Chapter 2

OLIVIA

TIME flies by so quickly, and before I knew it, we were at Lewis' house in Clover City.

Clover City was a long way from where we had been. My mother stated that she stayed and studied here during her senior year of high school and that she lived with relatives who migrated to Canada after she completed her senior year.

I thought I knew my mother well for a long time, but lately, I've been surprised by what I've discovered about her. During her senior year of high school, Zaldy was her first love and boyfriend.

My Mom and Uncle Zaldy, whom I still refer to as "Uncle Zaldy" because I am not used to addressing someone as "Dad," which he says is okay with him, reconnected last year when Mom ran into him at Changi Airport in Singapore.

They recognized each other right away, but they didn't have much time to talk because my mother had to catch her next flight. But what are the chances that Uncle Zaldy is now a pilot and is the pilot in command on the plane where mom is?

I'm not sure what you call that occurrence, but she says it was fate if you ask my mother. I recognize the word, but I'm not sure what she means. She stated that I would understand what she meant if I ever experienced falling in love.

Mom and Uncle Zaldy had been inseparable since that beautiful coincidence, and the love they had shared in high school sparkled once more.

Mom just told me all of this when we got home from dinner the night after she surprised me with a new Dad and a sister.

I wasn't wholly opposed to it. I was just stunned for a moment about Mom's relationship, and it never occurred to me that she might need someone other than me.

I recall her saying that she doesn't need anyone else as long as she's with me. But I suppose that's the beauty of love. I just heard that expression from my mother. I'm still unsure what she means by it, but I'm okay with it.

How come I can't? Do I want to deprive mom of pursuing her happiness after seeing her so happy while talking about Uncle Zaldy? I adore my mother and want her to be happy because she deserves it. That's why, when I saw my mother express her strong desire to marry Uncle Zaldy, I didn't object.

Uncle Zaldy was a pleasant individual. He's very approachable and easy to get along with. He's a really nice guy. He appeals to me. In addition, when my mother married Uncle Zaldy last month, I gained an instant sister.

His daughter, Zoey, was the same age as mine. Zoey was the quiet, shy type with a cute nerdy appearance. In her glasses and braces, she's pretty attractive. I expected it would be difficult to get close to her, but we immediately hit it off. Maybe my extroverted personality helped me pique Zoey's interest. Even though we are diametrically opposed. However, as the adage goes, opposites attract. So, Zoey and I are probably like that.

Mom informed me that Zoey's mother died three years ago. I'm not sure why, but mom told me to be careful when discussing Zoey's mother. So I promised my mother that if Zoey and I ever discussed her mother, I would be cautious about bringing up that subject. Zoey appeals to me as well. I had the impression that we were going to be great sisters.

Anyway, we just arrived in Clover yesterday, and I won't have much time to explore because my first year at Clover High School begins tomorrow. Sorry, but Zoey and I will begin our first year at Clover High tomorrow.

I was giddy with excitement as I prepared my belongings with Zoey. If I'm not mistaken, Zoey and I are classmates. I'm excited to start at my new school. I am confident that this time will be different for me. All of them are excellent. I'll make sure of it.

Zoey assisted me in unpacking my belongings to my room, and as usual, I talked a lot, and she would just listen to me and smile cutely.

Her smile makes me happy. It gives me a warm feeling that I will always be okay and safe in her presence. Aside from my mother, I felt safe when I was with The Lewis's.

Lewis's residence is a two-story tower house. I'm not very good at describing things, so all I can say is that their house was ideal for a family. There are four rooms in total. On the second floor, there are three rooms. Zoey and I shared the two smaller rooms while our parents slept in the main bedroom.

I'm still not used to using or hearing the word "parents," but it feels great to have a complete set.

Returning to Lewis's residence. What made it even better was that the house was only a ten-minute walk from my new school. Isn't that incredible?

I was ecstatic to be here at Lewis' house. I never imagined that having a complete family would make me so happy. Even though I had only known them for a few months, Uncle Zaldy and Zoey welcomed us into their family with open arms. My mother likes Zoey as well, and they get along great. I sometimes feel envious of her because my mother will defend her over me when we have minor disagreements.

It was a rare experience to get along in a stepmother or stepfather slash stepdaughter relationship, but I am grateful that what happened to Cinderella did not happen to me. That only goes to show how wonderful the Lewises are. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Everything seemed too good to be true. And I'm convinced that this is only the beginning of my new happily ever after.