Moon Eater

Ugly Encounter

Claire’s eyes widened in shock as she registered who stood before her.

“Ethan Caine!” She exclaimed. The man stepped out of the Maserati, and Claire couldn't help but take in his striking appearance.

Ethan cut an impressive figure, his lean, athletic frame impeccably dressed in a tailored Italian suit that hugged his athletic physique. A gold Rolex adorned his right hand, adding a touch of luxurious elegance.

His raven-black hair was swept downwards, framing his chiselled features. Even with his sunglasses obscuring his eyes, Claire could tell he was drop-dead gorgeous. His high cheekbones and sharp jawline gave him an almost regal, otherworldly look. When he finally lowered his shades, Claire was captivated by his electric-blue eyes, which seemed to bore into her soul.

As a billionaire CEO and founder of various multi-million dollar companies, Ethan was one of the world’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen. For a moment, Claire found herself momentarily distracted by Ethan’s handsome appearance, but then she remembered that he had nearly run her over.

“Watch where you’re going Eejit!” She snarled.

Ethan raised an eyebrow at her outburst. “ Eejit? You’re the one who stepped into traffic without looking, sweetheart.” His snarky tone only fueled Claire’s anger further.

“Don’t call me sweetheart! Gobshite.” Claire shouted. Her typically neutral American accent disappeared, and a faint Irish lilt entered her voice, an indicator of the intense emotion she inherited from her mother. “Driving like a maniac downtown, do you have any idea how close you were to hitting me?”

“You’re over-exaggerating.” Ethan waved dismissively. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have important business to attend to.” He turned on his heel with hardly a glance back and sped off. Claire cursed under her breath as Ethan sped off without so much as an apology. She glanced down at her coffee-stained blouse in frustration, knowing there was no time to change before her interview.

As Claire hurried inside the lobby of Maxima Tech, her breath caught in her throat. An endless atrium soared a hundred and fifty feet above her, the edges blurring into darkness. Crisp morning light filtered down through towering glass walls, reflecting off sleek surfaces in various colors.

By some miracle, she made it to the front desk with only seconds to spare. The guard’s voice echoed distantly over the phone as the anxious pounding of her heart thundered in her ears. Risking a glance down, the polished granite floor displayed her warped reflection. Her black hair was windswept, and her cheeks flushed from her sprint. But beneath the coffee stains, she smiled with determination.

She sat across from her interviewer, a petite Hispanic woman with a mug in hand. She fixed Claire with an appraising stare. “Please tell me that’s not more coffee,” Claire joked nervously.

“It’s tea,” the woman said; she spotted the enormous stain on Claire’s blouse. “Seems like you've had enough coffee for today, Miss Bishop.” The woman said as she tried to hold her laughter.

“Definitely, I think I hate coffee now,” Claire said as she felt more at ease.

“I see.” The Hispanic woman said with a flushed face, fighting a smile. “Let’s get started, Miss Bishop.”

The interview passed in a blur. Claire drew on all her knowledge and experience to impress the woman. By the time they wrapped up, she felt cautiously optimistic. She went home exhausted and collapsed on her bed.

***

Two days had passed since Claire’s nerve-wracking interview at Maxima Tech, and the anticipation was palpable. She sat on her bed, with Annette on her lap and Zoey on a chair beside, as they all scrolled aimlessly through their social media feeds.

Suddenly, Claire’s phone chimed, and she let out an excited squeal, springing up from the bed and unconsciously pushing Annette off her.

“Oh my god!” she exclaimed, bouncing up and down like a giddy schoolgirl. Annette and Zoey immediately looked up, eyes wide.

“What is it?” Annette asked, a grin spreading across her face.

“I got the job!” Claire cried, her voice rising an octave with pure joy.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the three friends leaped up from the bed, all of them squealing and giggling like a group of teenage girls. They linked arms and jumped up and down together, unable to contain their excitement.

“I can’t believe it!” Zoey exclaimed, her blonde curls bouncing wildly. Annette pulled Claire into a tight hug, her lilting voice filled with pride. “I knew you could do it, girl! We have to celebrate.”

The trio collapsed back onto the bed, their hearts racing with exhilaration. “Let’s go to Brooklyn Grills tomorrow,” Claire proposed, a wide smile plastered across her face. “My treat!”

Zoey and Annette enthusiastically agreed, and the three friends continued to bask in the moment, their laughter and joy echoing through the room.

***

The next day, Claire and Zoey made their way to Brookyl Grills, their usual spot. Annette had unfortunately been called in for an emergency at work, so it was just the two of them celebrating Claire’s big job opportunity and they were determined to make the most of their celebratory afternoon.

They slid into a cozy booth near the back, the worn vinyl creaking beneath their weight. Claire’s eyes immediately scanned the menu, her gaze settling on her favorite; pot roast and beer. Across the table, Zoey opted for Jambalaya, her adventurous palate craving something bold and vibrant.

As they awaited their meals, the two women chatted animatedly, their laughter punctuating the gentle hum of conversation that filled the diner. Zoey’s gaze occasionally wandered, taking in the eclectic mix of people coming in.

It was during one of these sweeping glances that her eyes locked with those of a man seated at the far end of the diner. His lips curled into a warm smile, and Zoey felt a flush creep up her neck. She nudged Claire, drawing her attention to the admirer.

“That guy over there is cute,” Zoey murmured, her voice tinged with playful interest.

Claire followed her friend’s line of sight, chuckling softly. “He’s been stealing glances at you for a while now,” she confided, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Zoey’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, really?” she drawled, her lips curving into a sly grin. “Well, in that case, I think I’ll have to go and introduce myself.” With a wink, she slid out of the booth, smoothing her hands over her curves.

“Zoey, you can’t just” Claire’s words trailed off as her friend sashayed across the diner, her hips swaying with a confident stride. She could only shake her head and laugh, watching with amused anticipation as Zoey approached the unsuspecting stranger.

From her vantage point across the diner, Claire couldn’t make out the precise words exchanged between Zoey and the man, but his laughter soon echoed through the Diner. It was a telltale sign that her friend had already managed to captivate her target, her quick wit and infectious personality breaking through any initial barriers. She chuckled as she watched them. Right from their childhood Zoey always found it easier to interact with people, unlike Annette who was a bit more reserved in such situations.

She continued to eat her Pot Roast. That was when a man approached her, she had seen him alone on the counter when she and Zoey first walked in but she couldn’t see his face. His back had been turned then, but now she could fully take in his lean, muscular physique. There was an undeniable magnetism about him, a charming handsomeness that commanded attention. Long, brown tresses cascaded down his neck, a portion of them tied neatly into a man bun, while the rest flowed freely, framing his chiseled features. His lips curved into a disarming smile as he spoke.

“May I join you?” he asked politely. Something about his mesmerizing gray eyes fringed with thick lashes left her hesitant. She rolled her eyes. “Can’t a lady enjoy her Pot roast and beer in peace?”

“I’m Edward Caomhanach,” he introduced himself as he chuckled. “I just want to talk.” Claire felt mesmerized by Edward’s intense gaze yet maintained her calm composure. As a waitress delivered Edward’s order of Ice cream, he flashed her a charming smile. “Thank you, gorgeous,” he said in a smooth British accent, quite unlike what his Irish surname would suggest. The waitress blushed at the compliment before heading off. Claire noticed other women in the Diner stealing glances and blushing at Edward. Even Zoey caught a glance and gave Claire a thumbs-up

“I’m sorry for your loss. Nigel was a good man.” Edward interrupted her thoughts as he grabbed his burger. Claire was taken aback.

“You knew my dad?”

Edward nodded. His head swayed to imaginary music as he savored the taste of his Ice Cream. Claire noticed his sweet tooth. “We worked closely on several projects years ago.”

Claire rubbed her chin. “My father never mentioned business partners to me. He was a researcher, but always so private about his work.”

Edward nodded thoughtfully. “Nigel had a brilliant mind, though he hardly spoke about work.” Claire frowned. “What was so important about his research?”

A severe look overcame Edward’s charming demeanor. “Your father believed he was close to a breakthrough that could save countless lives. But unfortunately, he passed before completing it.”

“What does this have to do with me?” Claire asked warily.

“I believe you may be able to finish what he started, with my help.” Edward leaned forward intently. “I’d like you to come back to New Jersey with me.”