5 The Moon’s Ice

"Happy 16th birthday, Luna," wished Mr Donald. "May you have the best of happiness and health."

"Thank you, Mr Donald," Luna smiled and thanked him out of courtesy. She did not like Mr Donald. She could see that he looks at her as if she's a walking corpse.

Mr. Donald is her father's right-hand man. He deals business with ruthless and unrelenting efficiency. With his aggressive maneuvers and business strategies, he brought the company to greater heights. However, he made many enemies and would sometimes be under public scrutiny in the process. Even Mr Macchia was wary of him because he is a double-edged sword.

The party was held at one of the company's hotel ballroom. Crystal chandeliers hung from the painted ceilings illuminating the cloudless night. Musicians played waltz while the crowd danced at the centre of the hall.

Luna was the main character in the party, everyone could not stop diverting their gazes everywhere she went. She wore a dark blue gown that accentuates her figure and beauty with her hair fastened in a bun with a hairpin. The amethyst hairpin complemented her violet eyes well.

The party wasn't just a birthday celebration. It's a social event among the elites for the women to catch up on news and gossip while the men schemed and forged business alliances. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that it is a battlefield. Many businesses and careers rose and fell in such parties.

As in the customs, many sons of various influential families asked her for a dance in an effort to gain influence and forge closer ties to the Macchia family. Even if Luna wasn't in an influential family, they would still try to court her. Luna accepted a few invitations from sons of other major corporations as an obligation before getting tired and left the hall.

'How many of them would still ask me if they knew that my days are numbered?'

Sylvia noticed that she left the hall and followed her. Sylvia's parents are bodyguards for the Macchia family. Like her parents, she followed their footsteps to protect the family. Despite being the same age as Luna, she believes that it is her duty to protect Luna although it isn't her responsibility to do so. After all the years, they have grown to be as close as siblings. Despite that, Sylvia still took a formal approach and called Luna 'miss' despite her insistence to just call her by her name.

Luna looked at the night sky. The moon was out in it's full form today. The moonlight reflected on her skin giving it an ethereal glow. Many would mistaken her as the manifestation of the goddess of the moon. Despite that, she looks like she would fade into the darkness.

When she was diagnosed to only be able to live to the age of 18, her 12-year old self was already drowning in sorrow. What is the difference between dying now and then? Why does it even matter? She did not feel like doing anything. Nothing at all. Just waiting for the end. The Grim Reaper was very alluring, he had already bewitched her.

'I have an expiry date. I'm already tired of this.'

She took out her hairpin as she thought about everything. Her solemn face finally broke and droplets of tears fell on her gown, forming dark spots as they landed. She closed her eyes as she readied the hairpin, aimed at her heart and with one determined strike, it would have all ended.

She felt the hairpin struck something but she did not feel any pain.

'Am I already on the other side?'

She slowly opened her eyes and saw a slender and calloused hand blocking the hairpin. Crimson blood dripped on the gown like sunrise in the night sky. Luna was shocked and looked back, it was Sylvia. She was grimacing in pain but she did not utter a sound.

"Why?! Why would you do that?!" Luna exclaimed as she tore a piece of her dress to bandage her hand without pulling the hairpin out, fearing it would exacerbate the bleeding.

"I should be asking you that question, you dummy. How could I have lived without you?" Sylvia grinned a little but still was clearly in pain.

Luna cried even louder but for a different reason now. She did not want to die after all.

She finally realised, having a deadline does not mean she could not do anything. It only meant that she had to finish everything she wanted before it came.

She wiped away her tears and smiled. She then helped Sylvia into the building to get some help.

On the way, Luna took out a small crumpled piece of paper and unfolded it into a long strip. In its fading contents, almost half of it was crossed out. It was her bucket list.

9. Read 'The Unwanted Prince' by Nicole_99 (crossed)

34. Travel the world (crossed)

58. Meet the author of this story

126. Slap the author for writing my miserable fate

173. Wrestle with a bear

357. Skydive (crossed)

419. Get ejected from a jet (crossed)

540. Go to school

"Hey, Syl. Is the world outside as interesting as depicted in stories?" asked Luna. She had always admired the characters in the stories, having their adventures, facing hardship with their friends.

"Well, not really. Things aren't always pretty or exciting as in the stories but it certainly might be. Life is unpredictable and the beauty comes from that uncertainty. However, I would say some people would prefer a monotonous life."

"No way a monotonous life would be fun. One's life should be lived to the fullest, without regrets. I only have you and stories for company. Dad and mom aren't here most of the time anyways."

"Your parents are really busy people, miss. They're responsible for many other people too."

"Are all those people from the company like Mr Donald? I find him scary. It's like I can't see his real self. They all look so… fake. Is it because they work for dad and they're after his power and wealth? Say Syl, what if we get away from this. I can ask dad to allow me to go to a normal school. I want to try to live like a normal person. Will you come with me?"

"I will follow you anywhere, miss."

----A year later----

"Are you sure you do not want to take the car? It will be a lot safer and comfortable," Sylvia asked again, feeling worried for Luna.

"It will be okay, Syl. I have always wanted to try public transportation. We will keep our identity a secret and I have you with me anyways."

Luna looked excited and Sylvia gave a sigh and relented. Keeping their identity a secret serves two purposes; safety and Luna's wish. Many people would make her a target if they knew her identity and her security detail would be difficult. Besides that, Luna does not want people to get close to her for her family's wealth and influence.

"Remember not to call me miss! I'm now Luna Mocha," reminded Luna.

"Uh yes, mi… Luna…" Slyvia facepalmed at her mistake. Old habits die hard after all.