The first thing I noticed was the quiet.
The second was the ache behind my eyes the kind that only shows up after dreaming too much and sleeping too little.
Morning light crawled lazily across the floor, cutting through the blinds in thin, gold stripes. For a few minutes, I just lay there, watching the dust float through them, pretending that the world outside didn't exist.
But of course, pretending never lasts.
Downstairs, I heard the soft clink of a mug and the low hum of the refrigerator. Cyrus was up. Of course he was. The man probably made a blood pact with caffeine.
I ran a hand through my hair and pulled on the first thing I could find one of my old sweatshirts. It smelled faintly like coffee and rain, and something else that was just... me.
When I padded into the kitchen, he was sitting by the window, half lost in thought, already dressed, staring into a cup like it might reveal the meaning of life if he stared hard enough.
"Morning," I said, voice scratchy.
He looked up and smiled not his usual teasing one. Softer. Tired. "Morning."
"Felling any better?" I asked, rubbing my arms.
That got his attention. "Yeah," was all he said
"I had another dream,"
His fingers froze around the mug, just for a second, but I saw it. "Same one?"
"No," I murmured, sitting down across from him. "There was… a crash. And a loud ringing sound."
His jaw tightened. "What else did you see?"
I hesitated, staring down at the counter. "Nothing the it transitioned to something else."
He didn't say anything, and the silence between us started pressing down again heavy and warm in all the wrong ways.
Finally, I said, "You keep telling me I'll remember when I'm ready. But what if I already did and I just don't want to?"
His eyes flicked up, sharp and unreadable. For a moment, I thought he'd actually answer.
He didn't. He just turned away and started washing his cup, like that would wash away the question, too.
I almost laughed. Classic Cyrus.
"You should go dress up. I'll prepare dinner,"
I said nothing for a while before nodding. "Okay."
With that, I headed upstairs.
ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ
When I got down, Cyrus was already dressing the table.
The sound of my heels made him look up, and a small smile bloomed on his face.
"You look beautiful," he said
"I know," I said, smiling.
He made simple bacon's and eggs. It's just what I wanted right now.
"You know we haven't talked about what you are going to do about your parents," he began as soon as I sat down.
We were... Well, I was so engrossed in finding out the truth that we haven't really discussed about my parents.
"I heard you dad is trying to get a huge deal. Why don't we start from that?" He said I nodded.
"Mr Liam Blackwood is his name."
I first heard this from a certain someone.
I wasn't still clear on why Kai came to see me. It was all so... cause why would he want us to collaborate.
༺ღ༒ 𝔽𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 ༒ღ༻
"It's good to see you again, Miss Hart."
The only thing I could think of was why he was here?
"Mr Louis," my voice sounded steadier than i felt. "What a surprise. I didn't know we had a meeting scheduled,"
"We don't. I was in the area and decided to stop by,"
I stared blankly at him for a while. "Is that so?"
"Have a seat," I motioned, and he sat.
"You seem different from when I last saw you." I just gave a small smile at his remark.
"That's good it means I'm evolving," I replied , a small smile washing away from my face. "Now, if you would be kind to tell me the real reason you are here,"
"I see down to business, are we?" He said, smirking. "I want to form a collaboration both our company's"
His words rang in the room.
"A collaboration?" I repeated. "Why my company?"
"Why not. If there is one thing I'm good at its seeing promising companies and yours, my darling is one of them, " he replied. I just stared at him he did nothing.
"I'll leave you to think about it for a while," he said, standing up just as he was about to walk out from the door.
"Oh, I thought you should know this. Your dad is trying to get this contract. What the man needs is someone who will give him what he wants. I thought you would need it for your company. "
With that, he left, leaving me with unanswered questions.
༺ღ༒ 𝔼𝕟𝕕 𝕆𝕗 𝔽𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 ༒ღ༻
"I'll discuss with my secretary to schedule a meeting with Mr Balckwood."
I said, making Cyrus nod.
"I'll still find what I can get about him to help,"
"Let's go. I'll drive you to work. "
"Cyrus, I need to tell you something," what I said made him halt.
I didn't know if I should tell him about Kai, but if I should I think now is the right time.