Chapter 22

The huge living room was illuminated by the large windows and the beige color of the walls made the room look much larger than it really was. The space was filled with dresses of all kinds. Long, short, embroidered, silk...I couldn't really distinguish beyond their colors.

Upon arriving, Cameron was surprised to see James around the place.

"What are you doing here?" she had asked him. The answer was simple: get something for Portia, and why not, Luna.

The wedding was coming up, and James could tell how desperate Luna was that she didn't have to wear it, since James hadn't given her enough notice. She had flatly refused to accept any money from him even though she hadn't gone out to get any either. For that very reason, she would do him the favor.

Choosing a dress was really difficult. While he liked fashion and would never turn down a good garment, he accepted that he was at a complete loss as he had no idea what Luna's taste was.

Finally, with Cameron's help, he had chosen two options. Maybe one would be the one, I mean...she had to like one, didn't she?

Arriving home, he walked quickly until he reached the stairs. He started up the stairs at a brisk pace and when he finally reached the door to his room, he hurried inside. He was hungry.

He left the dresses inside his closet, and went straight to the shower. He needed to shower and eat.

He got undressed, and turned on the showerhead. The water was cold, just the way he liked it.

He could never stand hot water, maybe a little warm, but he loved showering in cold water. After a few long minutes, he got out of the shower. He went straight to his room, and grabbed a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants.

He went downstairs, thinking how cute Portia would look in her dress. It had been complicated to choose something for her, as sometimes he didn't understand her taste too well. However, this time he was sure she would love what he got her.

Arriving on the second floor, he went straight to the kitchen. He took a slice of the chocolate cake Rose had made a few hours ago and went to the living room when the front door opened and a little girl carrying four small bags came almost running through the door, followed by Luna.

-Dad! - the girl shouted.

-What's this? Have you been shopping?

-Yes. I got my dress! -confessed the excited little girl.

-Really? -Had he bought another dress for nothing? He gave it little thought, he knew Portia would love to have another one. - How did you get her to choose anything? - he asked looking at Luna.

-What do you mean? - she replied with a laugh.

-Every time I go out with Portia it takes me forever to get something she likes.

-I just went to a store, Portia picked out a few dresses, tried them on, and then picked one.

-Just like that? - he laughed - Well, did you get your dress?

-Well, I've been to several stores, yes. But I haven't seen anything that's, you know, to my taste. That's a lot to say considering this is New York. A huge city and nothing I like? I must be the problem.

James inwardly feasted.

-Oh, perfect. -He picked up the bags Portia had left on the floor a few seconds earlier. - And what else did you buy? - he tried to look inside one of the bags.

- Well, Portia picked out a couple of other things to match. She really likes all that stuff.

-Did you pay with my card? - he asked curiously.

-No, I paid for it.

-Luna, you know what I told you. Pay with my card, or money. If you need I can give you. I don't want you to pay. - he exclaimed.

- No, it's okay. I wanted to.

- Please let it be the last time. I know Portia can be pretentious. - he confessed and smiled.

-Well, it'll be the last - she replied kindly. James gave her a sidelong glance.

-Can you come to my room later? - he asked as he walked away from the counter. He approached the doorway.

-Okay.

Luna went upstairs and straight to her room. As she entered, she set some bags on the bed. The only thing she had bought for herself had been a couple of notebooks and pencils. She loved to draw.

She went to the shower and turned it on. She took off her clothes and stepped in.

As the water ran down, her thoughts became a little distorted. Too much had happened in the last few days.

She didn't quite understand what state her relationship with James was in. It was probably best not to ask. She knew their compatibility was chaotic and she wasn't going to dig too deeply into it. However, she couldn't help but want him to like her. Maybe it was something she had carried over from school.

On her way out, she hurriedly dressed and left her room. James was on his way up.

-Oh, Luna, I was looking for you. Come. - he asked. She followed him instantly. He led her to her room and motioned for her to enter. She sat on the bed and looked at him neutrally.

-So, what did you need?

James stood in front of her, and patted his stomach.

-Good. - he began to speak and walked towards the closet. Luna followed him with her eyes as he pulled out two hangers covered by a black zippered cloth. He looked at her waiting for a reaction.

-Well? - she asked.

-Hey, look. I was out for a while today - he walked over to sit next to Luna - and I wanted to give you these. I mean, I just happened to see them and it seemed appropriate. - she stood up quickly. - Take this, but don't open it.

He handed one of the hangers to Luna, while he held the other. He began to open the package slowly, as the first dress began to come into view.

-Do you like it?

Luna looked at it carefully.

-It's...it's beautiful. James....

-Don't tell me you can't accept it, I bought it for you. Besides, if you don't like it too much, you can use the other one. - he said and then opened the second one.

- James, are you serious? I mean, I can't accept it myself... I'd feel completely out of place. I mean, they're beautiful!

- I won't take no for an answer. It's a gift from me, you know, as a truce?

- Truce?

-Then, you can keep them.

-But, it's too much, I...

-No, it's not too much. It's a gift I feel like giving you. Please don't refuse it. - he asked smiling.

Luna nodded slightly.

-Well...I accept it. And it's not hard to do, believe me. - she laughed. James smiled back.

-Would you try them on?

-What for?

-I want to see how they look on you, what else would it be for?

Luna looked at him for a few seconds. After thinking about it, she spoke.

- Okay.

Shyly, she stepped away from him and walked over to the closet. It was huge. The dark colors made the depth seem increased, and it was crammed with suits of all colors. Always keeping the dark range. It was the first time she had ever been in there.

A large mirror was at the back of the place and its reflection made her feel a little strange. She felt a little pathetic.

Pathetic because she was being taken in by James's kindness, and she didn't quite understand it. He was a completely cold man and the next second, he was giving her the cutest dresses she had ever seen. But that was the least of it, for his treatment of her confused her too much.

She knew better than to create false illusions, because at no time had James ever expressed any such interest. But she couldn't help it, she couldn't because she found him to be an extremely attractive man. Something she had tried to avoid thinking about since he had arrived.

He was tall and well built, his hair was somewhere between a light brown and a golden blond. His eyes, were a mix between blue, green and brown. She had never seen anyone like that before, for his face was unusual.

For that, and for the stupid reason that she felt out of place, she felt pathetic.

She put those absurd thoughts aside and picked up the first dress.

The burgundy color looked gorgeous. A v-neckline ran down to the start of her breasts, and below them, it was slightly fitted. The skirt fell smooth and straight to her ankles, but was open, exposing her left leg.

She looked at herself for a few seconds, and gathered the courage to get out of there.

When she came out, James was on the couch under the window. He looked up and watched her for a few seconds.

- What do you think? - she asked nervously. James smiled.

- You look great. That color really suits you, Luna. What do you think?

- I...I like it a lot. - she smiled broadly. She felt her cheeks flush. He noticed.

- It's a good choice.

- Yes, it is. - she replied and fell silent. He watched her carefully and feared she would notice his red cheeks. She already had, he just hoped she didn't think it was because of her presence. - I'll get the other one.

He nodded.

She went back to the closet and hurriedly took off the beautiful dress, though she wanted to stay in it forever.

He took the second one, it was even more beautiful than the first.

After putting it on, she looked at herself in the mirror again.

A beautiful dark blue apron design stretched across her body. The straight neckline with thin straps on her shoulders highlighted her clavicles and the wide skirt came to just below her knees. The blue fabric was decorated with tiny crystals that caused thousands of sparkles to flash every time she moved. It was simply spectacular.

She wondered how expensive it could be.

Without further thought, she walked out of the place.

James opened his mouth slightly to speak, but quickly closed it. Luna spoke.

- Well?

He laughed.

- Luna, you look beautiful. You have to wear this one. Or I'll die. - he joked.

Her cheeks flushed again and he moved closer to her. He touched the foul delicately.

- May I? - he asked. She nodded. He touched the fabric for a few seconds and smiled. - They are countless, it looks like a starry sky, don't you think?

- Yes, they are. - she smiled. - I really don't know how to thank you for this gift, James. They must be very expensive and I don't know how I'll be able to return it.

- Are you kidding? You don't have to. Why do you refuse to accept them?

He folded his arms expectantly. Luna noticed that her cheeks were still red.

- Well, I don't know.

- Don't worry, Luna. I'm not short of money, don't worry. - he smiled.

She looked at him for a few seconds until the silence became uncomfortable. She felt like she could read his mind and stopped thinking about how very embarrassed she felt for being so weird about it.

James touched the foul again but this time his gaze was fixed on her face. His thumb moved slowly touching the little sparkles and after a few short seconds, he moved even closer.

Without another word, he moved his hand from her skirt to Luna's cheek. He moved even closer, trying to read her gaze.

- James, do it. - she asked.

Without another hesitation, he kissed her.