Chapter 436 Luna finally opened her heart
[Author's Note: I am still waiting for responses, Only one reader answered me... Please!]
___________________________________
"~Hmm~E~Eli~stopp~hmm~"
Luna's body quivered involuntarily whenever Eli's lips grazed her neck, a surge of heat spreading through her veins, relinquishing her control to the overwhelming sensations he evoked.
"~chu~"
"~bit~"
Each nibble and caress from Eli sent an electric current coursing down her spine, her futile attempts to resist his allure only adding to the thrill.
His heady aroma enveloped her, clouding her mind and heightening her desire.
Leaving a few tender love bites on her neck, Eli whispered softly, "Now you are truly mine~"
'Thud'
Her legs gave way beneath her, compelling her to kneel before him in submission.
'~ha~ha~' Luna gasped for air, her fingers delicately tracing the bruised imprints on her neck...
"Y-You pervert..." Luna's voice wavered, though a subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips, betraying the conflicting emotions warring within her.
"Hehe.." Eli's laughter danced in the air as he crouched down to meet her gaze, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Can I kiss you?"
Caught off guard, Luna flinched, breaking free from her trance, her eyes narrowing in defiance, "After marking me like this! Do you dare seek my permission?" she motioned towards her neck.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Eli's smirk widened, his gaze flickering teasingly to the array of lip marks adorning his chest, "I don't think you have any right to say that..." he quipped, his tone playful yet laced with undeniable desire.
Flushed with embarrassment, Luna averted her gaze, her cheeks aflame, "T-That's... you asked me," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Undeterred, Eli leaned closer, his proximity sending a shiver down Luna's spine, she leaned back and closed her eyes... but the expecting kiss never came, she opened her eyes and saw Eli staring at her lips.
"W-What?" Luna's voice faltered, her eyes widening in confusion as Eli's intense gaze lingered on her parted lips.
"This is the last chance..."
Caught off guard by the solemnity of his words, Luna's breath hitched, a sudden pang of realization settling heavily in her chest.
She longed to feel the soft press of his lips, to offer him comfort not out of obligation, but from the depths of her own affection...
Yet
"It's your daughter's body... Disgusting!!"
The color drained from her face, as though Eli's accusation had been spoken aloud, though it was merely the haunting echo of her own inner turmoil.
Luna pushed herself away from Eli, rising unsteadily to her feet, "I-I am sorry," she murmured, tears shimmering in her eyes... without a backward glance, she moved to leave, the forgotten book lying abandoned on the floor.
Eli's gaze lingered on the book, a silent acknowledgement of the confusion within Luna.
"Walk out that door... and you'll walk out of my heart!"
"!!!" Luna flinched at his words, turning to meet Eli's dead serious gaze.
"W-Why?" Her words stumbled out, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm? Didn't I clearly say that this is your final chance?" Eli's voice carried a note of firmness as he tilted his head slightly, studying Luna's reaction.
"T-That's... I..." Luna's voice trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor in uncertainty, unable to offer a satisfactory response to Eli's probing question.
"Luna... I have waited patiently, but the weight of this prolonged uncertainty is only serving to fracture my heart further..." Eli's words were tinged with a hint of sadness as he rose from his seat, taking a moment to wear his shirt.
"W-Wait..." Luna's complexion paled even further, a sense of urgency creeping into her voice.
"Luna, I understand that everyone harbours their own secrets, but if you don't allow others to enter your heart... I fear they might move on," Eli's words carried a weight of sincerity, though he wasn't entirely serious, merely attempting to draw closer to her.
Luna's face turned even paler upon hearing his words; she was well aware of what Eli was implying.
Biting her lip, Luna asked, "I-I... Can you give me a little more time?... just a little is fine... Please"
Even though she knew her fate was sealed, she couldn't bear the thought of Eli moving on. She wished for at least one person to mourn her death.
Observing her continued hesitation, Eli decided to press her further, seizing the book in his hand as he remarked, "Is this book more important than me, then?"
Startled, Luna glanced at her hand; she had completely forgotten about the book. Looking back at Eli, she stammered, "G-Give me—"
But before she could finish her sentence, Eli cut her off, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of disappointment, "I asked you if this book holds more to you than I do?"
"T-That..." Luna's expression turned grim as she found herself torn between Eli and the book, a silent battle raging within her heart.
"I see..." Recognizing her inner turmoil, Eli sighed heavily and tossed the book aside, his resolve hardening as he commanded, "Leave."
As the book landed before her with a dull 'thud,' Luna's eyes widened in shock, feeling as though Eli had cast her out of his heart along with it.
"N-N...N..No..." Luna's voice wavered with fear when he turned around, a sense of desperation creeping into her tone as she faced Eli's back, feeling as though he was repulsed by her very presence.
"E-Eli," Luna took trembling steps toward him, her voice trembling as she struggled to articulate her thoughts, "W-Why are you doing this?
Why are you forcing me?...
I-I cannot...
I am sorry...
But... I-I really don't know...
Please... D-Don't cast me aside... Please," she pleaded, her hand clenching and hesitating to reach out and touch Eli's back.
"..." Eli clenched his teeth, feeling the weight of the moment. He knew he had to gather his resolve, or she would never open up to him. If he didn't break through her defences now, she would continue to lock herself away, unable to share what was troubling her.
Seeing him not turning back,
'Drip, Drip'
Luna's eyes welled with tears, her emotions pouring out like a dam bursting. With lifeless eyes, she whispered through choked sobs, "I... I... am.... Au... Aur...
Aurora...."
She didn't want to reveal this truth, yet it was all that remained. If she ran away now, she might regret it as she had when she left her friend behind.
"Then..." Eli's voice was firm as if he didn't care.
Luna's face grew even paler, her trembling lips barely able to form the words, "M-My name is Aurora, Eli.... I'm Luna's mother."
"Mother of Luna... ah? So where is Luna then?" Eli turned to face her pale and tear-streaked visage. His heart ached at the sight, longing to wipe away her tears, but he knew he had to shatter the illusion she had constructed around herself.
Seeing Eli's casual demeanour, Luna feared he might not believe her, "I-I am telling the truth. I am Aurora!"
"Yes, I understand. Then where is Luna?" Eli pressed, his tone gentle yet insistent.
"L-Luna...?" Luna frowned, puzzled by Eli's question. "I am Luna?"
"Hmm..? Then who is Aurora?" Eli tilted his head in confusion.
"My mother... no, I am," Luna began, her thoughts becoming muddled.
"You? How can you be both Luna and her mother?" Eli questioned, his brow furrowing in perplexity.
"Tsk, Whatever," Eli simply shrugged, causing Luna to flinch again, "W-Why?"
"Why? Why should I care whether you are Luna or her mother? All I want is to know if the woman before me... is in love with me or not! That's all," Eli declared, his expression serious and unwavering.
"H-Huh?" Luna's expression shifted to one of surprise. "What are you talking about? Don't you care who I really am?"
Eli simply smiled and tenderly touched her cheek, saying, "Whoever you are... I am in love with you. There's nothing more or less to it."
Luna's face crumpled with emotion as she gazed into Eli's genuine and accepting eyes. Unable to contain herself any longer, she threw herself into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably, "I lovveee yoouu....aaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww!!"
Eli sighed with relief and held her tightly as Luna finally released the emotional burden she had been carrying. She proceeded to confide in him, sharing every detail of her life.
She cried and cried... pouring her heart out until there were no tears left in her eyes and no chapters in her life.
Eli did nothing but listen to her....
And soon...
"I-I am sorry," Luna said softly as she withdrew from the comfort of Eli's chest, her voice laden with remorse.
"What for?" Eli's inquiry was gentle, his eyes filled with understanding as he regarded Luna with compassion.
Luna's gaze fell to the floor, her words barely a whisper, "For not addressing your feelings sooner."
With a tender touch, Eli lifted Luna's chin, his touch reassuring as he met her gaze. "Do you love me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet weighted with anticipation.
"... Yes," Luna admitted, a soft blush tingeing her cheeks as she held Eli's unwavering gaze, her heart laid bare before him.
"...." Eli's gaze lingered on her face, his mind grappling with the complexity of her emotions. He longed to ease her pain, to offer comfort in a way that words could not express.
Luna smiled seeing him trying to comfort her but he couldn't find any words, "I-It's fine... You don't nee--" Eli gently pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her with his understanding.
Unable to find the right words, Eli searched for a different way to convey his concern, "What do you want?" he asked softly, his voice filled with genuine care.