Addiction| 18+

17| meeting

 
Hayley

The hotel lobby was way too bright.

White floors. Tall glass walls. People in suits moving fast like they knew exactly where they were going. I stayed close to Grey, tugging my sweatshirt sleeves over my hands. Sweatpants. Sneakers. I felt it all at once, how out of place I probably looked.

"Grey!"

A woman walked toward us, heels clicking against the floor. Her dress was short but tailored, like it belonged here. Hair perfect. Makeup flawless. Everything about her looked intentional.

"Savannah," Grey said, flat.

Her eyes moved to me. Not curious. Not friendly. Just a quick scan, then a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Oh," she said. "Hi."
Then to Grey, "I didn't realize you were bringing someone with you today."

Grey didn't answer right away.

Savannah glanced back at me. "This is... casual attire for a walkthrough, we usually ask visitors to dress business appropriate. It helps staff take things seriously."

My stomach tightened. I suddenly wanted to throw up.

"She's fine," Grey said.

Savannah's smile stayed in place. "Of course. I just wanted to make sure expectations were clear. First impressions matter in environments like this."

"I'm not a visitor," I said quietly. Shocked by the words that came out of my mouth, did I just speak up for myself?

She looked at me again, surprised, then amused. "Oh?"

Grey stopped walking.

"She's my wife."

The word hit hard. Even I felt it.

Savannah's expression shifted—not much, just enough. "I see."
Then, carefully, "Well, regardless, professionalism is still important when representing the company."

That was it.

Grey turned fully toward her. His voice didn't get louder. It got colder.

"You don't represent this company anymore."

She blinked. "What?"

"You're done here," he said. "You crossed a line."

"You're firing me for that?" she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.

"I'm firing you for poor judgment," Grey said.

The lobby had gone quiet. Security was already called and on the way.

She looked at me one last time—not angry, not smug. Just embarrassed. Then she turned and walked away, heels sharp against the floor.

Grey didn't watch her leave.

He looked at me. "You okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Good," he said. "Let's go."

He lead me into the conference room. The room was calm, elegant, with glass walls and a long table with a few people already seated.

They all stood when Grey walked in.

"This is my wife, Hayley," he said. Simple. No buildup.

A few nods.

"Nice to meet you."
"Welcome."

I sat beside Grey. He didn't touch me, but he stayed close. The meeting started—numbers, schedules, warehouses.

The meeting ended after sometime. People gathered their papers, chairs slid back, soft goodbyes exchanged. No one rushed. No one lingered either. One by one, they filed out until it was just Grey and me left in the room.

He didn't say anything at first.

He stood, straightened his jacket, and held the door open for me. I followed him down the hall again, the same hallway as before, but it felt different now. He wasn't angry anymore. Or maybe he was, but if so he was extremely good at hiding it.

Grey stood first. I followed him out without saying anything.

The hallway felt calmer than before. Less eyes. Less noise. Just the sound of our footsteps and the soft hum of the building around us. My heart was still beating fast, but not in a panicked way. More like everything had finally caught up to me.

Grey didn't rush. He walked slower now, like he knew I needed it. When we reached the elevator, he pressed the button and waited beside me. Not too close. Not far away either.

The doors slid shut.

Silence.

Not awkward. Just heavy.

I stared at the floor numbers lighting up, my hands tucked into the sleeves of my sweatshirt. I could still feel Savannah's voice in my head. The way the lobby had gone quiet. The way Grey hadn't hesitated.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Grey said suddenly.

I looked up at him.

"I know," I said. Then, after a second, "I just... wasn't expecting that."

He nodded once. "Neither was she."

That made me let out a small breath. Almost a laugh, but not quite. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. We stepped out into the parking garage, cooler air hitting my face. It felt good. Like I could breathe again.

Grey unlocked the car, then paused, looking at me. Really looking this time.

"You handled yourself well in there," he said. No praise. Just fact. My chest felt tight again, but in a different way. "I didn't say much."

"You didn't need to."

We got into the car. The door shut with a solid click, sealing us in from the rest of the world.

Grey started the engine but didn't pull out right away.

"Next time," he said, voice quieter now, "if someone makes you uncomfortable, you don't owe them silence."

I nodded. "Okay."

Another pause.

Then he drove.

The building faded behind us, glass and steel shrinking in the mirror. The tension didn't disappear, but it changed. Softer. Like something settling instead of breaking.

I leaned my head back against the seat, watching the city pass by.

For the first time that day, I didn't feel out of place.

I felt like I was leaving with him.

***

Awwww

Chemistry is happening!!! Yay love it