Bloom [Completed]

Chapeter Six

Back at work on Monday morning I wonder as I approach the Daley Enterprises building if I'll bump into the scowling handsome face of the CEO again.

I step into the lift with four other people and press the button. I glance around at their faces, smiling politely and saying hello to Jen from accounting. I can't help the disappointment that settles over me when I realise the universe isn't going to cross our paths today.

Why am I upset about this? Do I enjoy embarrassing myself every morning in front of my bosses, bosses, boss? Or do I just like hearing his deep, velvet voice say my name?

My stomach knots a little as I smile to myself remembering how I was the only one he greeted at the cafe last Friday.

Oh well, I think. Guess he's just going to go back to the mysterious Dracula who never leaves level 40.

I exit the elevator with a sigh and head towards the mailroom.

The week passes much the same with no reoccurrence of Mr. Daley and I accidentally bumping into each other. Much to my dismay each morning.

I can't help myself from feeling this way! I'm starting to feel like Mags and her left tit!
I would really like to see those beautiful grey eyes again... and that smile.

Mags is still adamant that I'm making that detail up. She keeps saying 'He never smiles, that's that!' I just laugh her off.

Friday comes and at lunch a thought creeps in unwelcome... maybe he'll be getting his own coffee again this Friday?

I know from Mags' intel he has a PA who normally gets it for him every other time.

But as I gaze around the cafe, everything seems to be in its place. No hushed conversations, no bearded Greek gods either.

"Billie?" Georgia calls my name from the counter, "What are you getting? My treat!"

"Oh," my attention snaps back to the girls, dismissing all thoughts of Mr. Daley. "A cappuccino, please."

Friday afternoons always go the slowest for me. Hardly any mail to give out, the balk of it comes in the morning.
So I sit on my own stool next to Mr. Benson giving me a play by play of the Jetts game coming up that weekend. It's as if he's already seen the game and it hasn't even happened yet.

"He's a good starter, but runs out of puff. They'll take him off at half time for sure!" He tells me.

"Uh huh," I say trying to stifle a yawn and place level 39's mail in a basket on my trolly.

But my eyes catch on the top envelope. A thick yellow packet with the address printed and stuck to the corner.

Maria Thompson
O. Daley PA
Office 40c
Level 40
Daley Enterprises Building
146 Hyde Street.

Level 40!
This can't be correct. We never ever get mail for the top floor. There must be some kind of a mistake.

"Mr. Benson," I interrupt him mid sentence.

"What? What it is?" He grumbles back clearly offended.

I wave the packet at him.
"Are you sure this is to go to level 40?"

He mumbles something in Italian and nods, turning back to the envelope in front of him.

I want to squeal with excitement! But I keep my composure and make a move towards the door pulling the cart after me.

"I'm not finished!" Mr. Benson calls after me.

"I'll be right back!" I reply halfway out the door.

I've never seen what the top floor looks like. I let myself smile broadly as I push the cart into the empty elevator.

Plus, who knows I may even bump into Mr Daley...
Don't get your hopes up, I scold myself internally. I haven't seen him all week. It would be just my luck that the one time I get to go up there I don't manage to see him.

It's a long ride from level 10, practically the ground floor in comparison.

I keep checking the packet in front of me to make sure it really says where it's headed.
Let me just triple check, I think as the doors of the elevator slide open with a quite ding.

I'm sure it's fine and push the cart out into a large, very white, very silent foyer.

The wheels squeak a little as I park the cart next to the lift and I cringe internally.

I grab the package and walk confidently up to the desk at the far end of the room.

There are no doors leading off this foyer, the only corridor leading further down starting behind the blonde woman seated at the desk.

I clear my throat and give her the best smile I can manage.

"Hello, I'm Billie. I don't think we've had the chance to meet before." I extend my hand and she shakes it politely but doesn't offer her name in return. Doesn't even get up out of her chair for that matter. I try not to judge her on this, I'm sure she's very busy.

"I just have a packet to deliver for Maria Thompson. Where might I find her office?"

"I'm her replacement today. The second door on the left." She motions to the corridor behind her and I nod gratefully.

I make my way around the desk, my heels tapping with each step.
Nervously, I smooth down the skirt of my navy blue A-line dress.

The door has a plaque on it that reads in small font:
'O. Daley Personal Assistant'

This is defiantly right, I think clutching the packet between both hands. I take a deep breath and knock.

There's no immediate response so I wait anxiously.
Still nothing, so I knock once more. I strain my ears to try and hear anything beyond the door but there's nothing.

I glance around me but there's no one in sight, even the blonde behind the desk has dissolved into thin air.

I chance it and turn the doorknob cracking it open ever so slightly.

"Ms Thompson?" I ask quietly and pear my head in.

The office is small but has a large window behind the desk in the middle of the room. Which curiously doesn't have anyone behind it.

Hmmm, where is this girl? I think stepping in and looking about the room.

Extremely well organised and nothing on the walls. It hardly seems personal. Not like other PA's rooms on the lower levels. They have children's drawings and pictures of their cats and things like that. Not this woman.

I wonder idly how long she's worked here for, when I hear a door click open to my right.

I spin towards the sound hoping it's Ms Thompson but I'm pleasantly mistaken.

Mr. Daley stands in the doorway with a look of utter confusion across his face.