章 14: 1.14 Distance

Calista kept staring at the door and sighing. Demetrius looked up from his tablet and joined her, asking, "What's wrong?"

Frustrated, Calista replied, "It's 8:55, and everyone knows that breakfast is at 9. We're supposed to leave at 9:45. Even if Persie showed up now, we wouldn't have enough time to do what we usually do."

Every morning, Persie helped her film a video for her social media platforms and edited it so she could post it. Since their family was well-known, Calista gained a lot of followers.

People were always happy to see her new videos, but since she wasn't good at filming and editing, Persie took care of it.

He provided her with ideas and subjects to talk about behind the scenes. Today, however, Persie was nowhere to be seen, and breakfast was in five minutes.

Calista had decided to post a video even during the weekend, as her fans always wanted new content.

Persie was the one who directed her and helped her look more relatable. Without him, she felt lost.

Demetrius suggested, "He'll be gone soon anyway. It's time to find someone else to take care of it. Hire a real producer."

Calista frowned. It was easier said than done. She preferred things to be done a certain way, and Persie knew her well.

Finding someone new would take time, and she didn't want her content or her fans to suffer as a result.

It had taken her a long time to gain five million followers, and Persie always knew how to attract new people.

Before Persie, Calista looked stuck-up in every picture taken by the paparazzi. But after he helped her, many people apologized in the comments, saying that they had misjudged her.

She didn't want to go back to those times, as it had taken her so long to shed that image.

Calista asked Demetrius, "Do you truly think you'll be able to convince him to transfer the patents to you, before the end of the week?"

She felt that Persie might be distancing himself from her. She had sensed it since dinner.

After the way Luke had talked to Persie, she was sure he would come to her bedroom after dinner to talk to her, as he always did.

Every time Persie was upset, he would come to talk to Calista for an hour. Even when she barely paid attention, he still talked to her, and he would repeat himself and re-explain if she didn't hear.

Calista was sure that yesterday would be one of those nights again because Persie loved Luke, but he never came. Persie didn't even send her a message.

And now, he didn't show up to their usual morning meeting. They had been doing this for the past two years, and this was the first time he had missed it.

"He said he had been working on it for the past nine months, but I don't remember him coming to you even once. You know that he never does anything unless you approve. Not only did he do it, but he said it was a private project, and that he had nothing to do with R&D. It was like he wanted to keep his distance," Calista reminded him before he could respond.

Demetrius's brows furrowed. He had been thinking about that too.

Demetrius said, "He must have been upset because of Evander. Let's just be nice to him and show him that we love him until he signs the transfer of the patents. You've seen how Leader Cole was interested; it has to be ours. Can you imagine what it would bring us? Cole might even promote me to Leos Enterprises HQ."

It was his dream to work there and have his son run R&D. He was always sure that Persie would make it, seeing how talented he was.

This was why he made sure he would focus entirely on that since he was a kid, and he was right. He managed to do what no other could.

Demetrius would make sure to compensate him more generously before he left. But first, he needed to convince him to give him the plans and the patents.

"Okay, let's be more sensitive," Calista said, considering Demetrius's plan.

Honestly, she was angry that he had ditched her like that. If being nice to him now until he transferred the patents would anger him more, once he realized that they wanted him to leave for Evander's health, then she was glad to play along.

Persie walked toward the dining room a bit late, with Iris floating next to him. She smirked and asked, "How was your night, sleepyhead?"

Blushing, Persie replied quietly, "It was good."

Iris then asked, "Do you like Cole?"

"I do. He's my friend," Persie answered.

Iris shook her head and clarified after sighing, "No, I meant, do you have feelings for him?"

"I already told you I don't have feelings for people. Having a physical attraction for someone is certainly new, but it doesn't go further than that," Persie explained.

Nodding, Iris said, "It's good that you feel attracted to Cole. Did you feel guilty after disappearing like that?"

Looking confused, Persie asked, "Should I have?"

"Cole came all the way to your room to say goodnight," Iris reminded him.

After a moment of thought, Persie replied, "I guess I could've said goodnight. Friends say goodnight to each other. I just..."

Iris tilted her head and inquired, "Were you avoiding him?"

Persie bit his lip and admitted, "I felt odd when he was helping me clean up. In many ways, I understand why people always believe that Cole wants more than friendship. But in my case, I've never had close friends who seemed caring. I felt as though I had given him more than I had ever given to anyone."

Iris was stunned and said, "You felt vulnerable."

Persie froze in place and looked at Iris wide-eyed. "Is that what it feels like?"

Iris nodded, and Persie frowned. "I don't like it."

Iris smiled and said, "Everyone feels that way, gods or mortals. You just never realized it since you've never been with someone or had strong relationships. If Cole is truly your friend, you'll have to be more friendly."

Persie thought for a moment, then looked down. He wanted to be friends with Cole, so maybe he should make more of an effort. It wasn't as easy as it seemed.

He had never done anything like that or felt the need to. But Persie needed Cole, and he had to use him in many ways, so being nicer to him was the least he could do.

He resolved to be more sensitive to Cole's feelings. As they resumed walking, Persie said, "I'll be nicer."

Iris nodded and vanished when she saw that they had arrived at the dining room.