Chapter 4: Professional Boundaries
918 Words
Eva sat at her desk, staring at the stack of files in front of her. The sleek glass windows of her high-rise office framed the skyline of the bustling city, but her mind was far from her work. She had just been handed the biggest project of her career—a significant acquisition deal that could propel her reputation to new heights. It was the kind of opportunity she had been waiting for, yet she felt strangely unfocused.
Her phone buzzed for the third time in the last hour. She glanced at it, unsurprised to see another message from Alex Grayson. His persistence was nothing short of relentless. After their previous encounter, he had no intention of backing down.
Alex: Dinner tonight? Or do I need to schedule a meeting with your assistant?
Eva: I’m busy.
Alex: So am I, but I make time for the essential things.
Eva frowned, her fingers hovering over the screen as she considered her reply. She couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now. This acquisition was a game-changer; she needed every ounce of focus and determination to succeed. Romance had no place in her life, especially not with someone like Alex Grayson, whose reputation for mixing business and pleasure was infamous.
She placed the phone face down on her desk, determined to ignore it. But the thoughts lingered, creeping into her mind despite her efforts to push them away. Why was he so persistent? Why couldn’t he take the hint?
Shaking her head, Eva turned her attention back to the files. She scanned the deal's details, immersing herself in numbers and projections. The project was massive—a merger between two companies with competing interests. Negotiations were delicate, and Eva had been chosen because of her sharp instincts and ability to stay level-headed in high-pressure situations. It was everything she had worked for.
And yet, Alex’s shadow loomed in the back of her mind, his charm and charisma as distracting as ever.
The next day, Eva walked into a conference room for the first round of negotiations. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, and she exuded the confidence that had earned her a reputation as one of the sharpest minds in the industry. She took her seat, spreading out her notes and preparing for the meeting to begin.
As she waited for the others to arrive, the door swung open, and Alex Grayson walked in with his usual ease and arrogance.
Eva’s stomach tightened. What is he doing here? She hadn’t anticipated seeing him in a professional capacity, and it threw her off balance.
Alex gave her a knowing smile, clearly pleased by her reaction. “I didn’t know you’d be handling this deal,” he said smoothly, sitting across from her.
Eva’s mind raced. Of course, Alex would be connected to this project—he seemed to have his hand in every significant business transaction in the city. But this was too much. She also couldn’t let him worm his way into her professional life.
She gave him a curt nod. “This is business, Alex. I trust you can keep things professional.”
His smile widened, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Always, Ms. Morris.”
Eva tried to focus on the deal at hand as the meeting progressed, but Alex’s presence was distracting. Every time she made a point, she could feel his gaze on her, studying her with that annoying curiosity. It was as if he was enjoying her discomfort, testing the boundaries she had worked so hard to maintain.
But Eva was nothing if not professional. She held her own, steering the negotiations precisely and clearly, refusing to let Alex’s presence shake her resolve. By the end of the meeting, she had secured a crucial agreement that put her in a strong position for the next phase of the deal.
Yet, as she left the conference room, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Alex had gained something from their encounter, even if it wasn’t related to business.
As she reviewed her notes that evening, her phone buzzed once again. Another message from Alex.
Alex: Impressive performance today. I knew you were good, but you never fail to surprise me.
Eva’s pulse quickened. There was no denying the thrill that came with his attention, but she couldn’t afford to be swept up in it. She had fought too hard to get to where she was, and Alex Grayson wouldn’t derail her focus.
But he was making it more complicated with each passing day.
The following days were a whirlwind of meetings, late nights, and high-stakes decisions. Eva threw herself into her work, determined to block out any distractions, particularly those involving a persistent suitor. But Alex continued to hover on the periphery of her life, finding small ways to insert himself into her routine—whether it was a casual text, an unexpected encounter at an event, or even a well-timed coffee delivery to her office.
And every time she brushed him off, he seemed to come back stronger, more determined.
It wasn’t long before Eva thought about him more than she wanted to admit. His persistence was wearing her down, and though she hated to admit it, part of her was intrigued by him. He wasn’t just the playboy she had assumed him to be—there was something deeper there, something she couldn’t quite place.
But she couldn’t afford to dwell on that. Not now. Not when her career was on the line.
- Writer
