THE LUNAR ECLIPSE

CHAPTER FIVE

I sigh as I walk into the room, today was a close call. Sometimes there are certain circumstances remind me of the days I always hope to forget. Will I ever be able to get over my past?

"Get over it Ria," I say to myself looking out of the window. "You're a strong girl, this vacation is supposed to be a healthy retreat for you."

The clear sky looked so beautiful, a blanket of stars creating a pattern waiting to be solved. "Come on Ria, time for bed," I mutter. A hungover and grumpy Zac is not going to be easy to deal with tomorrow.

With all these thoughts, I fall into bed and drift off to sleep.

The bright sunlight creeping in through the curtains wakes me up in the morning. As soon as I sit up in bed my phone rings out loud.

"Good morning princesa, we're going to the beach today to get some vitamin D," Zac says as soon as I answer the phone. "See you in thirty minutes, bye," he adds before disconnecting the call.

"Good morning to you as well Zac," I say with a sigh. Where does this man get all his energy from, nobody will be able to say that he was drunk as a skunk last night.

Walking down to the lobby, I am engrossed in the thought about how to make Zac realize his feelings for Aki. "Oblivious fool," I mutter.

"Well, someone seems to be in a bad mood today," I hear a voice behind me say. Whipping around in confusion, I am greeted by the suit clad back of a stranger walking in the opposite direction. "That was strange," I say in confusion.

'What's strange Ria?" says Zac as he walks up to me. He gives me a questionable look as he hugs me.

"You good Ria?" asks Giana looking concerned. "You look very pale," she adds as yet another questionable glare is directed towards me.

"Nothing guys, I just thought that man was talking to me but I was mistaken," I say laughing. "Let's go soak up the sun," I add enthusiastically.

"Zac go save us a spot, I just need to talk to Aria about something," Giana says looking over at me. I raise my eyebrow at her questionably.

"Are you guys talking about me behind my back?" Zac asks curiously. I roll my eyes at him while Giana hits him on his head.

"Go, Samuels," she says sternly; and Zac knew better than ignoring her order especially when she uses her famous scary tone as he likes to call it.

"Ok fine, I'm going," Zac says. As he walks out the door Giana turns to me and the expression on her face is so serious that for a second, Im shocked.

"Aria, tell me the truth are you ok?" she asks concerned. Her worry towards me makes me smile. 'I saw you hesitating before getting into the car last night, what is going on?" she adds.

"I'm fine Gi, I was just worried about driving in a new city you know how bad I am with new roads," I say rolling my eyes playfully. "I'm perfectly happy and having the time of my life right now."

"Are you sure Ria?" she asks again. "You can talk to me about anything." Her caring gaze has me melting.

"Yes Gi, if I ever have any problem I'll tell you first," I say assuring her. "Now lets go before Zac thinks that we got kidnapped and calls the police."

"He's a crazy one," she says shaking her head. "Oh, and Aria, please dont call me Gi. You know I hate that name," she adds with a shudder.

I laugh at her antics as we walk out hand in hand. This girl is really crazy but the best kind of crazy.

A whole week passed by with my two crazy best friends and our adventures, such wonderful memories, food, and drinks all of which is etched in my mind forever.

Now it was back to base meaning back to working in the café with Aki Wong hovering beside me constantly asking about the trip.

"Don't worry Aki, your man is safe and all yours. He didnt even look at another guy throughout the trip, telling you he likes you as well," I say.

"That's not what I was asking about Aria. You need to stop making everything I say about him," he says exasperated.

"Woah, what's up with you?" I ask looking over at him. Aki glances at me over the coffee machine before shaking his head.

"I don't want to talk about it, its not going to make any difference," he responds before walking into the kitchen without a backwards glance.

"What's up with him today," I mutter to myself while refilling the brownies tray.

"Must be the weather thats spoiling everyones mood today," says a voice. I look up bewildered, half expecting to see the same suit clad back again. This time however, it was none other than Zac Samuels.

"What are you doing here Zac?" I ask. I swat his hands away as they sneakily move towards the brownies in my hands.

"I'm very well, thanks for asking. I happened to be passing through this area and decided to drop in to see my wonderful best friend," he responds. The sound of the Aki's laughter catches our attention and watch as he walks through the door.

"Hey Aki," Zac greets him with a smile. I look back and forth between the two of them waiting for Aki's response.

"Hi there Zac," Aki responds. I'm surprised to see the lack of enthusiasm on his face. That's weird.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me Aria," he says to me before walking back inside. I look over to Zac only to find already looking at me with a questioning look.

"What's gotten into him?" he asks me. "Aki is always in a good mood, it feels weird to see him like this," he adds.

"I honestly dont know, he's been like this since the morning," I say. "Something must be bothering him; hell talk about this when hes comfortable to do so."

"I guess so, I'm going to head back to work now. Bye Ria, see you later," he says before walking out.

'Bye Zac." "Everyone has shit going on at the moment, what can I say," I mutter before walking towards the kitchen.

I see Crystal, the waitress, in the kitchen with Aki nowhere to be seen. "Where's Aki," I ask her.

"He got a call, so I think he's on the phone," she replies.

"Oh ok," I respond walking towards the back exit.

As I'm about to walk out to the dumpster, I hear Aki's voice, not wanting to eavesdrop I start to walk away. However, I quickly pause in my steps when I hear him say my name.