Page 55 of Accidentally Joining His Cult

I should have clued in sooner, but considering my track record for being oblivious, I think this was a pretty quick turn-around for me. When I saw him in the airport, something clicked. As I ran toward him, it hit me—I realized that my feelings for Beck are love.

I’ve never been in love before, but this has to be it. No one has ever made me this happy by just existing.

And yet, I have no idea what to do with that information. It feels ridiculous to tell him when I have no solutions for us.

A part of me hoped that maybe Beck would come to visit Linna and fall in love with it like I did all those years ago. But the more I’ve tried to picture Beck here, the less realistic that outcome seems.

I can’t imagine Beck checking in every day with his fitness group chat or sending pictures of the meals he cooks like I do. And I know he wouldn’t work for Kyla. He already has such a great job that makes him happy. There’s no way anything in Linna would be a better fit for him.

I also don’t think Viktor would appreciate his humor as much as I do. No matter how I spin it, I don’t think his life would be better here than in Chicago.

And even though I’ve started to see the cracks in my life here, leaving Linna wouldn’t be easy for me. I’m not even sure it’s an option.

I push those thoughts aside and try to focus on the present as Beck and I pull into the underground parking garage below the tower.

We take the elevator to the lobby, where Viktor asked to meet to give us the tour. This whole situation is unprecedented, usually, you need to be personally invited by Viktor to visit Kyla headquarters. The last visitor I can remember was a European royal who’d participated in some of my California programs three years ago.

Luckily, Viktor’s my friend and he respects my opinion, so asking to bring Beck here was possible.

Viktor likes to give the tours himself so visitors or new members of the community can hear his vision directly from the source. When we exit the elevator, he’s standing near the mountain sculpture in the center of the large atrium, and he greets us with his warm smile.

“Beckett Caldwell, welcome to Kyla headquarters," Viktor says, pulling Beck in for a hug.

“Thanks,” Beck mutters, looking uncomfortable with the embrace. Over Viktor’s shoulder, he’s giving me a wide-eyedwhat is happeningexpression that makes me silently chuckle.

“Well, we’re all so pleased to have you staying with us,” Viktor tells him.

“Yeah, I’m really excited to stay with Cody,” Beck says, emphasizing my name for some reason.

“Before we begin the tour, I was hoping to get a few shots here in front of our sculpture with the company name on it,” Viktor gestures toward the mountain. Beck gives a slight nod before following in the direction of a photographer I hadn’t noticed who’d been standing with Viktor.

They take a few photos: Beck and Viktor shaking hands, then a side hug, and another with Viktor’s arm around Beck’s shoulders, which looks a little awkward since Beck is taller than him. Finally, they do one with their hands in front of their chests in the mountain pose used in the Kyla programming. Viktor instructs Beck to straighten his fingers and interlock them to form a triangle—a symbolic “mountain,” with the fingers above the triangle representing the potential peaks yet to be reached in life.

When they finish, Viktor thanks the photographer and asks him to follow our tour to take some candid shots. Beck looks less than thrilled about the idea, but doesn’t say anything against it.

We spend the next hour or so exploring the tower, and then Viktor excuses us for a lunch meeting. He promises that he’ll find us in about thirty minutes to continue the tour of the campus.

Beck and I head to the quick-service cafeteria on the top level with fantastic panoramic views of the city. I love that this view is a public space so everyone can enjoy it.

We make our way through the line, and both end up with grilled lemon chicken and asparagus—one of my favorite options here. After grabbing bottles of water, we head for a private table near a window facing the mountain in the distance.

“Are all of the options always so…” Beck trails off before finishing his question, “healthy?”

I laugh at the twisted expression he’s aiming at his plate.

“Yeah, there’s a huge emphasis on having a healthy mind and body here,” I explain. “Everyone works with a dietitian to establish a personalized health plan and a personal trainer to maintain a fitness regimen.”

He gives me a skeptical look before finally nodding. “I guess free health coaching is a cool perk of working here. I’m surprised everyone wants that, though. I can’t imagine my employees’ reactions if I got rid of the unhealthy options in our cafeteria.” He snorts a laugh at the thought.

“Oh, it’s not free,” I clarify before digging in.

Beck gives me another quizzical expression. “So, it’s optional, right?”

“Well, no. Everyone here is enrolled in the health and wellness program and assigned an accountability group,” I explain. “But it’s not just for employees. Everyone in Linna who participates in Kyla’s programs is enrolled. The cost goes toward paying the nutritionists and the trainers and running the gym and stuff.”

“Wait, your gym membership isn’t free?” He sounds shocked now.

“No?” I answer like it’s a question. “If it were, how would they afford to cover operating costs or pay the employees?”

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