Curiosity
1103 Words
CHAPTER 4
Madison’s POV
The office was buzzing long after Dalton Hale left, and I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares. Whispers followed me down the hall like shadows.
“I didn’t know Madison had that kind of guts.”
“Did you see Dalton Hale actually listening to her?”
“She’s definitely going to get a raise for that.”
I tried not to let it all get to my head, but inside, my stomach was in knots. I had walked into that meeting prepared, but I hadn’t expected to end up facing Dalton Hale directly, much less challenge him. My boss, Mr. Carter, called me into his office not long after.
He leaned back in his chair, hands folded, eyes sharp but not unkind. “Madison, I’m impressed. Not many people would have spoken to Dalton Hale like that calm, clear, and confident. You made us look strong today.”
I swallowed hard, trying not to blush under the praise. “Thank you, sir. I just wanted him to see the potential in what we’re working on.”
Mr. Carter smiled. “Well, he did. And now he’ll be watching you.” He paused, letting the weight of those words sink in. “Make sure you’re ready.”
His words should have filled me with pride, but instead, they left me unsettled. Being noticed by Dalton Hale wasn’t exactly on my career checklist.
By the time work ended, my nerves were still jittery, so I decided to stop at Ellie’s café before heading home. The smell of coffee and warm pastries hit me the moment I stepped inside. Ellie, my oldest friend, was behind the counter, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She waved when she saw me.
“Madison! Over here.” She slid a steaming cup of coffee across the counter and sat down with me. “So… you made quite the splash today.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You already heard?”
“Of course I heard. Everyone’s talking about how Dalton Hale actually gave you his attention. That’s not something people forget easily.”
I groaned. “Great. Just what I need more attention I didn’t ask for.”
Ellie smirked, sipping her latte. “Come on, admit it. Part of you liked it.”
I shook my head firmly. “No. He’s… intimidating. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t notice people like me. Today was just business, nothing more.”
“Hmm,” Ellie said, not sounding convinced. “Just be careful. Men like him don’t get close to people without a reason. I don’t want you caught up in something messy.”
“I’m not,” I insisted, though even as I said it, I remembered the way Dalton’s eyes had locked on mine in that meeting. Like he was testing me. Like he was searching for something.
Ellie leaned back. “Okay, I’ll drop it. But—” She snapped her fingers suddenly. “How was the croissant? The one I packed for you this morning?”
I blinked, then laughed out loud. “Oh my gosh. I literally forgot about it.”
Her jaw dropped. “Forgot? Madison, you love croissants.”
“I know,” I said, covering my face. “But today was… a lot. Honestly, I didn’t even eat lunch properly.”
Ellie gave me the look the one she always used when I let stress eat me alive. “Unacceptable. Eat it now.”
I pulled the pastry bag from my tote, tore it open, and took a bite. The buttery, flaky layers melted instantly on my tongue. My shoulders relaxed. “Okay… wow. This is heaven. Best one yet.”
Ellie grinned. “Told you. My café never disappoints.”
We talked a little more about her café, the customers, the new blend she was testing, but eventually I had to head home.
When I got back to my small apartment, the silence wrapped around me. Usually, I liked the quiet. It helped me think. Tonight, though, my mind refused to stay still.
I tried reading a book. I tried watching a random show. Nothing worked. Every thought circled back to the same man. Dalton Hale.
Finally, I gave up and opened my laptop. If I couldn’t distract myself, maybe I could bury myself in research. I pulled up everything about the project we were pitching, combing through figures, proposals, and notes. At first, it helped. Numbers and strategy had always been safe ground for me.
But then… curiosity slipped in.
Without even realizing it, my fingers typed his name. Dalton Hale.
Dozens of results filled the screen: articles about his company, Hale Enterprises, magazine covers with his sharp gaze staring back, interviews where every word carried the weight of power.
I clicked one. Then another. And another.
It was dangerous, I knew. But I couldn’t stop.
The man was everywhere. Pictures of him at events, dressed in dark suits that looked like they were made for him alone. Always so composed, so in control. His presence seemed to fill every room he entered, even through a computer screen.
And then there was his appearance.
I had noticed it in person, of course, but reading about him and seeing the endless photos only made it worse. The sharp line of his jaw. The steady, piercing eyes that seemed to see straight through people. The way he carried himself with a kind of energy that demanded attention, commanding, yet effortless.
It was infuriating, how magnetic he was. Men like him shouldn’t look that perfect, that untouchable. And yet, he did.
I leaned back in my chair, letting out a frustrated sigh. “What am I even doing?”
This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the kind of woman who sat around googling billionaires. I had my own life, my own goals.
Still… my gaze drifted back to the screen.
Somewhere between the articles, I found an older piece. A rare one. It wasn’t about his business empire or his wealth. It was about him. His past. His family.
I froze as I read the first few lines.
The words hinted at something, something no one had mentioned in the other articles. Something personal. Something that could explain the shadows I thought I saw in his eyes today.
My heartbeat quickened.
I leaned closer to the screen, my eyes scanning every line. And then
Knock. Knock.
I jumped at the sound.
Someone was at my door. At this hour.
I stared at it, pulse racing, my breath caught in my throat.
Who could it be?
- Writer
