CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

“I DID not know Cyrel was already this talented.” Rosell could not help but beam in pride as they listened to Cyrel perform a love song while playing the piano.

At some point, Rosell realized that she had never gotten to know her daughter well. She could only feel sorry that she was never the mother Cyrel and Casey needed.

“Who would have thought Cyrel would be useful to us one day?” Christian said as he took a sip of his wine.

Rosell stared at him uncomfortably.

“Our daughter looks happy, Christian.”

“Of course, she owed it to me. Why do you think I made the wedding happen? It’s for her own good, too. And I’m glad to see her doing her purpose.”

“You don’t understand. Cyrel and Ross care for each other for real.”

“I do understand, Rosell. What the hell are you talking about? If she would be smart enough to play Ross in her hands, she would have had the world already,” Christian spat in a constrained voice.

Rosell sighed and looked away.

“Now, it’s time to make her listen to me more.”

“Can’t you let her be happy at least this once?”

“What do you mean, Rosell? We gave them everything. This is Cyrel’s way of paying us back.” Christian squinted his eyes at her.

“Never mind.”

THE PARTY was finally over. Cyrel sighed in relief as she freed her feet from the pair of painful heels as soon as they got back in the hotel room. Ross had already taken his suit off, on the other hand.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yup.” Cyrel forced a smile. “Still not a fan of parties, though. But this one is the most meaningful party, so far.” She sighed. “I need a shower. Can you help me take this off?” She motioned her dress.

Ross smiled.

“Yup.”

Cyrel turned her back as Ross stood behind her. He pushed her hair to her other shoulder. He reached for the zipper of her dress and felt his breath against her skin.

“Why don’t we shower together?” he suggested.

Cyrel blushed.

CYREL woke up the next morning and found herself alone in bed. She got up slowly and picked up her robe from the floor. Her cheeks flushed as memories from last night flash her mind.

Ross made love to her all night—from the shower to the bed.

“Ross?” She went to the living room when she did not find him in the bathroom.

And there he was, setting the table for breakfast. He was wearing his boxers, his robe hang open.

“Good morning,” he greeted with a sweet smile.

“`Morning.”

“You’re just in time.” He pulled her by the hand.

Cyrel thought Ross was going to bring her to the dining table right away. But instead, he pulled her into a tight long hug.

She snaked her arms around his waist.

“Let’s go. I know you’re already starving.”

Cyrel laughed.

“Whose fault do you think is it?”

ROSS ordered a lot of food. Though there were fruits and vegetables, the breakfast was heavy. She could not complain, though. She knew how much thought he put into all of this.

“You know I can’t finish all of this, right?” she said.

“It doesn’t matter. I just want you to eat everything you want. You’ve been working hard for the past week.”

“And you never left my side, I remember.” Cyrel pulled his face and pressed her lips into his.

“DAD, I want to ask you a favor.”

Rustom stared at Ross for a moment.

They were waiting for breakfast, and Ross took the opportunity to talk to his dad in private while Cyrel was out there helping Malu.

“All right? This came as a surprise to me, though. You stopped asking favors for me since...” Rustom did not have to finish his sentence. Ross already understood. “Come on, son. Tell me what it is.”

“I wanted to...” Ross drew a breath. “I need your money. I want to make Cyrel’s dreams come true. She wanted to be a musician.”

Rustom nodded after a moment of silence.

“And how are you going to do that?”

“That I don’t know yet, honestly.” He shrugged. “I’ll produce her an album, maybe? Or build her a recording company? I don’t know. I just imagine her performing in front of thousands of people. I know that would make her happy.”

“Son...” Rustom chuckled. “You’re almost there, I see. But...” His face turned serious.

Ross waited, feeling a little tense.

“You have to work hard for it. Go back to the company and learn. If you want to manage Cyrel’s music career, you have to know that it takes more than having the financial means to make it happen.”

“I know. I was used to getting what I want when I was growing up,” Ross admitted.

“So, are you up to the challenge or what?”

“That’s not even a question.”

“Great.”

“Donald won’t be happy to see me around.”

“Oh, you don’t know how much he misses—”

Ross suddenly hugged him.

“Thank you, Dad!”

Rustom chuckled.

“Wow. Nice view.”

They both glanced at Cyrel who was watching them with a smile.