Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

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Despite going to bed late, Eloise’s internal clock woke her at six M. Juliette was still fast asleep.

After washing up, Eloise went downstairs and jogged around the apartment complex for an hour. The sweat and exercise left her feeling clear–headed and energized.

Not wanting to cook, she went to a breakfast cafe outside the complex and bought three sets of breakfast sandwiches and coffee.

Back home, Noah was up and dressed. Juliette remained asleep.

Noah padded over. “Morning, Mommy.”

Eloise smiled. “Morning, sweetie. Did you wash up and brush your teeth? Let’s have breakfast.”

Noah asked, “Should we wake up Juliette?”

“Let her sleep. We’ll eat first.” Eloise set one portion aside to keep warm.

After breakfast, Noah announced, “Mommy, I want to go to the brary today.”

Eloise nodded. “Sure thing. Go get your jacket.”

She left a note for Juliette and took Noah out. They spent the whole day at the library, having lunch at a nearby cafe.

Monday arrived, bringing the usual grind. Eloise had barely settled at her desk when Beckett called her into his office. “I need you to accompany me on a business trip tomorrow.”

Eloise was taken aback. When she first started working for him, she had made it clear she couldn’t travel due to Noah. Beckett, aware of her situation, had never asked her to.

Back in Ucrevine, his role rarely required travel, and any necessary trips were handled by other staff. But headquarters was a different beast.

Eloise hesitated a bit before asking, “Mr. Hayes, is it possible to send someone else? I have my son. I can’t leave him.”

Beckett looked at her. “You know my position here, Ms. Caldwell I don’t trust anyone else to accompany me. In this corporate snake pit, she was one of the few people he could rely on.

He thought for a moment. “How about this; bring your son to my place, I have a live–in housekeeper who can look after him while we’re gone,”

After a brief hesitation, Eloise agreed. She was an employee; she couldn’t refuse reasonable work assignments forever. Beckett had gone out of his way to provide a solution. It was time to be professional and stop making excuses.

That evening, she explained the situation to Noah. He was surpingly understanding and agreed to stay at Beckett’s house

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Grayson had just returned from a week–long business trip abroad. After a shower, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Eloise: [Dinner tomorrow night. Bring Noah |

The message failed to send. Grayson stared at his screen, stume Then, anger surged through him. ‘She blocked my

number.

He found her number and called. Eloise was in the shower. Noal hearing the phone ring, picked it up and knocked on the bathroom door. “Mommy, you’ve got a call.”

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Chapter 20

“Can you answer it for me, sweetie?” Eloise’s muffled voice came hrough the door.

“Okay.” Noah swiped the green icon and put the phone to his ear “Hello?”

Grayson recognized the child’s voice and forced his anger down Is your aunt there? Let me speak to her.”

Noah recognized Grayson’s voice. “She’s taking a shower. Can’t come to the phone.”

Grayson was silent for a beat.

Then, Noah spoke up, his tone carefully casual. “Mr. Pierce, can you do me a favor?”

Grayson raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

He was then stunned by Noah’s question. “Can I stay at your house for a few days?”

Grayson froze.

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Noah explained, “My aunt has to go on a business trip. I have nowhere to go.” He didn’t want to go to Beckett’s house, but he hadn’t wanted to make things harder for Eloise either.

Grayson caught the key words. “A business trip? With whom?”

“With Mr. Hayes. Her boss.” Then, Noah waited, but Grayson didn’t respond immediately. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face. “Never mind. I’ll just go to Mr. Hayes’s house.”

“Who said you’re going to Beckett’s house?” Grayson’s voice was sharp.

“My aunt. She’s worried about leaving me alone. Mr. Hayes has a housekeeper who can watch me,” Noah answered truthfully.

Grayson immediately said, “You’re not going there. You’re coming to my place.”

Noah bit his lip to suppress a smile. “Okay. Can you pick me up tomorrow morning? We live at the Maple Apartments.”

He thought quickly. “My aunt is taking me to Mr. Hayes’s place tomorrow. We’ll be getting a taxi at the front gate. You should come early. Don’t tell her I gave you the address. Say you found out yourself.”

Grayson

rolled his eyes. Noah had set him up to take the blame. The kid had a shrewd little mind for his size.

What infuriated Grayson even more was the confirmation that oise had lied to him again. She didn’t live in the complex she’d mentioned to him. The names were different.

What’s her game? Blocking my number, giving fake addresses? she afraid I’ll stalk her? The thought was absurd and insulting.

Not hearing Grayson’s response, Noah asked, “Mr. Pierce? Are you still there?”

“I’m here,” Grayson replied, his mind made up. “I’ll be there torrow morning”

“Bye, Mr. Pierce.” Noah hung up, a triumphant little simile on his face, and hurried off to pack his small suntcase.

When Eloise came out of the bathroom, she found Noah diligely packing clothes into his little carry on Her heart swelled with pride. “Noah, you’re such a big help.”

Then she remembered the phone call. “Oh, who was calling cal?”

Noah lied right away. “It was a telemarketer. I deleted the numb

“Okay.” Eloise didn’t give it another thought, proceeding to dry r hair and do her skincare routine. She finished her chores,

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hung up the laundry, and finally checked on Noah.

Noah was already asleep, one small hand resting on his chest, looking peaceful and angelic.

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