LOVED BY STEPDAD

"You're so beautiful, Mom," said Susan, who couldn't get enough of praising how beautiful her mother Yossie was. Maybe it's because of her mother's wedding that just took place two weeks ago? The effect of a new couple's happiness can always make others feel it too. Susan included. "Can you not make me blush, Susan?" Yossie clucked resentfully. But soon rubbed Susan's magenta hair affectionately. "Have you prepared the necessary items?" Susan nodded without hesitation. "I just need to unload the suitcase from the room." "Let me take it down." The baritone voice made both Susan and Yossie turn their heads. Yossie immediately approached the man who was now looking at her lovingly. "Thank you, dear." "It's my pleasure." That man, Lucian Bernandes gave Yossie an intimate peck right on the forehead. It made that woman's face turn bright red. There was also an intimate embrace that he gave right on Yossie's waist. "You're embarrassing me." Yossie patted her husband's broad chest with a gentle blow. "Don't show our affection too often in front of Susan," whispered Yossie while glaring unacceptably. "Why?" asked Lucian without any guilt. "After all, I'm sure Susan is happy with our intimacy." Susan actually heard the whispered conversation clearly but she tried to ignore it. She didn't. Not because she was unhappy or envious. Oh... come on, what child wouldn't be happy when their mother found a real man like Lucian? How lucky her mother was to marry Lucian. In fact, Susan has her own barometer for judging men. It has to be like Lucian who is not only handsome and well-established, but also responsible and loving. They were preparing to travel quite far-honeymoon for Yossie and Lucian, vacation for Susan. Playing on Florida Beaches all day or improving her surfing skills if the waves permit. Susan planned to get a little tan from the sun around the beach and also wear the bikini that she had just bought with her two best friends. Honestly, Susan was looking forward to it. She didn't really care what her mom and her new husband were up to. They must have their own agenda. As long as it was still around the same place, Susan would not bother them. In fact, she hoped that when she returned from Florida, Yossie would give her the news that she would soon have a younger sibling. Imagining how exciting their vacation would be made Susan impatient. Even the cereal that was her breakfast was affected. She ate it in such a hurry that she choked. "Are you okay?" asked Lucian as he handed Susan a drinking glass. The man's eyes looked worried and even shifted his seat. In order to give a gentle stroke on Susan's back. Maybe his intentions were good; to make sure Susan was okay. But really. Being close to Lucian made Susan's body instantly freeze. Her eyes were glued to Lucian's ocean-blue orbs. My stepfather is so handsome. She said to herself. "Susan," Lucian called. "Are you... alright?" Susan blinked immediately. She immediately averted her eyes and stupid thoughts. How could she think such a crazy thing just now? "I'm fine," she said as she tried to move away. Unfortunately... Susan took a wrong step. She stumbled and almost fell with her butt on the floor. Fortunately, Lucian was alert. Holding Susan's body in such a way as not to fall and cause the girl's body pain. "Could you be quieter?" Lucian laughed mockingly. "Finish your breakfast. Your mom went to a lot of trouble to make it for you, right?" The man pulled Susan's body slightly so that she could sit back in her chair. "You haven't touched your breakfast yourself," Susan said, trying to remain calm. "I'm waiting for your mother. I think she's still preparing a cup of her favorite lemon tea." Susan nodded slowly. She took another bite of the cereal that was still halfway through, eating with her mind racing. Why was she acting so carelessly? Through the tail of her eyes, she glanced at Lucian who seemed calmly observing his work on the tablet screen. "Um... thanks for your help, Uncle Lucian." "You still call me Uncle?" Lucian turned his head and displayed an unaccepting look. "I'm already your father despite my stepfather status. It would be my pleasure if you called me Daddy. But I don't-" "Daddy," Susan smiled broadly. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to it." Lucian's smile grew wider. "That's better." He gave Susan one soft word of affection. "What are you talking about?" asked Yossie who walked cautiously to the dining table. "It looks like a lot of fun." She took a seat in front of Lucian. After putting down the cup of coffee that she had specially made for her husband. "Thank you, dear," said Lucian who looked at his coffee cup with interest. "I'm sure it tastes different from what you made before." Yossie's brow furrowed deeply. "How could it be? The amount of sugar and coffee is the same. The creamer too." Lucian chuckled. "Made with love, darling, that's a different kind of deliciousness." Yossie rolled her eyes in annoyance but her face couldn't be deceived. She was happy. Truly, her life felt perfect. Her daughter grew up to be a beautiful girl and never gave her a headache. Usually, the behavior of growing up girls often makes parents' heads spin. But Susan never did that. in fact, she was very obedient. Her only activities were campus and home. Occasionally shopping with her best friend but never coming home until late at night. And now, she has a husband who loves her so much. God... is good, right? "Oh, I forgot something. The bread I ordered at Mr. Abda's shop is finished. He gave me the news this morning." Yossie hurriedly left the dining table. "I'll go get it right away." "Why don't you go to the airport?" asked Lucian with a surprised look. "Oh, dear." Yossie chuckled. Stepped closer to the figure of the man she loved. Earlier, Yossie had protested against showing too much affection in front of Susan. But this time, somehow, she felt the need to give Lucian a kiss. Lucian had no problem feeling happy but... somehow the short kiss that Yossie gave felt different. It was as if this kiss was the last taste that Yossie gave. Oh my! What was she thinking! They were going to have fun in Florida. There was no way anything strange would happen to their happiness. "The bread is for our provisions during the trip. You know, I'm a big fan of Mr. Abda's bread. I'll just be a moment." Yossie pulled away. Although she was reluctant, Lucian couldn't help it. "I'll borrow your car, okay?" Lucian could only nod. "Susan," Yossie called out before completely leaving the two of them. "I don't know why I want to hug you so badly." Susan frowned and gave her mother an astonished look. "Hug me?" "Who knows if this is the last hug I can give you," Yossie joked. Which was met with a scowl from her daughter. "Oh come on. You can't take a joke, can you?" "Your jokes are kind of scary, Mom," Susan said but couldn't refuse Yossie's request. She returned her mother's hug no less tightly. "I'll go first." Yossie waved vigorously. "Be good to both of you. Especially for you Lucian. Don't make Susan sad." Lucian was actually confused but all he could do was given a thumbs up in agreement. Letting his wife's back go. Leaving the two of them at the dining table where even Yossie's cereal bowl was untouched. Until the news came thirty minutes after Yossie's departure. The news that sent Susan into hysterics and Lucian into a bottomless pit. Yossie died in an accident on the main road not far from her regular bakery.