Need You

Chapter 35

Two months after investing into the firm and we had gained so much that the new A & H office had been finished faster than expected.

Even though Amanda was not entirely in support of investing in a firm which could possibly be a ponzi scheme, she was the person I was most eager to show the new office to.

Driving to go pick her up, I imagined her reaction to the finished office and the surprise that was in store for her.

I didn't think A & H Financial Consulting would get so far this early. With the new office, our services were going to expand and we would be more than just a consultancy agency.

"What did you want to show me?" Amanda asked from the front porch when I got down from the car.

"It's a surprise. Come, let's go." I said opening the door to the passenger seat for her.

"I hope we're not going anywhere formal because I'm clearly not dressed for it." She said as she got in, looking beautiful in her spaghetti strap yellow dress.

"It's nowhere formal; at least for today." I responded.

The drive wasn't a long one. Intentionally parking a couple blocks away from the office, I told her that we'd arrived.

"Where are we going?" She asked when I took her hand.

"It's just around the corner. You'll see it soon." I said with a smile.

We made it past the blocks in no time and Amanda's gasping when the new office came into view made me grin so widely.

The intertwined A & H sign prominently positioned above the entrance of the sleek building with large transparent windows shone brilliantly as the metal reflected the setting sun rays.

"I wanted you to be the first person I showed it to."

"It's magnificent." She remarked as she looked at the building in amazement.

Approaching the tall glass doors, we went in and were welcomed by the spacious and well lit reception area.

"I love the colour on the walls." She commented on the walls' sky blue colour as she smoothly moved her fingers across the length of the marble reception desk.

I led her further into the office and she kept pointing out things she loved about the office - the lighting fixtures, the art on the walls.

"The office is incredible." She said. "When are you guys going to start working here?"

"Monday." I answered. "Tomorrow the staff are coming to check this place out, and I wanted you to be the first person I brought here."

She smiled. "I'm glad that the risk you took paid off."

"I am too." I said. "I know you weren't happy about Derrick and me making that decision but I'm thankful that you still supported me." I paused. "Regardless of how little that support was." I added cheekily.

"Everything worked out; obviously great, and I'm sure I owe you an apology for not trusting you."

"No, you don't. You were only being protective and I'm happy you were. Definitely showed me how much you love me." I grinned at the sight of her blushing.
"Okay, it's time for me to show you the surprise."

"This wasn't the surprise?"

I shook my head, walking with my back towards my office. "There's one office you haven't seen yet." I mentioned as I opened the door.

Amanda paced gently to the door and upon seeing the setup in the office asked while chuckling, "What is this?"

The desk in the office was elegantly set with a soft plaid table cloth spread across it.

Amanda got closer to the flowers in the vase, smelt them and looked back over her shoulder to give me a heart-warming smile.

I had just returned from the break room where our meal was being kept together with the bottle of Rosè.

"What is this?" She asked again.

"The surprise; or at least part of it."

I set what I was holding on the table and pulled out the chair for her.

"This is beautiful." She cooed.

Taking a seat after filling our glasses with the pink Rosè, I began, "With this new office marking a new start for A & H, I wanted to do this to tell you that all of this is because of you. You have been my partner from day one. A & H is just as much yours as it is mine and I'm very excited for its future."

"I am too."

We smiled at each other as we raised our glasses to make a toast to the business idea that came to be one evening in an old sofa in my living room.

While we ate, a sudden buzz emanated from the table. It was from Amanda's phone. Glancing at the screen, she gasped as her face lit with joy.

"What is it?" I asked as she reached for her phone.

Too excited to speak she showed me the screen and my lips instantly broke into a smile. It was the image of the cover of her book; her name elegantly printed at the bottom and surrounded by the captivating artwork.

"That's an amazing cover."

She seemed lost in the moment as she gleefully stared at the image.

"I told you you'd love being a published author." I said as she set the phone down, smiling at me. "Congratulations Amanda."

"Thanks babe."

Her genuine appreciative voice mixed with her charming smile pulled me towards her as she leaned in to kiss me, briefly touching her soft lips against mine.

"I guess that means the book will be published soon." I mentioned as I refilled our glasses.

"Yeah. I'm so excited."

"That's great. I'm very happy for you."

Raising our glasses, we made a toast to each other's success, and continued with our meal.