The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 170

Chapter 120 Friends 2

There’s a knock at the door

‘Come in,” I say.

The door opens softly, it’s Vanessa

She shows her face first and then enters completely, with some documents in her hand.

I watch her for just a second. She looks… different.

I can’t say exactly why, more contained, more measured.

“I’ll interrupt you for a second,” she says. “I brought the project documents.”

I nod, pointing to her with my eyes to come in.

She walks over to the desk and leaves the folder in front of me, but she doesn’t leave right

away.

She stands there, watching me.

1 look up.

“What’s wrong?”

She smiles slightly.

“I see you very well today.”

I barely frown, amused.

“Yes?”

“I’m not the only one to notice it,” she adds. “Everyone outside is saying you look… cheerful.”

I can’t help but let out a little laugh from my nose.

I shake my head as I take the folder.

“I suppose it’s a good day,”

But I know it’s not just that. And it seems that she does too.

Tilt her head slightly.

“I suppose it’s because of Clara…”

It’s not a question, it’s a statement.

I look at her. And for a second… I see no reason to deny it.

I nod slightly with my head.

“Yes.”

Simple, straightforward.

Vanessa holds my gaze for a moment longer, and then smiles. But this time… It’s different.

Softer.

“She’s an incredible woman… isn’t she?”

I look down at the documents, but I don’t read them.

Not really.

“Yes, she is,” I reply.

Without doubt, without thinking, because I know. Because I feel it.

She takes a breath, as if organizing what she is going to say.

“She always has been,” she continues. “Clara has something… which is not easy.”

I look up again, I listen to her.

“She’s intelligent, determined… and yet it has that form of… make important people feel.”

She pauses slightly.

“I understand why…”

She pauses for a second. And then finish the sentence.

“I understand why you want to be with her.”

Silence sets in, but it is not uncomfortable. It is… strange.

Because I didn’t expect this, not from her.

“Any man would want to have someone like that by his side,” she adds.

I watch her more closely now. Because there is something behind her words.

Something that is not only acceptance, but also not confrontation. It is… something else.

Chapter 120. Friends 2

“You had good taste,” she says finally, with a slight smile.

And there it is, that light tone. Almost by chance… But measured

I rest my back on the chair, still looking at her.

“It’s not about taste,” I reply. “It is… her.”

My words come out firmer than I expected, more personal.

Vanessa nods slowly.

“I know.”

Silence.

She lowers her gaze for a second, as if she were picking up something inside her… and then pick it up again.

“I just wanted to say that.”

Take a small step back.

“And- well, the documents.”

She points to the folder, and I nod.

“Thank you.”

She turns to leave, but before leaving she stops for a second at the door.

She doesn’t turn around.

“I’m glad to see you like this, Ethan.”

And then… she is leaving… The door closes softly, I stand silently looking at the folder.

But not really seeing it, because my mind… lingered on her, on her words. On the way she said them. I exhale slowly.

“That was… unexpected,” I murmured.

And for some reason… I don’t quite know if it was a good thing.

I’m checking some emails when I look up at my assistant.

“I need you to buy something, a gift,” I say.

Chapter 129 Friends 2

She approaches immediately, notebook in hand.

“Sure, sir. What kind of detail?”

I remain silent for a second, it’s not just anything. It’s for Clara. And that… it changes

everything.

I run a hand over my chin, thinking.

“Something special,” I say finally. “Something that… women like it.”

My assistant nods, but I notice her hesitating.

“Any references? Flowers, jewelry, something more personalized?”

I exhale gently.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I want it to be… significant.”

And just at that moment…

“I’m sorry to interrupt.”

The voice comes from the door, we both turn. It’s Vanessa, again.

She is leaning lightly on the frame, with a calm expression… but attentive.

“I was nearby,” she continued, “and I heard what you were asking her.”

My assistant looks at her, then she looks at me.

I frown slightly, I didn’t expect this.

“I can help you with that,” Vanessa adds.

I look at her a second longer than usual.

Because it’s not just what she says, it’s how she says it.

Natural, close. As if it were the most normal thing in the world.

“Are you sure?” I ask, not entirely concealing my surprise.

She smiles lightly.

“Of course.”

Step inside the office.

apter 120, Phemds

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

That word… It resonates for a second in my head, friends.

I nod slowly.

“Yes… of course.”

My assistant, understanding that she is no longer needed in the conversation, quietly leaves.

The door closes. And now we are both.

Vanessa walks to the desk, gently resting her hands on the surface.

“Let’s see,” she says. “Clara is not the type of woman who is impressed by anything.”

I don’t answer, I just listen.

“It’s not just flowers,” she continues, “nor something expensive for the sake of it.”

Tilt her head slightly.

“It has to be something that says you thought of her.”

My arms slowly cross over my chest.

“That’s what I’m trying to do.”

She nods.

“Then don’t buy something generic.”

She pauses briefly.

“Buy something that connects with who she is.”

My eyes are fixed on her.

“And what is that?”

Vanessa barely smiles. As if she already knew the answer.

“A woman who values details… but even more, the intention behind them.”

Silence settles in for a moment.

“You could bring her something that has to do with her routine,” she adds. “Something that makes her life easier… or prettier.”

She straightens up.

Or something that reminds her of a moment between the two of you.”

That… that makes me think…

exhale.

“Yes,” I murmured.

Vanessa watches me carefully.

“See?” she says softly. “You know where to start.”

I look at her again, and for a moment… I’m amazed at how easy this is being.

How natural.

“Thank you,” I say.

She nods.

“That’s what friends are for.”

That word again. But this time… It doesn’t sound the same. Not quite.

Vanessa turns to leave, but before leaving, she stops for a second.

“Ah… and Ethan.”

I look at her.

‘Don’t fail with this.”

Her eyes are fixed on mine.

Because women like Clara… don’t expect just anything.”

And without another word… she leaves the office.

The door closes, and I stay there. Thinking… But this time… with a much clearer idea in my head.

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