30. He's Back

Luna drove her car slowly, each turn of the wheel gliding gently over the wet streets of London. The city, adorned with warm yellow streetlights and dancing shadows of old trees, looked so enchanting in the embrace of the night. Outside the car window, tall buildings with classical architecture stood gracefully, observing the never-sleeping nightlife.

A gentle night breeze entered through the slightly open window, carrying the distinctive aroma of London—a blend of the damp Thames and the sharp scent of freshly rained asphalt. Luna’s hair floated softly, caressing her face like a comforting mother’s touch. Her usually sharp blue eyes now appeared softer, as if they wanted to capture every beauty around her.

She set aside the feelings of doubt that had haunted her for so long. Those feelings sometimes made her steps heavy, filling her heart with worries about the future. But tonight, under the twinkling stars shyly peeking through the clouds, Luna decided to live in the moment, enjoying the beauty that London offered at night.

On the sidewalk, people walked with thick jackets against the cold night, some with still-wet umbrellas, glittering under the streetlights. Young couples held hands, laughing lightly in between conversations. In the corners of the streets, small cafes with large bright windows tempted with the aroma of fresh coffee and newly baked pastries. The faint sound of clinking cups and plates mingled with the soft jazz music playing inside the cafes.

The London Eye stood majestically in the distance, its circle turning slowly, reflecting colorful lights dancing on the Thames River. The iconic Big Ben stood tall, its clock hands glistening as they marked the passage of time. Its chimes resonated, adding an irreplaceable classical touch, uniting all elements of the night into one beautiful harmony.

Luna turned her car towards Westminster Bridge, where the cityscape spread out widely. From here, she could see the Houses of Parliament with its stunning architecture, a monument from the past standing firmly facing the future. The sparkling city lights on the river’s surface created a captivating illusion, as if thousands of stars had spilled onto the earth.

She decided to stop for a moment, parking her car by the roadside and walking to the river’s edge. The cool night breeze greeted her, making her long coat flutter. Here, in the midst of the city’s never-sleeping hustle and bustle, Luna found tranquility. She stood by the river, watching the calm flowing water reflecting the surrounding lights.

With her eyes closed, Luna took a deep breath, absorbing every scent and sound. She knew that life would continue with all its twists and challenges. But at moments like this, under the beautiful London night sky, Luna found the courage to keep moving forward. She opened her eyes, looking ahead with a lighter heart. Despite the uncertainties, Luna was confident she could face whatever came her way with calm and assurance. That night in London, with all its charm, gave Luna new strength to face the days ahead.

After a while of standing there, enjoying the rare tranquility, Luna finally decided to go home. She walked back to her car with slow steps, each step feeling heavy from the fatigue weighing on her body and heart. The beautiful night in London offered only a brief respite from the burden she felt, but it didn’t entirely erase her weariness.

Luna drove her car again, traversing the quiet and damp streets after the rain. The busy city streets and their hustle and bustle couldn’t distract her mind that kept spinning. However, as her car passed a park that had once been her favorite place to spend time, from the corner of her eye she caught the silhouette of someone. That face looked familiar, stirring memories hidden deep in her heart. But the busy streets and heavy traffic prevented Luna from stopping and confirming who it was.

“I didn’t see it wrong, did I? Was that Nick?” Luna whispered, half in disbelief, to herself. As her car drove past the park, for a moment the silhouette of a man with a familiar face appeared at the edge of her vision. Nick, the name echoed in her heart, bringing back memories long buried.

Her heartbeat quickened, matching the hum of the car’s engine. The busy streets made it impossible for her to stop, even though her heart so desperately wanted to be sure. She kept wondering whether what she saw was just an illusion or a reality awakening old memories.

Her thoughts drifted back to the time when Starla’s life was in utter chaos, like a ship without direction in the middle of a storm. Luna clearly remembered how her friend was devastated by what happened to her, how sorrow took away the happiness from her cheerful face. Luna couldn’t accept the suffering Starla went through. She always felt angry and helpless every time she remembered that incident.

Nick was the person, the man who turned Starla’s life dark. Nick, who once was an intimate part of their lives, had now become the nightmare haunting Starla’s every step. It had been a long time since Nick was imprisoned for his actions, but the shadow and trauma he left behind still lingered in Starla’s memory, haunting every passing second.

Luna couldn’t let Starla’s life fall apart again because of Nick’s presence. She couldn’t imagine how fragile her friend would be if she had to face the man who destroyed her dreams once more. Starla had fought hard to rise from the depths, and Luna was determined to protect her from the same wound.

With a worried heart and a mind that kept spinning, Luna continued her journey home. She had to talk to Starla soon, to warn her about the possibility of Nick being in the city. Luna knew she had to be prepared to face anything to ensure her friend’s safety, away from the dark shadows of the past that could ruin her life again.

Luna always tried to be a protector for Starla, determined to make sure her friend never met Nick again. However, today, when she glimpsed that figure in the park, Luna’s heart was filled with anxiety, these thoughts swirled in her mind, making her increasingly uneasy. Was it really Nick? If so, what was he doing here? What if Starla accidentally met him?