here. You're like a celebrity, all eyes on you," brother remarked.

The thing about me is that I'm not as tall as my big brother, who stands at 5'11 or 6 feet. I inherited my biological mother's height, measuring only 5'5, while my dad, a former basketball player, is 6 feet tall, and my mom, Ella, is around 5'10. They're naturally tall.

Clutching my big sis's arm, we strolled out of the airport. They insisted I stay with them to keep an eye on me.

Exiting the airport, Sting nudged my arm, and I noticed my cheating mom staring at us, particularly at me. I shot her a cold look. "I'm with my big brother now, you can go," I said bluntly.

"Lucy, my..." she started.

"I am not your daughter. Remember? You abandoned me when you cheated. I only have Mommy Estella as my mom. Leave me alone," I asserted.

"Sorry, she's not in the mood,"Sting apologized as he pulled me away from there.

"Why would you apologize to a cheater?!" I lectured Sting as we were on our way home.

"It's respect, Lucy. I'm a lawyer," he said.

"Those kinds of people don't deserve a lawyer's respect. They didn't even respect their own spouse, let alone you respecting them? Unfair," I said.

"Don't argue with her. She'll just keep on arguing. Lucy, just treat it as respect for elders. Your brother is a lawyer and he is expected to respect everyone because of his profession. Don't take it personally," Yukino said.

"Fine. But don't apologize to her again," I said. "Wait! Maybe you told her that I'm coming back , right? You betrayed me?"

"Are you accusing me? I'm not even close to her. And I was actually going to ask her how she found out that you're coming back and now this," Sting explained.

"No one knows. Dad only told me yesterday, and I made it clear that I would never stay with her, never! Earlier before my flight, they were compelled to give her my flight details due to her constant nagging, irritating them. Why is she even acting like she cares? What does she want? For me to accept her family like how I welcomed and accepted you and Mom? No! Never in a million years! I only have 1 Father, 1 Mother, 1 brother, and 1 sister-in-law. Heartfillia Family is my only family, no one else," I asserted.

"I was thinking, good thing you didn't become snobbish with your patients," Sting remarked.

"Hey! I'm a kind doctor! My patients love me," I defended.

"Don't be condescending to your patients. You never know," Sting cautioned.

"Whatever. Anyways, Dad packed your requested basketball shoes in my luggage. They bought it yesterday," I informed.

"Nice! I'll get it later," he replied.

"Basketball again! That's why you keep destroying your old basketball shoes," Yukino teased. "They'll get destroyed again, I'm telling you."

I hope Sting and Yukino's marriage will be like Daddy and Mommy Estella's-not perfect, but facing challenges together with love and happiness.

Upon arriving at their house, they guided me to my room. Opening the door revealed a space decorated just for me.

"We painted those stars on the wall ourselves, ," Yukino said.

Though it may seem childish, the sight of stars brings me comfort.

"Thank you so much! I love it," I said, expressing my gratitude with a hug.

"Alright, you rest now. No TikTok or IG posts. We'll sleep too; Yukino has a trial tomorrow," Sting advised.

"Alright, good luck Yuki. Goodnight, lovebirds," I said, closing the door to my room.

Without bothering to change, I removed my blazer and shoes, settling into bed. Sleep quickly overcame me.

I informed my parents that we arrived safely before drifting off to sleep.