The rain that fell outside did nothing to distract Cyrus. The drops hit the windows and flowed past his vision as they drove down the road. Across his lap lay the file he had gotten just hours prior and his eyes found the name boldly written at the top, with a small passport photograph at the side. Blue eyes stared right back at him and he cursed under his breath at having fallen so low, just to get to find about her.
"Sakura Leonita Guerro." He said aloud, allowing the name to hang in the air
He had gotten his private investigator to look into her. All the information that he ever wanted to know was written in the file before him. Yet, he didn't have the heart to open it.
Why?
Because everything about it felt so wrong. He didn't want to learn about with words on paper. He wanted to learn about her layers, why she was so enigmatic to him and why he couldn't get her out of his mind. That was why, when the manager of his production team had called him that the next batch of drinks was ready, he had taken it upon himself to return back to Sunny Hill and to the Robinson orchard.
To her.
Only two months had passed since he had seen her, and every time he wanted an excuse to go back to take in his fill of her, quench his curiosity, he had berated himself and thrown himself into even more work. He had even gone as far as spending more time with his mother and sister, which was saying something considering the fact that all they did when he was around them was try to hook him up and talk his ear off with the topic of marriage. Now, he had no inhibitions. He decided to stop holding himself back so much when he knew what he wanted
At least he had an idea of it, even if it wasn't totally understandable to him and he couldn't grasp the exact reason he wanted to see her again. All he knew was, he just had to. Whatever happened along the way, he would accept, both good and bad.
Tossing the file into his briefcase, he shut it with a huff and averted his gaze to the bottle of wine that sat in the ice-bucket. He picked it up, admiring the bubbles as the floated to the top and the simplicity of the design of the bottle. Pride swelled in his chest as he smiled.
Rosa Dolce Apple wine and ciders were the centrepiece of his empire. Although he had come from a rich home, his aspiration to own his own wine company had led him to start experimenting with tastes, meeting up with owners of orchards and almost gotten him disowned by his father. The old man wanted nothing more than for his son to take his place as CEO and majority shareholder of Axton Constructions, but Cyrus had been rebellious, pursuing his own passion after acquiring a degree in architecture. Although it had caused them to have a falling out, they had begun reconciling when his father had learnt about his cancer.
Cyrus had become CEO in honour of his father, but his wine business had already kickstarted, so it was a difficult time for him. He had often wondered if he had made the right decision and so many times had wanted to give up his dreams to manage his family business. In the end, everything had worked out. His wine business had caused a boom in the market and he had kept Axton Constructions as one of the top architectural companies in the country.
The sudden bump in the road caused him to jerk forward and successfully out of his thoughts.
"Sorry, sir. The rain is getting heavier. It's becoming more difficult to see the roads." His driver said to him apologetically
"It's alright. Please try to be more careful."
"Y-Yes, sir." He knew the effect his presence had on people. Even though he was genuinely concerned about himself and his driver, most felt intimidated and fearful whenever he spoke. Years and years of struggling to build himself had manifested in his stance, outward appearance and general carriage.
But inside he had stayed the very same.
"We're pulling in sir." He saw the big sign through the blurry window and the gates. It didn't take long for them to pass through, but as they rode down the driveway to Jonathan's home, his eyes caught a hooded figure walking in the rain.
"Stop the car!" the car slowed down immediately and he felt the eyes of his driver bore into him as he tried to focus on the moving figure that walked casually by the side of the road "Horn for that person, we can give them a ride back instead of them getting wet."
Nodding in understanding, his driver did just that, but the figure still kept walking, not even bothering to look in their direction. Cyrus cursed under his breath.
"Is there an umbrella in the car?" he asked
"No-wait sir!" He had already opened the door, ignoring the words of his driver. Cyrus rarely did anything on impulse, but he let himself this time and walked speedily towards where the person walked casually. The driveway was large and had a large road, but surely the person had seen them when they drove past.
"Excuse me!" he called out, but the person still didn't turn back
His hand reached out as he got closer and he felt so distinctly how the person's muscles jumped under his fingers. His chocolate eyes clashed with blue eyes, surprising him. The woman that had plagued his mind for the last two months stood before him, staring at him through large black frames. He watched her take off her earplugs, her questioning eyes directly on him.
"Sakura." He said lowly
"Mr Axton, hello. I didn't know you'd be coming in today." She responded lightly like the rain wasn't falling down hard and fast. Granted, her umbrella-covered her well enough, but he saw no reason for her to walk under these harsh conditions
"I've been trying to get your attention. Should you be walking so casually under this rain?" Her eyebrow cocked at his question and he became intrigued at the defiant look that appeared on her face
"If so, why are you here standing under it? At least I have an umbrella."
Cyrus smirked slightly. She was right, he had rushed out and now looked like a complete fool. Yet, he couldn't ignore how he didn't notice how he didn't feel the rain that much. Her eyes cast to the side at the car that was some ways away.
"I assume you want me to get in with you." She said, turning to him once more
"Yes, but with the way you're looking at me, I deduce you would rather walk all the way."
"You make me sound like a stubborn mule." He caught the hint of a joke in her words, despite the fact that she wasn't smiling
"I said nothing of the sort." Looking towards the direction of his car, he caught sight of his driver standing outside, waiting for him
"Drive on Alfred, I'll walk from here!" He couldn't really see the man's expression at his loud declaration, but he didn't wait to find out as he turned back to her
"You want to walk with me?" she asked him, not believing that he was actually going to do it
"My mother didn't raise me not to be a gentleman. Besides, I would like to see what is so wonderful about this that it made you reject a ride in a warm car."
For the first time, she smiled and it wasn't like the professional one she had given him when they had first met.
"You're already as wet as a drowned rat."
"And we have an umbrella, wide enough for both of us. That is if you're willing to share."
She pondered for a few moments before nodding twice. His smirk gradually turned into a grin as he grabbed the umbrella from her, snatching her by her waist as well in a quick motion. Her surprised eyes shot up to his amused ones. He heard the car drive steadily past them, finally leaving them alone together.
"As a gentleman, it would be rude of me not to hold the umbrella for you." He said as they began walking, his steps smaller to keep up with hers
"Is that also the reason why your hand is fastened to my waist, Mr Axton?"
"Cyrus, please and to answer your question, the closer you are, the less rain will touch you."
"How flattering of you." He chuckled at the dryness of her voice
"I hope you don't mind, but I won't be much company as I want to play my music."
"Go ahead, please. Don't let me stop you."
As much as he wanted to keep hearing her voice, he was content with the little she had given him. The opportunity to have her against him would be enough to satisfy him. At least for now.