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He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "We’ll see."
Oliver left the room to fill his travel mug with coffee, giving me a moment to put the finishing touches on my outfit. I applied a light layer of makeup and tied my mahogany hair back into a sleek ponytail. It was getting long, and I toyed with the idea of cutting it short.
He returned a few minutes later to inform me that Vlad was downstairs. I slipped on my black heels and followed Oliver out to the foyer, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepared to embark on this new chapter in my life."
When we got to the lobby, my stomach started to churn, and I felt my nerves go into overdrive. They got worse as we got closer to midtown. I hoped I wouldn’t see any of my old coworkers, at least not so soon after my departure. I started wringing my hands and Oliver reached over to stop me.
“You’ll be fine. No one will give you a hard time,” Oliver reassured me, his voice steady and comforting.
“It’s not that. I don’t want to see any of my old coworkers,” I said.
“What if you do? You have a better job now. Blaze should’ve taken care of you better,” Oliver remarked, his expression reflecting a hint of annoyance.
“Yes, they should’ve,” I agreed, a touch of bitterness coloring my words.
Vlad pulled up to the curb, and Oliver exited the car first, extending his hand to help me out. I straightened my skirt and glanced up at the imposing building before us. Oliver offered his arm, and I gratefully accepted as he led me inside.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I didn’t spot any of my former coworkers in the lobby. However, my heart sank when Candice appeared while we were waiting for the elevator. Oliver was engrossed in conversation with an associate, leaving me to face Candice alone.
“Ryleigh, you work in this building?” she said with surprise as she approached us.
“Yes. I have a job with Fox,” I confirmed, trying to maintain a composed demeanor despite my discomfort.
“And I see you got engaged. Congratulations,” Candice remarked, a forced smile plastered on her face.
“Thank you. This past weekend,” I replied, forcing a smile of my own.
“Who’s the lucky man?” she inquired, her curiosity evident.
“Oliver Fox,” I answered, my voice steady as I met her gaze.
Her eyes widened in astonishment, especially when Oliver turned and extended his hand for her to shake.
“Mr. Fox, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Oliver replied politely, shaking her hand before turning his attention back to me.
Our conversation came to an abrupt halt when the elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. Oliver squeezed my hand reassuringly as we moved to the back of the car. His office was on the top floor, so we would be the last to exit anyway.
“Who was that?” Oliver inquired softly after Candice had departed on her floor, his expression curious.
“Candice. I worked with her. I’m sure the gossip will be going around the Blaze once she tells everyone. Beatrice will probably justify my leaving because I’m dating you.”
“You’re not dating me. You’re engaged to me.”
When the elevator arrived on the floor for Fox Asset Corporation, Oliver led me to our offices. Mine was right next to his and empty of furniture except for a desk and a large black leather office chair. I would need to select a few items to fill up the space. I saw the walls were painted a very light blue and I smiled. Though we had only been together for a short time, Oliver knew what I liked.
“Thanks. I love the color.”
He smiled. “I thought you would.”
Oliver walked into my office and led me to one of the corners, pressing one of the panels in the wall. It popped open and I saw I had a full bathroom with a small closet.
I felt sheepish. “This office isn’t for me. This is an executive’s office. I should work in a cubicle.”
“Eventually, you will be an executive. Mrs. Ryleigh Fox will have her own staff and take care of a percentage of my business,” Oliver declared with unwavering confidence.
“You would trust me?” I asked.
