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Luca walked farther into the office but didn’t say anything. He waited for Cyrus to finish his thought. Luca had learned Cyrus’s facial expressions quickly and knew how to react in real-time to how Cyrus needed him to. They were the ebb and flow of an employer/employee relationship.
“Maybe … maybe I have been searching for so long, and it’s so personal to me, it seemed like an invasion of privacy.” Cyrus looked at Luca with recognition in his eyes. “Seeing someone go through my things like that was a huge blow. Even if it was my fated mate.”
“That is probably very likely, sir.” Luca moved to sit across from Cyrus. Cyrus paid close attention to his mannerisms. Luca was exceptionally level-headed and linear thinking. He brought calmness to each situation and a refreshing perspective to many problems Cyrus had unintentionally stuck himself into.
“It sounds as though you do have everything figured out. Searching for the mystery of your parents has been almost a life-long pursuit. It is very much rooted in who you’ve become as a person. Finding your fated mate doesn’t change that. In fact, it might make you feel more vulnerable at first.”
“Falling in love, or even giving yourself over to any new person, is a unique and interesting experience. You have to build trust over time. When you saw Mila in your room without your knowledge, even though it looks like she was helping … I haven’t seen your desk so organized since I started working for you.” Luca chuckled as Cyrus smiled at the honesty.
“It was still a shock. I think that everyone makes mistakes. You can be forgiven if you realize your mistake, are truly sorry for it, and are willing to learn from it. You will just have to go talk to that person.”
“I may not know Mila very well, sir, but she does seem like someone solid and consistent with a good heart and kind intentions. I bet if you talked to her and explained yourself … even if it is difficult … she would understand.”
Cyrus steepled his fingers together. He absorbed what Luca was saying and released a long sigh. With the exhalation, he let go of the rest of his anger about Mila catching onto something so intimate. “I suppose it was more that I should have been the one to explain it to her instead of her finding out the way she did. I was not prepared to answer questions about it with someone new.”
“Very true, sir. But hardly Mila’s fault. She wouldn’t know that it was a secret.”
Cyrus nodded. “Also, very true, Luca. Thank you for the conversation and your insight.” Cyrus gnawed at his lip as he thought about how he treated and reacted to Mila. He had spoken harshly to her. He wasn’t sure what exactly being part of a relationship would entail, but learning how to bring emotional maturity to the partnership would be a struggle.
Cyrus had never had an intimate, romantic relationship with someone who was so connected to him. Even before they kissed, he was terrified by the vulnerability that a fated mate would bring to his life.
His polar bear, on the other hand … not so much.
He was good at learning and growing in business, but that way of thinking was completely different. Not quite black and white, but the boundaries were clear … especially since he was the boss.
Since he’d never had to share that spotlight with anyone, there was definitely a learning curve, and he hoped that Mila would give him time. Cyrus also hoped that his ego could survive a lot of bruising.
He would have to grovel to get Mila to forgive him. Or at least give him another chance to make it up to her. He rubbed his hands through his hair and stood. “Thanks, Luca. Your guidance is always spot on.”
Cyrus walked past his employee and patted his shoulder.
“And appreciated.” As Cyrus left the room, he thought,I hope Luca is right. I hope she will forgive me.
Walking through the hall, Cyrus realized how the energy in the house shifted. It was quieter now than it had been in days. He wasn’t sure that he liked it very much. It was weird how one person could make a much livelier place.
Then again, thought Cyrus,maybe it was just Mila who perked me up. Perhaps it wasn’t the entire house’s energy that shifted. Instead, it was how Cyrus started to view the world since Mila had arrived.
The thought unnerved him a little.
He hadn’t known her for very long. While his parents were lucky enough to be fated, Cyrus didn’t realize that everything would appear crisper, brighter, lighter, and more solid.
No one had ever helped him feel that way. In fact, the only thing that made Cyrus feel like that was developing technology for every person to use. That was his happy space.
He’d never thought that a person could give him a safe place.
As Cyrus made his way to Mila’s room, he swallowed. This was an entirely new experience.If Mila and I are fated. She will understand.His thoughts did nothing to reassure the thumping in his chest and the twisting in his stomach.
Lifting his fist to the door was one of the hardest things Cyrus ever had to do. But that was where he thrived. When things were impossible or when fear began to balloon, he would let that emotion energize his actions and thoughts.
Cyrus took that nervous fear and thrust his hand forward to knock on the door.
After he had rapped three times, he waited.
Nothing happened.
He would have to tell Mila he was sorry before she opened the door. “Mila?” Cyrus called. “Mila, I’m sorry. I know I overreacted. Can you let me in so we can talk?”
Cyrus knocked again. This time, he perked his polar bear’s hearing. Cyrus did not hear footsteps, breathing, or any movement whatsoever. He looked down and around the hall. Could she be somewhere else in the house?
