CHAPTER 2
Tall and refined, wearing a black suit jacket with a bow tie. He stood in perfect elegance with his lean physique. She found him hot despite being covered in clothes. He had the same sharp jawline and black hair as her mother's new husband. Ah, she realized—he was the stepson. Her mother had mentioned him briefly; she said he was around her age. Seeing him now, she thought, the genes in this family are almost unfair.
Her brows arched as she watched him from afar, though her view was mostly blocked by guests moving forward for photos. She caught glimpses of him laughing politely as young women lined up to take pictures with him. She couldn't quite tell the color of his eyes from afar, but they couldn't be black, as they didn't look dark from where she was sitting.
The event organizer finally called out, "Family picture first, please! Let's have the newlyweds and their children!"
Alisson nearly snorted. Of course. Most of the eager girls suddenly backed off, disappointed. She looked away from the platform and turned her head to the whole venue.
But then—
"Alisson?" Corinne's voice rang out, bright and surprised. "Is that you?" Her voice held that expectant anticipation for her to confirm.
Heads turned. The crowd parted as Corinne continued looking her way.
Alisson stifled a groan, rolling her eyes behind her sunglasses. She turned her head back at the platform again. Shockingly, everyone was looking at her too.
Corinne's smile brightened more and waved for her to come forward. She already held her gown, ready to run up to her but her groom stopped her for she might trip herself. But she hadn't seen her daughter for over 14 years. She had only seen her through the videos in these past weeks. She had planned to go to her after their honeymoon since she didn't want to get back in their country. So, this was such a surprise for her. She was about to tear up but she restrained herself for the picture-taking. She can cry her eyes out later.
Alisson smirked at the crowd's eyes. Fine, she thought. If I must…
She stood and walked down the aisle as if it were a runway, her heels tapping lightly on the stone path. It was like a slow-motion moment when the wind favored her that made her hair fly behind her. She didn't look at her mother's face, she couldn't yet. She might not hold herself for this open reunion. So instead, without anyone noticing, behind her tinted lenses, she was looking at the enigmatic man standing beside the groom. And he had just gotten more handsome the closer she was. He didn't know that she was meeting his gaze.
When she reached halfway, she raised her sunglasses again. A hush fell over the guests.
Now they could see her face clearly—those heart-shaped lips, flawless features, and the same unmistakable resemblance to the bride. The same woman, years younger, with a hint of rebellion in her smile.
Corinne's eyes shimmered with emotion. She stepped down from the platform and wrapped her daughter in a tight hug, not minding the people around them. She just held her there.
Alisson stiffened, startled. She was just too petrified to react, and even then, she had to breathe first. "Mom—" she began, half-choked, "I can't—breathe—"
But Corinne only laughed breathlessly, then pulled back, tears in her eyes. "You came! You really came home!" She embraced her again, but this time, a little loosely. Alisson lifted her hands hesitantly. She decided to just give her a pat then. Her expression was still stunned. They were almost the same height. After a few more seconds, her mother finally let her go.
Before Alisson could reply, Corinne tugged her toward the platform. "Come on, sweetheart, for the family picture."
The photographers adjusted their lenses, murmuring about how beautiful they looked together. Mother and daughter—like sisters, some whispered. Both radiant, both commanding attention effortlessly. And then the father and son with equally stunning looks. This family were utterly perfect in their visuals.
Alisson found herself smiling at the cameras despite everything. In that moment, the flashes captured not just a picture but a reunion that no one saw coming. She forced the corners of her lips to curve, though her hands were clenching to her sides, silently saying to herself that it would be over soon. She didn't realize that her hand had clutched her mother's gown and she might have tugged on it.
That made Corinne look at her. "What's wrong?" Her brows furrowed with concern.
She shifted her face to her mother, as she was surprised by her sudden question. Corinne looked at her hand still clutching her gown, Ali followed her gaze, then she instantly released it, realizing just what she'd done. "I'm thirsty." she answered instead.
Corinne stared at her for a second to study her face, then she smiled and shifted her body to face her completely. One hand still holding the rose bouquet, the other, she raised it to brush a loose strand of hair from Alisson's face and tucked it behind her ear. She was glowing from the moment. Even she was dazzled by her mom's smile. "Go, have some refreshments. I'll come to you later, sweetheart, okay?"
Alisson just nodded. "Sure."
Then she stepped down from the platform, careful not to step on her mother's long gown. The crowd quickly filled the space she left. Guests surged closer, congratulating the newlyweds, snapping photos, and laughing loudly as the cameras flashed.
She now had the moment to stare at her mother's face even from the side. Her hair was in a tight bun with pearl pins and adorned with flowers. Her hair was blonde, that was the only difference about them. They had the same hazel eyes, straight nose, heart-shaped lips and high cheekbones. They could also passas siblings, as most of the people thought in the first place. Corinne had just turned 39 last month and she looked way younger than her age. She had her when she was only 16.
And as Ali would assess her new father, he doesn't look old either. If she counted it, his appearance seemed to be around the same age as her mother. But she, of course, knew that looks were deceiving. And the man just looked like a more mature version of his son.
The girls who had been shooed away earlier now drifted back toward the tall, dark-haired man standing nearby—her new stepbrother.
Alisson snorted softly at the scene. Predictable.