Chapter 5: The Unexpected Proposal
995 Words
The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Eva’s office as she reviewed the reports in front of her. She had barely slept, consumed by thoughts of the project and the growing pressure from her company—and Alex Grayson. His constant pursuit was both an annoyance and a distraction she couldn’t afford. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to push him out of her thoughts, something always pulled her back in.
Eva’s phone buzzed on the desk, and she glanced at the screen. Another message from Alex. She rolled her eyes and reached for her coffee, fully intending to ignore it. But then the phone buzzed again, and curiosity got the better of her.
Alex: I have a business proposition for you. Let’s meet for lunch.
She frowned. What was he playing at now? Alex had made his interest in her painfully apparent, but he’d never mentioned anything about work. Was this just another ploy to get her attention, or was there something more?
Eva wasn’t sure why she responded. Maybe it was her professional curiosity or the chance to finally turn the tables on him, to show him she wasn’t someone to be toyed with. Whatever the reason, she found herself typing back before she could think twice.
Eva: Fine. But this is about business. Only business.
The restaurant Alex had chosen was an upscale, quiet place on the city's outskirts, far from the usual bustling venues she frequented for power lunches. As Eva arrived, she found Alex seated, his casual confidence as irritatingly magnetic as ever.
“Eva, I’m glad you came,” he greeted her with a grin that sent a flicker of warmth through her despite her best efforts to ignore it.
She sat across from him, her expression relaxed and guarded. “This better be worth my time, Alex. I’m swamped with work and don’t have time for games.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “No games. I promise. What I’m about to offer could change your entire career.”
Eva leaned back, skeptical. “Go on.”
“I know about the acquisition you’re working on,” Alex began, his tone shifting to a more serious one. “And I know how important it is to your firm—and you. But it’s not going to be easy. There are complications with the deal, especially with the board members you’re trying to win over.”
Eva narrowed her eyes. “How do you know about that?”
Alex smirked. “I have my ways. But that’s not important. What is important is that I have a solution. A partnership.”
She stiffened at the word. “A partnership?”
He nodded. “My firm is uniquely positioned to provide the leverage you need to secure the deal. We have the connections, the influence, and the resources to make it happen. But I want more than just a business transaction, Eva. I want us to work together.”
Eva felt a jolt of surprise ripple through her. She had expected flirtation, maybe a subtle attempt to get closer to her personally, but this was something else.
“And what do you get out of this?” she asked, her voice wary.
Alex leaned forward, his gaze steady and severe. “I get to work with one of the industry's sharpest, most ambitious women. I get the satisfaction of knowing we can make this deal happen together—and yes, I get the chance to prove that there’s more to me than just my reputation.”
Eva’s stomach twisted. This was not what she had anticipated. Alex offered her something tangible that could take her career to the next level. But working with him, aligning herself with someone like Alex Grayson—known for his ruthless playboy lifestyle—was a risk. Her professional reputation was everything to her, and the last thing she needed was to be associated with someone who might jeopardize that.
Still, she couldn’t deny the allure of the opportunity he presented.
“I don’t know, Alex,” she said slowly, weighing her words. “I’m not sure I trust you enough to take this risk.”
He nodded, his expression serious. “I understand. But think about it, Eva. You’ve built your career by taking calculated risks and knowing when to seize an opportunity. I’m offering you a way to secure this deal without any headaches you’ll face alone. All I’m asking is that you give it a chance.”
Eva studied him, her mind racing. She had always prided herself on being able to separate personal feelings from business decisions. This could be another deal, another strategic move to advance her career. And yet, something about working with Alex felt different. He wasn’t just another businessman. He was unpredictable, and that both intrigued and terrified her.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, her voice measured. “But don’t expect me to jump at the first offer that comes my way.”
Alex’s smile returned, a glint of victory in his eyes. “That’s all I ask.”
Later that evening, Eva sat at her desk, staring at the proposal Alex had emailed her. It was solid—far more solid than she had expected. His firm had the resources, connections, and expertise to make the acquisition deal smoothly. On paper, it was a no-brainer.
But nothing about this felt simple.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. Another message from Alex.
Alex: I meant what I said. No games. Just business.
Eva’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating. She was torn between the practical advantages of working with Alex and the nagging feeling that this partnership would lead to complications far beyond the business world.
Taking a deep breath, she typed back.
Eva: I’ll let you know my decision tomorrow.
She hit send, her heart pounding with the weight of the choice she was about to make.
- Writer
