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Chapter Text

Magic and Miracles

Chapter 41

The next morning Selena and Ravus got up early and went with Sylva into work at 7 a.m. to offer their moral support to Luche, both of them dressing up in business wear too. Sylva was so proud of them and took heart that they were willing to do that.

They managed to grab breakfast on the way and Selena happily sucked down her Starbucks - the largest possible caramel mocha with extra espresso, extra chocolate, extra caramel and extra whip cream and ate her breakfast sandwich and did her best not to get it on herself.

Once at the hospital Selena and Ravus followed Sylva to her office where Abbey, Sylva’s long time secretary and Kathryn, Sylva’s long time assistant were at their desks waiting for her with what Sylva had asked for.

“I’m so sorry to bring you in so early ladies especially on a Saturday.” Sylva apologized. “Oh introductions, this is my soon to be daughter in law Selena Ulric, Ravus’ fiance,” Sylva introduced proudly to them before Selena came forward and shook both of their hands.

“We’ve met.” Kathryn and Abbey said at the same time with a soft chuckle.

“Oh that’s right you were there when they got engaged.” Sylva recalled. “Sorry, still in my honeymoon daze,” Sylva laughed off.

“Good morning, pleasure to meet you again.” Abbey smiled warmly at Selena.

“Good morning, congratulations again.” Kathryn nodded and shook her hand too, her own friendly and warm smile on her face.

“Thank you, pleasure is all mine.” Selena smiled charmingly.

“They’re here to offer their moral support for the interviewee this morning.” Sylva explained when Kathryn and Abbey gave Sylva curious looks.

“Right, about that, I have everything you asked for and more.” Kathryn grinned proudly.

“You are amazing, ok, I’m gonna leave you guys out here while I get ready ok?” Sylva suggested as she, Abbey and Kathryn then got up and went into Sylva’s office with her, each of them carrying stacks of stuff.

“Come on Darling, let’s take a seat.” Ravus invited as he took Selena’s hand and led her over to couch next to the door where they talked for a little while before Ravus’ phone went off at 7:30.

‘How do I get to your mom’s office from the main lobby?’ Luche texted Ravus.

“Come on, we gotta go get him.” Ravus said as he showed Selena his phone.

‘Go to the elevators and wait, we’re coming to you, Selena and I are both here for you. Nyx sends his best but couldn’t get out of bed lol.’ Ravus texted before they walked and Ravus weaved through the hospital to get to the elevators and found Luche looking exceedingly good in a suit and tie with a briefcase.

“Good morning Lu,” Selena smiled brightly and hugged him tight. “You look amazing!” Selena praised as they snagged another elevator.

“You do, you look great...” Ravus praised before giving Luche every piece of advice and a heads up as much as he could as he led the way back to his mother’s office.

“You’re gonna do great.” Selena encouraged as they got nearer to the office. “I’ll be praying for you.” Selena offered.

“Thanks,” Luche smiled appreciatively.

“Mr. Lazarus?” Kathryn asked once she and Abbey and herself walked out of Sylva’s office.

“Yes, that’s me, Luche Lazarus, nice to meet you.” Luche quickly answered as he came forward to shake their hands.

“You’re early, that’s a good sign, I’m Kathryn, this is Abbey, come on, she’s ready for you.” Kathryn invited and turned right back around.

“Good luck!” Selena and Ravus offered to Luche who blew out a nervous breath.

“Well good morning Mr. Lazarus,” Sylva smiled brightly as she came up and formally shook his hand before the door shut and Ravus and Selena were left blowing out a nervous breath themselves.

“So what do we do now?” Selena asked as she started moving her weight from foot to foot as her own nerves frayed.

“We go for a walk, might as well show you around and give you proper tour right? We can start with my office.” Ravus suggested.

“Yes please.” Selena grinned.

“Um, could either of you call me when he’s done?” Ravus politely requested of Abbey and Kathryn.

“Yes of course, you guys will have at least two to two and a half hours.” Abbey estimated.

“Great, thanks.” Ravus nodded as he took Selena’s hand and led her to his office which was just down the hall.

“Wow, it’s huge!” Selena realized when she came into it and Ravus smiled bashfully as he took his coat off and hung it up on the coat hook before getting Selena’s coat off and doing the same to it before Selena began to walk around and explore it giddily.

“Thanks,” Ravus thanked her.

“Sweet you have your own bathroom! Oh it’s huge and really nice too!” Selena practically squealed and Ravus blinked in surprise before he noticed she was walking faster as she continued to look around his office before she just started touching EVERYTHING. He just watched as she seemed to get more wound up and she “tested” out the couch by sitting and then moving to every cushion and bouncing a little before getting off and looking around more, getting into every cabinet.

“How often do you drink coffee?” Ravus asked thoughtfully as he took a seat behind his desk and watched her curiously.

“Hardly ever. I don’t like it, it’s too bitter, not unless it’s like, half cream and sugar but Starbucks is awesome because they have all those flavors they can put into it and whipped cream of course and I love whip cream and cool whip like I could eat a whole can or tub of the stuff and just a spoon.” Selena rattled off quickly as she continued on her quest to suddenly get as acquainted with every little detail of his office as she could.

“Uh huh. And when was the last time you had espresso?” Ravus asked as he bit his lips to keep from smiling too wide and laughing as he realized she was acting like a little kid on too much caffeine and sugar and almost bouncing off the walls. She was utterly adorable, if not hilarious.

“Black Friday shopping with my mom and cousins and aunts and stuff, we hit Starbucks at 3 am and each of us get two drinks and usually my cousin Bethany can’t finish all of her two drinks and so I end up finishing them for her but she is all about pumpkin spice everything, did you know she makes really good pumpkin pie? She’s a baker, she’s really good and makes all the cakes and pies for the restaurant on top of serving and she set’s the bar and it’s really hard to meet that bar because she’s practically perfect and does everything perfectly and it isn’t fair and her and Matt god she didn’t used to be into motorcycles but motorcycles are hot and Matt’s not even that handsome, but you put that man on a motorcycle, hell any man on a motorcycle and lord have mercy, I can totally see why she bangs him as hard as she does and he has a camaro it’s a super sport and it’s built like crazy like that thing goes over a hundred miles and hour just in second gear and it has nitrous and leather seats and they totally banged in the back seat but I’ve been in that back seat and it’s kinda cramped but whatever and Matt’s friends and family never thought he would get married and he didn’t really have a life outside of work but once he met her and worked on her car because he’s a mechanic and that’s what he does and it was like it was fate or something because usually Beth didn’t go for grease monkeys but her seeing him on his motorcycle was all she needed to see because after that it was wham bam thank you ma’am and now they’re married and it’s great and their house is really nice, like it took forever to find because Beth is usually picky as hell and now we’re all just waiting for her to get pregnant because Aunt Stacy really really really needs grand-kids because she fawns over every kid that comes into the restaurant and it’s getting weird.” Selena continued to rattle on very quickly, jumping from one tangent to the next as she continued to go through his office before she found his mini fridge in his office in the mini kitchenette he had in his office. “Aw, empty,” Selena pouted before she closed it and popped open the microwave too and quickly shut it before looking in the cupboards before Ravus finally succumbed to his laughter and burst out into a snickering laugh that turned into a deep belly laugh.

“What? What’s so funny?” Selena asked as she stopped to look at him.

“You are wound up,” Ravus stated as he tried not to laugh too hard.

“Yes I am, but it’s not all the espresso’s fault, it’s nerves, I get like this when I’m really nervous and or worried and I’m really worried and nervous for Luche that he’s not gonna do well but you should see me on three Starbucks drinks, or better yet you should see me on Cuban coffee, that stuff makes Starbucks espresso look like super watered down dish water so that’s why my mom sometimes on the weekends when she needs help with the house work we’ll go out to eat to get the Cuban coffee and sandwiches and they always speak Spanish to me and my mom because apparently we look Cuban or Spanish or something like that and we break their bubbles when we try to answer and butcher their languages but anyway, that’s how my mom really gets me to help around the house because we’ll each order two and then she’ll drink one and a little bit of her second and I drink the rest and then she arms me with Clorox wipes and boom, house gets cleaned by that night but then I crash and sleep really good that night but then I don’t want to get up for school so we don’t do it very often really just for spring cleaning or if we’re having company like my Dad’s parents over for a visit but then all of us get the Cuban coffee and we all work together to get the house ready which is really nice.” Selena continued to rattle off and Ravus continued to chuckle because this was beyond precious.

“Wow, ok,” Ravus chucked and nodded as he continued to watch her with fond amusement.

“So what else can we check out?” Selena asked once she had finished practically dissecting his office.

“Well we kinda have the Hospital to ourselves, this early in the morning on a Saturday.” Ravus offered.

“Lead the way,” Selena invited before Ravus showed off the hospital to her and all it’s cool little intricacies and Selena couldn’t help but feel like he was a prince showing off his kingdom. But in a very sweet, almost Disney-esk sense. He had so much pride about the hospital because it had gotten revamped a few years ago so everything was relatively new and he talked about how every couple of years things got ‘face lifts’ so that everything stayed looking new and how fast technology advanced and how he was going to keep up with it and make sure the hospital always stayed on the cutting edge because that’s how you can save more lives and how he thought it was worth not taking home as much money if it meant saving lives and most of that money went into R and D. And how his mother was usually very picky about who got hired to work there, and how the hospital’s ethics were some of the highest standards of ethics in business in the country much less the world and while it was a business, his mother had always championed the human element because any hospital was really only as good as the people in it and how his own mother set standards so high he didn’t know if he could reach them and worried that when his mother retired, how on earth he was going to fill her shoes. And Selena’s heart practically beamed with pride and adoration.

“Feet getting tired?” Ravus asked once they neared the end of the tour and Selena began showing signs of fatigue by walking slower.

“Yeah, heels are killing me,” Selena admitted.

“Come on let’s go back to my office.” Ravus suggested as they turned and went back to the elevators. Once inside, Selena turned and pulled Ravus down by his tie to kiss him soundly, gently pinning him to the corner of the elevator with her own body.

“I am so proud of you.” Selena murmured as Ravus’ hands instinctively went to her hips before sliding around to wrap around her and hold her in place.

“For what?” Ravus asked curiously.

“You have all of this responsibility and your life planned out for you and you take it with such grace and dignity and pride and a surprising amount of humility because you could have shown me around today like you haughtily owned the place which technically you do but you didn’t. Instead you recognize that it’s through a lot of hard work and forethought and planning that this place is as great as it is. And how you’ll sacrifice not just time but money that you could be pocketing and you’re putting it into R and D and the literal and figurative hospital and how you’re so committed and worried that you won’t measure up when you obviously do. I don’t think there has to be more than a handful of other people in the world, your age that shoulder this much and handle it half as well as you do. I’m just..amazed by you and how you handle it all.” Selena praised as she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck and shoulders as Ravus just stared at her in amazement before the elevator dinged that it reached the floor where the executive offices were. Ravus just reached down and picked her up bridal style.

“Ah, Ravus! What are you doing?” Selena squealed when she clung to him.

“Carrying you because I don’t want you to get blisters.” Ravus grinned as he happily carried her down the hallway to his office as she giggled in his embrace before helping open the door for him. Once inside the office he set her down before pinning her to his door and kissed her passionately because holy shit, for once someone sympathetic enough to understand what he was going through and what he’s been dealing with his whole life and to finally have someone besides those under just as much pressure as he is, to get it, to get him. Was such a wonderful feeling. God he loved her.

“How...mmm..much...time...do..mmmph...we...have?” Selena asked through heated kisses as her hands went underneath his suit jacket to rake up and down his chest and abs before going up and around his chest to his back clawing at it desperately.

“We..got..like..20 minutes.” Ravus answered as he quickly looked at the clock before going back to kissing her.

“Could you please bend me over your desk? I can’t imagine it’s very comfortable but it’s kinda been a fantasy of mine ever since I found out you had an office.” Selena requested breathlessly as Ravus dipped his head to kiss her neck.

“Oh my god you’re perfect.” Ravus rumbled in a low growl and a wolfish smile before hiking her skirt up to her waist and picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist a he carried her over to his desk before putting her down and practically ripped her underwear and pantyhose down as Selena quicky undid his belt and pants and yanked down his own boxer briefs before Ravus turned her around and bent her over and aligned himself with her entrance before thrusting into her roughly. But the answering keening cry of bliss that fell from Selena’s throat was the most amazing sound Ravus had ever heard at work, much less in his own office. Ravus bent over Selena and moved her hair over to kiss her neck again before his fingers sunk into the softness of her hips before he started up a very enthusiastic rhythm.

Selena pushed back to keep from her thighs from being too pinned to the desks edge but the angle her pelvis took because she was in heels more than made up for any discomfort because it meant that Ravus’ length hit places in her that she wasn’t used to it hitting the way it was considering her favorite position so far had been missionary. But this was new and exciting and so damn good. Her gasping breaths and keens and moans coupled with Ravus grunting growls and the way he was pinning her to the top of his desk, she could feel the delicious friction between her chest and the desks surface and that just only heightened everything. But when Ravus reached around her hips and yanked her back a bit so that he could reach around her to finger her clit, it was all over. After only a few minutes she was cumming so hard she saw stars and milking Ravus who after the initial tenseness of cumming, collapsed partially onto her before moving his elbows to brace his upper body up while also caging her frame in with his own possessively as he fought to catch his breath.

“Wow, that was awesome, a little uncomfortable but oh so hot.” Selena surmised.

“Uh huh,” Ravus nodded in agreement breathlessly as he smiled brightly and kissed her cheek sweetly. “I love you so, so damn much.” Ravus professed.

“I love you too, although might I make a suggestion?” Selena proposed.

“Sure, I’m all ears.” Ravus invited as he moved off of her and tenderly helped get her redressed as she did the same before she hopped up to sit on his desk.

“When was the last time this office was renovated?” Selena asked thoughtfully as Ravus got back in his chair and scooted closer to her, taking her high heels off and thoughtfully rubbing her legs and her feet which only brightened both of their smiles.

“Uh, a while ago.” Ravus answered, not quite sure what she was getting at.

“And will this be your only office or will you ever be moving into your mother’s office? Or any other office?” Selena furthered.

“No, Lunafreya will be moving into my mother’s office when my mother retires. So this office is what I get, well, forever.” Ravus answered with a soft chuckle.

“I think the next time you renovate, you should add a bedroom to your office.” Selena proposed with a scheming grin.

“Really?” Ravus answered with a surprised look but his bright smile stayed.

“Yeah, because, I can tell you right now,” Selena began as she scooted off his desk and hiked her skirt up again to crawl into and straddle his lap which Ravus was all to happy to have her do so and scooted back so that the back of his chair rested on the low filing cabinet behind his desk so that the chair wouldn’t be in danger of tipping over backwards. “I can see me coming to see you at work and having you for lunch, a lot.” Selena purred as wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders and pressed her body up against his again and Ravus felt himself re-stiffening as his hands splayed out possessively again on her thighs before his touch moved up to her amazing ass before finally settling up on her waist.

“Yeah, I can see that too.” Ravus readily agreed.

“Good, because what happens between us should stay between us and that would be a good solution to staying discrete yet comfortable.” Selena explained.

“And I totally understand, respect and agree with that.” Ravus grinned before Selena came forward and kissed him again the kiss turning passionate before his phone buzzed in his pocket and he dug into his pocket and got his phone.

“Yes Mrs. Thomas?” Ravus answered.

“I just got a message from your mother on my computer asking me to send someone from HR to her office. So he’s getting close to being done and if she’s called HR, that means Mr. Lazarus just got hired.” Kathryn informed them proudly.

“Thank you very much Mrs. Thomas, we’ll be right down.” Ravus beamed before he hung up and Selena finally let go of her squeal as she bounced up and down in Ravus’ lap which only seemed to turn Ravus on more before Selena practically bounced out of his lap and tugged her skirt back down and got her heels back on before going over to get her coat as Ravus covertly rearranged his boner in his pants so that it wouldn’t be noticeable before getting up and getting his coat too and went with Selena down to his mother’s office down the hall and took their seats on the couch in Sylva’s mini waiting room.

Angie, the head of HR appeared just a moment later and knocked on the office door before going in and returned only a few minutes later with a sheet of paper with hand written instructions on it and briskly walked back to the elevators. Selena tapped her foot as Ravus’ knee bounced as they talked very softly about what they hoped would be going on behind that door. Ravus had his arm around Selena’s shoulders and Kathryn and Abbey messaged back and forth as they subtly kept an eye on the love birds.

‘They’re actually really cute together.’ Abbey admitted.

‘They are, she’s a bit YOUNG tho.’ Kathryn typed back. ‘But she does strike me as an old soul.’ Kathryn added.

‘Agreed. Holy cow does Ravus look like Vic though!’ Abbey noted.

‘Spitting image. And he sure is acting like his father too. Glad to see it.’ Kathryn agreed.

‘Same.’ Abbey typed. ‘I need some more coffee. I can’t hardly keep my eyes open.’ Abbey said.

“Ok, I need some more coffee, do either of you need anything?” Abbey asked Ravus and Selena politely and Ravus looked to Selena to see what her answer was.

“I don’t want to trouble you,” Selena answered.

“Oh it’s no trouble at all, what can I get you?” Abbey insisted.

“Do you guys have any tea or juice?” Selena asked hopefully.

“Yeah, both.” Abbey nodded.

“Oh, um, could I go with you to get it? Is that allowed?” Selena asked carefully which made Kathryn and Abbey snort a laugh.

“Of course come on.” Abbey invited.

“Do you want anything?” Selena asked Ravus who shook his head no before Selena got up and followed Abbey to the executive break room.

“You know what I could go for some more coffee myself, Ravus hold down the fort.” Kathryn grinned as she got up and went with Abbey and Selena.

“Wow this is really nice.” Selena marveled.

“Yeah, it’s not bad.”

“Ooh, how much are the muffins?” Selena asked as she noticed the basket of baked goods.

“They’re free Miss Ulric, everything in here is.” Abbey answered with an amused smile.

“Oh please don’t call me Miss Ulric, just Selena is fine.” Selena insisted as she got a banana nut muffin before changing her mind and got a chocolate one instead.

“Juice is in here and tea is up here,” Kathryn informed her as she pointed to the fridge and then the cabinet.

“Thank you,” Selena thanked her as she peeked into the fridge and got one of the little bottles of orange juice.

“So how did you and Ravus meet?” Abbey asked curiously.

“When they changed schools back in September, he started going to the same school I did. Luna and I were instant BFF’s. Still are.” Selena answered as she leaned against the counter and opened her OJ and took a sip.

“So..was it love at first sight or?” Abbey inquired.

“Oh no, not at all, I was actually interested in someone else at the time and he was dating someone else and he was...ok I probably shouldn’t call him that...” Selena muttered to herself as she fought to find the right words as Abbey and Kathryn shared a meaningful if not curious look.

“Well he was, frankly, an ass when I first met him and I couldn’t stand him.” Selena admitted which made Kathryn and Abbey burst out laughing which got Selena to laugh too.

“Really? So how did he go from being an ass to the love of your life?” Kathryn asked before she gestured for all of them to sit down at one of the tables to chat.

“It was a long road, let me tell ya. I think it probably started...” Selena began before telling them all about it and Abbey and Kathryn were only too happy to hear it and soon began to realize what a marvelous and sweet and wonderful young lady Selena was and both of them instantly liked her and could see why Sylva was as fond of her as she was and that fondness was well founded.

Then Ravus knocked on the door to the break room.

“Angie from HR just got back.” Ravus informed them before they all got up. Selena put her now empty bottle and muffin wrapper in the trash and got a napkin to wipe up her spot on the table to get rid of the crumbs which impressed Abbey and Kathryn to see before they left.

“You did good kiddo.” Kathryn appraised with a solemn nod as she passed Ravus and gave him a reassuring pat on his arm.

“Thanks,” Ravus blushed and ducked his head but couldn’t hide his bright bashful smile.

“She’s a sweetheart.” Abbey praised when she passed him too.

“What?” Selena asked when she came back from throwing the crumbs away as she noticed Ravus beaming proud smile.

“You’re amazing,” Ravus murmured before kissing her softly again before wrapping his arm around the small of her back and escorting her back to his mother’s mini waiting room.

Only a moment later, Angie, Luche and Sylva all finally emerged from Sylva’s office, all of them wearing excited smiles.

Angie discretely passed a folded check to Kathryn and another to Abbey who took them with a grin and discretely put the checks into their purses, not even bothering to look at them.

“So?” Selena asked Luche excitedly wanting and needing to hear the words from his mouth.

“So you are the greatest little sister ever.” Luche beamed at her before going over and hugging her before picking her up and spinning her making her laugh and giggle before putting her down.

“Well let me show you to your office. It’s little but as soon as you can come to work full time we’ll get you into something bigger ok?” Sylva offered as she led the way to a small office all the way at the end of the hall. “And of course you can decorate this however you want to ok?” Sylva offered.

“Perfect, thank you so much.” Luche thanked her graciously.

“Now Angie will take you from here and set up your ID card and clearances and then I suggest you book it to the banks ok? And then how about we meet for brunch at the Via and then we can go suit shopping, sound good?” Sylva suggested.

“Yes Ma’am.” Luche confirmed.

“Awesome,” Sylva beamed.

“Well Mr. Lazarus, come with me,” Angie invited before Luche followed her but not before doing the handshake hug thing with Ravus, Ravus offering his own proud congrats.

“So how did he do?” Selena asked Sylva curiously once Luche had disappeared with Angie into the elevators.

“He got nearly perfect scores on everything, everything! I was so blown away and impressed you choose your friends exceptionally well and you have done me a service bringing him to me, so you, my dear sweet Selena, actually get a check for your head hunting fee.” Sylva beamed as she handed Selena a check.

“What?” Selena’s jaw dropped as her eyes got wide. “No, I, no this, no, you have done me the favor and I like, owe you so big for this.” Selena tried to argue as she backed away and shook her head no.

“Aw, so humble, Ravus, make sure your fiance takes this and either cashes it or deposits it.” Sylva gave the check to Ravus.

“Actually she’s on all of my accounts so even if she doesn’t, I will, thank you,” Ravus graciously took it from her.

“Thank you so much ladies for coming in so early and giving up part of your weekend, hopefully I’ve made it worth your while, so go ahead and pack up and go home, I just have a couple of things to take care of and I’ll be out of here too.” Sylva urged Abbey and Kathryn.

“Just a couple of minutes guys.” Sylva placated to Ravus and Selena before disappearing back into her office.

Kathryn and Abbey went ahead and wrapped everything up and logged out of their computers before Sylva gasped loudly which prompted Kathryn and Abbey to worriedly bolt into her office.

“Woah, what’s wrong?” Kathryn asked when she and Abbey came into the office to see Sylva standing in front of her desk, one fist, knuckle down on the surface as the other swiped through her phone.

“I’m gonna kill him.” Sylva growled as she went through all the pictures the photographer sent her.

“Who?” Abbey asked worriedly as she and Kathryn slowly approached her.

“Cornelius Leonis.” Sylva spat angrily before she flew through and logged out of everything before packing up her things. “Ladies, this is...nothing for either of you to be concerned over, have a great weekend. I’ll see you Monday.” Sylva tried to reassure them as she quickly regained her composure.

“Everything ok mother?” Ravus asked worriedly as he knocked softly and ducked his head in.

“Yes Ravus, um, slight detour in plans, I have to go take care of something, you and Selena should ride with Luche over to Via and I’ll join you as soon as I can.” Sylva proposed calmly.

“Uh, ok.” Ravus frowned but knew from his mother’s tone that it wasn’t up for discussion or even for questioning at the moment. He shot a quick text to Luche and quickly took Selena with him down to HR where Luche was still getting his name badge.

“Have a great weekend ladies, thanks again for everything.” Sylva thanked Abbey and Kathryn again before she quickly marched out of the office and got back in her Escalade and took a chance and called Ada herself to get her side of everything but didn’t tell her that she had just hired Luche, leaving Luche to tell her that himself. But it was immediately clear to Sylva how mismatched they were. Luche seemed to have so much focus and foresight and she seemed...so…immature and short sighted at this stage in her life. But while that did make her sad, it didn’t calm her anger. Sylva practically marched into Cor’s office ready for battle. She was so furious she could barely see straight. What had gone wrong in that boy’s mind?

“Cornelius Leonis!” Sylva bellowed in an angry snarl into the office that got everyone to snap their heads in her direction, freeze and inhale sharply while Cor had been trying to relax and had his feet up on his desk as he looked through paperwork but at the sound of his name being spoken like- that- he spazed and panicked and jumped out of his skin and tipped his chair back too far and crashed onto the floor while everyone looked from Sylva to Cor before they tried and failed not to snicker as Sylva marched over to his desk while a few of them, out of habit reached for their guns seeing as how outright enraged Sylva was.

Cor’s boss Clint even got up out of his chair and stepped out of his office to see what was happening before he recognized Sylva but also recognized how angry she looked and came forward.

“Uh, hi?” Cor said in complete confusion as to why Sylva of all people would be angry with him. Especially this ‘ready to kick his ass’ angry. Shouldn’t she still be on her honeymoon? He stood up straight and rigid, almost like he was standing at attention not knowing physically what to do.

“You and me in a private room, now.” Sylva demanded of Cor in a low growl. “And you, don’t even think about drawing that glock on me.” Sylva threatened as she pointed to the closest person who hand only put his hand on the handle without looking at them and still keeping her gaze locked with Cor’s which unsettled everyone around her.

“Guys, stand down. What seems to be the problem Mrs. Caelum?” Clint asked curiously as he looked from Cor to Sylva and came up to them and Cor had yet to even move, having kicked into his flight or fight or freeze response and instinctively froze.

“Cornelius Leonis did you or did you not make sexual advances on a seventeen year old girl and put your hands on her in a sexual manner both before and after you plied her with alcohol at my wedding?” Sylva accused loudly and angrily as everyone gasped and then got deathly quiet before it dawned on Cor why she was pissed and made the connection, Ada’s boyfriend Luche was friends with Ravus, Ravus is Sylva’s son. Fuck. When Sylva made the accusation and everyone gasped that suddenly jolted him out of his terrified haze.

“Room is right over here.” Cor quicky said as his cheeks turned beet red and quickly escorted her to the room they usually got confessions out of criminals in as he ducked his head to avoid everyone’s gaze.

“Should I be joining you?” Clint asked Cor with a challenging quirk of his eyebrow.

“No! No, it’s um...personal.” Cor stuttered before he shut the door.

“Sylva! You can’t just walk in here and say stuff like that! You don’t know the whole story!” Cor tried to defend himself as Sylva put her purse down on the table but remained standing and folded her arms over her chest and fixed him with a determined glare.

“Really? Then tell me the whole story, I have all day.” Sylva invited as she sat down on one side of the table and gestured for him to sit down on the other side and Cor realized he was sitting on the ‘criminal’ side. God this was embarrassing and humiliating.

“Well, um, I was sitting at the bar and Lunafreya came up to the bar with Ada and had Ada be her special guest so that’s um, where she got her drinks from and we got to talking because her knucklehead of a boyfriend...” Cor began.

“His name is Luche.” Sylva corrected sternly.

“Right, Luche was ignoring her and left her on her own and by herself while he was off “networking” and so we got to talking and then she started flirting with me and I may have been flirting back because we hit it off and I asked her dance and so we did and then after we got a couple of more drinks and talked some more and then Luche came back and got her back.” Cor carefully and vaguely explained as he watched Sylva pull something up on her phone as his stomach dropped and twisted because he didn’t know what she was doing. Was she recording this? What did she have on this? On him?

“I see, so because she was alone and vulnerable, it was ok.” Sylva concluded as she cut her eyes at him.

“No, just...look- she’ll be 18 in two weeks, she was flirting with me first and it was a wedding and we had crazy chemistry and she likes me, like honest to god likes me and I...like her back, a lot.” Cor tried to explain.

“And so because she is “so close” to adulthood you felt it was ok to let go of your own responsibility as a full fledged adult to accept and then return all that that flirting and those advances.” Sylva continued unbelieving-ly.

“Look I know it looks really bad and if I could change the circumstances and the facts I would. But please believe me there are...genuine feelings here on both sides.” Cor pleaded.

“Are you done pleading your case or is there anything else you would like to bring to my attention?” Sylva asked thoughtfully.

“Yeah I’m done.” Cor relinquished and sagged in defeat. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

Sylva finally put her phone down to face him and had a picture that one of the photographer’s assistant’s had snapped at the reception, the picture being of Cor and Ada making out at the table and Cor blew out a breath of defeat and grimaced.

“Want to change or amend your story?” Sylva asked with a smug grin.

“She kissed me,” Cor defended.

“Yes she did.” Sylva confirmed and swiped the pictures back to when Ada first kissed Cor and even to the ones the photographer had sent to her of them dancing extremely close to one another and then the ones before that where Cor and Ada were at the bar together, Cor had no idea anyone had been taking that many pictures of him, of them. “But obviously, you kissed back.” Sylva stated plainly and Cor could only nod in agreement because the pictures proved it and Sylva huffed as she tried to keep calm.

“Cor, usually, I would love to write this off as wedding fever and then keep my nose firmly out of your business but sadly, this became my business because I have a very scared and freaked out soon to be daughter in law who thinks you’re a predator. Preying on her friend’s girlfriend, Luche is like a big brother to her. Selena informed me of some of the events at the wedding, then she informed me that you went to Ada’s place of work and took up one of her tables long enough that you ordered breakfast and lunch and now you’re in a 5 thousand dollar, month long, cooking class with her? How does that not look like stalking?” Sylva asked seriously.

“Look, Ada isn’t happy with Luche, he’s controlling, manipulative, and dangerous.” Cor emphasized.

“Dangerous how?” Sylva asked as she raised a brow challenging-ly.

“I think he’s trying to knock her up to get her to stay in the country.” Cor explained.

“Uh huh,” Sylva said disbelievingly.

“And he’s rough with her.” Cor added and Sylva raised her eyebrows in surprise and Cor felt like he finally won some ground back.

“And you have proof of this? Pictures? Testimony? Evidence?” Sylva asked and Cor faltered and couldn’t answer her because he had none of it, where as she seemed to have all of it. “Tell me, where exactly are Ada’s underwear and pantyhose that you took into your possession at the wedding?” Sylva asked and Cor blushed so hard he feared his cheeks would permanently be the shade of a tomato for the rest of his life. “They’re not here at work in an evidence bag are they?” Sylva asked rhetorically and simply hummed in response as Cor failed to speak in his own defense because how the fuck did she know that?

“Ok so here is where I stand. I know you’re usually not a predator, I know you don’t mean Ada any harm. And obviously there is something here between you two because when I called and asked Ada about all this less than an hour ago, she assured me that she felt that you pose no threat to her and never would and it sounded like she likes you.” Sylva laid out and Cor blew out a breath of relief, good, so Sylva knew it was mutual.

“However, she is eight years younger than you. When you were a senior in high school she was in the fourth grade, still in elementary school. Let that sink in cradle robber. Which if she had been eight years older than you it would have been no big deal because once you pass 25, age is really nothing but a number but below that year, those numbers are everything, especially in the early, formative and crucial years of being a teen. You should have used better judgment, you should have kept your distance once you found out she was underage and you should be keeping your distance now, not finding every excuse to hang out with her and see her as much as possible. You are putting undue stress on her and her current relationship which by the sounds of it, is already under some stress. So I want you to think about some things. She’s young Cor, she’s young and she’s innocent and if and when you ever get together with her which I imagine might be sooner than later by the sounds of it, you’re going to take that away from her. She hasn’t seen how horrible and sickening the world can get yet and if she’s with you, she’ll see the worst of it first hand. Also, something else you might want to consider. If Ada felt “neglected” because for 2 hours her boyfriend was networking like a sensible young man, how is she going to feel when she realizes how married you already are to your work? Or are you going to change your spots to stripes when and if you get to date her so she won’t “get bored” and “feel neglected” and do the same thing to you?” Sylva questioned with air quotes.

“She’s already my number one priority.” Cor admitted and Sylva blinked in surprise before giving him a very disappointed look. Oh he was already in over his head and had jumped in head first like he always did with everything. He was letting his emotions rule everything. All heart and no head.

“And what will happen when her parents move back to the UK?” Sylva questioned.

“Actually I’ve already gotten her citizenship so she can stay.” Cor confessed.

“Oh? And how did you accomplish that kind of feat?” Sylva asked.

“I have resources and connections too.” Cor vaguely dismissed.

“And where will she live? She’s a waitress Cor, she can’t make that much to support herself to live on her own.” Sylva countered.

“She could move in with me,” Cor blurted.

“Before she graduates high school?” Sylva questioned.

“If need be.” Cor answered.

“Cor- do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? You’re going to invite a high school-er into your home to live with you? And what happens after you give it a try and you can’t make it work? Would her citizenship get revoked if it doesn’t work out between the two of you?” Sylva asked worriedly.

“No! If we can’t make it work I’ll move her...wherever she wanted to be. No strings attached.” Cor reassured Sylva.

“And what happens when you plunge yourself head first into danger like you do- all the time- and have done, since day one and that danger comes home with you? She’s young, she puts everything about herself on FaceBook and Instagram, all it takes is just one or let alone a few pictures of the two of you to pop up on the internet and boom, your enemies who know your face and your name can connect the dots and it’ll take them less than five minutes to find her. She’ll be your new soft spot and weakness. Are you sure you want to do that to her? Now? When she’s a teenager, just on the cusp of adulthood? Most grown women can’t hack that. Hell I can’t even handle that. I worry every single day that some entitled white boy with anger issues will get a hold of a gun and shoot up the school. That I could loose my entire family even though they have “safe” jobs at “safe” places. And with your track record, how freaked out will she get when she sees you bloodied and bruised? Especially at the frequency that that tends to happen? How scared will she be for you when she realizes that one of these days you may go to work and not come home to her? How devastated will she be? Will she even know what to do if that happens? How to pay your bills, how to handle your life insurance money to pay those bills correctly, how to bury you for Christ’s sake?!” Sylva questioned and saw how Cor was taken aback a little because he hadn’t thought of any of that and Sylva wanted to scream and pull her hair otu because of course Cor hadn’t thought about it because he’s rarely a step ahead of himself. Sylva swallowed down her outrage and tried to remain calm even though her hands were ready to strangle him or beat him, possibly stab him with her stiletto.

“Cor, you’re the adult, you need to act like it. Think this through and don’t just react to her. Be smart about it. Be mature and think about more than the present or the past, think about the future, and not just the near future, think about what’s gonna happen months from now, a year or two or many years from now- that kind of future. Think about hers. And if you’re serious about her, you should be serious with her too and you’ll prepare her and teach her, responsibly and mindfully, about everything she needs to know if she’s going to be with you.” Sylva strongly advised. “And for the love of God and all that is holy, know what the fuck you’re doing because someone should.” Sylva added before standing up and straightened herself up. “Angry mom talk over, I’ve said my peace and I’ll leave it at that. The next time we see each other, I’ll do my best to be polite and cordial and friendly because we are still friends after all and I’ll remind myself that ultimately, that this is none of my business and my responsibility to try and talk some sense into you has already been done and leave at that and move on. And I hope I’m wrong about her and I hope I’m wrong about you and I really hope that I’ve worried myself sick for nothing and I hope my fears are never realized. But really, when was the last time that ever happened?” Sylva asked rhetorically before grabbing her purse and marching back out of the office, ignoring the curious looks she got and also noticed that there was only half the people out in the office that there were when she came in but figuring they were probably on the other side of the glass watching. She felt a little bad about embarrassing him in front of others like that and in hindsight she could have handled all that better. Oh well, what was done was done and she needed to distance herself now and focus on her own immediate family and her new employee who she immediately wanted to adopt as another son because he was just that awesome.