10 10. Hide

In the females' restroom, Camellia, poked her head from behind Luna. " As of now... it's still just me, right?" she asked, her mirrored image blinking hopefully.

Luna glanced at her and nodded, albeit subtly.

It happened last year.

When Camellia came alone to the countryside to visit Noah and meet Luna, she nor her parents did not know that their business enemy had sent several mercenaries out for her blood. Luckily, while running, Camellia made a call meant for Noah but accidentally pressed Luna's button, who immediately tracked her down and beat up all the men with such brutality that Camellia herself could feel chills up her spine. Luna didn't kill them, though- she had instead mentally tortured them for information by depriving them of their sleep. The information proved useful to Camellia and her family, resulting in them feeling immense gratitude for Luna and thus owing the latter a large debt. Camellia then understood no matter how cold Luna was, she was someone who would help her people by all means.

Camellia could still envision that very day- Luna's fluid movements, like crystalline water and the gleaming tip of the silver needles shooting out gracefully from between her fingers. Her spectacles didn't even drop as she calmly yet agilely avoid all their attacks like it was child's play for her while waiting for about 5 seconds before the poison from her needle fully took control of the men's bodies.

The scene wasn't even that gory and when they left there wasn't even a trace of evidence to prove that they were there, earlier. Camellia was curious but she knew that curiosity could kill the cat. She could also vaguely sense that Luna wouldn't tell her anything about it seeing how clueless Noah was of the full extent of Luna's abilities.

Luna liked being acquaintated with smart people and from there their relationship grew to one where Camellia knew Luna had finally considered her a 'friend.'

"So... them. Earlier. Uh, should I introduce 'em to you right now or...?"

Luna glanced at her. Camellia closed her mouth, before opening them again. "Sorry. I should've known. But Luna, when will you finally show your real self? You haven't even spoke to me, amd I know you're not mute. Please make it sooner?" Camellia pleaded.

Luna's hands that were shaking the water gently off of them paused. She looked at Camellia before sighing inwardly. Her eyes trained to her reflection at the sparkling, clear mirror, only she knew the answer in her heart.

If only she had been the one taken. Right now, she was plagued with worry with his condition. Self blame enveloped her countless times, no matter what other people had told her. His fate was unkown and she felt it were better if she was dead than constantly having these burdens on her cold, broken heart.

But the little spark of hope had ignited and she knew then that death was not an option.

It never was, and never will. She had to live to either see his corpse or carry him back to the family, safe and sound and shower him with warmth for the rest of his lives.

Thus she kept on living. Just, at midnight, the nightmares came, again and again.

She shook her head clearing the thoughts plaguing her mind. She tilted her head to Camellia before heading out of the restroom, leaving Camellia who was vowing to untie the knots in her heart.

Camellia brought her to a dimly lit room by the end of the fairly hidden and smartly disguised corridor. She coild spot it with a careful look but normal students could never find it unless they grope the entire wall before finding the doorknob leading to the corridor.

Her eyes landed upon the 4 young men sitting leisurely around the table at the center of the room. All with their own unique looks, temperament and personality, but each equally charming.

With their Greek-god sculpted features and the wealth and power backing them, even the fool could see why everyone was jusy so mesmerized with them.

" Gentlemen, Luna Emerald. Lune, meet Adam Lincoln, Rafael Philipp and Emmanuel Vance."

Noah coughed.

Luna nodded as a sign of polite gesture to then which was equally responded with a nod and a heart-melting smile that did nothing to affect her.

"Luna... Emerald?" said Adam slowly. "Um, I'm sorry if this would be seen as rude to you, but.. is Emerald your family name?" He turned to Luna.

Luna just glanced at him quietly before averting her eyes to Noah. He cleared his throat and explained, "This... is something I also did not know about."

Luna nodded and turned to Camellia who sat beside her. "Guys, look. You've already run a background check on her the moment she appeared in Noah's life."

Meaning they should know she was an orphan whose parents were unknown at birth. "Sorry." Adam coughed politely.

Although it started out awkward, they chatted for a longer period of time and got cozier with each other, though Luna only gave a perfunctory nod. But none of them felt offended as they could feel her sincerity and how she had a real personality they were all comfortable with. As minutes went by, they found Luna more and more compatible with the group.

"So, Luna.... would you be interested in joining our elite group?" asked Rafael. Luna turned an inquiring gaze to Rafael, which made a phrase pop into his min, ' intensity at its best. " Well, Noah had told us your amazing feats and how you're just hiding it right now. We just do stuff together, only in better occasions and higher skills of level needed. So...."

5 pairs of inquiring, hopeful gazes were trained to Luna. The girl stayed quiet before giving a small subtle nod. While their smiles were stretching, they suddenly heard a,

"M."

Noah froze, along with all the other 4. They knew she had never spoken to anyone, but, that small sound of agreement before...

Camellia grabbed her shoulder, shaking it lightly.

"L-Luna?!"

She nodded. Camellia groaned, before went on grumbling "Nevermind. I'll still make my mission a success!" under her breath.

But Noah and the others were still petrified.

Her voice, it was...

Heavenly.

They were trained after all, its intensity and the level of their skills something no one would expect for them to have. Therefore, they had caight the sound Luna made earlier and although faint, they could still tell.

Noah was flustered.... and happy. So was everyone else- was she finally warming up to them?

Meanwhile the quiet girl on the couch had secretly tapped the blue blotch icon on her phone. Glancing at the amount of 6 million dollars being transferred to her, she sighed inwardly.

What good was all this when she doesn't have him to spoil to?