The shoulders of the human raised slightly before dropping with his exhale. The CEO closed his eyes and gained his composure before entering the doors to the conference hall. The quiet murmur of the attendees ceased as Devyn walked to the chair at the head of the table. Denzyl stood to Devyn's right as the human took his seat. Eyes followed the human-demon pair and lingered on the tall, crimson-haired man standing guard behind the CEO.

Devyn quickly floated his gaze over the table to make sure no one was missing before beginning the meeting. "I apologize for my extended absence. My return was unexpectedly delayed; it could not be helped. I trust nothing has changed since my departure." Devyn took a moment to pause and observe the attendees' reactions. Two or three board members were shaking their heads slightly in disapproval while others had scowls on their faces, but most were sitting still as statues. I assume Wil is to thank for their compliance.

The board members had remained in the same state they had taken on sixty years ago when the committee was completely revamped following the death of Devyn's father. Not even the number of grey hairs had changed; they remained rare. I see their supply of brune has not dwindled. Devyn's stomach grew sick at the sight of the unnaturally never-aging humans sitting before him.

The CEO clasped his hands together once his observation was complete and addressed the board, "Now, let's get to business, shall we?" The activation of screens and holograms sounded throughout the room as the monthly recap of Vaumyr and Co. commenced.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Devyn let out a huff as he sank into the leather chair stationed behind the desk in his office. Denzyl walked to the wall of windows lining Devyn's office and gazed down on the city below. The demon observed the wide river snaking through the city and the tall towers filling the sky. Devyn brought his finger to the tie around his neck and pulled in zig-zag motions until it was loose and hung limply on his chest.

Vaumyr and Co. is just as much a cage now as it was fifty years ago. I need to work harder if I want to free it from him. Devyn leaned back in his chair as he contemplated the conclusion of the board meeting. Not one member acted as if Devyn had been missing for fifty years. It seemed as if his absence was not even noticed. Had I really been that much of a puppet?

A quick knock on the door brought Devyn out of his thoughts. The human opened his eyes and sat up straight in his chair as he called for the person to enter. Denzyl came to stand behind Devyn as the door to the office was opened and a young, blonde female entered. The woman bowed respectfully before introducing herself, "Hello, Mr. Vaumyr. I am Astrid Dawton, your new secretary. I hope to be a valuable asset to your team."

Devyn blinked twice and stared at the female in confusion. The human leaned forward and set his hands on the desk before addressing the blonde, "Hello, Miss Dawton. I am sorry to inform you that I have not yet hired a secretary and am still accepting applications. Whoever informed you that you had been accepted was incorrect. Again, I am sorry. Please see yourself out." Devyn shifted his hands to activate the holographic screen that hovered an inch above his desk. The CEO had turned his attention to the screen and began sifting through files regarding recent transactions and did not realize that the blonde had continued to stand in his office.

After a few moments, Devyn looked up to see the female staring at him. "Can I help you, Miss?" Devyn asked politely even though he was weirded out by the young woman's persistence.

"Erm, the thing is, I was appointed to be your secretary."

"Pardon?" Devyn raised a brow at the woman's statement. He had not yet appointed anyone to be his secretary.

"I was appointed to be your secretary. I was not accepted but appointed."

"By whom?" Devyn leaned back in his chair as he studied the woman. She was tall, slender, and quite beautiful. Frankly, one would think she was a model rather than a secretary.

"Wil Kossen."

Devyn sucked the inside of his bottom lip in between his teeth at the mention of Wil's name. "Wil Kossen appointed you to be my secretary?" Devyn inquired after a moment. His voice was steady and low.

Denzyl looked from the man in the chair to the woman standing in front of the door. Denzyl detected a rise in Devyn's heart rate and saw the human's face grow pale. The demon's eyes trailed back to the woman who nodded in response to Devyn's question.

"That is correct. I was appointed by Wil Kossen," the woman confirmed.

Wil Kossen, you conniving bastard. I can't even choose my own secretary? Devyn took a breath before slowly nodding his head. "Then there is nothing I can do about it." The man rose from his chair, walked around his desk, and approached the woman. "Astrid, was it?" Devyn asked for the woman's name as he stood in front of her.

"Yes, sir. Astrid Dawson."

A courteous smile formed on the CEO's lips as he extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Secretary Dawson."

"Please, just call me Astrid," the blonde smiled as she took Devyn's hand.

"Very well, Astrid," Devyn complied as the two shook hands. "Please treat me well. Your station is right outside this office. Take today to get situated, and I will see you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, sir. It is a pleasure to work with you. I will do my best!" Astrid piped as she bowed once more before exiting the office.

Denzyl watched the blonde leave before turning his attention to Devyn who had returned to his chair and closed the job listing. Devyn's heart rate had not slowed, much less return to its normal pace, and Denzyl could tell that the appointing of a secretary by Wil Kossen had affected the human. So, before Devyn knew it, Denzyl had taken him by the wrist and was dragging him out of the office.

"Denzyl!!" Devyn called as he was dragged from his chair.

Astrid looked up with wide eyes as the door to the office was opened, and a startled Devyn was dragged out. "Mr. Vaumyr?" Astrid called after her boss as he was led around the corner of the lounge and disappeared.

"Denzyl, what are you doing?" Devyn asked as the demon dragged him outside the office building and onto the busy sidewalk. It was about an hour before sunset. The conference had taken up most of the day, and Denzyl could tell Devyn's mind was exhausted. The demon brought Devyn to walk beside him and continued on his way as a perplexed Devyn followed along.

Denzyl slowed his pace as the two neared the river and let go of Devyn's wrist as they approached the board walk lining the river's bank. Denzyl looked down to see a small smile on Devyn's face as the human gazed at the river sparkling beneath the golden rays of the setting sun. Devyn's heart rate had slowed to its normal pace by the time the two reached a small stand selling roasted nuts which were imported from Megran.

Devyn's mouth began to water as he smelled the sweet aroma. Before he knew it, Denzyl was handing him a small bag filled with hot, fresh nuts. The human thanked the demon before happily plopping a nut into his mouth. Denzyl smiled as Devyn's eyes grew wide and the human began sucking air through his teeth to battle the heat from the fresh nut.

Devyn's heart skipped as Denzyl took his hand and began leading him down the board walk. The human was at peace as the demon led him onto a bridge crossing the river and the two stopped at the peak. Devyn inhaled deeply before releasing the breath and letting the wind ripple through his hair. The air was fresher over the river, less polluted from the fumes generated from the bustling city.

Several other passersby stopped on the bridge and enjoyed the sunset, but Devyn wiped them from his mind. It was only him and Denzyl right now in the human's mind. Devyn set his forearms on the railing of the bridge and leaned over until his upper body was hanging off the edge. Denzyl remained standing straight as he watched the human enjoy the sunset. The demon's heart was happy as he saw Devyn close his eyes and enjoy the moment.

I definitely needed to get out of there. Devyn realized why the demon dragged him out of Vaumyr and Co. and brought him to the river as he realized he was no longer anxious and was at peace. "Thank you, Denzyl," Devyn voiced quietly. The wind carried Devyn's words away as they were spoken, but Denzyl heard them, and how his heart sang.

Devyn opened his eyes and took in that moment in as much detail as possible. The feeling of the wind in his hair, the metal railing pressed against his abdomen, the presence of the man beside him, the golden beauty of the sun reflecting on the water, the sounds of the city, all of it. Devyn wanted to frame this moment in his mind and keep it forever.

The human and demon continued to watch the sun set until the sky was illuminated by the city lights. The two then returned to Vaumyr and Co., so Devyn could finish up some work before retiring for the night.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

"Good morning, Mr. Vaumyr!" Astrid chirped as the CEO and demon walked past her desk.

"Morning, Astrid," Devyn said as Denzyl opened the door to his office. Astrid stood to her feet and bowed as her boss entered his office and shut the door. The blonde let out a huff as she sat back down and looked over her long list of tasks to complete that day.

Devyn took off his suit jacket and hung it on a coat stand stationed to the right of the door before turning and approaching his desk. However, the human slowed as he saw a massive bouquet of red roses stationed atop his desk. Devyn's jaw clenched as he reached his desk and opened the note propped against the vase.

Welcome back, Darling. It's been too long.

Devyn closed his fist around the paper, crumpling the note. There was no mistake who the sender was. Denzyl walked to Devyn's side and took the human's hand in his. The demon gently took the note from Devyn's hand and read it, his eyes flashing red before a flame erupted in his hand, burning the note until not even ashes were left.

Devyn's eyes turned cold as he walked around his desk and pushed a button that opened coms with the secretary's station. "Astrid, please come in."

A few seconds passed before the door opened, and Astrid entered the office. The secretary bowed in greeting before waiting patiently for her boss to address her. The blonde's eyes trailed from the bouquet of roses to the pale-faced CEO before landing on the seething man glaring at the red flowers. Were they not from a lover? Astrid looked at the desk and the floor surrounding it to find it empty. What happened to the note that came with it?

"Take these and have them burned." Devyn gestured to the roses as he addressed the secretary.

"Of course."

"And find me a physician," Devyn added. "Make sure they know how to keep their mouth shut."

Astrid knit her brows at the unusual request. Why would he need a physician? "I will get right on it," the blonde responded before taking the bouquet and exiting the office. And why a physician who will not say anything? Is he expecting to get hurt?

Denzyl watched as Devyn ran his fingers through his hands and sat in his chair. His heart rate was elevated, and his hands were shaking slightly. "Devyn," Denzyl spoke, drawing the human's gaze up to his eyes. "The physician..."

Devyn nodded, confirming the demon's assumption. "It's because he's coming."