43. Chapter 43 #2
I will say this, though: although she is trying her best to give me the cold shoulder these past few days, while we’ve been working together to get the community centre staffed, Luna has been letting me in slowly, laughing at the jokes I make and engaging in banter, so I’m clearly doing something right so far.
We’re not even gonna talk about the vibrator conversation she and I had yesterday because I’ll declare war to ensure she only relies on that thing when we use it together. The moment she consents to me touching her again.
Fuck me.
What I would have given to be there when her old one broke, to watch her play with herself until I had no choice but to take over, to finally hear the way she moans my name like she used to.
As I start to drift into the memory of that angelic sound I’d earned from Luna in the past, Nigel calls, and with great reluctance, I push myself up from my office chair and answer as I head to the front door.
“Morning, boss. They should be here any minute to set up,” Nigel sings in a cheery tone.
It’s safe to say that Theo and I weren’t the only ones excited about coming back to our life here in London, and Nigel has proven he is far more worthy than the new raise I gave him for putting up with me these past few months.
He hadn’t complained once and completely took the helm when it came to buying out the people who owned the property we were planning to use as the community centre, the late nights after my therapy sessions where he and I worked on the blueprints, picking out furniture and having constant Zoom calls with the construction team - Nigel is a godsend.
I opened the door, stood aside, and let the group of people into my home. Courtesy of Nigel, they were here to reorganise my living room to the most romantic dinner setting on earth - his words, not mine.
You see, unlike what Luna thinks. I have every intention of seeing her on her birthday; after all, everything is happening today because of me.
Honestly, I love this woman more than words itself, but I really am glad she never chose to be a detective or a lawyer as a career because her sleuthing skills are no better than Theo’s, I mean it’s practically adorable she thinks Macy found an all inclusive five star hotel that offers top of the line spa treatments and complimentary breakfast for the two of them and extended guests on a bargain website.
Not to mention karaoke afternoon and high-quality Korean dinner, all came from my pocket. Because my future wife deserves nothing but the best.
“Do you think she’ll be mad when she finds out you did all of this?” Nigel asks, as I forgot he was even on the phone.
“Maybe, but that would still be bonus points for me. She’s sexy when she’s mad.” I admit with a chuckle. One of the things I’ve also learnt during my time away is how important it is to have people I can rely on.
I have a brother who annoys me to high heaven and a real mum who’s heavily wrapped in her overbearing nature.
But I also have Nigel, who has not only been a dedicated employee to me for the last decade, but I never realised he and I have a deep-rooted friendship that took me fucking up the best relationship of my life for me to realise it.
He and I have gotten really close over the last few months, and as you can tell, we’re even able to share jokes. Something we would’ve never done before, and honestly, I have no intention of going backwards.
“I love this side of cheeky Oliver. I mean, I love Luna more and can’t wait for her to ask me to plan your wedding, but you’re in the mix.
” Nigel teases, making a silent nudge at the fact I am nowhere near proposing yet and honestly, I’m already scared shitless about how that’s going to go down, regardless.
“And that’s my cue to hang up,” I murmur, to which Nigel laughs, begging for an update tomorrow when we meet at the community centre, then cuts the phone off.
I check the time once the romance patrol (again, Nigel’s words, not mine) is done transforming my living room, whilst Luna is most likely lounging by the pool with Macy after breakfast.
I still have no idea if she’s any closer to forgiving me, either, but after telling her about the centre and the fact that she and LJ had a personal hand in bringing it to life, I think I’m slowly winning her over.
With the room all set up and the outfit I plan to wear laid out on my bed upstairs, I head to the kitchen and roll up my sleeves, ready to cook.
I knew exactly what I was going to do, and with Nigel agreeing to do Theo’s school run, it made everything else a whole lot easier.
Theo will be dropped off at the care home, where Tracy agreed to have him for the night, so Luna and I could have time together.
That is… if she wants to. I walk over to the fridge and pull out the necessary ingredients to cook Luna the best birthday dinner known to man.
LUNA
Today has gone better than I expected. Last night was great, getting the full spa experience with Macy, sipping on champagne, and spending our time reminiscing about the old days in our own personal hot tub with a spectacular view overlooking the city.
I can’t believe she snagged such a deal.
Breakfast with my family went great, although LJ choked on his drink due to Gran having far too many mimosas and getting handsy with a hotel clerk - but all in all, we made some great memories.
The only part I don’t ever see myself doing again is getting a Brazilian wax, all over.
God, that shit fucking hurts!
Why do us woman go through that kind of torture? No shade to those who like getting one; it’s just not for me. Even Macy agreed, saying that a bikini wax hurts close to childbirth, but I didn’t have to pay for any of it, and I was grateful for the experience.
Though I’ll stick to shaving or maybe save up for laser hair removal.
After breakfast, Macy and I hung out by the pool for a while till we checked out and had our luggage sent home, a service I didn’t even know was possible, but then again Macy didn’t give me time to question when she shoved me in a taxi, and we were on our way to karaoke and we sung along to our favourite fruit man on the radio.
For the next three hours, Macy and I made full use of the semi-soundproof rooms and sang our 90s nostalgic asses off, then went and ate enough Korean BBQ to feed a small village. I swear, we were waddling out of the restaurant like sumo wrestlers.
Three bottles of strawberry-flavoured Soju we shared flushed our cheeks the moment the cold air hit us, as we tried to figure out how we were going to go our separate ways.
However, we only pondered on it for a few seconds when LJ appeared out of nowhere to take Macy home, and guided tipsy me in a car with a chauffeur, whom he apparently hired to take me where I needed to go, where I always went for my me-time.
He had a suit, and the little matching hat and everything.
At first, just like my whole luggage thing earlier, this felt dodgy, and had I not had alcohol pumping through my veins, I would have questioned it, but I knew my brother wouldn’t put me in danger.
So I sank into the comfy leather seat, deciding to ride on the happy vibe today brought and got to know the man who was known as Lionel. He introduced himself as my new driver, whatever that means.
I put a pin in that for sober Luna to figure out.
Rolling down the window, letting the breeze cool the warm buzz inside me.
Though in this moment, I can’t help but think of Surly Bastard.
How I secretly wished he’d pop up at least once today, of all days.
But I quickly shut that down the moment I felt tears coming.
These feelings were far too complicated to work through right now, so I focused back on the smooth ride.
****
Forty-five minutes later, we arrived. I hooked my tote bag over my shoulder and peeled myself out of the car successfully without tripping in my heels - something I count as a win whilst tipsy.
Lionel climbed out also. I thanked him and headed into the patches of grass, quickly realising how unsmart this was to do in heels, yet I persevered.
It doesn’t take long to reach Ji-ji, where I take a blanket out of the bag and, with wobbly legs, I lay it out, slipping off my heels and sitting on top of it. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out all the offerings I brought him.
“I can’t believe that it’s been almost two years since you left us, Ji-ji,” I express out loud while cleaning his grave.
“I’m still mad at you for that. For leaving me, for leaving all of us. Especially Gran, you don’t think you could have given LJ and me a heads up of what she’s really like?” I add, with a laugh, cause if I think hard enough, I can almost hear him laughing with me.
Once I have him all cleaned up, I put the wet wipes away and pour him a glass of original Soju—his favourite.
“Now, don’t tell Gran that I came here tipsy, or that I gave you more alcohol, as she gave you plenty during Seollal,” I whisper, with a giggle. “I really miss you, Ji-ji,” words that felt too tender to voice out loud, so I use a swig of Soju to wash it down.
“I really wish you were here. I wish I could still call you and have conversations about my future, that I could talk to you about boy trouble, and oh my gosh, Ji-ji, I really wish you could’ve met Theo. He’s the cutest little boy you’ll ever meet.” I voice out loud this time, biting back my tears.
“As for his brother, well… I’m sorry I haven’t been here like I used to, but I want to tell you all about him.”
So I do. Sharing a drink with my Grandad, finally telling him all about Oliver, about our relationship, our fight and about him coming back, and that I had no idea whether to listen to my heart or my head.