To watch Luna and Felix together, it was hard to believe Danish that their moment pierced his heart with jealousy. Love shouldn't have grown in his heart for that girl he had always avoided with his commitment to marry Ana, his girlfriend. However, over time, a fire of fury burned him every time he saw Luna mingling happily with other men, especially Felix, his cousin.
How did that girl and Felix get that close? Was it he, the man she wrote in his letter whom she ran away with? However, that letter was even a fake written by one of his maids under his mother's pressure.
"Danish, your wedding will be held this weekend." Both Danish and Luna lifted their chin in surprise at that unexpected remark from grandma Li who just joined them in the dining room; the morning came meaning that it brought him to meet face to face with Luna. Yet, unlike Danish, Luna pulled her face down with her focus on her meal.
"Grandma, do you think it is not too fast? We just met after a few weeks of her disappearance." provoked by his grandma's decision, Danish expressed his protest directly; only a few seconds later he realized that his uncle and Felix were with them too. In his regret, he imposed his sight on his plate to elude his uncle's questioning stare.
"We have discussed and decided about this. It is even longer than the fixed time because of my accident. I don't want to put it on hold anymore. The faster your wedding day is, the better it will be."
Like a decree, Grandma Li's decision was the words everyone in Li's family had to obey including Danish who never had the nerve to act against her grandmother.
Sandra Li, who was sitting opposite her mother didn't have a say; she had locked her mouth since breakfast started. It was the only food that made her open it.
To melt the iceberg of the quietness upon grandma Li's speaking, Felix genuinely stated his compliment on the food they were enjoying. And his praise then went to Luna who didn't show her reaction toward his endeavoring to deal with the tense situation.
"Miss Luna Yang is, in fact, a talented chef." Grandma Li turned her head at her and smiled in pride.
"Yeah…Felix is right. She works in our hotel. And I have tasted the western food made by her. And it was the most delicious gnocchi I've ever tried."
Luna displayed a small smile, flattered at Felix and his father's compliments that she thought of exaggerating yet silence still caged her.
A slight dislike expression appeared on Danish's countenance; it wasn't because he denied the truth of Felix's words but he didn't feel comfortable with Luna and Felix's relationship.
"I am always proud of her," added grandma Li who creased Sandra's brows with a pout.
"Danish is lucky to have her as his bride."
"No…." Luna was shocked at her word, "I mean…I am not like what you are thinking about. I am still learning how to be a good cook. Thank God that the senior chefs have taught me a lot with the cooking." With a face imprinted with shyness, Luna conveyed what was on her mind honestly. Through the corner of her eyes, she could catch Danish's uncomfortable expression with all the praises addressed to her. She hoped that it was only her assumption.
*You are such a humble person," praised Anthony, Danish's uncle; then a grin of pride and happiness followed his words of compliments.
***
For it was only a few days before her wedding day, Felix gave Luna several days off before and after the event. Never did she think that his encounter with Felix would lead her to the path of returning to this family. And it appeared that God had written the scenario for her and Danish to be together; they would tie a knit soon. Yet, her doubt about Danish's feeling for her caused hesitation in her heart if she should continue with this plan.
"Luna…." out of her expectation, Felix escorted her to the clearing area behind grandma Li's mansion where Luna spent her morning, admiring the white dandelion alongside the field with the hope to fill her lung with fresh air and ease the inconvenience of her doubt. "Hey…why do you look unhappy? You're getting married anyway. A bride tends to show her excitement about her big day. But, you…."
"Felix…can you leave me alone?"
"Are you not excited about this wedding? Why? Or you don't love Danish? Or…"
"Felix…please!"
"Luna, you can't hide anything from me despite our short togetherness. If you need someone to talk to, I am here all ears." His tone of voice lowered, his head tilted that closed their distance.
"Luna…." Felix and Luna jerked back at Danish's arrival, interrupting their conversation. "A bride shouldn't be with a man other than her groom." His quip garnished Luna's face with uneasiness. But why did this man care? He didn't. want this marriage, did he? Luna stopped speculating as Felix bid her goodbye and walked away.
"Grandma is looking for you." Only with a nod, did Luna leave Danish whose gaze still traveled around the clearing in front of him.
Grandma Li waved her hand at Luna who strode toward her; that old lady in a taupe gown asked her to fit her wedding dress. It was a modern wedding gown with a white hue and gold as its laces; its long sleeves made it more elegant and captived her to the point that she didn't break her gaze at it.
"Do you like it?" Luna spontaneously confirmed that this gown met her expectation through her ducking chin and a wide smile. "I am over the moon every time I see the smile on your face."
"Grandma, thank you. You are truly a kind soul."
"Don't mention it, my dear." She stood at her feet and gave Luna a warm embrace.
After fitting her gown and having a light conversation with grandma Li, Luna excused herself to get to her room upstairs. On her way, a loud debate inside the library deterred her and her steps took her into the library instead of resuming her journey to her bedroom.
"Let her go!" Those words came out of Felix's mouth. "She deserves to be happy."