Bloom [Completed]

Chapter Twentyeight

"I- I..." My words stammered. He looked as though he were hanging on for dear life to my sweaty hands. Never had I experienced a man so freely lay his cards out on the table like this. The thought of 'Love' had never crossed my mind until now. I just really cared about Oliver a lot. I could sense that would blossom into love one day. Every day with him I felt a deeper and deeper connection and honesty with him which never faltered.

I leaned in a kissed him reverently. His answering kiss was intense with emotion behind it. I broke away and eyed him nervously once more.

"I want to be with you, always Oliver," I answered finally because that at least felt true. A part of me ached when we were apart and I didn't want to feel that anymore.

It seemed enough for Oliver because he enveloped me in a tight hug with a large smile spread across his face.

. . .

The next day at work Oliver had told me to wear something nice. I figured he meant something professional enough to match Oliver's regular suit and tie. I went for a fitted black dress that was a mid-calf length. I put more effort into my make-up and wore my tallest nude heels.

At 11 am Mr Benson answers the mailroom phone.
"It's for you." He said holding out the still corded phone from the wall.

I avoided eye contact with him. Even though I'd shown up early today, he was still cross about yesterday's antics.

"Hello, this is Billie," I breathed into the receiver.

"Billie," chirped Simone. "Mr Daley would like you to come up to his office now for the photo shoot."

"Alright," I answered. "I'm on my way up."

After hanging up I turned to Mr Benson.

"They-" I started but he cut me off.

"Go, go." He waves his hand, shooing me away.

In the elevator, I felt less nervous than yesterday. More sure of my place in Oliver's life. But that didn't take away the fact that everyone thought I was sleeping with him to get ahead. Somehow deep down I knew I would have to get a new job at a different company. It was the only way I would feel less gawked at.

Some ladies I knew from accounted for into the lift with me at level 24.

"Hi, Billie!" Jane said excitedly. She glanced at the other two women, Sandra and Daphne who exchanged curious looks.

"Hello," I murmured politely.

"Was that you I saw on the Sunday News website?" Jane cut straight to the chase.

Points for boldness, I thought.

"I'm not sure. Could have been." I shrugged non-committal. If she wanted fresh gossip she'd have to be more specific than that.

"Oh," she said pausing. And I took that pause as my opportunity to change the subject.

"How is your daughter Emily? Settling into uni life okay?" I asked with raised eyebrows, daring her to change it back.

"Oh, she's doing well! You've got a good memory." She exclaimed.

"Part of the job, I like to think," I said calmly. There was finally a perk to being good at my job.

With that the ladies shuffled out at their stop, saying their quiet goodbyes.

...

Oliver's office had been rearranged with a photographer setting up a backdrop and lights on the right side of the long north-facing room.