A Gorilla King and his human love 🦍❤️👩🏻

Chapter 2: Beautiful yet insecure artist

New York City, Central Park, 2004
Meanwhile, in New York City, lived a 20-year old human woman named Luna. She's a beautiful and kind artist with long beautiful black hair tied into a ponytail and green eyes, and at the moment, she was painting a portrait of an autum tree.
You see, she was the most popular lady in every School she was, even in College, from where she graduated and became an artist.
But, deep down, she was insecure, often wondering if the human world was where she belonged.
Despite being popular, she was sometimes bullied by the mean girls. Mainly because she was prettier than them in School, or maybe because she's different... and quite weird.
However, she always remembered her late mother's words to her before she died at the hands of her abusive Father when she was 5: "Never give up on whatever you want to do in life, no matter what it does to you".

She was about to finish the portrait when she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

???: Luna!!!!

Luna turned around to see her best friend, Monica, running to her rather excited and smiled before sharing their secret greeting together.

Luna: Monica, you sound excited today. Anything good happening? *Goes back to painting*

Monica: Yes! We, alongside your Uncle, were invited to go with a group of tourists to go to an expedition to the African Jungle.

Luna: *Stops painting and leaves her brush somewhere near* The African Jungle?

Monica: Yes! *Giggles nervously* And Guess who is leading the group...

Luna: *Annoyed* Is it Heather...?

Monica: What?! No way, that girl is a total jerk! I'm talking about Adrian!

Luna: *Flinches and sweats nervously* Adrian...? Ok...

Uncle Felipe: *Comes in* I see she told you the surprise already.

Luna: *Smiles* Yes, Uncle, When are we leaving?

Uncle Felipe: *Smiles back* Tomorrow. Pack your stuff, girls! *Leaves to prepare everything*

Monica: Welp, You heard your Uncle! Let's get to it! *Leaves to get her things ready*

Luna sighs, while packing her art supplies and heading straight to her appartment. As much as she's glad to go to the African Jungle since she always wanted to since she was a child, she was about to be annoyed at the fact Adrian was coming too.
You see, Adrian was one of the most popular guys back in College, and he was obssesed with Luna for her good-looking appearence, often trying to flirt with her, much to her annoyence.
Ever since the death of her Mother and Father's arrest, Luna had to live with her Uncle, who always supported and loved her the way her Mother used to. And despite that, she never felt strong emotions (like love for example), feeling empty and broken most of the time. Until she met Monica, who helped her feel happiness back in Elementary School, and the 2 became Best friends.
However, she still didn't feel love, Romance to be precise.

Anyways, Next Morning, Luna, Monica and Uncle Felipe went to a boat which will take them to the african Jungle, where they met up with Adrian.
Adrian, upon seeing Luna, got happy and didn't take long for him to hug her.

Adrian: Luna! I'm glad you accepted my invitation!

Luna: *Forcing a smile* Well, you know I didn't want to turn down a request like this one!

Adrian: Come on, I'll show you, Monica and Mr. Felipe your bedrooms!

Later that night, as the boat was sailing to the African Jungle, Luna has finished taking a shower and putting on her pijamas, and right now, she was reading a book about Africa that Adrian let her borrow.

Luna: It'll be amazing to get to know this place!

Monica: *Cutting her brownish red hair in a pixie way* I know, right? It'll be one heck of an Adventure!

Luna: *Sees what she's doing and sighs* Moni, I know you're a tomboy, but did you really have to cut your hair at a time like this?

Monica: *Giggles nervously* Well, I have a feeling the group will have male members exclusively...

Luna: *Sighs once again* I see... *Smiles gratefully* Also, I have to thank you for teaching me Animal Sign language, girl!

Monica: *Smiling as she grabs her pijamas* It was no problem, Bestie, you never know if we'll interact with the animals in there! *Goes to the bathroom*

Luna nods smiling before placing the book nearby and turning the lights off to sleep.

Luna: *Lying down on the bed* (Thinking) *I wonder what it would be like to live in the wild...* *Drifts off to sleep*