The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 331

<Chapter 242-elul Turbulenes

Chapter 242: Useful Turbulence

Alexander

I’ve always believed that airports reveal more about people than parties. At a party, everyone’s putting or an act; at an airport, the real versions emerge: the anxious ones, the controlling ones, the clingers, the fleeers, the impatient ones, the ones who can’t lose. And then there’s Clara… She doesn’t fit into any simp category.

She walked beside me toward the private lounge, phone in one hand and a folder in the other, reviewing documents as she moved with effortless grace.

She didn’t look like a woman swept along on an unexpected trip. She looked like someone entering her comfort zone. That made her both dangerous and admirable. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her put her phone away after, presumably, texting Ethan.

I didn’t ask; I’m not that clueless. Although I admit I found the previous scene interesting: Ethan

swallowing his instinct to let her come with me. That takes more character than many men possess, or perhaps more love.

We took our seats in the lounge. Clara chose the armchair farthest from me, a small, deliberate gesture.

I smiled inwardly.

“Do you always calculate distances with such precision?” I asked.

She didn’t even look up from the sss she was replying to

“Only when the situation warrants it.”

“What a cruel impression you have of me.”

“Generous, actually.”

I chuckled softly; there it was again, that quality of hers: she could say something sharp without losing her

composure.

An attendant informed us that we would be boarding in ten minutes.

I nodded, and Clara continued working.

I watched her for a moment longer than allowed and then looked toward the window. New York awoke shrouded in dense clouds, bad weather, perfect.

The jet took off fifteen minutes late. We had barely reached cruising altitude when the first jolt began Nothing serious, just enough for the crew to adjust their expressions and serve coffee with less

enthusiasm.

Clara was sitting across from me in one of the executive seats, reading a report with admirable concentration. Another jolt, this time stronger. She gripped the armrest without realizing it; I noticed. 1. didn’t say anything yet, I waited. The third jolt rattled glasses and elicited a clear tense expression from her jaw.

<Chapter 242-eful Turbulence

She closed her folder slowly.

25 Points

I don’t like flying in bad weather,” she murmured. “God, I’ve traveled farther and this has never happened to me before…”

Interesting, spontaneous vulnerability. Very unusual for her.

“Hardly anyone does,” I replied.

“You don’t seem to care.”

I shrugged.

“I can’t control my breathing. So I don’t give it any energy.”

Another, more abrupt jolt, Clara inhaled deeply. She wasn’t reading anymore; she was staring out the window with that excessive stillness of someone trying not to appear nervous.

I stood up, took the seat next to her without asking, and fastened my seatbelt.

She turned to face me.

“What are you doing?”

“Preventing you from turning this into a silent tragedy.”

“I’m not making a tragedy out of it.”

“You’re mentally counting all the ways to die on a plane

She looked offended. That confirmed I was right.

“You’re unbearable.”

“And you’re transparent when you’re scared.”

Another brief dip in the plane, her hand reaching for the armrest again. I covered it with mine, whether out of romanticism or practicality.

She glanced down hands, then back at me.

“Alexa

“If

at least don’t tremble.”

uprised me more than the turbulence. We stayed like that for a few mized. Her breathing began to regulate.

quietly.

trol of something.”

Clara. Not fear of the accident, fear of helplessness.

<Chapter 242-seful Turbulence

I smiled slightly.

“Welcome to the functional adult club.”

She glanced at me sideways.

Take your hand away before I recover and remember how much you irritate me.”

I did so immediately; I’m not suicidal.

An hour later, we landed in Boston in a light rain.

A driver was waiting for us Bustamante. And one m

I put my phone away about my trip so qu

Clara was alread

once again. As

The driver

She b

h three urgent messages. Two from the legal team, one from

xpecting… Vanessa. It simply said: “Have you arrived yet?”

; it wasn’t the time. Although I admit I was intrigued that she knew

the exit, reviewing maps on her tablet, efficient once again. Impeccable

o let me hold her hand in mid-air had never existed.

orella, and I shielded Clara first.

and I gave him the project’s address. The driver hesitated.

nd the hotel first. The weather’s bad.”

repeated.

ay anything, just smiled slightly. Approving. That’s always more satisfying than it should be

twenty minutes later, and I understood why everyone was nervous.

in entrance was cordoned off, two official vehicles were outside, security personnel were present, rkers were gathered under male

A municipal inspector was arguing with one of our

gers.

got out of the car

an ran toward

God yo

ning the door. I followed her

ordered.

plaint this morning.”

eady serious. Very serious