Chapter 6

Luna felt the panic blood running through her veins. Why is he here? She asked herself. Does he already found out who she is? Her cold hands grabbed Nikita’s and Nikita immediately knew she’s panicked. Nikita tugged one of Luna’s fingers softly as indication for her to remain calm. Luna could see from the corner of her eyes that Nikita was looking so calm and smiling sweetly at Leo. Of course she’s calm Luna thought to herself, unlike her, Nikita has nothing to hide.

Leo smiles but his eyes still on Luna. He still captivated by her beauty. He realized way Luna looked at him. Why does she look panic and nervous? He wondered.

“Girls, I want to meet my best friend, Leo Hendricks, “introduce Andrew.

“Hi, I’m Nikita,” said Nikita cheerfully, extending her hands to Leo.

Leo finally turned his attention to Nikita, “Yeah, I know,” he said accepting her hands.

“You know me?” queered Nikita. Luna gulped feeling panicked again. She feels like running away.

Leo laughed at them. He couldn’t understand why both girls are nervous when he told said he know Nikita, “Well, I actually don’t know you. I saw you leaving my party last night with a friend.”

“Yeah, I saw you there too. You were talking to a group of boys,” injected Andrew smirking, “But I didn’t see  you leaving and with whom. You came with whom, by the way?” he asked.

“A friend,” Nikita immediate respond make Luna feel relieved but Andrew next questions make her panic again.

“A friend? Who? It’s not you, isn’t it Lu?” staring at Luna who’s looking a bit pale.

“Yes, coming!” Luna suddenly yelled, pretending to answer someone from inside the changing room making the guys looked weirdly at her while Nikita rolled her eyes, “Excuse me, I…I think they’re calling me,” she panicky told the guys and immediately dashed to inside the room. God, she needs to get away before Leo found out the truth.

“I didn’t hear anyone calling,” Andrew said puzzled and asked Leo, “Did you hear anyone calling her?” Leo shook his head. He too seems puzzled.

Nikita grinned, “Wait here a second,” she told them, “We’ll be back.”

Nikita went inside the room and saw Luna sitting on a chair looking so panic and nervous. “What do you think you doing?” she asked Luna with her hands on her hips.

“Hiding?” replied Luna who face looked like she’s going to cry.

“You are crazy, you know,” said Nikita angrily at her, “How long you think you can hide?”

“Forever, for the rest of my life,” signed Luna.

“Why do you want to hide from him?” asked Nikita, “He didn’t even recognize you. Anyway I don’t think he’s even going to kill you if he found out that’s you.”

“Maybe he’s not, but his mother or my mother will,” Luna whined.

“Well I’m not going to let them kill you. They have to go through me first before they could kill you,” Nikita calming her down and went over to hug her. “Don’t worry, Lu, nothing is going to happen. I won’t let anything happen to you ok. “

“You really think he didn’t recognize me?” asked Luna with her worried face.

“Yeah I’m very sure he didn’t,” nodded Nikita. “As long as he didn’t see your hickey,” she teased making Luna panicked again.

“Oh no, can you see it?” she asked in panic looking at the mirror.

“Stupid girl,” Nikita hit her, “Even if he could sees it he wouldn’t know it’s from him.

Luna let out a relieved sighed, “Yeah you’re right,” and bit her finger thinking.

“See there’s nothing for you to worry about,” soothed Nikita, “Now let go and meet them again,” she said pulling Luna to the door.

“Wait,” Luna hesitated, “Promised me one thing Niki, we shall not go out with them if they ever invite us ok?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to declined their offer, if any,” said Nikita in a business like tone. “Anyway we have to work tomorrow.”

Luna smiled, “Now, relax, take a deep breath and let’s go,” suggested Nikita.  Doing what Nikita’s suggest, Luna took a deep breath and walked out of the room with Nikita.

“Is everything ok?” asked Andrew looking concernedly at Luna.

“Yeah, everything fine,” nodded Luna, “One of the girls need some help with her hair,” she lied. Nikita let out soft chuckled hearing Luna excuses.

Andrew nodded his head believing her. Leo nudged him and he gave Leo a puzzled looked and finally understand what his friend wanted.

He smiled, “Oh, by the way Leo, THIS IS LUNA,” Andrew raised his eyebrows teasing at Leo when he introduced Luna. Leo smiled while Luna looked at them weirdly.

“Hi,” Leo smiled sweetly at her extending his hand for a shake.

Luna shook his hand and gave him a nervous smile, “Hi.”

“Were you at my party last night?” Leo’s questions make Luna panic again.

She gulped thinking for an answer before Andrew cuts-in, “I’ve told Leo you would wouldn’t be coming to a party if you are not invited, Am I right?” Luna immediately nodded her head and smile at Andrew, relieved that Andrew thought so.

“I’m sorry for not inviting you. My mother must have missed out your name. She’s the one who send all those invitation,” explained Leo to Luna.

“It’s ok, I’m not somebody important for her to invite, anyway,” she said softly but couldn’t bring herself to look at Leo. There are two reasons why she can’t look at him. One – because she scared her might recognized her and two because she scared she would lost herself in his smile. Gosh, that guy has an amazing smiled and she could feel her heart is beating so fast and loud right now.

“Don’s say that,” chuckled Leo, “I’ll make sure you will be invited to all of our party from now on.

Hearing Leo’s words Nikita teasingly nudged her friend. Luna glared and pinched her lightly on her elbow which caused her to yelp softly.  Andrew laughed at them but he could feel that Luna is feeling uncomfortable with Leo’s presence. He knew Luna is shy when she’s around someone she just met, especially if it is a guy and furthermore if the guy is from a filthy rich family. Andrew knew that Luna came from a poor family and her mother is working as a maid but he didn’t know that Luna mother is working at Leo’s mansion. Andrew knew that Luna always look down on herself thinking that she shouldn’t be friends with any rich people but he and Nikita always convinced her that friendship doesn’t really care how rich of poor someone is. What’s important is the honesty toward each other. That’s what friendship is all about.

“Where are you two going after this?” Andrew asked smiling at the girls.

“We’re heading home,” said Nikita and Luna just nodded her head.

“It’s Saturday night,” said Andrew, “Let’s go somewhere tonight,” he suggested looking at Nikita hoping she’s agreed.

“Well,” Nikita pause for a while, hesitated whether to accept his offer of not. She looked at Luna who’s making an eye signal at her.

“Well, we have to work tomorrow morning,” Nikita finally said slowly turned to face Andrew again.

“Work? Both of you?” asked Andrew, “But its Sunday?”

“Yes its Sunday but some people still have to work. We are helping my Aunt Mira in opening of her new Boutique here tomorrow,” explained Nikita.

“Oh, but what time you have to start work? Not that early right?” Andrew asked again.

“We have to be there by 11.00 am tomorrow,” Nikita replied, “We’ve told our parents that we’ll be home right after the show,” she made out another excused and Luna nodded her head in agreement.

“Aw, Niki, Lu,” whine Andrew, “It’s still early and it’s a Saturday night. Come on, please,” he pleaded. Nikita bites her lips. Andrew got a feelings that she wanted to follow but decline because Luna. He could feel that there’s something is going on that makes Luna didn’t want to follow them this time but what is it? It is because of Leo?

He turned to Luna and looked at her with pleading eyes, “Please Lu,’ he whined again, “I promise we will only be there in a short while.”

Luna bites her lips and Andrew is looking so cute making as pitiful face at her, “Why don’t you all ahead instead,” she said to him, “I’ve told my mom that I’ll be home early.”

Nikita cast her angry look, “No way,” she said angrily, “If we’re going, we going we shall all go together.”

“Yes Lu,” added Andrew, “Come on, you can’t leave my friend here without a date,” putting his hand on Leo’s shoulder who’s grinning.

“You mean you’re my date?” Asked Nikita smiling and Andrew nodded but blushed, “Hmm that’s a good idea. You with me and Luna with Leo,” she immediately linked her hand with Andrew, “Come on Lu,” she said cheerfully, “I’ll call your mom and tell her you staying at my place again. Don’t worry.”

“Bu….but…” Luna tried to stop her but too late. Nikita and Andrew already walk ahead leaving her behind.

“Are we talking your car or mine?” she heard Nikita asked Andrew.

“We don’t have to take a car. We’ll just go to the club next door,” Andrew replied cheerfully.

“Wow, that’s great,” Nikita responded.

Leo smiled and stand beside Luna who cast and angry look at both Nikita and Andrew. She’s so angry with Nikita for ignoring her.

“Don’t worry,” Leo said to her softly, “I’ll make sure we send you home early, ok?” Luna signed and slowly followed Nikita and Andrew.