A pinch of love

chapter 8

Oneday:

Luna's best friend Sarah walks into the bakery with a charming smile.

Sarah: Hey, Luna! Long time no see! I brought a friend who's a huge fan of your baking.

Luna: (excitedly) Sarah! It's so great to see you! And wow, a fan? That's amazing!

Sarah's friend, Kaiden, steps forward with a warm smile.

Kaiden: (extending his hand) Hi, Luna. I'm Kaiden. Your pastries are incredible. I've been following your work online.

Luna: (blushing) Thank you so much! That means a lot to me.

As Kaiden spends more time with Luna and Jooan, he becomes increasingly close to Luna, sharing stories and laughter. Jooan starts to feel a twinge of jealousy, which he tries to brush off.

Jooan: (forced laugh) Yeah, Luna's amazing. She's the heart of this bakery.

Kaiden: (smiling at Luna) That's clear. You two make a great team. (his eyes gleam with a hint of competition)

Luna: (oblivious) Let's catch up more over lunch! My treat!

As they head out for lunch, Jooan can't shake off the feeling that Kaiden is hiding something behind his charming smile. He notices Kaiden's eyes lingering on Luna's smile, and his own heart races with a mix of anger and fear.

(The scene ends with Luna, Jooan, and Kaiden walking out of the bakery together, but Jooan's eyes narrowing with suspicion and jealousy.)

Kaiden: (smiling slyly) Hey, Luna, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?

Luna: (oblivious) Sure, what's up?

Kaiden: (leaning in) I just wanted to say that I'm really glad we reconnected. You deserve so much better than Jooan. He's holding you back, Luna. You have so much potential, and he's just keeping you stuck in this small bakery.

Luna: (taken aback) What are you talking about, Kaiden? Jooan is my partner and my friend.

Kaiden: (smirking) Oh, come on, Luna. You can do so much better than him. I can help you expand your horizons, take your baking to the next level.

Luna: (starting to feel uncomfortable) Kaiden, I appreciate your offer, but I'm happy with my life right now.

Kaiden: (leaning in closer) Are you sure, Luna? Are you really happy with Jooan holding you back?

Meanwhile, Jooan is watching from afar, his eyes narrowing as he sees Kaiden's hands on Luna's arms, his face inches from hers.

Jooan: (gritting his teeth) That's it, I've had enough.

He storms over to the two of them, his eyes blazing with anger.

Jooan: (firmly) Kaiden, I think it's time for you to leave. Luna, are you okay?

Luna: (looking confused) Yeah, I'm fine, Jooan. What's going on?

Kaiden: (smirking) Oh, Jooan's just jealous because he knows I'm the better man. I can offer you the world, Luna. He can only hold you back.

Jooan: (anger rising) That's enough, Kaiden. You're not welcome here.

Kaiden: (laughing) Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Jooan. You're just afraid of losing Luna to someone better.

Luna: (interrupting) Stop it, both of you! This is ridiculous.

Kaiden: (smiling) Fine, I'll leave. For now. But mark my words, Luna. I'll be back. And next time, you'll choose me over him.

(Kaiden walks out of the bakery, leaving Luna and Jooan in an uncomfortable silence.)

Luna: (hesitantly) Jooan, what's going on? Why are you so upset?

Jooan: (sighing) Luna, I don't trust Kaiden. He's not what he seems. And I don't want to lose you to him.

Luna: (softly) Jooan, I'm not going anywhere. I promise.

As they embrace, Luna can feel the tension in Jooan's body. She tries to reassure him with a gentle touch, but he remains stiff.

Luna: (whispering) Jooan, what's wrong? You're scaring me.

Jooan: (his voice low and husky) I don't want to lose you, Luna. I can't lose you.

Luna: (pulling back) Jooan, what's going on? You're not making sense.

Jooan: (his eyes burning with intensity) I know Kaiden's trying to sabotage us, Luna. I know he's trying to take you away from me.

Luna: (laughing) That's ridiculous, Jooan! Kaiden's just an old friend.

Jooan: (his face darkening) Don't lie to me, Luna. I saw the way he looked at you. I saw the way he touched your arm.

Luna: (anger rising) So what if he did? It doesn't mean anything!

Jooan: (his voice rising) It means everything! You're mine, Luna. Mine.

Luna: (taken aback) Jooan, what...what did you just say?

Jooan: (his eyes burning with intensity) I said you're mine, Luna. Mine. And I won't let anyone take you away from me.

Luna: (shocked) Jooan, I...I don't know what to say.

Jooan: (his face inches from hers) Say you'll stay with me, Luna. Say you'll never leave me.

Luna: (her heart racing) Jooan, this is too much. I need some space.

Jooan: (his face falling) Space? You need space from me?

Luna: (backing away) Yes, Jooan. I need some time to think.

Jooan: (his eyes narrowing) Think about what? About leaving me for Kaiden?

Luna: (exasperated) No, Jooan! Just about us, and what you just said.

Jooan: (his face darkening) Fine. Take your space. But know this, Luna: I won't let you go without a fight.

Luna: (her voice shaking) Jooan, I need some time to process this. Your confession, it's a lot to take in.

Jooan: (his eyes burning with intensity) Process it? You need to process it? I've been waiting for years to tell you how I feel, Luna.

Luna: (her eyes filling with tears) I know, Jooan. And I care about you deeply. But I need some space to think about my own feelings.

Jooan: (his face twisting in pain) Space? You need space from me? Fine. Take it. But know that I'll be waiting for you, Luna. And I won't give up on us.

(Luna turns and runs out of the bakery, leaving Jooan standing alone, his eyes filled with tears. The scene ends with a sense of heartbreak and longing.)