HIS MEMORY

Chapter 8

Lydia then shortly started to stride in with her head held high and shoulders back, with extreme confidence radiating around her she continued on walking. Her eyes though eventually landed on a few people she already knew from way back and she was really glad to have met all of them again and so were the people who had worked with her previously. They were all really excited to work with Lydia one more time on this new and soon to be brought out product.

After saying "hi" and "hello" to everyone Lydia steadily made her way inside the building. And she couldn't help but think this place was very classy and filled with a lot of extrinsic furnishing. Most of the decor inside the building was done with mirror work and metal which was kind of unusual for most of the official and professional places but then she thought maybe the Sullivan's liked exaggerated artwork and so she shrugged it off and started to walk a little deeper inside the building. And this time she saw 4 elevators on her left-hand side as people were rushing into it. She then saw 2 escalators right in front of her and reception office towards her left.

At the same time, Lydia could also notice a large crowd filling up the entire building one by one as she still was very much looking around the place so that she could get to know this place we'll. Lydia then slowly let out a slight even breath and started making her way towards the elevator as well. She was excited and ready both at the same time. But before she could even reach the elevator someone immediately rushed towards her and the clicking of the heels made it seem like the person was running towards her.

"Miss Robbinson." Someone called out her name and frankly it more like yelled out her name which only made Lydia turn back around completely alarmed at that very moment and the very first thing that came to her mind was "what the hell?".

The moment Lydia turned around the first thing she saw was a young girl rushing right towards her. She was a really tiny woman just like Lydia was. Her outfit was very very colorful and bright and that was how she was looking too. Her expression held so much excitement and happiness and Lydia didn't even know why. Although she was looking at her with a very confused expression on her face as to why the girl literally ran towards her. The moment she reached Lydia she tried to calm herself down but was failing very very badly.

"Miss Robbinson, it's such a pleasure to finally meet you." She said as her voice got all screechy and weird and frankly she did look really very glad to have met her as well. Lydia, on the other hand, was really taken aback from all of this.

"Ms. Robbins on, it's so nice to meet you."

The girl said immediately offering her hand to have a formal handshake with Lydia and with a small smile on her face Lydia takes her hand and gives her a firm shake.

"It's nice to meet you too miss....." She asked the girl with a slight look of confusion on her face. 

"Peyton Larsson, Miss Robbinson." She said her entire name with an enormous smile on her face. At this point, Lydia nodded her head again giving her a small and sweet smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Peyton," Lydia said out her name almost making her blush out a little which again surprised Lydia but just a little bit.

"Actually I was assigned by Mr. Kade to assist you today and show you around the building. It can be a little confusing to some people." She said 

"Mr. Kade just wanted you to feel comfortable Ms. Robbinson." She explained it to her while Lydia just stood there quietly listening to this new person in front of her and frankly, she was comfortable at this point. And the fact that Mr. Kade apparently was soooo considerate made her feel welcomed and that was more than enough for Lydia. Even though new places are really scary at first, she knew she would eventually get used to all of this in no time.

"If you could just please follow me," Peyton said walking towards the elevator, guiding Lydia as she walked right ahead of her and without wasting a second Lydia too start to walk behind her and towards the elevator. They instantly got inside of it and Peyton pressed the no 44 and the elevator started to move up. They both patiently waited to reach the floor or well only Lydia was patiently waiting to reach the floor while Peyton was fidgeting in her place making Lydia look at her a little worried. She really did look a little nervous and all of this was actually really making Lydia nervous because it was almost like a continuous effect really. 

Lydia then tried to look somewhere else to divert her mind away from her. She looked out to the elevator and at the slow-moving traffic around the building BUT she still couldn't avoid her and this elevator wasn't even fast enough to reach the floor and just open up. She at this point was literally cursing this little metal box she was trapped in.

Lydia looked at Peyton one more time from the corner of her eyes, trying not to make it obvious she was watching. But still, she could see her fidgeting around making Lydia feel uneasy just like she herself was feeling at this point. 

"Peyton is there something wrong?. Are you okay?." She asked hoping to get something back from this.

But this immediately alarmed Peyton, her expression turned drastically and she immediately turned to look at Lydia.

"Oh, I am so sorry Miss. Robinson, it is just that you are actually a big deal here and also I am a huge fan of your work with the lighter's company. People still talk about the campaign and the advertisement and marketing done for that brand." She said trying not to contain herself anymore and it was not like she really could do so. Her excitement was on the roof and right about now nothing could really stop her. She had just met her idol. Lydia, on the other hand, was really shocked by all of this. It wasn't really a big deal as Peyton made it sound real. To her it just worked she was giving and she just did what she always did. Lydia just gave it her best and the product just picked up and still was running successfully to date. Never the less it was still her best work, which she too was proud of.  

At this point, Lydia could she her eyes popped open and a large smile on her face.

"I also read your interview on Times magazine, you were so inspiring," Peyton said now getting a little too excited but in a sweet way. Lydia literally couldn't help but give her a large smile.

"That's really sweet of you, thank you," Lydia said been very humble here with her.

"You didn't know about this did you?." Peyton asked him as she could see how shocked Lydia looked by all of her comments. and Lydia immediately shakes her head agreeing to the statement she just made.

"This is a first for me," Lydia said as a small laugh escaped her mouth.

"Well, Miss Robbinson you are big deal over here, you might want to get used to it," Peyton said smirking at her a little bit. Lydia, on the other hand, doesn't really know how to respond to that in particular.  That was mostly because she doesn't really get out of the house much and see the world outside. Writing a book is a lot of work and takes a lot of time and mental peace. Also at the same time, she didn't really like getting out of her dream world and going out to reality. That one place where everything was always so messed up. She would rather be in her novel than anywhere else really, so all of this was too much for her and she clearly didn't know all of this was happening and people know her and whatnot.

"Maybe I should get out more," Lydia said to herself in a whisper of a voice.

"What?." Peyton said immediately looking at Lydia.

"No, nothing." She said back to her giving her a big ass smile, with only one thing running in her mind. "When will this damn elevator open". Lydia thought to herself.

And right on time, the elevator doors immediately opened up and Peyton without wasting a single second stepped out of it as Lydia too rushed out right behind her, as she was way too happy to be finally out of there. It was really quite a long ride up here. 

"This way Miss Robbinson." She said and walked ahead of Lydia while she followed right behind her. 

Lydia's eyes roamed around the large hall into the front of her. Everything just looked so glamorous and white and so calm. This entire hall was mostly empty but just with a few artworks here and there. White marble had covered up the entire place was some beautiful paintings covering up most of the walls.

"This floor is just for personal offices only Ms. Robbinson. It is very private from all the other floors in this building." She said turning around to glance at Lydia as Lydia simply just nodded her head understanding while she was looking around this elegant hallway. She most definitely likes this place and that was because it was very private here. That was something she really liked a lot.

Both of them passed the hallway and made their way towards the other part of this floor where there were more and more large windows so that the natural light could come inside. Lydia was loving everything about this place and that was something she never really did feel were ever she went. It almost felt like she was very very calm to be here and that was something she didn't always feel.

"Over to your right is Mr. Lawrenso Morrissey's office," Peyton said pointing towards the closed double door towards Lydia's right. She could see his name on the door but didn't really know who he was and Peyton could clearly guess that.

"He is one of the partners of this company and also will be a part of this campaign this year." She said while Lydia again nodded her head understanding. This was all quite helpful to her really. 

"And over to your left she Mr. Dastan's office, the other partner. A new one." She continued on.

They both walked a little further ahead and reached another double door.

"And his one right here is your office ma'am," Peyton said pointing towards her left and immediately walks up to the door and opens it up her Lydia and the moment the door opens Peyton moves out of the way so that she can get in. And that was what Lydia did. She immediately walked into the room as her eyes roam around this beautiful and gorgeous office right in front of her. 

Her eyes immediately popped open in surprise and excitement. This was her office and it was so cute and huge in here and at the same time it was very very bright, that was something Lydia loved about this entire room. Natural light was something she loved personally and to her, it was almost like a positive thing. She walked a little deeper into the room and towards the windows of this high building. The glass windows came from the ceiling to the floor making sure the person in this room could have a great view of this beautiful city.

Lydia's eyes were stuck to all the beautiful things she could see from up here and the best part of this view was the site of Empire State building she could see from her window. A small smile crept onto her face as she could literally see most of the island around her. This was different, this was very different from the office she had when she was working for her dad. It was just a small yet beautiful office. But small. 

What really caught her eyes was a large library that was on her right side of the complete edge of the room and with two comfortable chairs and a large sofa right next to an enormous amount of book. Right there and then Lydia immediately knew this would be where she would go on writing her book. All because it looked really comfortable and nice at the same time. At this time Lydia felt like she was literally in heaven already. There was also a small washroom on the other side of the room and an empty space right in front of it. Lydia already knew she was going to have some of her gym equipment in that part of the room. A treadmill, some dumbles and what not. And not by surprise Lydia was very much excited for all of this.

While she was looking around the room Peyton patiently stayed there waiting for her to say something and react to all of this.

"This is nice." A small yet satisfying voice came out of Lydia's mouth. She was beyond happy about this place and immediately turned around to look at Peyton, who at this point looked very relaxed and let out a small breath that she was holding in.  

And this caught Lydia's attention.

"Is everything okay?." She asked her worried which only made Peyton smile at her.

"It's all good now Miss Robbinson. It was just that your father made me make sure you like your office and so all of this was my responsibility and I was hoping to have done it all right." She said looking and sounding nervous at the same time.

Lydia was really impressed by this and it was very clearly seen on her face at too. Never the less the fact that her father made someone do all of this for her made her heart swell up a little.

Even though they were both a little distant from each other for many years her father still tried to do so much for her and that was more than enough already for Lydia. And for all of this, she was happy, she was really happy. 

"Let me show you around the office now, so that you don't get uncomfortable and also get lost. It can be a maze around here in this building.

"Awesome," Lydia said making her smile and both of them immediately walked out of her office and Peyton started to walk ahead of her while Lydia's eyes caught something. And as Peyton couldn't hear her heels clicking on the floor she turned around to look at her.

"Whose office is that?." She asked her as Lydia was eyes another double door on the end of the hallway. That was the only room there, in the corner of the building.

"Oh, that would be Mr. Sullivan's office." She said as Lydia nodded her head.

"Is he here?." She asked her still for some unknown reason looking at that closed doors. But right in front of the door, there was a reception. Every personal office on this floor had reception and two staff in them. Lydia could see both the girl talking to someone furiously on the phone.

"Not yet Miss, but he will be here soon and they are Mr. Sullivans's assistance. You will have me and Dalia as your assistance from today." She said and Lydia immediately took her eyes off of the door and nodded her head. Without wasting a second more she started to make her way towards Peyton and both of them turned around and started to walk towards the elevator again so that Peyton could give her an overview of this place and get the new member of this company comfortable.

For about 15 minutes or so Peyton showed Lydia around. She showed her the canteen where the employees would eat and then showed her the place where there was a small cute coffee shop and also a kid's playroom so that the parents can keep their small children here and know they all are safe and taken care of. This was something Lydia though was a great thing and at the same time, the staff was really great with the kids.

 And then Peyton showed her around the place where the staff could rest and relax for some time. All in all, Lydia was really impressed by this place and all that it came with. I was very employee-friendly and at the same time was damn luxurious here and this was everything she loved here. It also felt like a nice place to get all of her work done. She was more than ready to get all of this started immediately.

It was time to eventually go back to her office as she will have to meet up with a lot more people today.

"Who am I meeting today?." Lydia asked Peyton as they were both making their way back to her floor.

Peyton looked at her Tablet and back at Lydia.

"Just Miss Doreen, she will be the only person you will have to meet today. " She said and Lydia nodded her head.

"Who is she exactly?." She questioned not knowing the person she was about to meet. 

"We get models from her company ma'am. She will be a part of this campaign too." Peyton said and again Lydia listened to her very carefully and nodded her head. They both were about to get into the elevator and to her office but immediately Lydia's eyes landed on her sister. Freya was on this floor working and she didn't even know she was here on the same floor.  Freya was talking to people and never the less she looked very professional and this was the very first time Lydia saw her working or even being civil for ones in her life. Which was actually really nice to see but at the same time, Lydia was a little surprised too. And at this sight, she had a small smile on her face. Freya might be a b***h but she is so much more than that.

Lydia and Peyton made their way towards the elevator and got in one more time.

Both of them immediately reached the floor and they were making their way to her room when suddenly someone's presence distracted Lydia and she immediately turned around and what she saw presently shocked her and left her in that very stage.

"I cannot believe this, Lydia Shyie Robbinson." The person said in his smart yet husky voice and that right there and then made Lydia's heartbeat as violently as possible. She couldn't really believe her eyes at this point. All she could do what just stand there all star-struck at that very moment. 

"Dastan ?." A small whisper came out of her as she called out his name still looking at the man right in front of her in shock and at the same time in confusion as well. 

But the man, on the other hand, all he could do was give her a genuine smile and he did look like he was happy, really happy to see her too. 

"Wha... what are you doing here?." She asked him trying to get all the words together. Which at this point proved to be a little difficult for Lydia. The man just looked at her for a few seconds and slowly walked up even closer towards Lydia. As she stood there without moving a single muscle and it was not like she really could right now. 

"Good morning Mr. Brooks," Peyton said the moment her eyes landed on him and slowly he took his eyes off of Lydia and looked at Peyton, giving her a small smile.

"Good morning to you Peyton."

He said to her.

"Peyton, can you please get me some coffee?. Vivian is busy and I haven't had my coffee yet." He asked her as a small request to which Peyton immediately nodded her head. There was literally no one who could say no to Dastan Brooks really. He was drop-dead gorgeous and breathtaking really. One of the most handsome men in this build and even Peyton couldn't say no to this man or just maybe his smile.

"Of course Mr. Brookes." She said trying not to blush at him and she immediately walked away from both of them. Leaving Lydia alone there with him. Still, nothing had changed actually, she was still standing there simply just looking at him which she didn't know she was doing right about now.

He again looked right at her to see the weird expression she had on her face. Though he was trying his hardest not to laugh he couldn't help but give her an amused look. 

"Lydia?." He said calling out her name.

"Yea?." She said back blinking her eyes while she was still in her stance at the moment. And he, on the other hand, got even closer and slowly bent down just a little bit. But still not taking his eyes off of her, not even for a single second. 

"Breath." He said to her, still not looking away from her. And right there and then Lydia realized what she was doing and within a second blinked as fast as she could. She came back to reality and let out a large breath she was holding in. Lydia then slowly backed away from him but just a little bit only.

She then again realized something and immediately looked at him just this time like a normal person does.

"Dastan, what are you doing here?." She asked him again trying to contain herself and her very much fragile heart at the moment, which apparently was beating like this was the last time it was ever going to beat.

 But all he really could do was look at the girl he knew from college.

"What are you doing here?." He questions her back still holding on to the small amused look on his face.

Immediately Lydia gave him you better answer me look and this time she stood in front with more confidence than she had before.

But he just stood there looking at her with those eyes which were obviously affecting Lydia. There is so much so happening right now inside of her and many feelings she has in her heart.

"You really changed a lot." He said looking at every single detail of her face. Which made Lydia smile, but just a little bit, only because she really couldn't help. 

"Well, you haven't changed either." She said looking him up and down. He still looks the same as he did before. Still the same brown hair, brown eyes, tall and broad and just beautiful.

"True, true. "He said smiling at Lydia and her comment and slowly looking away for a while and then back at her. He too couldn't believe she was here right now.

"Still very short, just like always."  He said making fun of her, knowing how this comment was going to affect Lydia and surprisingly he was ready for her to go off immediately. Right here and now. And that was what happened. Lydia went from smiling at him to giving him an evil eye. which looked like it was on stand by and needless to say, Dastan was so amused to see this as it reminded him of the old times when they both were always together. He always made her this angry to get this reaction out of her. It always made her look beautiful.

But she just loses our s**t and senses.

"Take that back Dastan." She said trying to threaten him and he was very closing to laughing on her face, WHICH he thought was best to avoid right about now. But at the same time, he just loved messing with her all the time. Nothing has changed much, she was the same way in college and the same even now.

"Not happening." He said back smirking and messing with her as his smile grew bigger and bigger and immediately Lydia's stomach turned, her heartbeat got faster and her hands numb. She didn't really know how all of this was possible but it was all happening. 

Out of nowhere suddenly Dastan slowly touched her hair immediately messing up her hair, making her hair fall on her face as Lydia just stood there in shock.

Dastan, on the other hand, slowly backed away from her enjoying all of this and the wonderful reaction he was getting out of her. This was something he was actually hoping for at this moment. Her angry face was actually quite delightful to watch.

"You..." Lydia said immediately fixing her messed up hair and pushing it all behind her shoulders, still very much giving him an evil look. 

"Seriously, what are you doing here?."

"I am also a part of this campaign for this year, I and my brother decided that we should be a part of this and here I am."

"August is here?." Lydia asked him a little confused and a little happy state at the same time. But Dastan was not so happy about this and it wasn't like he could really say something. August was her friend too and of course, she was going to be happy about the fact that he was going to be working here with her and he got that, even though this did affect him just a little bit. 

"He will be here soon." He said wanted to immediately change the topic. 

"So how many companies have joined together?." Lydia asked him confused, she wasn't really told anything about this and she thought it was just her company that would be a part of this campaign this year. Well, this was really a big ass surprise.

"11 to be exact ." He said back just to see how she didn't know this before.

"Oh," Lydia said really taken aback with the information she was giving right now.

"So Miss Robbinson, where is your office?." He asked her and immediately Lydia pointed at the door right behind her and on that door was her name written in block letter and a large font.

"Impressive." He said smiling as he was genuine very happy to know she would be working right next to him in this project and that fact alone was enough for him. He had really missed her and this time she was close to him like they both were before and that entirely was what made him feel more than happy and grateful.

"So how are things with your sister?." He asked her knowing the deal between Lydia and Freya.

Lydia, on the other hand, smirked at him and said.

"It's the same old. Nothing really has changed." She said as an answer to his question.

"Both of you will be working together." He continued on wanting to know what she has to say about this.

"Well, I don't think It would be necessarily a bad thing really. I think it will all be just fine." Lydia again answered his question, this time with more confidence. 

"She is very headstrong." He said to her and this time this very moment made her laugh.

"That she is," Lydia said and it was really a true fact she was very headstrong and did good work.  

"Why can't you be nice to each other?." He said to her give her a small and sad smile. 

"Have you not meet her? or even better talk to her?." She said smirking at him.

"Why don't you try?."

He said walking a too closer towards her, immediately making her heart skip some more beats. But she just kept a straight face that entire time. He was affecting her just like he always did. All the time. 

"I would love to try, but I am going to be so busy now which will prevent me from bonding with my sister." She said back, looking deep into his eyes.

"Mr. Brooks?." Someone called for him and immediately he backed away from Lydia and looked at Peyton who had come back with his coffee.

"Yes." He asked her a little frustrated. There was the other lady right next to her, tall blonde with great boobs.

"Mister Sullivan will be here in some time so Mr. Lawrenso wants you to wait for them in the meeting room. He said he wants to have a word with you before the meeting starts." The lady said as Peyton handed her his drink.

Dastan immediately nodded his head understanding and said "okay".

The lady then left taking fast steps and Peyton walks towards Lydia's office, again leaving both of them there alone.

"Well, I have to go now Ms. Robbinson. How about we catch up on lunch?." He asked her hoping to get a "yes" for an answer. But all Lydia could do was give him a very uneasy look and that look almost upset Dastan.

"Actually....... I will not be free today, have a lot to do is my first day and all." She said feeling very very bad for saying all of this to him. But it was all the truth. It was her first day and she already knew she would have so much to do.

"Next time. My treat in my cafe." She continued and immediately a large smile spread across Dastan's face. He knew she would keep her word and this will happen no matter what. He couldn't really wait for it.

It was actually quite very refreshing to talk to him and the fact that she did not panic for the very first time was impressive to her.

Dastan immediately stops smiling as his eyes landed on Lydia's smiling face and all he could really do was just look at her, and her smile. 

"I am so happy you are here Lydia." He said as his voice sounded so calm and yet very clear. Lydia, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel great after hearing him say that.

"I am happy to see you too." She said back letting out a small breath she was holding in. 

 "See you later," Dastan said looking deep into her eyes bringing his hand close to her face and slowly pushed a small strand of hair behind the ear and right then walked away leaving Lydia there all alone and in shock. She could feel her face getting hot and was sure her face had gotten all red and whatnot.

 Her entire face had turned numb. Lydia then slowly touched her face with both her hands in an attempt on calming herself down. And slowly right there and then her face crept up a small smile that immediately converted to a big one. Slowly biting her lip Lydia turned around making her way towards her office one more. With her heart still pumping like she had run like a crazy person BUT the true fact was she was happy, she was really very very happy.

"Today is going to be a good day." She said to herself and immediately walked inside her room and closing the doors right behind her. With only one chant going over and over in her head.