Bloom [Completed]

Chapter Twelve

It's 7:00pm now and I'm already pacing the living room of my tiny apartment.

What if it was just a joke and he doesn't really want to go to dinner with me?

What if we go somewhere really fancy and all I can afford is the soup?

I should change, this is too much, I think for the 100th time.

Before I can work myself up too much there's a knock at the door.

Avi looks up from his laptop on the couch and gives me a thumbs up.

I take a deep breath and smile as I open the door.

There standing on my door step is Oliver Daley. He's still wearing the same suit from earlier today, his hair is perfect and his beard well groomed.

"Hi," I breathe and grab my purse and jacket from the back of the nearby seat.

He looks me up and down and I blush crimson.

It is too much! Oh no!

"Wow," He says giving me a small smile. "You definitely shouldn't wear that to work."

"Thanks," I laugh and follow him out into the street.

"How come you changed? You looked lovely today." He asks as we walk up the pavement a bit.

"Oh, I um," I start nervously. "I had already changed out of my work clothes into my pjs... so, I thought I better put on something dinner appropriate."

"Oh," he chuckles, stopping at shiny black Audi. "Sorry to interrupt your pj plans then."

I laugh with him and slide into the passenger seat of the car as he gets into the driver seat.

"This is a really nice car," I murmur looking around the luxurious black leather interior.

He turns the car on and the engine roars to life.

"It's and Audi R8," He smiles devilishly at me before hitting the gas and heading off in the direction of down town.

There's something very personal about being in his car with him. It feels like I'm stepping into his world, his private world that he managed to keep locked away from everyone else.
I like it!

We sit quietly for a moment as Oliver zips through the traffic with ease.

"Where are we going?" I ask breaking the comfortable silence.

"A new place downtown," he glance at me out the corner of his eye. "Called 'Shepherds', I think,"

I nod politely. Please let it not be expensive!

He notices me blanch a little and asks me, "What are you thinking about?"

I look at him as he faces forward and blush. I can't just out right tell him I can't afford to eat out!

"Um," I think, "Just about how hungry I am." I lie as smoothly as I can.

"Me too," He nods back, "Those last two meetings were killer. Dull boring old guys that are hard to budge. They never want to try anything new or risky."

Glad for the change of subject I prompt him. "What were the meetings about?"

"I won't bore you with the gritty details," he frowns. "But one was just about diverting a stock route and the other a new purchase I'm hoping to close."

"What are you trying to buy?"

"An airline." He replies simply.

"What!" I gasp back and he turns to look at me as we finally park.

"What?" He asks confused.

"I'm sorry it's just the last thing I bought was some bread." I can't believe our pay gap right now.

We get out of the car and he leads me to the door of the restaurant a couple shops down.

Fuck, this place looks as fancy as the queens palace.

"I buy bread," he says in defence.

"Oliver, you don't even like buying your own coffee, I highly doubt you buy your own bread. Are you sure you don't have an employee who does that for you too?" I laugh a little to lighten the mood.

He looks down in thought as he holds the door open for me.

Someone quickly greets us, taking our jackets and showing us to a private alcove at the back of the dimly lit restaurant.

"This is very moody," I say looking around as I take my seat.

Oliver sits down next to me instead of opposite.

"You're right," he smiles.

"About what?" I smile back at him.

"I have a cook, she buys my bread."

I laugh a little. "Wow,"

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" He asks genuinely.

I stare into his grey eyes for a moment. "No," I answer honestly. "We just come from such different worlds."

"I don't know what world you think I come from, but it certainly isn't the one I live in now." He says.

Taking a brief look at the wine list he orders two glasses.

I watch him closely as he fills my glass with water and then his own.

Hmmm, maybe I should google him when I get home.

"Single Mum, tiny apartment. I owe her all my success today. She made me work hard for a better life for us." He runs a hand through his beard nervously.

"It sounds like your Mum's really important to you," I say thinking over all he's just said. I just assumed he came from money, how thoughtless of me.

"I love my Mum," he smiles back at me.

It is so good to hear a man say that! I remember back a couple of guys I dated to one who hated his mother, he was so bitter.

I smile back at him and take a look at the menu for the first time.

Double fuck! I was right, $30 for a main? Are you kidding me?!

I look at the appetisers, $20, and I bet they'll come out on those tiny plates!

Soup it is, I think looking at the $16 soup of the day.

"Order what ever you like," Oliver says, "My treat."

"Are you sure?" I don't want to be a burden.

"Of course I'm sure," he says. "This is a date isn't it. I mean you don't wear a dress like that if it isn't a date!"

He gestures to my body with his hand, making me blush. He's right, I wore this dress to get attention... and by the approving looks he's been giving me make it worth it.

I smile despite myself. "Okay, thank you."

"Now you tell me about the world you come from," he says, folding his arms across the table and leaning toward me.