3 Months Later, Cocoa Country, Former African Continent
Wanting to avoid a noticeable entrance to the party, Cryo found a side door. As soon as he stepped inside, he smelled the sweet, floral notes of cocoa beans mingled with the metallic scent of machinery and the aromatics of the bitters bottles from the open bar.
He paused just outside the main floor of the warehouse they'd booked to hold the company's annual party. If he could get away with staying out of sight all night, he'd happily do so. But a CEO didn't lurk in dim hallways—that was something a cyborg might do.
Still, he lingered as his employees laughed and chatted in small groups. He rubbed his chin and the bite of his whiskers momentarily distracted him; he'd forgotten to shave. Great. Just what he needed: one more reason to feel self-conscious.
He hated to disturb the party's relaxed atmosphere. When he stepped onto the brightly lit floor, polite professionalism would overtake the room. His employees didn't dislike him; they feared him. A CEO commanded fear and respect, but the stigma attached to his status as not just a cyborg, but the only cyborg made up of more than 80% cybernetics turned most peoples' fears into phobias.
"You're late." Cryo's mother approached the entryway. "Unfashionably so."
Backlit, Hutter Elsin seemed all sharp angles and long lines. Her sleek bob drew attention to her strong jawline. By attitude alone, she made the black and white tuxedo dress she wore look like business attire. His mother was never not working.
Before his near-fatal injuries, Cryo remembered his mother as soft and sweet and kind. Everything changed when his father was assassinated and Cryo had almost died. Over the years, his mother had changed even more than Cryo. He didn't blame her for morphing into this cold caricature of herself. She adapted and survived. He didn't blame her for authorizing the experimental surgeries that turned him into a cyborg. Her decision had saved his so-called life.
He stepped forward into the light and offered her his arm. He didn't expect her to take it. She never did, but she expected him to offer. So he was surprised when she took his arm and they entered the party side-by-side. This was only the fourth time she'd intentionally touched him outside a medical setting. She was up to something.
His mother led him through the crowd, clearly having a destination in mind. And that made him wary. He had the sudden image of the two of them together. A mother and son, who on the surface had everything. Power. Beauty. Intelligence. But Hutter Elsin was broken. There was no technology in the world that could repair the damage done to her by his father's assassination. And Cryo, more machine than man, didn't know how to help her. His clumsy past attempts had only ever done her further injury.
They stepped into a circle of his mother's friends…and their unwed daughters. Cryo worked hard on his smile. So this was her plan. He should've expected it. His mother hadn't introduced him to—what she called—women of good breeding for a few months, so it was time for her to make another attempt at acquiring a daughter-in-law. He gave a polite nod to the introductions and reintroductions. He performed pleasantries and asked polite questions. The women reciprocated. But everyone in their circle—except his well-intentioned mother—knew that these women only interacted with him out of obligation.
Thankfully, soon the conversation turned from him, and he allowed his mind to wander around the room. Tall tables dressed in white linens displayed the elaborate chocolate flower bouquets that his company had released this year. A huge banner, hanging high from the railing of a balcony three floors up, proclaimed in big block letters that Valentine's Day 2188 had been the most profitable since 2076. The banner rippled and waved as a woman walked the balcony to a stairway tucked into the far corner of the warehouse. Dressed in work clothes, she looked more out-of-place than he felt. A delicate snort drew his attention back to his mother's group.
"What was she thinking wearing that to a company party?" Ms. Pends said.
Her daughter, a twin of her mother in looks and temperament, leaned forward and lowered her voice. "I saw her earlier. Mr. Sans told me she lives on this farm. This is her warehouse."
"She's a farm girl. You can't expect her to have the sense to either dress appropriately or stay away from the party." Ms. Ormel snickered behind her hand. "I can't stand the second-hand embarrassment."
Speaking of second-hand embarrassment, Cryo felt gross just listening to this gossip. He watched as the woman skirted the party, opened the door to what looked like an office, and went inside. Obviously, she wasn't there for the party. He envied her escape.
He couldn't understand the scorn in the women's voices as they continued to mock her. Didn't they have anything better to talk about? No, obviously, they did not. Fed up, he interrupted them.
"Mother, I'm heading over to the bar. May I get you something?"
She narrowed her eyes at him. His mother was smart enough to know that if she said yes, he'd have a member of the waitstaff deliver the drink to her. He was not coming back.
Far too polite to confront him in front of her friends, she smiled. "No, thank you."
He gave a quick nod and quit the group, keeping his stride measured and purposeful. He was not running away. This was a strategic retreat, necessary to his sanity.
Cryo greeted his employees by name as headed toward the bar. He stopped twice to compliment staff that had performed admirably in the chocolate flowers campaign. All necessary socialization that he worked hard to perform at these types of events.
At the bar, a human wall, five people deep, waited to order drinks. He stepped to the back of the line to wait his turn. Two employees turned and noticed him, but they knew him well enough that they didn't offer to let him go in front of them. He didn't take unjustified shortcuts; he didn't take anything he hadn't earned.
At the front of the line, a bartender handed Ms. Nima, a matronly-looking manager from Marketing, a couple of fruity mixed drinks. Tucking her elbows to her sides, she held her drinks up in front of her, working her way through the crowded bar area. When she was even to him, she stumbled. On instinct, Cryo reached out and steadied the agreeably plump woman.
"Thanks." Her eyes widened when she looked up at him. She gave a surprised squeak and jerked away from him.
Cryo released her and stepped back, knocking into someone behind him. He turned and tried to grab a woman who was in mid-fall. Too late, the woman landed hard on her backside. He knelt in front of her on the concrete floor and realized this was the woman his mother's friends had ridiculed. "I apologize. Are you injured?"
She winced but offered him her right hand while examining her left. He gave her hand a shake and let go. "A pleasure."
She hadn't met his eyes yet; didn't know she'd just allowed a cyborg to shake her hand. He braced for her reaction. She met his gaze. Arched a brow. The right side of her mouth quirked up at the corner. She offered him her hand again. "Help me up?"
He froze. Had she not recognized him? Couldn't she see the tech visible in his left eye? The lights were bright, and they were face to face.
"Is that a 'no'?" Her eyes twinkled as if they shared a joke.
With a tut-tutting sound, she dropped her hand and shifted to one hip. Balanced on one hand, she got her feet under her and began to stand.
Breaking free from his shock, he grabbed her arms and helped her to her feet. She didn't flinch away from him. In fact, she leaned into him, trusting him to support her—a singular experience. When they were standing, he took her all in.
She was beautiful. Like sunshine.
In a room full of perfectly polished women in gowns, her lack of make-up or designer clothing made everyone else appear overdone. This woman looked like herself instead of a product of this season's favorite fashion designer.
They stood so close that strands of her long blond hair caught on his cheek stubble, tying them together. And to think he'd cursed himself for forgetting to shave. Best mistake of his life.
Her big grass-green eyes and soft full lips made his mouth water. The feel of her baby soft skin against his hands made him realize he still held onto her arms. Reluctantly, he let her go, but he couldn't quite force himself to take a step back. The moment spun out. She broke the spell when she winced and rubbed her elbow.
"You are injured."
"My fault." She gave a soft laugh. "I let all the chocolate distract me."
"Don't you own the cocoa farm?"
She tilted her head to one side and studied him. "Oh, you're one of those."
He stiffened. She'd finally noticed the forgery of his body. He stepped back. The few, precious strands of her hair fell away from his face. She shook her head in what he thought might be feigned exasperation.
"I'm surrounded by cocoa beans all day, not chocolate." She leaned in and lowered her voice. "Do you think I'd get in trouble for filching a flower?"
Before he could reply, she straightened and gave him another sweet smile. "I'm Arden Bish by the way."
His lips parted. He hesitated. He wanted desperately to lie about his identity, to give her any other name than his own, but he couldn't do that to her. She deserved honesty, nothing less.
He must've hesitated too long because her smile morphed into a frown. "I'm an idiot. You're Cryo Elsin, aren't you." She held her hands up as if placating him. "Don't be offended by my lack of recognition. Again, I was distracted by all the chocolate." She narrowed her eyes and wagged her finger at him. "Wait a minute. You're the Chocolate CEO, which means this is all your fault! It's your chocolate that distracted."
She was teasing him. The woman was actually teasing him. He'd never been teased by anyone. Teasing was like flirting, wasn't it? Could she be flirting with him?
If he continued to stand there speechless, he would never find out.
"You're absolutely right. I am at fault. Allow me to make amends." He reached over to the nearest table, snatched a chocolate tulip, and, with exaggerated flourish, offered it to her.
She accepted the chocolate with a giggle.
He felt giddy and oh so pleased with himself. He'd made her laugh. She stood close to him, admiring her gift. Cryo suppressed his feeling of smug satisfaction at her reaction to his silly gesture. His experience in business negotiations told him that he was far from closing the deal. But one thing was for sure—he wanted close the deal. He wanted her.
He cleared his throat and pocketed his hands. "Will you sit me?"
"Depends. Will there be more chocolate?"
"I will go to every table and collect every bouquet for you."
That earned him another smile. Then the bubble of fascination he'd been standing inside with her suddenly popped.
"Cryo." His mother walked up to them. "Introduce me to your friend."
He sobered, feeling the weight of his name and position resettle on his shoulders. He should've escaped with Arden while he'd had the chance. Cursing himself, he turned to face his mother.
"Mother, this Arden Bish, the owner of this warehouse." He looked at Arden. "Arden, I'd like you to meet my mother, Hutter Elsin.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Elsin." Arden smiled. "I was just telling your son how much I love Criollos Chocolates."
His mother gave a short nod. "As the party's hosts, my son and I must make the rounds. Please excuse us."
"Of course." Arden looked at Cryo. "Thanks for the chocolate, Mr. Elsin." She turned and walked away.
Cryo stamped down his panic. No matter where she went, he'd find her.