CHAPTER ONE

                            LUNA'S POV

            I looked at myself in the mirror. I was different from the usual girls you'll see in New York. I had pure black hair, a round face with big gray eyes, a small nose, and a curvy shape. I was very well endowed but even though I was body confident, I got a lot of unwanted attention.

             I looked at the time and realized I was late. I bolted out of the house and ran as fast as I could. I couldn't wait for the bus and my workplace was just ten minutes away.

            I held my purse tightly as I ran through the doors of my workplace. I was late, horribly late. My boss would have my head if he doesn't meet the files he asked for on his table.

            A few of the office workers shouted my name as I ran. I took the elevator and as I waited, I stamped my feet. The elevator finally got to the floor I wanted and I jumped out.

          I nearly fainted when I saw my boss opening the door to his office. I quickly put myself in order and walked to him.

         He turned around at the sound of my footsteps. He looked at me with disgust which was uncalled for.

        "You're late, aren't you?" He asked as he took in my disordered look.

        "I went out on a little errand, sir," I said as I looked at his feet.

         "Look at me when I speak to you!" He shouted.

         "Yes, Mr. Wade." I looked at him as tears welled up in my eyes.

          "Now listen to me. You're fired! Got that. Fired!"

          The tears I tried to hold back spilled over my cheeks. I turned to walk away but I walked straight into a wall of muscle.

         "I am very sorry." I apologized to the man in front of me.

          He didn't say a word which made me think he was upset. He just kept on looking at me with an unreadable expression. 

          I studied him and noticed how handsome he was. He had sharp eyes, a hard jawline, lips I wanted to kiss forever, tousled brown hair, and beautiful blue eyes I wanted to get lost in. His body looked hard. I was snapped out of my musing by Wade's voice.

         "Ahh. Mr. Asher. It's nice to have you around. Please ignore the foolish girl." Mr. Wade said, trying to pacify the man.

          "Why is she crying?" The man referred to as Asher questioned my boss.

           "As I said, ignore the foolish girl. She just got fired and should be leaving." He said with a hint of anger. 

         I took it as a sign to leave but as I moved to walk away. Asher holds my wrist, stopping my movement.

         I looked at where he was holding me and he immediately dropped my hand which was a little disappointing.

         "Sorry. I shouldn't have held you." He said and walked past me to Mr. Wade.

         I turned around and looked at the man one more time before I walked away. By then, the tears on my cheek had dried up. 

        I dropped everything related to the company on my former office desk and walked out the doors. 

        My phone started vibrating in my purse and I took it out hoping it would be a good distraction. I answered the call without looking at the caller ID.

        "Hey, Peach. Are you ready?" A tiny voice screamed at me and I immediately knew it was Maya.

         "Hey, Maya. Ready for what?" I asked in a sullen voice.

          "What's wrong, Luna? Why do you sound dead?" She asked with worry.

          "I just lost my job. The one thing getting me through college." Tears threatened to spill over again but I held them back.

           "What happened?" She asked and I was surprised at the anger in her voice.

          "I don't want to talk about it. What party are you talking about?" I asked, changing the subject.

           "Don't you remember? I asked you to be my plus one and you said yes." She said in a whiny voice.

           "I said yes. I don't remember that." I tried thinking of when I said yes to going to a party.

           "It was a few days ago. You know what? Forget it. I'll come to your house later." She concluded.

           "Whatever floats your boat, Maya. I need to go. Bye." I told her impatiently.

           "I have more to say. There are other things…" I ended the call without allowing them to finish the sentence.

           I got to the bus stop and stood, waiting for the next bus. I stood for what felt like an eternity but the bus was nowhere to be seen.

           I gave up on waiting for the bus and started walking home slowly. I got to my house in fifteen minutes. I turned the doorknob and the door was open. This meant Maya had gotten in.

          She saw me as I entered the house and ran to me. She gave me a tight hug and whispered words of comfort to me.

          "It's okay, Luna. You'll get another job soon. Wade is a total asshole."

           Her words made me want to cry again. That job was supposed to help me get through college. Does that mean I would have to drop out?

           Maya stopped hugging me and looked into my eyes. She was always that when I needed her.

           "Don't cry. You'll get another job soon, I'll make sure of it." She promised me. 

         I smiled at Maya and she returned the smile but her smile spoke of an ulterior motive.

         "I have something to get your mind off of that issue. We are going to a party." She said matter-of-factly. 

          She picked up shopping bags behind her that I hadn't noticed before and gave them to me. I took it and looked in. There was a dress inside.