Chapter 60 ~ Worlds collide

                                    

                                          
Rose De León
I don't think I've ever felt so nervous. Is this normal? I mean, I've felt nervous before but never like this.
This is a whole out-of-body experience. My head is off in lala land and my body is just floating around space. 
I'm going to meet Cyrus's son. The secret son. 
Though my initial anger has calmed down, I'm just hurt that he didn't tell me. He has a son. I have a brother. He knew and he didn't share with me.  
I take a deep breath and look around Rebecca's spotless, a result of my stress cleaning, apartment, when a knock on the door gets my attention. 
When I swing the door open, Cyrus is standing on the other side. His hair is all messed up, probably from running his hands through it, but his clothes are perfectly straight like always. Perfectly straight jeans and a perfectly straight zip-up sweatshirt. He's trying for his son. 
My heart swells at the thought but I push it away.
"Hi." He says, giving me a small smile. 
"I told you I could meet you downstairs. You didn't have to walk all the way up here." I grab my purse and push past him into the hallway. I'm scared if I stare at him for too long the pain will come back. 
"Walking up a few flights of stairs is nothing for me, Sunshine. Especially if it gets me to you. I took the elevator anyway." I can hear the smile on his face when he says the last part. It's so easy to fall into this world with him where no problems exist. It's just me and him. 
I can't help the laugh that bubbles up my throat. 
The elevator ride down is silent, both of us on either side, and the car ride isn't any better. 
It isn't until we have been driving for 20 minutes when Cyrus speaks up, "So... How are you doing?" I know his question has more depth than a simple 'fine' but I don't feel like getting into that. Not right now. 
"Fine." I shrug, not bothering to look away from the window. 
"Rose-" He starts but I'm quick to cut him off, "No, Cyrus. Let's not get into that today. We have to focus on Noah." 
"I'm scared to meet him." Cyrus's voice breaks and I can hear all the emotions he's been suppressing. That grabs my attention away from the window and at the man sitting behind the wheel, nerves written all over his face. 
Cyrus has a good poker face, something he's gotten from the mafia, but this has nothing to do with the mafia. Today isn't about me and his problems. Today isn't about any secrets. Today is about Cyrus and Noah. I'm glad I get to be here to see it, I know how important it is to Cyrus. 
Against my better judgement, for the first time in a couple weeks, my hand reaches for his resting on the centre-console. On instinct, our hands tie together and he squeezes, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. 
And just like that, nothing seems too bad anymore. I know at this exact moment that we are going to make it through this. 
"You are going to do amazing, Cyrus. You are kind, thoughtful, protective, and that kid is so lucky to have you in his life. Cause once you're in somebody's life, you don't leave. It's one of my favourite qualities about you." My last sentence comes out as a whisper. I mean every word. 
He glances over at me, giving me a soft smile and a rub of his thumb over the back of my hand, "Thank you." 
I give him a smile back and one last squeeze of my hand before reluctantly pulling it away.