02

Scared to Death

New York City.

6 months earlier.

The day promises cold weather; a grayish panorama is expected during this time of year in the city that never sleeps. It's winter. I grab a beige trench coat from the hanger and check myself in the mirror. Today I've decided to wear a white knee-length dress, matching stilettos, and minimal makeup. My straight brown hair is pulled back into an updo, with a few bangs framing my forehead. I look decent enough, so after making sure everything is in place, I can head off to work.

And I really need to hurry.

Time is running out!

I arrive at the parking garage, press the remote button to unlock the doors, and the white Porsche flashes its headlights. I walk over to the car and climb inside. I merge into the tedious, terrible traffic—no helping it. While waiting, I turn on the radio, but it fails to play a tune that calms my impatience. Quite the opposite: the announcer drones on, repeating the time.

It's five minutes before eight-thirty!

I have only myself to blame for the delay; I shouldn't have stayed up so late last night. Falling asleep was difficult, partly due to untimely, pesky insomnia.

Car horns blare behind me, beside me, everywhere—as if that changes anything. Well, the line barely moves.

I huff.

I call my father.

"Good morning, little Luna. Did something happen?"

"Good morning, Dad. I'm stuck in traffic. I'm so sorry..."

"Calm down, sweetheart. It's fine if you can't join me for the meeting."

"I really wanted to be there, and I don't think I'll make it on time. I feel awful."

"Don't worry about it. I have to go inside soon. Drive carefully."

"I hope everything goes well."

"You'll see, it will."

The call ends, and I place my phone back in its spot. After half an hour, I finally escape the horrible traffic. I won't make it to the board meeting, but at least I'll be there to welcome the company's new investor. My chest overflows with happiness knowing the future of the family business will no longer be in decline.

Though a few points still need ironing out, our financial troubles are practically at an end.

...

Arriving at Miller.Inc brings a smile to my face. It's my comfort zone; ever since I can remember, it's been a place where I feel at ease. Now that it's also my workplace, it completes me.

I greet Paulina, blowing her a kiss as I rush toward the elevator.

"Have a great day!" she calls out before the mirrored doors close.

I manage a corresponding smile.

Once I reach the floor, I run straight into my dad's secretary.

"Good morning, Regina."

"Welcome, young Ms. Miller. I'm going to grab some coffees and take them to the boardroom. Excuse me," she adds urgently.

"I understand."

I enter my father's huge office looking for some signed files. I take them with me to my desk; I haven't graduated with my degree in business administration yet, but my dad gave me the administrative assistant vacancy because he believes in me—in my innate potential with numbers, which I inherited from him.

Karol, the head of administration, gives me my daily tasks. She's a beautiful woman with abundant reddish hair, a perfectionist, yet full of sweetness and understanding when evaluating my work.

Precious Luna, how are you? Her honey-colored eyes share a simultaneous sparkle that enlivens her good humor, accompanied by a soft smile.

"Karol, I actually feel bad about being late. I was so looking forward to being with Dad at the board meeting," I pout.

She rounds the desk, stops in front of me, and rests her delicate hands on my shoulders in a subtle caress of support. It manages to make me smile a little.

"Cheer up, there's always next time. Besides, rest assured that meeting will be a success. I've known Riccardo for a long time; he's a reliable man, benevolent, and he knows his investment here will bring him exorbitant profits."

"You're entirely right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to work," I announce, making a move to leave. Her hand wraps around my forearm, blocking my exit. I look at her. "What?"

"How are your studies going? I need you here, but university matters more," she admits in a soft tone.

"Everything's fine, don't worry. I can juggle both without losing rhythm in either. Hey, Karol, can I take the afternoon off?" I inquire. She rarely denies me anything, but I ask anyway.

"Of course you can. You've worked hard these days; you deserve it, gorgeous. Before you go, grab two coffees," she adds with a wink.

"Sure. Decaf?"

"No, today I fancy a delicious cappuccino."

"Got it. I'll be right back."

I dash off toward my boss's favorite coffee shop—not that Miller.Inc's coffee is bad, but just across the street is a renowned spot she's frequented since childhood, or so she told me. It has also become my go-to choice for trying coffee prepared in different ways. The place earned its distinction through attentive service and the explosive blend of flavors in every order.

It's a spot where you can sit with a cup of coffee while it rains outside, watching thousands of droplets hit the glass—a moment of calm and specialty. I don't know, that's how it feels to me. In my opinion, Coffee City York is indescribable.

Before I can set foot on the street, gunfire erupts in every direction. Fear takes hold of me. I freeze, terror seizing my body. I don't want to be a victim—a fallen body. I need to protect myself. Out of nowhere, a figure appears, yanking my hand and pulling me along. I desperately want to know who it is.

Everything happens so fast I don't have time to recognize him. He urges me into the passenger seat of a car, then slides behind the steering wheel himself.

"You're safe," he tells me in a reassuring tone that momentarily chases away my anxiety.

I finally look at him, and after locking eyes with those familiar ones, I breathe normally again.

"Jake?"

"I was driving to the company and suddenly saw you. I noticed you were in trouble and didn't hesitate to help. You've got to keep your eyes peeled, Luna," he adds, inspecting my face. "Are you alright?"

"I-I..." I search for the right words. I've just had the scare of my life and am fortunate to have escaped the sudden shootout unhurt. I get lost in the flashing lights of the arriving police cruisers; the sirens snap me back to reality. "I suppose so. Thanks, Jake."

"No need. You know that looking out for your safety is a privilege I'll take whenever I get the chance," he asserts with a smile crinkling his gray eyes. I cherish him like a father, partly because Boyle is a friend of Dad's. "Next time, avoid walking anywhere. You have a car, Luna."

I just nod, accepting the scolding.

"I thought it would be as quiet a day as any other, but I'll be careful. Could you drive me to pick up some coffees?"

"Is it near where the commotion happened?"

"Unfortunately," I confirm.

"I'm not going to expose us to that."

"You're right. Let's head back to the company. I'll explain to Karol," I resign myself, deflating in the seat.

I can't stop thinking about what happened. How do such things keep happening in such a busy place? The police should be more alert. With so many psychopaths running loose, beefing up security isn't optional.

Good thing nothing happened to me—not a single scratch.

"Hey, Jake," I manage to catch his attention. A sideways glance encourages me to continue. "Don't mention this to my father. Otherwise, he'll worry and might hire two burly men to guard me. And..."

"Don't worry. Just try not to wander around on foot. I don't want to imagine what would have happened if a bullet..." He takes a breath, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"Alright, let's change the subject, please. How have you been?" I ask, abruptly steering the conversation elsewhere.

"Now that I hear the meeting was a success, I feel relieved," he says, and my eyes widen in surprise.

"Really?!" I blurt out in disbelief. I hoped it would go well, but hearing it actually happened fills me with joy. "That's wonderful."

"It's good news, Luna."

...

"Congratulations, Dad!" The first thing I do when I see him is throw my arms around him in pride.

"Luna, my child, you see? Everything worked out," he separates me to affectionately take my chin. "Let's go share the good news with Elena together."

I nod, then tenderly kiss his cheek. My father is so handsome; he's aged very well, even approaching sixty. He still maintains the spark in his greenish-gray eyes—just like mine—along with his elegant bearing and demeanor.

"Come on, we have to celebrate, Dad."

"Of course we do. Before calling your mother, come here—I want to introduce you to Riccardo."