( Luna POV )
Luka's office's warm, earthy smell greeted us as we stepped inside and closed the door behind us. The faint creak of the wood made me wince as if it emphasized the awkward tension I was already carrying. Luka was waiting for us, standing by his desk in his perfectly pressed blazer and crisp white shirt. His pale blonde hair caught the faint afternoon light filtering through the narrow window, giving him an almost ethereal look, but his face was taut with concern.
He took one step toward Rachel, the soles of his leather shoes tapping softly on the floor, and held out a small, velvet-covered jewelry box in his delicate hands. His thin frame seemed even more fragile as he offered it with a deeply apologetic expression.
"Rachel," Luka said, his voice trembling slightly, "please accept this as a peace offering from the Lukhorns." He opened the box to reveal a necklace that sparkled with diamonds and rubies, the kind of gift that felt too grand for anything less than a royal apology. "I am so deeply sorry for all the trouble this situation has caused you. I've already given Luna a stern talking-to, and I promise it won't happen again."
Rachel's perfectly arched brows lifted in surprise as she looked at the necklace, the fiery gems catching the light. "Luka," she began with a sigh, shaking her head slightly, "I can't accept this. It's far too much."
Luka's brows knitted in frustration, and he pressed the box closer. "Please," he insisted, his soft, delicate features marked with an almost desperate earnestness. "It's the least I can do after the embarrassment Luna caused. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't make this right."
I watched Rachel's expression shift. There was a softness in her blue eyes now, and her gracious nature shone. Her eyes crinkled as she smiled kindly behind her mask, though I could tell she was still hesitant. Finally, she took the box with a resigned sigh.
"Alright," she said, her voice gentle, "but only because I don't want you to keep worrying about this." She glanced around the cluttered office, then opened the picnic basket she was carrying—the one still packed with our empty lunch containers—and carefully set the box on top of the dishes. She closed the lid with an air of finality. "There," she said, her tone light. "Safe and sound."
Luka visibly relaxed, though his posture remained formal. He turned his attention to me, his sharp gaze narrowing. "Now, Luna," he said firmly, motioning for me to step forward.
I sighed and stepped beside him. He gave me a pointed look, then tilted his head slightly toward Rachel. Reluctantly, I bowed deeply, my face flushing with embarrassment. Luka followed suit, his bow low and deliberate.
"Rachel," Luka said solemnly, his voice steady, "we both deeply apologize for everything. I hope you'll forgive us."
I echoed his words, though my voice cracked slightly. "I'm sorry, Rachel. For everything. Really."
Rachel crossed her arms, her rich, tailored coat settling gracefully on her shoulders. Her calm demeanor didn't waver, though her smile softened at the edges. "It's alright," she said, her tone carrying warmth and assurance. "Luna and I have already talked about this. I know he won't let it happen again."
Her words lifted a weight from my chest, and I straightened up, relief flooding through me. Luka looked equally relieved, his tense shoulders finally easing.
"Thank you, Rachel," Luka said, his voice nearly a whisper. "And... should I visit your parents to offer my apologies in person? I want to make sure this is completely resolved."
Rachel's eyes widened slightly, and she shook her head firmly. "Oh no, that's not necessary," she said quickly. "This is more than enough, really."
Luka sighed in relief, a hand over his chest. "Alright. But if Luna gives you any more trouble," he added, his tone firm but teasing, "please don't hesitate to come to me. I'll sort him out immediately."
I shot him a pout, but before I could protest, Rachel laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Thank you, Luka. You're very proactive, and I appreciate it."
Her words made him beam, his usual air of nervousness giving way to genuine satisfaction. After a quick chat about my studies—which Luka insisted on, though I wished he hadn't—we finally said our goodbyes.
Rachel and I left the office and stepped back into the crisp winter air, the cold breeze brushing against my face as we started making our way to meet Judy and Anna for our study session.
Rachel glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, her smile lingering. "Your cousin is really looking out for you, Luna; you're lucky to have someone like him in your corner,"
"Yeah," I admitted, smiling faintly as the tension in my chest finally began to ease. "I guess I do."