Chapter 35: Morning Coffee

Inside the building’s bustling lobby, employees streamed past each other heading toward elevators and the coffee stands. The lobby has high ceilings and a single visible level. On the right side of the main entrance, there is a large flat-screen display mounted on the wall showing a close-up of a smartphone interface, showing informational content. Below and beside it, a sign reads “Main Entrance Information →,” suggesting this is a central navigation point within the building. A few plants are placed around the area, adding a touch of greenery to the otherwise clean, modern interior. The floor is covered in a patterned dark carpet, which contrasts with the light-colored walls. Harper’s heels clicked confidently on the polished marble floor as she navigated the familiar route towards the small mobile coffee cart which stood prominently right by the main entrance. The cart is white with the word “Coffee Fix” written in a stylized red script on the front. On top of the cart are various coffee-making tools: an espresso machine, cups, milk containers, and bottles of syrup. A barista—wearing a bright yellow cap, a striped shirt, and with long hair—appears focused on preparing a drink. To the left of the cart, several coworkers are gathered casually. They are dressed in business-casual attire, many wearing ID badges on lanyards. Two individuals in the foreground are engaged in conversation, one holding a cup of coffee. Behind them, two more people stand near an escalator, also talking. They greet Harper with friendly smiles as she walks past toward the coffee cart.

The barista, Philip, looks up and greets Harper. “Good, morning. A little late today, aren’t you?” he asks casually and pick up to tall takeaway cups. “Your usual?” he asks. “Yes please,” Harper answers and starts taking her wallet out of her purse. “Traffic was a bit busy this morning. Luckily, I still have time for my caffeine fix.” Philip starts preparing her drink order– one cappuccino and one black coffee– just like he does every morning. “Luckily. You missed quite the traffic jam here earlier,” he says jokingly. He places the takeaway cups on the counter at the same time as Harper places money on the counter. Harper places two black coffee cup lids on the brown and white takeaway coffee cups. “Thanks, Philip. Enjoy the rest of your day,” she says and heads toward the elevator. There are only two employees already in the elevator, and one of them–Charlie– is going to the same floor as Harper so she had no need to press the button.

Harper’s heels clicked confidently as she made her way to her desk. She greets other employees as she walks. At her desk she places her handbag on her chair and her cappuccino on her desk. She then straightens her skirt and walks toward Oliver’s office door, knocking lightly on the slightly open door. “I bought you some coffee,” she said softly with a smile and the takeaway black coffee mug in her hands. Oliver’s head snapped up from the papers spread across his large Mahogony desk, his icy blue eyes immediately locked onto her blue green eyes. A visible wave of relief washed over his features as he saw her standing there holding his favorite drink. “Thank God,” he exhaled, rising from his chair with predatory grace. “I was starting to think I would have to survive on caffeine pills today.” He crossed the distance between them in three long strides, plucking the takeaway coffee mug from her hands before setting it down on an empty corner of his desk. His free hand came up to cup her face gently, thumb brushing over her smiling lips. “You have no idea how much I needed this right now,” he murmured, his voice dropping to that low register that always sent shivers down her spine. “And you.” His gaze intensifies as he leaned in closer. “You are already making my morning better than any coffee could.”

“Hey, watch it at work mister,” Harper warned softly and closed his office door. “We agreed to act professionally at work,” she added, her voice a soft whisper. Oliver’s lips quirked into a smirk as he watched her close the door, his icy blue eyes never leaving her blue green eyes. He leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest in a pose that was equal parts challenging and attractive. “Professional?” he repeated, raising an eyebrow. “I think we passed that point the second you stepped into my apartment last night.” Despite her warning, he made no move to create distance between them. Instead, his gaze roamed openly over her figure in the professional attire she wore. “You look incredible standing there telling me to behave,” he continued in that low voice of his. “It is making it very difficult to focus on these reports I am supposed to be reviewing.” He gestured vaguely toward the stack of papers on his desk without actually looking away from her. His fingers drummed impatiently against his arm as if physically restraining himself from touching her again.

“You look pretty incredible yourself,” Harper said softly, her blue green eyes roaming over his black suit. Then she shakes her head lightly. “But back to work. I will notify you of any new appointments. Enjoy the coffee.” She turned toward the door and placed her hand on the doorknob ready to leave. Oliver’s expression shifted from playful flirtation to genuine frustration as he watched her prepare to leave. He pushed off his mahogany desk and took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them before she could escape. “Wait,” he commanded softly but firmly, his hand covering hers on the doorknob. His large frame blocked her exit effectively. “At least tell me what time that HR meeting is scheduled for.” His icy blue eyes searched hers intensely, searching for any sign of hesitation or regret about their decision to pursue this relationship publicly. The scent of her perfume mingled with the fresh coffee aroma filling his office. “And don’t think for a second that just because we are back at work means I am going to stop noticing how amazing you look,” he added with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his tired eyes.