Two days later, Autumn walked into Vince's office halfway through her shift. She had some paperwork in her arms and seemed to be in too good of a mood. Five minutes later, Autumn walked back out with a smug look. She grabbed her purse and left the office.

Vince came out of his office. He looked defeated as he glanced over the office.

"Gray, can I see you in my office, please?"

Gray looked pissed. But he did as Vince asked and went into his office. I wondered what had happened with Autumn. Gray eventually returned to his desk. He still looked angry. Soon after, I received an email. The email was sent to everyone on his team.

It was a list of new assignments. Our names were listed next to the tasks assigned to us. At the end of the email, Gray wrote an apology. He explained that Autumn would be working less due to health problems. I groaned.

-

The past two weeks were exhausting. It was already stressful picking up Garrett's work after he was fired. Though, I volunteered to do that myself. I didn't want anyone to have to take that on. I should have just rejected his offer to dinner.

I started to feel overwhelmed as I saw myself getting behind. Having Autumn's work put me at my limit. I didn't know what to do. My headaches were getting worse.

Dana and Charlotte walked over to my desk.

"Come on, Ella. Let's get some lunch." Dana smiled.

"I can't right now. I'm almost done." I paused and looked over at Autumn at her desk. "I'm almost done with Autumn's assignment." I raised my voice. Autumn either didn't hear me or didn't care. She got what she wanted.

"Leave it for now. We're going to the cafe." Charlotte smiled.

"Maybe tomorrow." I wasn't in the mood to go anywhere. I have to finish this.

"Oh, okay." Charlotte frowned.

Dana leaned over my shoulder and whispered. "Hey, if it's too much for you, say something to Gray."

"I'm fine!" I snapped.

Dana stepped back. "Alright. But please ask for help when you do need it."

I ignored them as I continued to type. In the corner of my eye, I saw them walk away. I sighed. I felt horrible for how I acted, but I needed to concentrate. They didn't have to deal with all these stupid assignments.

A few minutes later, Gray stepped up to my desk. I turned to face him, expecting him to ask why I hadn't completed my work. I was frustrated and ready to spit on him.

"Here." Gray leaned over and grabbed the mouse away from me.

He saved my document and closed all my windows.

"Hey! What the hell?" I scolded him.

"You need to go to lunch." Gray scolded back at me. His glasses slipped to the end of his nose.

I huffed as I leaned back into my chair. "I was almost done."

Gray sighed as he pushed his glasses back up. "No, you weren't."

He looked at me with that poker face of his. He caught me. I wasn't even halfway done.

"Alright, fine. But I didn't bring lunch with me." I kept telling myself I wasn't hungry, but my stomach said otherwise.

"I'll get you lunch. Come with me." Gray had a little smile form on his face.

I watched him grab his bag as I was eternally screaming.

You're so stubborn! Let me work in peace!

I snatched my purse and followed him into the elevator. I was fuming. All I wanted was to work. This headache would never go away until I caught up with my work.

It surprised me that Gray took us to the same cafe as Dana and Charlotte. They sat at the table in the window and watched us walk to the door with shocked expressions. I felt awkward showing up after declining their invitation.

Gray held the door open for me. I heard snickering and saw Dana and Charlotte grinning at me. They didn't seem upset with me, at least. I quickly walked over to their table.

"I swear I would have gone with you guys if I knew I would have been forced to leave anyway." I nodded toward Gray, who walked up to the counter.

"It's fine, Ella." Charlotte laughed.

"Yeah, it is nice to see Gray out getting lunch too." Dana smiled.

The cafe was a little busier than usual. There was only one table open. A small table in the back corner. The place was filled with quiet conversations. It surprised me that Gray wanted to stay with it being this busy. He didn't seem like the kind of person to like crowded areas.

Gray turned to me and waved me over to him. I awkwardly smiled at Charlotte and Dana and walked over to Gray. I rolled my eyes as I heard more giggling behind me.

I glanced at the menu. I didn't want to get a whole lot.

"Do you know what you would like?" Gray asked me.

"Yes, I'd like a medium latte and a crossaint." I looked at the care employee.

Gray then ordered. "I'll also get a medium latte with a cup of the tomato soup with a full southwest chicken sandwhich."

I pulled out my wallet as the employee said the total. Gray put his hand over mine that held my wallet.

"I said I was getting you lunch." Gray smiled.

"Oh, okay." I awkwardly smiled. I wasn't used to this.

After Gray paid, we sat at our little table in the corner and waited for our food and coffee. My chair faced Charlotte and Dana's table. I caught them looking over at us multiple times. They were very amused.

After a few minutes of silence, Gray spoke.

"So, how are you doing with your reports?" He asked.

I knew that he knew it wasn't going well. But I was too stubborn to admit it.

"Fine." I tried to be convincing.

"Mhmm. So you have no problem turning everything by tomorrow?" Gray raised an eyebrow.

"What?" My eyes grew wide.

Gray smirked. "I don't see why you couldn't submit everything tomorrow. Chloe, Nick, and Steve are all just about done with theirs."

"They didn't have as much as I had to do! I had Garrett's old accounts before I had to deal with Autumn's bullshit!" I didn't realize I had raised my voice until the waitress came over with our orders.

She had an awkward smile and set everything down in front of us. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

Gray looked up at the waitress. "Thank you, we're fine." I blushed and shrunk inwardly.

The waitress nodded and walked back into the kitchen.

Suddenly I felt myself starving. I looked at my pathetic excuse for lunch and groaned.

Gray looked over at me. "Gabriella."

I felt like a bitch. He paid for my lunch, and I yelled at him. I expected to get scolded. I slowly lifted my head.

Gray continued talking. "If you need help, please ask. I am more than willing to help you. I feel horrible that I had to give my team extra work. Especially you. You're a hard worker and don't deserve to feel overwhelmed." Gray's eyes softened.

This took me by surprise. My jaw wanted to fall onto the table.

I took a drink from my latte before responding. It tasted delicious and helped me relax a little.

"Honestly, Gray, I do feel overwhelmed. I would appreciate some help." I fought off tears. Everything that had been stressing me out had started to come tumbling down. I was moved that Gray was so understanding.

"Alright, show me where you are when we get back." Gray took a sip from his coffee.

"Thank you." I smiled.

Gray nodded as he cut his sandwich in half and stirred his soup. I took a bite of my croissant. It tasted fine, but I knew it wouldn't satisfy my hunger.

We continued to eat in silence. I finished my croissant and latte. Then I excused myself and headed to the bathroom.

When I returned to our table, I saw Charlotte and Dana walking to the door. They waved and giggled at me. I rolled my eyes and waved back.

I sat down and looked at the plate in front of me. There was half of a sandwich. I looked over at Gray. He was holding the other half in his hands and took a bite. He nodded his head toward my plate. I hesitated.

Gray swallowed and laughed. "It's not poisoned, I promise. Try it."

"Okay," I said shyly. I slowly grabbed the sandwich. It smelled so good. My stomach rumbled with excitement. I took a smile bite and felt like I was in heaven. "Oh my god!" I said with a mouth full.

Gray chuckled. "See? I make these at home often. Or at least my version of it. I also like to make a garlic parmesaen pasta to go with it."

"Really? Do you like cooking?" I asked as I continued to eat the delicious sandwich.

"Oh, yes. I enjoy cooking very much." Gray smiled as he watched me eat. I felt self-conscious.

I finished the sandwich and sighed with satisfaction.

"If you enjoyed that, I would like you to try my version with the pasta I make with it." Gray said.

"Oh, no. You don't have to cook just for me." I fidgeted with my napkin.

"It wouldn't be a problem. I've noticed you rarely eat anything during lunch." Gray looked curiously at me.

"My ex-husband used to joke about how he would bet on me if I were in an eating contest. I knew he was half serious because he was a gambling addict. So I don't eat as much as I used to. I'm afraid of gaining more weight." I awkwardly laughed at myself.

I didn't enjoy talking about my past life. It felt strange that I suddenly mentioned it to Gray.

He looked angry. "Your ex is an asshole. There's nothing wrong with enjoying food. There's no reason for you to starve yourself. I think you look great."

I was taken aback. I didn't expect Gray to give me a compliment.

"Um, thanks." I blushed.

"Gabriella." Gray put his hand on top of mine. He noticed me mangling the poor napkin. "You have nothing to feel selfconscious about. And I would love for you to try my food. I haven't cooked for anyone else in a long time."

Instantly I wondered who he had cooked for before and why he had stopped. But I didn't want to seem nosey.

We cleaned up our table and left a tip. On the way back to the office, Gray talked more about cooking. I could tell he really enjoyed it from the warmth in his eyes as he spoke. They sparkled like they had when Emily was around.

After we settled back in the office. Gray helped me look over my reports and gave me some helpful tips and notes. I sent him a couple of documents for him to get some more information for me. That was a big help.

A few hours later, it was time to go home. As I organized my desk, Autumn walked by.

"Must be nice to be the favorite." She rolled her eyes.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"How did you get Gray to help you? What did you have to do?" Autumn grinned maliciously.

"I don't like what you're insinuating." I glared at her.

"I'm not insuating anything." Autumn held her hands up in defense and walked away from me.

I mumbled to myself. "Bitch."

"What was that about?" Dana came up behind me. I jumped.

"Oh, nothing." I didn't want any more drama at work and decided to not say anything.