Bloom [Completed]

Chapert Nine

I pause for a minute. Do I knock? What if he yells at me?

It would seem I've finally caught sight of this angry monster everyone has been warning me about.

I quickly fix the hem of my deep red body con dress and try the door handle.

I slip inside and close the door silently behind me.

Oliver is leaning over at the window with a palm resting on the tall glass.

I don't think he's noticed me come in. So I stand there in the doorway watching him for a moment.

He looks lost in thought, his expression agonising over something.
His crisp grey suit looks luxurious and the matching black tie is a little loose around his neck. His beard looks freshly trimmed and cuts along the curve of his jaw nicely.

I clear my throat a little to get his attention, not wanting to anger the poor man further and walk calmly over to him. One long leg at a time.

He turns his head towards me, expression froze in angst. He makes no sound as I approach him at the glass wall.

I stand before him, rather shy all of a sudden. How was I brave enough to enter this lion's den?

I have the decency to look down as I address him.

"Oliver," I murmur at my feet. "I'm sorry, I - I should leave you be. You're clearly upset."

I go to turn back towards the door. What was I thinking!?

But a hand placed gently on my wrist stops me.

I halt in my tracks looking at his fingers locked onto me and glance up at his beautiful face.

His eyes implore me, searching mine for something.

"I-" I begin but he cuts me off.

"Why do you think I'm upset?" He releases my wrist slowly and takes a step towards me.

I blink up at him a couple of times before responding.

"What happened in the hallway... was a bit much." I try gauging his reaction.

He just sighs and looks away.

"She had it coming."

"Forgetting your coffee order? I don't want to tell you how to run your business, cause clearly you are good at it. But that was a bit harsh."

He glares down at me and for a second I regret opening my big fat mouth.
But his words surprise me.

"She was also stealing from the company, Billie. I found out this morning. I was going to fire her anyway."

Oh, whoops. Well, I guess he did have a good reason for that outburst.

I look down at my feet again feeling a little guilty for coming at him like that.

"Billie, why did you come up here?" He sighs and walks over to his desk, unbuttoning his jacket as he sits down.

I'd completely forgot the reason I came up here in the first place when I made my silly crusade coming into his office unannounced.
I move to stand in front of him.

"I came to say thank you," I say, folding my arms.

He regards me for a moment, actually looks me up and down. I blush at this fact.

I give him a small smile in the hopes it will cheer his darker mood.

"Well," he looks taken aback. "You're welcome. I saw it while shopping the other day and thought of you... it made me laugh a little."

His eyes meet mine and we share a moment of silence as I digest his admission.

"It made me laugh a little too," I say quietly.

Gracefully Oliver stands and comes around the front of the desk. I search his grey eyes once more and there seems to be no trace of the anger I first found there.

"Did it now?" He asks staring at me.

"A lot of things you do make me want to laugh," I stare confidently back at him now.

He looks at his shoes and I can see him biting back a smile when his eyes return to mine again.

"Like?" He prompts me.

"Like when you came to the cafe downstairs to get your own coffee last week," I say. "You looked so out of place."

"There's a reason I'm never down there," He smiles at me slowly. "My assistant was sick that day."

I smile back at him encouragingly. This is the longest most interesting conversation I've had with someone this attractive in a very long time.

"And when you popped your head in the door of the mailroom, that was funny. Like a deer in the headlights." I chuckle at him.

"I'll admit I've never been into my own mail room," He chuckles back.

The sound of that laugh is intoxicating and I find myself wanting to be the cause of it always.

"Well," He says, "If that's all you came for...?" The question lingers in the air hopefully.

What is he hoping that I'll say? I desperately want to stay here in his office talking to him but I'm out of excuses.

"I suppose it is..." I say rather forlornly.

I think I see a hint of understanding in his eyes as he walks me towards the door.

I sigh a little to myself. When will I see him again now? I have to come up with something.

"Well, maybe since you just fired your assistant I'll see you in the cafe for a coffee tomorrow?" I smile up at him as he rests his hand on the door handle pausing too.

"Yes, I suppose I might..."He smiles back down at me and licks his lips. "Will you be there?"

I try to ignore the feeling that flies into my stomach at how hopeful his tone is.

"Yes," I manage to squeak out.

"I'll see you tomorrow at lunch for a coffee then," He says with a nod.

I nod in return as he opens the door for me and gestures with his hand.

I leave him in the doorway and walk as confidently as possible in my black heels down the corridor. I can feel him watching me, and if I'm honest I sway my hips a little more to try and tease him into checking my ass out.

I've got the biggest grin on my face as I pass the now empty front desk and press the call button for the elevator.

I glance over my shoulder briefly and notice Oliver still standing holding his office door open with a look of pure desire across his face. I blush and turn back to step into the elevator.

Oh good, he's affected by me as well.