Alexander Sterling was still as handsome as she remembered. After three years, he had become even more manly and rugged. He was wearing a simple suit that Cindy Richards knew was not too simple and his tie was loosened. Cindy stared at his eyes; they had always been beautiful and his features were soft as catkins.
There was thin stubble on his face and his deep eyes stared intently at her. The deep sockets seemed to be sucking her in, and at this moment, Cindy allowed herself to be sucked into this bubble that he was creating.
His arms on her waist were like iron chains, though hot. He was holding her steadily and almost half of her body was flushed against his. They stayed like this for a very long time.
His face, though handsome, had the same worry lines she had seen from her mother a while ago. Cindy remembered those arms that were still around him and pushed herself away, creating distance between the two of them.
Alexander looked slightly shocked, but he looked up to see Cindy smiling. He could not describe what he was feeling.
Cindy forced a smile as she tried calming the rapid beat of her heart. She looked at him, "Thank you, brother-in-law, for saving me from falling. I would have lost a few teeth if it were not you." Her tone was eerily calm.
Alexander stared at her for a second too long. A flash of emotions flashed by his eyes before it went away, "No worries." His deep voice sounded.
Cindy did not have anything else to say so she tried, "Have you been well, these past three years?"
Alexander's eyes cleared, "I have been well."
Cindy nodded and said nothing more. She vaguely remembered that he had become the president of the Sterling Group a year after she left. She had sent him a short congratulatory message then but he had never replied.
There was an awkwardness that lingered before another voice broke the silence, "My little sister is here."
The voice was weak but Cindy still remembered it way too clearly. It was her elder sister, Carmen Richards. She was standing at the door staring at them softly. Her face was still the same but her hair was longer. Cindy knew that Carmen did not like long hair.
As soon as she saw her, something rose sharply in Cindy's throat. Her legs moved faster than she could think and in an instant, she was crying inside Carmen's hands.
Carmen was so frail. Her hands were like sticks and her body so light that Cindy was sure the wind could literally blow her away. With that thought, she cried even harder. Carmen held her steadily as she placated, "Hush now…I am fine now aren't I?"
Cindy looked up, her face covered in tears and snot, "Sister is lying…sister is lying to me…"
Carmen had no other choice but to hold her until she stopped crying. When she regained her senses, she was already lying on the couch with her head on Carmen's legs with the other stroking her hair softly.
Carmen looked soft under the lights. Her features looked a whole lot like Cindy's. Some people often asked if they were twins because of their uncanny similarities. Cindy also thought they really did look alike but there was one thing that distinguished them, Carmen was extremely smart.
Carmen had been the best student in the whole country and she was the youngest person to ever join a university. She took quantum physics and business management on the side. Her father's company, Richards Group needed an heir and Carmen would inevitably inherit the whole thing. Cindy would only be by her side helping out with whatever she could.
Carmen looked down at her, "My little sister is awake, do you need anything to eat?"
Cindy pouted, "Sister has to tell me what is happening first. Ma and Pa really scared me when I came. How is sister doing? Why did you not tell me, I could have come back immediately?"
Carmen laughed, "I did not want to scare you and you were also studying. Coming back would be pointless."
Cindy wanted to shove her but she remembered the bones, "We have never cared for such things. I could postpone school and take care of you. In this world, who else would I do that for if not you but you did not even think of telling me."
She was holding a lot of grievances and she wanted to let all of them out so that her sister could understand. Carmen froze for a little while before an even bigger smile plastered on her face. She ruffled Cindy's hair lovingly, "I am very lucky to have you as my sister!"
Cindy looked away in embarrassment before asking, "Ma told me you are sick, have you found out what it is?"
Carmen looked serious at once and after some deliberation, she took off the wig of long hair she was wearing. All that was left was a bald head. She looked at Cindy's shocked face and said slowly, "My dear little sister, I have stage four stomach cancer."