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Chapter 17

PRESENT TIME – 8 YEARS LATER

“Wow, Zen looks so handsome,” Nikita praised looking through at Zen’s wedding photo that Luna had shown to her.

“Yeah, he looked dashing and his bride looks gorgeous. They both look beautiful together, don’t you agree,” praised Luna smiling at the photo.

“Yeah they do.” nodded Nikita in agreement, “But I was hoping that Zen would be your MATE from heaven,” she sighed, “I know you like him so much.”

Luna chuckled, “To tell you the truth, I was hoping so too,” she admitted, “But what can I do. He’s not meant for me but I’m glad I played a big part in bringing them together,” she smiled at the memory, “It is so cute and right now I’m really happy for them.” sighing happily.

Nikita shook her head, “You always happy seeing other people together. I wonder when you are going to be happy with someone you love,” she said softly.

Luna smiled, “Well maybe I better off being alone, without that someone. My life has been so happy right now. I have you and your family and at the moment, this is enough for me,” she said and hugged Nikita who is heavily pregnant with her second child.

“Yeah but it’s not the same,” pressed Nikita, “Having someone to love is different and I think you know that.”

“Yeah Niki, I know,” she scoffed, “Can we talk about something else?” Luna rolled her eyes at Nikita. “So how was things while I’m gone?” she asked and Nikita knew that once Luna starts talking about other subject meaning the case is close. Shaking her head, she started to update Luna about their business.

After Nikita left her office, Luna sighed sadly, don’t know whether she regretted about what happen to her love life or what? First with Leo and now Zen, but her love story with Leo and Zen were different. With Zen was merely a crush because she didn’t even show him love or even have intimate time together but with Leo?

Luna sighed again remembering Leo. How could she ever forget him? Especially when she had hurt him so badly? He had always stayed in the back of her mind not matter how hard she tried to forget him. She know deep inside her heart she still love him and sometimes wished that they were together just like Nikita and Andrew. Both their love remained strong after all these and it’s become stronger after the birth of their twins.

Her thought drifted back to Leo. She missed him; still do even after all these years. It’s true when people say that first love is hard to die and forget. It has been 8 years after the incident. That was the day she supposed to express her love towards him but it doesn’t happen. Well at least she managed to know how he felt towards her. It’s enough to know that he do love her and her only regret she felt was that she couldn’t admit her true feelings towards him and up till now, he didn’t knows it. One thing for sure she had managed to make him hate her for the rest of their life.

It was 8 years ago but Luna felt like yesterday. She could never forget how angry Leo’s mother was when she caught them together. They were so caught up with eager to show how much they missed each other that they forgot to close the door. No one expected it would happen.

It started out that his mother was suspicious about Leo’s girlfriend. She became suspicious since that night during their family dinner with Lindsay’s. She had noticed that Leo’s keep messaging someone. When Leo’s told her that night that’s he’s going to Andrew’s beach house the next day, she become more suspicious. Her suspicious became bigger when she understands from Luna’s mom that Luna also wouldn’t be around that weekend too. She followed Nikita’s car after Nikita picked Luna up from the store up to Andrew’s beach house.

 “Oh, my god!! I knew it!!” his mother sudden outburst had made them both jumped. They didn’t realize it was her at first but when Luna saw his mother she’s gasped and become paled. She knew that was the end of her and Leo.

“You’ve been lying to me all this while!! You’ve been seeing her behind my back!!” screeched his mother at him. She then turned her attention to Luna who was hiding her body behind Leo’s, “How dare you, bitch?!! I told you to stay away from my son!!” at the same time tried to slap Luna but Leo managed to grab her hand stopping her and Luna covered her body with his.

“Don’t you call her that!!” he yelled at his mother, “It’s not her fault. I’m the one who wanted to be with her! I love her!”

Both Luna and his mother were stunned with his admission.  Luna bites her lips and tears rolled down her eyes. She was moved the way he protected her and finally admit his feeling towards her. She wished she could say the same thing to him right now, if the situation allowed but this is definitely not the right time.

“You love her?!!!” his mother screeched. “God, how could you?!! How could you love this bitch!! She’s not worth to be love by you! Love by someone like you!! You think she loves you. You are stupid if you think she does. She doesn’t love you she only loves your money. People like her only love money.”

“I said stopped calling her bitch!!” Leo yelled again using the same tone as his mother does. “Why can’t I love her? Just because she’s your maid’s daughter?!! What wrong with that?!! Love doesn’t care whether you rich or poor. Love doesn’t care what standard you are. Don’t you know that? I thought you love me and you wanted to see me happy. Well I’m happy being with her right now!!”

“You not happy!! You’re not in love. You are attracted to her because of what she could give you, like giving her body to you right now!!” she disgustingly pointed at Luna who was still hiding her body behind Leo. “You can’t see that at the moment, because you were blinded with your lust for her and she knew that. She’s acting innocent towards you!! I’m your mother. I could see all the things she’s doing to you!”

She sad down and started to cry, “Look what she’s doing to us right now? You never raised your voice at me and now you doing it because of her. You back her up instead of me your mother. A mother whose gave birth to you? Your mother who known you for 17 years and this girl for how long? A month, two or less? She’s not worth it!!” she sobbed.

Seeing his mother broke down, Leo remained quiet, didn’t know what to say. Luna looked at his mother and she felt so guilty. Her words had made her felt like she’s a bitch herself. Because of her, both mother and son were fighting.

She moved away from Leo and covered her chest with her arms, “I’m so sorry Mrs. Hendricks,” she said softly making both Leo and his mother look at her. “I’m sorry for what had happened. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Leo’s mother looked at her with hatred while Leo looked at her sadly.

“You think with you apologizing I would accept you. Huh! No way in hell I will,” yelled his mother at her. “You are disgusting!!”

“Mother!!” Leo hissed.

Luna stopped him, ““Don’t Leo.” Wiping the tears from her eyes Luna said to him, “Your mother is right. I’m not worth it,” with that she grabbed her shirt on the floor and ran out of the room with Nikita and Andrew on her trail. They both had witness what just happened. She could hear Leo called her name but she continued running out from the house.

“Come Lu, I’ll take you home,” Nikita said to her softly while Andrew opened the car door for her.

“I’m sorry,” Luna said softly to Andrew with her head bowed, clutching the shirt to her chest covering herself. She’s too shy to faced Andrew.

“No, Lu,” replied Andrew softly, “It’s not your fault. Don’t you ever blame yourself.” he then turned to Nikita, “I’ll see you later. You take care of her first ok.” Nikita nodded her head before planting a short kissed on his lips.

Luna slowly put her shirt on when Nikita started to drive away. “I’m so sorry Niki,” she said so softly almost saying to herself. “I’ve spoiled your time with Andrew.”

“No Lu,” Nikita said holding her hands, “It’s not your fault. Is that bitch! She’s the one who spoiled it. I’m sorry both Andrew and I are too caught up with each other that we didn’t hear she’s coming until she just barged in and demanded to know where both of you were. She just ran upstairs before we both could stop her.”

“I knew something like this will happen one day. His mother will eventually find out but I never have thought it will be so soon,” tears kept falling down her face.

“Don’t worry Lu, I’m sure Leo will put some senses in his mother’s head,” assured Nikita, “She will eventually accept that whoever Leo chooses if she wants him to be happy, unless of course she doesn’t.”

Silently Luna prayed that it will happen but his mother stood firm with her decision. Leo didn’t even call her that whole day and she assumed that he must be grounded. His mother came to see Luna that same night. Luna still remembered the humiliations thrown by Leo’s mother toward her and her mother.

“I should have realized earlier that people like you couldn’t be trusted. You acted as if you have dignity and now you’re making me look like a bad mother. If you are poor at least keep your promise. Why do you have to stabbed me from behind?!!!” his mother sneered.

“You son love me and I started to love him too,” Luna said softly.

“Huh!!” his mother sniggered, ““You think I will accept a garbage bag like you,” she mocked at Luna while looked in disgust at Luna’s mom, “Is this what you’re teaching your daughter? Teaching them to lure the rich man or their son for easy money?”

“How could you say those words Mrs. Hendricks?!!” fumed Luna’s mom.

“Huh, I’m not wrong, I’m saying the truth,” mocked Leo’s mother, “both of you have don’t have dignity at all. You acted like have one but you actually don’t!!! You are worst than dirt.”

“Stop it Mrs. Hendricks!!! Take back what you’ve just said!!” Luna’s mom raised her voice at her.

“Why would I stop, when that is the truth? I know what you both actually wanted. Money!! That’s all in you mind isn’t it? You’re willing to do anything just to get money. Tell me how much you want? I’ll give it to you but make sure you keep your filthy hands and body away from my son!!” and throw a bundles of money flying at Luna before they all dropped to the floor.

Luna remembered how angry she was to be accused such things, “Like I said before Mrs. Hendricks, your son love me and I started to love him too, but now I WILL never see him again. It’s not worth it if my family is humiliated by you like this. That is how much value it is to me. My family is not as low as you think we are. So take back what you’ve just said!!”

“Why should I?? I can say and do anything worst than this!!” she snickered, “I never want to see both of you in this town anymore. I want both of you to get out from here tonight. If you don’t I’ll make sure both you lives miserable until you both beg for mercy,” with that she stomped out from the house.

Once Mrs. Hendricks left their house Luna mom’s suddenly collapsed crunching her chest, “Mama!!” Luna yelled in panic. Her heart attack has comeback and panicked Luna called for the ambulance and took her mother to the hospital.

Nikita came running to the hospital together with her parents to comfort Luna and after a while the doctor informed that her mother’s condition was serious. Luna immediately rushed in the room with Nikita as the ICU only allowed two people at a time.

“I’m sorry mama, I’m so sorry,” Luna kept apologizing to her mom, regretting for all the things that happened because of her actions. If she didn’t agree to continue seeing Leo, all this thing would not had happened.

“Baby,” her mother called her softly, “Don’t blame yourself,” she said softly. “This normally happen to people like us; poor people like us.”

She let out a cough, “Mama, you not suppose to talk,” Luna stopped her from continue talking, “You should rest mama. You must get well. When you do, we will go away from here. I promised you mama, I’ll take care of you and I promised I shall make our lives better so that the rich people like her wouldn’t humiliate us again. I shall never allow that to happen again.”

Her mom gave her a weak smile, “You must go but without me. I want to stay here with your father,” tears rolled down her mom’s eyes.

“Please mama,” cried Luna, “We shall go together. We shall go together and have new and better lives together.”

“Baby,” her mother said weakly at her touching her face, “Take care of yourselves and remember I am always so proud of you, both me and your papa. I know you will continue to make us both proud.”

“Mama,” sobbed Luna, “Please, please don’t ever leave me, please.”

Her mother continued to look at her and smiled weakly. She touched Luna’s face wiping the tears from her eyes and within seconds her hands falls limp to her side the beeping sound of the machine goes flat.

“Mama!!” Luna cried as Nikita hugged her and pulled her to the side while nurses and doctor rushed to her mom’s bed. All she could do was sobbing in her friend’s arm who was sobbing together with her.

Luna was still in the hospital when Leo somehow managed to flee from his house.

“Lu,” he called out and Luna at him in shock, surprised to see him there.

“I’ve told him,” Nikita whispered to her, “Sorry Lu, I have to tell him.”

Luna didn’t move an inch just stared at Leo with teary eyes and when Leo tried to hug her, she puts her hand out stopping him.

“Go away Leo,” she said sternly, “I don’t want you here.”

“Please Lu,” begged Leo, “I love you,” he confessed, “I want to be with you and I don’t care about my mother or my family money. All I care is you.”

Luna looked at him and then looked away laughing as if what he was saying was funny.

“Lu, I’m serious,” he said, “I love you and I’m willing to give up everything for you.”

Luna laughed louder making the rest around them looking weirdly at her especially Leo and Nikita as if she’s gone mad.

“Lu,” Leo grabbed her shoulder stopping her from laughing.

She pushed away from him and looked at him, “You stupid, do you know that? Just like your mother said,” she said to him with disgust. “You think I would want to be with you if you are poor like me? You think I want to live with you when you have no money,” she chuckled, “Think again Leo Hendricks.”

Leo looked at her in shocked couldn’t believe what he just heard, “You don’t mean what you just said right? I know you love me too.” he asked softly, “You just says all those things to make me leave, isn’t it,” he pressed.

Luna chuckled again and looked at him with hatred this time, “I mean every single word, I’ve said. Why do think I still continued seeing you when your mother already warned me not to? You think because you kissed me and I fall hopelessly for you?” she mocked, “its all pretence. I know you want me and I know your mother will definitely give me money to stop seeing you. I need all the money I could get to fulfill my dreams and by pretending to be in love with you had make me achieved it. I’ve managed get your mother to pay me just a few hours ago to leave you alone which I at first intended no to fulfill because I know I could get more but now after you’ve told me that you willing to give up all that, I don’t need you anymore,” she pushed him away and added, “Leave me alone. To tell you the truth, I even don’t like you.”

“I don’t believe you,” Leo shook his head, “You would never take my mother’s money.”

Luna shrugged uncaring, “Go and ask your mother if you don’t believe me.”

Leo looked at Nikita who’s looking at him sadly, she didn’t know what to say but she knew Luna have her reason to say all those things to him.

“Well,” Leo said softly, “I’m sorry. I thought you are different and I’m willing to prove that my mother was wrong about people like you. Unfortunate she’s right.  People like you doesn’t’ need love, you just need money. I hope you get will achieved all you dreams,” with that he leave the place.

When she’s sure that he’s gone, Luna collapsed on a chair and cried her heart out. She had to pretend to make him leave.

“You love him don’t you?” Nikita asked softly hugging her.

She nodded, “I have to do it Niki,” she sobbed, “It’s for the best.”

“I understand,” said Nikita, “You don’t have to worry, I’m on your side forever and always will,” she promised and that’s where Nikita had been the whole time; standing besides her in whatever decision she made and good thing Andrew too understand the reasons of Luna actions.

Tears started rolling down her eyes whenever she thinks about the incidents. She could never forget that day. That day was supposed to be a wonderful day. That day she was supposed to express her love but it turned out the other way round. Instead that particular day she has lost two love; one her mom’s and the other was the love of her life – LEO.