Todos los capítulos de I’m Back, Mr. CEO : Capítulo 201 - Capítulo 210

{MAYA POV}I can’t stop thinking about him.It’s been two days since the disaster dinner, and Ethan James is living rent-free in my head. I’m sitting in my office at Sterling Industries, staring at a contract I should have reviewed an hour ago, but all I can see is the way he looked when Cameron kissed my cheek. That flash of something in his eyes before he locked it down.Jealousy. It was definitely jealousy.Sophie knocks once and walks in without waiting for permission, because that’s what best friends do.“You’re doing it again,” she says, dropping into the chair across from my desk.“Doing what?”“That thing where you stare into space and touch your necklace.” She gestures at my hand, which is, in fact, wrapped around the small star pendant. “You only do that when you’re thinking about something important. Or someone.”I drop my hand. “I’m thinking about work.”“Liar.” She leans back, crossing her legs. “This is about a mystery man, isn’t it? Ethan James, entrepreneur extraordina

{ETHAN POV}My phone buzzes at 7:23 AM, pulling me from the worst sleep I’ve had in weeks.I reach for it blindly, expecting Derek or Mom with more warnings about coming clean. Instead, it’s a text from myself to Maya that I apparently scheduled last night in a moment of either bravery or stupidity.Me: Good morning. Hope you slept better than I did.I stare at the message for a solid minute before realizing it actually sent. Great. Now I look desperate and sleep-deprived.Three dots appear almost immediately.Maya: Morning. Define “better.” I’ve been up since 6 thinking about today.Me: Your meeting?Maya: Among other things.My stomach twists. She’s been thinking about us. About the conversation we need to have. About all the questions I promised to answer.Me: What time is your meeting? We can meet after.Maya: 10 AM. Meeting Lucas Grant for some potential business collaboration.I drop my phone.Lucas Grant.Lucas fucking Grant is meeting with Maya.I snatch the phone back up, rea

The flight from San Francisco feels longer than it actually is.I’m stuck in a middle seat between a businessman who keeps elbowing me and a woman who’s watching some medical drama at full volume without headphones. Normally I’d upgrade to first class without thinking twice, but Ethan James, small startup founder, probably doesn’t drop extra cash on comfort.Even at thirty thousand feet, I’m maintaining the lie.My phone’s been on airplane mode for three hours, which means I’ve had three hours of forced disconnection from Maya. Three hours where she can’t text. Where I can’t obsess over whether she’s having second thoughts about the partnership. Whether Cameron’s in her ear right now, convincing her I’m not worth the risk.Three hours of my own thoughts, which is probably the worst form of torture.The plane finally lands at JFK at 4:37 PM. I turn off airplane mode and my phone explodes with notifications.Derek: Landing soon?Derek: I’m at arrivals. Look for the guy who looks deeply

“Because special and dangerous usually means someone gets hurt.” Sophie steps closer. “I did my own research on you. Ethan James didn't exist six months ago. Your company is brand new. Your entire identity is paper-thin.”My heart’s pounding but I keep my expression neutral. “I value my privacy.” My usual answer to the same stupid repeated questions asked “Everyone keeps saying that. It’s starting to sound rehearsed.” She studies me. “Here’s what I think. I think you’re hiding something big. I think Maya knows it too but she’s choosing to take the risk anyway. And I think when whatever you’re hiding comes out, it’s going to destroy her.”“I would never…”“You don’t get to make that promise. Not when you’re lying about who you are.” Her voice softens slightly. “Look, I don’t know what your deal is. Maybe you’re a corporate spy. Maybe you’re running from something. Maybe you’re just a garden-variety con artist. But Maya deserves better than whatever this is.”“You’re right,” I say quie

“She left. Her family had to move, and I never saw her again.” The pain in my voice is real. “I’ve spent a long time trying to find that feeling again. That connection.”Maya’s quiet for a moment. When she speaks, her voice is barely audible. “Did you? Find it again?”I look at her. Really look at her. “I’m starting to think maybe I did.”The air between us shifts. Charges. We’re sitting across a desk in a mostly empty office building at midnight, but it feels like the most intimate moment I’ve ever had.“Ethan…” She starts to say something, then stops. Shakes her head. “We should probably get out of here. It’s late.”“Yeah. You’re right.”But neither of us moves.“Can I ask you something?” she says.“Sure.”“Why me? Out of everyone at that conference in New York, everyone you could have approached, why did you pick me?”Because I’ve loved you since I was eight years old. Because you’re the only person who ever made me feel like I mattered. Because I’ve spent half my life searching fo