Chapter 8 Approaching Adulthood

 

Three years later.

The morning on the island was as peaceful as ever, but inside a small room with its windows open, arguments had become part of the daily routine. Jacob sat casually in his chair, watching Luna as she busily wrote in her book.

“Finally, after all these years, your brain has shown some improvement worth appreciating. My three years of dedication as your private tutor haven't been entirely wasted,” Jacob remarked in a teasing tone.

Luna paused her writing and shot Jacob a glare that could have killed before returning to her assignment. Despite her irritation, she couldn't deny that he had a point. Before she knew it, three years had passed, and Luna was now nineteen years old.

However, the girl still maintained her short hairstyle, with her hair reaching only to her neck. Whenever it grew even slightly longer, Luna would cut it again.

“I'm done,” Luna announced, interrupting Jacob's thoughts. She pushed her book across the table. “Now, can I go out?”

Jacob picked up the book and examined it carefully. “Stay here until I've finished checking your assignment,” he replied casually.

Luna let out a quiet snort but remained seated, although the look in her eyes made it obvious that she wanted to leave as soon as possible.

“Not bad,” Jacob said after a few minutes, placing the book on the table with a sharp slap. “But you've still made a few mistakes.”

He looked at Luna, who returned his gaze without fear. After three years of knowing each other, Luna had apparently grown bold enough to challenge him openly. Even from her expression, Jacob could see a look of hatred, as though she wanted to scratch his face right then and there.

“I've been studying with you for three years,” Luna said challengingly. “Does that mean I've graduated now?”

Jacob chuckled, repeating the word as though he'd just heard a joke. “Graduated? You must be kidding.” He poked Luna's forehead with his index finger, only for her to slap his hand away roughly. “There's still a lot you need to learn, Luna. Don't even dream about it.”

Luna abruptly stood up, forcing Jacob to look up at her. Unwilling to feel defeated, he stood as well, leaving Luna to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

“What? Are you trying to challenge me now?” he asked, his smile full of mockery.

“Hey, Mr. Rabbit Hunter.” Luna narrowed her eyes, her gaze full of defiance. “Haven't you grown tired of this island after three years? Don't you miss enjoying your freedom out there in the outside world?”

Jacob raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk forming on his lips. “You want me to leave so you can finally escape my lessons, don't you?”

“Damn it, you can read my mind,” Luna muttered under her breath, though her voice was loud enough for Jacob to hear.

With a swift movement, Jacob caught Luna by the chin, forcing her to tilt her head up and look at him again. “I won't allow you to swear in front of me, little girl,” he said in a low, teasing voice.

Luna immediately slapped his hand away. “I'm not a little girl! I'm nineteen years old. I'm an adult!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with defiance.

Jacob tilted his head, his gaze growing slightly more serious, though the smile remained on his lips. “Oh, really?”

“Yes! Of course!” Luna insisted, meeting his eyes without the slightest trace of fear.

Jacob merely raised both eyebrows, realizing that Luna was challenging him again. But there was one thing he couldn't help noticing. Luna was now taller than she had been three years ago, and certain parts of her body had become more pronounced.

A faint smirk spread across Jacob's face, as though he were about to tease her again. But before he could say anything, Luna quickly turned around and stormed away, her footsteps striking the floor in irritation.

---

The night sky hung dark over the mansion, illuminated only by the faint moonlight filtering through gaps in the foliage. The surroundings were quiet, broken only by the occasional night breeze brushing against the window curtains. Inside his bedroom, Jacob closed the book he had been reading for some time and let out a long sigh. Nights like these often left him bored, and somewhere along the way, seeking out Luna and teasing her had become his favorite way to pass the time.

“Where's Luna?” he asked casually, addressing Maci, the maid who happened to be passing his room.

“I saw Luna leave earlier with a lantern. She seemed to be heading toward the forest,” Maci replied hesitantly.

Jacob furrowed his brows. What could Luna possibly be doing in the forest at this hour? An uneasy feeling crept over him, and without giving it another thought, he grabbed his coat and headed outside in the direction Maci had mentioned.

The forest at night was far from welcoming. It was dark and silent, filled with the sound of snapping twigs beneath his feet and rustling leaves that seemed to whisper as he walked. Although Jacob had never encountered any wild animals during his stay on the island, there were still plenty of venomous snakes lurking around.

“Luna?!” he called out loudly.

Only silence answered him. Jacob continued deeper into the forest, his eyes fixed on the faint, flickering light of a lantern in the distance. It had to be Luna. He quickened his pace, but the sound of trickling water made him stop for a moment.

Near a small waterfall pool, Luna was enjoying her solitude. The cool water refreshed her body, and the peaceful surroundings helped her relax after days filled with Jacob's constant interference. With a faint smile, she let her naked body sink into the soothing coolness of the water.

“I hope he leaves this island soon,” she murmured softly, unaware that her wish was about to come true in the most awkward way imaginable.

“So, this is where you are.”

The voice startled her. Her body immediately froze, and the tranquility she had just been enjoying vanished in an instant. Luna turned quickly, only to see Jacob standing at the edge of the pool, watching her with an expression that was difficult to interpret.

“What are you doing here?” she asked tensely.

“Looking for you,” Jacob replied casually, his gaze remaining on Luna's shoulders, faintly visible in the lantern light.

Luna swallowed hard, her heart pounding. In her current situation, there was no way she could climb out of the water. Without a single piece of clothing on her body, the situation could easily turn into something far more dangerous.

“Sir, turn around,” she hissed, her tone halfway between a command and a plea.

Jacob raised an eyebrow in confusion. “There's a swimming pool at the mansion. Why go all the way into the forest just to swim? Hurry up and get out of there. It's dangerous if a snake or some other animal comes near you.”

Luna squeezed her eyes shut, crossing her arms over her chest as she tried to cover herself beneath the water. “Sir, please, turn around! I'm... I'm not wearing anything. Don't look at me!”

Her words left Jacob speechless. His eyes widened slightly as he realized what Luna meant. He immediately turned around, presenting his back to her.

“There. Now you can get out of the pool.”

Luna slowly turned her head to make sure Jacob truly wasn't looking at her. Only after she was certain did she begin climbing out of the water, her body shivering in the cool night air. However, she failed to notice that the lantern light cast her reflection clearly across the water and onto the ground. The silhouette of her slender, sensual, unclothed body appeared almost like a work of art, and it did not escape Jacob's notice.

Although his back was turned toward Luna, he couldn't avoid seeing her reflection. Jacob froze, his eyes catching every detail reflected before him. He quickly lowered his gaze, trying to redirect his thoughts, but his imagination had already begun to run wild.

“Are you done?” he asked quickly, attempting to conceal his nervousness.

Luna hurriedly put on her clothes, her face flushed red even though Jacob wasn't looking directly at her. “Yes, I'm done. Now we can leave,” she replied curtly.

Jacob turned around and watched Luna as she walked away. An unfamiliar feeling stirred within him. For the first time, he no longer saw the girl as the little child he had once known.

Jacob felt nervous. After seeing Luna's reflection in the water moments earlier, something in his own body had suddenly become uncomfortably aroused.

“What is happening to me?” he muttered in frustration.