Capturing Luna

Company policy

John was showing Luna around as dusk was settling over the scene. Both were strolling slowly, taking in the beauty. A few tweets from birds broke the silence, some still not settled for the day. The breeze gave a faint woosh sound as they walked in comfortable silence. Now and then John would steal glances at Luna. The stroll took them to a clearing in the forest, where a single iron wrought bench stood. Beside was a huge glass lantern with candles. John opened it and lit the candles with the matches that were in a box inside the lantern. The candles had been lit and relit many times, making them all drip onto each other to make a huge network of candles. John gestured for Luna to sit down as he lit them. He closed the door to the lantern and stood up. Luna was holding her arms around herself, a bit cold in the summer evening. John took off his cardigan, the same one he lent her before. Then he walked over and slowly pulled it over Luna. She smiled at him and thanked him. He sat down next to her, elbows resting on his knees and palms together. “No one knows how old this clearing is, someone long before us made this. Over time people brought the lantern. Now we call it the lover's bench. There are some rumors that some man made it, centuries ago. He supposedly was waiting to meet the love of his life. He made it for her. The story also says that he never found her, but that he would visit here every day hoping to meet her.” Luna's eyes watered a bit, her face gloomy. “That's so sad!” John turned his head and looked at her. They both were close, the intimacy between them natural and relaxed. “I always thought it was a happy story. Even though he never found her, he never gave up. He kept trying.” Luna's cheeks turned pink as John smiled at her. Both leaned back and took in the ambient light from the candles. After some minutes John reached out his hand to Luna's hand that was resting on the bench. His palm over her hand, fingers interlacing. Not a word was uttered as they both sat there in the same comfort, but now holding hands. After 20 minutes or so with them sitting there, John broke the silence. His husky voice in a mere whisper. His gaze still looking straight forward. “I want you Luna.” Luna whispered back “I know.” John’s face was hard to read, he did not show his emotions easily. Luna continued “I dont get involved with my clients Johnatan.” “Then what was that the other night?” “I didn't sleep with you then.” She curtly replied. “And what about this?” John gestured to them holding hands. Luna sighed, her voice trembling “I really don't know Jonathan, this is new to me.” John just nodded at that. He rose up, helping Luna up from the bench while holding her hand. Then they slowly strolled back to the house. 

When they arrived at the house John walked her to her guest room. He rubbed the back of his neck, seeming unsure what to say. Luna looked up to meet his eyes. “I had fun these past days, working with you guys have been.... Eventful.” Luna blushed before she continued, James with a coy smile “I want to thank you for making this job assignment so.... Pleasing.” Luna's blush intensified. Johns grin got bigger, he took some strands of hair of hers and gently twirled with his fingers. “Thank you Luna, for saving our *sses. Without you we would all be broke. And I would not have gotten to spend all this time with you.” Luna cleared her throat a bit, unsure of what to say or do next. “Well, ehm I guess I'll see you around Jonathan..” John smiled at her, leaned in, and gave her a peck on her cheek “sweet dreams Luna.”

The next morning all 3 men were sitting at the breakfast bar, eating cereal and drinking coffee. 4 bowls and 4 knives were set out. 4 mugs of steaming coffee but only 3 bowls with cereal and milk. All 3 had bed hair, still in their t-shirts and sweat pants. It was Sunday so they all enjoyed a late breakfast. Madden scrunched his brows, nodding at the 4 set of dishes. John just shrugged “I guess she's sleeping in.” “No bro, thats not what I meant. Why did you set for Luna when she's none here?” Both John and James looked up from their bowl. “What do you mean not here?” John was looking quizzically at Madden. “She had a early flight, she took an Uber. It's in the note she left.” He nodded towards a piece of paper on the dining room table. John stalked over to the letter and read it. The room was utterly silent, Johns shoulders tensed. He then took both fists and slammed it into the table, breaking it into pieces. He then stormed off. James went to the table and picked up the letter from the floor. “I had an early flight, so I took an Uber. I didn't want to wake you guys up. -Luna-” James rubbed the back of his neck “Damn Madden, that's brutal!” Madden was just perplexed by it all “what do you mean?” “C’mon Madden, John obviously didn't know she was leaving, and she didn't leave any contact information.” Madden's expression just fell to a face of dread “oh sh*t!”

After a long training session with the pack warriors, Beta and Delta came back to alphas house. They stood in silence in the entrance just taking in the sight before them. The whole house was wrecked. They slowly walked over debris as they made it over to John’s office. Slumped over the keyboard was John's face plastered into the keys. His one hand raised with Lunas business cars. James finally broke the silence “I get it man, but did you really have to crush the $10 000 flat screen?” Muffled from the keyboard John answered “$12 000.” Madden looked at James, then back at John. “Why just not wait for her to reply to the email?” John lifted his head, looked to both of them with a face of defeat “it bounces back, it's a fake email address.” Both men sighed back *crap!*

James was pacing back and forth. Madden was leaning on a wall. James broke the silence as he glanced over at John “who chooses an email address like waxing anyway? Like waxing her legs?” Madden made a face at him “No like waining and waxing moon man, like her neck tattoo.” “So you noticed that eh, what else did you pick up on?” James taunting Madden. Madden sighed “Her scent, like peonies.” James stopped pacing and stared at Madden “Her dark blue eyes, like pools of water.” Both just hummed. Behind them they heard clicking on the keyboard. John was ignoring them, fully focused on the screen. “I think I cracked it, her tattoo is of a waining moon.” The computer gave a ding sound. James and Madden gathered behind John as he opened the email. It was an automatic reply. Luna@waining.com: You cracked the code, you can reach me at 555 342 3632. John picked up his cell phone and dialed it. It rung 3 times before someone answered. “Hello?”