THE WOMAN WHO SAW THROUGH HIM
1003 Words
Chapter Two
Garrett Hayes had spent years mastering the art of being unreadable.
People around him carefully measured their words. Employees avoided disappointing him. Business partners studied his expressions, searching for signs of approval or disapproval.
He preferred it that way.
When people could not understand you, they could not manipulate you.
That was the lesson he learned early in life.
But for some reason, one conversation with Nora Bennett had stayed in his mind longer than it should have.
Her honesty.
Her calmness.
The way she looked at him without seeing the wealth, the company, or the name attached to him.
It was unusual.
And Garrett disliked unusual things.
The following morning, Garrett sat in his office overlooking the city.
The glass walls surrounding him represented everything he had built.
Power.
Success.
Control.
Yet, despite having everything people dreamed of, he often felt like something was missing.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Michael Reed entered with a tablet in his hand.
"Good morning, Mr. Hayes."
Garrett nodded.
"Updates."
Michael placed the tablet on the desk.
"The acquisition negotiations are moving forward. However, there is still concern from some investors about the recent rumors."
Garrett's expression hardened.
"What rumors?"
Michael hesitated.
"The reports about the company’s internal documents being leaked."
Silence filled the room.
Garrett leaned back in his chair.
"Find out who started it."
"We are investigating."
"I don't want guesses, Michael. I want facts."
Michael nodded.
"Understood."
He turned to leave but stopped.
"Can I say something?"
Garrett looked up.
"Depends."
Michael almost smiled.
"You seem distracted."
"I am working."
"That's not what I meant."
Garrett gave him a warning look.
Michael raised his hands slightly.
"Forget I said anything."
But Garrett knew exactly what he meant.
And he hated that someone noticed.
Across the city, Nora sat at her desk surrounded by manuscripts.
She loved her job, but some days reminded her why the publishing world was difficult.
Behind every book was a person.
A dream.
A hope.
A fear of rejection.
She understood that fear more than anyone.
Her own manuscript was still hidden away on her laptop.
Untouched.
Waiting.
"Nora."
She looked up.
Claire stood beside her desk.
"You’re thinking again."
Nora smiled.
"Is that a crime?"
"No. But you do it too much."
Nora laughed softly.
Claire looked at the papers in front of her.
"You met him yesterday."
Nora immediately knew who she meant.
"Who?"
Claire gave her a look.
"Don't do that."
Nora looked back at her work.
"It was just a conversation."
"With Garrett Hayes."
"Yes."
"The Garrett Hayes?"
"How many Garrett Hayeses do you know?"
Claire sat down beside her.
"Very funny."
Nora shook her head.
"There was nothing special about it."
Claire studied her.
"Then why do you keep smiling?"
Nora quickly stopped.
"I am not."
"You are."
Nora sighed.
"He was just different from what I expected."
"Different how?"
She thought about it.
"Everyone talks about him like he’s impossible to approach. But when I spoke to him..."
She paused.
"When you spoke to him?"
Nora looked away.
"He seemed lonely."
Claire became quiet.
Because that was not what people usually said about Garrett Hayes.
That afternoon, Nora received an unexpected email.
She opened it carefully.
Her eyes widened.
It was from Hayes Global Holdings.
She read it twice.
Then a third time.
A business proposal.
They wanted her publishing company to assist with a special project involving the company's upcoming foundation initiative.
She frowned.
Why her company?
Why now?
Before she could think too much about it, her manager called her.
"Nora, I need you to handle this project."
She looked surprised.
"Me?"
"Yes. You have a reputation for understanding authors and stories better than anyone else here."
Nora hesitated.
"Are you sure?"
"Very."
Two days later, Nora walked into Hayes Global Holdings for the first time.
The building was exactly what she expected.
Large.
Elegant.
Intimidating.
Everything about it represented power.
She adjusted her bag and walked toward the reception desk.
"I'm here to meet with Mr. Hayes."
The receptionist checked her appointment.
"Ms. Bennett?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Hayes is expecting you."
That surprised her.
She followed the receptionist toward the elevator.
As the doors opened on the top floor, Nora took a deep breath.
She was entering Garrett Hayes' world.
A world completely different from hers.
Garrett stood by the window when she entered his office.
"You came."
Nora looked at him.
"You sound surprised."
"I am."
"Why?"
"Most people try to find reasons to avoid working with me."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be worried?"
For a moment, Garrett looked at her.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled slightly.
"No."
"Good. Because I already accepted the project."
He looked at her.
"You don't seem intimidated."
"Should I be?"
"Most people are."
Nora placed the documents on his desk.
"Maybe most people see your reputation before they see you."
Garrett became still.
Because once again, she had said something nobody else dared to say.
Their meeting continued.
They discussed plans, schedules, and expectations.
Nora noticed something unexpected.
Garrett was demanding, but he was not careless.
He asked detailed questions.
He cared about the project.
He cared about the people involved.
The media saw a cold billionaire.
But she saw someone who carried responsibility like a burden.
Before she left, Garrett stopped her.
"Nora."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Why did you agree to this project?"
She thought for a moment.
"Because I believe stories matter."
Garrett watched her.
"And you believe this is a story?"
She smiled.
"Everything is a story, Mr. Hayes. The only question is whether people are brave enough to tell it."
Then she left.
Leaving Garrett standing in silence.
For the second time, Nora Bennett had walked away from him without trying to gain anything.
No requests.
No flattery.
No hidden intentions.
Just honesty.
And Garrett found himself wondering one dangerous question:
Who was Nora Bennett really?
Because somehow, the woman who knew almost nothing about him was the only person who seemed to understand him.
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