The Gown

Danish's eyes set to Luna's tight closed door in silence. He was in doubt whether or not to bark inside the room. His girlfriend's request to give her the gown Luna owned still circulated in his head. How could he steal Luna's gown? It wasn't because he had no ability to do it but it would negatively impact his relationship with his grandmother if she found out Ana was wearing that gown.

"Why are you standing here, Danish?" He looked back. Instead of Luna, his grandmother was the one who admonished him. He lost his word as his grandma caught him red handed in front of Luna's bedroom.

"I felt a little bit dizzy, so I unconsciously walked to this room." As soon as he completed his statement, a weird smile he didn't fathom what it meant popped up on his grandma's face. But, he didn't take it seriously. Taking steps away, Danish returned to his own room.

Danish had no idea what to do to grant Ana what she wanted. Giving her that gown seemed impossible. He had to think of a way to fulfill his promise to Ana.

In a sudden, his lips grinned in excitement. A spark of an idea came to his mind. He dialled the number and talked to the person from the other line. He hung up the call after a few minutes of short conversation on the phone.

"You will get your gown soon, babe." He whispered to himself.

***

Luna winced in pain for the injury on her knees she got after the robber nudged her body to the ground. She was fortunate that her jeans that covered them didn't tear apart so that grandma Li wasn't suspicious of what happened to her. She was safe from grandma Li's interrogation.

Taking care of the bruise in her skin, Luna had a rest for a while before going downstairs for dinner with Li's family. She was actually not eager to have dinner with them tonight but it was the rule she was bound with.

"Miss Yang…." she had anticipated that the maid would call her as she didn't show up in the dining room yet.

"I am coming,"she told the maid immediately when the door gaped.

There were only grandma and Danish in the dining room. It was unusual that Sandra didn't join them, that was what Luna thought of. But, she kept her mouth shut until grandma Li started the talk.

"I suggest you take two days off from your work."

"I will, grandma." Luna took her suggestion since she didn't want to be involved in debate with this woman.

"And it also applies to you too, Danish."

"I can't, grandma. You know I have such a tight schedule, some meetings with clients and investors." Danish stated his excuses. Grandma Li breathed out of her disappointment.

"I won't force you if that is so."

Finishing his meal, Danish went upstairs directly. Luna did after him. Striding before her, Danish suddenly slowed his steps down and turned around.

"I just want to assert once again that this engagement and even the wedding don't mean anything to me."

"You don't have to emphasize that. I know what I should do."

"Well, good for you! I will always see her even when we are married later." Luna exactly got whom he referred to. She didn't know why his words affected her so much that her heart hurt. She shouldn't have hoped that he would develop the same feeling for her. That man wouldn't have a place in his heart for her. She could see that clearly through the way he looked at her. But, she denied it.

The tears fell on Luna's cheek and pulled her to her senses. Danish had disappeared inside his room while she still struggled with the burden on her shoulder that slackened her stride toward her own room.

***

Danish meandered to his office in full excitement. The paper back swung in one of his hands. Being too happy, his cheeks blushed into a smile that attracted other people's attention around him. He ignored those curious eyes.

Clicking the door, Danish headed to his desk and put the bag there. With one movement, he took his mobile phone out of his pants' pocket.

The one he contacted shouted in happiness as if receiving good news from him. Danish closed the conversation and observed the object inside the paperback in satisfaction.

"As long as she is happy, I will do anything." Danish talked to himself. Luna wouldn't dare to protest after all. He had power over that village girl.

"Good morning, Sir. Here is your drink." Someone said from the door. He let that office boy in. He put his drink in its place. This young man was a new employee in his company but he looked familiar in his eyes. It was like he had met this new office boy somewhere.

"Wait! Are you...that kidnapper? I remember now! How could you work here?" Drowning his face in fear, that new office boy had no audacity to respond to his words. "Who accepted you to work in my company?"

"It-it's Ms. Luna Yang who has recommended me to Madam Li, Sir."He hesitantly told him the truth in a trembling voice.

"Luna Yang? Do you think you can lie to me? How could she recommend her kidnapper to work in my company? That doesn't make sense!"

"That's right. I am not lying, Sir. If you don't believe me, you can ask Madam Li."

"No, I don't have to do that! Get lost!" That man was about to leave but Danish stopped him. "Your name?"

"My name is Xiou Feng."

"You may leave."

Danish sat at the table while his mind still processed what he just heard. How could that village girl trust that man who almost harmed her and implore his grandma to give him a job, instead of imprisoning that man for what he had done to her? Was that girl's heart so genuine and kind? Danish's forehead suddenly wrinkled with his thought.

"Babe…." It was only Ana's coming that distracted him. Smiling, his kiss landed on her girl's cheek.

"Look! I have something for you." He handed a paper bag to his girl.

"Thank you babe. I don't expect that you will get the gown faster than I thought of."

In a rush, Ana opened the paper bag and pulled the gown out of it. "I love it. This is the gown I have dreamed of. Babe, thanks, you know how to make my day." Ana hugged her boyfriend, Danish, excitedly. "I will come to your engagement party tomorrow."

"What?"

"Why babe?"

"Is it ok for you to see me and that girl….?

"Babe, I can't even face the worst thing as long as I am with you."

Danish was puzzled if he could be excited or worried as his grandmother wouldn't allow that girl to attend the event. However, rejecting Ana's idea to come to the party was something he couldn't do either.

And that gown might create trouble for him and Ana at the party.