8:00 AM, 7th of August.
I woke up with arms wrapped around me. I tried not to move to not wake up Nate. I looked back at what happened last night, and I could feel my cheeks burning up.
I honestly thought Nate was a virgin, but no virgin can do what he did last night. I can't even begin to fathom.
Who is he? Who is Nathaniel Cooper?
He doesn't have anything in his room telling me about who he is and his past. Everything about him is a mystery, and yet he knows everything about me.
I tried to move one of his arms away from me. When I had successfully done it, I stood up and then picked up my clothes and undies lying on the floor. I hurriedly put on the clothes and snatched boxer shorts from his drawer.
I slowly opened the door of his room, making sure not to wake him up. I bet he needs more rest than I do. I chuckled. When I was in his living room, I still saw no sign of his family or background. All I saw were frames with stock photos on it and some art pieces.
I grabbed my bag and went out of his apartment. An old lady was by the door, to my surprise.
"Oh, hello! Aren't you the girl he took from the party?" she asked, scanning me from head to toe.
"Uhmm..." I was lost for words to answer, so I just moved past her and inside the elevator.
Phew! That was his aunt for sure, and I can probably guess what went through her head when she saw me in the same clothes as yesterday with Nate's boxer shorts and disheveled hair.
As soon as I got to the ground floor, I stormed out of the apartment building and called for a cab. "92nd Street at Bells Avenue," I said as I hopped in the cab.
I took my phone out and checked for missed calls or unread messages. Still, I was shocked to see a lot of notifications both from my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
"What the hell?" I mumbled, trying not to distract the driver. I saw tons of pictures and videos of me at the club last Friday. I scratched my head thinking that Grandfather will definitely see this and call my attention again.
"Fuck," I cursed, knowing that my actions will definitely have its repercussions.
I checked for unread messages and saw a lot from Valerie asking where I am. She wants me to explain the video of Nate and me making out on the dance floor. She even informed me that she has successfully bagged Chase Jimenez. Naughty girl!
I shook my head and thought to answer her when I got back to school. I scrolled for other unread messages and saw my weekend manager's message.
"Hey, Selene,
I got the message from your boyfriend telling me that you can't come in because you got the nasty flu. He perfectly explained why you can't go and that I shouldn't fire you on your first day.
Just get some good rest, dear. We'll see you next week."
I don't know what Nate said to my manager, but I guess all is well, and I even got a day off today. Should I have just stayed at Nate's apartment?
I shook my head, disagreeing with my own thought. "That would be dangerous," I told myself. I can't be with him. Not now nor ever. I'm too broken, and I will just hurt him in the process. It was a mistake and mistake that should not be made again.
I arrived at home when I saw Mrs. Gibbs walking back and forth at our front door.
"Mrs. Gibbs, are you okay?" I asked. My voice startled her, and she ran to me.
"Oh, dear God, Luna! I was worried when you didn't come home for two nights," she said worriedly, checking up on me. "Where have you been, and whose clothes are you in?
"It's been one hell of a roller coaster for me, Mrs. Gibbs. I really want to rest," I said, opening the door to our apartment. She tried to stop and warn me, but I was surprised to see my grandfather sitting across from the living room with mom.
"I was trying to tell you, but--" Mrs. Gibbs said, but I gestured that it's okay and that I'll be fine. I closed the door behind me and walked up to greet my Grandfather by the living room.
"Grandfather," I said, bowing my head in shame, knowing that I am in another man's clothes.
"I see that you're back in your old ways, my dear granddaughter. Have you not learned a lesson this past year?" He asked with a stern voice. I could feel the tension in the air. I looked at the mom but got annoyed for looking disappointed at me. How could she? When she is the one who has been banging any guy she meets, bringing them here and leaving me to do all the responsibilities for this house?
"You know, out of conscience and as your grandfather, I took the liberty to continue paying for your senior year, hoping that you will change for good. Yet, you failed me. Again," he said, emphasizing the last word.
"Grandfather, it was just a party. I didn't do drugs. We were just drinking till we got wasted. I have been doing well in school, and besides, it wasn't my name on the tab," I said. I want to let him know that I can't help but feel tempted by what my life was before despite my desperate move to be an exemplary student.
"Are you sure that it wasn't your name on the tab?" he asked again.
"I-I was sure. Valerie told me that she and the girls will take care of it. I haven't asked a penny from your Grandfather ever since you've banished us from the manor," I answered, but he laughed.
"And should I feel indebted to you or grateful for you not asking a penny, my dear child?"
"No, that wasn't what I am--"
"Excuses Luna. You should know by now that I hate liars and opportunists," he said, slapping the table in front of him that made me and mom more anxious.
"It was your name on the tab, and since you're a minor, it was all directed to your father and then through me. I explicitly told your Headmistress that you should be an exemplary student, or you will say goodbye to your senior year. I will not care if you live in the streets. Be even grateful that I am letting you finish your studies," he said. Grandfather has always been absolute with his words. No one dares to go against him, except my mother.
I dropped down to my knees and clasped my hands together, begging for my Grandfather to give me another chance to redeem myself.
"Forgive me, Grandfather. I didn't mean to be another cause of your headaches. I know the manor has been difficult, and it wasn't my intention to bring another problem on your plate. I just missed my life before. I wanted to have a taste of it again. I was tempted, but I will not succumb to it again. I promise you. If I do break this promise, you can do whatever you want with me," I begged, giving him an ultimatum that I know he would want.
"Be careful what you are saying, Luna, or you might regret it in the future," he said.
I wait for his reply while still on my knees, praying that he will let me stay at Greenfield University. Then I heard him snapping his finger, signaling his secretary.
"Lady Luna, please stand and take this," the secretary said, tapping my shoulder telling me to stand. I took the envelope he handed out to me and looked inside. It was cash.
"Use that to pay off your debts and save the rest for your needs," Grandfather said. All I could do was look at him with a confused look. He turned to mom and said, "And you, Mrs. Harper, will be nowhere near that cash. Only your daughter has the right to use it. Do you understand?" Mom just nodded as an answer. I know Mom felt insulted by Grandfather's orders, but she knew she had it coming.
Grandfather stood up and went to the door, his guards and secretary walking behind him. "I'll be watching you, my dear," he said with a threatening voice without even bothering to glance my way.
When he was finally out of our sight, I fell down to the table, barely trying to sit straight. The intensity was too much for us to handle. I looked at the thick cash again and thought that this will last us months, and if I have to work, that would mean extra money for myself.
Mom tried to snatch the cash from me, but she was too slow.
"Give me that," she ordered.
"No! Don't even bother trying, Mom. I know the second you get your hands on this, you will play it in poker or at the casino, and then what?" I told her, trying to keep her away from the loathsome cash I have in my hand.
"You stupid daughter!" she said, slapping me in the face. "How dare you speak that to your own mother? Don't you have any respect--"
"RESPECT? Seriously, Mom! Are we really gonna talk about respect now? You, of all people, should know that I lost respect for you a year ago! If dad was here, he wouldn't let this happen to us. But he's just… too far away from us now because of YOUR OWN doing! Be grateful you're still living under a roof. Grandfather could have easily let you live in the streets, but I know Dad told him to have mercy on you, on us!" I angrily said to her. She couldn't answer because she knew I was right. Tears flowed down, and I stormed to my room, locking the door behind me.
I cried my heart out, remembering the past. The pain is coming back to me. I keep hearing voices in my head once again, and yet all I could do is cry and mess my room up again.
Now, I regret leaving Nate's apartment.