Bloom [Completed]

Chapter Twentyseven

I couldn't wait for the end of the day to go and find Oliver. All-day it had been eating away at me. I got more paranoid about the stares from other employees by the hour. At lunch, I made the mistake of going to the cafe, where everyone turned in their chairs to look at me as if I was with Oliver. But there was no Oliver with me this time, which meant rumours were only getting stronger.

I bought a muffin and a coffee and left to eat it in the mailroom with Mr Benson, a very rare occurrence. At least Mr Benson had been nice today, he didn't have anyone to gossip with, and I found it oddly comforting that he still talked to me as if I really was interested in his sports teams.

I told a small white lie and said I had to leave early -even after showing up 3 hours late. He grumbled something like 'lazy' under his breath. Mr Benson sure would love to see the back of me these days, I thought darkly. Maybe I should leave?

I rushed to the elevator at 5 o'clock and hit 40, praying that no one else would come in. There were 3 main elevators, surely not. I began tapping my foot impatiently. Then at level 30, the lift stopped. Two men in brown suits I didn't recognise got in and pushed level 35. They regarded me with a side-eyed look each when they saw I was heading to the top floor. I knew I didn't look like the type of person to belong up there, but they didn't have to be so obvious about it. Or maybe they had heard the rumours that I was sleeping with the boss. I rolled my eyes at myself, don't be ridiculous.

This was getting more complicated by the minute. I hugged my bag closer to my side and tried to ignore them. You really are paranoid now, I thought to myself. Why would two stuffy old white guys care about who I slept with anyhow?

The doors finally opened on level 35 after what felt like an eternity. As the two men were exiting I heard one speak to the other in a purposely loud voice. "Some woman will do anything to get ahead,"

Okay, that was too on the nose. My anger flared at the comment and I was lucky that the doors closed shut behind them or I really might have said something to them. Alone now, I buried my head in my hands and groaned. Why could one photo of me holding someone's hand cause me so much stress? Because that someone's hand was attached to the beautiful enigma that was Oliver Daley.

He had warned me, however, I hadn't realised it would be this hard. Silent tears began rolling down my cheeks. I hated that I cried when I was mad. But I knew deep down I was just overwhelmed by the attention and how negative it all seemed to be. Even those photographers had asked if I was one of the under-aged girls involved in the scandal. How old did I look? I thought pessimistically.

The elevator opened and I saw Simone through my blurry eyes. She looked shocked by my appearance.

"Is he in a meeting?" I asked through the shakiness of my voice. I felt so embarrassed but I knew she would understand, somehow. She knew Oliver and I were a thing the longest, I guessed.

Simone just shook her head in a 'no' unable to say anything more. That was all the confirmation I needed and dived right past her desk to Oliver's office. I didn't even knock, I just barreled in and at that stage, I was frantically wiping tears away.

Oliver looked up from his computer with a surprised expression.

"Billie?" He sounded worried. I would be too if someone burst into my office crying.

I just dropped my bag on the sofa and strode quickly over to him. Oliver opened his arms to me, so naturally, as if he hadn't even thought about the action.

I climbed into his lap without hesitation and sobbed into his neck. It was a moment where seeing him sent me over the edge and I could finally let go.