Some Buildings

 **Tiffany’s pov**

  **Present Day and Time**

  Some buildings weren’t just made of steel and glass. They were built to remind everyone

  who walked through their doors exactly how small they were. Ashford Global Holdings was

  one of those buildings.

  The seventy story skyscraper pierced the Manhattan skyline like it owned the city itself.

  Morning sunlight reflected off its glass exterior, making it impossible to look directly at the

  top. I stood on the sidewalk with my father beside me, clutching my leather portfolio a little

  tighter than necessary.

  “This is intimidating,

  ” I admitted.

  Dad forced a smile.

  “It’s supposed to be.

  ”

  Luxury cars lined the entrance. Men and women dressed in tailored suits hurried through

  revolving glass doors while security greeted each by name. Everything screamed power,

  everything screamed money, and everything screamed that people like us didn’t belong

  here.

  “You ready?” Dad asked.

  I glanced at the building one last time.

  “No.

  ”

  “Me neither.

  ”

  Despite everything, I laughed. That earned me the first genuine smile I’d seen from him in

  days.

  “Let’s go.

  ”

  The lobby stole my breath, I had always noticed, observed and kept details of every building.

  But I had never seen anything like this.

  White Italian marble stretched beneath our feet, polished so perfectly that it reflected the

  enormous crystal chandelier suspended above us. A living wall filled with lush greenery

  stood behind the reception desk, softening the otherwise modern architecture. Water trickled

  gently through a black granite fountain in the center of the room, adding an unexpected

  sense of calm.

  I couldn’t stop looking around. Whoever designed this building understood balance,

  luxury without excess, modern without feeling cold. My designer’s brain immediately started

  analyzing every detail.

  “The walnut paneling is beautiful,

  ” I murmured.

  Dad looked at me in amusement.

  “You’re admiring the walls?”

  “They used natural grain instead of staining it.

  ”

  “Tiffany.

  ”

  “And the lighting is hidden inside recessed coves.

  ”

  He chuckled.

  critique the interior.

  ”

  “Only you would walk into one of the biggest corporations in America and

  “I’m complimenting it.

  ”

  “Same difference.

  ”

  A woman in an elegant navy suit approached us.

  “Mr. Bennett? Miss Bennett?”

  “Yes.

  ”

  She smiled politely.

  “Good morning. Mr. Ashford is expecting you.

  ”

  “The CEO?” I asked before I could stop myself.

  Her smile widened slightly.

  “No.

  ”

  “The chairman.

  ”

  .

  My stomach tightened.

  She led us toward a private elevator. Unlike the others in the lobby, this one required a

  fingerprint scan before the doors opened. Definitely billionaire territory. The elevator moved

  so smoothly that I barely noticed we were ascending. Dad adjusted his tie for what had to be

  the tenth time.

  “Nervous?”

  “I’ve negotiated million dollar contracts before.

  ”

  “That didn’t answer my question.

  ”

  He sighed.

  “I’m terrified.

  ”

  “Me too.

  ”

  The elevator doors slid open, soft cream carpeting replaced marble. Paintings lined the

  walls, each one original if I had to guess. The silence on this floor was almost unsettling, no

  ringing phones, and no hurried footsteps, just quiet confidence. The assistant led us to a pair

  of massive oak doors.

  She knocked once.

  “Mr. Ashford? The Bennetts are here.

  ”

  A warm voice answered almost immediately.

  “Send them in.

  ”

  That wasn’t what I expected, I had imagined someone stern, cold, and demanding.

  Instead, the voice sounded… cheerful.

  The assistant opened the doors.

  “Please.

  ”

  Dad and I exchanged a quick glance before walking inside. The office was enormous,

  floor to ceiling windows overlooked Central Park, bookshelves stretched across one wall,

  and architectural models occupied another.

  Unlike the lobby, this room didn’t feel designed to impress, it felt lived in, and comfortable.

  The man standing near the windows turned as we entered.

  He looked to be nearly eighty, his silver hair neatly combed back, dressed in a charcoal

  suit with a bright blue pocket square that somehow made him appear decades younger. His

  eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “So,

  ” he announced, spreading his arms wide,

  “this is the famous Tiffany Bennett.

  ”

  I blinked, famous? He crossed the room before I could respond, instead of offering a

  handshake, he pulled me into a brief grandfatherly hug. I stood frozen, this was…

  unexpected.

  He stepped back with a grin.

  “You look exactly like your mother.

  ”

  My heart skipped.

  “You… knew my mother?”

  “Oh yes.

  ”

  His smile softened.

  “Brilliant woman.

  ”

  I looked at Dad.

  He seemed just as surprised as I was.

  “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Ashford.

  ” I said

  He waved a dismissive hand.

  “Oh, nonsense.

  ”

  He walked toward a seating area instead of the imposing desk.

  “Call me Richard.

  ”

  “I don’t think I can.

  ”

  “Then humor an old man.

  ”

  I couldn’t help smiling.

  “Much better.

  ”

  “Richard.

  ”

  He gestured for us to sit. Coffee appeared almost instantly, delivered by an assistant who

  disappeared as quietly as she’d arrived.

  “I’ve been following Bennett Interiors for years,

  ” Richard said.

  I frowned.

  “You have?”

  “Your boutique hotel redesign in Brooklyn.

  ” He pointed at me.

  “Beautiful use of natural light.

  ”

  I stared.

  “How do you know about that project?”

  “I own the hotel.

  ”

  My mouth opened, then closed. He laughed.

  “I also own the vineyard in Napa that your father redesigned.

  ”

  Dad looked stunned.

  “And the lakeside resort in Vermont.

  ”

  I turned toward my father.

  “You never told me those belonged to the Ashfords.

  ”

  “I… didn’t know.

  ” My father replied

  Richard smiled proudly.

  “You’ve both done exceptional work.

  ”

  Warmth spread through my chest. Praise from someone of his reputation meant more

  than I wanted to admit.

  “Thank you.

  ”

  He leaned back comfortably.

  ”

  company.

  “Which is why I wanted to meet the people behind the

  Hope flickered inside me. Maybe… this really was about an investment, maybe Bennett

  Interiors wasn’t finished after all. Richard seemed to read my thoughts.

  “I understand your company has experienced some… unfortunate circumstances.

  ”

  Dad’s expression fell.

  “We have.

  ”

  “A shame.

  ”

  Richard nodded sympathetically.

  hardship.

  ”

  “Talent shouldn’t disappear because of temporary

  “I agree.

  ”

  “So…

  ” He folded his hands.

  “I’d like to make you an offer.

  ”

  I straightened instinctively.

  “We’re listening.

  ”

  “I’ll clear every debt Bennett Interiors currently owes.

  ”

  Dad inhaled sharply.

  Richard continued as though he hadn’t just changed our lives.

  keep their jobs.

  ”

  “I’ll guarantee your employees

  I gripped my coffee cup tighter.

  “I’ll also award Bennett Interiors exclusive interior design contracts for every Ashford Global

  luxury hotel built over the next two years.

  ”

  My heart pounded. This wasn’t an investment, this was a miracle. I looked at my father,

  his eyes had become glassy with emotion.

  “Richard…

  ”

  He couldn’t finish.

  Richard smiled kindly.

  “You don’t need to thank me yet.

  ”

  The room suddenly felt very still.

  “Because,

  ” he continued calmly,

  “there is one condition.

  ”

  Of course there was, nothing this generous came without a price.

  “What condition?” I asked carefully.

  His eyes met mine.

  “You.

  ”

  Confusion showed on my brows.

  “Me?”

  “I’d like you to marry my grandson.

  ”

  There was complete, utter, silence. I waited for him to laugh, but he didn’t. I looked at my

  father, he looked just as shocked as I felt.

  “I’m sorry,

  ” I said slowly.

  “I don’t think I heard you correctly.

  ”

  Richard’s smile never faded.

  “I’d like you to marry Damian.

  ”

  My pulse roared in my ears.

  “

  …Excuse me?”

  “It would only be for two years.

  ”

  I stared at him, certain this had to be some elaborate joke.

  “You’re serious.

  ”

  “Entirely.

  ”

  I stood so quickly my chair scraped across the floor.

  Richard remained remarkably calm.

  “I don’t need to.

  ”

  “No.

  ”

  “You haven’t heard the full proposal.

  ”

  “Tiffany” my father began.

  I turned to him in disbelief.

  “You’re actually considering this?”

  “I’m listening.

  ”

  “I am not marrying a man I’ve never met.

  ”

  Richard folded his hands.

  “I thought you might say that.

  ”

  “Then why ask?”

  “Because I believe you’ll change your mind.

  ”

  I laughed once, it was a sharp, disbelieving sound.

  “You don’t know me very well.

  ”

  “Oh, I think I know enough.

  ”

  He stood and walked toward the windows.

  “My grandson is many things.

  ” His voice

  became thoughtful.

  “Stubborn, arrogant, insufferably dedicated to his work.

  ”

  I folded my arms.

  “You’re not exactly selling him.

  ”

  Richard chuckled.

  “No.

  ”

  He looked back at me with an unreadable smile.

  common than either of you realizes.

  ”

  “I doubt that.

  ”

  “But I think the two of you have more in

  “Perhaps.

  ”

  He walked back toward us.

  “I won’t ask for your answer today.

  ”

  “There won’t be another answer.

  ”

  “We’ll see.

  ”

  He handed me a simple black business card.

  I looked down at the card, then back at him.

  “Meet Damian first.

  ”

  “I promise you…

  ” I placed it carefully on the coffee table… I’m never marrying your grandson”

  Richard only smiled, and for some reason… that smile made me feel as though he’d already seen an ending I couldn’t