Chapter 11: Go Home Moon

Livia

I am going into my third week at Apollo Enterprise. It was a lot to take in at first. Still, thanks to Secretary Sarah Campbell catching me on all the latest hot gossip, I could grasp the company's culture. Let me tell it's some shady business relations going on. Apparently, Jake from sales is having an affair with some fresh hotty in data, and what's more vexing, the new hotty is his wife's cousin.

Yeah, like I said, some very shady business relations!

However, during my first week, there was an incident with one of the older male managers. On more than one occasion, that mannerless jerk groped and made less-than-appropriate remarks regarding things he wanted to do to my body. To his luck, Parker caught that old jerk in the act and intervened. He was fired and blacklisted due to the company's strict policies against sexual harassment, but that wasn't satisfying enough for me. I wanted to give him endless pain before putting a bullet through his head, but that would be too much of a hassle to cover up. So instead, I told my brothers what that man had done. Funny enough, when my brothers went to confront the prick, he was already beaten pretty bad.

But for what it is worth, Apollo has taken great care of me. He is very lenient and patient with me, which didn't go unnoticed by my female colleagues. In fact, a few were brave enough to confront me, making accusations about how I seduced "the Boss" to get such a prominent position early in my career. But, of course, Sarah always came to my defense like the saint she is. But Apollo didn't let it slide.

After shutting those accusations down, he gave his employees an earful. He told them, "Respect and loyalty are laws at Apollo Enterprise. If you can't honor that, turn in your resignation letter, and all the best on your new journey."

Oh, Cassian, the other Moon, and I connected immediately. He is a genuinely lovely and easy-going guy but a stickler regarding the quality of his work. Still, the pain behind those eyes cannot be hidden. It mainly shows when we are alone. He always looked at me like I was something precious, not in an obsessive way, more like a child finding a favorite toy they thought was long gone.

Onto lighter news, I landed my first client. Which is why I'm here so late drawing up a contract.

Knock knock knock

I looked up to see Parker peering his head in my office door. "It's getting late, Moon. Go home." Parker hates when I stay overnight, especially after the incident with that old prick.

"But I am almost finished," I whined.

He gave me a stern look that most people would find intimidating. "No buts, go home. I am sure you can finish whatever it is tomorrow."

"All I need is thirty more minutes." I protested.

"I'm calling Apollo." he threatened, pulling out his phone.

I gave in, "Ugh, fine tattletale." I am not scared of Apollo, but I cannot deal with another one of his punishments. The last time I disobeyed his command, he gave Parker the day off and made me fulfill his duties. It was a nightmare. How could Parker do it daily?

"Call me whatever you like, due diligence. Quickly get your things. I have other business to attend to."

"That's not fair, even you have work after work." I pouted.

"This isn't about me. Hurry it up, please." He gave me a teasing smile waiting for me at the door.

I rolled my eyes. "You know you can just go. You don't have to wait for me."

He put his index finger over his lips, pretending to think, "Hmm, let me think. How about no."

"You are so annoying," I said, walking out of the office towards the elevators.

He playfully threw his arm over my shoulder. "I know."

Making it to the garage, I saw Cassian standing beside his car. He must have been waiting for Parker. "What took you so long?" he complained.

"Don't blame me. I had to manipulate this little workaholic to go home."

Cassian looked at me, worried. "You should really stop staying so late. I'm sure whatever it is can wait until tomorrow."

"I tried to tell the little bean that, but she wanted to argue, so I had to pull the Apollo card."

I flipped him off, getting into my car. "See you tomorrow, guys. Have a goodnight, Cassian, Mr. Fox." I hopped in my car and scurried off before Parker could scold me.

Cassian watched Livia's car disappear and whispered, "You to Moon." He was so deep in his own thoughts he didn't hear Parker talking to him.

Parker glared at the back of Livia's car, planning how he would get back at her. "Can you believe she called me Mr. Fox? She knows I hate being referred to by my last name. Cassian. CASSIAN?"

Cassian shook his head, coming back to reality. "Huh, what did you say?"

Parker examined his face. "When will you tell the others?"

He sighed. "When I am hundred percent sure. Get in. We must go before Chris blows a fuse for us being late."

∞∞∞

"Welcome back, Ms. Moon." the head of security beckoned warmly.

"Thanks, Charlie. How was your day?"

"Long." Charlie was a man of few words and took his job seriously, which was always appreciated.

I chuckled. "Tell me about it."

"Would you be needing anything?"

"No, but thank you."

"You're most certainly welcome, Ms. Moon. Have a good night."

"You too, Charlie."

I took off my shoes and hung my keys on the key holder. "Why does it feel like I'm forgetting something?" I checked the calendar "Shit, I have to check up on that devil of a father of mine." Tomorrow is my mother and brother's death anniversary, and my father will be at the peak of his violent outburst. But, despite everything he has done, he is still my father.

"Fuck it." I put my hair up into a low fishtail braid. Then, I changed into a random t-shirt, ripped jeans, a light jacket, and my favorite black combat boots that I keep tactical knives tucked away in. I also grabbed my gun, stuffing it down the back of my jeans, the cold metal sending a shivering sensation up my spine.

My slow and steady footsteps echoed on the damp pavement leading me to an unknown destination. I laughed, thinking about how furious Malakai would be if he got to know I was out this late. Aside from the occasional bickering in our group chat, this reminds me that the party was the last time we saw each other.

I absentmindedly turned down a dimly lit alley. I have grown to like the eerie feeling of not knowing what lurks in the dark. If there is one thing I have learned, everything shown in the light is easy to love. Show me the darkness where our shadows go to hide. We are all a bunch of lost souls searching for that someone whose demons play well with our own.

In the middle of the alley were three men being loud and obnoxious. They clearly had a little too much to drink. I tried avoiding them, but you don't always get what you want.

One of the three drunkateers stepped back, blocking my path "Hey, baby girl. Didn't anyone tell you not to walk alone, especially at night?" The cringe I feel right now is spine-breaking.

"Livia, you haven't spilled blood in weeks. You have been doing so good. What's one more night." I attempted to walk around him, but another blocked my path.

"Give me strength."