7

Chapter 7 

Mondays are always the worst way to wake up knowing that work is only a few hours away. Meredith trudged towards the bathroom and took a cold shower,screaming in the process. Only when the shock wears off did she feel all freshen up and she's ready for the painful working hours of the day. 

Dressed in a skin black tight pencil skirt and a maroon top, she tied her hair up with a silver hair pin. Applying a bare makeup on her face, She walked down the streets of her neighbourhood and hailed a cab, giving Directions to the cab driver. 

Most of her co-workers hated walking and coming to the office in a cab but she liked the simplicity of walking down the street and breathing in fresh air. Besides, She's too paranoid about getting comfortable without a walk, the fear of gaining weight being the sole reason. At Least she likes the idea of losing fats by walking. 

When Meredith reached the office ten minutes late because of the traffic, She rushed up to the floor in fear of being reprimanded by the blue-eyed monster. Rushing into the meeting room, her face flushed and red, both from embarrassment and taking the stairs because the elevator is packed. Eyes followed her until she settled down comfortably on her seat. 

“So,for the next fashion show, We need to see if the newbies are qualified enough to stay in our company. “Meredith Bloom,Can I trust you to make some of your pieces for the next fashion show?” Melissa snapped her eyes towards her, Meredith felt her fingers twitch from the nerves. Of course, she's been prepared for this but the reality is a different experience. 

Gray eyes remained on her, he's been watching her ever since she walked into the room unbeknownst to her. Melissa's eyes didn't go unnoticed at this. 

“I-Yes Ma’am. Can I ask one of the models to help me?” She asked, Gray's ears perked at this. Meredith's heart was drumming in her chest from the amount of attention towards her. She could use fake male models or mannequins but she wanted to make clothes that would fit gorgeously on a body. Besides, this would be the first time that she would be making a male suit. 

“Of course. I'll inform Zachary to visit you later” 

Meredith wished she hadn't brought it up. 

Working with Zachary? She might as well work with Gray. Speaking of the devil, her gaze falls into the man who's been staring at her non-stop. Time seemed to have slowed down, She doesn't understand why he looked so intense and dreamy. His eyes were fucking her openly and he's not even hiding it. 

Surely, it's illegal for a person to look like that. 

“That’s a wrap for today” Gray lips curled up at the corner when Meredith sprang up from her seat in shock at finding the meeting over.

……

It's the afternoon. Meredith walked her way towards the cafeteria down the street, her tongue has been craving for a hot coffee. She's been working non-stop since the morning and all she wants to do is run in the gym. She's been thinking a lot since she started working. 

Meredith took a sip of her coffee, basking in the scent of the bittersweet drink. She wished Gray hadn't approached her last Friday. Now she couldn't stop thinking about his lips, the way he looked at her. Her mind wouldn't stop thinking and picturing his blue eyes.

Surely, she wasn't attracted to him physically. Nonsense! She shook her head, finding it to be ridiculous. 

 “What are you thinking of?” A voice came from above her. She looked up, and instantly turned bright red. 

“Gra- Mr Westmore…” She greeted me. 

Gray took a seat across from her without any invitation. His dark hair is pushed back, his strong prominent cheekbones and lastly his eyes, the one that peered through her soul is now staring at her. 

“Don’t you like the office Cafeteria? Coffee is served there” he says, looking at her lips. 

“I am aware,” Meredith says politely.

He nods his head in acknowledgment. 

“Do you like working at the company?” It is the way he asked her that made her look up. She wondered why he was trying to have a normal conversation, much less sat with her when there were many available seats. 

“I like it a lot. Also, I can brag to my highschool friends that I get to work at the Westmore Fashion industry” Her toothy grin appeared on her small face. She didn't need to tell him that she only got one best friend and that she's a total loser. Gray felt his chest twitch at the sight of her big smile. 

“Are you free this weekend?” 

The hot coffee burnt her tongue when she took a large gulp. Meredith stuck her red tongue out feeling for cool air. The sight of her tongue sticking out,effortlessly made his pants tighten, Gray shifted from his seat. 

“Sorry, I am a bit clumsy. My tongue always gets burnt if I drink coffee” Gray chuckled, finding it amusing. 

Meanwhile, Meredith stared at him,mouth agape and blinking twice, thrice wondering if she had heard it right. The sound is pleasant to her ears, like a new song that she usually likes to put on repeat and listen for days until she gets tired of it.  

“So...Miss Bloom, Are you free this weekend? My mother is constantly bugging me to invite you. It seems she had taken a liking on you” 

“But- I ” 

“It’s okay. I understand if you feel hesitant. My mother can be quite overbearing. It's just that my nephew turns four this Friday” His perfectly shaped-eyebrows raise, a little smile tugging on his lip. Meredith felt lost. She doesn't want to accept the invitation. The thought of showing up for the birthday felt rather awkward and weird since she doesn't know anyone from Gray's family. As much as she finds the little boy adorable, Her heart doesn't function normally around his uncle who is insanely gorgeous and powerful. 

“That’s kind of Mrs Westmore to invite me. Can I give her a call later?” She asked, gesturing her hand like a telephone. 

“As you wish. My work is done here. Please tell my mother to call you directly instead of bugging me. It's annoying” He stood up, no trace of a smile on his face. Gray Westmore is bipolar. She concluded. 

She's at her apartment now, staring at the piece of paper Noah had given to her that day. She contemplated calling Mrs Westmore but what Would she say? 

Nevertheless she decided to give it a try. 

Ring....Ri..ng 

“Hello?” It is indeed Gray's mother's voice. Her pulse quickened,she couldn't help but stutter. 

“Uh- hmm, Mrs Westmore! This is Meredith Bloom from Westmore Fashion company-” 

Silence, There was silence on the other side. Her brows furrowed. Did she hang up? 

“Hello? Mrs Westmore….” 

“Darling....You finally called! Did my son finally talk with you about the birthday party? You should come please. I’d like to thank you properly for taking care of my little Noah. You must come dear” Came the sweet voice of Jenna. It is so strange that Jenna appeared to be so kind and lovely whereas his son is the complete opposite of lovely. 

“Uh- About that Mrs Westmore-” 

“Noah kept on asking me about the pretty Aunt who took care of him. I would be grateful if you can come, Meredith” The coaxing words made her think. Meredith couldn't say no to someone older than her, She felt grateful that Jenna invited her and she couldn't say no. 

She knew she would regret it the moment she opened her mouth, “I’ll be there Mrs Westmore. Please text me the address” 

“You will? That's great! darling. I'll be expecting you” 

She hung up after exchanging some pleasantries. She shouldn't have gotten involved with Gray's family but the universe had other plans for her. 

Little did she know that it was just the beginning.