Chapter 35: Grayson, Does It Matter to You?

Madison's eyes flickered slightly. "Do you care, Grayson?"

Grayson scoffed. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

Feeling the tension, Madison rushed to reassure him, "Don't worry, Grayson. I didn't agree to anything."

Grayson's gaze held her coldly. "What? You couldn't settle on a price?"

"He told me to name my price and wait for his response."

Grayson's eyes narrowed sharply. "So, you just hasn't decided how much to offer?"

Madison tried to appear casual. "Grayson, are you concerned about the price I set or that I'm setting one at all?"

With another scoff, Grayson let go of her wrist. He remained seated, silently observing her. "Whether you set a price or not, and how much that's completely your call. I care if you're backing out of our deal, Madison."

His tone detached, as though the matter bore no significance to him.

A sharp pain seized Madison's heart. She knew such challenges were an exercise in humiliation. Yet, she couldn't help but test the waters.

Deep down, she just wanted to see if this man had even a sliver of concern for her.

The answer was as expected. He didn't care at all.

Such indifference was probably Grayson sparing her a shred of dignity.

Madison composed herself. "I was just asking. We still have two years on our contract, and I haven't even thought about looking for another backer within that time. No matter the offer, I wouldn't accept."

Grayson glanced at her with unreadable intent. "You seems to take your contracts seriously."

Madison recognized the sarcasm and chose to ignore it, addressing him directly, "Grayson, did you ask me here for a reason?"

Lounging leisurely on the couch, Grayson's hand rested on her waist. "I'm meeting a client from France tomorrow. Don't you enjoy working as a translator, Madison? Tag along and interpret for us."

Madison was taken aback. She had yet to anticipate this visit had business purposes. After a moment's silence, she agreed, "Okay."

Then, her curiosity piqued again as she inquired, "Did you come to City B strictly for business?"

He nodded calmly. "What else? You think I'd travel all this way just to waste time?"

Even though she knew Grayson's business here was none of her concern, her mood lifted. Even her movement while brewing coffee became more brisk than before.

Watching her, Grayson chuckled. "Madison, what did you think I was here for?"

The corner of Madison's lips stiffened. "I thought you came exclusively for Ms. Nora."

"So, you're happy to hear it's for business?" he probed.

Madison stayed silent.

Then, Grayson pulled her down to sit on his lap. "Why the dislike for Nora?"

She let out a small laugh. "Do you think I should like her?"

"Like or dislike, there's always a reason. You seemed opposed to her from the start. Do you know her before?"

Madison averted her gaze. "No, I didn't."

"Then, why do you harbor such hostility toward her?"

Madison fell silent for a moment. "Grayson, it's been Ms. Nora against me from the get-go. Ever since she had me booted out of her car on our first meeting, she's been hostile. I've just been dealing with her constant nitpicking."

Grayson's eyes narrowed slightly.

Madison turned away, feigning casual interest as she asked, "What about you? Why do you seem to favor Ms. Nora so much?"

Grayson remained silent, his gaze settling on her with a weighty intent.

With a somewhat sheepish smile, Madison added, "I'm just curious since you've got all kinds of women around you. I just don't get why you'd single out Ms. Nora."

Grayson let go of her. Bending his head, he went back to perusing his documents. All he gave her was, "Madison, you're asking too many questions. From now on, don't pry into matters concerning Nora."

Madison sat on the couch; her fingers clenched tightly together. After a long moment, she replied, "Okay."

Trying her best to sound light-hearted, she added, "I won't ask anymore. No need to get upset, Grayson."

She returned to the coffee table and focused on making coffee.

The documents in Grayson's hands were probably for tomorrow's agenda. He scrutinized them with exceptional concentration.

Madison stayed by his side until late into the night. The queasy feeling she had been battling had lessened significantly lately, but it had been replaced by constant drowsiness. In the quiet room, only the occasional rustling of paper could be heard.

Madison, sitting at the coffee table, dozed off without even realizing it. Suddenly, she felt Grayson lifted her in his arms.

"What's got you so wiped out? Did you snuck out to party hard while I was away?" His voice was both deep and edged with concern.

Madison snapped back to alertness. "Sorry, Grayson. I've been having a hard time sleeping lately."

Grayson huffed softly. "You say that, yet you seemed knocked out."

Madison couldn't argue with that. She was always on her toes around Grayson. Yet, today, she had fallen asleep so unexpectedly. She wondered if it was just her being too relaxed or if it was the pregnancy taking its toll.

Back in her room, Grayson laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket before he headed to the bathroom. Whether it was grogginess or something else, Madison felt a tenderness from Grayson that she hadn't before.

She turned to see the man casually walking away, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. His shirt slid off, revealing broad shoulders that came into view. Muscular and taut, his back tapered to a trim waistline, concealed partially by the slacks. Grayson's masculine allure was undeniable at that moment.

"Grayson." Madison couldn't help but call out his name.

Turning, Grayson looked at her. Rising from the bed, Madison crossed the room and looped her arms around his neck.

She didn't know if it was his tender façade tonight that clouded her judgement or the fact that he said he was not here for Nora. For the first time after their dispute, Madison initiated contact before him.

A hint of a smile curled at Grayson's lips as his hand firmly gripped her waist. "What's the matter, Madison? Can't wait any longer?"

Without hesitation, Madison pressed her lips to his. Grayson swept her up in his arms and pushed her back onto the bed. Their searing kiss was passionate and lingering, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

Madison knew she shouldn't, yet couldn't resist spiraling into the abyss. Like a castaway at sea for years without hope, the sight of shore made her desperately reach out to it. Reckless of the consequences, mindless of the risks.

Yet, it all stopped so suddenly, so unexpectedly. The moment Grayson's phone rang, Madison's body tensed.

The retreat of their intimate tide was apparent, and he picked up the phone with a sober and rational demeanor. Nora's voice came through.

Madison buried her face in the covers to escape. Grayson's deep voice trailed off.

After only a moment, he returned. He dressed and left.

As the sound of the door locking echoed, Madison felt her heart shatter. In the still of night, she laughed at herself bitterly. "Give it up, Madison."

...

Madison got up, took a shower, and straight away fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, her phone woke her. Groggily, she answered the call. "Boss, Nora, and Grayson are trending."