Chapter two

NORA

After sitting down for quite some minutes, the plane finally took off. The engines made a soft humming sound. As I looked outside, the ground below got smaller and smaller and I felt both excited and a little nervous.

Excited that it was traveling for my moms big day, but at the same time a little nervous, not knowing what I had in store for me there, and to think the man I kissed the other night refused to leave my memory. Everything reminded me of me, and if wishes do come true, I wish to see him again, hold him in my arms, and this time I wouldn’t let go.

Soon, a flight attendant approached me with a warm smile, asking if I needed anything. I shook my head slightly, declining the offer. With a nod, the attendant moved on.

Quietly I put on my headphones, the soft music enveloping me, and just as I began to relax, my phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from the moment.  

I reached for it, glancing at the screen—a message from my mom.  

*"Are you on your way?"*  

A small smile tugged at my lips as I quickly typed my reply.  

*"Yeah, see you soon, Mom."*  

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I closed my eyes and rested my head against the seat. My body relaxes to the cold environment.

****

A gentle hand touched my shoulders, the soft fingers tapping me lightly. I groaned tiredly as i slowly opened my eyes to see a little girl smiling at me, and I forced out a smile, wondering what she wanted.

“We’ve arrived,” she said and I furrowed my brow in confusion, until I heard the flight attendant’s voice over the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve arrived in Boston. We hope you had a pleasant flight. Please ensure your seatbelts are unfastened and all electronic devices are in airplane mode as we begin our disembarkation procedure."

I turned to the little girl and I smiled. “Thank you,” She pointed at an elderly woman beside her and I mumbled a thank you to her as I quickly gathered my belongings, slipped my bag over my shoulder and tucked my phone into my pocket. Standing up, I followed the rest of the passengers towards the exit, and as I stepped out of the plane, I breathed a sigh of relief.

I stood in the bustling atmosphere, I scanned the road for an available taxi. Spotting one, I waved my hand up, and when the driver saw me, he pulled over, and I slid into the backseat and gave him my mom’s address and he drove off.

Few minutes later, the taxi pulled up into my family house, and I gazed out through the window at the familiar surrounding. My favorite white oak tree, the old swing I used to play around with my mom, and the cozy front door that brought all the memories. Tears gathered around my eyes as I thought about everything, realizing it’s been three years since I’d last seen my mom— my busy work schedule in Boston kept me away from home.

“Nora McCauley!”

I heard my name being called out loudly, and I recognized the unmistakable tone of my mom’s voice, and I screamed loudly.

“Mom!”  

I barely had time to hand the driver some cash before I dashed toward her, throwing myself into her embrace. She held me so tightly I could hardly breathe, but I didn’t mind. I had earned this, three years apart had made her miss me this much.  

“My girl is all grown up now,” she murmured, her eyes filled with love as she checked me out, and I giggled, cleaning her teary eyes.

“My mom is getting married!” I blurted out, excitement bubbling over. Her face lit up instantly, joy radiating from her eyes, and I hugged her again, overwhelmed with happiness that she had finally agreed to remarry, after years of persuasim persuading her.  

“Come on in,” she said, reaching for my bags. But just as I was about to follow, I hesitated.  

“Where’s your husband? My stepfather?” I asked, curiosity piqued.  

A deep blush spread across her cheeks before she playfully swatted my arm. “Oh, Nora, I’m just glad you’re back. Get some rest first,” she deflected, but I wasn’t letting her off that easily.  

“Mom,” I pressed, tilting my head, my tone firm but teasing. “You know you need my approval before getting married. And right now, I need to know who he is.”  

She let out a soft chuckle, then gently tickled my forehead, her way of distracting me.

“Nora, you just flew all the way from Boston to New York, aren’t you exhausted?” My mom asked and I sighed, slipping my arm through hers and giving her my best puppy-eyed look, the one I knew she couldn’t resist.  

“Fine!” she huffed, giving in.  

A victorious grin spread across my face as she continued. “His name is Lester Smith; CEO of Wintech Group. I met him during an outreach program.”  

Her smile was wide, eyes sparkling with happiness.  

“You got a huge catch, Mom!” I teased, blushing on her behalf.  

“I know, right?” she giggled. “He flew in early this morning, and I didn’t want anyone bothering him. But you, my dear, are the exception.”  

A huge grin appeared on my face, and without thinking, I leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

“He’s in the third room upstairs, that’s if you still know your way around,” She exclaimed and I rolled my eyes.

“I know this house like the back of my palm,” I retorted as I sprinted away, running upstairs.

Finally I was standing in front of the room. I quickly knocked on the door but they was no response, so I knocked again, and this time, a deep voice called out. “Come in,” I paused, realizing the voice sounded familiar, yet I couldn’t quite place it. shrugging the thoughts off, I pushed the door opened.

And as I walked in, I saw my mom’s husband standing beside the chair, backing me, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the window’s light.

I smiled, a flicker of pride stirring within me. My mom had chosen well.

“Good day, sir,” I greeted, my voice steady despite the strange unease settling in my chest.  

He hummed in acknowledgment, and I continued.

“I’m Nora, your fiancée’s daughter.”  I introduced and as the man turned.

Our eyes met. mine widened in shock as I saw his face. Memories of the last night's events flooded back, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. I stared at the man, my mind racing, and the moment when recognition dawned on his face. His expression shifted, a mix of surprise and something else—shock, perhaps wariness.

In as much as I wanted the ground to open and swallow me, I still wished he wasn’t the one, maybe I no longer knew my way around and I ventured into the wrong room, but as his face etched with betrayal, I knew that was my wishful thinking.

How do I even begin to tell my mom? That I made out with the man she’s about to marry? That he cheated on her, with her own daughter?  

And to make it worse, I didn’t even feel guilty. Instead I found myself staring at his shirtless body, the firm body that had this hairy cut below his lower abdomen. I wanted to see what he had inside of pants, how big would it fit inside of me.

“Fuck Nora McCauley, what is wrong with you!” I mentally yelled, shocked with what I’ve slowly become.