“We’re here.” I stop walking and he does too, taking in the glass door in front of us, a frown imprinted on his forehead.
“Where is here, exactly?”
“You’ll see.” I remove a white plastic card from my back pocket and swipe it against a box on the wall near the entry. It beeps, the light beneath it turning green. Pulling the door open, I gesture for Oliver to go inside. I follow behind him, sliding my hand back into his, before quickly using the keycard to disarm the alarm system.
There’s a faint glow from the emergency lighting that remains on, but otherwise the foyer is dark.
“Where are we?”
“Hold on, I’ll show you. Any chance you’re afraid of heights?”
“Nope. I like them.”
“Great. Then I think you’ll enjoy this.”
With Oliver’s hand in mine, I lead us to a bank of elevators, and use my card to call one down, the doors opening in front of us.
“How do you have a key to this place?”
I press the button for the forty-seventh floor, and we stand close together as the lift ascends. It’s a small space, and I’m acutely aware of Oliver’s body heat and the scent of his cologne. Soapy with a hint of fresh spice. My stomach does a somersault, which I put down to the height we’re reaching as the light on the lift panel moves from forty-four to forty-five.
“My father owns it. Well, his company does. His office is on the top floor.”
“Wow, that’s impressive. And you have a key to come and go as you please?”
“Of course. I’m daddy-dearest’s favourite child.”
“I didn’t know you had siblings,” Oliver remarks, leaning against the mirrored wall of the elevator.
“Oh no, I’m an only child.” I beam at him and he scoffs playfully, bumping his shoulder into mine.
“What does he do?”
I shrug. “Property, investments. Hedge funds. Big money things.”
“Sounds boring,” Oliver jokes.
“Oh, it is. But it has its perks.”
We arrive on the forty-seventh floor and I cover Oliver’s eyes with my hand as the doors open.
“Uh, what are you doing?” His one hand moves to rest over mine.
“Trust me. Keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them.”
“O-kay,” he replies, stretching out the word. Taking his other hand, I pull him out of the lift and lead him into the room, keeping his back to the elevator.
Once I’m happy with his position, I let go of him, then skip into the large empty space and fling my arms wide on either side of me.
“Surprise! Welcome to The Vista.”
Oliver opens his eyes, and I spin on my toes, arms open, sweeping around the expanse. His eyes widen.
“Holy shit. This is incredible!” He takes large steps across the wooden floor, reaching up to press his hands to the thick glass. I move to stand at his side. The City of London lies beneath us, a tapestry of tiny lights glittering for miles. Three of the four walls of this part of the building are glass, the views stretching for as far as the eye can see. The entire space is empty, designed to be a viewing platform for those who work in the building. It’s the best place in London, in my opinion.
“You can see more in the day, but the view at night is my favourite. I like to come up here when something is bothering me and I need somewhere quiet to think. A place where the world is still, when outside it’s moving at a rapid pace.”
“This is…” Oliver swallows. “Unreal.” He looks at me, the boyish grin on his face more carefree and delighted than I’veseen on him since we met. It’s hard to believe that was only three days ago.
