Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 303

Chapter 302 Tender Mornings

He then stepped aside, keeping his gaze averted with a light cough. “Okay, go ahead.”

Finished

Cindy tilted her head, a look of confusion crossing her face as if wondering why he wasn’t joining her.

The next second, her bra and panties landed squarely on Zephyr’s face.

His face flushed, he caught the items. He found a small basin, then went to the sink on the balcony to hand- wash her delicate lingerie. He hung them carefully on a hanger to dry before returning to the living room.

He tried to watch TV for a while, his mind elsewhere. Estimating enough time had passed, he got up and knocked on the bathroom door.

“Cindy? Time’s up. You shouldn’t soak too long after drinking.” He waited, but there was no response.

A flicker of unease went through him. He pushed the door open.

The bathwater had cooled, and Cindy was asleep in the tub.

Zephyr ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. With no other option, he squeezed his eyes shut, lifted her out of the water, and quickly wrapped her in a plush bathrobe before carrying her to the bedroom.

After settling her in, he checked the time. It was almost midnight. Screw it, I’ll crash here for the night.

He lay down on the sofa and was soon asleep.

The next morning, Cindy awoke with a splitting headache and a bitter taste in her mouth. She groaned, rubbing her temples as she shuffled towards the bathroom. Halfway there, she froze.

Zephyr’s tall frame was curled awkwardly on her small living room sofa, fast asleep.

Her brain short-circuited for several seconds. Then, fragmented, blush-inducing memories of the previous night came flooding back.

Heat rushed to her face. She covered her eyes with her hands.

We didn’t do anything last night, did we?

Sure, they’d sex before, and she wasn’t exactly a traditional prude, but they weren’t in any kind of relationship. Not really.

She was biting her lip, lost in turmoil, when a sleepy voice broke the silence.

“Awake?” Zephyr’s voice was husky with sleep. He stretched, the joints in his shoulders popping softly, then

walked over to her.

A faint, gentle smile played on his lips. “Sleep well?”

Cindy turned her face away, refusing to look at him. The memory of what Doris had said yesterday afternoon stabbed at her heart like a needle.

If he knows his family is trying to marry me off to his stepbrother, why is he here, playing the knight in shining armor?

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For kicks?

Finished

But her anger was mostly directed at herself. Her standards for Zephyr were pathetically low. All he had to do was show up and show the slightest bit of concern, and her stupid heart would start racing again.

Zephyr, of course, was completely unaware of this internal monologue.

“Not talking to me?” he asked, reaching out to ruffle her hair, but Cindy swatted his hand away.

He stared at her bristling, turned-away form, momentarily taken aback.

He rubbed the back of his neck.

She’s mad? Why? Because I barged in last night without asking?

Okay, maybe that was a bit much.

Cindy stomped into the bathroom and began brushing her teeth with aggressive strokes. Suddenly, she saw his reflection-handsome, sculpted, and annoyingly concerned-in the mirror behind her.

Zephyr leaned against the doorframe. “Look, I’m sorry about last night. Showing up unannounced, I mean. I was worried about you drinking alone and-”

Cindy spat out her toothpaste, her voice cold. “Even if something happened, it’s my problem. Not yours.”

Her icy tone left him floundering. “Right. Yeah. Won’t happen again,” he mumbled.

She finished washing her face in silence. From that moment, through getting ready, eating a wordless breakfast, and leaving the apartment, Cindy didn’t grant Zephyr so much as a glance.

In the elevator, Zephyr studied her reflection in the polished metal doors, trying to find an opening. But Cindy kept her eyes stubbornly fixed on the floor. He wisely kept quiet.

At the office, they parted ways at the lobby, heading to their respective workstations.

All morning, Zephyr’s body was at his desk, but his mind was miles away.

“Mr. Knight, how should we implement this requirement?” Gwen approached with her laptop, ready to take notes. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw his monitor-the code editor was open, displaying only two lonely lines of code.

Uh… is he seriously slacking off right in the open?

Feeling caught, Zephyr quickly minimized the window and turned to explain the product specs to Gwen.

Around noon, his long fingers tapped open his phone. He hesitated, then sent a message to Cindy, “Free for lunch? We should talk.”

The reply came swiftly, “On a diet. Not eating.”

Zephyr massaged his temples. Still mad? But I didn’t do anything last night… well, except…

Vivid, distracting images surfaced. He cleared his throat. Okay, fine. Maybe I did cross a line.

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Chapter 302 Tender Mornings

At a restaurant near the office, Cindy sat in a private booth with Darcy and Gwen.

Finished

Before they could even look at the menus, Cindy announced, “I’m ordering the extra-spicy combo today”

Darcy simply nodded; she could handle it. Gwen, however, looked apprehensive.

Pouring a glass of water for Gwen, Darcy advised gently, “If it’s too spicy, just rinse the food in this before you eat it.”

Then, she turned her attention to Cindy.

They had an unspoken rule-whoever suggested extra-spicy food was having a bad day.

Darcy’s observant eyes scanned her friend’s face, noticing the faint shadows under her eyes. “Rough night?”

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Everything Taken, I Left to Become CEO

Chapter 303 Chance Encounters

Cindy choked on her water, a sudden surge of guilt making her sputter. “N-no, of course not.”

Okay, so there’s definitely something going on.

Darcy thought calmly, taking a sip of her coffee. The question was, what? Man trouble, or the sudden reappearance of Jasper?

Finished

The extra-spicy dishes arrived quickly. Cindy dug in with gusto, finding some catharsis in the burn. Darcy managed to keep pace, though it was a struggle.

Gwen, after a few brave bites, had to wave the white flag and order a sweet, milky dessert soup to soothe her palate.

Once the heat had subsided a bit, Gwen spoke up, “My graduation ceremony is this Saturday. Do you guys think you can make it?”

Cindy remembered the mandatory family dinner her grandfather had scheduled. “Sorry, kiddo. Family thing on Saturday. But I’ll make it up to you with an awesome gift later, promise!”

Darcy thought for a moment. “I’m free. I’ll be there.” She smiled warmly. “Any specific gift you’d like me to bring?”

Gwen shook her head, her expression sincere. “No gift needed. You being there is the best present.”

Cindy snorted, “You little flatterer. Who taught you to lay it on so thick? Your cousin?”

Gwen pouted. “No one! I’m naturally sweet and charming, thank you very much. Although my cousin is pretty great too.”

She finished with a hopeful, starry-eyed glance at Darcy.

Darcy pretended not to notice, focusing on her plate.

Cindy narrowed her eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Tell your cousin to give it up. Darcy is already-”

Her words were cut off by a sharp, sudden pain in her shin. “Ow!” she yelped.

Darcy reacted instantly, bending down as if to check Cindy’s leg. “What’s wrong? A cramp?”

Cindy ducked under the table as well. Their eyes met in the shadowy space beneath. Darcy glared and made a sharp “X” with her fingers. Cindy got the message immediately and clamped a hand over her mouth.

That was close! Almost spilled the beans!

They both straightened up. Only Gwen blinked in confusion. “Cindy? What were you saying Darcy already

is?”

Cindy looked up at the ceiling, feigning innocence. “Did I say anything? You must be hearing things. Tsk, tinnitus at such a young age. Poor thing.”

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Gwen blinked again.

49

Finished

Torn between suspicion and self-doubt, Gwen finished the meal in a state of mild bewilderment.

Leaving the private booth, the trio headed for the exit. Just as they reached the restaurant’s main doors, they ran straight into Zephyr.

Darcy and Gwen greeted him politely.

When it was Cindy’s turn, she froze, awkwardness washing over her.

She had lied first, after all.

She turned her face away, pretending not to see him.

Zephyr couldn’t help but smile at her blatant attempt to ignore his existence.

Darcy, sharp as ever, immediately picked up on the strange tension between them and guessed that Zephyr was likely the root of Cindy’s bad mood.

She nudged Gwen’s arm, and the two of them tactfully excused themselves, walking ahead.

Cindy was left standing there.

Snapping out of it, she made to leave, but Zephyr’s voice stopped her.

He pulled two movie tickets from his pocket. “Free tonight? There’s a new film that’s getting great reviews. Thought we could check it out?”

He paused, his expression turning serious. “Also… there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Cindy remained unmoved, her gaze steady and resolute. “Can’t,” she said, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Busy.”

Zephyr’s face fell.

He stood there for a long moment after she walked away, his fist slowly clenching around the tickets.

When Jethro finished a phone call and walked over, Zephyr offered a bitter smile and shoved the tickets into his hand. “Here. You take them.”

Jethro looked down at the tickets, then at Zephyr’s retreating/solitary figure, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

That evening, Darcy drove to the cinema entrance,

She pulled out her phone to text Jethro, “Here. Heading up in a sec. Need to hit the restroom first.”

After touching up her makeup, she took the elevator to the top-floor cinema lobby.

“Hold the door, please.”

The elevator doors were blocked by a couple stepping in. Recognizing Darcy, the woman smirked and pulled down her mask.

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icher

It was Zora. A mocking smile played on her lips. “Well, look who it is. Going to see a movie? Where are all your admirers tonight? Must be lonely, going alone.”

Beside her, Zane frowned instinctively, shooting Zora a warning look.

Zora ignored him.

These past few weeks, because of the online rumors, she’d mostly been hiding at home, too afraid to go out. She’d even handed over most of her work responsibilities to Lucian.

Finally unable to stand the confinement any longer, she’d begged Zane to take her out. He’d agreed, but only on the condition she wear a mask and hat the entire time.

Zora seethed internally. Even though they’d pinned the whole mess on Darcy, Zane was still bothered by the gossip. More than that, he hated the judgmental looks from strangers.

After some shopping and dinner, Zora didn’t want the night to end so soon. They decided to catch a late movie. Running into Darcy in the elevator felt like a stroke of luck.

Seeing Darcy alone filled Zora with a deep sense of satisfaction.

So much for all those men buzzing around her. Guess the novelty wore off and they found out how boring she really is.

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