Playlist  - My Love By Gummy

Luna 

We cleaned ourselves and went to meet his parents in the dining room. I focused on our clasped hands and Ares’s reassuring smile. It will go well.

He lifted my hand to his lips. “You have nothing to worry about, you're beautifu.” I believed him. His warm breath soothed my nerves. 

His mother was of British  and an elegant woman. She greeted me in her Chanel pantsuit which in turn made me wonder whether I was underdressed in my red dress from target. 

“Ares told me you were a wonder and I can see that he really means it.” I flushed. “I hope my boy doesn’t trouble you a lot.” She winked at me and went on with her one-sided conversation. I could only ever nod my head politely and trade glances with Ares. 

I mentally churned the topics of small talk which will guarantee the center focus shift off me, but the arrival of Mr. Silas Torrance saved me. If there was anyone who could command the room with their presence, it was this man. Suddenly, I understood where Ares got his brooding intimidating aura. 

Memories of the night when Charlotte broke into my home resurfaced. Silas Torrance was at his wit’s end and I am sure he didn’t want me to remember his image from that night. 

The man squeezed his wife’ shoulder and nodded at his son. “I see, we have a guest with us.” 

“Ares invited his girlfriend to have dinner with us, honey,” Mrs. Torrance said, incredulously. 

“I don’t think we have formally met,” Silas Torrance, turned to me. “Silas Torrance, Ares’s father. And you, dear are..?” 

“L-Luna W-West.” I kicked myself mentally for sounding nervous. “It’s nice to meet you.” 

Mr. Torrance took his seat at the head of the table. The food was shortly served. I could barely swallow the delicious food down my throat. The weight of having three pairs of sharp green eyes fixed on me was overwhelming. Although, two pairs of eyes weren't as scrutinising as the other. 

I took several glimpse at Mr. Torrance. Undeterred, he maintained his poker face and icy stare at me. I was only ever used to Ares’s unrelenting gaze, but this was different. I couldn’t put a finger to it. 

I sent Ares several signals to let me out of here. The jerk, being stubborn as ever, didn't relent. 

After barely surviving the dinner with Ares’s parents, I let out a deep breath of relief when his parents retired for the night. Good thing because I wasn’t going to torture myself anymore. 

“I think I should head home now.” I said, once we pulled our mouths away from one other. “Don’t you have some prom duties early in the morning, my prom king?” I asked, incredulously. 

“It’s tomorrow morning and I plan to have you to myself tonight.” Ares’s lips find my earlobe. 

I chuckled, trying to ease Ares’s hold on me. “Have some control, will you?” I combed his luscious hair with my fingers. 

“Not with you around,” he protested. 

“Then, it’s my cue to leave.” 

All of his attempts to get me to stay went to waste. If it wasn’t for the super uncomfortable dinner I had with his parents, I might have given in to his wish. I wanted to avoid an uncomfortable breakfast at all costs. 

“Fine, let me drop you.” He exhaled a defeated breath. 

“I need to use the restroom before we leave.” 

Ares directed me to the nearest restroom on the first floor. His house was straight out of an architectural magazine. I felt as if I was taking a stroll of a museum rather than a house. 

I stopped in my tracks when I came face to face with Silas Torrance. The person I wanted to avoid the most was standing in front of me. Funny. 

“Luna West, leaving so soon?” His lips were curled upwards which resembled nothing to a smile. “Care to spare a few minutes from your busy schedule? I would like to have a word with you.” 

All I could do was nod. 

My heart pounded as Mr. Torrance led me to his study. I was sure of one thing, this conversation won’t be pleasing for either of us. 

“Please, take a seat.” 

“I’ll stand. I am in a bit of a hurry.” 

Again, the smile on his face didn’t reach his eyes. “Alright.” 

He went to stand behind his desk and searched for something in one of the drawers. He fished out his checkbook and began writing the numbers on it. 

I stared, dumbfounded. The audacity of this man. 

“I’ll stop you right there.” I spoke. “Whatever you think you’re doing, please don’t.” 

“Ms. Luna, I’ll make one thing clear to you; I don’t want you dating my son. It’s for your own good.” Emotion was lost in his words. To him, it was like closing a business deal. 

I snorted. “I think I can decide what’s better for me.” 

“That certainly can’t be said for you. Your judgment lacks… just.” 

“I am aware of the fact that Ares is not your biological son.” This caught his attention. “You shouldn’t be the one to decide for either of us.” 

“I see, you want to get on my bad side.” His words sent chills down my spine. He stared at me from his lowered head. 

“This.” He put the check on his desk. “Take it and leave. Don’t show your face to my son again.” 

“I love him.” Hot blood flared from my veins. “You don’t like me, I understand it’s because of your daughter. Just take your pent up anger out on me.” 

“Why do you love him, Luna?” 

“I can’t help it. It’s out of my control. And you, old man,” I prodded. “Stay out of my life. I am going to be in your son’s life. Get used to it.” 

“Under exceptional circumstances, I might have admired your courage. Unfortunately, this isn’t one like it.” 

“Ask me if I care.” I stared down at him. 

He chuckled, humourlessly. “Stupid girl.” 

***

I twirled in my beautiful emerald ballroom dress. The best thing about the dress was that it complimented Ares’s amazon eyes. My hand reached out to feel the silk on my skin. 

A little highlighter lightly dabbed on the apple of my cheeks and one last peak in the mirror, I was finally satisfied with the way I looked. 

There was nothing that could tamper with my happiness or mess my inner resolve. But my stupid brain, bloody train of thoughts just wouldn’t stop its constant curning, on top of it, my left eye kept twitching. 

I wasn’t an overly superstitious person, but the negative thoughts just swam right in. 

Stop it, Luna. 

Sick of myself, I texted Ares, asking of his whereabouts. He should be here any minute. I went downstairs to grab a quick snack before heading out. 

Ding! I reached for my phone and pressed on my screen. 

I told you to stay away from him. This happens when you don’t listen… now pay the price. 

I opened the attachment sent along with it. 

Heart in my hands, my body visibly shook and the phone slipped from my hold. I steadied my quivering legs, they were ready to give up on me. My pulse skipped a beat and tears threatened to spill. 

My eyes drifted towards the door. He was going to be here any moment. That son of a bitch. I hate him. I bloody hate him. A sob escaped my throat, because everything hurt. It pained me so much because I love him. 

I loved him more than I ever loved myself or anyone and he played me. He played me the entire time we were together. 

I wailed and sank to the floor. It was difficult to do anything. My heart was in so much pain. I wasn’t able to comprehend what I just saw. 

I love you, Luna 

You are mine, mine alone. Do you understand that? 

I’ll never leave you 

There’s no one more important than you. I love you, moonshine. 

Lies. They were nothing, but a whole bunch of lie. That devil fucker. 

“I hate him,” I screamed. I wasn’t acting rational in any way. It was as if a movie was being played in front of my eyes and I was nothing more than a mere audience. 

This wasn’t happening to me. I am not screaming like a lunatic, no, I was perfectly calm. This is nothing. Everything is fine.

There’s no way I am going to face him today without causing some real damage to him. 

Suddenly, I was filled with unbridled rage. Nothing, but contempt. I don’t even know what was happening with me. My hands didn’t just rip my dress, no I didn’t throw my phone on the wall. 

I was calm. There was nothing wrong going on. 

“I fucking hate you, Ares.” 

I didn’t just scream on top of my lungs. The broken glasses must’ve been the work of someone lunatic, not me. 

It wasn’t lood spilling from my palms. 

Then again, fury kept building up inside me and reached its limit. The moment I saw him, it bursted. I was not in control of myself. 

Was I imagining everything around me? His scent filled my lungs, it oddly relaxed me when strong arms, the one belonging to its owner engulfed me. 

I lost the strength in me to fight him. The last thing I saw was green eyes, troubled and worried. Then, darkness consumed me. 

*** 

Pitch-black. 

The darkness of the room should’ve startled me, but it didn’t. I wanted to know how I ended up here, but nothing surfaced in my head. I had lost the memories of what led here. 

Actually, I knew the reality of what had led me here, but it was easier to pretend rather than face the consequences. 

I blinked through the darkness and suddenly became aware that I wasn’t alone in the room. He was with me. 

I expected the fuel of rage to return, but it didn’t. Numbness was all I felt. It was all that was left inside me. This is what he made of me. 

I just wanted to know why. 

“Why did you do it?” There was no point in taking a detour, I just wanted an answer from him. I had the right to know why. 

“Will you believe me if I tell you the truth?” His deep baritone did nothing to vanquish the numbness in my heart. 

“I deserve to know.” 

His knuckles caressed my cheek. The touch was light as a feather and it only lasted for a second before he withdrew his warmth, leaving me cold. 

“Last night was something I don’t want to ever witness again, especially when it’s because of my doings. I don’t want to see you in pain anymore than I already have. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me.” 

He placed something on the nightstand and leaned down to kiss my temple before he backed away. 

“Did you ever love me?” I stared into the emptiness of the darkness. My breath hitched as I waited for his answer. 

“Your aunt’s plane will land in the evening. Rest till then.” 

With that he walked out of the door and out of my life. 

The numbness shattered and I cried and cried. I mourned the loss of my love. 

*** 

His letter was left untouched in my drawer. I didn’t have the guts in me to open it. I didn’t want my worst fears to come true. 

It had only been two days, but it felt as if an eternity had passed. My aunt was mad beyond measure. She had threatened to send me to boarding school if I ever pulled such a stunt again. 

She even threatened to beat his ass down and for that, I was in full support. 

Miraculously, no one in school had gotten a word about what went down with us. They had assumed we broke up before his graduation, just like everyone expected. 

After all, Ares Torrance, wouldn’t like being tied down to someone like me. 

If it was up to me, I would flaunt myself with someone far, far better than Ares in all aspects, but there was no one who could measure up to him. He was perfect and a son of a bitch. 

He watched me whenever I was around him. He made no show of acting like a distant ex. He watched everything I did even when he was not in my presence. 

The hairs on my neck stood whenever his eyes landed on me, making me aware of him. 

I don't know what he was waiting for. It bothered me to even think about the fact that he expected me to just forget and jump into his arms after all he’s done. Asshole. 

Another day passed, then another. Each minute gone, I felt more lifeless and empty. Ares had stopped watching me. He was beginning to smile again whereas I was miserable. 

His letter still remained untouched. 

I heard from Astoria that Ares was moving to Massachusetts for his university. That saddened me even more. He was so firm on staying back in Chicago, the last time we talked. 

Now, he'll be even further away from me. 

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and told myself that it was for the best. It’ll be easier to forget him. He didn’t deserve me. 

My emotional turmoil wasn’t lessening at all. As the day of his graduation approached, it deepened even more. All the colors from my life had vanished. 

If love hurts this much then I don’t ever want to fall in love again. 

It was finally the day of his graduation. There was nothing that I could do now. He was going away and maybe, I’ll feel alright again. 

His letter still taunted me. It was sitting, collecting dust in my drawer. Why couldn’t I just read it and get it iver with? 

You’re afraid. 

What if he didn’t really love me? It must have been a blessing in disguise for me when I broke down. Then, he actually had a reason to get away from me. Asshole. 

Before I know it, I have the letter right in my hand. There was nothing in it that could change my mind. He and I were done for good.

I found myself reading the letter. I gasped, hand on my mouth, I read it. 

My darling Luna, 
                             I know you have been through hell because of me and I wish I could explain everything to you in person, but, let’s face it, I am a coward and I can’t stand to see you so broken over me. You don’t deserve the hell you’re going through. 
                            What you’ve seen is true. Our relationship started on a lie. It will sound absurd to you, and it should, but back then, I’d done anything for my sister. She saw something she shouldn’t have and lomg story short, you were thrown under the bus. If it was up to me, I would change nothing. Well, I would erase the part where everything started on lie, but beyond that nothing.
                           Because, there's no one in this world that I love more than you. I love you more than life itself. I don’t when I started loving you, it just happened. Out of my control and so beautiful. Do you remember you asked me why I had a moon tattooed on me. It’s because I had realized early on that you were my one and only love. I was just too scared to admit it myself. 
                         I loved you before I even knew. It was as if you were made for me. I waited so long for you and I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to act like the egotistical, possessive asshole I am and not give you a choice. Right now, all I want to do is keep you with me, but I don’t you tied down to me because it’s what I wanted, I want you tied down to me because it’s what you want. 
                      I am giving you a choice to either come back to me or just erase me from your life. There’s no way I can stay away from you, so if you choose to remove me from your life, I’ll swear I’ll do anything to make your wish come true. But if you still, find it in your heart to forgive me and love me, then please come back to me. 
                     I’ll wait for you… and I love you. 

***

last chapter will be published tomorrow.