CHAPTER 7 : Confession

“Let me see. Hmmm.” Clell said while gently rubbing his chin, carefully thinking what to share and what not to share.

After thinking for a few minutes, he then continued, “There’s nothing really special about me.”

Luna laughed a bit, but she too didn’t know what to share to him. It’s hard when you want something to work, but you also can’t be totally honest to the other person. No matter how much you both try to close the gap, it wouldn’t happen until you both open up, let the other in, and just be vulnerable.

Nonetheless, it’s also not that easy because, really, it still depends if the situation called out for it. For them, they couldn’t afford to be entirely open and casually confess that, “Hey, I am a werewolf.”, it won’t work like that. They needed time to be more open. They needed time to be more real, authentic and honest. They needed time to finally allow themselves to be vulnerable and susceptible to their feelings.

“I doubt that. You seemed very special to me.” Luna blurted, while slicing her steak. For the first time, she didn’t hold back on her words and actually let that compliment slipped from her mouth. After a few minutes, however, she realized what she said and tried to save herself.

“I mean, uhm, you’re the son of a super-rich couple. You must be special of course.” She said, trying to take back the compliment she just randomly blurted.

Clell couldn’t suppress his amusement and chuckled at her. He thought how cute and innocent Luna was and how she could make his heart play a different beat just by being herself.

"Hmmm. How about we talk about our past relationship?" Clell suggested, wanting to get to know Luna more.

"What?"

"Doesn't necessarily mean love interest or something. It can be a platonic relationship."

"Well, o...okay."

"Have you ever been hurt by someone you love before?"

"I think we all experienced pain and heartache before."

"How bad was it?"

"To the point where I am having a hard time trusting and letting people in to my life."

"That bad?" Clell asked.

Luna nodded, took her wind glass and just observed blankly at the wine before saying, "Like you put your 100% trust to these people only to be shattered. That it's scary and traumatizing to be vulnerable again. Well, my turn."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I could take all the pain that person brought into your life." he comforted her, reached out for her hand and squeezed it a little.

"Uhmm, Okay, what do you want to ask me?"

"What's your relationship with your parents like?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you close or something?"

"I am close with them. They've been so hands-on in helping me with my dreams and goals."

"That's good." Luna said with a bitter smile.

A few minutes later, they finally finished eating and Clell decided to take Luna back home, just to squeeze more time to be with her.

“Uhm, our apartment is actually just near here. I can go home by myself. No worries.”

“I insist. I just want to make sure that you are home safe.”

Trying to be playful, Luna kind of teased him, “You just want to know my address. You could’ve just asked you know.” Nudging him a bit to his waist.

Clell played along, raising both his hands in the air as if he was caught by a cop red-handed.

“Well, you’re quite a detective, ma’am. I am busted.”

“Next time you do a crime, try to be more discreet or else I’ll see you in court.” Luna countered, mimicking the hand gesture of I AM WATCHING YOU.

Clell then responded with an ATTENTION hand gestures while saying, “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be a good citizen from now.” Which made Luna laugh.

In between their fun bicker and laugher, Clell told her with a sincere and serious voice, “But really, allow me to walk you home.”

And continued, “I promise to be a good boy, ma’am.” And raised his pinky. “I pinky promise.”

Luna, on the other hand, couldn’t contain the butterflies in her stomach—he’s not just handsome and cute, but he’s also fun to be with and she enjoyed his company. Not to mention, he’s also a man with substance—just by talking to him, she can tell that he’s witty and intelligent. She couldn’t stop herself from being enticed and attracted to Clell.

“I guess there’s no stopping you. Sure, you can walk me home.”

“Let’s go? Lead my way, my lady.”

“What? I am not yours.” She complained, but her face said otherwise. Even just the thought of them being together—a couple—already put her in cloud 9. It’s surprising how a person she just met not so long ago can bring so much emotion to her. She’s been happy these past few months and years, but the happiness he brought to her was different. As if she was home with him, but she still couldn’t let her guard down. Her trust issues were still there. She had been scarred before and she didn’t want to feel that kind of emotional torture again. So, she was still trying to retract and hold back.

“Not yet anyways.” He uttered with conviction.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, mister.”

Clell suddenly became serious and said, "I had fun tonight. Thank you, Luna."

Luna was quite taken aback by the sudden change of atmosphere, but she managed to thank him back--sincerely.

"I had fun, too. Thank you for giving me a wonderful night and for treating me dinner, even though I insisted to split the bill."

"That's no big deal, really, as long as it's for you."

They both fell silent after that and let the quietude lingered between them for a while. Within that brief silence, Clell was feeling sorry for Luna for experiencing too much pain before. He felt a twang in his heart upon hearing her tell her story as if he was there, at that moment, where she got her heart broken by the person she trusted the most.

"If he was the one with her, he wouldn't hurt her or break her trust. If he was the one with her, he would cherish her and make her happy all the time." These were the thoughts that kept running on his mind. He just wanted to make her happy. He just wanted to see her smile--the smile that never failed to brighten up his mood--all the time. He just wanted to obliterate the pain that she felt before.

With that, Clell realized something, "I want her to be mine. I think I love her. I am sure now that she's my mate. She makes me feel different kinds of emotions even if we barely know each other, talking to her felt like I've known her for ages." he murmured to himself.

While looking down at their feet, walking in sync, “You’re worth every effort, Luna. I’d do everything just to make you mine.” he suddenly blurted out.

“You can’t say that on a first date. Hey!” She shyly responded, furrowing her eyebrows and giving him a faint smile.

"I am not joking."

Just when the romantic tension was about to get intense, they reached her apartment. “We’re finally here.”

However, Clell was utterly determined now to make her his and for them to be together, even if that meant telling her his true identity.

Before she could even bid farewell, Clell walked slowly towards her, closing the distance between them and said, “I meant it. You’re worth every effort.”

“AND I AM SERIOUS ABOUT YOU. ABOUT THIS. ABOUT US.” He continued, putting emphasis on every word.

Luna felt his sincerity, his voice sent shivers through her spine, but the feeling of uncertainty was still dominant in her. She was still hesitant to fully open up to him. Just when she’s about to say anything, her words failed her as his lips met hers.