Chapter 02_ Meeting Ms. Yolanda

  "Luna is just 18!" My father told her.

"She's a lady, Don't over pamper her. She's going to meet her age and maybe, people she's older than. She's going to start another life and learn to adapt".

"Yolanda is not going to take good care of my Moon, Cora" My father said.

He had now stopped eating.

   "Oh, Your moon! You should be greatful to me Sam! Without me I don't know where you'd be. You don't expect her to live in with me forever, right Luna? You're not going to live with me forever huh?" Cora asked .

"I don't know Mom. I don't even understand what you both are arguing about" I said plainly.

   The food on my plate now seemed sour to me. I just hate it when they keep arguing.

"Ofcourse you won't understand. His moon! I'm trying to act like a mom here!" Cora yelled.

  She dropped her fork on the table and stood up.

"I thought we talked this over last night Sam? Meet me in my room and stop acting like a boy" Cora told my father and stormed out.

   My father sighed, I stared at him and could see pain and I wished I could understand what was going on.

"If I can't save you Moon, Promise you'll forgive me?" My father finally spoke to me.

  "I don't understand dad, But I can promise you, that no matter what's going on, I know you're trying your best to protect me. It's not your fault and I'll always forgive you" I said to him.

"Thank you Luna. You're just like your mum" He stood up and kissed my hair.

  "I'll be right back" He said.

I nodded and watched him walk into their room. I sighed and stood up.

Breakfast is over!.

  I started clearing the table and I could hear a little bit of my father's voice from the room.

I don't want to eavesdrop so I just walked to my room. Whatever is coming this time, is sure going to be a big one.

It's been long my father asked me to make him a promise. And just this time, it's something he's not sure he can handle.

  How much I hate Cora for controlling my father. I'm very sure she can't be controlling him that easily, she sure be using something, either trying to blackmail him and then force him to do thing he'd never want to do.

Ever since she came in, my father has done a lot of things he have never done for me or my mother. Cora even has the right to use my mother's Jewelry. She sure is acting smart.

   I wished there's something I could do, to save my father from that bad woman. And what does she mean by she's trying to act as a mother?

To who?! She has never for once acted like a mother to me and I pray she never become one! Not in my father's Gene.

   SAM'S POV

"Cora, can you atleast calm down? Please" I said to her.

  She has been fuming since I joined her in the room and I know she's planning something.

"Don't tell me to calm down Sam. We talked this over Last night and you came up this morning to remind me she's in her 18's? She yelled and I sigh.

  "Cora, if you have a daughter, a child. You'd understand how hard this is for me" I said.

"Are you trying to mock me now? Wow Sam! Are you trying to indirectly tell me that I don't have a child?.

  "That's not what I mean" I told her.

"Well, we will talk about that later. Now let's talk about your Moon" She said mockingly.

  "Cora, Luna is the only thing that Evelyn left after her death. When I look at Luna, I see her mother in her, and I can't afford to let her go. Evelyn won't be happy with me" 

"Evelyn , Evelyn! What about Cora?!" She yelled.

  "Don't get work up, You and I know there's no love or anything between us" I told her.

"Well... That's not my business, I won't want to talk this too long, it's almost getting to time and I won't want to keep dear, Yolanda waiting. Luna will make a great sell" she said and I sighed.

  "Think about the huge pay Yolanda mentioned,$5,000. Do you have that in a month? Even your work can't fetch you that" 

"Cora! I'm the man here and Luna is my daughter. You're not selling her and that's final!!" I yelled hitting my palm on the side desk.

   "Wow!" She laughed.

"How brave. Alright then Sam! I'll not sell your precious Moon, Your Evelyn's precious daughter" She smiled and I almost feel relieved.

  "Thank you for understanding" I smiled.

"Yes yes. I'm very understanding. But be ready to meet me in court, Sam!" She smiled and walked out of the room.

  "Cora!! Cora!!" I yelled and rush out, running after her.

If only there's a way I can destroy her evidence, I won't have to leave in her net, ever again.

  LUNA'S POV

I smiled as I flipped to the next page of the novel I was reading. I'm trying so hard to take away the memories of my mum and dad together.

 My family was complete, it always was, but then... I don't know what happened but mom was found inside the shower bleeding and it was too late to save her, she must have really been in pain.

   "Luna!" Cora's voice rang.

Arghhh. Seems the argument is over. I sighed and shut the book then walked to the living room .

  My father was sitted on the sofa and Cora was sitting next to him, leg closed.

My father face expression was something I can't read. That should be the second time I'm seeing that look on his face. I've seen it once, at my mother's funeral and I'm seeing it again, Here!

What could be wrong? Oh Cora. What are you doing to my family?

  "Yes mum" I said to her.

"Moon.. Uhmm, Cora said she asked you to pack your stuffs yesterday" My father asked and I nodded.

  "Yes. Are we moving out?" I asked.

"Actually, no Luna" He replied.

"Then I guess it's just to meet her friend like she said. But why do I need to pack my stuffs? Am I going to live in with her?" I asked.

"Uhmm...."

 "Exactly Luna! You're moving in with my friend!" Cora snapped.

"Stop it Cora,I'm the one to do the talking" My father shut her up.

   "I'm moving in with her friend? Why? What happened in here?. Is there something I should know father?" I asked worriedly.

"I'm sorry, Moon" My father said.

   Just then, A car drove into our compound and Cora stood up to open the door, the look on her face stated how happy she is.

"Sam. Her buyers are here" Cora announced from the door.

  "Her buyers? What aren't you telling me father!" I almost screamed but Dad was just silent.

He was staring at me pleadingly.

  "Are you...... Dad? Are you selling me out?" I said slowly when I found my voice and all he could say was..

"I'm Sorry,Moon".

  I walked into my room and slammed the door behind in tears. I fall on my bed and let go of the tears in my eyes. 

There's no much time, The buyers... My buyers are here and were waiting at the living room.

 I wish I had a say in my life, I wish I was still with my mum.

If I had known about this on time, I could have find a way to run away from this place. But it's not like I've any where to run to. I have no friends, Cora banned me from having one. 

   I continued crying more. I could hear Cora laughing in the living room, More like enjoying their discussion.

How much is the Yolanda woman paying? I'm sure it's going to be such a huge payment. How can Cora be so heartless to sell me off? Is she tired of me? If anyone should leave my father's house. It should be Cora!

   The door of my room opened and I didn't bother looking up, I know it's my father and I'm so mad at him.

He's a man! And the owner of the home. Why don't he have a say? How can he allow Cora sold his daughter off!" 

  Oh good Lord. I just want to wake up and believe all this is just a very bad dream, a dream that's never going to come true.

"Moon" I heard my father's voice and it was so close and I knew he was next to me. I sat up from the bed and went to sit closer to him then hugged him in tears.

  "Daddy" I weep. His hand circled my back and he patted my hair. I could feel his tears touch my face, He was also crying and I know this isn't his fault.

"I'm sorry , Moon. I'm really sorry that I can't do anything to save you, I'm a bad father, you e every right to hate me. I'm really sorry Moon" My father whispered to me and I cried more.

  "Why father, Why. Don't you love me anymore? Why do you have to sell me off? Did I do anything? Is there anything I've to do to stop this? Is it money...? What happened Daddy!" I cried to him.

"Look at me Moon. None of this is your fault, I don't just know....I just wish there's a way I can stop this, I can't avoid leaving you, You're the only precious thing Your mother left for me after her demise. I'm really sorry that I cannot protect you from Cora, Please forgive me Luna"

___

  I walked into the living room with my bag and meet Cora sitting on the sofa , face filled with smile. Another two women sat opposite her smiling too.

I recognized Yolanda but couldn't recognize the other woman by her side.

  "Mum I'm ready" I said to Cora and she smiled.

Those wicked smile, I wish there's a way I can slap them off her face. I hate you so much for this Cora and I promise you, if I ever return to this house, I'll make sure I make you pay for whatever you're doing to my family.

  "Good Girl Luna. I know you're understanding unlike your father" She said and I smiled.

I nodded and remained quiet. Yolanda smiled and stared at me.

"She's so beautiful Cora" Yolanda complimented.

"Yes she is Yola. Luna is a very beautiful girl, and hard-working too. She's also a virgin and I'm sure she's going to make a great sell" Cora laughs.

  "A virgin? Wow! Exactly what I've been looking for. You're a genius Cora, how come you hid such beautiful wine for so long? She's sure going to make a great sell" Yola said and walked to me.

She stood in front of me and touched my cheeks, I stood still, wishing there's a way I can slap her hand off my face.

  "What's your name, beautiful one?" Ms. Yolanda asked me.

"Luna" I replied and took my eyes away from her.

  My dad had refused to come down stairs and I know he just can't stand the scene, I know for sure he'll be somewhere, hearing our discussion.

"Luna. That's a nice name, What your mom said..." I immediately cut her shut.

  "Cora, is not my mother" I snapped.

She don't deserve me, Not only me, she don't deserve to have a child, she don't deserve to be called a mother. All she knows and cares about is Money, Money and Money. Some people really have to learn that there's nothing more valuable that love. Love lasts forever especially family love but Money, Money fades with time.

  "Oh! Sorry about that." Yolanda apologized and continued.

"So, I just want to ask, Before making another move, I ant to confirm what your... Step mom just said" She said and I remained silent.

  "Are you a virgin, Luna" she asked and I kept quiet.

My step mom buckled on me to say something but I ignored her.

  "Yolanda, I think she's just scared, don't you trust me? Luna is still a virgin" Cora told her.

Wait, she's not only selling me out but as a...? What has my Virginity got to do with this? I didn't hesitate to ask her either.

  "What has my Virginity gotten to do with this? Are you selling me as a sex slave or what?" 

"That is not something you should know" Cora snapped and I nodded.

 "You can go to your room now , Luna. I'll talk to your stepmom and then I'll come fetch you" Ms Yolanda said and I nodded, walking back into my room.

I glanced at my stepmom who was still having her wicked smile plastered on her face, I rolled my eyes and walked back to my room. I've promised my father I'm not going to cry. 

I'm going to be strong and accept whatever that comes to my way, I should take this as I've if life challenges. Even do it seems so hard for me, learning to live without family. That is just the worst dream ever!