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Chapter 15
A few months passed so quickly. The relationship with Caius grew closer, but I remained professional in the office, not showing any of my colleagues that Caius and I often went out together.
I sipped my coffee quietly, enjoying the morning atmosphere on the balcony of my apartment. The Swiss air was fresh, a far cry from the city I used to live in. Today was a holiday, and for the first time in a long time, I felt completely relaxed without thinking about work, or the past.
My cell phone vibrates on the table. I glanced at the screen and found Caius‘ name appearing there.
“Yes?” I answered without a preamble.
“Breakfast?” His voice sounded casual, as usual.
“You mean?” I asked with a frown.
“I’m in front of your apartment,” he replied.
I looked down. Sure enough, in front of the apartment lobby, Caius was leaning against his car, dressed in casual clothes, something I’d seen from him a lot these past few weeks.
I sighed and smiled a little before heading back inside, grabbing my jacket to go downstairs.
Once I was out, Caius glanced at me before opening the car door. “I know a good breakfast place,” he said, sounding enthusiastic.
I went in without asking many questions. With Caius, I was getting used to his way of not saying much, but always being full of action.
During the trip, we were mostly silent. But it wasn’t an awkward silence, but something that felt comfortable. I didn’t have to pretend to find topics of conversation.
When we arrived at a small café by the lake, I immediately realized why Caius had chosen this place. It was quiet, with a view of the water reflecting the morning sun.
“Do you come here often?” I asked after we sat down.
Caius took a sip of his coffee before answering, “I used to. But I haven’t had time to enjoy this place in a while.”
I raised an eyebrow. “A long time ago?”
He stared at the lake with an expression that was hard to interpret as he said, “Before I took over the company, I had more time for things like this.”
I realized that this was the first time Caius had talked about his life outside of work.
“I didn’t expect you to be the type of person who likes quiet places like this,” I said honestly with a smile, trying to cheer him up a little.
“Because I’m usually too busy?” he asked, returning my smile.
I shrugged. “You could say that.”
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Caius leaned back against the chair, his eyes still staring at the lake. “Work makes me miss a lot of things, including little habits like this.”
I didn’t know why, but hearing his slightly different tone of voice, I got the feeling he was talking about something bigger than just lost leisure time.
I didn’t ask further. I know how it feels when someone forces you to talk about something you’re not ready to share.
“Well then, you should start making time again,” I said finally as I leaned forward slightly towards him.
Caius looked at me for a few seconds before smiling. “Maybe you’re right.”
We laughed together.
The day passed faster than I thought it would. After breakfast, we took a leisurely walk along the lake, talking about many things, about the places I’d been, about the things Caius used to like to do before getting busy with the company, about a life that slowly changed over time.
I realized that Caius was different from the man I used to know. All this time, I had only seen him as a cold and controlling director. But outside the office, he was just someone who had also lost a lot in his life.
As the sun began to fall, Caius drove me home. I sat in the car, staring at the city streets that were beginning to be illuminated by small lights along the sidewalks.
“I didn’t expect you to be this intimate with someone,” I said suddenly, turning to him who was focused on driving.
Caius gave me a glance. “So you’re saying that I don’t have any friends?” he asked with a chuckle.
I shrugged. “At work, you always seem’so busy. It’s hard to imagine that you could spend an entire day without thinking about work.”
He continued to laugh. “Maybe I just need a good excuse,” he said.
Unconsciously, I continued to stare at her. “What kind of reason?” I asked curiously.
He didn’t answer right away. But his gaze remained calm as he said, “Like someone who can make me want to spend more time.”
I paused and immediately looked out the window.
I could feel something different from earlier, something slowly growing in my heart, though I didn’t know what to call it yet.
When the car stopped in front of my apartment, Caius turned to me. “Althea,” he called.
I looked up at him.
“If I ask you one question, will you answer it honestly?” he asked, a serious look on Caius‘ face.
I nodded. “Of course,” I replied smiling.
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He sighed softly before finally saying, “Could I be someone you’d consider?” he asked. I saw Caius‘ gaze was so warm.
I held my breath. I just didn’t expect that I already had the answer.
smiled a little and replied, “I think… it’s not something I should think about for too long.”
Caius smiled widely. I could see his face turn happy.
For the first time, I felt that I was no longer living in the shadow of the past.
finally chose to move forward.
