Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

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Grayson checked his phone dozens of times that night. The friend request he had sent remained pending, unanswered.

It was a small thing, but it needled at him, a persistent, low–grade itch of frustration. ‘Did she not see it? Impossible. Who doesn’t check their phone constantly these days?

Several hours have passed. There’s no way Eloise hasn’t checked her phone. She must have seen it. She’s choosing not to accept, Grayson thought.

The possibility took root and festered, agitating him to the point where he tossed and turned, sleep eluding him.

‘What is Eloise playing at?‘ Grayson fumed silently in the dark. I she trying to keep me dangling, playing hard to get?‘

A derisive snort escaped him. ‘Fine. Don’t friend me. Does she really think I’d beg her to friend me?‘

*****

Monday arrived with its usual relentless pace. Noah was staying Home again. Eloise got up early to prepare his breakfast and lunch before rushing out the door. With her car in the shop, she had to brave the subway.

Yesterday’s rain had left puddles everywhere. Eloise picked her way carefully through the damp streets, trying to keep her shoes and pants clean.

Ekloland’s morning rush hour was a beast. The subway was a nightmarish crush of bodies, and the connecting bus ride that followed was no better.

By the time Eloise reached the office building, she took a moment in the elevator to smooth her hair and straighten her blouse, checking her reflection to ensure she looked composed and professional.

The workday started at 8:30 AM. Eloise was at her desk by 8:15.

Since their move to Ekloland, the company had assigned two additional assistants to Beckett. They were less assistants than handlers Cyrus had stationed to keep a leash on him.

The Hayes family dynamics were intricate and fraught. For years, Beckett had been kept at a distance, effectively exiled to the Ucrevine branch.

It was only after his older half–brother’s scandal that Cyrus had called Beckett back to headquarters, needing his managerial skills yet determined to control and distrust him simultaneously

Working there gave Eloise a firsthand view of just how convoluted the inner machinations of a wealthy family could be. She thought life in such a complex dynasty seemed exhausting.

At 8:25 AM, the two assistants arrived. “Good morning, Ms. Caldwell,” they chirped in unison.

“Good morning,” Eloise replied with a polite, measured smile of her own.

Beckett arrived just before nine. As he passed Eloise’s desk, he tapped it lightly with his knuckles. “Notify the Project Department. Meeting in thirty”

“Yes, Mr. Hayes.” Eloise stood and headed for the project team’s ca.

After delivering the message, she returned to gather the necessary documents before following Beckett into the conference

room.

The meeting dragged on for three grueling hours.

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Chapter 15

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Afterward, as they walked out of the meeting room, Eloise fell into step beside Beckett. “Mr. Hayes, Felice has ordered funch for you. It’s set up in the private lounge whenever you’re ready.”

Beckett glanced at her. “And you? What are you having?”

The question took Eloise by surprise. “Oh, I have time. I’ll grab something from the cafeteria downstairs.”

Beckett gave a slight nod and continued on his way.

After a quick lunch, Eloise returned to her desk and learned that Beckett had gone to VirtuFusion Group for a meeting. She felt a surge of quiet gratitude that he hadn’t asked her to accompany him.

Despite Grayson’s help after the accident, she wanted to avoid any unnecessary contact.

*****

Cyrus was still in the hospital, reportedly recovering from the spike in blood pressure caused by Tessa’s antics.

Beckett, representing Hayes Group, went to VirtuFusion Group for a crucial meeting, accompanied by three department heads.

When Grayson entered the conference room, his gaze swept pas Beckett, scanning the people around him. Not seeing the face he was unconsciously looking for, a faint shadow passed through his eyes before his expression shuttered completely.

The Yaiville Resort project was a massive undertaking, and every company with the slightest capability was vying for a piece.

Today was decision day. The tension in the room was palpable; every representative was on edge, including Beckett. This was his first major project since returning to headquarters, and he needed a win.

Five intense hours later, VirtuFusion Group announced the thre companies selected for the Yaiville Resort consortium. Hayes Group was one of them.

A wave of relief washed over Beckett, the tight knot in his chest hally loosening. He looked up just in time to see Grayson, his task complete, walking out the meeting room without a backward glance.

By Friday, Eloise still hadn’t heard from Grayson about her car. he didn’t know if it was repaired yet. Hesitating, she finally decided to call him during her lunch break She tried twice but got no answer.

Grayson called back just as she was leaving work. “What is it?” 11 voice was cool and detached.

Eloise was accustomed to this new, indifferent, and often impatient version of Grayson. “Mr. Pierce, I was wondering, is my car ready?”

“Come to Unit C08, No. 58, Vernal Road,” Grayson said.

Eloise assumed her car was parked there. “Alright I’ll head over ow” The line went dead before she could finish speaking.

She shrugged it off and called Juliette. “Hey, are you free later?”

“Totally free. Been lounging around all day.” Juliette replied.

Eloise asked, “Could you pick up Noah for me? My car is ready,d I need to go get it.”

Juliette agreed right away, “Consider it done. I’ll bring him to my place. No problem.”

Eloise smiled. “Thanks, Juliette.”

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Chapter 15

No. 58, Vernal Road was far. A taxi would be expensive, so Eloise ook the bus.

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The journey took over an hour and a half. Stepping off the bus, she found herself in an exclusive neighborhood of stately homes and mansions. Confusion set in.

After a moment’s thought, she concluded this must be where Grayson lived, and perhaps the repair shop had delivered her car there.

She found Unit COS and rang the bell. Grayson answered the door, dressed in soft, smoke–gray loungewear. The casual attire made him seem less rigid, more approachable, with a touch of lazy elegance.

He simply held the door open for her before turning and walking back inside without a word.

Eloise bit her lip and walked into the foyer.

The house was immense. Her eyes scanned the spacious driveway, where two luxury cars were parked: the familiar Bentley and a sleek, silver Lamborghini sports car that looked super cool

Eloise had never seen such a stunning vehicle up close. Then she started her search for a secondhand SUV of her own.

Yeah,‘ she thought wryly, ‘compared to these, my car really is a clunker. But where is it?‘

“Mr. Pierce, where is my car parked?” she asked.

Grayson glanced at her but didn’t answer, disappearing through the doorway into the interior.

Eloise pressed her lips together, feeling uncertain and a little awkward. ‘Is he in a bad mood again? What’s with the cold shoulder? I haven’t done anything!‘

She sighed inwardly. ‘Well, I’m here now. Just get the car and lease.

Eloise entered the house. The vast living room was silent, Grayson nowhere in sight. The plush carpet swallowed all sound.

“Mr. Pierce?” Eloise called out, her voice echoing slightly in the spacious room.

There was no answer. She stood awkwardly in the middle of the avish space.

Then, footsteps sounded from the upper floor. Grayson descended the staircase.

He was now wrapped in a white bathrobe, tied loosely at the wai. His hair was damp, droplets of water clinging to the strands.

The robe ended just above his knees, revealing muscular, well–defined calves. Every step he took landed directly on the frantic, betraying beat of her heart.

Eloise felt heat rush to her cheeks. Her eyes flew to his face, only to catch a water droplet tracing a path from his temple down the side of his neck, disappearing into the hollow of his collarbone.

It was a blatantly distracting sight, a classic just showered‘ scene traight out of a movie.

“You… you took a shower?” Eloise blurted out, her words stumbling. He was in loungewear just a minute ago. Did he decide to shower after I arrived?‘

Grayson paused on the stairs, tilting his head as he looked down her, a faint, unreadable glint in his eye. “Eloise, what are you implying? I was about to shower when you rang the bell. I tew on some clothes to answer the door.”

Now her face was burning. “You could have waited to shower,” she muttered defensively.

A low chuckle escaped him. “I wasn’t feeling comfortable. Why should I wait?”

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Chapter 15

Eloise didn’t answer.

“Did you think I was gonna sleep with you?” Those words made oise blush harder.

She whispered, “I didn’t.”

Grayson continued his descent, stopping directly in front of her

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The clean, masculine scent of soap and his own skin enveloped er. Instinctively, she wanted to step back, but his fingers lightly caught her chin.

It was a deliberately provocative gesture. Grayson turned her face slightly from side to side as if examining her.

“So ordinary,” he pronounced, his tone deliberately flat. “I have absolutely no interest.”

Eloise’s eyes widened, then narrowed into a glare. ‘You jerk!‘ Her mind screamed with the memory of a different version of Grayson.

Five years ago, he couldn’t keep his hands off her and spent more nights in her bed than in his own. His constant attention had made her late for work so many times she’d lost her perfect attendance bonus.