Chapter 3

"Mina, where have you been? I've almost called the police if you were a minute late."

"Noona..."

The worried look of dad and Kai greeted me as I enter the house. I felt bad knowing how I intentionally made them worried. But I was really upset when I found out that they were hiding something from me. 

I mean, we promised to not hide anything to each other. It was now only three of us left and I'm the only girl. It seems like they left me out because of that reason and I hate that. I hate discriminations. And I mean it.

"Mina, let me explain..."

I didn't say anything nor did I took a glance at either one of them as I walk my way to my room. 

I found myself making my way to my bedroom's terrace, slumping my arms on the railings and staring up at the sky filled with stars.  

"Huh. The sky should be looking beautiful. But why do I feel like it's...dull. "

"Because one's looking at it alone." I was surprised to hear dad's voice behind me. 

I only stayed silent as I hear him making himself comfortable beside me.

"Mina, you know..."

"Why did you lie?" I immediately cut off, desperate to hear answers.

"I did not lie, Mina...I..."I faced him, eyebrows knitting in annoyance.

"Hiding is same as lying, dad. "He was surprised, realizing his fault. 

I-I'm sorry... "

"You lied, you..." I halted myself, not knowing what to say. Tears were threatening to fall as I balled my hands into fist. "Why didn't you say anything. I feel so bad and I hate this. "

"Don't be. You did not do anything..."

"That's the point! I did not do anything! " My lips trembled as I let my emotions out. I couldn't hold the tears any longer and let it fall down, letting it take all on the pain away. 

Dad walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me, patting my back as he always do since child. I held him back and cried my hearts out like a kid, as if coming back from a nightmare. "I feel so useless. I'm sorry, dad. You might have had a hard time because of us. I'm so sorry."

"No, don't think like that, Mina. You helped me passed through the hard times. You made me come this far. And I thank you. I really do. Thank you for being my reason to live."

My chest tighten hearing his words. Why do I feel like he's saying goodbye? I held him tighter as I pressed my head on his shoulders. "Don't leave us, dad..."

He was silent for a minute that it scared me. "Don't leave..."I repeated with breaking voice. 

"Don't worry, Mina...I..."

"Dad!" Dad and I was both surprised when Kai ran to us, crying as he hugged both dad and I. In fact, it was too tight I hardly could breath.

"Uhm, Kai... "I struggled to say. But it was as if he didn't hear anything and held us even tighter. 

"I'm sorry, noona. I'm sorry, dad...I'm sorry mom! I was supposed to protect them but I failed to do so. Now Noona's crying, dad's crying and I'm crying and I know you're crying too. I need to stop crying, but my stupid eyes keep shedding tears. Stupid eyes, it's even worse than a waterfall. "He cried. It made me smile, but not that wide. Hell, who can smile at this situation?! I can't... Breath. 

"Now, Kai, I think you should... "Dad said as he tries to break the hug. I tried to get out as well but halted when hearing his words. 

"Don't take dad with you. No, not yet. "He mumbled as he shove his head between us, his hands slowly loosing free. 

I stayed at my place and closed my eyes as I cherish the moment. I don't want us to separate. I just want us to stay like this. Right where we are. 

As long as I can imagine. 

"Mina, thank you for opening up to me. Thank you for forgiving me. "

I did not say anything as a tear escaped my eye. 

It hurts how he did not even give a simple confirmation. 

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I was strolling down to where I was last night. 

No, don't get me wrong. 

I did not come for him. 

Well, partly yes. I mean, no. I mean, darn it, I don't know. But I just, wanted to see him again. 

It was already 2 in the afternoon because I woke up late. We had a movie marathon last night so, yeah. It somehow made us look like Dracula so I applied a tiny bit of concealer. Not my type of thing, but I thank my best friend , Eunna, for packing up make ups and secretly adding it to my luggage, messaged me that I needed to be the prettiest in town. 

Which I highly doubt, by the ways.  

I was already waiting for an hour, but no shadows of him can be seen, to my disappointment. The cold breeze brush through my skin, making me held my mustard colored cardigan tightly. The sky shows that a heavy rain is coming making me have second thoughts whether I should wait or go home early. 

I waited for a few minutes, and sighed as I see no sign of him. I was supposed to leave when someone suddenly call my name. 

"Mina... "My head immediately spun around hearing the familiar voice. A smile made its way to my lips. 

"Hunter... "I called. But the smile slowly vanished, seeing how different his expression is from yesterday. He looked bothered, staring at me as if he was thinking something's wrong. 

Did I... Applied too much make up. I immediately turned around, embarrassed. I knew I should've asked Eunna for make up tutorials. 

I heard him chuckle, and I can feel my cheek heating up in embarrassment. 

"Why are you looking away? "He asked. With his used voice, I knew he had a wide smile plastered on his face. 

"N-nothing. "I mentally cursed myself for stuttering. Darn it! 

"Look at me. "He said but I stayed still on my place. "I said look at me, Mystic. "My heart throbbed faster as I hear him call me by my first name. No one has ever called me that before. I didn't how it can make my heart flutter like this. Is it because of the new nickname? Or is it because he was the one who said it? 

It seems like I got back to my senses after a few minutes of thinking. Why am I here? Why did I want to see him? Why do I feel this kind of reaction? I don't really believe in things like this, but, is this love at first sight? 

No, That can't be... 

J tried to walk my way out of there. Trying to stop my heart from beating this fast. 

But I felt like it skipped a beat, when a pair of hands held my arms and turn me around so that I was facing him. My breath hitching, seeing how close his face is to mine. 

"I said look at me, Mina. Why did you try to run from me? "I gulped down as my eyes travel from his mesmerizing silver eyes, to his pointed nose, and to his pink plumped lips. I wanted to kill myself for briefly wondering how they taste like. 

"Uh... "The smile on his face somehow changed as he study my face. I think he was moving his face closer to mine and I don't know why I didn't want to move. But before I could close my eyes, he stood properly and stepped back away from me. Clearing his throat in the process. 

"So, Uhm, why you here? "He asked as he try to avoid my gaze. Is he...shy? I actually find his reaction cute. 

"Uhm, just wondering around. "I answered. Of course I didn't want to say that I was waiting for him for about an hour. That'll be too embarrassing. "How about you? Don't tell me you got lost. "

"I was, a while ago. But now I'm not. Because I found you. "His words caught me off guard, making my heart beat faster that it already was. 

"Don't surprise me like that. You're making me shy. "I muttered the last parts so that he can't hear. All I heard was a chuckle of his.

We stayed silent for a moment when I remember something. 

"I... I want to invite you to my birthday party tomorrow. "His smile suddenly dropped, shocked written on his face. 

"Y-your birthday... Is tomorrow? "I was confused of his reaction but I still nod my head. 

"Yes. Why? Is something wrong? "

"Tomorrow's the Red Moon. "He muttered that I barely heard. 

"Huh? "He was looking at me, still had his expression that was saying he couldn't believe this was happening. 

"Mina, I... nothing... Maybe, I can't go tomorrow. I have plans, I'm sorry... "

I must admit I was a bit disappointed but I can't force him to come when he has something else to do. I respect his decision. 

"It's okay. "

"But here... This is my gift for you. "He took the necklace from his neck and hand it to me. "It's a very special necklace. And Mina... "I looked at him when his voice turned serious. 

"Make sure, you use this tomorrow. Promise me. Please. "I stared at him, eyes evident with confusion but seeing how his eyes seems to hold desperation, I nod my head in accordance. 

"I promise. "

I couldn't say anything else as I accept it. It was a simple red moon pendant, but it's beautiful. About four starts where hanging beside it, making it look elegant. 

A smile formed in my lips. It was more than enough. 

"Thank you. "It was the only thing I could mutter. And I hope he knows how meaningful that is. 

I look up at him and gave the widest and most sincere smile I could give. "I really do. "

He just gave me a smile as he nod his head. 

"I just hope you know that for you, I will do anything and everything will be worth the risk. "

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End of Chapter

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