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."
Livia I scrunched my nose in disgust, watching the disheveled man stumbling over his feet. I could smell the alcohol emitting from him. Another victim turns to alcohol to solve their problems. Something I knew all too well. I sigh, looking up at the sky. "You are drunk. Please leave my way before I make you regret laying your bloodshot eyes on me." A shabby-looking guy circled me. "Ooh, this one has a smart mouth. I think we will have fun taming her," he smirked. I really don't want to resort to violence tonight. "Didn't anyone ever tell you to mind what doesn't concern you?" "You should watch your mouth, girly. Girls with attitude are the ones I have the most fun putting in their place." This guy was above average height, with piercings and tattoos, tossed his cigarette out of his mouth, and stood toe to toe with me. Unlike the other two, he didn't seem as drunk. Besides the cigarette between his lips and the two lightweights next to him, he would be my type. Something about a
Livia Gunshots rang in the air. Dead bodies and blood were everywhere. A little girl sat in a corner, rocking back and forth with hands over her ears. The people with no faces are there again, protecting her. "Run" was the last thing she heard before everything went black. I awoke from my dreamland panting and soaked in sweat. "What is that dream? Is it a nightmare? Is it a memory? Who is that girl?" questions I have been asking myself for years but never seem to find the answers to. My phone started ringing. "What?!" I yelled in an annoyed tone. "Woah bitch, what's with the attitude?" I sighed. "What do you want, Alicia?" She let out a nervous giggle. "I am here with Zoe, Nina, and Sandra." "Good morning, Liv." I heard them yell in the background. A smile tiptoed on my face, but I knew something was up. "Morning, ladies. Alicia, answer my question." "Which one?" she asked cheekily. "The only question I have asked so far. Obviously, you want something otherwise; why bother rin
Mafia King Nightlife has taken over our side of the world. I could be at home in the comfort of my study, enjoying a neat glass of whiskey while casually scanning over paperwork or allowing my mind to wander about a special someone. But instead, the seven of us stood across the street contemplating paying a conjugal visit to a man stealing from me. He made the worst mistake by betraying me. Now it's time for him to pay up or lose his life, whichever comes first. "What's the status?" I asked Ace, my underboss. "According to Al, our traitor has left his house all day." "Are you sure?" "Yes, Boss, the house has been under surveillance since last night." "Okay, let's make this quick." I typically wouldn't visit personally, but disloyalty pisses me off. "I want Blade and Tech to be on the lookout. Tech, block the power lines. I don't want any phone calls getting in or out. Chess and Casper scan the house from top to bottom, ensure no one else is present. Reaper and Ace will stay by my
Livia Words left me. My brain stuttered, and every part of me paused while my thoughts caught up to reality. "What business does my father have with the Crimson Clan?" Cassian removed his mask, running up to me. "Which of you idiots shot my- shot her?" he asked furiously. Parker followed behind him, ripping a piece of his shirt and wrapping it around my wound. I winced as he tied his blazer across my good shoulder and back, creating a cast to keep my arm alleviated. "It's okay, little one. You will survive, the bullet isn't that deep, but it could get infected if not treated soon." He looked at me with sorrowful eyes, like the pain I felt was killing him. I jumped onto the counter. "I've been in worst situations," Aside from the occasional skirmish with my father, the Originals ensured I was prepared for anything. Cassian looked at me, concerned. "What do you mean you've been in worse situations? That doesn't denote the fact that you're hurt now." He said a bit angrily. Why is
Apollo Adrian and Livia becoming lovers? I don't know why but the mere thought really pissed me off. "Shut up and go to the living room. NOW!" everyone went silently perplexed by my sudden outburst. "I don't appreciate the tone of your voice Mr. River," Livia expressed daringly. Usually, I would dote over her carefree nature, but I was still on edge after Poet's little joke. So I walked towards her sandwiching her between me and the counter. She has a scar. How did that happen? Stay focused. "Kitten," "Kitten? Here I thought you were a stickler for formalities, King." King sounds so sexy as it rolls off her tongue. "Kitten, my patience is running thin, so be a good girl and get that pretty little ass in the living room or else," She pressed herself closer to me. "This position seems familiar. Doesn't it, King?" "Careful, kitten. I am still your boss." She has no idea how much I love when she calls me King and how much I want to taint your honey-like skin. And the tent forming in
Livia "You wipe your hands clean of me? Who do you think you are?" I laughed. "Who am I? Who am I? Good question. Maybe you know more than you let me believe. Huh, Ray?" I would have been strangled, chopped into pieces, and thrown into the ocean to become fish food if looks could kill. "The ground suits you well, you old fuck." I said as I sat in the armchair across from him. He smirked. "Laugh while you can. Pretty soon, you won't be." "Mmm, I really hope you die soon, then there would be one less deadbeat asshole polluting the world." his smirk was replaced with a frown. How satisfying. Apollo grabbed my attention again. "Kitten, you must be wondering what business I have with this traitor." "One of his few attributes." "To put it shortly, he stole from me and is now indebted to me. "Our original plan was to torture and then kill him because we knew there was no way he would be able to pay us back." I crossed my legs. "Which you should have. It would have been a blessing to t
Apollo I was getting angrier by the second. Is this really what Livia had to go through? A father that resented her for something she had no control over. To beat and ridicule an innocent child to relieve his painful mourning is inhumane. I quickly caught Livia as she stumbled backward. "Livia, are you okay?" she looked dazed. Suddenly she took on a pale look as if she'd been painted with whitewash. She swayed for just a moment before fainting in my arms. "Oh my god, Livia!" I yelled out, getting the other's attention. Cassian was the first to run up to her. "What happened?" "I don't know. Livia was fine a few seconds ago, and she suddenly fainted." Chris checked her pulse. "Her pulse is irregular, but it is strong. We need to attend to her wound before it gets worse." "Alright, let's move out." I picked her up, carrying her out of the house. The paleness of her skin and the blue tint making its way to her lips were worrying. Adrian ran up to me. "Boss, what do you want us to
Livia Chris was so done. "ADRIAN!" "YES?" he yelled from downstairs. "I NEED YOUR HELP. COME TO APOLLO'S ROOM." "OKAY." Adrian came running up the stairs. "What do you need help-" he gasped, seeing Cassian passed out on the floor. "What the hell happened to him?" "Don't ask. Just help me take Cassian to his room." Adrian threw his head back in defeat. "Fine," before hoisting Cassian over his shoulders. "Livia, don't forget what I said," Chris warned. "Aye, aye, captain." He stared at me. "Apollo, make sure the Queen doesn't overdo it." "Was already planning on it. There is no way I'm letting her out of my sight under her current condition. "Chris, he is slipping," Adrian whined. He shook his head. "Why are you still standing here? Useless." "Hey." I let out a hearty laugh as Adrian hauled Cassian to his room. "I really like your laugh," Apollo said, eyeing me adoringly. He really knows how to get my blood flowing. "Since I'm bedridden, there is something I have always b