Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 It’s None Of Your Business

Grayson ignored Eloise and continued to sign his documents. Eloise said, “Mr. Pierce, I’ve delivered the papers. Would you like me to read them for you today?”

Grayson fell silent. ‘Read them? So she can drive me to the edge again? I wasted an hour in the bathroom yesterday afternoon because of her.’

He set down his pen and looked up at her. “Sit on the sofa over there.”

Eloise thought he had something to say and did as she was told, settling onto the sofa.

But once again, Grayson lowered his head and returned to his work, just leaving her sitting there. He kept her like that for a full hour. Eventually, Eloise drifted off to sleep right where she sat.

Grayson put down his pen. His gaze landed on Eloise dozing on the sofa, with her head resting in her hand. His eyes darkened slightly.

When Eloise woke, Grayson’s face was only inches from hers. She startled, almost falling off the sofa. Fortunately, a large hand caught her around the waist just in time, holding her steady.

“Ms. Caldwell, is my office really that comfortable?” Grayson’s voice was edged with sarcasm. “Comfortable enough for you to fall asleep just sitting here?”

Eloise’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She wished she could just disappear. She slipped out of Grayson’s hold and scooted to the far end of the sofa, putting as much distance between them as possible.

“I’m very sorry, Mr. Pierce. I didn’t sleep well last night. Your sofa is indeed very comfortable, so I just nodded off without realizing,” she apologized.

Grayson straightened up, sliding one hand into his trouser pocket. “Why didn’t you sleep well? What were you doing last night?”

Eloise hadn’t expected that question. Grayson hadn’t expected to ask it either. A flicker of regret crossed his face, but he still wanted to know the answer.

Eloise’s voice was flat. “Nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.”

Yesterday after school, Noah’s teacher had mentioned Noah was quiet and kept to himself, preferring to read alone in the corner. Eloise had tossed and turned all night, worried Noah might get bullied.

Grayson thought she was lying. “Out with some man?” he asked.

Eloise stared at him, lost for words. She thought he was being completely unreasonable. “Mr. Pierce, who I spend my time with is none of your business.”

Grayson’s jaw tightened. He was about to speak when a knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” he said.

Hearing the coldness in his voice, a young assistant pushed the door open carefully, only to walk into a tense and charged scene.

The assistant’s mind was racing. ‘The whole office is talking about who this Ms. Caldwell is, and now she’s been in Mr. Pierce’s office two days in a row.

‘Something’s definitely going on. No one dares ask, though. Mr. Pierce has been on edge lately.’

Grayson lost patience as the assistant kept glancing at them with curiosity. “If you have something to say, then say it,” he snapped.

The assistant jumped. “Mr. Pierce, Ms. Hayes has invited you to dinner tonight. I checked your schedule. You have no other pla…”

Before the assistant got to finish the word, Grayson cut her off sharply. “I’m busy,” he said coldly.

The assistant mumbled an “okay” and hurried out, throwing one last look at Eloise before closing the door.

So Mr. Pierce has eyes for Ms. Caldwell, not Ms. Hayes. Oh. I forgot about Ms. Hopkins. What does Mr. Pierce feel for her? People say she’s the one he never got over,’ the assistant thought on her way back to her office.

Even with her head down, Eloise could feel Grayson’s angry stare. ‘This man is impossible. He’s spouting nonsense with that cutting tongue. After just a few years, the sweet, gentle Grayson I once knew is gone.’ A pang of sadness touched her heart.

Finally, she couldn’t stand the heavy weight of his gaze any longer and gave in first. “Mr. Pierce, I know you have issues with me, but we’re at work now. We should keep things professional.”

Grayson’s voice was icy. “Are you saying I’m letting personal feelings get in the way?”

Eloise wanted to say yes, but she didn’t dare. Grayson’s anger flared, his patience thin. Just then, Eloise’s phone rang. It was Beckett. She answered right away. “Mr. Hayes.”

“Where are you now?” Beckett asked.

“I’m at VirtuFusion Group, delivering documents to Mr. Pierce,” Eloise said.

“Documents?” Beckett asked, his voice tight. “Who told you to go?”

“Your father,” Eloise answered truthfully.

“Come back now,” Beckett ordered.

“Oka…” Eloise didn’t get to finish. A large hand snatched the phone from hers.

“Mr. Hayes, Ms. Caldwell and I still have a few points to discuss regarding the proposal. She’ll be back a little later,” Grayson said.

Beckett fell silent on the other end, furious. ‘Damn it. Grayson has no respect for me. But the Yaiville Resort project is a rare chance for us to work with VirtuFusion. If this falls apart, my father will blame it all on me.’

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