THE LUNA'S CRAVING

I shivered, cold sweat dripping down my back despite the AC's hum. I was sweating, and my chiffon top was sticking tightly to my body.

My head bent low to the marble floor in fear and embarrassment. My father's rage filled the room.

"Do you want to embarrass this family, Helena" The old man with small round glasses raged, spit flying off his mouth.

"Stop chasing this silly hobby of yours and pursue your medical degree"

"You know what? Count me out of this. When you get serious with your life, then, You can come to meet me for help" he continued, his eyes holding a vast amount of rage and I was the cause of it.

"I will no longer fund your silly projects," He concluded, walking back slowly to his desk.

I stared at him in shock as it registered on my face. "But father, you can't do this. How would I take care of myself?"

My father snorted, "I want to know and I don't care. Unless you stop this childish dream, think like an adult, and continue your medical degree, You are no longer my daughter."

I couldn't believe what he was saying. Tears brimmed at the corners of my eyes as I stammered. "B-But, F-father, no!" I could barely form a single statement.

He slammed his fish on his desk. "You're not a child anymore, Helena. Writing is not a profession. Your mother worries about you and I'm tired of finding your failures"

I winced back in fear at his anger.

"It's not a hobby, Father. It's my life" I said, swallowing a lump in my throat as his plague on the table fell to the ground.

The prestige name was evident there as if to berate me. MD. DR Freeman Hudson.

This was one of my father's properties he wanted me to inherit, which I would have done if I hadn't dumped my medical school degree to chase my dream of becoming a writer.

He sneered "Then tell me, Helena. What is it?"

I raised my head, my voice form, "Writing is not a hobby. This is my life. I spoke with my agent and an interested publishing company about my work."

He laughed "Oh, stop lying Helena. Your agent told me they rejected your manuscript! You're only a total failure, Helena."

Dammit.

I looked down, muttering to myself. He has caught me.

That freaking agent betrayed and sold me out.

"I'm tired, Helena. I have funded your hubby, paid your rent, and bought you a car. I paid your agent fees, wrote fellowships, and sponsored everything but all you bring is failure and disgrace to this family" He pinched his nose before massaging his temples, looking exhausted.

"I have supported your feverish hobby for far too long because of your mother. But no more." He continued, staring at me straight in the eyes:

"I'm taking everything back, your car, credit account, and everything else. Until you come to terms with my condition and continue your medical degree, then you're no longer my daughter."

With every word that came out of his mouth, I felt a million daggers pierce my heart.

"Now, get out!"

I didn't waste any more time as I rushed out, crying hysterically.

All I felt was pain and rejection. He was my father and should embrace my decision but instead, disowned me.

"Where to, Miss Helena" My driver spoke.

"H-Home, take me Home" I stammered.

As we drove, I stared out the window, my mind racing.

"Ping"

I looked down and saw it was a notification informing me that I had been cut off from the family joint account.

"Miss, we're here" I heard the voice of Mr. Cornor, my Driver, and looked outside.

True to his words, I was in my house.

"Thank you," I walked into my house. With one thought in mind, my decision was made up.

I wasn't going to give up on my dream. I'd start fresh, somewhere new.

I looked down at my phone, a picture of the place I was moving into; Catalina island.

I called the Airline, my voice was shaky. "One ticket to Santa Catalina Island, Please"

I packed light, dropped a note on the table, dropping a kiss to it:

"Goodbye Diane" I'm going to miss my little sister.

I took one long look at my room and headed to the airport.

It didn't take long and we were on the next flight to Castalina but stuck in an Economy seat. It was only what I could afford at the moment considering my situation.

While trying to get comfortable, to no avail, I felt a strange pull towards the front of the plane. A scent invaded my nostrils, and I moved towards it, unbuckling my belt.

"Excuse me, miss, you can't go in there, "An Air hostess came out of nowhere, smiling.

I nodded, my hands holding the curtain that separated me from that intoxicating scent but before I could close it,

I saw him.

A man with blue piercing eyes and a strong jawline. Beautiful.

"Ma'am. You need to leave"

I blushed in embarrassment at the air hostess and closed the curtain but not before I saw the man throw a wide smirk with an unusual glint in his eyes.

I was confused. Why did I feel that pull towards that strange man?

Who was he?

The journey was smooth and I spent it reading about a great writer, Emily Conway. My idol.

I knew what I was doing was risky. I was leaving my family, my home, and my past. It was scary, but yet I wanted to see what lay ahead.

The plane landed and I stepped out, Shaky. The warm air of Santa Catalina Island greeted me as I made my way through the small airport.

The drive to the nearest hotel wasn't far and I was at the front desk in no minute.

The older-looking receptionist handed me a key With a smile. "Enjoy your stay," she said.

"Thank you"

I reached room 213 but the door refused to open no matter how much I tried. I pushed it one last time and it fell from my hands.

"Goddamit" I screamed. My frustration settling in.

But before I could bend down to pick it up, a child appeared, picked up the key, and handed it to me with a smile.

I smiled back and thanked him.

The child watched me trying to open the door for a moment. He signaled me to bend down to his height, and then he whispered, "Remember, sometimes the smallest keys open the grandest doors." Then he turned and ran down the hallway, leaving me confused.

"Who was he? What does he mean?" I watched his silhouette disappear after noticing a tooth attached to a long brown rope around his neck.

I felt a wave of wonder and excitement wash over me.

"A new life, A new future."