Chapter 3

• CYRUS:-)
• It had been three days since the incident at the breakfast shop—three days since the man named Darius had come to my rescue, and two days since I’d had his jacket dry-cleaned. The expensive fabric, now freshly pressed and neatly folded, sat in a plastic garment bag on my kitchen counter. It tore a hole in my pocket trying to dry clean it, I don't think he ever took his clothes to the cheap laundry shops. Every time I looked at it, a wave of nervousness rolled through me.
• I wasn’t sure why the idea of returning the jacket filled me with such dread. Maybe it was the fact that Darius wasn’t just a random kind stranger—he was somebody. His card, the one that had sent that rude customer running, was still vivid in my mind:
• Darius Evergreen, CEO, Evergreen Enterprises.
• The next morning, as I passed Evergreen Enterprises on my way to the shop, my anxiety spiked again. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the lobby, I could see employees bustling around, their tailored suits and polished shoes a stark contrast to my simple jeans and hoodie. I clutched the garment bag tighter and kept walking, pretending I didn’t feel like a coward.
• When I arrived at Ruby&Ralph’s, Ruby noticed my distracted state immediately.
• “You’ve been off ever since that incident,” she said as she slid a tray of muffins into the display case. “Is everything okay, Cyrus?”
• I hesitated, but Ruby had always been like a second mom to me, well my only mum ever since my real mum sent me away, so I spilled everything.
• When I finished, she chuckled softly and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Cyrus, you’re overthinking this. Just go to his office and return the jacket. He seems like a kind man—I doubt he’ll make a big deal out of it.”
• “That’s easy for you to say,” I muttered. “You didn’t see the lobby. It’s like a fortress. I don’t even think they’ll let me in.”
• Ruby shook her head with a knowing smile. “You’ll never know until you try. Besides, it’s the right thing to do.”
• Her words stuck with me throughout the day. By the time my shift ended, I had made up my mind. I couldn’t keep avoiding this.
• The next morning, I found myself standing in front of the massive glass doors of Hawthorne Enterprises, the garment bag clutched tightly in my hands. My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped inside.
• The lobby was even more intimidating up close. The floors gleamed, the air smelled faintly of fresh flowers, and the reception desk stretched across one entire wall. Behind it, three women worked efficiently, their smiles polished and professional. Of course they would smile so professionally, I'm sure their pay is like worth four months of mind all in one.
• "Good morning, I'm here to see Mr Darius Evergreen." I said to the one in the middle, she looked nicer.
• “Do you have an appointment?” she asked with a soft voice
• “No, but—”
• “Then I’m afraid you can’t see him,” she said , her smile never faltering. “Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t take unscheduled visitors.”
• My heart sank. “I just need to return something to him,” I tried again, holding up the garment bag.
• The woman’s expression softened slightly. “You can leave it with me, and I’ll make sure it gets to him.”
• I hesitated. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but this didn’t feel right. Before I could decide what to do, a deep voice interrupted.
• "What's going on here?"
• I turned to see Darius himself walking towards us.
• DARIUS:-|
• It has been a month since I saw Cyrus for the first time. Working in that breakfast shop. He looked so cute and adorable with his button nose and those beautiful and bright coloured clothes he is fond of wearing.
• I don't know why but I wished he was my baby boy.
• I became a part of the daddy and little community about six years ago after my best friend introduced me and I enjoyed the lifestyle immensely—the nurturing, the care, the bond. I have only had two littles since then but some of them are just always with me for the benefit, privilege, the expensive gifts, lavish vacations and all. For three years now, the only occasion where I have met a little is babysitting Lucas, my best friend's little. Who is the cutest angel ever although his daddy claims otherwise.
• I never thought I would find the perfect little, until Cyrus.
• Five days ago, I wanted to show up at the breakfast shop and maybe even get to talk to him. Imagine the anger I felt when I saw that idiot pour his coffee all over my baby boy.
• He is so lucky that coffee was not hot, and Cyrus didn't get hurt or else I would have done more than I did. I made sure that he would not get a job ever in this city, funny thing was that he actually had an interview with my company.
• It's been five days and I have tried my best not to shop up at the breakfast shop. I did not want Cyrus to think I was pestering him or something else that would drive him away.
• Imagine the shock I felt when I received a call from one of the guards I had placed in the company's lobby, he has a picture of Cyrus and has to tell me anytime he passed by. But today, the call was that he is in the lobby talking to my receptionists.
• I quickly took my private elevator down to the lobby and walked out hurriedly to the desk. He was standing, looking cute with a purple sweater and black ripped jeans. He looked so little, my baby boy. I also saw that he was holding a garment bag almost as tall as he was, did he wash my jacket?
• "What's going on here?" I asked walking closer.
• He turned around and I was blessed with his cute angelic face. I almost wanted to coo at his cute face but controlled myself in time.
• “Mr. Evergreen,” one of the receptionists started, “this young man—”
• “It’s okay,” I interrupted, my tone calm but authoritative. I focused on Cyrus, with a gentle expression. “You’re here to see me?”
• Cyrus nodded, fidgeting slightly. “I—I wanted to return your jacket. I had it dry-cleaned, and, um, it’s... here.” He held out the bag, his eyes flitting nervously between me and the polished floors.
• “You didn’t have to do that,” I said softly, taking the bag from my baby boy. “But thank you. That was very thoughtful of you.”
• Cyrus shuffled on his feet. “I just thought it was the right thing to do... after everything you did for me.”
• I glanced at the receptionists, who were watching the exchange curiously, nosy pokes, I rolled my eyes. “Come on,”I said, stepping aside and gesturing toward the elevator. “Let’s talk in my office.”
• Cyrus blinked, surprised. “Oh, I don’t want to bother you. I just wanted to drop off the jacket.”
• “It’s no bother,” I assured him. “I insist.”
• Cyrus hesitated for a moment but followed me to my private elevator and we rode it back up to my private floor.
• When we got into my office, I could not help but notice how Cyrus' eyes went wide as he took in the interior, his curiosity looking childlike just like the little that he is. I wonder if he has ever slipped before.
• "You can sit anywhere, get comfortable." I told him. He nodded and took his seat on one of my couches in a corner like he was actually scared to take a seat.
• “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea? Water?” I asked, keeping my tone light and inviting.
• “Um, water would be fine, thank you,” he said softly, his voice as delicate as he looked.
• I poured a glass of water from the decanter on my desk and handed it to him, careful not to crowd him. “I’ll be back in just a moment,” I said, offering a reassuring smile. “There’s something I need to take care of.”
• He nodded, murmuring a quiet thanks as I stepped out.
• I actually had nothing to do but i wanted to take a deep breath and relax. Being with him makes me nervous, he is not the only person who is nervous between the two of us.
• When I walked back into my office, the sight that I met made me stop in my tracks, Cyrus had fallen asleep on my couch. Curled up in the couch, his head resting on the armrest. His hand was close to his mouth and I wondered if he has a habit of sucking in his thumb whenever he is asleep.
• Moving quietly, I took my jacket from the rack and approached him. I didn’t want him to wake up cold or uncomfortable. I draped the jacket over him, taking care to tuck it around his shoulders. The fabric looked oversized on him, almost swallowing him whole, but it suited him somehow.
• I knelt beside the couch, my hand hovering over his face for a moment before brushing a stray curl from his forehead. His skin was warm, his breathing steady, and in that moment, I felt more protective of him than I ever had of anyone else.
• “Sleep well, baby boy,” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper.
• I moved to seat behind my desk and continued to work but not before sending a message to my assistant that she should not come to my office in the next two hours. Enough for him to nap peacefully.