Chapter2
1629 Words
PROMISES AND CURSES
“What happened to your smile, sweetheart?”
Crane shifted his gaze to the sheets in his hand.
“Oh…”
He stood abruptly and placed the papers carefully on the chair beside him.
Moon remained where she was, watching his antics.
Normally, she would have laughed and teased him for being dramatic, but Mr Bank’s visit earlier had shaken her confidence.
“First things first,” Crane said with a grin.
He picked up a bouquet of flowers from the table and walked toward her.
“These flowers are for you, my darling wife.” His smile softened. “A small appreciation for everything you do for me.”
Moon accepted the bouquet and inhaled its sweet fragrance.
“Thank you, sweetheart. They're beautiful.”
“Lucy helped me choose them,” Crane admitted.
Moon laughed. “At least you're honest.”
“I figured I'd get caught if I lied.”
Both of them laughed together.
Crane then picked up three neatly wrapped gift boxes and handed them to her.
“And these are from me.”
Moon's eyes widened. “Three gifts?”
“I was trying to make up for all the times I've forgotten things.”
Her expression softened immediately.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I know.” Crane shrugged. “But I wanted to.”
Moon placed the gifts aside and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“And I won't forget how you make me feel.”
She kissed him gently. “I love you.”
Crane's smile deepened. “I love you too.”
They stayed like that for several seconds before Moon finally pulled away.
Then her gaze drifted toward the document again.
“What are the papers about?” she asked.
“I saw my name on them.”
Crane chuckled. “You see why I love you?”
“Because I'm beautiful?”
“Because you're beautiful and frighteningly observant.”
“That's definitely a compliment.”
“It is.”
They laughed again.
Then Crane picked up the document.
For the first time that evening, he seemed nervous.
Moon immediately noticed.
“Crane?”
He took a slow breath. “I have a request.”
“A request?”
“One that took me a long time to decide on.”
Moon reached for his hand.
“You know I'd do anything for you."
The sincerity in her voice made him smile.
“I know.”
He squeezed her fingers. “Which is why I'm asking you this.”
He held out the document.
“Will you become the CEO of my company?”
Moon stilled.
The smile disappeared from her face. For several seconds, she simply stared at him.
“Moon?”
She swallowed. “You want me to what?”
“I want you to become CEO.”
“Crane…”
“I trust you.”
The simple statement hit harder than she expected.
“I know it's a huge responsibility,” he continued. “But I don't trust anyone else with that office.”
Moon looked down at the papers.
Fear slowly crept into her chest.
“Do you doubt yourself?” Crane asked quietly.
Moon looked up. “No.”
“Then what's wrong?”
She hesitated. “Someone approached me today.”
Crane frowned. “Who?”
"Mr Banks.”
Immediately, his expression darkened.
“What did he want?”
“He offered me twenty-five percent of the company's shares.”
Crane remained silent.
Moon continued. “He wants someone else to replace you as CEO.”
The room suddenly felt colder.
“And?”
Moon studied him carefully.
“He said the shares would be my insurance policy.”
“Insurance?”
“In case you die before I give you an heir.”
Moon's fingers tightened around the document.
Five years later and that single word still knew exactly where to hurt.
She lowered her gaze before Crane could notice.
The words lingered in the air.
Crane looked away. His jaw tightened.
For a brief moment, anger flashed across his face.
Moon saw it. Then it disappeared.
“He said that?”
“Yes.”
Crane laughed quietly, though there was no humour in it.
“I should have known.”
“Known what?”
“That some people have been waiting for my condition to get worse.”
Moon moved closer. “Crane…”
“Don't worry.”
He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
“I expected this eventually.”
“You don't sound surprised.”
“Because I'm not.”
His smile returned, though it looked forced.
“What matters is that I trust you.”
Moon's eyes softened. “And what if I fail?”
“You won't.”
“Crane.”
“You won't.”
His confidence made her heart ache. Nobody had ever believed in her the way he did.
Moon lowered her gaze to the documents.
Becoming CEO wasn't simply accepting a promotion. It meant carrying thousands of employees on her shoulders.
It meant becoming the shield between Crane and the people waiting for him to fail.
It meant stepping into a battlefield.
"Why me?" she asked softly.
Crane smiled. "Because when my memory fails me, you're the one person who never does."
For a moment, Moon thought about refusing. Becoming CEO would change everything. But if the board was already circling Crane like vultures, she couldn't stand aside and watch.
“Fine.”
Crane's eyes widened. “Fine?”
“I'll do it.”
His face lit up instantly. “You will?”
“Yes.”
Before she could say another word, Crane pulled her into his arms.
Moon laughed. “Look at you.”
“I knew you'd say yes.”
“No, you didn't.”
“I absolutely did.”
“No, you didn't.”
“Yes, I did.”
Moon shook her head. “You are impossible.”
Crane lowered his head and kissed her before she could continue arguing.
The kiss deepened. And for a brief moment, all their worries disappeared.
Later that night, they retired to their bedroom carrying hopes for a future neither of them imagined would soon begin to crumble.
The next morning, Crane left for work early.
Moon stayed behind to prepare for her own day.
She was about to get into her car when another vehicle pulled into the driveway.
Moon recognised it immediately.
Shine. Her expression hardened.
This wasn't a friendly visit.
Shine stepped out of her car and slammed the door shut.
“You've completely lost your mind!”
Moon folded her arms. “Good morning to you too.”
“Don't play games with me.”
“Then stop shouting.”
Shine stormed forward. “You hired him!”
“Who?”
“You know exactly who.”
Moon sighed. “This is about your ex again?”
“Again?” Shine laughed bitterly.
“You gave him a position in the company.”
“Because he's qualified.”
“He's my ex!”
Moon's patience began to thin. “And?”
“And I don't want to work with him.”
“Then resign.”
Shine stared at her in disbelief. “You're choosing him over me?”
“No.”
Moon's voice sharpened. “I'm choosing competence over emotions.”
Shine's face reddened. “You'll regret this.”
Moon stepped forward. Their eyes locked.
“No,” she said calmly.
“You'll regret letting your emotions control you.”.
Neither woman looked away.
Finally, Shine scoffed and turned around.
“This isn't over.”
She got back into her car and drove away.
Moon watched her leave.
In that moment, doubt crept into her heart.
Maybe accepting the CEO position would be harder than she thought.
Meanwhile, Crane paced inside his office.
Mr Bank’s words continued replaying in his mind.
Every memory of the board's betrayal stirred his frustration.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Sir.”
Crane turned. Joel stood by the door.
“What is it?”
"Mr Banks has been involved in a serious accident.”
Crane's eyes narrowed.
“Is he alive?”
“Barely.”
A long silence followed.
“Where is he?”
“The hospital.”
Crane stared out the window.
The city stretched endlessly before him.
“Keep me updated.”
“Yes, sir.”
Joel nodded and left.
Crane remained standing there long after the door closed.
His reflection stared back at him through the glass.
For reasons he couldn't explain, he felt no sympathy, only suspicion.
Hours later, Moon was seated in her office trying to focus. But Shine's words refused to leave her mind.
Her confidence remained intact on the surface. Inside, however, uncertainty continued to grow.
A knock came from the door.
“Come in.”
Lucy stepped inside.
“There's a call for you, ma'am.”
“Thank you.”
Moon reached for the phone. “Hello?”
A distorted voice answered.
"Mrs Smith?”
Moon frowned. “Yes.”
“It might interest you to know that Mr Banks is dead.”
Her grip tightened around the receiver.
“What?”
“We think someone should be held responsible.”
The voice paused.
“And many of us believe that person is you.”
The line went dead.
“Hello?”
“Hello?”
Moon slowly lowered the phone. Her heart hammered against her chest.
Why would anyone blame her?
Who killed Mr Banks?
And more importantly, who wanted her involved?
Genuine fear settled in her stomach.
Something was happening behind the scenes. Someone had killed Mr Banks. And for reasons she didn't understand, they were preparing to make her pay for it.
- Writer
