Semua Bab MY CEO, MY OBSESSION : Bab 111 - Bab 120

Three days in Seattle, and the cracks start showing.Not in Damien—he's following doctor's orders, resting, eating, attending his emergency therapy sessions. The cracks are in me.I'm waking up at five AM to answer emails from Boston. Taking conference calls in Damien's bathroom. Working on my laptop while he sleeps, trying to manage a new job remotely while also being present for him.And I'm failing at both.On day four, my team lead Jade calls."Elena, we need you here. The mentors are asking questions I can't answer. The school board wants updates on curriculum development. And honestly? I think some people are questioning if you're committed to this role."The words hit like a slap."I'll be back Sunday. That's only three more days.""I know. But this is a new program, your first month as director. Perception matters. And right now, it looks like you abandoned ship for personal reasons."After we hang up, I sit on Damien's couch, laptop open, and face the truth I've been avoiding

Damien arrives Friday evening with a laptop, a notebook, and the kind of determined expression I recognize from our days fighting Reed."You're treating this like a business negotiation," I observe."Because that's what this is. We're negotiating a future. Might as well use the skills we have."We order Chinese food neither of us eats and spread out on my living room floor with actual paper and pens."Ground rules," Damien says. "Complete honesty. No protecting each other's feelings. We put everything on the table—what we want, what we're willing to sacrifice, what's non-negotiable.""Okay. You start."He takes a breath. "I love Seattle. I've built something meaningful there—the foundation, the consulting work, a community. I don't want to leave unless there's a compelling reason."The honesty stings, but I appreciate it."I love Boston. This job is everything I've been working toward without knowing it. And I'm three months in—I can't leave now even if I wanted to.""So we're both ge

The emergency session with Dr. Chen is brutal."You're catastrophizing again," she observes."I'm being realistic. Either choice has massive consequences. If I take the Seattle job, I'm the person who can't commit to anything long-term. If I stay in Boston, I might lose Damien.""Those aren't the only two outcomes.""Aren't they?"Dr. Chen sets down her notepad. "Elena, I want you to try something. Close your eyes and imagine you've taken the Seattle job. You're living there, working at the think tank, building a life with Damien. What do you feel?"I close my eyes and try to imagine it.Relief. The distance is over. I wake up next to him every morning.But underneath that: fear. That I ran toward him instead of toward myself. That I'm repeating old patterns with new geography. That I sacrificed my independence the moment it became inconvenient."Scared," I admit. "That I'm making the same mistakes with better justification.""Okay. Now imagine you've stayed in Boston. The mentorship

Day thirteen of waiting, the call comes.I'm in the middle of a mentorship session when my phone vibrates with a Seattle area code. I ignore it—these students come first.But my heart races for the remaining forty-five minutes.When the session ends, I listen to the voicemail with shaking hands."Ms. Torres, this is Dr. Patricia Yoon from the Northwest Education Policy Institute. We'd like to discuss next steps. Please call me back at your earliest convenience."Next steps. Not rejection. Next steps.I step into an empty classroom and call back."Elena, thank you for getting back to me so quickly." Dr. Yoon sounds warm but professional. "I'll get straight to it. The panel was unanimous. We'd like to offer you the position."The world tilts."I—thank you. I'm honored.""I'm emailing you the formal offer now. Salary, benefits, start date—it's all there. We're hoping you can start in six weeks, which I know is fast. Take a few days to review everything, and let's schedule a call to discu

Three weeks before my move to Seattle, someone from my past shows up at my office.I'm packing up files when the receptionist buzzes. "Elena, there's someone here to see you. Says it's urgent. A Mr. Lawson?"My blood turns to ice.Mr. Lawson. My former boss. The predator who destroyed my career and sent me spiraling into the darkest period of my life. The reason I ended up desperate enough to sign Damien's contract in the first place."Tell him I'm not available.""He says he'll wait. He's—Elena, he seems agitated."My hands shake as I grab my phone. Text Damien: "Lawson showed up at my work. I don't know what he wants."Damien's response is immediate: "Don't see him alone. I'm calling you."But before I can answer his call, my office door opens.Lawson walks in like he owns the place—older than I remember, grey at the temples, but with the same predatory confidence that once made me feel small."Elena. You look well."I stand, putting my desk between us. "You need to leave. Now.""I