Chapter 77
961 Words
CHAPTER 77
ANGELA
By Wednesday, my new office no longer looked like an empty room.
There were files on my desk, two framed certificates on the wall, a small bookshelf near the window, and a whiteboard covered with notes about clients and upcoming projects.
It wasn't much yet.
But it was mine.
I sat behind my desk, looking through a proposal when my assistant knocked.
“Come in.”
She entered with a folder.
“There's someone here to see you.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Anderson from Westbridge.”
I looked up.
That name caught my attention.
“Send him in.”
A few seconds later, the door opened.
“Good morning, Ms. Williams.”
“Good morning.”
He took the chair opposite me and placed a folder on the desk.
“We've reviewed your proposal.”
I opened it.
“We're interested.”
I looked through the pages carefully.
“This is a good start.”
He smiled.
“We'd like to discuss the terms.”
And just like that, the next hour disappeared.
There was no Damian.
No relationship.
No distractions.
Just me, my business, and the first serious opportunity that had come through my own office.
When the meeting ended, Mr. Anderson stood.
“I'll have the final documents sent over this afternoon.”
“Good. I'll review them.”
He shook my hand.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“So do I.”
After he left, I leaned back in my chair.
My first major client.
My own company.
My own office.
For the first time, the future didn't feel like something I was waiting for.
It felt like something I was building.
My phone vibrated.
Damian: Are you alive?
I smiled despite myself.
Me: I'm working.
His reply came almost immediately.
Damian: That wasn't my question.
I shook my head.
Me: I'm fine.
Three dots appeared.
Damian: Lunch.
I frowned.
Me: I'm busy.
Damian: So am I.
Me: Then work.
Damian: I am. I'm working on getting you to eat.
I laughed quietly.
My assistant looked toward me.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.”
She smiled and returned to her desk.
A few minutes later, another message came.
Damian: I'll be there at one.
I didn't bother arguing.
He would come anyway.
At exactly one, my office door opened.
Damian walked in carrying a paper bag.
“You actually came.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I am.”
He placed the bag on my desk.
“Eat.”
I opened it.
“My favorite.”
“I remembered.”
I glanced at him.
“You remember everything.”
“Not everything.”
He pulled a chair closer and sat.
“How's the office?”
“Busy.”
“That sounds promising.”
“It is.”
I showed him the proposal.
He read the first page.
“Westbridge?”
“Yes.”
“You got them?”
“We're negotiating.”
He looked at me.
“That's impressive.”
“I haven't signed anything yet.”
“You will.”
I took the food from the bag.
“You're very confident.”
“I've seen you work.”
That answer made me pause.
He wasn't trying to take credit.
He wasn't offering to call someone.
He was simply sitting there.
With me.
I started eating.
Damian watched for a moment before speaking.
“You're happy.”
I looked at him.
“I am.”
“Good.”
There was something different about his expression.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“I like seeing you happy.”
I looked back at my food.
“You're becoming sentimental.”
“Maybe.”
I smiled faintly.
He reached across the desk and took my hand.
“You're doing well, Angela.”
“I know.”
He laughed.
“That's all I get?”
“What do you want?”
“A little appreciation.”
“You already got lunch.”
“That was for you.”
“Exactly.”
He shook his head.
I smiled.
For once, there was nothing complicated about the moment.
No fear.
No pressure.
No difficult conversation waiting behind it.
Just us.
When he finally stood, I looked at the clock.
“You have to go?”
“I have a meeting.”
“Then go.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“I'll see you tonight.”
“I have work.”
“So do I.”
He walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
“Angela.”
“Yes?”
“Don't stay here all night.”
“I won't.”
He gave me a look that said he didn't believe me.
I ignored it.
He left.
I returned to my laptop.
The office became quiet again.
But this time, the silence felt different.
I wasn't waiting for someone to rescue me.
I wasn't trying to prove anything to anyone.
I was simply building my own life.
And somewhere along the way, Damian had become part of it.
I just wasn't sure how much of my future I was ready to give him.
My phone rang.
It was the client.
I answered.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Williams, there's been a change to the proposal.”
I sat up straighter.
“What kind of change?”
“We'd like you to come in tomorrow morning.”
“Why?”
A pause.
Then he said,
“We've decided to offer you the contract.”
I went completely still.
“The full contract?”
“Yes.”
I looked around my office.
My first real client.
My first real victory.
And suddenly, the little office I'd chosen three days ago didn't feel small anymore.
It felt like the beginning.
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