Chapter 3: Greetings

Parker

I dragged Apollo

to the garden area, away from the gathering. "Where are you taking me, Parker?"

With the stupidest grin, "You mind explaining what that was?"

Apollo was perplexed. "What are you talking about?"

Parker's grin had grown wider. "I'm talking about how you were ogling that girl."

"What, girl?"

I poked him. "You know which girl I'm talking about. The one that gave the speech." Unknowingly a smile made its way to Apollo's lips. I haven't seen a smile like that, well, since ever.

"Livia Moon," he chimed her name like he was enchanted under a spell.

"And now you have this creepy look that would put scarecrows out of business." I teased.

Apollo put on a blank face. "I was not ogling her."

"Sure you weren't, and you are also not smiling while thinking about her."

Apollo cleared his throat. "Can you do something for me?"

I bet it pertains to a certain someone. "Don't I always?"

"Can you get her for me?"

"Who, Livia? Why?"

"I would like to indulge in an intellectual conversation with her."

Intellectual, my ass. I shook my head. "Wait here. I'll be back."

"Thanks, I owe you one."

"Whatever."  I laughed, walking away. "Livia Moon, what spell have you cast on my dear brother?"

∞∞∞

Livia

Mrs. Audrey, Nina's mother, hugged me tightly. "Oh my gosh, Livia, you did so well. I am so proud of you." She gave Livia a proud motherly smile.

"Thank you, Mrs. Elisabeth."

Audrey is a businesswoman. Bold, beautiful, and sharp-tongued. She treated Livia as if she was her own flesh and blood from the moment she met her. After an incident when Livia had just turned seventeen, she was ready to go head-to-head with Livia's father in a custody battle. Livia, of course, declined the offer, not wanting Audrey to get involved in her family matters. Audrey has cleaned countless bruises, more than Livia can remember.

Nina squeezed in between the two. "Mom, I also graduated. Sometimes I feel like you've replaced me with Livia."

"Oh, sweetie, it took you long enough to come to that conclusion. Livia is so good to me while all you do is ring me headaches." Mrs. Elisabeth teased.

"What?"

Her mother playfully pushed her out of the way. "Shush, can you not interrupt me while congratulating my daughter."

"Mom," Nina whined.

"Excuse me, ladies."

In front of us stood a man we'd seen on television numerous times, usually accompanying Apollo. So, what is he doing here?

Mrs. Audrey was the one to break the ice. "Yes, how may we help you?"

"I'm Parker Fox,"

"We are aware." Mrs. Audrey interposed.

"I'm flatter. It goes without saying that this is a little out of my nature, but the boss requested to briefly speak with Ms. Livia Moon. But, of course, that's if she isn't busy."

"No, she isn't busy. Take her," Alicia pushed me towards him.

What? How can Alicia throw me under the bus like that? "Actually, don't you remember we had a thing, Alicia?"

Confused, Alicia asked, "What thing?"

I gritted my teeth. "You know the thing."

Finally catching on, Alicia pulled me to the side. "Livia, what are you doing?"

"No, what are you doing?"

"I'm setting you the pass of a lifetime, and you're fumbling the ball."

"I know, but..."

"No buts, okay, get that pretty toosh out there and make something shake."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means get your man, girl." before I could protest, she shoved me toward Parker. "Here you are. She's all yours."

He chuckled. "Very well then. Ms. Moon, can you follow me, please?" he stopped in his tracks and v-lined his way to Nina. "Your name, madam?"

"Nina Campbell. Number, Foxy?"

He smiled "(206) ###-####, see you around, Nina."

"You better, Parker."

He smiled once again. "Shall we go on?" he asked me.

"Lead the way." 

We could faintly hear Nina and her mother's conversation from a distance.

"He is cute and just as crazy as you are."

"I know, right? He is such my type."

"You better not run him off, Nina."

"Mom, a real man would never run from a woman. But hopefully, he has me running, if you know what I mean."

"Oh my gosh, Nina, I am your mother. I don't want to hear about your sexual fantasies."

"Mom, you wouldn't have an eight-year-old at home if you were innocent."

"I can't help that I still got it, and besides, your father is hot."

"Oh no, oh gosh, we are not going there."

"What? I'm just saying your father is a blessed man."

"Eww, terminating this conversation. Kill the visuals."

Parker laughed. "That mother and daughter are something else."

"Oh, you have no idea." he really had no idea.

Parker led me to the side garden, and there he was, "Boss, here she is." Parker stepped aside, presenting me as if I were someone special.

With a gentle smile, Apollo extended his hand out to me. "Ah, Ms. Livia Moon, I heard many things about you."

My mind went blank. Standing so close, I understand what Nina meant by having a face that would stop you in your tracks. Look at him, his tousled jet-black hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes sloped downwards in an intense expression, but the deep forest green and flecks of pale green light performed a mesmerizing ballet in his gaze. His chocolate features were robust and defined, molded from the finest granite. From his modest demeanor, he must have gotten used to that sudden pause in a person's natural countenance when they looked his way."

"Livia?"

"Huh"

"I said I heard many things about you." Given his slight smile, he must have realized I was checking him out.

I could see Parker holding his laughter. Get it together, Livia. I cleared my throat, extending my hand out in return. "All good things, I hope."

"Of course they were, and I must commend you on your speech. Your words resonated with me in ways you wouldn't believe."

I debated whether I should confess he was the muse behind my speech or let it be. But, of course, I would just be speaking the truth, and that's nothing to be ashamed of. "I hope so, Mr. River; you were my inspiration."

"O-oh, really?" he stammered, taken aback by my straightforward confession.

"Yes, ask anyone here, and they will tell you how much I admire you. Not because of who you are but what you are. You are a staple of transforming the impossible into possible."

Meanwhile, Apollo felt a flame of attraction ignite within him. "I am honored you think so highly of me." Apollo is not an easily impressed man. That's one of the many reasons he is so sought out. It's human nature to want what you can't have. Apollo felt prideful, vulnerable, and intrigued. Livia never wavered her eye contact.

"The honor is all mine, Mr. River."

That tiny flame was quickly growing. So many people wouldn't dare look him in the eyes so intensely nor be so bluntly honest with him.

"Interesting." He whispered unintentionally.

"Well, if that's all, I have other business to attend to."

"But your friend said you weren't busy." Parker butted in.

Livia chuckled. "Perhaps she was right, but how long do you expect me to stand beside the man I idolize before I freak out like a little schoolgirl?"

Parker laughed. "Are you always this honest?"

"When there is no reason to lie, I don't."

"Fair enough," he said, dropping the topic.

"I need to meet this friend and thank her for allowing me to speak to a knowledgeable and well-spoken woman." Apollo complimented.

"Someday, who knows what path our destiny will reveal." she eyed Parker knowingly. Then, bidden her goodbyes.

Apollo watching Livia leave, didn't sit right with him. Something in him wanted to stop her and keep her close. Maybe he was afraid he would never see her again. But, on the other hand, he could see her sooner than later.

"Parker, set up an interview with Ms. Moon for the Chief Technology Officer position."

Parker was perplexed. "I don't mean to question your judgment, but are you sure that's a logical move. If Livia passes the interview and gets one of the most sought positions fresh out of college, wouldn't that cause controversy? Ms. Moon could become the center of attacks from envious employees."

"I am sure she would be a perfect fit. There is no doubt about it."

"There's something much deeper in your request. First, the hearts, creepy smile, getting flustered from a compliment, and now this. You are trying to keep Livia close, and that's dangerous for her and us."

"Let me worry about that, will you. A flame has been ignited in my chest for the first time, and I don't want to put it out just yet. So few people could look me in the eyes without being nervous or fearful and say what she said. But, looking into her eyes, I saw myself in a way."

"You sure it wasn't love?"

"Shut up. Besides, you should be happy I finally found someone to take some of the load off you."

"Don't pretend like you're doing this on my behalf." Parker sighed, defeated. "But if she already has you whipped like this, let me check her background. So please reframe from getting your heart too involved."

Apollo slung his arm over his shoulders. "You worry too much, my dear brother."

"But still…"

"Hey, I'm your boss. Just trust I'm making the right decision. You don't have to worry, Parker. Ms. Moon can handle herself."

Parker side-eyed. "And you too, I presume."

With a boyish smile. "I really want to howl to the moon right now."

"Hopeless."