Bloom [Completed]

Chapter Five

This time I'm determined to catch the bus on time.

I buy a cheap dinky little alarm clock from the pharmacy at the end of my street and set it even earlier than normal.

It buzzes loudly at 6:00 am and in my haste to shut it off I may have accidentally crushed it against the floor. Oh well, I think, it deserved it for having a heinous sound to wake me up with. 

Now I stand like a zombie with a coffee mug in hand waiting for the first bus of the day instead of my normal bus. 

It's supposed to be here by now. Though I am comforted by the schoolboy waiting with a game boy in hand at the stop with me.

Finally, it prattles around the corner and I sag in relief.

Once seated and the driver chugs along I let my eyes nap for the rest of the journey.

The building is silent as I approach the glass doors and step inside. The only human about at this hour is the security guard in the corner of the foyer.

I press the call button for the elevator and sigh contently, patting myself on the back for making it to work on time today.

Just as the doors are about the shut, a hand reaches out between them and they bounce back open.

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise and I suddenly feel much more awake, as Mr Daley enters the lift.

He's wearing workout clothes with a pair of clean Nike's on his feet. His hair is in disarray and slightly damp across his forehead.
He must have run here or something, I think.

Slightly puffing still he leans over in front of me to press level 40. I get an unexpected whiff of his oh so appealing scent. You would think a sweaty man would smell repulsive, but not Oliver Daley.

He finally registers me standing there, still as a post. My eyes follow up his body to meet his shinning grey orbs.

I give him a shy smile and tuck my hair behind my ear.

"Oh, Miss Dalton," he puffs still catching his breath. "You're not late today." A slight smile tugs at his lips.

"No Sir," I blush, "Neither are you it would seem."

His lips smirk upwards and he shakes his head. "Can't be late if I own the company, can I?"

Oh, you bloody idiot! I flush crimson red and stare down at the floor. Of course, he can start work later if he wants, who would fire him for that?

The doors of the lift open thankfully and I can escape this waking nightmare I've created for myself.

As I'm walking down the corridor I chance a look backwards and notice Mr Daley watching me with a hand running through his wavy locks.

He looks so adorable doing it that I give him a small smile and for some reason a tiny wave goodbye. Then the doors close but I swear I've just seen him blush a little... or maybe he's still red from his run...

At lunch, I meet up with Mags and the new trainee Georgia and we all head down to the cafe adjacent to the building's entrance.

We enter and join the cue and I notice it's surprisingly quiet. This place is usually noisy with conversation from everyone on their breaks but it seems everyone is talking in hushed whispers.

I glance around and notice everyone's gaze flick to and from the counter watching someone.

"What's up with everyone?" I ask at a normal volume.

"I think I'm gonna faint!" Mags turns and whispers fanning her face with a huge grin plastered on it.

"What?" I pear around her and notice who she's reacting to, Mr Daley.

I roll my eyes at her. "Oh don't be ridiculous."

He's just the boss, for crying out loud. Why is everybody gossiping about him deciding to get his own coffee?

"He's so much hotter in person! Billie how did you not jump him in the lift?! I would've." Mags says a little too loud to be considered a whisper.

I cringe and hope he didn't hear that.

Well, I guess if nobody ever really sees him around the office this would be the most likely place to run into him right? Too busy up on level 40.

As Mr Daley stands to the side waiting for his coffee, I watch him from the corner of my eye. Not wanting to stare like everyone else. He has a stern expression across his face, his eyes angrily staring at a small magazine on the table in front of him. Okay, this is the Dracula face I've heard of. No smiles like this morning.

I notice he's changed since this morning too, into a smooth navy blue suit with a matte black tie.

Obviously he wouldn't spend his workday in the sweats that I saw him in this morning. He must have a shower up there or something, I think to myself.

Mags and Georgia are giggling quietly to each other, leaning in and whispering about Mr Daley I can tell.

No wonder he's never around the office if this is the way people act around him.

I suddenly feel a little sorry for him. I get to wander about the building all day. I know practically everyone, on a first-name basis. I know whose married to who, who's got kids, I sponsored people for the marathon this year. But poor Oliver Daley is all alone up there in his castle tower.

I chew on my bottom lip as we shuffle forward in the cue and I see the barista hand Mr Daley a takeaway cup.

He says thank you and takes the cup, sharply turning and has to stride past every person in the cafe to leave.

On his way, his eyes catch mine. I see a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but his face remains cold as stone.

"Miss Dalton," he murmurs with a short nod of his head as he passes me.

I'm in such a state of shock that I simply nod my affirmation in reply.

He sweeps out of the cafe like a strong wind, leaving a flurry of conversation in his wake.

Oh, he must realise the effect he has, surely?

I can tell Mags and Georgia are gaping at me but it's my turn to order. I quickly buy my muffin and a green tea and head off to find a table, ignoring them.

Mags rushes over to our table with her tray of food.

She has that funny look in her eyes that tells me I'm in for it.

"He knows your name?!" She demands instantly