Bloom [Completed]

Chapter Seven

"Miss Dalton?" He falters in his step, clearly expecting someone else.

"Mr Daley," I start "I was just here to deliver a packet for Ms Thompson." I hold the large envelope out for him to see.

"Oh," he responds. "She's sick today, you can leave it on her desk."

He gestures towards the desk and I promptly place it on top and turn to beam back at him.

Guess I did get to bump into you after all.

His face is still rather serious and his eyes watch me closely. No smiles today I guess...

I turn to leave. "Thank you, Sir,"

My hand rests on the door when I hear him clear his throat.

I glance back over my shoulder at him and we make eye contact.

He seems to look down at his shoes embarrassed.

"Ah, Miss Dalton, I- " he says hesitantly.

"Yes?" I prompt.

"I was wondering if I could actually get your help with something..." he steps towards me searching my brown eyes with his.

"Well that depends..." I murmur in response. A dark thought crosses my mind at how alone we are... what kind of a favour?

He comes closer again and picks up a binder from the shelf next to me.

Oh don't be paranoid! I chastise myself for even daring to think such things of Mr. Daley.

"You went to university, right?" He asks.

"Yeah..." I say a little confused.

"Well this is kind of just like that. Since Maria is absent, I wondered if you might help in my next meeting by just taking some notes?" He finishes and gives me a hopeful smile.

"I think, I think I could manage that." I smile lightly back at him.

Take notes for a meeting? Sounds easy enough. Although it sounded a little condescending when he asked if I went to university... but I'll let it slide.

"Great!" He replies turning back to the door he came through. "Follow me."

I hesitate briefly but follow him through the door he entered by.

The next room over appears to be his own office. It's spacious and expertly designed, with large windows on two sides of the room. White walls, dark couches and chairs. And a massive glass desk placed in front of the far window.

Mr. Daley glides over to it and sits down, shuffling through the binder. His face is stern, back to serious business.

I stand at the opposite end of the room feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Why me? Couldn't he have gotten that girl out there to help?

I wonder if I'm dressed alright for a fancy business meeting and smooth my hair down in its ponytail. I just know how frizzy the curls get by the end of the day.

"Come," Mr. Daley directs me to his side.

I stand over his shoulder, taking in the section in front of me. I also happen to glance down at his lap where his tightly fitted suit pants gather perfectly. A blush creeps over my face and I quickly look back at the binder for fear of him catching me.

"I'll need this page at some point, I've book marked it for you." He shows me the grey tab sticking out then closes the binder and hands it to me.