Close Remembrance Read Online Free

parents. Supposedly, the environment was very lifelike, and she would be able to interact with his parents there as though they were meeting in person.
    It was also on Krina.
    “Are you sure I shouldn’t change?” Mia knew she was stalling, but she felt ridiculously anxious. “And won’t your mom mind that I’m wearing your family necklace?”
    “You look beautiful, and the necklace is perfect on you,” he said firmly. “My mother will be quite pleased to see it around your neck; she gave it to me explicitly for that purpose – to gift it to the woman I ultimately fall in love with.”
    Mia took a deep breath, trying to control her rapid heartbeat. “Okay, then I’m ready.” At least as ready as she would ever be to meet her extraterrestrial lover’s parents – who resided thousands of light years away.
    Korum smiled, and the world around her blurred for a second.
    Feeling dizzy, Mia closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was standing inside a large, airy building that vaguely resembled Korum’s house in Lenkarda. From the inside, it was fully transparent, and she could see unusual plants outside. Most of the flora was a familiar shade of green, but red, orange, and yellow hues also proliferated. It was strikingly beautiful. The inside of the building had the same ‘Zen’ feel to it as Arman’s house. Everything was a beautiful off-white shade, and the sunlight streaming through the clear ceiling reflected off a gorgeous flower arrangement right in the middle of the room – the only touch of color in an otherwise pristine environment. The flowers seemed to grow right out of an opening in the floor. Along the walls, there were a few familiar-looking floating planks that served as multi-purpose furniture.
    “It’s lovely,” Mia whispered, glancing around the room. “Is this your parents’ house?”
    Korum nodded, smiling. He looked quite pleased. “It’s my childhood home,” he explained, reaching out to take her hand and squeezing it lightly.
    As usual, his touch made her feel warm inside, and she marveled again at how authentic this virtual reality felt. Somehow, this was even more convincing than the club where he’d taken her once to satisfy her fantasy. All her senses were fully engaged, as though she was physically present here, on a planet in a different galaxy.
    Inhaling deeply, Mia realized that the air was a little thinner than what she was used to, as if they were at a high altitude. She actually felt a bit light-headed, and she hoped she would adjust to it soon. The temperature was pleasantly warm, and there seemed to be a faint breeze coming from somewhere, even though they were inside the building. There was also an exotic, but appealing scent in the air. Likely from the flowers, Mia decided. The aroma was almost . . . fruity. She’d never smelled anything like it before.
    As Mia studied their surroundings, one of the walls dissolved, and a Krinar woman walked in. She was tall and slim, with a supermodel’s leggy build and shiny dark hair. Her eyes were the same warm amber color as Korum’s. It could only be Korum’s mother; their resemblance was unmistakable.
    At the sight of them standing there, a huge smile lit her face. “My child,” she said softly, her eyes shining with love as she looked at her son, “I’m so glad to see you.” Like all Ks, her age was impossible to determine; she didn’t look a day older than twenty-five.
    Letting go of Mia’s hand, Korum crossed the room and enveloped his mother in a gentle hug. “Me too, Riani, me too . . .”
    Mia watched their reunion, feeling like she was intruding on a private family moment. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for his parents, with their son living so far away. Yes, they could meet in this virtual way, but they still probably missed seeing him in person.
    Turning toward Mia, Korum smiled and said, “Come here, darling. Let me introduce you to my mother.”
    Curving her lips in an