Naledi (The Moon)

Chapter 12

"When she looked at me.. my problems, the whole world seemed obsolete" - Luna_poeticDove

Play: Umi - Lost & Found

Luca's POV:

She was laughing with that Diane, Pearl lady. She whispered something into her ear, she blushed once again. My heart swelled with joy then clenched with jealousy because, I wasn't the reason behind her evident joy. Her lively nervous eyes, skimmed around until they accidentally landed on me. We locked eyes for a minute or two. There she was. My Nani. Live, heart beating, laughing, smiling and happy. We shared heart longing stares, neither of us backing away.

When she looked at me, with a slow motioned eyelash bat, a suddenly unknown Devine power overwhelmed me. Immediately lifting all the pressure off my shoulders. I could breathe again. Emanating serenity like the giant oak tree. She was the calm within the centre of the messy world. My light at the end of the tunnel, pulling me and beckoning me towards a peaceful, beautiful, blissful life.

Skylar whispered incoherently in my left ear but my mind tuned her out. Nani was the first to break contact as she shook her head, taken by the conversation with Diane. She laughed again, this time peering her eyes towards me. That's when I became aware of Skylar next to me. I instantly jerked away from her touch. She muttered something under her breath but I didn't care.
An unknown figure, emerged from Nani's back. Commanding her attention. Frowning, she stepped away, vanishing completely from the picture.

On cue, the previously muffled background noises grew clearer and louder the more she disappeared into the crowd. "Did you hear me?" The errant voice broke free again. "Luca?!"

Was that truly her?
No way!
Did I imagine her?
What is she doing here?
Where did she go?!
A myriad of questions filtered my thoughts. I had to go find her. I stood up then instantly got pulled down again. "What the fuck?!"
"Where do you think, you're going? You're next!" One of Joseph's goons pressed me down.

Oh yeah right. This shit, again.

Wait.. next for what?! I scanned the program and under Acknowledgments, I saw 'YJC Industries'. Shit! No one said, anything about a speech. I don't have time for this! I have to find her or else, she'll be gone by the minute we're done.

"I'd like to call upon, Joseph. My partner and part owner of The Pearl." Diane, announced, cueing me to stage. I wanted to get away but the hooligan guarding me was ready to pounce, should I choose not to do what I was sent here to do. Frustrated, I gulped down two large swigs of champagne.

Fuck it!

I walked up to the stage and witnessed the poster look of bewilderment written all over Diane's face. That's when I realised that Joseph did, what he does best. He sent me to represent him yet did not alert his partner-friend, here. She tried hiding her disappointment with a nervous chuckle. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Joseph twenty years ago." She politely teased and the whole hall chimed in, laughing.

She must be really close with Joseph, to know that his my father by the very sight of me. "I normally, don't go by Joseph, these days." The crowd laughed once again. "First of all, we at YJC Industries, would love to thank you all for coming and partaking in the opening of The Pearl. We hope you had an incredible experience to prompt you to come back regularly. We would also like to extend our appreciation for all the reservations that have already been made, clearly we're off to a good start since we're already fully booked until December!" I exclaimed. And the crowd, sounded off with a loud, cheerful round of applause. I sound ridiculous. I felt ridiculous.