Chapter 10 The Persistent Distraction
Even though the boardroom was filled with serious discussions among division heads debating the latest marketing strategies, Elliot, famous for being the most focused man in the company, looked slightly restless.
He seemed focus, but his mind wasn't entirely on the presentation displayed on the screen. Despite the meeting’s importance, his thoughts were elsewhere. On Audrey.
The images from this morning kept replaying in his head. Her frightened eyes, the way she avoided his gaze, her trembling voice that seemed to hide something from him.
"Mr. Harrington, what’s your opinion on this?" one of the finance managers asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.
Elliot flinched, straightening up in his chair. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
"Could you repeat the last point?" he said, adjusting his posture to sound authoritative, even though his thoughts were anything but clear.
The manager gave him a confused look but repeated his explanation. Elliot tried to pay attention, but his mind kept circling back to Audrey. The more he tried to focus, the harder it became.
The presentation wrapped up, and Elliot signed a few documents, barely noticing what he was doing. As soon as the meeting ended, he quickly headed back to his office, trying to escape the frustration gnawing at him. Once behind his desk, he sat into his chair, letting out a long sigh.
Elliot loosened his tie, but the anxiety that had settled in his chest wouldn’t go away. He rubbed his temples, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
A knock on the door pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. "Come in," he called out.
Liam entered, holding a folder in his hand. "Mr. Harrington, here’s the latest report on our investor developments and potential clients."
Elliot accepted the folder without really looking at it, his mind still elsewhere. He opened the first page but quickly closed it again.
"Liam, I need to ask you something," Elliot said, leaning back in his chair.
Liam’s eyebrows furrowed, sensing the change in Elliot’s mood. "Of course, Sir. How can I help?"
Elliot hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "How long have you known Audrey?"
Liam blinked, surprised by the question. "Audrey? I think since she first joined the company. We were in the same team during training."
Elliot’s curiosity peaked. "When was that?"
"Uh, five years ago? Six?" Liam replied, thinking back.
Elliot’s mind raced. "That’s quite a while."
Hearing the change in Elliot’s tone, Liam felt a little uneasy. "Is something wrong, Sir?"
Elliot didn’t respond immediately. His thoughts went back to the moment Audrey had looked so vulnerable. She clearly had something going on, but she wasn’t the type to open up easily.
"Are you two close?" Elliot asked, his tone casual, but there was an edge to it.
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Close? Sir, if you mean in a professional way, sure. We work together often, but nothing beyond that. She’s always focused on her work."
Elliot frowned. "But do you talk about... anything personal?"
Liam looked at Elliot, a bit taken aback by the directness of the question. "She doesn’t usually discuss personal stuff, Sir. Always keeps it professional."
Elliot leaned back, frustration creeping in. "She hasn’t ever mentioned anything? Complaints? Issues?"
Liam thought for a moment. "No, Sir. Audrey’s the type to keep things to herself. She might get tired or stressed, but she never shows it. She just says it’s work-related."
Elliot sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t getting any answers.
Seeing his boss wasn't satisfied with the answers, Liam tried to lighten the mood. "If I may ask, Sir... why the sudden interest in Audrey? Did something happen? She didn’t come in today, did she?"
Elliot’s eyes flashed toward Liam, causing him to straighten up immediately. But then Elliot’s gaze softened. "Nothing to worry about. Just making sure there’s no personal stuff affecting her work."
Liam nodded, though still slightly confused. "Alright, Sir. I’ll keep an eye out if I notice anything unusual."
Elliot waved him off. "No need. Just let me know if you hear anything."
Liam gave a polite nod and left the room.
Elliot sank back into his chair, staring at the closed door. He was even more certain now that Audrey was hiding something from him. And he couldn’t just ignore it.
Maybe it’s none of my business, Elliot thought.
But something inside him told him otherwise, and he couldn’t shake the feeling.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He glanced at the screen and groaned inwardly. It was his mother.
"Hello, Mom," he said, his voice flat as he answered.
"Elliot, are you busy?" Rebecca’s voice was warm, but there was a clear authority behind it.
"What is it?" Elliot asked, trying to keep his patience.
"I want to have lunch with you today. I’ve already booked a place at our favorite restaurant. Two sharp, okay?"
Elliot rubbed his temples. "Mom, I’m busy. Is this important?"
Rebecca didn’t miss a beat. "Of course, it’s important! It’s about your future, dear."
Elliot chuckled dryly. "Future." He knew exactly where this was going. Another attempt at setting him up with someone.
"I don’t have time for this, Mom," Elliot said, trying to sound calm.
"Don’t argue, Elliot! I’ve been rejected too many times by you on this matter. Two o'clock, don’t be late," Rebecca said, her tone final before hanging up.
Elliot stared at the phone in his hand, frustration building. Another lunch with his mom, another attempt at matchmaking. He could already feel the headache coming on. He cursed under his breath, leaning back in his chair.
Between Audrey’s hidden troubles and his mother’s constant matchmaking, he felt pulled in two directions. Both were equally distracting.
He grabbed his jacket and left the office, not looking forward to lunch with his mother. But as he walked toward his car, his mind kept drifting back to Audrey. There was something she wasn’t telling him, and for reasons he couldn’t explain, he was determined to find out.