Moonlight Prey.

CHAPTER TWO — AN INNOCENT QUESTION.

Chapter 02.

AN INNOCENT QUESTION.

Scarlett's POV.

“Hey, listen to me.” Caspian said, framing my face with his hands as he stared into my eyes. “I need you to leave right now. Whatever happens, don't turn around.”

“Wait, what?” — the retort sprang out of my lips on its own accord as a look of confusion masked my face. “I don't understand. What do you mean by that? And who is he?”

“He is a distant uncle.” he said, as he shot his gaze past me while his hands still framed my face. “But right now, I need you to listen to me, alright?”

“Caspian?”

“Shhh.” he hushed, placing an index finger on my lips. “Do you trust me?”

“I do.” I said, barely breathing the words with a subtle nod of my head.

“Now, I need you to use the other exit door, alright?” he said, looking in the direction that led to the exit door which he spoke about. “And like I said, don't turn around no matter what happens. I want to believe you understand, right? We'll talk about it tomorrow.”

“Alright, take care.” I said, taking a few steps away from him.

Although, I didn't understand what was going on, but just as he instructed, I strode towards the other exit door. If anything, I was certain that I'd seen that man before.

But then, what business does Caspian have to do with him? Distant uncle? Really? Exhaling sharply, I quickened my pace as I walked towards the exit door.

As soon as I exited the building, I hurried towards the sidewalk, and flagged down a taxi coming my way. About half an hour later, I arrived home.

“Ravenna?” I called, sweeping my eyes all over the sitting room as I stepped in. “Are you in?”

If anything, I expected that she would have gotten home already. Else she decided to stop by somewhere. But, she isn't that kind of person.

“Is there something wrong?” — she asked, descending from the stairs. “Why are you looking for me?”

“I just wanted to be sure that you're home already.” I said, dropping my bag on the couch across the room as I watched her descend from the stairs.

“Well, as you can see, I'm home.” she said, walking towards the kitchen. “So, there's no need to worry about me.”

“Ravenna, wait.” I said, with a feeling that she was trying to avoid me. “Look, I don't know what happened back there, but you are acting strange. Why's that?”

“Am I really acting strange?” she asked, her brows taking a quizzical dip as she folded her arms across her chest. “Am I?”

“I really don't know.” I said, trying not to make matters worse with my words. “However, you just walked out on me the moment I told you that he was Caspian. Why would you do that?”

“Can we not do this right now, please?” she asked, shaking her head. “I mean, you're just returning from school, don't you think you should get some rest first?”

“I need you to tell me what happened back there, please.” I said, taking her hand in mine as I stared into her eyes. “I just want to know, that's all.”

“Look, I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier.” she said, with a shrug of her shoulder. “However, I just didn't think he was Caspian.”

“Wait, don't tell me—”

“I can't help it Scarlett.”

“Ravenna!” I yelled, letting go of her hand. “You've only stayed for a few minutes, but you already have feelings for him? Are you being serious right now?”

“Oh, please!” she said, rolling her eyes at the words. “Don't raise your voice at me. I already decided not to say anything about it, but you wouldn't just let me be. Is it my fault now?”

“I–I am sorry.” I stuttered, trying to get a grip of myself as I drew in a deep, calming breath. “I didn't mean to take it out on you. However, I also didn't expect that something like this would happen.”

“Neither did I expect it.”

“You do know we're in a relationship, right?” I asked, trying to quell the sob rising in my throat. “I mean, we're happy together.”

“Just stop it, alright?” she said, speaking through her teeth. “Stop it already. I didn't ask for this either. But what would you have me do, huh? Pretend like I don't feel a thing for him? I can't do that.”

“I am not asking you to hide your feelings for him.” I said, shaking my head. “I am only saying that it should stay as that. You have feelings for him, good and fine. I don't have a problem with that. But just don't go anywhere close to him.”

“I am not promising anything.” she said, in a soft voice. “However, let's just stop this, alright? I'm not in the mood to have an argument with you right now. I've packed up some food for dad.”

“Aren't you coming with me?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at the words. “You know that he's expecting the both of us, right?”

“What difference does it make?” she asked, with a cold look in her eyes. “I mean, if he has seen you, then he's seen me too. Or isn't that one of the perks of being a twin?”

“You know it doesn't work that way, Ravenna.” I said, with a meaningful look in my eyes. “We have to go together.”

“For goodness’ sake, we don't have to argue about this too.” she said, her voice almost rising to a scream. “I already told you that I'm not coming. So, please just go.”

“Alright then.” I said, trying not to stretch the issue any further.

“You can just tell him that I'm exhausted.” she said, turning her face to the side. “I am sure he will understand.”

“Of course, he will.” I said, muttering the words under my breath as I walked out on her.

If she decided not to go with me because I confronted her, then she's just being a kid. However, I won't allow her to come in between me and Caspian.

In the meantime, as I walked into the kitchen, I found a disposable paper bag sitting on the countertop. I gripped it and walked out immediately.

Ignoring her as she stood there, I strode towards the door and exited the house. Few minutes later, I arrived at my dad's shop which was actually down the street.

“Dad?” I called, sweeping my eyes all over the place for him. “Where are you?”

“Oh, sweetheart, you're here already.” he said, sticking out his head from underneath a black car. “Just give me a moment, I'll be out shortly.”

“Alright.” I said, sitting on the stool which was behind me.

Before long, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching me.

“What of your sister?” he asked, wiping his palms with a napkin. “Did she go out to get something?”

“No, dad.” I said, shaking my head. “She isn't coming today.”

“Why not?” he asked, crinkling his face at the words as he tossed the napkin to the side. “What did she say? Is she alright?”

“I guess so.” I said, in a soft voice. “She said to tell you that she's exhausted and won't be coming today.”

“I guess she won't be coming today after all.” he said, exhaling sharply as he sat on the vacant stool beside me. “So, is that for me?”

“Of course, it is.” I said, handing the disposable paper bag in my grip to him with a smile on my lips. “You need strength to work.”

“Of course, I do.” he said, taking a glance inside the paper bag as he received it from me. “Was it you? Ravenna or your mom?”

“Who else would it be?” I asked, with a shrug of my shoulder. “Of course, your wife prepared it.”

“I thought as much too.” he said, dropping the bag on the ground. “What time is it now?”

“Just a moment.” I said, shoving a hand into my pocket to take out my cellphone.

However, it wasn't there. Shocked. I righted myself from the stool, and patted my body in search of it.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked, in a curious tone.

“Oh, no.” I said, barely breathing the words as a flash of realization lighted my eyes. “I left it at home.”

“Well, that's not going to be a problem.” he said, patting me on the shoulder. “You will get it when you return home.”

He got up from the stool.

“Dad.” I called, trying to steady my voice.

“What is it sweetheart?” he asked, turning to face me.

“How long are we going to keep living like this?” I asked, my eyes suddenly moist with tears. “We have been living in hiding for as long as I can remember. Is this what we'll keep doing for the rest of our lives?”

“No dear.” he said, shaking his head. “Just a few more years, and all these will be over.”

“You have been saying that since we were five.” I said, trying to quell the sob rising in my throat as my eyes burned with tears. “I am not a child anymore. So, be honest dad. Is there really a way out of this? Or is this how we are going to live out the rest of our lives?”