Chapter 149: Luna reaches the crucial moment of her plan.
Luna carried the order over to Sarah.
She set down the tea first, then the cake, then a small napkin next to a spoon, and finally adjusted the cup slightly so it sat perfectly aligned.
Sarah watched the entire process until Luna finished.
"Do you need sugar?"
"No, it’s fine."
"Milk?"
"Neither."
"Another napkin?"
"This one’s good."
"Water?"
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"No, thank you."
Luna nodded.
"Understood."
Sarah picked up the cup, but Luna didn’t move, so Sarah took a sip.
"It’s good."
Luna nodded.
"I’m glad."
"You can get back to work."
"Yes."
Luna left, and Sarah watched her walk away, then looked at Noah, who was arranging a few things behind the counter, so Sarah smiled slightly.
A few minutes later, Luna returned.
"Is everything all right?"
Sarah nodded.
"Yes, perfect."
"Is the tea at a good temperature?"
"Yes, it’s fine."
"The cake?"
"That too."
"Do you need anything else?"
"No, I’m good with this."
Luna nodded.
"All right."
She left again, but Sarah started to suspect something was off, and five minutes later Luna came back.
"Would you like another drink?"
Sarah looked at the cup that was still half full.
"No."
"I understand."
Luna stayed there for a second, so Sarah watched her.
"Do you always work with Noah?"
Luna answered immediately.
"Frequently."
Noah overheard the conversation from a distance and paid closer attention.
Sarah smiled.
"Does he do well?"
Luna looked at Noah, who was trying to carry three plates to a table.
"Yes."
"That’s good."
"He learns fast."
Sarah nodded.
"I was worried it might be hard for him."
"No."
Luna answered too quickly.
"He’s responsible."
Noah lifted his head slightly, and Luna continued.
"He’s also attentive with the female customers."
Sarah smiled.
"That could be a problem."
Luna understood at once.
"I keep an eye on him."
Noah nearly tripped, and Sarah blinked.
"You keep an eye on him?"
Luna went still.
"The surroundings."
"Ah."
"To avoid problems."
Sarah looked at Noah and then at Luna.
"Problems with female customers?"
"Yes."
Sarah seemed interested.
"Has something already happened?"
Luna shook her head.
"Nothing serious."
"And you step in?"
"Yes."
Sarah smiled.
"How thoughtful."
Luna lowered her gaze slightly.
"It’s nothing."
"It is to me."
Luna looked up, and Sarah continued.
"I always worry that someone might take advantage of him."
Luna answered at once.
"I wouldn’t let that happen."
Noah stopped, just like Sarah, and Luna realized she had sounded too firm, so she tried to correct herself.
"As a coworker."
Noah closed his eyes.
’Terrible correction.’
Sarah smiled a little.
"It’s clear you care about him."
"He’s my coworker."
Noah looked toward her, and Luna added.
"And friend."
Noah arched an eyebrow.
’Is that all?’
Luna avoided looking at him while Sarah took another sip of tea.
"I’m glad he has people like that around him."
Luna nodded.
"I can look after him."
There was a silence.
Noah’s eyes went wide, and Luna also seemed to realize what she had said.
Sarah slowly set the cup down.
"Look after him?"
Luna answered seriously.
"When it’s necessary."
Noah walked toward them.
"Luna."
She ignored him, and Sarah was clearly amused.
"Do you do that in high school too?"
"Yes."
"Do you remind him about his homework?"
"Sometimes."
"To eat?"
"Yes."
"To rest?"
"That too."
"To bring water?"
"Of course."
Noah reached the table.
"Mom."
Sarah looked at him.
"What?"
"Don’t interrogate her."
"I’m not interrogating her."
Luna answered.
"It doesn’t bother me."
Noah looked at her.
"Of course it doesn’t."
Sarah pointed at Luna.
"She’s telling me she basically supervises you."
"I don’t need supervision."
Luna looked at him.
"Yes, you do."
Sarah let out a laugh, and Noah frowned.
"And that betrayal?"
Luna looked back at Sarah.
"Noah usually tries to do too many things."
Sarah nodded immediately.
"That’s exactly what I say."
"He also forgets to eat properly."
"Exactly."
"And he sleeps less when he’s worried."
Sarah set the cup down.
"How do you know that?"
Luna went still, so Noah looked at her, and Luna took a second.
"I notice."
Sarah smiled slowly, and Noah recognized that expression.
’No.’
Luna continued.
"That’s why I try to make sure he takes care of himself."
Sarah rested an arm on the table.
"I see."
Luna nodded.
Sarah looked first at Luna, then at Noah, and back at Luna.
"How curious."
Noah swallowed.
"What?"
Sarah smiled.
"Nothing."
Luna stayed serious, and Sarah watched her for a few more seconds before saying,
"It almost feels like you’re trying to impress me so I’ll give you my son..."
Luna went completely silent, while Noah nearly dropped the tray he had just picked up and a cup shifted dangerously, but Noah managed to steady it before it fell.
Sarah raised her eyebrows.
"It was a joke."
Luna and Noah didn’t respond, so Sarah looked at both of them and her smile slowly faded.
"It was a joke...?"
Noah opened his mouth, but nothing came out, while Luna remained motionless.
Sarah looked at Luna, at Noah, and then back at Luna.
"Wait."
Noah raised a hand.
"Mom."
Sarah pointed at Luna.
"You."
Luna held her posture.
"Yes."
"Are you trying to impress me?"
Another silence appeared, and Noah closed his eyes.
’Please say no.’
Luna answered with certainty.
"Yes, of course I am."
Noah lowered his head while Sarah’s eyes went wide.
"Ah."
Luna breathed slowly.
"But not exactly so you’ll give me your son."
Sarah looked at Noah, who lifted his gaze.
"That sounds worse than it is."
Luna added.
"Because Noah decides for himself."
Sarah blinked.
"That sounded pretty serious."
Luna nodded.
"It is."
Noah intervened.
"Luna."
She looked at him, and Noah lowered his voice.
"Are you really going to do this here?"
Luna answered with the same calm.
"The opportunity appeared."
Noah’s eyes widened in surprise.
"That doesn’t mean you have to take it right now!"
Sarah raised a hand.
"Take what opportunity?"
Noah stayed quiet, so Luna looked at Sarah, and Noah saw her get ready.
"No."
Sarah frowned.
"No what?"
Noah gently took Luna by the arm.
"I need to talk to her."
Luna looked at him.
"It’s not necessary."
"Yes."
"No."
Sarah smiled again.
"Now you really look like a couple arguing."
Once again, exactly the same as with Yume.
’Why do my moms make those jokes?’
Sarah observed both of their reactions, but then her gaze slowly changed.
"Don’t tell me that..."
Noah felt the moment had arrived, so Luna spoke.
"Mrs. Reed."
Noah looked at her, and Luna continued.
"I have something to tell you."
Sarah set the cup down, and Noah sighed.
There was no longer any way to stop it, and Luna, after spending the entire afternoon trying to show that she could take care of Noah without saying directly why she wanted to do it, had finally reached the point where hiding it was more complicated than admitting it.