Chapter 6 (Nick Luton Lancaster)

“In three days, you must marry Luna, Nick! Do you want to see my cancer get worse in my body?” Donna threatened her son.

“Mom, you can’t force me to marry her because of your illness.” Nick said.

“I don’t want to drag this out, Nick. Marry Luna. As soon as possible.”

Nick stared at his mom with tension he couldn’t hide. His jaw tightened.

“No.”

One word. Firmly.

“You brat! I’m sick right now, Nick! Can’t you just listen to me this once? Don’t be so stubborn!”

The living room suddenly felt stuffy, as if the air inside the luxurious mansion had become tense. The crystal chandelier continued to glow elegantly, the Italian marble underfoot remained cold, but the conversation between mother and son made the atmosphere seem to heat up without fire. The tone of voice that had been restrained now clashed, soft but sharp, hitting the high walls that were accustomed to keeping family secrets.

Luna was a little confused. Her eyes darted back and forth between Donna and Nick repeatedly.

“If you still refuse to marry, get out of this mansion, Nick!” Donna raised her voice.

“Even if I die, you might not even visit my grave!” she added.

Luna was slightly startled by Donna’s statement.

"Hey, Mrs. Donna, no, don’t say that. Here, listen to me. Cancer can be cured, you have to always think positively and keep fighting," said Luna as she gently guided Donna to sit on the expensive Italian leather sofa, making sure she was calm and steady.

The middle-aged woman sat gracefully, her eyes capturing Luna’s sincere attention amidst the opulence of the living room.

“See? You’ve made Luna feel so uncomfortable that she no longer calls me Mom, Nick!” she snapped.

Nick was silent for a moment, then said,

“Alright, I... I’ll do it. I’ll do it.”

I’ll do it.

One sentence slipped clearly from Nick’s mouth.

Luna was stunned.

Her eyes widened perfectly, while her body froze in place as Nick's words slipped out so easily. Her breath caught, her heart beating wildly, as if the decision had come too suddenly for her to process.

In a second, Luna turned her body to look Nick straight in his eyes, then said,

“WHAT??!”

“W-We can’t mar—”

“Luna, you willing to marry my son, right?” Donna’s expression was beaming with joy, completely different from just a few minutes ago.

“No!” Luna shook her head instinctively.

Donna looked at Luna in confusion, her brow furrowed. She fell silent as Luna spontaneously voiced her refusal. It wasn't anger that appeared on her face, but rather restrained surprise.

“Listen, Mrs. Donna, me and Nick jus—”

“Hey..”

Nick quickly moved, wrapping his arm around Luna in a spontaneous gesture—not forcefully, not aggressively, just close enough to ease the tension.

“Mom, she’s just surprised,” he said quickly, his tone soothing.

“Let us talk for a moment, Mom.” Donna looked at them both for a moment, then nodded slowly, letting the tension ease even though her eyes held many questions.

***

The night air in the mansion's courtyard felt more relaxed, even though the tension had not completely disappeared. The garden lights were dimly lit, illuminating the rocky path and the perfectly manicured lawn.

Nick stood before Luna, his hands in his jacket pockets, his body straight as he looked at Luna.

“Luna, marry me.”

Nick spoke without a hint of doubt in his eyes.

“What do you want? I’ll grant all your wishes.” He continued.

“No!”

“Aren’t we just pretending to be a couple?” Luna replied firmly.

“I don’t like you, Mr. Nick! I don’t want to marry an old man like you!”

“You don’t know who I am, Luna?” Nick raised his eyebrows slightly. He was certain he could easily get a woman like Luna.

"Of course, I know you. You're my kidney stone patient, Mr. Nick Luton." Luna replied innocently.

Nick narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips lifting slightly—not a smile, but a confidence he had known for too long. For him, his name and status were always enough to make anyone think twice. But Luna's innocence cut through that arrogance without mercy. She referred to him not as a powerful man, not as someone to be feared or desired, but simply as a patient with kidney stones.

“Listen, Luna. I’m a—”

“Why? Have you forgotten your own name?”

For a moment, Nick lost his words, as if the identity he had always pride himself on crumbled under a single simple sentence. Luna made him really high tension, making his emotion exploded.

Did Luna truly not know who Nick really was?

Nick Luton Lancaster.

Not just a name at the top of a New York corporation—he was a symbol of power working in silence. It was impossible for the financial elite, conglomerate owners, and global political circles not to know him. In closed-door meetings of Fortune 500 CEOs, his name was often mentioned with caution; among big-time investors and old tycoons, he was treated not as a newcomer, but as a major player whose influence was difficult to ignore— . His every move is measured, his every decision capable of moving trillions of dollars without the need for loud voices or exaggerated gestures. His wealth stretches from glass towers in the heart of Manhattan to strategic assets neatly scattered across developing countries, flowing like a network of veins that supports his business empire.

He is accustomed to living among luxuries that need not be flaunted—limited edition watches worth more than an elite district, custom-made cars without flashy logos, and mansions that stand majestically yet remain untouched by gossip. For Nick, true power is not about what people see, but what he can control. The world is a place where money opens almost every door, and Nick Luton is the man who holds the keys.

Behind his dominance and brilliance, he is also the obsession of many women. His calm face, cool authority, and unquestionable wealth make him an ideal figure—not only because of what he has, but because of the aura of power that surrounds him. Dinner invitations, introductions, and approaches wrapped in elegance came one after another, but Nick Luton remained an untouchable man, as if the world could only admire him from a safe distance. There was only one woman who had ever touched his heart, a long time ago. Nick had forgotten her.

Nick stared at Luna more intently. His masculine body moved closer to Luna, trying to intimidate her.

“Do you know what Luton Lancaster means?” Nick began to show off to her.

“Hmm, it means...” Luna began to think.

A few seconds of silence.

“Sure! I know it. Luton Lancaster, that’s your name! It means you have a great name.” Luna answered.

Nick couldn't believe Luna's answer.

"The Lancaster family is a top-notch family. Any socialite would want to marry into it, Luna! But this silly girl hears my name and stays indifferent!" Nick thought to himself.

"OH GOD!!" Luna suddenly gasped and covered her mouth with both hands in shock.

Nick raised his eyebrows, hoping she had realized who she was talking to.

“ARE YOUUUU....”

Nick smirked, finally Luna realized who the Lancaster family was.

“A-ARE YOU A SECRET AGENT, MR. NICK?!”

"Holy crap!" he cursed.

Nick sighed heavily.

His eyes stared sharply at Luna.

"You idiot! Don't play around with me, Luna. I'll ask you one more time, stutterbug!" Nick raised his hand, grabbed Luna's cheek, and squeezed it.

“Are you willing to marry me or not?”

.

.

“The world is a place where money opens almost every door, and I am the man who holds the key...”

~Nick L. Lancaster.