At Changmin's house, Jihoon and Luna sat on the chairs in his office.
Luna had intended to come alone to ask for permission for the Japan trip and she didn't want to bring Jihoon along because seeing Min put him off but he didn't want Luna to come alone for the same reason.
But thankfully she wasn't at home.
"Im not sure, Sweetie." Changmin said indecisively, "I think you need a constant, normal and stable environment for now, and you have yet to visit the therapist as well."
"Uncle, I know how worried you are about me, and for that Im so so grateful, you're like a dad, and your worry is reasonable, heck Im worried about me too and that's why Ill be taking the butler with me."
Changmin smirked, he knew she was trying to sweet talk him into it,
"Oh, the butler going was already a given."
Luna sighed, "Uncle, please."
"After my meeting this Monday, we can all go together." Changmin offered.
"No! I dont want to go with you." She whined, "I have to go for a club activity WITH the club!"
"Luna, you haven't been in an educational institute for a while, for now I think you should focus on your studies." Changmin tried to calmly make her understand but she continued to whine.
"Ill go with her." Jihoon said.
Luna and Changmin both turned to him, surprised.
"You?" Luna asked incredulously, "Why would you go?"
Jihoon looked at Changmin, "Iv been wanting to go on a vacation for months, a weekend getaway sounds nice. Plus Ill babysit Luna too."
Luna was about to hit his head but Changmin seemed to be pondering this.
He looked at Luna's big pleading eyes, "Fine."
☾
Luna entered Haemin's gate and walked to the back,
She had to inform Joy that Jihoon would be coming along and Joy texted her to meet her at the lair.
Luna knew the way but it was a bit tricky.
The elevator that took you to it was inside the house near the laundry room, so there was a chance for her to get caught by Haemin's mother.
*meow~*
Luna whipped around, it was the cat that took away the injured bird.
"Hey you, I wondered when you'd be coming around again."
The cat blinked.
"I have to go meet my friend right now, when I come back, you and I can go back to my house and Ill give you a sausage."
*meow..*
Luna smiled and opened the back door,
The cat upped and ran inside,
Luna gasped and ran after her, "No cat, this isn't my house."
The cat galloped in the kitchen's direction and Luna lost sight of her and bumped into a person (Haemin's mom).
"Im so sorry." Luna bowed.
The woman was thrown off for a moment but she collected herself,
"Ill leave now." Luna uttered and started to back away.
"Since, you're already here, why don't you come in, I need to say something to you."
Luna sucked in a breath and followed her into the drawing room.
In her mind she was already apologizing to Joy and Haemin for being such a disappointment, she couldn't get in the lair even once on her own.
Mrs. Lee sat on the sofa and Luna was about to sit on the one in front of her when she said,
"You don't need to sit, it'll only take a minute."
Luna clasped her hands in front of her and stood there obediently.
"You're Charlize's daughter right?"
Luna nodded,
Oh boy, she knows my mother, so she either hates me or loves me, Luna thought.
Mrs. Lee sighed,
"Look, Haemin is a very sweet and kind boy, and way too nice for his own good."
Luna nodded again, "Yes, he is."
"Well I hope you're not taking advantage of that." Mrs. Lee said curtly.
"Im not.." Luna's voice came out timid and low.
"Then why are you here?" The accusation in her voice shook Luna, "Why was he with you at the engagement party, why did he disappear with you for a whole day? Why did he go against me and my husband for you, when he has not once done that? Why are you friends with him?" She roared.
Luna pursed her lips
"Im sorry I cant be nice to you, I truly am,"
No, I don't think you are. Luna said in her mind.
"But you have to understand where Im coming from, no mother would want their child to be around someone who practically grew up in prison."
"I have to go." Luna's voice came out squeaky, she turned to leave.
Mrs. Lee grabbed her wrist, "He's my only child, please leave him alone."
Luna clenched her jaw and freed her wrist harshly.
She turned and glared at Mrs. Lee, "No."
Her eyes widened.
"Thank you for the advice but Im afraid I cant help you."
Mrs. Lee scoffed, "What?"
Im sorry Mrs. Lee, Luna said in her mind.
"I wont leave Haemin."
Im going to be a little selfish, just this once.
"I can't."
She walked away leaving behind an infuriated Mrs. Lee.
She got in the elevator and punched the button for it to halt. She slid down the wall, her breaths shallow.
As she did, her anger went down as well.
And remorse cascaded its shadow over her.
She put her face in her hands as she crouched and wished to disappear completely.
She basically told Haemin's mother that she could go screw herself.
But before she could get swallowed by guilt, she recalled Jade's words, and justified herself.
"You need to learn to take things for yourself. No one else will ever truly understand, why you want what you want."