My Riley

Chapter Six-Riley

Riley sat quietly inside Vincent Stanley’s office, his tablet resting against his thigh.

His portfolio was open beside him.

His tablet was fully charged.

His sketches were ready.

And somehow, despite all the preparation, his heart was beating a little faster than usual.

Not because he was afraid of Vincent.

Well…

Maybe a little.

Vincent Stanley was intimidating.

There was something about the man that made a room feel smaller whenever he walked into it.

But Riley had learned something during their first meeting.

Vincent listened.

He didn’t interrupt unnecessarily.

He didn’t pretend to understand something he didn’t.

And most importantly, he actually looked at the work.

That mattered to Riley.

Because design was not something he could explain in one sentence.

It was something people needed to see.

Riley glanced down at his tablet.

The first concepts were there.

He had spent most of the week working on them.

He hadn’t slept as much as he should have.

His mother had noticed.

His brother had definitely noticed.

But Riley couldn’t help it.

The building had gotten inside his head.

He had imagined every floor.

Every hallway.

Every entrance.

Every window.

Every room.

He hadn’t designed everything yet.

That would take time.

This presentation wasn’t supposed to be the finished project.

It was a direction.

A glimpse.

A promise of what the building could become.

Vincent sat across from him behind his desk.

His expression was calm.

Professional.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Vincent said.

Riley nodded.

“Okay.”

He connected his tablet to the large display in Vincent’s office.

The first image appeared.

The lobby.

Riley stood.

“This is the general direction I want to take the entrance.”

Vincent’s eyes moved toward the screen.

Riley continued.

“I don’t want the lobby to feel overwhelming.”

He changed the image.

“I know it’s the headquarters of Stanley Corporation, and obviously it needs to feel impressive. But I don’t think impressive has to mean excessive.”

Vincent leaned back slightly.

Riley noticed.

He continued.

“I want the first impression to be sophisticated, but warm.”

Another sketch appeared.

Natural stone.

Wood.

Soft lighting.

Large plants.

Clean lines.

A reception desk positioned in a way that allowed the receptionist to see visitors immediately without making the area feel like a security checkpoint.

“The materials are going to be natural where possible,” Riley explained. “Stone, wood, glass, textured fabrics. I want the lighting to do most of the work rather than using too many decorative pieces.”

Vincent studied the screen.

Riley moved to the next concept.

“The reception area connects directly into the waiting area.”

A sketch appeared.

Comfortable chairs.

Low tables.

Greenery.

Soft lighting.

“Clients may have to wait here for meetings, so I don’t want it to feel like they’re sitting in a hospital waiting room.”

Vincent’s eyebrows moved slightly.

Riley smiled.

“Comfortable, but still professional.”

“I agree,” Vincent said.

Riley clicked again.

“This is the general idea for the conference rooms.”

A larger room appeared.

Long table.

Minimal furniture.

Large windows.

Acoustic panels.

Natural textures.

“I want the conference rooms to have a lot of natural light. But I’ve also considered privacy.”

He pointed toward the windows.

“The glass would be treated so that people outside can’t clearly see what’s happening inside during confidential meetings.”

Vincent nodded.

“Good.”

“And the technology will be integrated rather than having cables and equipment everywhere.”

Riley changed the slide.

“Nothing should feel cluttered.”

Vincent remained quiet.

But he was paying attention.

Riley could tell.

He continued.

“For the executives’ offices, I want the design to be consistent but not identical.”

Another sketch.

“Each office can have the same general material palette, but different layouts depending on the person using the space.”

Vincent looked at him.

“Why?”

Riley paused.

“Because people work differently.”

Vincent didn’t say anything.

Riley continued.

“Someone who spends most of their day meeting people needs a different layout from someone who spends most of their day working privately.”

He switched to another design.

“Some offices will have small seating areas. Others will have larger desks and more storage. Some executives may need private meeting spaces.”

Vincent nodded slowly.

“That makes sense.”

Riley smiled.

He could feel himself becoming more comfortable.

This was the part he loved.

Talking about design.

Not selling himself.

Not trying to impress anyone.

Just explaining how he saw a space.

He moved to the next section.

“Now, this is only the beginning.”

The screen changed.

A rough conceptual map of the headquarters appeared.

“This is how I’m imagining the overall building.”

Vincent leaned forward.

Riley pointed at different sections.

“Reception and public areas at the beginning. Then the main workspaces. Conference rooms placed strategically so employees don’t have to cross the entire building for meetings.”

Another section appeared.

“Executive offices toward the quieter side.”

Another.

“Employee lounges and break areas placed near natural light.”

Another.

“Private dining and guest areas separated from the main employee spaces.”

Vincent’s eyes remained on the screen.

“And the environmental aspect?”

Riley smiled.

“I didn’t forget.”

He moved to another slide.

“I want to use as much natural light as possible. Energy-efficient lighting throughout the building. Indoor greenery. Low-maintenance plants where possible.”

He paused.

“And wherever the budget allows, sustainably sourced materials.”

Vincent nodded.

“That’s important to me.”

“I know.”

Vincent looked at him.

Riley realized what he’d said.

He quickly explained.

“You mentioned it during our first meeting.”

Vincent nodded.

“I did.”

“I remembered.”

Riley moved to the next sketch.

“I also want the building to feel connected to nature without turning it into a garden.”

Vincent’s lips almost curved.

“That’s good.”

Riley smiled.

“Too many plants can become another problem.”

Vincent gave a quiet laugh.

It was brief.

Almost nothing.

But Riley noticed it.

He continued.

“And I want the employee spaces to feel comfortable.”

The next image appeared.

A lounge.

Soft seating.

Tables.

Plants.

Large windows.

Natural light.

“People spend most of their day at work. The building should not feel like they’re being punished for it.”

Vincent looked at him.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Vincent nodded.

“Keep going.”

Riley did.

He showed the rough direction for the boardroom.

The executive floor.

Private meeting rooms.

Guest areas.

Employee lounges.

The reception.

The waiting area.

The beginning of the office layouts.

The overall material palette.

The lighting direction.

And finally, Vincent’s office.

Riley hesitated slightly before showing it.

“This is your office.”

Vincent looked at the screen.

The design was elegant.

Dark wood was used sparingly.

Large windows.

A large but clean desk.

A comfortable seating area.

Natural textures.

Muted colors.

A few plants.

Nothing excessive.

Nothing cold.

Vincent stared at it.

Riley waited.

“I didn’t want to change everything in your current office,” Riley explained. “I noticed you like structure.”

Vincent looked at him.

“You noticed that?”

Riley smiled.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“I think the structure should stay.”

Vincent looked back at the screen.

“But?”

“But it doesn’t have to feel so serious.”

Silence.

Riley swallowed.

Maybe that had been too honest.

Then Vincent said,

“I see.”

Riley nodded.

“I just think your office should feel like a place where you can actually work without feeling like you’re sitting in a courtroom.”

Vincent stared at the design.

Then he looked at Riley.

“You’ve thought about this.”

“I have.”

“I can tell.”

Riley sat down.

He rested his tablet on the table.

The presentation was finished.

At least the first part of it.

There would be revisions.

There would be measurements.

Material samples.

Furniture selections.

Lighting specifications.

Budget adjustments.

Construction meetings.

A hundred decisions Riley hadn’t even reached yet.

But the vision was there.

Vincent remained quiet for several seconds.

Then he finally spoke.

“I can see the concept behind this.”

Riley waited.

“There are a few things I may want changed.”

“Of course.”

“Some of the executive spaces may need to be adjusted.”

Riley nodded.

“That’s fine.”

“And I want to look at the sustainability costs before we finalize some of the materials.”

“Absolutely.”

Vincent looked at him.

“But in general…”

He paused.

“I like this.”

Riley’s shoulders relaxed.

“Thank you.”

Vincent reached for a folder sitting on his desk.

He placed it in front of Riley.

“This is the contract.”

Riley looked down.

“The lawyer has already reviewed and signed the corporate side.”

He opened the folder.

“Have you had a chance to read it?”

“Yes.”

Riley nodded.

“I received the copy.”

“Good.”

Vincent turned the folder toward him.

“Then sign here.”

Riley looked at the marked section.

He took the pen Vincent offered.

For a moment, he simply stared at the page.

This was real.

Not a proposal.

Not an interview.

Not an idea.

A contract.

His name.

His signature.

His project.

Riley signed.

Then he closed the folder.

Vincent nodded.

“Congratulations, Mr. Rosewood.”

Riley looked at him.

“Thank you.”

Vincent reached into another folder.

He pulled out a card.

He placed it on the desk.

“This is linked to the project account.”

Riley blinked.

“The project account?”

“Yes.”

Vincent pushed the card toward him.

“You’ll have access to the funds allocated for the design and purchasing side of the project.”

Riley looked at the card.

“This is…”

“For the project.”

Vincent’s voice was firm.

“Not your personal expenses. Everything purchased with it needs to be documented and connected to the headquarters.”

Riley nodded.

“Of course.”

“Keep receipts. Submit invoices. If something requires approval before purchase, we’ll discuss it.”

“Understood.”

Vincent leaned back.

“Every week, we’ll meet.”

“Every week?”

“Yes.”

Riley nodded.

“That’s fine.”

“You can bring progress updates.”

Vincent continued.

“Or you can send me a rough budget breakdown ahead of time. Materials, furniture, lighting, labor, installation, anything else you anticipate needing.”

Riley nodded again.

“And if the budget changes?”

“We adjust it.”

“Okay.”

Vincent looked at him.

“I don’t expect you to know the exact final cost today.”

Riley smiled.

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because I would have been very worried if you expected that.”

Vincent almost smiled again.

“I don’t.”

Riley picked up the card.

He looked at it carefully before putting it into his wallet.

Then he looked back at Vincent.

“So…”

Vincent waited.

“That’s it?”

“For today.”

Riley smiled.

“I mean…”

He glanced around the office.

“I’m officially responsible for an entire headquarters.”

Vincent looked at him.

“Yes.”

Riley laughed softly.

“That’s terrifying.”

“You didn’t look terrified five minutes ago.”

“I was presenting.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m realizing how much work I just agreed to.”

Vincent actually smiled.

It was small.

Barely there.

But Riley saw it.

“You’ll manage.”

Riley nodded.

“I will.”

He picked up his tablet.

Then stood.

“Thank you for trusting me with it.”

Vincent looked at him.

“I wouldn’t have given it to you if I didn’t.”

Riley smiled.

“That’s good to hear.”

He started toward the door.

Then Vincent spoke.

“Riley.”

Riley turned.

“Yes?”

“Don’t make the building look like every other corporate headquarters.”

Riley’s smile widened.

“I wasn’t planning to.”

“Good.”

Riley opened the door.

Then he looked back.

“I have one more question.”

Vincent waited.

“Are you okay with color?”

Vincent stared at him.

“Color?”

“Yes.”

Vincent’s expression became cautious.

“What kind of color?”

Riley laughed.

“Don’t worry.”

He stepped backward.

“I’ll send you the samples before I do anything dramatic.”

Vincent shook his head.

“Thank you.”

Riley smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

He walked out.

The door closed behind him.

Vincent remained seated.

His eyes stayed on the closed door for a moment.

Then he looked down at the signed contract.

Riley Rosewood.

Project lead.

He picked up the first sketch Riley had left behind.

The lobby.

Natural materials.

Soft lighting.

Greenery.

Warmth.

It was nothing like the cold, controlled style Vincent had become accustomed to.

And yet…

He liked it.

More than he expected.

Meanwhile, Riley walked down the hallway with his tablet tucked against his chest and a smile on his face.

He had done it.

The contract was signed.

The project was officially his.

Now there was only one problem.

He had an entire empty headquarters to turn into something extraordinary.

And Riley Rosewood couldn’t wait to begin.