Safe Place

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ndors that wanted to sell his latest pet accessories. Over the years, he had learned that there was very little that dog own

ners had the tendency to buy more costumes and accessories. What he had learned was t

ncrease sales dramatically, and Xy was excited to

attended the meeting. As he said in the email, it was an exciting time and he was grateful

her gaps in the market place, and he looked forward to dominating every field he could

row the company, the more excited and aggressive he became. Clients were al

change their mind. But alterations meant that there was a way to chan

ated to learning as much as he could about his products, and providing the be

n the same ambitious kid just looking to create a useful product. It was that drive and

d, but not him. Those things didn't matter to him. It wasn't about having the bigg

f the pedal, or his eye off the road. New developments were constant, so he al

slowly knocking on his door three times as she nervously l

" Xyrus called out to o

er the credit. Her paycheck reflected how valuable she was to the company, but

heart on her sleeve. Xy assumed she must still be worried about how late he had been to the meeting, s

kira explained, settling into the l

re as she crossed her ankles while rubbing her fingers together. W

hated to see her so stressed out, although it seeme

Xyrus felt a lump ease in his throa

ing could be worrying her. She usually got uneasy about competitor meetings, bu

aimed, her tone suggesting it sh

supervision than actual execution, but he was the opposite. The way he saw it, anyon

nvironmentally sustainable materials with the least negative impact. His charisma and easy-going person

ion?" He finally answered, h

e began, an uncomfort

thinking," he shrugged, hoping to ease her worries. She was tiptoeing

l life!" She yelled the res

aggeration. I do have a personal life. You s

focusing on the one constant in his life. Every couple of months, Akira would voice her concerns about

nless it has to do with this company," she continued, uncrossing her ankles so she c

scuss-the elephant in the room that was his last relationship. He'd discussed marriage and buying a

end, Xy had come to the conclusion that they just weren't meant to be. She had done him a favor, becaus

of dates since then

have led to anything s

t them to lead to anything serious. He was over his ex, but he didn't care to r

he knew there would be another opportunity to take a step b

reasoned, stepping around his desk on his way

hich Akira bashfully nodded. He poured the amber liquid into two glass tumblers before walk

ons who does nothing but work," she rolled h

ried about?" Xy laughed,

from dying alone, so please accep

he asked sarcastically, already sure of

she smiled, finally

s compatible with never seemed to dampen her enthusiasm. Some peo

ed me up with?" Xyrus laughed, recalling the

e met at one of the product shoots. The woman was drop dead gorgeous, so he couldn't be upset with Ak

s between them would never amount to anything. Their date was torturous, and he had

kira conceded, wincing as she rec

thi

eting someone," she argued, taking the last

he smiled i

you need? I'm about to h

use anyway, considering how quickly y

f whiskey barely registers with me," Akira proclaimed, pushing her shoulders b

ut to her and she waved her hand in res

ay too la

laughter wore off, he wondered if she had a point. It had been years since he'd been in an a

barista were still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't deny the curiosity that tickled t

but the concern from his assistant was enough for him to consider giving it a shot

the following day. When he finally rose from his desk, he was the last person on the

as to become a boring business tycoon with nothing to talk about but sales projections. As he made his way out