BLOOD

Meeting

Red Shield has given her a second chance, if she would look at it that way.




Another chance in life.




Of being as human as she could be.




Her social service work has given her more than enough. Attending to the abused, the afraid, the victims of injustice, the lost and those who have nowhere to go.




The vast resources of the secret organization have blessed this rural community, that many opted to settle down in this far part of the city.




Yue's favorite part of her work would be her attending to the child care center. Here, she was allowed to laugh more freely, to play with the young ones and be the elder sister of some teenagers admitted into the center.




Red Shield made her express her more compassionate side.




Amplified her protective instinct.




And made her discover the vulnerability of life, the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of time.




"You look happy," Kuan observed.




"All the work for the charity gala is now finished, I'm so proud!"




This is her first time to be assigned as the floor director. She was confident in the abilities of her team but couldn't be more proud when the last-minute preparation was all done.




"Congratulations."

She smiled sweetly on her chevalier.




"What will I do without you, Kuan?"




He gave her his ever-small-barely-there smile.




"Nothing. You will never be without me."




His assurance was like a medicine to her broken heart.

Kuan has always been her constant. Ever since that day she left her previous life behind.




The night she left Luna.




And she wonders. If Luna also feels this way to her chevaliers. The warm comfort of knowing someone is an extension of yourself, feeling the way you do, understanding you. 







Is Dylan loving Luna the way Kuan loves her?




Perhaps love is not even the suitable word.




Then what would be the word?




"Have you ever felt deprived of your life when you became my guardian, Kuan?"




She felt a warm hand pressed on her forehead instead.







"Life is you, Shen Yue."





And even when she feels as if she has stolen him away from what could have been for him, she would never regret her decision that night.




Life has been more kind for her because of his company.





She almost lost it all, but she still has her chevalier.

--

Yue loves the children of their community.




But her favorite would be Riku, a fifteen year old boy they rescued from a human trafficker.




Riku has a gentle soul. There is a forever melancholy in his eyes, and his lips has yet to grace a smile.




Yue could only assume the child has been to worst. That is why she made a part of her daily routine to always spend more time with Riku.




While he refuses to share more than a few words with her, the hope she sees in his eyes is enough to keep her going.




Life was never kind, but if she could make it better, she would.




"Riku!"




Kuan offered to sponsor the child's suit for the gala. And when he handed the garment to her, she wasted no time in searching for her favorite boy.




The said boy nodded his head towards her when she saw him sitting on their favorite bench near the garden fountain.




"Riku, let's see the fit of your suit. Hurry up! Kuan would be happy to see how handsome you'll look with this piece."




After much fussing, Riku finally called her to see him wearing the suit.




Tears pricked the sides of her eyes.




"Riku, you're so handsome. And it fits you perfectly."




The navy blue color made his fair complexion stand out.




"Thank you, Lady Yue. Please thank Kuan-gege for me."







"Thank him in person later."







--




The day before the gala, Yue has to visit their suppliers to make sure nothing is left behind.




After she had accomplished the last on her list, she decided to have a walk before she goes back home.




Kuan was held up for the final practice of the recitals, but Yue assured him that she would be fine on her own.




As if a chiropteran like her should fear anything.







She was enjoying a silent walk inside the city gardens when she passed by a LED advertisement of an opera concert.




Of her twin.







Yue felt cold.







Luna is back in the country.







She felt her hands shaking.




She was not yet ready to meet Luna anytime soon.







Not with their current circumstance.







Luna has only grown more beautiful. Her eyes now almost golden brown.




More seductive.




More tempting.




More dangerous.







How was she to face her twin?




How was she to save her?










How was she to kill her?







She was still as cold as ice when she felt another presence behind her.







When she turns around, her hands went to cover her mouth to stop herself from screaming.







Behind her, a man she hoped not to see ever again raised his hand to greet her.










"Lady Yue, fancy meeting you here."



--