MY STEPFATHER

Lola " So, who's going to pick me up again?” I ask my mom as I grab my luggage. " Tom, Frank's butler.” My mom answers from the other side of the line. "Okay, I'm just grabbing my luggage now, so I'll be there soon.” " Alright, dear, there's a sign with your name on it, so you won't get lost.” " Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes.” " I love you.” " I love you too.” We hang up and I pick up my luggage from the baggage claim. I head towards the airport exit when I see an older man dressed in black, along with a white shirt and gloves. He's holding a sign that says: Miss Moore. We make eye contact and I quicken my pace to avoid making him wait for me. " Hello, Miss Moore. My name is Tom. I'll take you to Mr. Evans's property.” He bows and starts picking up my luggage. " Oh, I can carry that.” I try to stop him, but he already grabs the suitcases before I can. " It's not polite for a gentleman to let a lady carry such heavy bags.” He insists and I just awkwardly smile. We leave the airport and he takes me to a matte black limousine. He puts my bags in the back and opens the door for me. " How long will it take to get home from here?” I ask him before he closes the door. " About fifteen minutes, why?” He asks. " I need to use the bathroom, but I can wait.” " Are you sure? I don't mind waiting until you're done.” " Alright, but thank you. I can wait.” " Of course.” He closes my door and gets behind the wheel. I notice people looking at the limousine, amazed by its beauty. If I wasn't being driven in it, I would be amazed too. I take out my phone and continue coloring my giraffe, which I've been coloring throughout the flight. I love coloring. Actually, it's very fun and it helps me relax. I color my giraffe to distract myself from the fact that my bladder might burst at any moment. I ended up grabbing a soda water from the fridge along with some chocolates. It was nice to eat real food and not some airplane junk. " We've arrived, Miss Moore.” Tom announces. I gather my things as he holds the door open for me. I grab my purse and step out. My jaw immediately drops to the floor as a white mansion with a blue roof captivates my eyes. Palm trees stand on both sides of the black glass front doors. The garden is blooming with white, red, and black roses, with fountains and statues placed in the middle. I didn't even realize Tom was holding the door open for me, I was too impressed by the mansion. But I forced myself to snap back to reality, climbed three steps, and entered. My eyes meet black, gold, and marble. The walls are black, with golden baseboards. A marble crystal chandelier hangs in the middle of the room, illuminating the entire space. " Lola!” My mom calls me. I follow the sound of her soft voice and find her in the kitchen. " Mom!” We hug tightly, and I inhale her vanilla extract scent. " I missed you so much, dear.” She holds the sides of my face in her delicate hands. I look at her and she seems younger than before. " Mom, you look amazing.” I say to her. " Thank you, dear, you look beautiful too.” She hugs me once again before leading me back to the living room to sit on the couch. " Are you excited for the wedding?” I ask. " Yes. Frank and I are so happy. I just can't believe I'm getting married. I'm so nervous, I've never been married before.” She fidgets with her nails nervously. " It's okay, mom.” I gently squeeze her hands. " Whatever happens during your wedding, I know you and Frank can overcome it together.” I reassure her. Ever since my poor father left me and my mom when I was only thirteen, my mom has been a mess. It was just the two of us, without anyone's help. She had several boyfriends, but they always broke her heart. So, for me, seeing her glowing and happy like this, melts my heart. " Where's Frank?” I ask, noticing the absence of my future stepfather. He'll be here any minute. My mom tells me. " Frank doesn't have any children, does he?” " No, it's just you.” " That's great.” We laugh and continue talking. " Dear, I'm home.”  Suddenly, a man dressed in a black suit and gray tie enters the room. My mouth waters as I find myself falling in love when I see that man standing right in front of me, he looks so powerful. Should I curtsy? Should I kiss his hand? " Frank, this is my daughter, Lola.” My mom introduces me. " Well, Lola, you definitely inherited that beautiful face from your mother.” He smiles, his brown eyes looking at me. "Thank you.” I search for my words, without knowing what to say to such a handsome man. I reach out and, when I take his hand to greet him, I realize that I had a cliché moment where my heart stopped. But that wouldn't be enough to describe the feeling I felt when our hands collided. My body was electrified, my knees wanted to give way beneath me, but again, very cliché. " I'm sorry for leaving you so quickly, but I have a meeting in twenty minutes. I just stopped by to say 'hi'.” He explained, with his eyes on my mother. " It's okay, dear.” She smiles at him. " I'll be here for dinner, I promise. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lola.” He turns to me, with a charming smile on his lips. " Nice to meet you too.” I hide my blushing cheeks by looking at the polished floor, and at my reflection. " Are you shy?” Frank laughs. " She is.” My mother chuckles back. They exchanged a quick kiss, and he ran out the door, Tom closing it behind him. Oh...