Luna kept her phone to her ear, her lips in a tight line as the tension in the air grew heavier. The receptionist's smug posture was making Luna's blood simmer, but she kept her expression composed even if her patience was wearing thin. The manager stood nearby, looking flustered but unwilling to back down.
Before anyone could say another word, a firm, clear voice cut through the growing murmur.
"Luna? Is that you?
All of them looked to the door. The man in his late fifties who came in, was well dressed, and wore a charcoal sharp suit with perfectly combed salt-and-pepper hair and sharply rimmed glasses exudes a sort of confidence. Marcus Vernon, one of the board's most senior members and had a reputation of commanding power in the company.
The receptionist straightened immediately, her composure shaken. The manager flinched as Marcus's eyes moved across them, lingering on Luna for a moment before turning back to the two.
"Luna," he said once more, his voice now gentle as he moved closer. "I didn't think I was going to see you today. I thought you were still out on leave.".
She crossed her arms, showing a slight defensive posture now that she faced him. "Mr. Vernon, I would have gotten to my office earlier, but apparently I am being stopped at the gates."
Marcus raised his eyebrows, a crease forming on his forehead as he looked at the receptionist and then back at the manager. "stopped? Why?
She opened her mouth to say something, but no words would come out. She glanced over to the manager, but the manager seemed frozen under Marcus's gaze. Finally, she stammered out, "S-sir, I didn't realize she was…"
"You didn't realize who?" Marcus's voice was calm but carried an edge of authority that made everyone in the room tense.
The receptionist swallowed hard, slumping her shoulders. "I thought she was a visitor, sir. She didn't introduce herself, so I was just following procedure."
The manager quickly added, her voice trembling slightly, "It's a misunderstanding, Mr. Vernon. We'll make sure it doesn't happen again.".
Marcus's frown deepened. He looked back at Luna, his expression apologetic. "Sorry about this, Luna. Clearly, there's been a failure in communication with the new staff. We'll fix this right away."
Luna arched an eyebrow but remained calm. "I appreciate that, Mr. Vernon, but I believe an apology is due not just an explanation.
Marcus nodded curtly and turned to the two women. "Apologize to Ms. Luna. Now."
The receptionist's face turned red. She hesitated, her fingers nervously clutching the edge of the desk. Finally, she gave a small bow, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean any disrespect.
The manager followed, her apology more forced but equally nervous. "Our apologies, Ms. Luna. It won't happen again."
She studied them both, unreadable as a stone. She saw the tension in their eyes, irritation masquerading as humility, but she let that slide.
"Good," she said calmly, turning to Marcus again. "Thanks, Mr. Vernon. I'll go to my office now. Let's speak later."
Marcus nodded his head slightly, his face easing into a gentle look. "Of course. Let me know if there's something you need.".
Luna adjusted the strap on her bag, calm movements toward the elevators, the weight of the staff's eyes on her some curious and others nervous felt palpable, yet she didn't turn back.
She allowed herself a single moment to exhale behind the closing elevator doors. If there was anything she had learned now, it was that she could not let her guard down. Not here. Nowhere.
As the elevator doors closed, Luna turned slightly towards Marcus. She rested her back against the mirrored wall, her arms folded across her chest as her face remained calm yet questioning.
"Marcus," she said, her voice infused with both curiosity and authority. "I have noticed that downstairs, there are so many new faces. It's as if I'm entering someone else's business."
Marcus adjusted his cufflinks, his face thoughtful. "You notice things, Luna. You are right. A lot of people have been replaced."
Luna furrowed her eyebrow, her voice steady but with an edge. "How many are we talking about?"
Marcus let out a deep sigh and looked up at the ceiling, as if searching for the words to use. "Roughly forty percent, maybe more. It has been going on over time, but it came to scale recently."
She narrowed her eyes a little, sitting up straight. "And you didn't think to tell me about this sooner?"
"Not that I didn't want to," Marcus said patiently. "I only pieced it together a little while ago. You've been away, and things have shifted rapidly."
Luna looked at him for a moment, her eyes never leaving his face. "Who okayed this? An overhaul of this magnitude doesn't occur without someone at the top pulling strings."
Marcus paused, the silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. "It wasn't exactly your father," he said cautiously, his words deliberate.
Her jaw tightened, but her voice remained calm. "Then who?"
Marcus let out a long sigh and adjusted his tie again. It was one of his nervous habits Luna had grown accustomed to over the months. "Your brother," he said in a low, firm voice.
"Stepbrother," Luna corrected sharply. Her voice cut through the air.
Marcus nodded, and his expression was apologetic. "Yes, your stepbrother. He's been taking greater control over operations while your father concentrates on bigger ventures."
Luna laughed softly, humorlessly. "Of course he has. And my father just let this happen?"
"I wouldn't say he authorized it," Marcus said thoughtfully. "Your father probably condoned it in theory, but I wouldn't swear he knew all the details. You know how he delegates-selectively."
Luna groaned, her annoyance almost physical. "Selective delegation," she muttered. "Handy way to pretend not to know."
Marcus said nothing. He merely looked at her, the lines smoothing his face. "Luna, I know this is a lot, but you have to be careful. Your stepbrother. he's ambitious. And not the kind that goes hand in hand with teamwork."
The doors to the elevator slid open and paused when it reached Marcus's floor, but he stayed in, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Let's talk over tea," he said, smiling, which was small and true. "There is much to discuss, and I feel that everything should be said." She held out her hand, a light flicker in her face. "Tea? Me no. Coffee does for me."
Marcus laughed and shook her hand warmly. "Just like your mother."
Luna smiled faintly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
As Marcus stepped out, the doors to the elevator started to close. He turned back, his smile warping into a thoughtful frown. He wanted to ask something else, to check how she felt, but it was not the right time.
Inside the lift, Luna stood against the wall, running racing thoughts. She was clenching then unclenching her fists to try and process what she had just heard.