REMIND ME

Meet and Greet

The atmosphere in Sayville, NYC today was quite lovely, the breeze was soft and warm at the same time. It was already past midday and Dallas was just in bed with a book in hand when she remembered that she had to take her drugs, so she sat up reluctantly and rubbed her eyes before getting up from the bed and walking to the chair where she kept her clothes of yesterday. She picked up the pants she had worn and checked the front pocket for her drugs, she got it out and poured out some water from a jug before gulped down a pill.

She used the opportunity that she was still on her feet to stroll around the house. Audrey was having an online class, it had only lasted for about fifteen minutes or so and she already looked bored out of her mind. Dallas was also bored which made her wonder if she used to be the boring sister of the two.

She walked downstairs and to the garden at the back, it smelt so lively here. She could feel a weird presence in the garden so she was quick to leave. She strolled around the living room, taking a pause to look at family photos and portraits.

"Those are your grandparents from your mother's side", her Dad said, with his hand pointed above to a framed photo of two young 90's looking couple who looked really happy and content with each other.

"They used to go on a lot of adventures together just like your mother, she got that adventurous trait from them of course ", he added before facing Dallas.

"My mother ", she whispered, more like she was talking to herself but he heard her nonetheless. "Yes, your mother ", his countenance was beginning to change, like he remembered something bitter and painfully sad. "Where is she?", Dallas asked with her head slightly tilted to the side and her eyes pinned on him.

He was quiet for a bit and he looked at her like she knew something before he laughed bitterly and faced the paintings and photos again. "She left", he said.

"Left? Where to?", she asked, still facing him.

He remembered when he still adored his wife, it wasn’t always thorns and hate. Having a quick flashback of a short but sweet moment he had with his wife , when he came back from work and met his pregnant wife, cuddled up with a blanket sleeping in the sitting room waiting for him, he smiled, he had always asked her not to wait up for him. Shrugging off his jacket, he walked up to her and pecked her forehead and carried her up to their room, dropping her softly on the bed, she stirred but remained asleep, nobody loves to sleep more than his pregnant wife, smiling to himself, he sighed and wisphered “I love You” and walked into the bathroom to go freshen up.

The memories faded and reality set in once more. "Somewhere far away, and trust me she's never coming back", he said with so much assurance. Dallas felt he was upset so she just decided to keep shut and focus on the photos in front of her.

"I'm just going to be in my room for now", she said to her father before heading back upstairs.

"Get dressed for dinner sweetheart, it's almost time", he yelled out to her before she was out of sight.

Just as she shut her bedroom door, the doorbell went off in the quiet house, signaling that there was a guest. William walked calmly to the door , he smoothened his shirt before pulling the door open with a smile on his face.

"Welcome one, welcome all. Please come into my humble abode", he stepped out of the way for Aurelia to come in. She stopped briefly to give him a simple peck on each cheek.

"Thank you for inviting us over for dinner Will", she beamed at him.

"You're highly welcome dear, as always you look stunning", he said before shutting the door behind her.

"Thanks for the compliment", she smiled as he led her to the living room.

"Please have a seat. I thought you were coming with him", he said to her once she was seated.

"Ah yes I did come with him, he's just fixing a few things online. He'll be here shortly ", she said.

"While we wait then, would you like anything to drink? Wine, water, juice?", William asked her with his arms stretched out like he wanted to give her a hug.

"Water will be very okay", she replied.

"Give me a second to get the cook and my daughters okay?", he bowed before leaving, making himself and Aurelia laugh.

"Here's your water ma'am", the family's cook placed a glass of room temperature water on the little glass table in front of Aurelia.

"Oh grazie dear", she appreciates before the cook walked back to the kitchen.

"Oh my goodness Dad, you didn't tell me we've become celebrities overnight. Isn't she the billionaire bachelor Daniele Giuseppe's mother or are my eyes hurting?", Audrey whisper-yelled as she and her father walked down the stairs hand in hand.

"Well you could say that, but this isn't the biggest surprise of all. You're in for another one", William replied with a large smile pasted on his face. "Oh I keep forgetting that your sister lives with us now, does she know dinner is ready?", he asked with a little slap to his forehead for forgetting about his other daughter.

"It's not your fault Dad and yes, she knows. She'll be down soon", She replied as they approached Aurelia.

"Ah, Dallas it's so wonderful to finally meet you in person ", Aurelia bounced up and gave Audrey a warm hug.

"Oh no actually this is my youngest daughter, Audrey. Dallas will be down in a few minutes. Audrey this is Aurelia, our family friend", Will corrected.

Aurelia's eyes almost popped off, "Please forgive me for the mix-up, for heaven’s sake I don't know why I'm too forward in life", she murmured the latter part more to herself. "It's a pleasure to meet you Audrey", she smiled warmly.

"Same here Mrs. Giuseppe ", Audrey was so ecstatic, she could burst.

"Please do call me Aurelia, I'm not old enough to be called that yet", she joked which lightened her mood.

There was a knock on the door which drew their attention that way. "I'll go get it", Audrey slipped away from them heading straight for the door.