Human Luna: Marked by Two Alphas

7.

*Flashback 5 weeks ago

I stirred and turned in bed before waking up to the sound of the shower running at high speed.

Looking at the small bedside clock, it was 7:52AM. How come the alarm didn't wake me up? I must have slept heavily. Sighing, I got out of bed.

My body felt as if I had run a marathon while I put a robe over my night gown and went straight to the kitchen to make breakfast.

All manner of sleepiness left my body when I saw the dirty sink filled with dishes from last night.

It was Tanner's turn to do the dishes last night, and I remember him telling me to go to bed first, and he would take care of everything, but it was my fault for trusting him.

Angrily, I opened the dishwasher, grabbed the dishes one by one and stuffed them in before closing it and turning it on.

Then I grabbed ingredients from the fridge and started making breakfast, while thinking of all the ways I would scold my husband.

It wasn't just today. Ever since I took time off work, he has been lagging behind in his house chores.

My husband, Tanner, and I work in the same place; my father's company, Solven Pharmaceuticals.

We first met when we were both interns, and at the time, no one knew I was the daughter of the CEO, and eventually, Tanner, who, although he came from humble beginnings, he was smart and hardworking, we fell in love.

My father didn't think he was good enough for me, but I was too deeply in love to listen to anyone else.

Two years later, I still love my husband just as much, but wish he and my father would get along. They are the two most important people in my life after all.

The sound of his barefoot footsteps and the smell of his cologne invaded my senses right before he snuck up behind me and wrapped me in a tight hug, pressing a kiss on my neck.

A smile threatened to take over my face.

"Morning my sweet, sweet, lovely, most beautiful woman in the entire world."

"Flattery is getting you nowhere mister! You know what you did. Or what you didn't do rather," I said, flipping the sautering the vegetables.

"Well, a man could wish," he let me go and went to sit on the chair. He took the glass of pineapple juice and started drinking.

"Come on Tanner, you promised me you would do it. And it would only take you two minutes at most," I said, grabbing a clean plate and unloading the vegetables on to it before grabbing some eggs.

"I know. But I suddenly felt so exhausted. You know how hard I have been working on my research. I need to make sure it's good enough for Father," he said, referring to my father, who was unnecessarily strict on him. Tanner has been working hard on this research, going to work early and coming back late at night, sometimes even taking trips. So I wish Dad wouldn't be so critical of him, but then, it is the company funding Tanner's research, which happened to be ridiculously expensive, but Tanner promises great achievements and I trust him. "So why don't you bear with me and take of things around the house? I need to prove myself and there are still a few days until you leave is over, hmm?"

I sighed and proceeded to serve his breakfast. We ate together in silence, with me thinking about what Tanner said.

Even though we've always shared the house chores since we both work, there is certainly nothing wrong with me taking up more house chores so he can achieve his goal. And when he does gain Dad's trust, our dinners will be more pleasant.

Tanner finished his breakfast, kissed me on the cheek and went out to work.

I cleared the place, and showered before going to my little office where I read books, write theories, and sometimes just do some research.

The rest of my day went by in a blur.

*

It was 9pm and there was no sign of Tanner. Thinking he would be late again, I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, chicken pasta in mind, but when I took out the chicken breast and went to take out a knife, the knife I always used for cutting meat was nowhere to be found and I couldn't remember the last time I saw or used it.

I decided not to think much of it. Tanner probably misplaced it somewhere.

Using another knife, I cut the chicken and made my dinner.

By 10:30pm, I had finished eating dinner and was starting to doze off when my phone rang, startling me.

I checked my phone and was more surprised to see that it was my father calling. Why would he call at this time of the night?

I answered the call anyway.

"Hello? Dad?" I said, yawning.

"Eva. Come to my office now, we need to talk," Dad said sternly.

"Right now?" I asked, checking the time to be sure.

"Yes. I am at the company," he said, and cut the call.

Confused, I stood up. Since I was wearing a shirt and jeans, I put on a jacket and took my car keys. I was about to step out of my room when I went back to the nightstand and picked up my scrunchie, tying my hair into a ponytail.

I went to my car and drove out, rolling down my windows and enjoying the cool night air.

It felt refreshing. It felt like forever since the last time I enjoyed a night drive.

Parking my car, I stepped out and walked into the company.

Bob, the night security, saw me and I greeted him with a smile.

"How have you been, Mrs. Saul?"

"Feeling great Bob. My Dad's still here, right?"

"Yep."

Using the elevator, I rode up to the 13th floor and went straight to my father's office.

The entire company felt quiet and empty.

His receptionist, Alfred, wasn't there, so I entered Dad's office with a knock and closed the door behind me.

Dad wasn't seated in his chair, so I assumed he was outside for a brief moment. Being in Dad's office took me to the time he used to let me sit in his chair and swivel around as a kid, and for a second, I was tempted to go sit on it when my phone pinged.

I took it out and it was a message from Tanner.

'I'm home. Why aren't you here?'

Ah! I was hoping to sneak into his office and surprise him. Maybe race back home, but I guess that would be for another time.

I was about to type in a reply when the door started to open. I put my phone back in my pocket, expecting to see Dad, but it was his secretary.

"Alfred. What are you still doing here?" I looked at him, surprised. Even though my Dad is a workaholic and tends to stay up late, he always sends his employees home on time.

"No. What are you doing here? You are supposed to be on leave, and it's really late," he asked, and I saw that he was holding a tray with a cup of tea on it.

"Well. I came to talk to Dad but he was not here."

"He just sent me to bring him some coffee," Alfred replied.

"Then I will give it to him," I moved to collect the tray from him, but he stopped me.

"Don't worry. I got it."

With his tall legs, in four strides, Alfred was in front of the desk.

My phone pinged once again and I was about to take it out of my pocket again when I was startled by the sound of the mug shattering to pieces on the ground and Alfred's shocked gasp as he stepped back, shock apparent in his face.

My eyes went to where he was looking at, and I could already feel my heart stop as anxiety washed over me.

Without wasting a second, I rushed to the desk, and right behind it, was my father lying on the floor, crimson red, stained the carpet as more blood pooled from hi chest where the kitchen knife I was looking for, embedded itself comfortably.