Chapter 7 (Stutterbug)

“Will you marry me or not?”

“Nope!” The refusal came out of Luna’s mouth, firm and without hesitation. Her hand pushed Nick's hand away from her cheeks—hard enough to create distance between them.

Luna stared at Nick with cold, cynical eyes. Her gaze slowly scanned Nick—from his perfectly styled black hair, His sharp jawline was clearly visible, without smiling, to his expensive suit that was clearly not made by just any tailor. Those shiny leather shoes... too perfect.

Too expensive. Too annoying.

Her gaze repeated, moving up and down, as if appraising an exhibition piece too expensive to touch—and too flawed to own.

“Cold. Arrogant. Annoying."

"This man is even colder than a block of ice.”

“What kind of women would want to marry him?”

“Pfft. Even a cat would run away from him." Luna's mind hissed sharply. Her hand moved reflexively, rubbing her cheeks, which still felt warm—the mark of Nick's touch a few minutes ago. The anger hadn't evaporated; instead, it thickened in her chest.

“This is the first time I’ve ever proposed to a woman,” Nick finally said. His voice was low, flat, yet heavy with tension. There was a hint of disbelief held back neatly there.

“And you dare to reject me?”

Luna lifted her chin slightly, staring at the man without flinching.

“Listen, Luna,” Nick continued, his voice growing firmer, filled with the confidence that always clung to him.

“Don’t waste this opportunity. There are many women out there who would love to marry me.”

“Pfft,” Luna snorted lightly, clearly dismissive.

“Well, then, marry one of them!” she said, her voice stumbling slightly with emotion.

“You—!”

Nick’s index finger shot up, stopping right in front of Luna’s face. His jaw tightened, the muscles at his temples tensing.

For the first time in a long while, Nick Luton—the CEO who was usually obeyed without question—lost control of the situation.

He hadn't expected it.

Not at all.

She was not flinched.

Luna turned and walked away. But after just a few steps, she stopped. Her shoulders rose and fell, holding back emotions that were about to explode.

She spun her body 180°, glaring at Nick.

“Listen, Mr. Nick!” her voice rose, stuttering with emotion.

“I-I don’t stutter! Don’t ever call me a stutterbug!”

After that, Luna simply walked away, leaving Nick standing stiffly in his place.

Nick stared at Luna's back as she began to walk away from him, his gaze now dark and unreadable.

For the first time, his belief that money and power could buy anything slowly crumbled. This woman is rebellious, not easily charmed, and instead maintains her ego—something that rarely happens in Nick Luton’s life.

“Ugh,” Nick muttered irritably.

“I-I-I-I don’t stutter,” he mumbled, mimicking Luna’s tone with a mocking edge.

“You stupid woman, you just stuttered.”

But for some reason, the taunts did not give him the satisfaction they usually did.

***

Luna hurried back into the grand mansion. The high ceilings, sparkling crystal chandeliers, cold Italian marble—everything felt oppressive tonight.

She headed toward the living room without noticing Donna was already sitting there.

“Wait, Luna—”

“Hey, Luna, what’s wrong?” Donna stood up quickly, interrupting Nick who had just entered. Donna’s face looked worried.

“What happened? Did Nick make you angry?”

“He’s always cursing at me,” Luna replied quickly, her tone annoyed.

"He’s calling me a stutter, even though I speak normally like everyone else," she continued.

Luna glared at Nick sharply, like a child complaining about being teased.

"Now every time I talk to him, I stutter immediately. If I marry him—" she sighed irritably,

“—I might end up mute.”

Nick just stood there, leaning casually against the wall, listening to Luna’s rant without a hint of guilt.

“Nick, watch your mouth!” Donna warned her son with a sharp glance—the same icy stare Nick had when he was angry.

“She can’t speak properly to em,” Nick replied flatly.

“Is it my fault if I call her stutter?”

“W-W-What?” Luna’s eyes widened, her head snapping toward Nick.

“See?” Nick raised his thin eyebrows, as if he had just proven his statement.

“Don’t you ever call her a stutter, Nick! I’ll kick you out of this mansion if you dare call her that again!”

“Luna,” Donna gently took the woman’s hand.

“You’re such a sweet girl. Anyone would like you, dear.”

Without releasing her grip, Donna turned sharply toward Nick.

“You’re an idiot! Apologize to her, Nick!”

“I need to call someone right now,” Donna continued.

“Before I come back, you need to make her feel comfortable here, Nick.”

Donna walked away, leaving the two people with equally stubborn egos.

Luna moved away and sat down on the luxurious, plush sofa. Her hands were folded across her chest, her face clearly still angry.

Unexpectedly, Nick stepped closer. The aura of authority still clung strongly to him. He stood tall in front of Luna, his hands in his pants pockets.

“I’m sorry.”

His tone was cold. Stiff. Clearly not the kind of apology he usually offered.

Luna remained silent.

In her heart, she smiled contentedly.

Nick Luton... was apologizing to her.

"Ekhheem...”

Nick sat down beside Luna. Too close.

“Lunaaa...” he said again, this time more softly, though his smile seemed forced.

“Forgive me.”

But Luna still crossed her arms and turned away.

Nick sighed.

Shit.

Why does apologizing feel harder than signing a billion-dollar contract?

“Damn it! If it weren’t for Mom, I never would have done something this stupid.” Nick muttered to himself.

“Lunaaa, please forgive me, okay?” His voice was now truly soft, as were the gaze and smile he gave Luna.

“Hmmmm? Forgive me?”

Luna remained silent.

“Forgive meeeee...?” Nick sighed impatiently, raising his voice and shifting his gaze away from Luna, giving up on the charade.

No, he couldn't act like a dumb man anymore. Nick was fed up with this. His pride was more important than anything else. It was impossible that he had to persuade the woman in front of him just because of something trivial, right?

“I’m done.” He muttered.

“Don’t forget my complaints and lawsuits, Luna!” Nick threatened in his usual icy tone.

Luna, who had been silent all along and enjoying how Nick was apologizing to her, suddenly widened her eyes.

Quickly, she leaned in closer, now it was her turn to seduce him.

“Uh-Uhm... Mr. Nick, don’t worry, I forgive you. And I can be your girlfriend for a whole night.” Shw said softly, her smile spreading widely to Nick.

“Marrying you seems impossible for me...” she continued.

Nick turned his head, looking at Luna.

“Alright, then stay here tonight,”

“Not as a girlfriend,”

"As mine..."

.

.

“I’m used to getting whatever I want with a single signature or command. But Luna… is the only woman who dared to refuse me without fear—and that’s where, without me realizing it, my defeat began.”

~Nick L. Lancaster.