Chapter 12

I’m so sorry, Luna, but I have to leave now,” Claudia said, pulling her phone from her pocket. She handed it to me. “Here, can I get your contact please? I’d love to keep in touch.”

I smiled and quickly typed in my number. “Sure, I’d like that.”

With that, Claudia bid me goodbye, and I watched her leave the restaurant. I waved to Pa Kevin and Matilda on my way out, thanking them again for their kindness, and then headed home.

Back in my room, I rummaged through my closet and pulled out a beautiful dress my mom had given me for my twentieth birthday. Holding it up against myself, I stood in front of the mirror and twirled, admiring how it hugged my body perfectly.

For a moment, I let myself dream. I had signed up for a modeling contest once, right after receiving this dress, but I didn’t make it past the casting call.

I sighed, brushing my hand over the fabric. It had been nearly three years since I started chasing the idea of a modeling career, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t for me.

Even though people said I was beautiful, I had missed too many rehearsals, failed to focus during practice, and let myself get lost in distractions. My coach who always believed in my potential had scolded me countless times, but I couldn’t take the pressure.

Eventually, I gave up and abandoned the dream entirely. Looking at the dress now, I felt a pang of regret but also a sense of acceptance. Maybe some dreams weren’t meant to be.

Or could it be the start of something new,

Meeting Claudia felt like fate, maybe even a shot at resurrecting the dream I thought I had buried.

Could I reach out to her? Tell her about my aspirations? I’d always loved fashion; it was even my idea for Mom to open the children’s clothing store. But what if Claudia thought I was presumptuous? What if she dismissed me before I could even try?

“Get a grip, Luna,” I muttered to myself, shaking off the creeping doubt. “You just met her. Stop building castles in the air.”

But the thoughts wouldn’t stop. “No, I can’t tell her,” I said aloud, as if trying to convince myself.

“Can’t tell who what?”

I froze and spun around to see Mom standing at the doorway, her arms crossed and an amused smile playing on her lips.

“Mom! You scared me!”

“Scared you? I’m the one who’s scared. Who were you talking to? There’s no phone in your hand, and I didn’t hear you make a call.”

“Mom, were you eavesdropping?”

“Eavesdropping?” She scoffed, feigning indignation. “Your door was wide open. I walked in and found you talking to yourself. What’s going on? Don’t tell me my daughter has developed superpowers and started talking to ghosts.”

“Mom, stop!” I groaned, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. “It’s nothing. I was just… uh…”

“Well, I just met someone today who happens to be a model, so I was wondering if I could, you know…”

I trailed off, but Mom didn’t let me finish. “Yes, Luna, tell her! This could be your only chance.”

“Mom, no,” I protested, walking over to sit on my bed. “Maybe some other time. Not now.”

Mom followed me, her tone softening as she sat beside me. “Luna, you’ve always had big dreams. Don’t let fear hold you back. You have to start somewhere.”

I sighed, brushing my hands over the quilt. “But still, we just met. I can’t bring that up. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Why not? If you don’t ask, how will you ever know?”

Her words lingered in the air, but I shook my head. “It’s not like I wanted to chase modeling because I cared about being famous or anything. I just…” I paused, searching for the right words. “I just wanted to walk out there, to command the crowd’s attention, to exude confidence and style and have heads turn.”

Mom smiled knowingly. “And that’s enough of a reason, Luna. You don’t have to want it for anyone else but yourself.”

Your right mom, thanks,I can always count on you with that. I gave her a hug.

It was just another day at the store, calm and uneventful, until Stacy and her nanny walked in.

“Hello, luna, how are you?” her nanny greeted warmly, though her expression seemed a little frazzled. “Please, I need a favor. There’s an emergency I need to attend to, and I was supposed to leave Stacy at school so her dad could pick her up later. But she refused. She insisted on staying here with you.”

The nanny sighed, looking apologetic. “I’m so sorry, but could she stay here for about thirty minutes? Her dad is already on his way; I called him earlier.”

Before I could respond, Stacy turned her big, hopeful eyes to me and said, “Please, luna?”

I couldn’t resist that face. “Of course, Stacy. You can stay with me.”

“Yay! We’re going to have so much fun!” she cheered, running to take a seat.

“Thank you, Luna,” her nanny said, relief evident in her tone. “Stacy, please don’t stress luna out, okay?”

“I won’t!” Stacy replied with a bright smile. With that, the nanny left, leaving the two of us alone.

I walked over to Stacy, determined not to let her get bored. She was full of energy and, unsurprisingly, had a million questions for me. I answered each one, trying to keep her entertained.

Then I decided to turn the tables. “So, Stacy, tell me about your dad.”

Her eyes lit up. “My dad is the best man in the whole world! He takes care of me, buys me gifts, and we go on vacations together with Nancy. We have a really big house with a pool, a huge garden, and my very own playroom. My dad says I’m his princess!”

“That sounds amazing,” I said with a smile. “And what about your mom?”

Her face fell slightly, and she hesitated before replying. “Well… I don’t know my mom. I’ve never met her. I don’t even know what she looks like. Dad doesn’t talk about her, but I hope I get to meet her one day.”

Her words tugged at my heart. I instantly regretted asking the question. “Oh, Stacy, I’m so sorry,” I said softly, but before the mood could sink further, I leaned in with a bright smile. “But you know what? I bet your mom would be so proud of you. You’re the smartest and most amazing little girl.”

Her face brightened again, and she grinned. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” I assured her. “Now, why don’t we draw something while we wait for your dad?” 

Stacy was happy to draw, and for a while, I managed to keep her entertained. But as the hours passed, panic began to creep in. It had been over two hours since her nanny left, and her father still hadn’t arrived. I tried to keep my worry hidden from Stacy, keeping my tone light and my smiles frequent.

Stacy ate the food and fruits her nanny had packed for her before leaving, but as dusk settled outside the store, my anxiety deepened. It was getting late, and I needed to close.

“Luna, I’m worried about Stacy,” Mom said quietly, her brows furrowed. “Could something bad have happened? Maybe we should take her to the police station.”