Cyrus hadn't prepared himself for a large gathering. Despite being a charismatic person that thrived off social gatherings, he wasn't so sure he'd be able to get anything new from whatever the bonfire had in store for him. He had tried as much as possible to decline it being shifted forward for his sake, considering the fact that he was leaving the next day. Jonathan and Wallace were adamant and had already informed the workers to be available for tonight. Given the fact that most workers were very obviously curious about who he was and given the fact that they would use the bonfire as a means to measure the type of person he was, he expected that many people would be out tonight.
He watched the sky dim into a canvas of purples and pinks as the sunset. There were many things he would miss about his short trip to the Robinson household, but he was damn sure the sun wasn't going to be one of them. Years of being raised and confined to rooms of maximum cooling systems had made him sensitive to anything that involved heat. He could handle it, but he didn't want to have to handle it.
His ears picked up the sound of music and cheers as the wind carried the sounds through the window of the room that they had given him. There was no use hiding or wallowing in his thoughts. Besides, if he decided to stay in the house, there was a chance he would fall into April's clutches. Only God knew what that woman was capable of doing. He hadn't missed the lingering looks she had been giving him since the day before. Only a man willing to give in to temptation would allow himself to be caught unaware by a woman like here.
"Mr Axton!" he heard his name being called on the other side, as there was a knock on his door.
"Come in." he said, loud enough for the person to hear. The door opened, revealing the husband of the woman he had just been thinking of. Wallace grinned from ear to ear as he regarded his attire; a simple pair of sweats and a plain blue short-sleeved shirt.
"My my my, if I'd known I'd get to see days like these where you're not in a suit, I'd have taken the bet a long time ago." Wallace said jokingly. Cyrus smirked in response
"Always with the jokes. I'll have you know that I don't live in my office."
"With the way you work, you might as well." Wallace moved to take a seat near the window that Cyrus stood "Are you looking forward to tonight?"
"Not exactly, but I don't believe you care about that."
"Oh, come on now, you were such in a good mood earlier. Do you really prefer the company of a woman to the company of your fellow men?" one look from him confirmed the answer to which Wallace chuckled "Well, I apologize, but still we have to bond over a few bottles of beer and barbecued pork. Have you ever had pork before? I assume that you have since you're such a rich boy. I tell you there's nothing like it; a blazing fire and a stomach full of meat and alcohol in the open air. True, might be better if you had a lady tucked under your arm, but nothing beats bonding with men."
"You're the life of the party, aren't you?" Cyrus chuckled, settling into the other seat and crossing his arms over his chest. Amusement danced in his eyes as he watched Wallace "What do you really want to tell me, Wallace? I've known you long enough to know when you're up to something."
"Me? Whatever do you mean?" Wallace asked, yet the mischievous look settled on his face as he rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward "I'm just a man trying to make sure my boss enjoys his last night here. Who knows when I'll get this opportunity to treat my friend again."
Friend. There was the word. It was a largely unspoken rule between them to never put tags on the relations that they had with each other. They had transitioned from being mere acquaintances to being more than business partners. Cyrus knew it and he knew Wallace knew it as well. Yet, they remained unspoken words between them. Now, Wallace had finally said it and instead of the effect it would have had in another situation, it only served to raise Cyrus' suspicion of the man. So, he gave him the most obvious look he could muster resulting in Wallace laughing a hearty laugh that bounced around the room.
"How will things pan out between you and Sakura once you leave?" Wallace finally asked. Cyrus' eyes widened slightly
"Sakura and I?" he said cautiously "I don't understand."
"Don't give me that bullshit Axton." It was like the wheels began to turn in his head as his grin stretched farther "You obviously like what you see and knowing you, I'm aware you have no intentions of just letting this itch of yours go. You're too much of a curious person for that."
An itch? Is that what they could call it? As far as Cyrus knew, it was more than an itch. It was like an insatiable desire to lodge himself under her skin so she wouldn't forget that he existed. It was the need to find a way into that head of hers. He was probably being selfish, but after the stunt she had pulled with him in the morning, Cyrus was painfully aware of how stubborn she was and how it irked him for her to act like he was nothing more than a speck of dust in the wind. Was he just being immature? Maybe. Would it stop him from the path his mind had already decided to take? Not even a chance.
"Is she going to be there tonight?" he asked instead of answering Wallace's previous question
"Of course. I made a whole show of telling her how she had no choice and that she'd be dragged out there against her will if she refused. She's not one for attention so I bet that alone will make her come willingly, despite it being such short notice." Wallace answered, "I don't reckon she'll be glad to spend time with you though since you kind of pissed her off this morning."
Cyrus knew that. They were now playing a game. To anyone else, he was probably the one that started it. Sakura had succeeded in fanning out his flame to the point that he blew up. Now, there was no going back. Especially not after he had felt her against him this morning as she looked up into his eyes with those shining blues. The game of cat and mouse. He had tried his very best not to make her uncomfortable and would continue to try his best, if only she didn't push him the way she did. If only he was not so affected by her.
"As you've said, it's an evening to wine and dine with men." Cyrus said though various plans were formulating in his head
Wallace recognized the fire in his eyes and shrugged, knowing he wouldn't reveal a thing. He was looking forward to finding out how this little thing of theirs would end up. After all, it was ever so rare for him to see his friend go after a woman.