Naledi (The Moon)

Chapter 11

Luca's POV:

"Oh, and one more thing, should you still choose to defy me. And not do anything I expect of you from herein going fourth, your supposed "family" will soon be jobless and hungry, all because you wanted to make a point against daddy." He concluded mockingly.

Confused, I steadied myself with my hands in my sweat pants. "What are you talking about?" I inwardly crossed my fingers that he wouldn't say what I think he meant. "I mean, should you choose to say, no. And not do what I say, I could just easily. Just like that." He snapped his fingers, emphasising his point. "Shut down this place. I've been getting offers from buyers, wanting a bite of this." He motioned his arms to our surroundings. "And I'm most definitely sure, that they'll have their own team to replace your so-called family." He finished with a sinister smile.

What?!

Though, I was taken aback by his maniacal plan and lack of humanity, I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing me sweat. Clearly that was on the itinerary for today. I stilled and wondered, where it went wrong. Grand dad, used to describe him as 'a man lead by emotions', 'the biggest heart' said my grandmother but now looking at him, I wonder if they weren't misguided by the blood relation.

I entertained the thought for a second. He fell in love with my mother, got her pregnant. She died and along with her, his heart died too? But by the looks of things, he seemed to be the sociopath type. Unaware of the intensity of their words, actions or threats. "Here, sign."
Disrupting my analysis, he slid over a thick stack of papers. "What's that?" Frowning, with my hands still in my pockets, refusing to read it.

"Oh, nothing just an law binding contract officially, affirming everything that I said here today. That I own you. That you, Lucas 'Hayes' are to do, whatever I say. Whenever. No questions asked or this place, and the many other places you call, 'home', basically everything that was bought with my money will simply be eligible for selling/auction." He retired with an imprudent, condescending smirk.

What the actual fuck?!

"You can't be serious," I laughed nervously. This can't be real. I quickly tore the seal of the envelope and skimmed through the paper work and saw the words inscribed in bold and italics. "Should Lucas 'Hayes' Yuen, not abide to said terms and conditions and then all establishments close to his heart will be sold to whatever bidder, Joseph Yuen chooses." I read it over and over, thinking that maybe I'm losing my mind. Or maybe I'm seeing things and that my world wasn't just stirred upside down by own father.

For the first time, in my life, I felt an odd sensation in my chest. A strong, sharp pang inside continuously stabbing at my heart, with every jab, slivers of hope for redemption for my relationship with my father scurried away, leaving me forlorn and empty. Unexpectedly, my eyes began to sting as tears fought hard to escape. "You—you're supposed to be my father. The only blood relation, I have. How could you be so cruel?" He stilled briefly, possibly pondering upon my words before he retired with a prevaricated chuckle. "Oh look at you being so soft. YOurE SUppOsed tO Be mY FaTHeR." He mocked in a squeaky errant voice. "Grow up! And grow a pair! I'm helping you!" He exclaimed viscously. "You think the world, is going to wait around for you to toughen up? You think it cares about your emotions and fEElINgS?! No, it doesn't give a shit! So, why would I waste your time with a fairytale?"

Joseph's words echoed in my head, as I emerged from my car. The drive here has been a constant reminder, that things will never be the same. I could barely enjoy or take in my surroundings of the beautiful sceneries of the world drifting away as I unexpectedly drove slow on the highway. Anything to prolong the inevitable of being "sent", 'to be represent, my father and his company.'

Wait a minute, why do I care again? I'm graduating a matter of months? Why do I care if I don't have his money? The hotel? The affluence?

I wanted to turn the car around. Drive elsewhere, disappear then I remembered, Jimmy Hayes. The man who raised and adopted me. The owner of the last name, that I officially took when I turned sixteen. My real father. The man who taught me everything that I know. Who welcomed me into his family of five, made time for me. Never not once made me feel like an outsider. Chef Masha, who's been a mother to me. Helped me with homework. Fed me, clothed me, taught me how to cook, proper etiquettes even though, I purposely ignored it because of my pain-in-the-ass nature. The mere thought of them being cast out, jobless while I continued to be richer left a acrid taste in my mouth. They deserved so much. They are the very reason why The Shera succeeded for so long. They deserve so much more than this fuckery of dangling, their whole livelihood as some wheedling power.

Fuck me! I stood against the hood of the car, my hands fidgeted with the box of cigarettes I had recently bought. I swore to never to go back to the horrid habit I fought so hard to get over but recently, it seemed like a better escape than alcohol or heavy drugs which I used to do.

I've been stressed. Lack of sleep, growing specs of grey hair on my stubble and head. I am losing my mind.

"You'll thank me, when you're richer." His words echoed in my head again. I recently signed over my life, free will to the devil himself. What worried me, was to what extent he'd need me for. I've heard rumours and reports about him being involved in the drug cartel, selling of illegal guns and oil. For all, I fucking knew, I could be in jail in the next couple years should I step on the wrong toes. Damn you Joseph! Damn you for ruining my peace! Why couldn't you have stayed dead to me?! I could've lived a full, unbothered life without your twisted fuckery.

The flashing camera lights, reflected in my face as the media houses tried to get a quote from me when I made my way through the doors. Now, I wished I was inebriated. Like a marionette, to the puppeteer I was being pulled side to side as the media houses shouted out my name. "Luca, here!", "over here, Luca?!", "any special lady, Luca?!"

The last question came unexpectedly, punching deep into the open wound of love lost. How about, leave me the fuck the alone?!

The Pearl. Ugh, could the name be anymore obnoxious? How obvious could you be?
Then again, how can I be surprised when the owner is none other a money-crazed, sick old fuck.

I wandered into the vast building, people were already gathered at the dinning hall. My feet lead me passed the cameras where I came across the greatest red oak tree, I'd ever seen. I outstretched my head, to see where it ended and to my surprise I couldn't even see the top of it. There's no way, that Joseph had anything to do with this. I doubt he even knew how this place looked.

Hands in pocket, I encircled it. Taking in the scenic view. It was all lit up with fairy lights, bringing attention to the centre of the hotel. Oddly enough, although it was took up space of the majority of the building, I noticed that no one had even stopped to stare or even acknowledge it. Once again, I'm genuinely not surprised.

Taking in the view, it reminded me of what I appreciated most about nature; tranquility. How much, I longed for that right now. To be far from all these vapid characters, and be lost in the stillness of the world around me and surrounded by nothing but the sounds of birds. The surrounding noises became muffled as the only audible thing was the mini waterfall free flowing from the sterling white garden stones into the pond. Even the air was clearer, I took note of it as I inhaled sharply trying to muster up strength for all that's to come.

"Luca baby! You're here!" A familiar vexing squeal filled my eardrums, tarnishing my moment of bliss. I didn't even bother to turn around. She hung her arms over my back, throwing her whole weight on my body, hugging me from the back. Spreading kisses from my biceps to triceps through the material of my suit. I instantly jerked. "Not here. Not the time." Irritated, I immediately grabbed her small hands into my seemingly large one. Her green eyes, darkened ravenously. "It's a good thing, I got the key for the penthouse room then." She winked, with her foot resting on bars of the bench (close to the tree), rubbing her knee against my crotch.

Vexed, I quickly left her but of course, she soon followed after me to sit right next to me in the dinning hall. "Can I refill your water?" The universe must be playing tricks on me as I heard a voice, I knew all too well two tables away from mine once settled in my chair. I looked up, frozen in utter perplexity. Without much effort, my mind muted all the other voices, removing everyone else in the frame as well when I caught a glimpse of her.
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[dun-dun-DUNNNNN!!!]😬😬