𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 •°𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙺𝚎𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚛 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚜𝚘𝚗•°

𝟚𝟜. 𝟘 [Apologies]

The silence in Keifer's car was thick, heavy with unspoken emotions. Luna stared out the window, the passing scenery a blur. Jay and Eman exchanged worried glances, their attempts to coax Luna into conversation met with a wall of quiet resolve.

Finally, they pulled into a small, serene cafe on the outskirts of town. The quiet atmosphere seemed to offer a momentary respite. They settled into a booth, the unspoken question of Luna's living situation hanging in the air.

Jay : Luna, where are you going to stay?

She asked, her voice soft.

Jay : You can stay with me, you know. Aunt Gemma would love to have you.

Luna shook her head, a small, sad smile playing on her lips.

Luna : Thank you, Jay, but I think... I'll go to my dad's. Where Ari is.

Eman : Are you sure?

Eman asked, concern etched on his face.

Luna : Yeah.

She replied, her voice barely a whisper.

Luna : I need to see Ari.

Keifer, who had been silent until now, stood up.

Keifer : Luna, can we talk for a minute?

They walked to a quieter corner of the cafe, away from Jay and Eman's watchful eyes.

Keifer : Luna...

He began, his voice low.

Keifer : I'm sorry. For everything. For what I said, for... for Mykel.

Luna looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and something else, something akin to playful mischief.

Luna : You should be. What you said was awful. And hitting Mykel... that was wrong.

Keifer : I know.

He said, his voice contrite.

Keifer : I shouldn't have compared you to her. And I shouldn't have used violence. I was angry, and I messed up.

Luna : You did.

She said, her voice flat, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Luna : But... I appreciate the apology.

The air between them seemed to lighten, the tension easing. A mischievous idea sparked in Luna's mind. She wasn't going to let him off the hook so easily.

Luna : But..

She continued, her voice playful.

Luna : I'm not sure if I forgive you yet.

Keifer's eyes widened slightly.

Keifer : What? But I just apologized.

Luna : Yeah, well. 

She shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes.

Luna : You're going to have to work for it.

She turned and walked back to the booth, leaving Keifer standing there, a mix of confusion and amusement on his face.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

The drive to Luna's father's house was filled with a playful tension. Luna deliberately ignored Keifer's attempts to engage her in conversation, feigning indifference. Keifer, in turn, began to sulk, his usual confident demeanor replaced with a pout.

As they approached their destination, the landscape shifted from suburban streets to sprawling, manicured grounds. And then, the house came into view. They all gasped. It wasn't a house; it was a palace. A sprawling, opulent structure with towering gates and meticulously landscaped gardens.

Jay : Wow!

Jay breathed, her eyes wide.

Jay : Your dad lives here?

Luna : Yeah. Let's go inside.

Luna : My home, for now.