The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Derek POV

I leaned against the doorframe of the main office area, watching with amusement as several of my employees crowded around a

small golden retriever puppy. Their laughter and excited whispers filled the usually serious atmosphere of the company. Sunny

wagged his tail enthusiastically as he received attention from his admiring audience.

When Alan had suggested bringing Eleanor’s dog to the office, I’d initially dismissed the idea as ridiculous. But after two days of not

seeing her, of wondering if she was thinking about me as much as I was thinking about her, I’d reconsidered. Sometimes the most

absurd ideas were the most effective.

As I approached, my employees noticed me and straightened immediately, their faces shifting from joy to apprehension. Jackson,

one of our junior analysts, stepped away from Sunny as if he’d suddenly transformed into a ticking bomb.

“Mr. Wells, he stammered. “We were just-

I raised my hand, silencing his explanation. At ease. The dog seems to be enjoying himself.”

The tension in the room eased slightly, though confusion remained evident on their faces. I wasn’t known for my lenience regarding

non-work activities during office hours.

I crouched down, extending my hand to Sunny. He approached without hesitation, sniffing my fingers before pressing his head

against my palm.

“Hello there, buddy,” I said, scratching behind his ears. ‘I hope you’re not too frightened by your new surroundings.”

Sunny responded by licking my hand, his tail wagging harder. For a moment, I forgot about my employees watching, about the

carefully constructed image I maintained in front of them. There was something disarmingly genuine about animals-they didn’t

care about wealth or status or family names.

“Sir, Alan spoke from behind me. “Should I remind you about your allergies?”

I glanced at him over my shoulder, keeping my voice low, “Don’t worry. If I have an allergic reaction, the dog’s owner will have to

take responsibility for me.”

Alan’s expression remained neutral, but I caught the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. He knew exactly what I was doing.

Standing up, I addressed the small gathering of employees. “You may continue your… interaction with our guest for another five

minutes. Consider it a brief mental health break. As they stared at me in disbelief, I added firmly, “Just this once. Don’t expect it to

become a regular occurrence.

As I turned to walk back to my office, I heard whispers resume behind me.

Did Mr Wells just give us permission to play with a dog during work hours?”

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Chapter 189

“Is he feeling alright?”

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“Maybe he’s been body-snatched.

I smiled to myself. Let them wonder. Sometimes it was good to be unpredictable.

By six o’clock, most of the staff had departed, leaving the office quiet except for the occasional click of Sunny’s nails against the

hardwood floor as he explored my office. I’d strategically positioned myself behind my desk, maintaining some distance from the

puppy to delay the inevitable allergic reaction.

The first sneeze caught me by surprise. I reached for a tissue just as the second one hit, followed quickly by a third. My eyes had

begun to water, and I could feel the telltale itch spreading across my skin.

“You’re quite the inconvenience, I told Sunny, who looked up at me with innocent brown eyes. “But an effective one, I’ll admit.”

I poured some water into a bowl I’d had Alan prepare earlier and placed it on the floor near my desk. Sunny padded over and began

to drink.

“You’ve been very patient today,” I said, watching him. “Your mom should be here soon, I hope she’s not too angry with me.”

The sound of rapid footsteps in the hallway answered my question. The door to my office flew open without a knock, and there she

stood-Eleanor, her cheeks flushed with exertion or anger, perhaps both. Her eyes quickly found Sunny, widening with relief before

narrowing as they shifted to me.

“Derek, how dare you have Alan take Sunny from my house?” Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the depth of her concern.

Sunny, recognizing his owner, bounded across the room with excited yips. Eleanor immediately crouched down, running her hands

over the puppy as if checking for injuries.

I leaned back in my chair, affecting a casual posture despite the mounting discomfort of my allergic reaction. “I wanted to see you.”

So you kidnapped my dog?” The incredulity in her voice would have been comical if not for the genuine distress behind it.

“Borrowed, I corrected, reaching for another tissue. And it worked, didn’t it? You’re here.”

Eleanor stood up, Sunny cradled protectively in her arms. “This is completely inappropriate, Derek. You can’t just take someone’s pet

because you want their attention.”

I sneezed again, my eyes now noticeably red. “I’ll drive you both home.”

That won’t be necessary. I’ll call a-

I insist, I said, rising from my chair and collecting my coat. It’s the least I can do after causing you worry.”

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Chapter 189

She opened her mouth to argue further, then seemed to notice my watering eyes and reddening skin. Something shifted in her/ expression-not quite sympathy, but perhaps recognition of my discomfort.

‘Fine,’ she conceded reluctantly. “But only because it’s getting late and Sunny needs to get home. He’s been cooped up enough lately. She hesitated before adding, “During our bout with the flu, I had to keep him in his special room to prevent him from wandering and making things worse. I was also thinking of your allergies.”

The mention of her thoughtfulness, even when she was ill, caused something to tighten in my chest. “You were concerned about my allergies even then?”

Eleanor’s cheeks colored slightly. “It was practical, that’s all. The last thing either of us needed was you getting worse because dog fur.”

Eleanor POV

The interior of Derek’s Audi was immaculate as always, the leather seats cool against my legs as I settled into the passenger seat

with Sunny on my lap. Derek sneezed again as he started the engine, his eyes increasingly red-rimmed.

“You’re having an allergic reaction,” I said, unable to keep the accusation from my voice. “You knew this would happen when you

brought Sunny to your office.”

Derek’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his profile sharp in the fading evening light. “It’s manageable.”

Sunny shifted on my lap, his warm weight both familiar and comforting. I absently stroked his soft fur, watching as Derek discreetly

rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand.

“You could have just called me,” I said after a stretch of silence. “Like a normal person.”

Would you have answered?” His question hung between us, painfully accurate.

I looked out the window, watching as the financial district gave way to more residential areas. “That’s not the point.”

“Eleanor. My name on his lips still had the power to make my pulse quicken, a fact that irritated me immensely. “Have you thought

about me at all lately?”

The directness of his question caught me off guard. I kept my eyes fixed on the passing scenery, afraid of what he might see in them

if I turned to face him.

I’ve been busy with the shop, I deflected.

Derek’s soft laugh held no humor. “I’ve thought about you. Constantly. To the point of distraction. He paused, then added more

quietly. “To the point of madness.”

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love