Chalet Lune

“The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.”

― Tahereh Mafi

. . .

When they finally reached the top of the stairs, Hiro gazed out in wonder at the cozy-looking cottage with a matching large terrace. It was designed with lush-green plants and flowers of different kinds and sizes that were weaved upwards on the clear glass walls, showcasing the mountain view.

It's theme were the colors of silver, white and black. A monochromatic palette. The place looked like a fancy greenhouse or a fairy’s secret lair or… or something out of a children’s fantasy book.

But black in white with only the plants adding color. No wonder Lunamor’s brother had thought it was a good idea to bring her here as a child… it seems like the kind of place that little girls would love to celebrate their birthday parties for. Although for some reason, Hiro can’t imagine Lunamor as a too-little kid.

Interestingly enough, upon closer inspection, Hiro noted that there was only a small, single table in the middle of the terrace although the place looked like it could accommodate more than one or two customers which is quite strange that there was only one table.

Still, it was a beautiful, wonderful place.

“Sugoi…” Hiro whistled.

Lunamor blinked at him before walking over to the cottage and an older woman who seemed to be in her fifties stepped out, as though expecting them, bowing her head as soon as the two of them came near.

“Welcome back to Chalet Lune, mademoiselle Lunamor and of course, monsieur Zen.” the woman said, her French accent thick and very much noticeable when she addressed them, “Your secretary just called ahead, and we were able to prepare something for you and the monsieur. We hope it will be all to your liking.”

“…nous impressionner,”

Impress us, Lunamor had said.

...Wait.

Wait a minute.

Hiro felt his eyes widen at that, glancing over at Lunamor in surprise… just now, that was French, wasn’t it? Seriously, just how many languages does this girl know?!

“Oui, if you’ll please follow me…”

They followed behind the woman without another word and Hiro couldn’t stop himself from looking around the place in awe, admiring the view as the two of them stepped into the fairytale-themed terrace. It’s like stepping into a land of enchantment, into another world.

Oh man... he wish he brought a camera.

“…You know what? Forget what I said about your office,” Hiro blurted out, smiling lightly when Lunamor raised an eyebrow at him, “This place is awesome for stargazing. You must have a perfect view of the stars from up here even without using a telescope!”

Lunamor’s gaze trailed up, almost thoughtfully.

“…I guess,” she murmured.

Shaking his head at such a bland reply, Hiro released her hand (pointedly not reacting when he saw her make an aborted attempt to snatch back his hand) in favor of pulling back a chair for her to sit down.

Lunamor, who appeared to be a bit taken aback by the sudden gesture for a moment, sat down quietly and Hiro pushed the chair back for her before occupying the other seat. Hiro snorted at the slightly surprised look on her face–though he was secretly pleased to catch her off guard for once.

He reminded her: “…j'ai encore des manières, tu sais,”

Her eyebrows shot upwards for a moment.

“Oui. Je peux voir ça,” she nodded.

Hiro grinned at the intrigued look Lunamor was now giving him, playfully winking at her. “La chevalerie n'est pas morte, ma cherie.”

She scoffed, “…Non ti credo.”

His brows furrowed at that, “What?”

And Hiro mentally reminded himself that he was going to seriously start reading and memorizing some Italian phrases over the net if Lunamor seriously decides to keep on pulling stunts like this. For real, why does she always have to be five steps ahead over anything?!

“Nothing,” she shook her head, looking faintly amused, “I’m just… surprised that you speak French so fluently though I have to admit… l'accent était mignon.”

He can feel his ears growing warm at the unexpected compliment. Hiro forcefully rolled his eyes at that before crossing his arms, though he was a bit flattered and irritated–was Lunamor, of all people, seriously hitting on him? Now? Really? What’s next, monster hunters?

“So… what exactly do we need to discuss that you have to kidnap me all the way up here?” he asked, “Your office could work just fine, you know.”

“I did not kidnap you,”

He raised an eyebrow, “I beg to differ.”

“Let’s just agree to disagree.’

“No.”

“Semantics,” she waved a hand.

“Whatever you say, Lunamor.”

Then, the older woman returned, this time with a medium-sized, wooden board that she placed on the edge of the table, “Notre pain et fromage fraîchement préparés et le chef Camille recommande ici du vin blanc pour accompagner vos deux premiers plats.”

She silently gestured to the pretty young woman hovering behind Lunamor’s chair, beckoning for her to come forward as she did so.

Hiro cannot stop himself from gawking at the two of them when he heard, when his brain finally processed and translated the word ‘wine’… and while he wasn’t sure if they noticed his startled reaction or are just too professional to even point it out because Chef Camille was already placing two wine glasses on the table and had held out an expensive-looking bottle for Lunamor’s inspection.

Lunamor read the label silently before nodding in approval after a beat… which seemed to be the go signal because their lady chef filled both glasses before backing away after another bow.

Meanwhile Hiro can only stare at the glass of wine before him like it was a live scorpion about to pounce on his face for a moment... and then at Lunamor who was already holding one, not even hesitating as she takes a sip, looking like she clearly knows what she's doing.

“…I am quite sure you are too young to drink, Ms. Lunamor,” he finally commented as he watched her take another delicate sip from her glass.

She raised an eyebrow, “I just told you I’m twenty.”

His stare flattened for a moment. You don’t look twenty to me. You felt like a freaking immortal. “I just… I never thought you drink.”

“Occasionally,” she shrugged.

“Still. It’s too early for this, don’t you think?”

She inclined her head, “You don’t drink?”

“No, not really. Not often these days, I mean, I was often busy with work anyways so no, I don’t have time to drink. The hangover’s not worth it,” Hiro admitted as he finally decided to take a sip of his wine. Then, he paused, looking down at his glass in surprise, “…huh, it’s good.”

“I’m not fond of alcohol,” she blurted out.

And Hiro couldn’t stop the amused snicker from his lips as he teased: “Then why did you even ordered wine in the first place? Trying to impress me, huh?”

She seemed to seriously consider his question for a moment as she twirled the wine inside her wine glass, her expression relatively relaxed for once. Maybe she's a lightweight. “Force of habit, I guess… we were taught to offer wine if we’re having one on one discussions.”

“Why is that?”

“It loosens the tongue, or so they said.”

Hiro busted out laughing at that, “Are you… are you serious? You’re not planning to get me drunk to make me spill my secrets, are you, Ms. Lunamor? Because let me tell you this, I don’t get drunk quite easily. I can hold my liquor just fine.”

“Good for you.”

His eyebrows shot upwards at that, a smirk beginning to play at his lips. “Ho? Is that you challenging me to a drinking contest, Ms. Lunamor?”

Lunamor scoffed, the sound almost sounding like an amused laugh but not quite as she suddenly leaned a bit forward, hands intertwining as she placed her chin on it, pinning him with her gaze alone. “I would rather keep you sober for the rest of our discussion, thank you very much… and as I mentioned earlier, I am not fond of alcohol,” her eyes sharpened, “…let alone drunks.”

“How did you even get used to it if you don’t like it?” he retorted.

At the same time, Hiro tried picturing an unimpressed Lunamor standing motionlessly in the middle of a sea of hormonal teenagers getting drunk and wild in some fancy party.

Lunamor made a face.

She looked like she was seriously relieving a horrible memory. Hiro snickered as he reached for some of the white cheese-glazed bread, “I’m sure you have to be seen drinking at least once or twice during parties or something.”

“Unfortunately, yes,” she muttered.

“So… I take it you drink in formal settings?”

“…I try not to.”

His hand hesitated and he curiously looked back at Lunamor rather than at the bread. She was pointedly looking away from him now but after a moment, she begrudgingly answered the question, her hesitation to answer all too obvious–or maybe she didn’t bother to hide it, this time.

“My grandfather… when we were young,” she immediately cleared her throat when her voice sounded like it was going to crack, her accent showing a bit, “…he wanted to ensure we’d never embarrass him in public.”

“He forced you to drink wine?” Hiro asked, softly.

She winced, “More or less…”

“That’s… awful.”

“Oh, spot on,” Lunamor inclined her head at him although the amusement did not quite reach her eyes this time, “It was only when the guests are that important and… wait. Why are we even talking about that sad, old man? Anyway, you might want to try some of these too, here,” she suddenly said, obviously changing the topic as she pointed to the bread he had been reaching for earlier before leaning back on her seat and taking another sip of her wine, her eyes decidedly not meeting his.

Hiro blinked as he watched her avoid his gaze, but he obeyed without a word for a moment… that is until he noticed one of her gloved hands that were resting on the table was faintly trembling and then clenching into a tight fist.

And almost instantly, guilt and shame bloomed into the pit of his stomach–Hiro had always assumed that Lunamor, being a rich kid and all that, had an almost perfect childhood, even as an orphan… but hearing that, it might not be the case, after all.

Why must he be too judgmental on the kid?

Without thinking his hand reached out and wrapped around her fisted hand, making her jolt. A second later, her hand unfurled, and fingers gently intertwined with his.

She squeezed his hand in silent gratitude.

And Hiro…

Hiro thinks this might not be so bad, after all.