Moonlight Bride English Version

JOSELITO'S fingers were careful while combing her hair. After shampooing her hair, they prepared the treatment for her. But she knew that he was scared to change the style of her hair because he feared that she'd bite him.

"Well, her hair is surprisingly well-groomed. She doesn't need a rebond. Hair wax, hair spa, and Brazilian blowout out would do wonders to make it more beautiful," said the stylist to Deive who was watching over his back like a supervisor.

She could see her groom's satisfied smile as he watched and nodded. "Good thing. I am wondering if there are creatures nesting in her head."

She gave him a stinky look. Is he implying that she has lice on her head? Callea might be a weird one in dressing up but she's very particular with personal hygiene. Her hair was her asset even when she was still young. It was long, black, straight, and has thick strands. Her mom used to tease her that she must audition for a shampoo commercial.

"As a part of the legion of darkness, my hair is my asset. Who knows, someday I will be a model of Stallion Shampoo and Conditioner."

Stallion Shampoo and Conditioner was a popular shampoo brand. There was a myth that when you use Stallion Shampoo, you will make guys gaga over you.

"Ah! You mean Stallion Shampoo horror edition?" Deive teased.

"Even villains need gorgeous hair," she declared confidently.

"What hairstyle do you want, Ma'am?" the stylist asked.

She looked at him in the mirror. "The scarier, the better. Like the moment they see my hair, it would raise the hair on their body right away."

Joselito grinned at her. "Hehe! Your idea is not an easy one. That is not my forte, Ma'am." He clapped his hand and become more energetic when he combed her hair. "Do you want bangs? Side bangs would be great. That's the fad right now and people will see your beauty more. Your face is heart-shaped. Hmmm… maybe we can copy the look of the K-pop artists or Kdrama actress. The women with bangs always take home the hero and even the second lead."

The stylist brushed her hair in front of her face. Callea clipped her hair with her own fingers to show how long she wanted to cut her hair. "I want the bangs to cover my eyes."

Joselito took a look at it. "Hmmm… that's too long for bangs and it might get in the way of your eyes. You have beautiful eyes and you have long lashes like that of a doll. I am sure your boyfriend always wants to see your eyes."

"No. I really want my bangs to be that long for an air of mystery. It is like finding a treasure."

"Hmmmm… okay," said the stylist who was intent on listening to her explanation.

"So, when I brush off my hair so I can look at people…"

She swiped the hair off her eyes then she rolled her eyes as if she was having a seizure. Then she laughed like crazy.

The stylist cried in fear and hid at the back of Deive. It looked like he would have a heart attack. She just gave Deive an evil grin when he looked at him sharply as a warning. "What are you doing?" he asked her.

"I just showed the stylist the style that I want. Well, I think that is a nice idea for my next novel. So, there's this woman with beautiful hair. One night, a drunken maniac saw her and wanted to take advantage of her. Only to find out that it is a ghost or an aswang maybe. I want to bathe her with blood for extra effect," she whispered while twiddling her thumbs and thinking about the execution of the scene, how she would kill the maniac and tear him up into pieces. That would be fun.

From the reflection of the glass, she saw when the stylist tapped Deive's arm. "Sir, your girlfriend is not normal. She might drink my blood. I am a warrior of beauty. I don't make people ugly. In what haunted house did you pick her up?" he asked with a frightened look on his face.

"In Nagcarlan. Ask around and people will point you to my lair. I am notorious there," Callea announced proudly.

Joselito stomped his feet. "I don't want to attend to her anymore, Sir. She's really scary. I want to live longer."

"I will give you a huge tip if you can make her beautiful," Deive declared with confidence. He got money to burn for her makeover.

"Sir, even if you give me your body, I won't fix your girlfriend. Hmp!" The stylist crossed his arms over his c.h.e.s.t. "I still love my life."

"Let's go, Deive. I don't think they believe that customer is always right. Let's just go home." Yes! Her strategy was effective. No stylist would touch her now.

She was about to stand up when Deive barred his arms on both sides of the swivel chair, caged her then put his face closer to hers. It was challenging her. "Stay here. We won't leave her until you transformed into something acceptable."

"Well, no one wants to service me. Let's not waste our time."

"Don't celebrate yet," he warned. "I can find someone to handle your makeover. I am rich. I am sure they would love to service you if I will give them a ten thousand pesos bonus."

There was a murmur of excitement around them. Money talks. Many people would do anything for that kind of money.

Joselito, who walked out a while ago, came rushing back while raising his hands. "Sir, I was just joking a while ago. I will handle your girlfriend's makeover. I will just pray that she won't eat me alive. I can do this. I will just prepare for her treatment." Then he walked away from them while whistling.

Deive grinned at her while her heart was smarting. She was defeated once again. "See?" he said in a tone that savored his victory.

She looked away from him then crossed her arms. "I will make it difficult for him."

"I will kiss you in front of all the people here if you won't behave," Deive threatened her and his eyes bulged in a warning.

Callea blanched when she realized how serious he was. Would he really kiss her? She gulped while fighting the memories of their kiss. That one was private. But she didn't know how she would react if he would kiss her in front of those strangers while looking like a bloody ghost. Would he really take a risk of kissing her?

"Then try it. Or else…"

"Or else what?" His stern feature turned into a playful look. He put his face near hers. "Will you vex me with your voodoo doll? Or you will use a love potion? I am not scared of you." He held her nape. "Do you want to give it a try?"

Now, she was the one who got cold feet. He would kiss her again and this time, he wanted to prove something. Kissing was not for the sake of kissing at all. It was a competition for him right now.

And she couldn't let him kiss her or he would drive her crazy for real. He would have a harder time making her normal. Maybe she would have a nightmare afterward. Of course, she won't tell him how his kiss would send her system in haywire. He would only play her emotions in the end and she would end up a loser.

No. She won't let him kiss her or intimidate her in any way. She didn't want them to transform her into a goddess. There must be some other way to get out of this.

She covered her face with her palms before he claimed his kiss. "Wait. Maybe we can talk about this first. Look. I can be beautiful in front of our grandfathers. I can be a goddess to impress your friends."

"You mean pretend as you did before?"

She slowly lowered her hand and smiled at him. "Yes. You were none the wiser then. I am sure it would work again."

He nodded. "Yup. You are right."

"And you'll save money, too. You don't need to spend money on my makeover. Look. I can stand being normal and beautiful for a few days. I can be shining, shimmering, and splendid to impress your friends and colleagues. I won't do weird stuff. I won't write for a few days just to make sure that I don't think or do anything weird while spending time with them."

"And afterward, you will go back to your dark world? You will stay inside your room again and talk to the bats."

"Yes. Just please, don't put me in this torture." She clasped her hands together. "My idea is brilliant, right?"

He smiled sweetly. "Yes. It's a brilliant idea."

"So, that's a yes. You agree with my idea. We can now leave and go home?" she asked in an excited voice.

The smile was suddenly gone from his lips. "No! I won't risk it."

"What?" she cried in dismay. Just when she thought she was winning, he would suddenly drop her.

"You are a horor writer, Callea. But you don't need to be a breathing and walking horror book. If you want to cosplay while you are writing, then stay in your room. I am cool with that as long as you are working. You don't have to spend a lifetime living like a horror queen."

Callea shook her head. "No! I want to be like this."

"Then you will lose Villa Celesta. My grandfather is a good judge of character. He will know if there is something off with you. I don't want to risk it. He could find me another woman to marry. Someone who is not weird. Someone I could show to the public and won't have a problem that she might transform into another creature at night. But how about you? Do you think your grandfather would be easy on you once? You can't live in the shadows forever."

The world is cruel. Callea only wanted to have a peaceful life. Nobody would bother her on how she wanted to dress up, talk, look, and feel. She had a safe haven where no one would hurt her or judge her.

Now, she was being forced to step out of her shadow.

She tightly clutched the arm of the swivel chair. What would she sacrifice just to get Villa Celesta. She was scared to step out of her comfort zone.

She felt exposed. N.a.k.e.d. Vulnerable. Unprotected.

But Deive was right. She must take a risk. If she would gamble with him, she would surely get Villa Celesta. He was only helping her out. They were partners.

"Okay. My hair can be trimmed. Bangs is okay but is it okay if it will cover my eyes? I will just brush it sideways if needed."

"Sure!" Then he called the stylist. "Joselito, she's ready."

She was not moving on her seat when the stylist put some keratin hair formula on her hair and he started discussing its benefits on her hair. She was still scared to change herself. She still didn't want to be beautiful.

Deive put his hand on the top of her clenched one. "Don't worry. You will be fine after this. Just think that you have a much-deserved relaxation after a long year of working."

She didn't know if she could relax if he was holding her hands in comfort But it made the whole ordeal bearably at least.

What's not bearable was the unsteady beat of her heart.

She slowly let the air out of her lungs. She must get used to this setup. She must get used to the feel of his hand holding hers and she must be comfortable with his stare. If she wanted things to look natural for them, she must conquer her emotions. She must turn this weakness into a strength.

She closed her eyes. I can do this. I can.