Ray of Moonlight

Chapter Eleven - Leo

Once Ray started driving, I remembered to reply on Diane's messages. I opened the thread and a laugh escaped my lips at how funny her messages was.

Ray glanced at my direction before saying, "Something funny in your phone?"

Instead of giving an answer, I turned the screen of my phone towards him and showed the series of messages Diane had sent me this morning. He read each of them while occasionally glancing back at the road to make sure we don't get into an accident.

"What is there to confess? How does she really feel? What feelings is she talking about? You told me you were just friends." Ray bombarded me with questions and I can't help but laugh at how he sounded. Did he just sounded like a jealous boyfriend?

"What's funny?" he asked, irritation evident in his tone.

"You sounded jealous."

"I'm not jealous. I'm curious." He clarified. "Besides, why should I be jealous?" he quickly added and I felt my chest tightening. 'Yeah right, Leo. Why should your uncle be jealous?' the rational me asked.

Defeated, I ignored his question and focused my attention back to my phone. I typed in my replies to Diane's messages.

"Hey."
"Dianeeeeeeeee."
"Yep but I can't see the sun. It's a little cloudy here."
"I am."
"I'm awake, sleepyhead."
"I'm here."
"Aliens don't like me. You told me that."
"This is me texting you back. How impatient of you!"
"Aphrodite just laughed at that."
"Are you a drag queen?"
"Okay."
"That's good to know."
"Make up your mind."
"I'm awake."
"That's not for you to decide."
"Confess my ass."
"I know everything."
"I'm awake."
"Feeling impatient?"
"Yeah, don't mind."
"That's better."
"I'm waiting."
"I always do."

I exhaled rather loudly when I have sent the last of my replies. Taking a quick glance at Ray, he's focused on driving.

I felt my phone vibrate in my hands and I opened Diane's reply.

"And you actually replied to all of them." was the content of her message.

I typed back my reply. "My parents taught me well."

"So, do you have plans?" she asked again.

"I don't know yet. Mom said she has something to tell me. I'll text you when she's done talking to me." I hit the send button.

The silence inside the car is too uncomfortable. "Can I play some music?" I asked Ray, looking at him.

He quickly glanced at me. "No."

"How stingy." I muttered to myself, though I made it loud enough for him to hear.

"Okay, you can play some music." My face immediately lighted up. "If you answer my questions first." He added.

"Sure, what are they?"

"I just asked you few minutes ago."

I was about to ask him to clarify what he meant when I finally understood. "Oh." I said as I realized I haven't yet answered his questions awhile back.

"They don't even concern you." Honestly, I don't even have answers myself. It was just Diane being silly.

"Then no music." He said looking straight at me.

"Fine." As much as they don't concern him, I can't bear the uncomfortable tension inside the car so I need music. "There's nothing to confess. She is just bored to death. I think she feels crazy. And yes, we are just friends. She's just being silly, that's what I mean." I too bombarded him with my answers.

"Can I play some music now?" I asked, once again.

"Yep." He finally agreed. "But we're already here." He informed me as the car came to a halt.

I can't explain how I feel at this exact moment. I just know that annoyance is one of them. Ray smiled at me before getting off the car.

I also get off the car and walked straight to the front door. I pressed the intercom on before speaking. "The most handsome human being on Earth is here."

"That would be me." Ray quickly added before I released the button.

Lisa, our maid, opened the door and let us in. "Your parents are at the dining room." She informed me and I walked towards the dining room, Ray tailing behind me.

"We're here." I announced as Ray and I walked in the dining room.

"Hey Dominic." Ray greeted my dad to which dad returned with a nod. We both took a seat then mom spoke.

"So, will you go?" Mom asked, looking at Ray.

"Of course." Ray answered happily. "Can't pass up such opportunity." Where is he going? Why don't I know such a thing?

I looked at my mom confused, then to Ray beside me, then back to mom. I heard my dad laughed before speaking. "You look like a lost kid." He said pointing at me.

"I am." I agreed. Turning my head back to Ray, I asked him. "Where are you going?"

It was mom who answered. "He will be going to our branch in Seattle." Seattle? That's quite far from here. Does that mean I won't be seeing Ray for some time? 'That's good actually. So you can finally bury deep down your feelings for him.' That was the inner me.

"When?" I asked hoping it isn't very soon. I have to spend some more time with him, at least.

"Tonight." Mom just crashed the hope I have into tiny pieces.

"Tonight?" Ray asked, surprised. I'm just as surprised though.

"Yes." It's like Ray going to college all over again. 'Yeah, it's probably better this way.' I agreed with my inner self.

"And Leo is coming with you." Mom added and I quickly looked at her. Did I hear it right? I'm going to Seattle with Ray?

'Yeah, it's probably better this way.' My inner self repeated, mocking me. I laughed internally as my mom continued. "You'll be going there to work and learn, not to have a vacation."

At any other day, I would complain about it saying 'Why now that my vacation had just started?' but today isn't just any other day. Today is the first day of officially acknowledging back my buried feelings towards my own uncle.

"Going to Seattle is a vacation in itself, regardless of the reason."

"I couldn't agree more." Dad agreed with me. "Seattle is a beautiful place with nice food."

"Do you mind bringing Leo along?" Mom suddenly asked Ray. "I just want him to learn even before he graduates."

Ray looked at me. Why is he not answering? Don't tell me he's actually thinking of not bringing me along. And here I am thinking he likes me as a company at least.

"Not at all. It's always better to have company. Besides, I could use some extra hands." What happened to him loving solitude? What a two-faced jerk.

"It's all good then." Mom clasped her hands together. "You should probably go back to your place and prepare your stuff. We'll pick you up at five and drive both of you to the airport." Mom told Ray.

"Okay. See you later." Ray said accompanied by a salute before walking out.

"So, I'm guessing that's the good news." I spoke once I heard Ray closed the door.

Mom smiled at me. "Yeah. Isn't it very good?"

'Great actually.' I thought. "Of course. Except the part that I'm going there for work." I made it sound like I'm a little bit disappointed when in fact my insides are dancing in excitement. "Will I get paid though?" I asked as the thought crossed my mind.

"Of course. Like a real employee." Dad responded.

"At least I'll have money."

But actually, that's the least of my concern. My mind is going crazy over the fact that I'm going to Seattle with Ray – just the two of us. It seems that the universe is still on my side.

Now, for the real problem – Will I be able to contain myself around Ray 24/7?