Moonlight Flower

Vol.02 Backstory #07 [Abie]

"I only have nine months left." Clarence thought silently as he arranged the bottles of different drink brands in the refrigerator.

He was again assigned in the night shift until 1:00 AM, which was not hard for him since he was used to staying awake during the evening.

"I can't let Father die without seeing her. This is his only wish. And for everyone else. They are all counting on me to bring her back."

Thoughts about his unknown sister kept flooding his mind.

"I wonder why we were separated. How did she come here? What does she look like? What's her name? Is she alone? Who took her in? Was she cared for or maltreated? Who is she, really? Is she still alive?"

"I hope so. I want to meet you now. But how - if I don't know what you look like? If I don't know where to start exactly. But please, just be fine until I see you. Then I will take care of you from then on."

>>>>><<<<<

He usually opted to walk home instead of riding any public transportation. Since there were already few or none at all people in his way, he would sometimes transform into his wolf form for faster mobility. When he was walking home, his usual way was a business center just a few blocks away from the convenience store he was currently working at.

When there were still many people on the streets, he would just simply walk silently in his human form.

That particular midnight, he caught a sight from the corner of his eye. It was in front of a bright and still opened restaurant.

There were two people - a tall man and a woman just a shoulder-tall below him. The man seemed a little drunk. He just looked around Musica and Sora's age. The woman was maintaining a calm face while she was helping him get inside the car that had just arrived.

When the man was already in the back seat, he was forcing her to come as well, but she refused.

Clarence could hear them though they were just whispering.

"You're already drunk, love. Let's just see each other tomorrow," she said. She turned to the driver. "Max, just get him home already."

But the driver couldn't leave yet because her head was still inside. The man was gripping her arm.

"Let me go," she said, lowering her voice, so she wouldn't catch a scene.

"Get inside. I'll get you home," the drunk man said in an ordering tone.

"No. You know that I don't like you getting drunk."

He tightened his grip on her arm.

She almost started to break into tears but she tried to be strong. "You're hurting me now. Let go. I said I'm not coming. Sebastian is already on his way."

The man got more irritated. "Tsk! Just tell him I'm bringing you home. Come now inside."

"I said no."

"Sir," interrupted the driver who looked scared. "I think Ms. Abie is hurting."

"Shut up!" The man raised his voice that made the driver tremble more.

At the same time, Clarence walked toward the car and said, "Miss, you dropped your wallet."

They noticed him. Because of that, Abie was freed from her boyfriend's grip and looked at Clarence and to his hand. She saw nothing from his hand. She then remembered that this guy was the cashier at the convenience store, who lent her an umbrella.

"Ah. Thank you for picking it up," she said. She pretended as well. She then bent over but now just from the outside. "Max, take care driving home." Then she closed the door of the car and it finally drove off.

She turned to Clarence with a sigh of relief. "Thank you for that."

He lightly smiled. "You're welcome."

"It's actually the second time you saved me."

"Really?"

"The first was when you lent me an umbrella. But I doubt you remember since you have lots of customers."

He shook his head. "I remember you."

Then a car came near them.

"My name is Abie. May I know your name?"

"Mi - Clarence."

"Mi-Clarence?" she repeated to confirm.

"Clarence. Just Clarence."

Abie smiled at him and waved a hand. "Thank you, again, Clarence. You're a kind person."

She then opened the door of the car and got inside.

Clarence was left in that same area. He remembered she had that sad look on her eyes as she looked on the ring on her left finger, which she still had now. Even now, he felt her sadness more than before.

He touched his heart. "Humans have so many emotions."

In a dark corner, he transformed into his wolf form - that beautiful white pelt that seemed to glow and radiate under the moonlight. He roamed the city streets, making sure he would not be seen by any people.

"If my sister is maltreated like that lady, I won't allow it to go on anymore. So please hang on. Wherever you are."

He looked up at the moon. "Give me a clue. You who can see everything on this planet."

Then suddenly, he seemed to be caught in a trance - seeing a vision of a young woman's back, with long, black hair, swaying softly with the air.

When he was back to his consciousness, his eyes gaped. He felt his heart beat faster. "Is that her?"

>>>>><<<<<

"Ms. Abie, are you okay?" Sebastian, her driver of around 50 years old, worriedly asked. He glanced at her through the rear mirror.

She looked dazed. Her head was down. She just shook her head.

Sebastian lifted a smile though she didn't see it.

"I've seen you grow for more than 20 years. You and Sir Rye have been together and inseparable since you were children. Almost all of us, including me, were very happy that your friendship turned into the next level. Time flies so fast that you two are already engaged. How's your preparation? You can ask me and my wife anything."

Abie didn't answer.

He chuckled. "Of course, I will drive you to the church. Reserve than spot for me! Okay?"

She looked at the engagement ring and caressed it with her fingers.

She smiled and looked at him through the mirror. "Of course, Sebastian! You know that you are like a father to me. You and Sophie are like my second parents."

He nodded. "I wish you all the happiness in the world. You deserve it, Abie."

She smiled a little and nodded. "Yes. I will be happy with the man I have loved all my life."

It almost took a minute before Sebastian said another thing.

"I know you both love each other for long and you are happy when you were together. But... Why do I see differently now?"

Abie bit her lower lip. She shook her head and smiled though with a streak of sadness, yet still hopeful. "I've already talked to him. He's just agitated lately due to work, but he said he'll make it up to me. We'll be fine. Just like the old days. We fight but we still make up."