Chapter 5 (W-What?!)

"Luna."

Nick glanced at the woman beside him sharply, but seemed to remain calm.

Luna leaned over slightly, whispering very softly in Nick's ear, her eyes shining with laughter.

"Wow, Mr. Nick, I'm starting to doubt if you really like a woman." he whispered.

Nick held his breath. His jaw hardened—then the corners of his lips moved thinly.

"How dare you!" he replied quietly.

"Remember what you should call me?"

"Oh! Nick, dear Nick." Luna replied quietly, reminded of her role.

Nick nodded his head.

Meanwhile, Donna observed them with a faint smile.

"You guys look so close each other," she said with a smile.

Nick regained his composure.

He raised his hand that held Luna's small arm, then rubbed it gently so that his mother would trust him even more.

"Of course, we are a couple, ma'am. Mom doesn't need to worry, I'm just... selective in choosing a partner." Said Nick.

"Thankfully, Mom is relieved to hear it Nick." said Donna satisfied.

But on the other hand, the fashionable-looking middle-aged woman still seemed to be observing Luna more deeply.

Interesting...

"As far as I can remember, the last time Nick had a relationship was 5 years ago, and since then, he has never been seen dating another woman at all..."

"Hmm.. It's possible that he was hiding Luna from me. But, there are a lot of rumors out there that he is not interested in women anymore." Donna thought to herself.

I don't know, the woman didn't want to bother the rumors circulating, most importantly, she wanted Nick to get married soon. It's impossible, right, that he doubts his own son?

"Luna, you look so beautiful, baby. I've been waiting for this day to come for a long time." Praise Dona by gently grabbing Luna's arm from her son. His eyes looked teary.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying, Mom?" Nick asked. He shook his head slightly to give Luna a code for the woman to calm her mother.

"Mrs. Donna..." Before Luna had time to speak, Donna cut her off first,

"Ohh Luna, your voice is so soft, dear. I really want to have a daughter like you. You really look graceful, Luna. That's right, right, Nick?" Donna smiled warmly. His hand gently rubbed the water droplets that had not yet had time to slide from his eyes.

Luna smiled sweetly looking at Donna. His hand gently rubbed the back of the woman's hand, soothing.

"Mom... Thank you for accepting me." Luna said that she called Donna 'Mom' without realizing it.

Donna nodded her head with a warm smile.

"When Nick called me Mom, his voice really disturbed my ears. But when you called me Mom, I was very touched and happy to hear it." Either telling a story or Donna intending to mock Nick.

The man who was named sighed softly, almost inaudibly, while raising one hand to massage his temples—a small gesture that only appeared when his patience was tested.

Her mother's praise for Luna flows too smoothly, too often, making her feel as if she is in the middle of a situation that is not completely out of her control. He glanced at Luna, then looked straight ahead again, holding back a faint smile that sounded more like exhaustion than reluctance, asking himself when a night of introduction could turn into an over-the-top appreciation session.

Nick leaned his body forward slightly towards Luna as he whispered,

"I told you to calm my mother, not to call her Mother." Nick's whisper made Luna realize and instantly let go of her hand from Donna.

"A-Ahh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Mrs. Donna. I shouldn't presumptuously call you Mom." Luna realized that she had just called this woman in front of her with the same call as Nick.

"Luna, you shouldn't talk like that, honey. Call me mother, I don't mind at all. I like it, Luna." Donna said calming Luna down while gently stroking Luna's head.

Nick again just sighed tiredly.

Donna raised her hand, then slowly removed the bracelet that had been looping around her own wrist. The metal shimmered softly under the light of the living room lights—definitely not a new piece of jewelry, but something that had been a part of it for a long time.

"Luna," he called quietly.

Luna gasped slightly.

"Y-Yes, Mom?"

Without much explanation, Donna grabbed Luna's wrist again. He attached the bracelet to Luna carefully, making sure the hook was in place.

"I didn't give it to just anyone, Luna, wear it."

Nick watched from the side, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. His expression completely changed.

"Mom-"

"Calm down, Nick, it's just a bracelet."

"Just a bracelet? Damn it! Isn't that bracelet from me?" Inside Nick.

He remembers the moment when he ordered it years ago.

The bracelet.

His memories flashed to a quiet jewelry boutique with bulletproof glass-encased storefronts.

A private jewelry boutique that doesn't even accept customers without promises, as the store staff holds their breath when they realize what Nick has chosen. Not a large diamond ring, nor an inheritance necklace—but a bracelet. A work whose value at the time was equated with a luxury property in downtown New York, something that was usually talked about by higher-ups, not storefrontmen. Nick only nodded briefly, handing over his black card without pause, as if such a large price was just an ordinary transaction.

And now, seeing his mother just take the bracelet off for Luna, Nick understands: it's not about luxury. This may be some kind of recognition. And Donna has never carelessly made such a statement.

I don't know what the future holds, Nick is too dizzy to think about it.

While Luna, she lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the bracelet on her wrist. There was a warmth that he couldn't explain. But of course he couldn't accept the bracelet that looked beautiful easily. But one thing that Luna realized, the price of the bracelet must be very fantastic, a nominal that may take Luna many years to be able to buy. Remembering, Nick's mother's mansion alone was enough to make Luna very amazed.

"Hey-eh? No need, Mrs. Donna. I don't deserve to wear it." Luna politely declined.

"Wear it Luna, I want you to wear it. Keep it for me." Donna paints.

Luna was silent for a moment, then said,

"Alright, thank you, Mom. I'll take care of it." Luna said she still felt bad for Donna, but how else, she didn't want to disappoint Donna if she rejected him.

"You're welcome, Luna. Behold, it looks so perfect in your hands."

Nick really couldn't believe it when the bracelet was actually wrapped beautifully in Luna's hand.

“Nick, I have to say that when I see Luna, I feel so happy.” Donna smiled brightly.

"Look, I even look like I'm going to get better, Nick," he continued.

"How about we meet Luna's parents soon, Nick? I'll arrange your wedding schedule."

"HAHH!?" Both answered compactly.

Their eyes looked perfectly rounded, surprised by Donna's statement.

"M-M-Mar-married?" Luna asked nervously.

"Ekhheem..." Nick melted the atmosphere. He adjusts his body position to keep his body looking firm and not nervous.

"Mom, we've just been dating for 2 months. We haven't thought about getting married at all." Nick said occasionally turning to Luna.

While Luna, she nodded her head to confirm Nick's words.

"Why? Are you still thinking about that damn woman, Nicky?" Donna spontaneously asked.

"You guys don't have a relationship anymore, do you?" He continued.

"In three days, you have to marry Luna, Nick! Do you want to see this cancer of mine get worse in my body?"