Wolfbane

Chapter 1

LUNA

I stepped out of my car and walked towards him with my head held high.
-Good morning, Mr. Chang-
- Ugly weather today.- he said, as he walked past me and got in the car.
I didn't say anything back.
I got in the car, buckled my seat belt, and looked at him through the mirror.
- Where to, Mr. Chang? The e-mail didn't specify any location. - I said apologetically.

He waited a few seconds to answer me.
-To my apartment. We are working from home today. -
I started the car and drove away.

He sat back and relaxed.
The rain wasn't bad, but it was very annoying not the less.
The morning was exactly as I like them, gray and rainy.

I stopped the car at a red light and looked at him through the mirror. He looked tired. I bet he had been at the recording studio since I left him there yesterday.

Against my better judgment, I asked him,
- Mr. Chang, have you eaten breakfast?-
- Uhm... - he sat up straight. - No, not yet.-
-Would you like to stop by the little bakery by your building?- he considered for a moment. His face was so serious. He let out a loud breath.
- Yes. Please. That would be great. Thank you, Ms. Montez.-
- Luna, Mr. Chang. Please, call me Luna.-
- I told you already that I will call you Luna the day you start calling me Chris.-
I bit my lip and kept driving in silence. Words stop coming out of my mouth every time he says things like that.
I know he is a flirt. I had seen all of  them women coming and going, and I don't want to join that list.
The more professional we keep this dynamic, the better it is for everyone.

We arrived at the bakery.
I parked the car on the parking lot, paid the ticket, and we crossed the street to the bakery.

I was so focused on my thoughts that I didn't notice the bike coming my way.
- For fuck sake!- Chris pulled me into his arms.
I let out a weird noise, a mix of surprise and a sob.
He took my face in his hands and stared into my eyes.
- Are you ok, Luna?-
I nodded. Words won't come out of my mouth.
He let go of me slowly.
We waited a moment and crossed the street to the bakery.
My legs were shaking. I guessed he noticed because he held my elbow.

We walked inside the bakery, and I took a seat at the first table I could.
- I will be right back.- he said.
I was hyperventilating. I don't know if I was affected by almost getting hit, or if it was the feeling of his embrace or the way he said my name. Or maybe it was all of it together.
All I know is that I don't want to be here right now. I don't want to be near him right now, and I can't leave.
He came back and sat down in front of me.
I stared down at my hands.
He didn't say anything.

Our order came.
He got me a cup of peppermint tea and a sliced of chocolate cake.
My stomach growled in response. Chris laughed at it.
- what?- I said, embarrassed. - I'm  hungry.-
He took the fork, dig into the cake, and fed it to me.
We reacted too late. We both stared at each other.
He took our food, I took the coffees, and we left.

We got in the car, the tension was palpable. We got in our seats, exchanged food for coffee, and we drove in silence.