Shining Moon

Maria, bring me a bottle of wine at once.

Yes, Ma'am.

.....

As for John, he went out angry towards his house and tried to call Louis, but he didn't answer until he answered, but it wasn't Louis.

Mister John! Is Selena okay?

John shouted on the phone.

What did your friend do, for God's sake? Where is he?

Mr. Gilbert Lowe is drunk now.

When he wakes up from his damned drunk, tell him if he doesn't fix it, I'll destroy him.

He immediately turned off his phone and went out of the house to his office.

........

The night passed hard for everyone who was in Gilbert's mansion and for Louie and Zane, who were involved in something like this.

The morning shone, announcing a new day. She opened her eyes after the threads of light crept into her. She felt a burning sensation in her eyes that changed their whites to red and swollen from crying. She felt a severe headache and pressed her head, trying to ease it. She got up from her bed and went to take a bath; perhaps it would extinguish what was inside her. She immersed her body in very cold water, perhaps to quell her storms. She then went out and looked at herself in the mirror. She was pale with blue lips because of that cold water. She wore the closest thing to her and sat by the window. She remembered the night before and her bitter memories.

This is hard for her.

She almost suffocated; she felt that Louis was the only one who made her fly until he threw her from the farthest point to hit her feelings to the bottom. Her tears gathered in the sockets of her eyes, miserable. She felt someone enter the room, but she didn't turn; she didn't feel like talking even to herself.

He walked over to her and sat on his knees in front of her and put her palm between his.

Selena, are you okay?

Jeremy asked with concern evident in his eyes.

Everyone came out and left them alone; she looked at him in disbelief, and he gave her a cold look containing a lot of words. He approached her, but she took two steps away.

Stay away.

He stood there, looking at the ceiling of the room and thinking he did not have the courage to apologize.

Selena, I didn't know what to say.

So I told the truth.

How do you know it's really Selena?

She approached him and looked into his eyes, tears welling up in her sockets.

It's been a long time, Louie, since the last time you told me you loved me. We spent a whole year together, and I only heard it from you once. I've always loved you, and I've always told you that. I don't love you, Louis; I adore you. I have tied all my life to you, but you and my father have been cut off. The last thread and you made me a victim to deceive you.

I didn't...

Shut up, Louie, that's enough. I can't hear you again; Louie broke me.

cried

I'm devastated. My father and my lover—how could I know that?

I didn't hate you.

But I loved you! But now believe me, Louie, I am completely dead. I may accept any man behind this door but you, whoever that man may be.

Even if I

His voice broke into the room, silence prevailing on all sides.

Selena looked at him. Is he proposing to marry her?

John came in behind him.

Selena, my dear, won't you answer him?

I looked at them all. Jeremy is not here; they must have prevented him from entering. She felt like she was lost among the monsters; everyone wanted to torture her mercilessly, and it was only seconds and she fell unconscious. . .

........

Her eyes opened to John's voice.

Selena, honey, please

She was so exhausted that she looked at him and closed her eyes again.

I want water.

He raised the glass of water to her lips to water her and then brought it back to the table.

She was silent for a while when she found that she was alone in the room with John.

Looks like you used to force grooms to propose to me, didn't you! Zain seems to be the new force.

John fell silent and lowered his head to collect his words.

I didn't force him; I chose him.

I wish you had been silent.

I cried angrily at him.

John got angry.

You're talking to your father, Selina. Stop the rebellion. Are you really claiming that Zain is forced, huh! So take what you want. I was going to force him to start, but he succeeded in breaking me, my fortune, or my daughter. He gave me two things, both of which drive me crazy. He succeeded, that little successful one who, since he entered the world of commerce, has never known failure.

And what is your choice?

John was silent as he looked at her scornfully, but she received an answer from his eyes.

Your fortune! You will choose your fortune over your daughter!

He remained silent, staring softly at the floor, brushing her hair away from her eyes.

Ironically, you know! Since I was a child, I would look at my mother every morning while you two were in a quarrel. I watched you, and I convinced myself that the water would return to its course one day. You took care of your business as if we were nobody, Jeremy and I, in high school… the day of my graduation… I was looking at every student when the parents went up on the stage to honor their two sons, but on that day you weren't there; neither you nor my mother was there. Jeremy was there. When our relationship with you began to improve, my mother was always like a blocking machine; every time she saw us with you, we got a big scolding. I thought you would stay by my side to make up for all the days I was without you, and indeed you stayed by my side until Louis came, but you broke me that day. With which you agreed, you bought your happiness, but you lost your daughter, and now you choose your fortune again, you know! Tell Zain I agree.

John looked at her in shock.

Selena, my daughter...

Shut up, Selena.

I chose your fortune. Dad, if you stay here, I won't exist in your life anymore. Damn the money, I'm going to marry Zain. I'm not ready to stay with you or my mom anyway.

She got up, leaving John behind, shocked. He didn't expect that she might agree so easily. He thought that she was soft, but he forgot that she was broken and weak and that she would drown again.

.........

Back to an earlier time until John's dialogue with Louie and Zain

It depends on you.

Give what you have. What is your condition?

Market Lion, as they call you.

John was silent for a moment, then continued.