Chapter 50: Announcement

AVA

I spent my day working on three different projects: the cover art for a book about self-development, paintings of different kinds of birds for a book about nature, and some mixed media illustrations for a sequel to a children’s book I’d worked on.

Halfway through the day, there was a knock on my door, and I looked up to find a delivery man with a large bouquet.

When I ruffled around between the flowers to find who had sent them to me, the card I found just said ~I love you~.

My heart fluttered. I’d never been sent flowers before. I took a picture and sent it to Cyrus.

Ava

Are these yours?

Cyrus

They must be your fiancé’s. Don’t think I didn’t notice that rock on your finger. Ballsy of him to send you flowers at the office.

Cyrus

Now get back to work, I don’t pay you to sit around looking at flowers all day.

Ava

Yes boss.

Ava

Also, thank you, love.

Cyrus

You’re welcome, baby.

I blushed as I unwrapped the bouquet, which luckily had come with a vase. I put them on my desk, where the plant that I gave Cyrus had been.

Ella knocked on the glass. She held up her left hand and tapped her ring finger. I nodded and winked at her, and she made an impressed face.

I worked for a while, and then August and Phillip showed up at my office, coming to get me for our design meeting.

“Ooooh,” August cooed dramatically at the flowers. “Secret admirer?” Then he grimaced. “Please don’t tell me Tobe sent them.”

I laughed and shook my head.

“Wait, are they from ~Theo~?”

I frowned in confusion but then remembered my cover story for Cyrus’s bite mark on my neck.

“Maybe.” I smiled secretively. It was probably best to keep up the lie.

We picked up Ella on the way to our meeting and went to one of the think tanks.

The meeting went on for a little longer than necessary, as usual, but most of it was useful and inspiring. Right before five, we all went back to our offices.

As I was packing up my stuff, my computer chimed. I looked at Ella through our shared glass wall, but she was reading the message that had apparently been sent to all of us.

~Announcement in 5 minutes~, it read, giving me a flashback to when the Christmas party was announced.

I finished packing up and went out into the food court. Ella and I sat at a table in the back and quietly talked among ourselves.

Then Cyrus came out. My heart fluttered when he walked by, and I tried my best not to look too smitten.

“I’m sorry,” he mouthed.

Sorry for what?

He cleared his throat as he reached the head of the food court, and all the talking quieted down within seconds. “I have a few announcements to make,” he said.

Ella whipped her head toward me, but I just shrugged and gave her a clueless look.

“Starting next month, I will begin the process of stepping down as your CEO at Brentstone Publishing,” Cyrus said.

A few people let out shocked gasps, and immediately the buzz of people talking picked up. Everyone looked just as shocked as I felt. Cyrus clapped his hands, silencing everyone.

“Mr. Memphis Robinson will be taking over for me, and I trust he will treat the company with the respect it deserves.”

I looked around for Mr. Robinson, who was sitting at a table in the front, looking proud.

I didn’t know him very well, but he had a smile that lit up the room, and Cyrus had nothing but good things to say about him. I really liked his vibe. He wore a suit with no tie. He often ditched the jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He wore his hair in locs, which suited his face shape very nicely.

He was quite handsome and seemed very approachable. He often had lunch with different employees, unlike Cyrus, who preferred to eat in his office.

I imagined Mr. Robinson would do a good job breaking down the firm hierarchy Cyrus had established, which would probably benefit the company.

Cyrus continued. “I’ll be starting a new branch of Brentstone and Sons: Brentstone Marketing.”

He let his eyes rest on me for a moment, and I sent him an encouraging smile. His serious expression faltered for just a moment before snapping back.

“Both of these companies will be working closely together, so you won’t be fully getting rid of me.”

Martha let out a cheerful noise, and I couldn’t help but glare at her.

Cyrus leaned back on the counter that wrapped around the food court and waited for the crowd to quiet down again.

When he had regained everyone’s attention, he squared his shoulders and sucked in a deep breath.

“The second thing I’d like to announce is my engagement.”