CHAPTER (5) COLD HOUSE BUT WARN KID

LUNA’S POV

7:00AM palang Nasa dining table na ako, suot ang aking oversized hoodie at cycling shorts, Simple lang Hindi ako nandito para sa fashion show, Maya maya pa, bumaba na din si Clark, suot ang kanyang usual charcoal suit He looked like he stepped out of a Forbes magazine cover, Pag kaupo niya, agad siyang kumuha ng iPad.

"Ehem," pagpaparinig ko I tapped the table with my finger "Rule number four Mr. Anderson, No phones, No iPads, No business during breakfast."

He looked up, his brow furrowing."I have a merger in Singapore to monitor Collins."

"And you have a son who's about to sit right there," turo ko sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi niya. "The merger can wait, Noah’s childhood won’t."

Sakto namang pumasok si Noah, mukhang bagong ligo at nakasuot na ng school uniform, Gulat siyang napatingin sa amin partikular na sa tatay niya na walang hawak na gadget.

"Dad? You're eating with us?" Noah asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and disbelief.

"Yes, Noah, Luna insisted," Clark said shooting me a pointed look.

Naupo si Noah at nagsimula kaming kumain, Pero hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang matatalim na tingin ng dalawang kasambahay na nagse-serve ng pagkain sa amin, I think their names are Marites and Susan, Kanina pa sila nagbubulungan sa gilid.

"Ang aga aga ang dumi ng tingin niyo sa akin, May dumi ba ako sa mukha o sadyang makati lang ang mga mata niyo?" tanong ko nang hindi tumitingin sa kanila, habang nagpapahid ng butter sa toast ko.

Natigilan ang dalawa Maging si Clark ay napatigil sa pag inom ng kape.

"Excuse me?" sabi nung isang maid na si Susan.

"You're excused Pero 'yung bulungan niyo tungkol sa disenteng pananamit at disenteng babae rinig na rinig hanggang dito If you have something to say, say it to my face I'm a Mass Comm student, I appreciate direct communication," I said with a sweet, yet deadly smile.

CLARK’S POV

I almost choked on my coffee I’ve never seen anyone talk to my staff that way with such cold, calm authority Usually, people are intimidated by the size of this house but Luna, She was owning the space.

"Is there a problem here?" I asked, my voice cold as ice.

"None Sir," mabilis na sagot ni Susan, yumuko agad sila at mabilis na lumabas ng dining hall.

I looked at Luna She was calmly eating her eggs as if she didn't just cause a mini earthquake in my kitchen."You're quite the firecracker, aren't you?"

"I don't tolerate passive aggressiveness Clark. Especially not in a place where I'm supposed to feel at home while working," she replied, then turned to Noah. "So, Noah, what's the plan for today? After school, do you want to learn how to develop film? Your dad has a darkroom downstairs that's gathering dust."

Noah’s eyes widened."Really? Can we, Dad?"

I looked at my son’s excited face It’s been a long time since I saw him this eager about anything other than his books."As long as you finish your homework first."

"Yes!" Noah beamed.

For a moment the tension in the room softened, The coldness of the mansion felt a little less suffocating, I looked at Luna and for the first time, I didn't see an intruder, I saw someone who was bringing a strange, chaotic light into our lives.

"I’ll be home by 6:00," I said as I stood up.

"6:00? Make it 5:30, We’re having a darkroom reveal and you're invited," Luna said, not even looking up from her plate.

I paused, about to decline But then I saw Noah looking at me with those hopeful eyes.

"Fine, 5:30," I muttered before walking out.

LUNA’S POV

Nang makaalis si Clark napangiti ako nang palihim, One point for Luna.

"Luna, thank you," bulong ni Noah.

"For what, kiddo?"

"For making Dad stay And for you know being scary to the maids, They're always mean when Dad's not looking."

I reached out and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry Noah, I'm the queen of scary No one messes with my team."

Habang pinapanood ko si Noah na ihatid ng driver sa school, kinuha ko ang camera ko, I took a shot of the empty chair where Clark sat.

The ice is starting to melt, Mr. Anderson And I'm not even trying that hard yet.