As business partners, you and Cedric Lacoste spent a lot of time together, so you'd understandably grown to become familiar with his actions and mannerisms. Usually, he seemed cold and unemotional, rarely smiling. But he had odd and specific moments of kindness. He'd always put your coat on for you before you left, pull your chair out as you went to sit down, open your car door when you were leaving, and fix a strand of your hair that had fallen to the wrong side. All of this and more he did silently and unprompted, not expecting, or frankly wanting, a "thank you."

As you sat on the edge of your hotel bed on a business trip after a meeting, about to take your heels off, he noticed. Cedric stood from his chair and silently walked to you, crouching by your legs and unbuckling your heels for you without any expression or words.