Episode 6

NARRATOR

Daniel was at a loss for words when Carter asked him about his feelings. He'd always harbored a deep affection for Luna. As a child, he assumed it was just the fondness of friendship, but after seeing her again, he realized it was more than that.

"Take it easy, you don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I just ask that you be patient with her and give her the space she needs," Carter said.

"Can you tell me what's going on with Luna?" Daniel asked, trying to understand more about Luna and her situation. He suspected she might be autistic but hadn't confirmed it completely.

"I don't know the full story. I overheard my parents talking about her a few years ago, but I don't have the details. Just be patient with her, okay?" Carter responded.

"I'll be very patient, although I don't know when I'll see her again. You know I'm going back to the army in a week," replied Daniel.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find a way. Now, let's watch these videos and figure out who dared to attack my sister," Carter began to play a set of four videos from the parking lot.

"That man was waiting in the parking lot for Luna. He wasn't there to rob her; he was after her hair," Daniel said.

"Exactly, the cameras outside the building show the man putting the hair in an evidence bag," Carter confirmed.

"Is there any footage of him getting out of a car?" Daniel inquired.

"No, there's nothing," Carter replied.

"I'll request footage from the nearby buildings," Daniel said.

"Are you going to tell Luna?" Carter asked.

"Yes, I told her I'd see her at her house for dinner, so I'll do some investigating and then head over," Daniel answered.

"Alright, be careful with my sister. I don't like what happened, and we need to find out why they want her hair," Carter said.

"We'll have all the answers soon, you'll see. For now, I have to go. I'll see you later," Daniel said goodbye to Carter and left deep in thought, considering that the only things someone could do with Luna's hair were DNA testing or witchcraft - for those who believed in such things. He didn't believe in that, so he was convinced someone was after a DNA test.

Daniel knew well that Luna was not Jessica's biological daughter and that no one knew who Luna's father was or if she had paternal siblings. So, he assumed someone might be seeking a familial connection with Luna. As he went off to investigate further on the person who took Luna's hair, Luna was in a cafe with Grecia, who explained why Marc had sent her.

"Luna, Marc wants you to be happy because he knows many individuals with autism and understands that many struggle with falling in love or end up alone. He doesn't want that for you; he wants me to help you so that when the time comes, you're able to fall in love and embrace it," Grecia told her.

"Marc said he would help me with my business, not with finding a partner. Besides, love isn't for people like me," Luna said, head down.

"I'm going to help you with that too, because I'm also good at it. But you shouldn't close yourself off to love. Don't you want to be a mom?" Grecia asked.

"No, if my child inherited my autism, I could never forgive myself. Bringing a child into the world to go through what I've faced is not something I want. What man would want to be with a woman he can't touch whenever he wants? With someone he can't take dancing at a club because loud noises bother her? Who would want to be with someone who can't look them in the eyes or understand their expressions? No man would choose to be with me if he could have a normal, peaceful life with another woman," Luna replied.

"Do you know what kind of man would want to be with you, instead of a 'normal' woman?" Grecia asked.

"What man?" Luna inquired, disheartened.

"A man in love. You'd be surprised what someone can do for love," Grecia said.

"My life is already complicated enough. I need to adapt to living here where it's much noisier, there are family members who don't know about my condition, I'm about to launch a company, and I'm looking for an apartment. I don't understand love; it makes me anxious not understanding things, and that causes reactions in me that I dislike. When I'm anxious, I lose control, and I don't want that to happen," Luna said nervously.

"What happens when you lose control? Do you get aggressive?" Grecia asked, and Luna lowered her head even more nervously.

"In someone with autism, even mild, it's normal to become aggressive, but as far as I know, Marc said that only happened to you once, and you've seen many specialists to help you manage it," Grecia reassured.

"Yes, but things I don't understand give me a lot of anxiety, and that could make me lose control. I don't want to hurt anyone because of it," Luna said.

"That's why I'm here. Marc sent you to me because I can help you with your business and your emotions. If you let me, I can support you in everything, and you have nothing to lose," Grecia offered.

"For now, I just want your help with the business. I have a meeting at the building in an hour, can you join me?" Luna asked.

"Sure, but on the way there, I can help you with your feelings. Let's go to that meeting," Grecia said.

"Alright, let's go," they paid their bill and left, fortunately, Grecia had a car and Luna was spared the discomfort of loud music in a taxi.

After a successful meeting, Grecia drove Luna home, and she returned to her office. It was nearly dinner time, so Daniel returned as well.

"Hi," Daniel greeted as soon as he entered.

"Hi," Luna replied.

"I bought you these chocolates," Daniel handed over Luna's favorite chocolates.

"Thank you," Luna said, accepting them with a hint of nervousness.

"Go on and rest a bit before dinner," Daniel advised.

"That's what I'll do. Plus, I've been out all day; I need a shower," Luna said.

"See you in the dining room," Daniel said and Luna nodded before heading to her room where she set the chocolates on her bed and went straight into the shower.

Afterward, she combed her long blonde hair, dressed, and applied body cream. When she noticed the box of chocolates, a smile came unwittingly across her face. She opened it and popped a chocolate into her mouth, savoring it in a way she never had before, even though they were the same kind she always ate. Now the taste seemed sweeter. After enjoying the treat, Luna went down to dinner where everyone had gathered. She took her seat, and the meal was shared in harmony, with Janna cracking jokes that made everyone laugh. Daniel was captivated by Luna's smile, watching her mesmerized as she laughed. After dinner, while the rest stayed in the living room, Luna went upstairs having her own research to attend to.

"Let's see who you are, Faber Adler," Luna spoke to herself once settled in front of her laptop. Her curiosity was piqued about this man and whether he had any relation to her. Given that he looked to be in his thirties at most, he couldn't be her father - perhaps a brother or a cousin. She had no plans to approach him or anyone else; she merely wanted to know if they shared the same blood. Her life was complicated enough without adding family members who might not understand her situation.

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