With the unstoppable thumps against her chest, Luna slipped out of the car's door; her sight dropped to the earth where her shoes ticked the floor. On Felix's side, she took a stride along the hallway toward the people who had swarmed the patio of the mansion; her chin lowered and nearly touched her chest.
"Mom…" gaining a warm welcome from his mother, Felix's father flew into her arms in excitement like a kid who just met his biological mother after many years of separation.
"How is everything?" That old lady in tears could not break her gaze from his beloved son after letting go of his embrace.
"Everything is great, Mom. How are you? It's been a while since I saw you in person. I am sorry that my business in the US has occupied me. I barely had a chance to pay you a visit."
According to some information Luna heard from the other hotel employees, Felix's father had spent almost his whole life in the US; Felix himself was born in that country yet he went to Beijing and settled here after his mother passed away in a car's accident. away a year ago. One of her co-workers even once showed her their family portrait featured in one of the popular magazines as a successful business person in China. However, not taking the news as an important matter, Luna just ignored that article without reading the name of that businessman which she just got to know today as Anthony Li, grandma Li's second child, Sandra's younger brother, and Danish's uncle.
"Felix….you have changed a lot. You have grown up so fast."
"Grandma…" Felix's towering body saved Luna from grandma Li's sight; behind him, Luna wrapped her own body and her eyes closed in worry and tension. Grandma Li would soon realize her presence among the family members; her doom would come in just a matter of seconds. "I'll introduce you to someone, my female friend." He pulled his body aside and exposed Luna in an anxious pose with her head down and shut eyes.
"Luna…is that you? Luna…." Luna almost choked at grandma's excited reaction, finding her who immediately jerked her eyes open at her call. "Luna…where have you been?" Their distance was only a centimeter apart; to her surprise that old lady gave her a tight hug that she barely breathed.
"Wait, grandma! Do you know each other?" Felix, in his bewildered stare, inquired about the explanation of their relationship.
"Luna is Danish's bride." Grandma Li's explanation about Luna'a relationship with Danish, his cousin, left a surprise on not only Felix's face but also his father's; that unexpected reality slightly altered Felix's expression. The smile imprinted on his face faded away as soon as he heard of that news from grandma Li. "I think we should celebrate Luna's comeback to the Li family. Where is Danish anyway?"
Upon realizing that Danish was not with them, their eyes traveled around to search for his whereabouts; they spotted only the pillars of the mansion and the plants that beautified and shaded the surroundings.
"Danish can't welcome his uncle since he is on his business trip right now."
Sandra took initiative to give her response.
"Why didn't you tell me Sandra?"
"I did tell you mom, but you were too busy thinking of unimportant things." Grandma Li got where her quip led to as her eyes gave a side glance at Luna. As she cut it off, Sandra no longer had her say but letting her brother get inside the house.
Along with Luna on her side, grandma Li escorted her son and his family into the room where everything had been prepared for their welcoming dinner. Not to disappoint grandma Li, Luna didn't leave her side for even a second for she herself missed that old lady; it had been a month since she ran away from the Li Family because of her promise to Ana.
Having grandma Li who treated so nicely, Luna wondered in her heart if this woman had found out about the agreement Ana forced her to sign to save her life. Before she confirmed it, grandma's next utterance gave her answers to her question.
"Don't surrender no matter how hard other people press you to run." Luna's eyebrows arched, indicating her surprise at her puzzling words. "I know what truly happened. That evil girl set you the trap to cast you away from our family. She thinks she can make it. But, she is wrong. What she did only hurt herself because I will never look at her let alone accept her in my family. It is clear how that girl works and what she wants."
"Grandma…thank you for believing in me."
"I will always, dear."
On the other corner, Sandra who was burned in jealousy with their closeness and togetherness glared at Luna in resentment. Grandma Li could read her loathing toward Luna; to distract her, she invited all the family members to go to the dining room for dinner.
The huge table surrounded by expensive chairs had been set with various foods and drinks on it that could tease people's mouths to devour them. The luxurious dining room with the ornaments, designs and its vehement size simulated praises and compliments from those who admire the exquisiteness.
When all the members had been in their seats, grandma Li allowed them to enjoy the food after some words she said as the opening remark of the dinner. In a second
, the sounds from the fork and the knives took over the quietness. The dinner ended an hour later; grandma Li had a warm talk to his son, Anthony while the rest of the people got to their room to rest.
Luna chose to take a moment to watch the starry night from the balcony she used to do before she abandoned this house. She yearned to do it; her eyes didn't divert from the stars in the sky. The memories came to her mind, reminding her of the scenery when Danish kissed Ana down in the yard. Every time that remembrance filled her heart, she felt heartbroken for the unacceptable reason, she had fallen for Danish.
"So, you are here?"
"Da-Felix…."
"I saw you standing here, pondering. I have an urge to join you. Am I bothering you?
"Of course not, Felix." Too excited, as her reaction to conceal her uneasiness, Luna turned her face to Felix but her feet slipped on the floor, causing her body to fall on Felix's arm. Over his shoulder, Luna peered at a very familiar man in his white shirt, Danish who at the same time looked at her in an unreadable expression.