Hurricane +

2

Luna Hart starts her new job at Steele Corporation on a chilly Monday morning. The cold air nips at her cheeks, and she nervously clutches her bag, watching her breath form misty clouds in the crisp air. The excitement and anxiety of starting afresh in the big city weigh heavily on her shoulders. The bus arrives, and as she steps forward, the doors abruptly close, and it pulls away, leaving Luna staring helplessly after it, the roar of the engine fading into the distance."Oh no," she mutters, her breath puffing out in the cold. "Not today."

With no choice but to wait for the next bus, Luna checks her watch and feels a knot of panic tighten in her stomach. Time seems to crawl, each minute dragging by in the biting cold. Finally, the next bus arrives with a hiss of brakes, and she boards, the warmth inside a stark contrast to the freezing air outside. The cityscape rushes past the windows in a blur of grey and glass as her mind races through the day's potential challenges.

Arriving at the Steele Corporation headquarters, Luna hurries through the entrance, her heels clicking rapidly on the polished marble floor. She spots a group of employees gathered near the elevator and quickly joins them, trying to blend in and catch her breath. The scent of fresh coffee and the hum of morning chatter fill the air. Her new manager, Mr. Thompson, approaches the group, his expression serious.

"Good morning, everyone," he begins, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "The CEO has decided to visit us personally today to address the recent performance issues. Please be on your best behaviour and prepare for a challenging day."

Luna's heart skips a beat. She hadn't expected to meet the CEO on her first day, because when she did the interview she was told that he hardly shows up. The group murmurs in agreement, and Luna straightens her posture, trying to appear calm and composed. As the elevator doors open, she follows the crowd inside, her nerves tingling with anticipation. When they reach the conference room, Luna finds a spot near the back and waits with bated breath. The room smells faintly of lemon polish, and the hum of the air conditioning is almost hypnotic. The doors swing open, and Cassian Knight strides in, exuding an air of authority. Luna feels a jolt of recognition as their eyes meet briefly before he turns his attention to the assembled employees. She tries to keep her expression neutral, wondering if he remembers her from their brief encounter the Saturday night before.

Cassian addresses the group, his tone sharp and focused. "Our recent performance has not met expectations, and that needs to change immediately. I will be personally overseeing the improvements, and I expect nothing but your best efforts." As he speaks, Cassian's eyes flicker toward Luna, a hint of something unspoken in his gaze. To avoid revealing his feelings, he quickly looks away and continues his speech. Luna can't shake the feeling that she's been singled out, even though he hasn't addressed her directly.

Throughout the day, tasks begin to pile up on Luna's desk. Rick, Cassian's right-hand man and personal assistant, relays messages from the CEO, each one demanding more from her."Luna, Mr. Knight needs these reports by noon," Rick says, dropping a thick stack of papers on her desk.

"Of course, I'll get right on it," Luna replies, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she works through the endless stream of assignments. The steady click of keys becomes a comforting rhythm as she immerses herself in the work.

The team of seven workers she's been assigned to quickly notices the extra workload on Luna. Sensing an opportunity, they start piling their own odd tasks onto her."Luna, can you print this for me?" one of them asks, thrusting a stack of papers into her hands. The smell of fresh ink wafts up as she sets to work.

"And grab me a coffee while you're at it," another chimes in, the scent of the bitter brew making her stomach grumble.

Luna, too shy to refuse, finds herself running errands and handling menial tasks for her colleagues. 

By lunchtime, she's spent her week's transport money buying coffee and snacks for the team. When they ask her to pay for lunch in the cafeteria, she reluctantly agrees, her heart sinking as she calculates the remaining change in her pocket. The noise and bustle of the cafeteria press in on her, and she feels the weight of every glance from her co-workers.

The day drags on, each hour stretching longer than the last. Luna's back aches, and her feet are sore, but she pushes through, determined to prove herself. As the office begins to empty out for the evening, she realizes with a sinking feeling that she has no money left for the bus ride home.Steeling herself, Luna gathers her things and begins the long walk back to her apartment. The streets are dark and quiet, the occasional car passing by casting fleeting pools of light. The chill of the night air seeps into her bones, and she keeps her head down, her footsteps echoing in the stillness.

Meanwhile, Rick is driving Cassian home, the car gliding smoothly through the night. The scent of leather and faint cologne fills the interior. As they approach a dimly lit stretch of road, Rick spots a familiar figure walking alone.

"Sir, isn't that Luna Hart?" he asks, glancing in the rear-view mirror.

Cassian looks up, his brow furrowing as he recognizes Luna. The sight of her walking alone in the dark, vulnerable and weary, stirs something protective within him. He wrestles with his emotions, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Finally, he clenches his jaw and turns away. "Ignore her and take me home," he says tersely, though the words taste bitter in his mouth.

Rick nods and drives on, but Cassian's thoughts remain with Luna. The image of her solitary figure haunts him, a stark reminder of the cost of his attempts to distance himself. As he steps out of the car and into his opulent home, he can't shake the sense of regret that shadows his every move.

Luna reaches her apartment, her body aching and her spirit weary. She collapses onto her bed, tears welling up in her eyes as the weight of the day crashes down on her. The soft whisper of her pillow and the faint scent of lavender do little to comfort her. But even as she lies there, exhausted and defeated, a spark of determination flickers within her. She won't let this break her. Tomorrow is another day, and she will face it head-on.

Meanwhile, in the quiet of his opulent home, Cassian's mind is still on Luna. Unable to shake his concern, he picks up his phone and dials Rick's number.

"Rick, did Luna get home safely?" Cassian asks, his voice betraying the worry he feels.Rick responds promptly, "Yes, sir. I took the initiative to get her home address and I'm currently outside her apartment. She's safe inside."

Cassian feels a wave of relief wash over him. 

"Is there anything else you need from me?" Rick inquires, glancing up at the small apartment, shadows flickering from the dimly lit windows.

Cassian's tone becomes authoritative again, masking his earlier concern. "Don't be late tomorrow."

Rick grins, understanding the unspoken gratitude. "Understood, sir." He ends the call, starting the engine of the luxurious car. The car purrs to life, and Rick drives away, the darkness of the night giving way to the soft glow of streetlights.