2°: Chapter 7

- What? - Luna asked. James paled.

- What? - he answered. Even he seemed surprised at his sudden confession.

He had a strange look on his face. I couldn't decipher what he was feeling, if he regretted saying the last thing or if he was waiting for an answer.

- James...

- I'm sorry. - He said upset. His look was nervous. He shoved one hand into his left pocket while the other he used to awkwardly ruffle his hair.

- Why? - Luna asked confused.

Why was he apologizing to her? Those words had been the most beautiful words she had heard all month.

- I'm confusing you, I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.

- Then stop doing it. - she replied firmly.

- How am I supposed to do that? - he uttered in an almost inaudible whisper.

- By making up your mind for once.

He didn't answer. He threatened to leave, and Luna felt her heart break again. Was he going to tell her he loved her and then leave? She was about to close the door, when she saw James was about to speak.

- I think I've already done it.

- And what have you decided?

He looked frustrated, placed his hand on his forehead. He thought; what would he say? He didn't have the slightest idea. He just knew he had to say something.

- James...

He fixed his eyes on her as if it was the first time he was seeing her. He felt dizzy.

He tried to articulate what he wanted to say. "We can't be together, it was a mistake. I'm sorry, I'm sorry to bother you."

He opened his mouth to speak, he knew he was going to hurt her and she was going to hate him more and more. But he had to.

- James, please - he repeated again.

- I... - his nervousness attacked him. He felt that the words were not going to be able to come out.

- What?

- Come home with me.

His eyes widened in surprise at her words. She had said the opposite of what she meant.

- What?

- What... come home, please.

- What are you talking about, James?

- Come back to me.

He had left his pride behind, to do something that would make him feel good. Yeah, all the last few months had sucked. He'd had enough. He'd been working pretty badly, his concentration was lousy, and several employees had spread the rumor that he was likely to sell everything. Of course, it wasn't true. In addition, Portia had been quite nervous, misbehaving, and barely talking to him. It had to stop, all of it had to stop.

- Please, I know it's been hard, but I can't take this anymore. The fighting, Portia, all of it, I don't want any of it anymore. Come home, come with me, let's talk.

She looked at him, making every second without an answer become torture for him.

- Okay.

-

- And what happened to Conell? - she asked in the car as they were on their way to James's house.

- I broke up with him a few days ago.

- Why? Did he treat you badly?

- It's not that, it's just, he was very immature. Actually, it's not that it bothered me, but he was immature in the sense that he kept making jealous scenes, or asking me for things that maybe I couldn't give him.

- What do you mean?

- I don't know, I guess I wasn't his type.

- Good. - He said and looked at her for a few seconds. Luna's face had gone pale - Is something wrong?

- No, everything is fine. - She said and smiled slightly. James didn't trust her word. Not at all.

- You could tell me what's wrong. - He said softly. He stopped at the next traffic light.

- It's really nothing. Leave it there. - James watched her silently, his gaze drifted to her wrists - What? - she asked looking at him. He smiled.

- Do you trust me?

Luna nodded.

- So, will you tell me what those bruises are? - He asked and gently touched her left wrist.

He had completely forgotten about them. Apparently he had only just noticed them, or maybe he had seen them before but had been playing dumb.

- I fell, the other day walking into my apartment. - he lied.

- You said you trusted me.

- And I do, I really do.

- Then tell me the truth. - he asked as he parked the car. It was a few blocks to go, almost five.

He had stopped almost at the end of the road that led to his house. It was lined with trees and absolutely beautiful. He had bought everything especially with Portia in mind, and trying to finally make a home.

- I...

- Come on, you can trust me.

- Only if you promise, really, only if you promise not to get mad and make a drama out of it. Conell hit me.

- What?" he asked startled.

- He got mad at me because... I didn't want to sleep with him. - He said looking cautiously at James.

He let out an angry sigh.

- That's why you broke up with him.

- Not only that, James. Conell is...

- An asshole. I'm gonna kick the shit out of him, I swear I'll kick the shit out of him.

- James, you promised not to...

- What if he did something worse to you? Of course he could do it, Luna! A person like him, he's not afraid to hit you, he won't be afraid to do worse to you either. But I swear I'm going to kill him, he's a...

- James, stop it!

- Don't ask me to do that.

- Just forget it, I'm done with him.

That request was for James almost impossible. He detested abusers. He had been a dark person, it was true, but he never crossed anyone. He remembered his bygone days and how common it was for men in his sphere to beat their partners. He remembered his sister in her youth, the victim of an abusive boyfriend. The memory, the situation, could never be repeated. She couldn't imagine what would have happened if Conell did worse to her. He could have sworn he would have ripped her head off himself.

- Well, all right. - He said and again began to drive.

The rest of the way was silence, not uncomfortable. As they pulled into the driveway, Luna's jaw dropped.

It was perfect, very different from the last one.

- Do you like it? - James asked with a smile on his face.

- It is beautiful. - She smiled.

When she entered, her surprise was even greater; it was beautiful, there was a spiral staircase that went up to the second floor, next to the staircase there was a large space where there were paintings on the wall, all from different collections. James took her to another room, it was very nice, it also had a staircase.

- Do you want your own room? - he asked.

- What do you want?

- Let me think about it.

-

- I'm sure it is. - She said for the umpteenth time that day.

James snorted tiredly, then laughed.

- Yeah, so am I.

- You're just saying that to shut me up. - She said looking at him.

James took Portia's hand and started walking.

- It's not like that, Luna. Seriously, I think it's like that too.

- So you think Portia is like this because of school too?

- Yeah, I've thought about changing her.

- Or I could go talk to those little bullies. - She said and then drank some of her soda.

- I'll go. If they don't stop, I'll change Portia's school. - He held up his left hand as a sign to end the conversation. Luna snorted.

James smiled inwardly. He didn't mind going to school to speak for his daughter, and he had to protect her.

He had gone for a walk, they rarely did. The day was sunny, and they had stopped by to buy the little girl some ice cream. A few days ago she'd had her hair cut by Portia, though the scissors weren't that sharp, almost suffering from a few strands that had gotten caught in the scissors. Or, yesterday, when she'd painted it with all the makeup she had, plus she'd put pretty buckles in her hair. Everything was different.

The last few days had been better, they hadn't fought, not at all. James went to work when he wanted to, although he went most days. Luna would go out with Portia when he wasn't around, and Rose would also accompany them when she wanted to.

James had been thinking seriously about giving Rose a break. She was a grown woman and deserved to rest. She was family now. Practically.

- I need to see what school Portia will go to if he pulled her out of her current one," James said. Luna looked at him intently.

His countenance was serious, and he was looking intently at the CDs on the shelf.

- I'm sure she'll find one where she'll be comfortable. Don't worry about it.

- Thank you, I don't want her to have a bad time. About your dinner, do you want me to drive you or will you be picked up?

- Would you mind giving me a ride?

- No. - He answered and started walking. Luna was next to him.

-Okay, thank you.

- You're welcome.

They kept walking for a few minutes. Portia bought herself a doll, or rather James bought her a doll. They got home around 5:00 in the afternoon. James had to go to the office, and then when he got back he would take Luna to dinner with her friends.

Portia had a birthday, so he would drop her off at the birthday, then go to the office and come back for Luna. Her mother was going to visit, she still lived in New York, and it had been days, several days since they had seen her. Upon returning home, James quickly went to his room, he had to get ready.

When he arrived, he turned on the shower and quickly jumped in. He got a strong shiver when he felt the icy water. He regulated it a little and tried to hurry. She needed a haircut. She had longer hair and liked to have it in a particular shape. He took the shampoo and quickly applied it, moved his hands through his hair and rinsed it and closed his eyes. When she opened them she felt a slight dizziness, she held on to the curtain so as not to fall, although if she fell the curtain would not prevent it, it served as a psychological aid. She finished showering and went out, she took the white towel that was on the shelf next to the big mirror, and placed it around her hips.

She looked at the small wall clock, she had 30 minutes to get dressed. He quickly went out to his room, opened his closet and took out what he was going to wear. In about 15 minutes he was ready. He fixed his hair a little, combing it as he normally did every day. He put on some perfume and left his room. As he went down to the second floor, he noticed Luna leaning against the wall. She had the phone to her left ear.

-I don't think so. I'm sure of it. -She said as she nervously put her hand to her forehead. - I can't tell her something that isn't true.

James stopped in his tracks. He was ready to listen to that phone conversation.

-You don't understand, I can't play with a baby's life.

James's heart began to pound. He didn't have to rush to believe things that weren't certain.

- No, he would find out sooner or later. It's best not to lie to him, he has to know about it.

James's eyes widened quickly, what the fuck was he talking about? He kept listening.

- He'll demand a DNA test, and the worst thing is that he'll find out sooner or later. He's not her son. If you want to be happy, you have to end this lie. -He leaned against the wall again. -- No, it's a secret. You know you'd be in danger if this wasn't a secret.

James breathed heavily and started walking.

- Portia..." He called out to her. Luna was startled.

- Honey, I'll call you later. Take care of yourself. -She said in a whisper into the phone.

-Where's Portia? -He said looking at her. She looked at him quizzically.

She had a vague expression of curiosity.

-She's in her room. Is something wrong?

-No. I'm taking Portia and I'll be in my office for a few hours. I'll be here to take you to your dinner.

It was practically impossible, though. For a moment he had thought otherwise. He went to Portia's room, and when he saw her, he called out to her with a little wave.

Portia quickly walked over to her father, and down the stairs.

- Can I sleep with you today? -she asked. James looked at her. He smiled.

-I don't know, let's wait until tonight. Have you had nightmares?

-Yes," Portia replied.

-How have you been feeling?

-Fine, thank you.

James laughed. When they got to the second floor, they went to the door. Portia got in the car, and James on the other side. He demanded that she put on her seat belt. After doing so , Portia began to prattle on about the gift she was bringing her friend Daisy, and that she wanted one for herself as well. James was ready to listen to her.

-

James put his hand to his forehead for the fifth time. He hadn't gotten any work done in two hours. For a moment he had thought about the possibility of being a father again, about the possibility of Luna keeping it from him. Would that be possible? Two months had passed since they had arranged everything with Luna. It had started slow, distantly, but it wasn't long before they were back to sticking together like before. He was completely in love with her, and had apologized for his bad behavior. He couldn't get the idea out of his head, that conversation he had overheard had made him feel something. He picked up some papers and began to read them. He got tired of it instantly. He had never been lazy about his work, but today he didn't feel like anything.

He turned on his computer, and started going through his files. He had practically the entire lives of 5 people. Luna, Samuel, a young woman from Massachusetts, one of his bodyguards, and his niece's boyfriend. Yes, he was a bit obsessive, but he had needed that information several times. He liked to protect the people he loved. He had read all the documents completely, except the one about Luna. He thought it was a good idea to read it, finally.

He began to read.

"Luna Scaloni was born on January 15, 1994 in Seattle, Washington. She lived her whole life there. She went to kindergarten at Sunshine Kids. She attended elementary school at a public school called Bernardine Royals. Divorced parents. No siblings. His father's name is Logan Scaloni, currently 46 years old. His mother's name is Nora Marie Steffen, currently 44 years old. She attended high school at Saint Andrew's, with an average of 9. Graduated in Visual Arts. She joined Gold Nest in 2019. Her record is limited to one client so far. John Steph: is an attorney in Seattle. Good reputation. The reason for his resignation is hidden, for legal reasons. He spent a year in rehab for reasons tied to a psychological leave of absence."

James was thoughtful. There were several things that had left him puzzled. He wasn't going to dare ask her the reason for her resignation, but if it was something legal, there was a chance it was something he didn't want to talk about.He closed Luna's report. He decided to put the subject behind him.

Her mother would be picking Portia up for her friend's birthday, so she could have time off until nine-thirty. She stayed in her office trying to waste a little time.

It had been a while since she'd enjoyed a drink with Peter. She picked up her glitter-filled phone and dialed her old friend's number. First ring...second...

-Hello? -He answered.

-Peter, it's James. Do you have time? - He said trying to distract his mind. Peter sighed.

-James Bexell buying me a drink? - he asked with a laugh. James gave a small laugh.

-I haven't asked you yet, don't kill the magic. -he said jokingly.

Peter laughed. It was true. James hadn't asked Peter out for a drink since he was 25.

-It doesn't matter. Of course I want to. - he replied. James laughed.

-Well, could you come to my office first? -I asked.

-Sure. I'll be there in 20 minutes. -He ended the call.

James looked at his watch. It was eight o'clock.