My Beating Bleeding Heart

Chapter 6: Day 0: Moon Villa

Her POV

The air feels sweeter somehow, yet I can’t fully explain the way I feel. I'm so deeply happy that my mind is going blank. I’ve finally married him. He must be confused, but one day, I’ll tell him everything. I wish he knew how much more I love him than he could ever imagine. I should have been more upfront, I know. But I couldn't—or rather, I didn't want him to get hurt. But four years ago, when that accident happened—when he was bleeding, four gunshot wounds: one in the arm, one in the abdomen, and two in the legs, his lips split, bloodied—that’s when I realized I couldn’t just do this anymore. I want more. I want a life with him. I’m done sacrificing. I want to be his.

"Why am I driving?" Rick suddenly asked, clearly annoyed after witnessing how I’d been cruel to his friend, his brother.

"Just drive," he said, his voice low and commanding. I glanced over at him—how could anyone be this beautiful? Strong, with a deep voice that makes my toes curl. I bit my lower lip, staring at him. But his eyes stayed on the road, distant. Maybe he’s disappointed in me. Maybe he’ll hate me.

Diya tried to break the silence. "So, we’re going to..." but before she could finish, I said, "Moon Villa."

He turned to me sharply, his eyes searching mine as if trying to understand why I wanted to go there. I smiled, "I’m going to live with you, husband."

His eyes widened, and my cheeks burned as I blushed. Rick, still confused, muttered to Diya, "You need to tell me what’s going on after I drop them off." He gestured towards us. The car went quiet again, and he turned back to the road. I could feel the tension. Is he mad at me? Will I be able to explain everything? More than anything, I hope we survive the next few days.

My phone buzzed—it was my father. I turned the volume down and ignored the calls. He noticed, especially when more calls from my family came in. After all, I am the bride who never showed up to her own wedding. Amidst the calls, he picked up his phone and, in a low voice, said, "Send more men. Do a background check." Then he looked at me and added, "Make sure they prepare dinner for Moon."

I smiled. If he keeps calling me 'Moon,' I might lose it and climb him right here in the car. Rick broke the silence. "Why the increased security?"

He replied calmly, "Take Diya to House 5. I’ve already allocated men there."

Diya stayed silent, but Rick pressed again. "House 5? This is serious now."

After a pause, Rick muttered, "She always brings trouble. Nothing else." His words were meant for me.

Diya, irritated, shot back, "Stop it. You don’t know anything, so don’t say that she’s responsible for it."

I smiled to myself. Diya had been with me for so long, seeing the highs and lows of my life. I’m grateful she understands me, especially after these last four years. Without her, it would’ve been unbearable.

We arrived at Moon Villa. He’d built it just like he promised. I still remember the day he made that promise—it was winter. I’d had a massive fight with my eldest brother, who had kicked me out, calling me useless. I spent the day sulking through classes, giving my teachers attitude, and instead of going home, I snuck into the library. He must’ve followed me because he sat across from me and asked why I had tears in my eyes. Without thinking, I crawled into his lap and hugged him, pouring out my frustrations. It was the first time I hugged him. I probably startled him, but he held me gently and told me he’d build me a house one day and call it Moon Villa. A place just for me.

A place just for us. And he made it happen. Once he got a foothold in the industry, I heard he bought land near the edge of the city, surrounded by a small forest. He built it exactly as he said he would—huge garden spaces with countless trees, and even a man-made waterfall. I remember sitting on his lap in the library that day, asking him why a waterfall. He simply replied, "So you can see your reflection in the pool at the bottom. The moon looks beautiful in its reflection—shining, pure." His words made me blush, and for the first time, I realized this 17-year-old boy might have a crush on me. That day marked so many of our firsts.

I've seen countless videos of the outside of Moon Villa. I assume he never allowed anyone inside, but all the events for his company were held in the courtyard’s outdoor setting. He sent me so many invitations, wanting me to come and see that he had kept his promise. I hesitated at first, then became reluctant, and finally scared. I feared that if I ever stepped foot there, it might put him in danger. But that didn’t stop the inevitable—he still got shot because of me.

Sometimes I wish life could just be normal. Why can’t we just be normal lovers?

That day, after what felt like hours, I finally stopped crying. He wiped my tears and offered to take me home. How foolish I was to agree. I sat in front of him on his bicycle as he pedalled his way right into my heart. Looking back, I realize that, despite being distressed, my heart was racing for reasons beyond my tears.

When we came to a stop in front of my house, it hit me—I, a 17-year-old, had developed a slight crush on him too. It took me three minutes to pull myself from his embrace and step off that bike. And those three minutes set the stage for 15 years of heartache.

As that was the day my brother first saw him, and the beginning of our conflicted, twisted relationship.

The car stopped. He got out and slammed the door, making me nervous and pulling me out of my thought train. But a moment later, I heard my door click open. He extended his hand, "We’re home, Moon."

There he stood, dressed in a black suit, black shirt with two buttons undone, messy hair, and dark, brooding eyes. How could I not want him? I smiled and thought, Yes, we are. I reached for his hand and followed him inside the villa. Rick drove away, heading for House 5 with Diya. I hope they stay safe. In a few days, I’ll be able to talk to them. But for now, we are home.