Chapter 15: The Nature of Their Relationship

Madison had no choice but to comply as Grayson would leave no room for excuses. This man had never cared for her feelings.

For years, she had learned if she couldn't resist, she had to accept it quietly. This included the tasks he assigned and the pain he gave.

"Okay."

The meal was exceptionally quiet. Grayson ate with a measured calmness, always valuing manners at the table, barely speaking during meals.

Madison was distracted as she ate. She tried her best to ignore the rumors from the morning, but it still unsettled her.

After they finished eating, Grayson's phone began to ring.

She glanced at the caller ID, which displayed a single letter. "S."

Grayson picked up immediately. "Another issue? Yeah, I've eaten. Sure, got it. Bye."

Madison had her suspicions about who was on the call. Aside from that so-called first love, no one else could bring out such tenderness in Grayson.

"Rushed off last night because your old flame popped up, huh?" Madison inquired, her tone casual.

Grayson fiddled with his aromatherapy diffuser nearby and glanced at Madison upon hearing her question. "That's personal, Madison. It's none of your business," he replied curtly.

Madison fell silent for a couple of seconds. "I'm just worried if I'm about to be jobless."

Grayson looked up at her, startled by the comment. "Do you have a back-up plan, Madison?"

The corner of Madison's mouth curled up. "I can't exactly let myself starve, can I?"

Grayson's expression turned serious as he fixed his gaze on her. "Don't worry, your income won't be affected. I have no plans to replace you just yet."

Madison didn't take his statement as a compliment. Instead, a numbness built up inside her, the accumulation of sourness and pain. However, she still managed a smile. "Thanks, Grayson."

His eyes met hers again, his face still somber. Madison didn't linger. She turned and left the room.

After she stepped out, Grayson remained grave before making a call to his Executive.

During lunch, Madison went to get some medicine from Amelia. It included medication to stabilize her pregnancy, folic acid, and various vitamins. Amelia had discreetly repackaged them, disguising them all as stomach medicine.

When she hurried back to the office, the Executive was waiting for her. Handing her a small parcel, he said, "Madison, this is from Grayson."

Madison frowned slightly, taking the package. The Executive smiled and left.

Madison opened it to find a heating pad for the stomach, antacids, and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. For a moment, Madison was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions.

Truth be told, Grayson was quite the catch as a partner if she set emotions aside. He was handsome, fit, skilled in bed, wealthy, and influential. His caring nature would show up from time to time.

Madison thought, if not for this baby, she probably couldn't bring herself to leave him.

When Grayson appeared, she said to him, "Thanks, Grayson."

Grayson glanced at her. "You're so polite today, Madison. Not quite the sharp-tongued critic I met in the office."

Madison was silent. After a moment, she got into the car. They drove off, taking the streets that led out of the city.

Madison's gaze drifted across the passing landscape, her brow slightly furrowed.

"Grayson, where are we headed?" she asked.

Grayson's eyebrows lifted subtly. "Picking someone up, then we're off to the studio. Didn't you say you wanted to check out the new spokesperson?"

Madison fell silent. She did want to see the new spokesperson. However, the direction they were taking was seeding a sense of unease in her.

It wasn't until they pulled up in front of a familiar villa that her mind started buzzing. Nora ran out of the villa, radiating excitement.

"Slow down." Grayson's voice carried through. "Why run when you can walk?"

Madison turned pale in an instant. Nora seemed oblivious to Madison, her eyes soft and adoring as she looked at Grayson.

"I just couldn't wait to see you," she said.

Grayson chuckled, his face softening with tenderness. "You're not a kid anymore; try to act your age sometimes."

Nora's lips curved in a playful smile. "What's wrong with a little liveliness?"

Then, she turned to Madison. "Excuse me, miss, could you please move a bit?"

Madison sat in the car, her body turning cold. The dull ache in her abdomen was now a sharp pain that set her heart racing.

She glanced at Grayson.

He lounged against the seat, seemingly oblivious to her distress. Perhaps, even if he noticed, he didn't care.

"Madison, hop in the back," he said.

Madison tried her best to smile naturally. "Sure."

She picked up her things and got out of the car.

Behind her, Nora's voice rang out. "Grayson, I don't want to be disturbed. Can't she take a cab?"

Grayson's laughter was light. "Nonsense, where would she find one around here?"

"They'll come around if we just wait."

Grayson looked at Madison. She forced a smile. "I'll take a cab," she said.

Grayson made a quick call. A few moments later, he looked back at her. "Someone's on their way to pick you up. They'll take you straight to the studio for your screen test."

Madison kept her smile. "Great."

As the car door slammed shut, pain pulsed through Madison's heart. She stood there, feeling as though she was drowning. Her chest exploded with bitterness, engulfing her whole being in the moment.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly until Sophia's voice broke through. "Boss."

Madison snapped back to reality, and she hurried into the car.

Sophia noticed Madison's pallor and couldn't help but ask, "Boss, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Madison said, forcing a smile. She then took out the medication Amelia had prepared for her to prevent miscarriage and swallowed it.

After taking the medicine, Madison leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to keep her emotions as steady as possible. She thought to herself, if Grayson's first love had been anyone else, she probably wouldn't have felt this devastated. But it had to be Nora.

Madison downed the entire bottle of water, but the bitterness in her mouth lingered.

...

Elsewhere, in another car, Nora was sharing her experiences abroad with Grayson.

Grayson listened half-heartedly, leaning back in his seat. He was patient with Nora. She talked, and he would listened.

Without interjecting, he would occasionally nodding when needed. Sometimes, he would even offer her a gentle smile.

It wasn't until Nora paused that he looked up and made a comment. "Nora, you shouldn't have insisted my manager give up her seat."