Luna

Wednesday nights are all about family dinner for the Stavrakos family. Everyone had to go unless one had a really good excuse.

Barry joined us for the very first time. Ever since we got engaged, they already saw him as part of the Stavrakos family. Yes, I'm super happy!

From the start, my family made it clear they didn't like Barry and told me to stop seeing him, but I didn't listen. Mom didn't hold back her dislike for him. She was too honest in saying her opinion, and that didn't feel good.

And now, everybody was fine with him. It's great they realized they misjudged Barry at first. He's such a sweetheart - honest, kindhearted, caring, and hardworking.

To be honest, I was feeling a bit pressured until Barry asked me to marry him. I'm the only one in the family who's still single. Getting married and having my happily ever after, just like my family that totally found their true love, has always been my dream.

Yeah, I have a boyfriend. But ever since Barry and I started our company, we kinda grew apart, bit by bit. We got little time to hang out because we were both busy with the business. We didn't go on as many dates as before. I even wondered if we were gonna tie the knot or just be business partners. But now, I got my question answered. After three years together, he finally proposed. My dreams are finally coming true. Being happily married and having a successful business career.

"Hi Gary! How's the weather in Dansville today?" My grandpa Gareth asked Barry when all of us gathered in the living home.

Oh no, here we go again. Grandpa Gareth and his Alzheimer's disease.

"It's Barry, sir. Not Gary. BARRY. And I'm from Maryland, not Dansville." Barry corrected him.

Grandpa Gareth smiled, "Oh yeah! I got it. Gary."

Barry pressed his lips together. I hugged him and told him to understand grandpa Gareth.

Dinner was very formal. I could feel the tension vibrating in the room.

Mom just sat there, listening and nodding. She answered monosyllables and maintained a warm, friendly expression on her face. I really hoped she was not faking it.

Grandpa Gareth was silent, eating so much like it was his last meal. As usual. It was Dad and Grandpa Kristov, who were talking to Barry.

"How's the business going on?" Dad asked, then took a sip of his wine.

"Shaky, but I guess it's always like that in business, having many difficulties, right? I'm sure you guys also experience that, being business owners yourselves." Barry let out a chuckle.

"Nope, we don't have any. We always make sure all departments are well taken care of. We're aiming for zero mishaps, failures, and losses." Grandpa Kristov said firmly.

"Yeah, sure. I have to admit, I'm a newbie in business and I still have so much to learn, you know. Since we're becoming a family, you guys will be my mentors."

"Well...of course, we will guide you. That's what family is for." Dad nodded, then looked at me.

"Great! Let's toast for that. Cheers." Barry smiled happily, lifting his glass.

The dinner got more tense and awkward as it went on. Everyone was oddly silent, completely absorbed in their meal. Then, grandpa Kristov and grandma Pia took off early for their flight the following morning and my other grandparents did the same. So, we ended up going home as well.

I was disappointed with how the dinner turned out. I expected everyone would be super nice and really welcoming. It turned out they were just being civil. But I'm not losing hope. With Barry's charming and gentle personality, eventually, they will love him.

Barry wasn't bothered at all. He only cared about me, our love, and our upcoming wedding. That's what I love about him, always staying positive and not worrying about anything.

***

Sally jumped up when she saw me walk in. "Good morning, Miss Luna! Um, Ma'am, there's someone waiting for you inside." Before she could say the name, I opened the door and saw the man sitting comfortably behind my desk.

I froze.

Colton looked incredible, sitting there like he owned my spot. With his gray suit, white shirt, dark tie, and slick brown hair, he looked straight out of a GQ magazine.

My heart was pounding like crazy when I saw him again. Darn it. I shouldn't be affected by his appearance. He's an angel on the outside but a devil on the inside.

"Mornin'!" He greeted and glanced at his watch. "It's already ten. You should've showed up earlier than your employees, like 30 to 60 minutes, to plan the day and organize tasks."

Ugh, here we go again. My admiration instantly died and I became hostile. I tried not to lose it and put on a smile.

"I'm not usually late. I hung out with Barry last night. We stayed up late."

Barry was adamant about going to the bar. He didn't drink enough of the table wine at dinner, so he wanted something stronger to help him sleep. I really didn't want to go to bars, but I had to tag along with him. We talked about our company plan and getting engaged. Time flew by, and when I looked at my watch, it was already past midnight.

He shook his head, looking let down. "That's why he's late, too. You two should set good examples for your workers. You can't afford to wake up late if you're an entrepreneur."

Can you believe he offended me, and it was so early? I got super mad right away.

"Spare me the lecture about being tardy. Your job is to fix our company, not our personal lives."

He chuckled lightly. "Actually, you need to get your personal life together before you can have a successful business."

"My personal life is fine, no need for fixing. I'm over the moon because I'm tying the knot!"

"Yeah, sure..." he scoffed, not convinced. "If the bosses are setting bad examples for their workers, then you totally gave them a reason to not take their job seriously."

"How dare you!" I balled my fist in anger.

"See? You're angry again. Tsk. Tsk. If you can't handle constructive criticism, your company won't improve." He leaned in and said. "I'm being professional about this, just like we agreed. You have to cooperate or I won't be able to do my job well. It will defeat my purpose of fixing your company."

"Okay, fine." I sighed heavily. Yeah, he was right. I was being dramatic. "What brings you to my office?"

"I got to know your scope of duties and responsibilities."

"Okay. I'll print out my job description for you. Mind if I take my chair?"

"Sure," he got up and watched me as I went back to my seat. We were basically swapping spots. He was now right in front of me.

We said nothing for a few seconds, like an angel just walked by.

"I'll wait outside." He said and turned to go. Just as he was about to open the door, I stopped him.

"Wait."

I do not know what got into me. I just didn't want him to leave yet.

He faced me, his movement slow. "Yes?"

Surprised, I looked up at him, unable to find my words. I got lost in my thoughts and ended up in another universe.

Why did I stop him? Luna, why? You have to come up with a very strong reason.

With raised eyebrows, he waited for me to speak.

Finally, my brain is working again. Thank goodness.

I lifted my chin, then said. "This won't take long. I'll print it if you're willing to wait."

"Sure. Don't rush. Take as much time as you need." Nodding, he settled into the chair across from me.

I turned on my laptop and accessed my file. I reviewed my job description before making any updates, as it hadn't been revised in some time.

"What do you see in him?" His sudden question surprised me.

I furrowed my brows and directed my gaze towards him. "Are you referring to Barry?"

"Of course."

I let out a heavy exhale and pursed my lips. "Why are you asking? So you have another thing to throw at me?"

"You're always assuming the worst about me. Can you put aside your bad feelings for a moment? I just wanna hear about him from your perspective."

"I don't trust you." I said without taking my eyes off my laptop screen.

"And yet, you trust me with your company." He gave a little shake of his head. "Unbelievable."

"Business is business. Personal stuff is not the same."

"In my opinion, they're linked."

He leaned back in his seat, feeling relaxed with his arms on the armchair. "I wanna know what he's like, personality-wise, so I'll know what kind of leader he is."

Oh. My lips pursed.

Why does he make me feel like I'm making a big deal out of nothing?

Well, he gave me a reason, so I did. He said I was too hasty to say yes to marrying Barry. I should have checked him out first. Seriously? We've been together for three years. I know him inside out. That's why I trusted him with everything.

I inhaled deeply, then started. "Okay, I'll tell you about Barry. He's an amazing guy. He's sweet, charismatic..."

"Nope." He cut me off, raising his hand in the air, and said in a firm, businesslike tone. "Start from the very beginning. The time you met him."

The time I met him?

My forehead creased, doubting if I should tell him when and where I met Barry. It was like telling my love story to him.