Chapter 2

"Elora," my mom called me.

I closed my eyes.

"Elora, are you there?" Mom asked, knocking on the washroom door.

"Yes, Mom," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Get out already, I need to talk with you about something," she said.

About your new boyfriend—I already know.

She is like this. Her relationships don’t even last 15 days. Or she doesn’t want them to, 'cause she sucks the money out of the boys like a leech. Must be. After 15 days, nothing was left.

She and my dad were divorced, and after that, he died in a car accident.

I’ve been living with mom. I wanted to move out, but mom says if I go, then who will take care of the house? Like seriously. She doesn’t allow me, and to be honest, it was a good deal. I don’t have to earn just to pay my monthly rent. Instead, mom gives me monthly money so I don’t leave the house. Win-win, I guess.

"Come out in 15 minutes, I have to tell you something. I’m already late," she said.

"OK, fine," I said.

Taking the bath, shutting out the thoughts of Mr. Stranger, and getting dressed, I made my way down the stairs.

Sat on the couch as she joined me.

"Thank you," I said, taking the coffee cup from her hand.

"So what do you want to tell?" I asked directly.

She placed the cup down. "I’m getting married," she said, making me almost spit out my coffee.

"What?" I asked, looking at her.

"What’s so shocking in this?" she asked.

"You are getting married? To whom?" I asked.

"My new boyfriend proposed to me. I couldn’t say no. He is too handsome," Mom said.

"Mom, you are talking about marriage? You can’t even stay in a relationship more than 15 days and you’re talking about marriage," I said.

"Honey, you are forgetting that when I had you, I was married for more than 3 years, so I last in relationships," she said.

"3 years are still less, Mom," I said.

"Whatever," she said. She moved toward her handbag and pulled out a small invitation card. "You can join it. It’s on weekend," she said.

"This soon?" I asked, shocked.

"He wants it to be quick," she said.

"And why are you giving your own daughter an invitation card?" I asked.

"Because you are not joining my wedding as my daughter, but just as a guest," she said.

"What?" I was shocked.

"His family isn’t aware I have a daughter. They think I’m single. Beauty product finally working, I guess," Mom said.

I shook my head, unbelieving her attitude.

"But I wanted you to join my wedding, so here is the invitation—to join as a guest," she said.

"I don’t even know who your new boyfriend is," I said.

"He is like a Greek God, too handsome," she said. "You would fall in love with him too if you saw him."

"Oh please, I’m not into older guys," I said, rolling my eyes.

Except for my Mr. Stranger, I said in my mind.

Did I forget to tell you Mr. Stranger is old for me, but looked younger for his age and too handsome?

Mom got a call.

"He is calling," she said, looking at the caller ID. "Okay, darling, I’m off. We have a long day today—we need to buy a dress. I’ll buy you one too, don’t worry," she said, getting up, already ready to leave.

Even if my mom was a bitch, she sometimes does think about me.

"Thank you, Mom!" I shouted to her, going figuratively.

She waved bye.

I only smiled.

My mom and I have a bittersweet relationship. She is not a bad woman, just a bit greedy—or say, a lot greedy.

She can do anything for money. Sometimes it scares me, but I don’t want it to happen that she ends up selling me just for money.

She is not a loyal type. I don’t know why my soon-to-be step-dad is destroying his life marrying her.

She’s gonna leave him sooner than he would have expected.

Mom left Dad after 3 years of marriage itself, and the reason was she got bored with him. While she was a party person, he was a homey man. She got attracted to him, married, had me—but the happiness all went to wane when she got back to her addiction of just being free and spending money.

Until my dad died, I was with him. But later, after his death, mom took me in.

My mom and I have been living alone in this house. I think my mom is going to leave this house soon. It will be mine alone soon as she marries. I hope her marriage lasts.

I opened the wedding invitation card and read the groom’s name.

Elbert. Nice name. Hope you are a nice man too, stepdad.

Everyone is finding their match. I wish I could find you too, Mr. Stranger. I miss you badly, I said in my mind.