Chapter 5: Chapter 5

***Continuation***

Luna and Clyden arrived at Luna's house in no time. They couldn't track how they have arrived like in a flash because they kept talking inside the car. It was like their old memories were countless that their minds couldn't stop from remembering each one.

They got out of the car, and the smile on Luna's face won't disappear. It felt like she had come from another country, that's how she missed this place, the sight of her house, the home where her beloved family were living.

Luna made a step forward, having Clyden at her back who's watching her until she reached their gate.

"Terry! Dad! Mom!" Luna shouted.

A running footsteps can be heard rushing at their garage's cemented floor. Then the gate opens, presenting her Terry who's face were smiling all over, obviously painted with excitement.

"Luna!!! I miss you so much" Terry said, embracing his sister in a tight hug.

Terry's eyes caught Clyden who's behind Luna, and the same reaction does he give to his cousin.

"Clyde!!! You're here!" Terry said while pulling out from Luna's hug and jumped to Clyden and hugged him too.

"You've gotten taller, look at you" Clyden said while patting Terry's head.

The three of them walked inside and reached the door. Luna's heart was jumping with joy at the moment, this is her home, she thought. Luna can't notice a change at the place. The house was still the same as she left, no new furniture, and everything was the same as before.

It can't still reach her mind as she was just feeling all the joy but...

The money that she earned and keep sending every month... Where was it going? She asked herself, but she kept fighting her questions. Never would she brag about it, and talk about every money she was providing her family but... It just felt weird.

"Luna, my daughter. I miss you so much!" Francis said as he embrace his daughter for a hug.

It's warm, and it was the feeling Luna kept finding when she's away. Her Dad was smiling at her face, and it was just contagious. She can't resist but to feel what her Dad was feeling right now, but her smiles slightly faded when Francis broke their hug and started coughing.

"Dad, Are you okay?" Luna said, and her Dad just gave her a warmth smile as an assurance. But Luna was so worried still.

"By the way, I haven't seen mom" Luna said, and Francis told her that she was in the kitchen.

Luna didn't know if her mom even knows that she's already here, but she's not dumb to know that it's impossible to not hear them while the kitchen was just a room away at the living room.

She was just about to head there, planning on greeting her mother, but Diane suddenly appeared.

"Clyden? Is that you? Oh my God! Such a fine man you've become. Auntie missed you so much!" Diane said, then she approached her niece with a warm hug...

It was something that Luna couldn't get. It was something she could only have when she's the one taking the lead.

Luna smiled at the scene though. But her smile was in between happiness and sorrow. The fact that they're all in one room, and her daughter just came home, longing for them but Diane just ignored her. Luna was used to this though, but she can't never escape her heart. It was freaking heavy.

Never could she escape the feeling of sadness and her throat hurting. But what can she do, it's the way it was.

Luna walked towards her mother while smiling, she spreads her arms and hugged her mother. Diane wasn't saying anything, she just responded with a single tap at Luna's back and got out from the hug.

This sight was also common for Terry, for Francis, and even Clyden. But it was like this sight was happening even a long time ago, and they're used to it. But they can't help wondering too, and feel sorry for Luna.

Luna just smiled and went to her brother again.

"Do you want to go out? Like eat outside?" Luna said actively, and Terry smiled.

But Diane suddenly says, "He can't go, he has homeworks to finish"

Luna just nodded at her mother, she feels so sorry and disappointed. She had planned it, but if Diane says so, she knew that she can't do anything about it.

"How about we just buy his favorite food and eat here? Do you want that Terry?" Clyden said, and Luna nodded at him while smiling like yes, it was a good idea.

"Let's do that!" Terry said.

Luna and Clyden just kept talking and playing with her brother for hours, and Clyden was glancing at her time to time. Luna knows what her cousin was thinking, he was probably dying to ask about her mother. But even if he talks about it or asked, Luna couldn't answer still because even she, she doesn't know why Diane is so cold to her, and why she treats her that way.

It was close to evening, and Clyden suggested to go outside and do their plan, buying Terry's favorite food. Clyden was actually planning on staying at Luna's house for the night, and Luna told him that it was a great idea since it was years ago when he did sleep at Luna's house. It was something normal and a memory of their childhood.

The two of them got to Clyden's car and silence filled their spaces. Luna was just leaning her forehead on the window while gazing at the empty street.

"Are you alright, Luna?" Clyden asked while facing the road.

Luna looked at her cousin with a smile on her face and chuckled. She was about to answer him, but it got interrupted when Clyden's phone rang, it was actually connected to the car's stereo.

Clyden quickly disconnected his phone to the stereo and answered the call. Luna just got back from facing her side when Clyden was on the phone, she totally understand that it was personal so she kept herself from eavesdropping Clyden's conversation with someone.

"Right now?"

"Alright Kim, I understand"

"Don't worry, I will be there on time"

Those were Clyden's responses from the call. Luna didn't want to ask but it seems that it was too important for Clyden. His tension just changed inside the car and she noticed the sudden increase on acceleration on the vehicle they were riding to.

"Is there something wrong?" Luna asked, and Clyden looked at her for a moment before going back to the road.

"Actually... There seems to be a problem" Clyden said while scratching the back of his head like he was just shy to say that he has a sudden meeting with his comrades.

Ace was strict on his plan, if he tells them to gather, they will. Avien and Clyden fully understand it, and they respect Ace's every decision. He was their Master, after all.

"Is that so? Then..." Luna was about to say something, but the sudden turn on the steering wheel got her head looking back confusedly.

"Clyden, where are we going?" Luna asked.

"I'm sorry Luna, this is just too important. I'm really sorry I got you into this, but I promise I'll get back to you..." Clyden said.

Clyden repeatedly saying apologies and even though Luna couldn't understand why, where, and what is about to happen. She just chose to force herself not to worry, she's with her cousin after all. And the fact that Clyden's tension had changed and he looked too serious from his usual one, it was enough to be considerate of him. She knew it was something important, she felt it.

Minutes had passed and Luna suddenly wandered her eyes, noticing the sudden change of the atmosphere from the environment of the cityscape they had been.

It was quiet, and the polished cemented long road led to a gigantic black gate between colossal walls. It automatically opened when they passed a sensor like standee. The car entered the gate with Luna's eyes getting all widened in disbelief.

This Bugatti wasn't alone, there are at least eight luxury cars that are parked side to side. But not only does the Lamborghini's and Ferrari fills her with amusement at the moment, but also the several Casa standing. No wonder why it looked like a whole Village when they entered, it was monstrous and lavish.

The two of them got out of the car with Luna's eyes still widely amused and terrified at the moment. This vibe, the elegant one, she always felt weird when she stood on such places.

"This is the main Casa, it's Casa Uno. Beside this is Casa Dos, and the one behind is Casa Tres" Clyden said while pointing his finger. Luna couldn't see it all, but she knows that there is more to this place.

"This is where you live??? Is this yours??" Luna asked.

"It's my boss's. And yes, I live here " Clyden said, making Luna to cover her mouth.

She knew that her cousin became well off, but she didn't expect it to be freaking...

Well, she just can't believe that someone can actually be this well off.

***

Luna can't help but to gulp from what she's seeing, from the entrance to this infinite space with a large elegant staircase at the center. It was wonderful and unbelievable that she get to stand on a place like this. Nothing seems peculiar about the place, it was peaceful from her point of view, but only one thing does she noticed. There are way too less of people she had seen from the entrance till inside. No wonder why she thought that it was too restful and secluded though the place was immeasurable.

Clyden watched her cousin as she wanders the space, it made him smile. In his mind, it was a double purpose. Luna deserves something that could make her forget about how her mother treats her even for a moment, he thought of that. But he's also scared.

Avien warned him about this, and he understands her point. Now he's paying for it, the worry, and the feeling of being scared, he's feeling it now but not for himself. He was afraid for his cousin though he completely knew the people he's with at the Casa.

Though he knows what kind of person was his Master Ace...

Not only for several minutes, and Clyden could feel that they're being watched. And he was right, Avien Kim was actually looking at them from the corner.

"Luna, could you wait for me here? You can go outside to check those cars" Clyden said.

Luna's eyes lit up when she heard it, the patent fanatic in her just went lively and she actually nodded at her cousin in response.

Luna got outside the Casa and only then did Avien walked towards her comrade.

"Where's Ace?" Clyden asked. But instead of answering him, Avien suddenly says something that made Clyden's pulse to actually be feeled without even touching it.

"You know he'll shoot her on sight" Avien said, and Clyden gulped by his comrade's statement.

"I'll let her stay away from his space as I can" Clyden said.

But Avien has a point. Ace might instantly shoot Luna on sight, he doesn't know her. Besides, he doesn't have any idea what would be Luna's reaction the time she knows his job, their works, and mission.

Luna greatly differs from them, she was just a typical student with overflowing innocence. She never got to hold a gun or even see one in real life for God's sake.

Just at the time when Luna got back inside, Avien was already gone. Clyden suddenly felt sorry for Luna. Her smiles were vey genuine and innocent, and hell no would he let it fade and his cousin to be painted like them.

Luna was literally the illustration of innocence and peace as Avien watch her from a corner. It had her thinking about what will happen if she knew what lies behind their attires, the few people, the chilly atmosphere, and the peaceful silence of the Casa.

She wants to know if it would be fun to see a bright lamp being approached by a dark curtain.

She wants to know what would happen if she appeared in front of her, holding a gùn...

...

...

Pointing at her.

***

Evening came and Luna was staying on this one room beside Clyden, she couldn't go back, and his cousin suggested to for her to stay as he can't give her a ride at this hour. Clyden made sure to have her stayed near him as the absorption of being cautious made him.

Luna still doesn't have the slightest idea what they do in the Casa, the strategizing, the playing with guns, and just everything. But when the time comes, Clyden knew that Luna knowing all there is about was inevitable.

Clyden knocked on the door making Luna to turn around from the attempt of opening the black colored curtains to see the night view outside the Casa. Luna walk towards the door and opened it, seeing her cousin.

"You know where the dining hall is right? Dinner will be served, I'll just catch up" Clyden said.

He can let Luna wander at this hour for he knew that Ace wouldn't be anywhere near, he actually has a meeting with him. They have to discuss the plan for tomorrow.

"Why catch up? let's go there together. Don't leave me alone Clyde" Luna said, but her cousin just smiled and messed her hair.

"You'll be alright, go there now" Clyden said. Then he turned around upon seeing his cousin nod as a response. Then he left.

Luna couldn't do anything but to head on the dining hall alone, but she's wrong when she thought she'll be the only one at the hall.

Luna catches a figure of a woman, and by the time she walked in front of the long table, she saw the woman's face.

Such beauty and elegance. She was just so fine for Luna's eyes, it was crazy. But that wasn't all. The lady was giving the familiar presence, something that she often felt these past few days. In Luna's mind, everyone she encounters were people full of intimidation and coldness through them. They were scary, and she thought why does fate seems to be playing on her.

"Wine?" Avien offered after noticing Luna.

She instructed her to take a sit which Luna did.

"I don't drink, Thankyou" Luna said. But she slowly pulled the bottle of the fancy looking wine to see its brand.

She was stiffed and shy. But she was also just curious of everything inside the Casa, she still can't absorb all of it, including sitting down the beautiful wooden chair at the large dining hall with an elegant chandelier at the center ceiling. And of course, the fact that she's here sitting here and will have her dinner with the presence of someone she just met.

Luna turned to Avien with a question face and as expected from Avien's hunches and ability to distinguish, she answered the blank question .

"Chateau Margaux, from France's medoc region" Avien said without looking at Luna, swirling the glass, sipping on her extravagant wine.

Luna was surprised by Avien. She just looked at her yet the lady seems to have read what was on her mind.

"I'm Avien. Parker told me about you, Luna Rose" Avien said.

"Uhmm-" Luna couldn't say anything at the lady, but as time goes by between them, the heavy feeling was fading on her.

Avien might be intimidating, but Luna could actually feel that she's a good person.

"Do you smoke?" Avien suddenly asked, gaining a surprised look at Luna's face once again.

Luna shook her head with such innocence on her eyes, and it made the lady to create a smile which slowly turn into a chuckle. Avien was on the verge of laughter but she suppressed it, or else she would look insolent. They were on the same age as Parker mentioned yet this girl don't smoke nor drink, all she does is to focus on her Alma mater.

In Avien's mind, Luna was someone who really doesn't belong here.

Avien suddenly thought of something, just like what she thought of when she first saw Luna. What will happen if she makes her hold a gun?, But no it's way too much for Luna already.

Then what would happen if she shows Luna her Keltec P15 gùn that's inside her coat at the very moment? She thought. It was a devilish thought and is out of context, but she won't do it anyway.

She won't do it yet.

***To be Continued***