R E D

The Discovery

"Darling you made it!" My mother embraced me in a tight hug before I could utter a word.

"Hi mum." My eyes roamed around, noticing the strangers that filled the hallway. "You didn't tell me you had guests."

"Didn't you get my email? I'm having a dinner party for a charity that I'm supporting." Charity? Since when did my mother take an interest into this field of giving? Pushing the questions to the back of my mind, I forced a smile not wanting to feel even more uncomfortable in my surroundings.

"If I did then I would have dressed up for the occasion." My outfit of choice was a casual spaghetti vest in yellow that held the task of keeping my chest together, with plain black leggings that matched my comfortable Nike trainers. I wasn't planning on looking presentable until later on when we went out for a meal - well so I thought.

"I knew you would forget so I bought you a dress. It's upstairs in your old room." She smiled and I noticed the ring on her finger as she squeezed my hand gently.

"Is that a ring?" Her eyes shifted and as if saved by the bell, a guest approached us interrupting our what was soon to be - a very serious conversation.

Slipping away from the strange faces, I decided to head up to my old room to make myself more presentable. Nothing had changed in here, my mother had kept the pink and gold decor from my days as a teenager and it felt like home. Something I missed and felt so far away from.
-
"There's someone I want you to meet." I had barely landed on the final step of stairs before my mother grabbed me away.

"Mum slow down!" The heels she had picked out for me were considerably higher than I could bare, so having her drag me across the house wasn't giving my soles any comfort.

"This is Martin." Stopping mid stride, we got to the kitchen entrance and there stood a tall dark haired, tanned herculean man all suited and booted.

"Martin?" I asked, struggling to peel my eyes away from the man before me. He flashed a smile and held out his hand. I could just picture my inner-self, jaw hanging and in awe.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lina. Your mother has told me so much about you." His tone was gritty yet empowering, I felt small beneath his authoritative demeanour.

"I would say the same but.. this is the first I'm hearing of you." My words came out bitter, not with intent of course. I was just taken aback by the sudden introduction.

"Lina don't be rude! This is Martin, my fiancé."

What?

"What?" I mimicked my inner-self in shock.

"We'll discuss this at lunch tomorrow. For now I have other people I want you to meet."

Not another fiancé I hope?!

-
Watching my mother mingle with the people here was unfamiliar to me. She seemed like a completely different woman around them - especially around Martin. My mother was not a day over fifty one and her soft chocolate features never gave away her age. I admired how strong willed she was, aspiring to be a mother like her some day. Although her divorce with my father had caused her pain, she kept strong for me. It had been a while since I'd seen her this happy and it brought a warm feeling to me. I had questions about her relationship with Martin but that was something I would have to postpone until tomorrow.

"Is this chair taken?" My core ignited as if on cue to the voice that bellowed beside me.

Professor?
-

"N-no you can have it."

Why did you just stutter?

"Thanks." Spinning the chair in one swift move, he placed it beside me before taking a seat.