Heart of Stone

Wife

Juliana, Emily, and Lily fussed over Eloise all day long. They didn't allow her to lift anything, walk around too much, or do anything involving customers. She insisted they didn't need to worry, but they insisted she needed rest and relaxation. Eloise had only shared with Juliana and Emily what had been going on between her and Alexander, but Juliana offered her a place at her house, nonetheless. Eloise considered it going forward, but that wasn't a long-term solution either.

At the end of the day, Emily saw her off and locked up the shop for her. She'd ordered new food for Luna earlier in the day and had stepped out to pick it up and bought a few things that she'd need to feel settled in the hotel room as well. She glanced in her rear-view mirror at the dog who sat contentedly in the back seat, staring out the window as the streetlights passed by.

Soon the city welcomed them, and she found her way easily back to the hotel Alexander was staying at. She entered the same parking garage Marcus had used last time and parked in the same area. She had told Alexander she was on her way and to her surprise, Marcus was at the door waiting for her.

"Can I carry that for you?" He asked, giving her a friendly smile.

"Sure." She said with a smile in return, handing him the bag of Luna's things.

He escorted her inside, back to the familiar elevator. They rode it back to the same floor and he led her and Luna down the hallway. She was surprised no one had given her trouble about her dog, but then again, perhaps they were aware she was staying with Alexander Pearson. He was the wealthiest man in this part of the country. They wouldn't want to cross him.

This time, Marcus slid a keycard in the lock and then slipped it into her bag. He opened the door for her and let her go inside first. He stepped in behind her and closed the door with a click.

Alexander was sat at the coffee table, papers spread out before him and his laptop out. From what she could tell at the quick glance she took; the screen displayed a spread sheet full of numbers. He had seemed engrossed in his task, but he now looked up as the trio entered.

Luna sniffed everything cautiously, but did not wander far from Eloise's side. He recognized that the dog was very protective over her, and that put him a bit at ease. Perhaps he didn't have to worry as much as he had today while she was away from him. It had frustrated him, the number of times his mind had strayed to her while he had tried to concentrate on work.

"How's Luna?" Alexander asked after nodding a greeting at Marcus.

The German Shepherd's ears pricked at the sound of her name. She followed Eloise further into the room and walked up to Alexander, sniffing him. He held his hand out and allowed her to sniff him some more until she decided he was no threat.

"Good. It was only a sedative." LouLou answered as Marcus put her bag down near the couch.  "I hope I'm not interrupting your work."

Alexander stacked the papers together and set them to the side.

"Not at all. Your insight earlier was very helpful in moving things along." He said.

"Is there anything you need help with?" Marcus asked as he adjusted his glasses and looked at the laptop screen over Alexander's shoulder.

"Not at the moment. I was just going over a few things for tomorrow." He answered. "I was about to order some room service again. Would you like anything in particular, LouLou?"

"Mmm, not really. You have good taste in food, surprise me." She said with a smile.

"Why don't you settle in while I do that?" He suggested, reaching out and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.