Page 26 of Daddy's Christmas Obsession
"My mom taught me the basics before she died. After that, it was learn or starve."
"Necessity breeding capability," he murmurs, his eyes studying my face with that unnerving intensity. "You've had to be self-sufficient from a young age. It shows in everything you do."
The simple observation, so casually delivered yet so accurate, makes my heart thump. When was the last time someone reallysaw the scaffolding beneath my achievements? When did Aaron last connect my drive to my past?
"Did you find the study?" Victor asks, moving to pour two glasses of wine.
"I did."
"And?"
"It's impressive," I admit, accepting the wine glass he offers. "Though I'm curious why a business executive has such specific academic resources."
His smile deepens, approval flashing in his eyes at my directness. "Knowledge is the only real currency, Kyra. Everything else—money, power, influence—they're just tools to acquire more knowledge or control who has access to it."
"Is that what this is about? Control?"
"This," he says, gesturing between us, "is about potential. Yours, specifically. And my recognition of it."
"You barely know me."
"You think so?" His voice drops to that intimate register that makes my pulse quicken. "I've watched you grow from a promising undergraduate into a brilliant researcher with world-changing potential. I've seen your determination, your resilience, your refusal to accept limitations."
"How long?" I ask, focusing on stirring the pasta sauce to avoid meeting his eyes. "How long have you been... observing me?"
"Since the first time Aaron brought you home." He says it without hesitation or shame. "You spoke about your research with such passion while everyone else at the table was discussing stock portfolios and vacation properties. I knew immediately you were different."
"Different how?"
"Authentic. Driven by purpose rather than appearance. Genuinely brilliant rather than merely educated." He leansagainst the counter, watching me work. "Do you know how rare that is in my world?"
I don't answer, unsure how to respond to his assessment. Instead, I change the subject to safer ground.
"Any word from Aaron?" I ask, reaching for plates from the cabinet Victor indicates.
A shadow crosses his face. "No. No update on his arrival."
Something in his tone makes me wonder, but I don't press the issue. Not yet.
We eat at the kitchen island rather than the formal dining table, the casual setting creating an artificial sense of normalcy that both comforts and unnerves me. The conversation flows easily—too easily, given the strangeness of our situation.
Victor asks thoughtful questions about my research, demonstrating enough knowledge to engage but revealing gaps that confirm my earlier suspicion: his interest is genuine but his understanding has limits. It’s a small advantage in whatever game we're playing.
"Did you have a productive day?" I ask when there's a lull in the academic discussion. "With your business situation?"
His face remains unreadable. "It was... resolved. Not as elegantly as I would have preferred, but effectively."
"What exactly do you do, Victor? Besides managing shipping and investments?"
"I solve problems." He takes a sip of wine, watching me over the rim of his glass. "I connect people who need things with people who have things. I remove obstacles that stand in the way of progress."
"That's remarkably vague."
His laugh is warm and genuine. "Deliberately so. The details would bore you."
"Try me."
"Another time, perhaps." He stands, collecting our empty plates. "Tonight, I want to show you something far more interesting than my business dealings."
