Starts With Goodbye (18+ MATURE)

Chapter 3: "Good to know that she's not My Half-Sister."

Chapter 3: “Good to know that she’s not My Half-Sister.”

Reid’s POV

The moment I entered the mansion I knew that something big is bound to happen. I could smell the delicious aroma of mom’s cooking from the kitchen to where I stand.
“Mom, I’m home!” I called to her.

The rustling from the kitchen made me smile a little. I know that she’s excited to see me again, and of course bug me again with her ‘marriage and grandchildren’ lectures.

Mom appeared in front of me with a red apron on as she engulfed me in a tight hug.

“No need to crush me, mom. I knew that you missed me.” I chuckled.

“I missed my son so much. Where’s this lady anyway?” She pulled out from the hug and looked behind me.

I almost rolled my eyes at her. She just can’t expect me to drag Hannah here. Last night, she called to inform me rather remind me to pay them a visit. And that visit includes family dinner over the house, binge-eating, and lots of arguments. Not the bad kind of arguments, just issues Dad and I loved to engage ourselves with.

“What lady?” I feigned confusion.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Reid. I told you last night to bring her here.” Mom raised her eyebrows, challenging me to give her one of my bullshit excuses.

“Fine. Mom, you just can’t expect me to drag her here when in fact, we just met. Five hours of conversation wasn’t enough to invite her to eat lunch with us.” I reasoned out.

“That’s the thing, hijo. You already had a great conversation with a woman. No sex or hanky panky of sorts. And that’s what makes it more reasonable to bring her here. She’s a keeper, not a hooker.”

I almost ran out of the mansion as the implications of her words sunk into me. Good thing one of her assistants emerged from the kitchen and asked for her.  She looked at me in the eye silently saying that I’m saved. For now.

***

“I could sense that this is not just another family day for us.” I muttered, leaning from the kitchen countertop as my mom pulled out the some dips from the fridge.

She smiled coyly, the kind of smile that could light up the whole mansion.

“Yes, it’s a bit special.”

“Why?” Curiosity got the best of me.

“You’ll see.” She said briefly.

What’s with all the secrecy now?

“Anyway, where’s dad?” I asked as I noticed dad’s absence.

“Oh that. He went to--” Before she could finish, the maid entered and called our attention.

“They arrived, ma’am.” She said curtly and vanished quickly.

They? Who is he with?

My heart almost lurched at the sudden bile in my throat. I couldn’t tell why but I could sense that it’s not good news. I could sense danger—trouble.

“Let’s see them, Reid.” Mom almost dragged me out of the kitchen towards the entrance of the mansion.

“Fine.” I whispered.

The moment my mom squealed in delight, I knew that it’s not aimed at dad’s direction and presence. My eyes lingered at the woman behind dad, who is facing the door, her back to us. There are suitcases beside her as well. Who is she? She looks oddly familiar by the way she stands, and that fragrance. I knew that fragrance so well. Not just long ago did I smelt it from her two days in a row.