Moon Garden

Portia's P.O.V:

After eating, we decided to walk around outside the Green House. The scenery was breathtaking, especially the flower fields. When we reached the carnation section, every color was aesthetically arranged, fading from the lightest hue to the darkest. Levi took some photos of me among the carnations.

"Let's go to the sunflower field. I have a surprise for you behind it," Levi said, inviting me with a smile.

We walked hand in hand to the field of sunflowers. Some were gigantic, towering over us, while others were smaller and delicate. The sight was both classic and captivating. Levi picked one of the dwarf sunflowers and gently tucked it behind my ear.

"Smile, Sunshine," he said before snapping a photo of me—capturing my shocked face before I could even smile.

"You look gorgeous, shocked expression and all," Levi said, making me blush.

"I'm pretty sure I look like a mess in that photo," I mumbled, disagreeing.

"Eh? But I think it's beautiful," he replied.

I smiled shyly. "Thank you for making me feel beautiful, Levi."

He quickly took another photo.

"This one's demure," he commented.

"Hey! Another stolen shot?" I protested, trying to stop him, but he just gave me that signature intense look.

"Just trust me," he said firmly and took my hand. "Let's go to the next field."

A field of tulips welcomed us—so gorgeous I wanted to twirl and dance like a ballerina.

"Shall we go to the center?" I asked excitedly.

"Sure. We're going to watch the tulips bloom, by the way," he said casually.

"Really?" I squealed and kissed him on the cheek.

"H-Hey! Don't get too excited. The tulips might get shy," he said, turning away. Was he blushing too?

We waited for a few more minutes, and one by one, the tulips began to bloom. It was elegant, and the scent lingered in the air like perfume. Levi wrapped his arms around me, and we watched them bloom—just like how our relationship had blossomed.

He kissed the top of my head and whispered, "I wanted nature to speak for me. That's why I brought you here."

"Levi, let's bloom together like those tulips," I said, intertwining our fingers. He nodded silently.

We stayed for a while, until the rain joined the sun. I panicked, but Levi held me in his arms and didn't mind the downpour.

"Let's enjoy the blessing of the rain," he said.

"Well then, may I invite you for a dance?" I asked playfully.

He hesitated but followed my lead. We danced awkwardly, our feet sinking slightly into the soft, muddy ground.

We laughed through the awkwardness and kept dancing. Then we slipped and fell, landing in a heap and laughing even harder. Levi got playful and smeared mud on my face.

"You traitor!" I yelled, retaliating and smudging mud on his cheek.

We ended up chasing each other, dodging flowers and creating memories filled with laughter.

Eventually, we ran back to the Green House, soaked and muddy. On the porch steps, we kissed under the rain, cleaning off our dirty faces.

"You smell like soil," he teased, lips still touching mine.

"Well, you stink too," I said, laughing.

He gave me a faux-deadly glare.

"Then let's get cleaned before we both smell like fertilizer," he said and picked me up bridal style.

"Hey!" I yelped, trying to wriggle free, but he carried me effortlessly.

There was a bathroom with a tub in the lower part of the treehouse. The walls were glass, but he pulled the curtains for privacy.

"Let me clean you first, woman," he said, crouching to wash my feet.

"Hey! I can do this myself. You're making me shy," I protested.

"But I can't stand the dirt anymore," he said, rolling his eyes.

After nearly three days together, I knew he was a clean freak. So I let him help me. We shared a bath—after all, we'd already seen each other naked. We got out feeling fresh and clean.

Back in the treehouse, he made tea for us.

"Let's cuddle," he said after I took the last sip. He carried me to the bed, put on a cassette tape, and classical music filled the room. I leaned into his chest.

"Remember when I said I'd share something with you?" he asked.

"Yes, what is it?" I asked.

"About this place," he began. "Three years ago, it was dead and for sale. My secretary told me someone planned to demolish it and build a mall."

I gasped. This beautiful place with such tragic roots?

"How does it still exist in such glory?" I asked.

"I bought it—for triple the price. I couldn't lose this place."

My eyes widened. That must've cost a fortune.

"This is the only place where I can still see memories of my mom. And the only place with traces of my father."

Pain laced his voice.

"I never saw my dad. Not even a photo or an old piece of his clothing. No proof that I'm his son. But Mom—she always brought me here. Said their love started here. From the first hello to the last vow—it all happened at that gazebo. Even when she was weak, she would wait there, holding onto his promise."

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

"She saved up just to rent a boat and see the Green House from afar because it was locked before. She said Dad lived here with his sister. One day, he left for work and never returned. No one ever told her what happened. His sister ended up marrying a man who beat her. Mom couldn't do anything."

My chest ached for them.

"She told me before she died that my aunt passed away as a battered wife. Said if Dad had been around, he would've made things better. She told me not to be a coward. To do something. Watching life fall apart is like dying alone."

He looked away, emotion thick in his voice.

"I researched the place. My uncle told me it belonged to my father's family. But since my aunt owed debts to her husband, she handed over the rights to him. I fought hard to reclaim this land. Mom loved it. Especially when someone proposed here—it always reminded her of Dad."

I was speechless, my heart tangled in his words.

"I promised Mom I'd bring the girl I liked here—like Dad did. When I finally got ownership, I told her at her grave: I'll rename this place after the woman I love."

He looked into my eyes.

"Did you know this place had no name? Not until I met you."

I blinked. Was he...?

Levi pulled out a necklace with a slim bar pendant. Engraved on it was the word Moon Garden, with a moon-shaped sapphire hanging delicately.

"This place belongs to us—especially to you. Since your name means moon, I decided to name this garden 'Moon.'"

I touched the pendant, still processing. "Levi, this is too much. I don't even deserve a place in your heart. A glimpse into your world already feels like too much."

His expression faltered. He looked shocked, almost wounded, but held me tightly.

"Don't freak out," he whispered. "I just wanted to tell you that someone finally means something to me. Someone who makes me feel. And it's you."

He pulled me closer.

"Don't be a wild boar. Lady, I want to share life with you."

Tears streamed down my face. Someone finally wanted me—not because of Mom, but because of me.

"I'm crying because you're letting me in—as I am. Not because you owe something to Mom," I said.

"Of course not. I don't even know your mom. Tsk. Such childish thoughts," he said, frowning.

Then he added softly, "But I do owe her something."

I looked up at him, startled.

"And that's you, brat," he said, flicking my forehead. "What were you thinking, giving me that ghost-hunting expression?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but he silenced me with a passionate kiss.