Chapter 34: Carpool

He guides her toward the main exit with a hand still on her lower back. “My driver is parked just around the corner. We will be at work in less than ten minutes.” As they stepped out onto the sidewalk, a sleep black town car pulled up smoothly to the curb. The driver exited quickly to open the rear passenger door for them both. “Morning Mr. Wiliams,” the driver greeted respectfully before nodding politely in Harpers direction. “Miss.” Inside the spacious interior of the vehicle, Oliver settled beside her on the plus black leather seats. “I am not exactly sure how to act, this might be a little bit of an adjustment for me,” she admitted hesitantly. Oliver’s expression softened with understanding as he listened to her confession. He reached across the seat to gently take her hand in his, his larger fingers wrapping around her hand reassuringly. “It’s okay to feel uncertain about this,” he said quietly, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. “Adjusting to dating your boss is a big enough challenge without throwing in the age gap and workplace dynamics.” The car glided smoothly through city traffic, allowing for a sense of privacy in their private bubble. Oliver’s grip on her hand remained constant, grounding both of them physically and emotionally. “We can take this as fast or slow as you need,” he offered sincerely. “No expectations, no pressure. Just… us figuring things out together.” His icy blue eyes studied her profile intently, searching for any sign of discomfort or doubt.

“I just thought I would give you a heads up, for in case I act weird,” Harper said softly and shifted loser to him on the backseat. Oliver’s arm instinctively wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her closer against his side on the black leather seat. The movement was natural, protective, as if her closeness was the most normal thing in the world. “You won’t act weird,” he murmured, his voice low and confident. “Anything you do will be perfectly fine because it is you. Even if you trip over your own feet or spill coffee on yourself, I will still think you are adorable.” His fingers absently traced circles on her upper arm through the fabric of her shirt. The gesture was comforting, familiar already after just one night together. “And besides,” he continued, leaning in slightly so his lips brushed near her ear as he spoke. “If anyone thinks our relationship is weird, they can go jump in Lake Michigan. Their opinions don’t matter.” Outside the car windows, familiar office buildings began appearing on either side of the street as they were nearing their destination.

“Don’t jinx me!” Harper said playfully. “If I spill coffee on myself, I am blaming you.” Oliver laughed, a right genuine sound that filled the confined space of the car. His arm tightening around her shoulders, pulling her even closer until their sides were pressed firmly together. “Deal,” he agreed readily, his lips curving into that dimple smile you were already growing addicted to. “Consider me officially blamed for any future coffee mishaps. Though I reserve the right to defend myself in court should charges be brought.” The car began slowing as it approached the familiar entrance of their office building, its black exterior contrasting sharply with the modern glass facade. The large-scale office building of ThreadForm was mainly composed of glass and steel. The external form of the building was made up of multiple connected rectangular volumes of varying heights, with the tallest section being on the right side, where Oliver’s Office and Harpers desk was located on the fourth floor. The front of the building is dominated by large glass panels arranged in a grid pattern, framed by thin, light-cloured vertical and horizontal beams. The glass reflected the muted sky and surrounding environment of the city, adding a subtle blue-grey tone to the building. The cloudy, overcast skies cast soft diffusing light over the building.

“Remember what I said earlier,” Oliver murmured softly, his thumb stroking along her cheekbone. “No matter what happens today with HR or anyone else at work– you and I are real. What we have is real.” Harper nods lightly. “I will remember,” she agreed softly, looking deep into his icy blue eyes. The car drove past the front gates with ease, the driver nodding at the security guards. Oliver’s thumb brushed across her cheek one last time, before he reluctantly released her as the car came to a smooth halt in front of the building’s main entrance. The driver moved swiftly to open her door, creating a momentary pause in their shared bubble of intimacy. “Have a good morning,” Oliver said quietly, his voice carrying a final note of tenderness. He watched her exit the vehicle, his gaze following her until she disappeared through the automatic glass doors. Only then did he lean back against the black leather seat with a sigh, running a hand through his black hair as if trying to compose himself for the day ahead.

The car then continued around the corner through the columned opening that led to the underground parking garage. The modern underground parking garage, with dark grey asphalt floors and lighter painted parking bays was already relatively packed, with cars neatly parked in marked spaces. The cars vary in colours– red, blue, white, black– and appear to be mostly moder sedans and compact SUVs. Larger lightly grey rectangular concrete columns run in parallel rows along both sides of the lanes, supporting the ceiling. Around the base of each column are black-and-yellow hazard stripes. Long, linear LED light fixates mounted in rows, evenly illuminating the underground parking garage with bright light. Oliver’s car drives smoothy toward his designated parking spot closes to the elevator. For a moment Oliver remained seated in the car with the driver, preparing for the day ahead.

After a while, with a deep sigh he got out of the car and walked towards the elevator. Once inside he pressed the button for the fourth floor. As the elevator ascended with a low hum, he imagined Harper already at his desk waiting for him. He started thinking about how he should act when he sees her, what he should say and then he tries to recall what morning greeting her use to give her before… The elevator dinged at arrival and Oliver was slightly disappointed to see Harper had not arrived at her desk yet. He entered his office, scanning the document piles on his desk and sighing heavily.