Chapter 35: This Is All Yours??

It is difficult for Maryanne not to let her mouth drop open with awe at the sight of the large building in front of her. Is this where Max works? No, is this really the building he owns?
There must be over forty floors, the entire siding of the structure gleaming glass. The moonlight of the early evening glints off parts of the building, shimmering on the material.
“Woah,” Maryanne releases a sigh as she stares up, her neck aching as she bends it back.
Max watches her from the corner of his eye for a moment. “It’s not that great of a building. Nothing for you to be so starstruck about,” he chuckles at her, his lips curling as he catches the amazement in her expression.
“What are you talking about?” Maryanne only glances at him momentarily, her brow furrowing, before she looks back up at the building in wonder, “This is huge.” She shakes her head at Max’s reaction before looking down at Riley who is staring at a flock of birds. Maryanne begins to laugh, “Riley could care less about it.”
Max sighs, his smile now leaving his face as he also peers up at his building, “Really, it’s not all that.” They stand there in silence for a moment as cars rush by behind them. “Come on, let’s go inside. Riley will catch a cold out here.”
Maryanne nods, allowing Max to gently touch her back to propel her forward. She barely feels the contact through her thick jacket, but the nearness of their bodies causes her to blush. She stares at the ground as she urges Riley to follow along.
All three are able to fit into the partition of the shifting entrance, but Maryanne makes sure that Riley moved quickly enough not to get caught in the moving doors. Once inside, Maryanne tries to take in the blinding sight. The entire first floor is white and clean. The floor is marble, and barely dirty even with so many individuals walking through to get upstairs. Although it is later in the day, there are still workers milling about, paperwork in hand.
“Good evening sir,” One of the young men standing behind the long desk near the elevators smiles at Max.
Max nods in his direction, but his brow twitches, “You’re still here Jack? Go home to your wife.”
Jack chuckles checking his watch, “I will once my shift is over. I have about an hour left.”
Shaking his head to dismiss the comment, Max says, “Sean can take over. Why don’t you take off. I’ll talk to Ben about it.” He waves Jack away as Maryanne follows him passed the desk and toward the elevators.
Jack’s expression lightens, his eyes widening, “Really, thank you so much sir.”
Max nods before they reach the large stainless-steel doors and the man standing in front of them presses the button to go up before returning to a regal position.
“You really think this isn’t that great of a place? It’s pristine and almost too bright to even look at. Everything is so clean and perfect.”
Max huffs, smirking, “If you say so.”
“Sir, welcome back.”
Maryanne eyes the women that pass by with anxious uncertainty.
“Sir, I know you aren’t supposed to be here right now, but while I have you, can I get your signature on these documents?”
“Yes,” Max bends over the woman’s clipboard, signing each line that she points to with her perfectly manicured nail.
Maryanne watches as a satisfied smirk curls the edges of the employee’s lips, but only slightly as Max does not notice it. Her glistening blond hair falls from her shoulder, dangling against Max’s arm as he signs.
She leans just ever so slightly closer to him, “. . .And here. Great, thank you so much,” she smiles and remains in place, forcing Max to be the first to move away, his gaze barely even landing on her.
“No problem. Hurry up and go home for the night.”
A small blush rises in her neck, “Yes sir, of course.” When the woman glances at Maryanne her demeanor shifts and she becomes closed off, her emotions shutting down. There is no evil grin, or anger hidden beneath. Just a wall.
As they leave her behind, they pass buy several more young, attractive women and men on their way across the thirty-fifth office floor.
One employee stops in his movements in order to greet Max, “Mister Ryder, welcome back. I am so sorry that you had to come back this late in the evening.
“It’s alright,” Max nods at a passing office worker before entering a large meeting room. Riley begins running around, pulling out the chairs and wheeling them around. “Maryanne wait here with Riley. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Okay,” Maryanne tries to act confident, but her insides are twisting. The workers here are so dazzling, just like this building. Just like their boss. She never thought that she would actually step foot in a company such as this in her entire life. She is just a small town librarian.
Riley pulls away from Maryanne and begins to run around the room, pushing the chairs around and squealing along as she did so. Sighing, Maryanne quietly sits in one of the head chairs, trying not to slouch. She can feel the eyes of the office on her, watching every move she makes.
As she is busy watching Riley fool around, Maryanne doesn’t quite notice the older gentleman that enters the room until he speaks, “Hello, you must be Maryanne.”
Jumping, she stands, her eyes widening, “Yes, and you are?” She clears her throat, trying to calm herself. She reaches out to grasp his outstretched hand in greeting. His eyes are a bright blue and etched with age. Maryanne shifts uncomfortably, feeling as though she is being silently judged.
The man smiles gently though, contradicting his gaze. He takes a step back and straightens the tie of his luxury suit. “My name is Daniel Ford. I am the CFO of the Ryder Corporation.” He cocks his head to the side, his voice sending a shiver down Maryanne’s neck, “I’ve been waiting to meet you.”