Semua Bab MY CEO, MY OBSESSION : Bab 151 - Bab 160

Saturday morning. Dr. Chen's office at nine AM sharp.I'm already on my second coffee, having barely slept."Tell me what happened," she says.I recount everything. The restaurant. Damien's appearance. The blonde woman. Him following me into the rain. The revelation about quitting."And how did that make you feel?""Conflicted. Hopeful. Terrified. Like maybe I made a mistake ending things.""Why terrified?""Because we've done this before. Break up. He makes big changes. We get back together. It works for a while. Then something triggers his old patterns and we're back where we started. What if this is just another cycle?"Dr. Chen leans forward. "That's an important observation. You're recognizing a pattern. But Elena, I want to ask you something difficult.""Okay.""What if the pattern isn't just his? What if you're both stuck in a cycle together?"The question hits like cold water."What do you mean?""You leave when things get hard. He panics and makes grand gestures. You come bac

Saturday. Ten AM. I've changed outfits four times.It's coffee and a walk. Why am I this nervous?Because it matters. Because this time has to be different.I settle on jeans and a simple sweater. Casual. Real. Not performing.Damien picks me up at eleven. He's in jeans too. No suit. No armor."Hi," he says."Hi."The drive to the café is quiet. Not uncomfortable. Just two people figuring out how to be around each other without the familiar patterns."I'm nervous," he admits."Me too.""That's probably healthy.""Probably."We get coffee at a place I've never been to. Neutral territory. No memories attached."Tell me something I don't know about you," I say once we're settled at a corner table.He thinks. "I'm terrified of birds."I laugh. "What?""Pigeons specifically. When I was six, one flew into my face at the park. I've hated them ever since.""Damien Voss, feared CEO, afraid of pigeons.""Former CEO. And yes. Completely irrational fear.""Your turn. Ask me something.""What do y

Two weeks later, the call came.Catherine Park: "They're moving forward with depositions. You're scheduled for next Tuesday. Nine AM."My stomach drops. "I thought this would settle.""So did I. But Melissa is being unreasonable. She wants her day to interrogate you about Damien.""This isn't about money, is it?""No. It's about hurting him. You're collateral damage."Tuesday morning arrives too quickly.I'm in a conference room downtown. Fluorescent lights. Long table. Court reporter.And Melissa's lawyer, David Chen, sitting across from me with a predatory smile.Catherine sits beside me. "Remember—answer only what's asked. Nothing more."The deposition begins."Ms. Torres, how long have you known Damien Voss?""Two years.""And what is the nature of your relationship?""We're dating.""Currently?""Yes.""But you've broken up multiple times in those two years, correct?"I glance at Catherine. She nods slightly."Yes.""How many times?""Four significant separations.""Why did you b

Week eleven. Friday evening.I'm at the office late, finalizing grant applications, when my phone rings.Damien's mother.I stare at the screen. We've never spoken. I didn't know she had my number."Hello?""Elena Torres?" Her voice is cold. Aristocratic."Yes. Mrs. Voss?""I need to speak with you. In person. Tonight if possible.""About what?""About my son. And the mistake you're both making."My stomach drops. "I don't think—""There's a café near your office. Margaux. I'm already here. Please. Thirty minutes of your time."She hangs up before I can refuse.I sit there, phone in hand, debating.I should tell Damien. Should ignore this obvious manipulation.Instead, I grab my coat.Margaux is upscale. She sits in the back corner, perfectly dressed, radiating disapproval."Thank you for coming," she says as I sit."I'm not sure why I did.""Because you're curious. And concerned. As you should be.""What do you want, Mrs. Voss?""To understand what you're doing to my son.""Excuse me

Week thirteen. Saturday evening.Damien and I are at his apartment. We've extended the three-month boundary by two weeks while I processed his mother's interference.But tonight feels different."I want to talk about the physical boundary," I say.We're on his couch, post-dinner, wine in hand."Okay. What about it?""I think I'm ready. Actually ready. Not because we hit some timeline, but because I want to be close to you in every way."He sets down his wine. "Are you sure? There's no pressure.""I'm sure. But I'm also nervous.""Why?""Because this feels different than before. Before, sex was about intensity. Avoiding real conversation. Reconnecting after fights. Now it feels—significant. Like we're choosing intimacy from health instead of desperation.""That's exactly what it should be.""What if it's different? What if without all the drama and intensity, the chemistry isn't there?""Then we figure it out. But Elena, I've been thinking about this for three months. The chemistry is