The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 89

Chapter 67: A Glass of Water

Ethan

+25 Points

If someone had told me that I was going to compete for a glass of water, I would have laughed. And yet,

here I am.

The contract that temporarily links my company with Clara’s is in its final phase. Months of work, analysis, cross–reporting, technical adjustments and endless revisions.

Our teams have worked as if we were not direct competitors.

Which, technically, we still are. The meeting room is spacious, with a long dark wood table and a full wall of screens where graphics and results are projected. The atmosphere smells of coffee and excessive

concentration.

Alexander is seated to Clara’s right. Me, on the left. No one explicitly decided so. It just happened and

neither of them changed seats.

The meeting is progressing with impeccable professionalism.

Numbers, results. Projections… Final conclusions.

Clara leads the conversation with the same firmness she showed at her inauguration. She is concentrated,

confident, impeccable. She wears a perfectly structured light suit and her hair in a low ponytail that reveals the elegant line of her neck.

I force myself to look at the screen more than at her

Alexander intervenes when appropriate. Its tone is measured, analytical. Smart.

I’ll admit, it’s good.

That doesn’t mean I like him.

“If we adjust the margin in the third quarter,” says one of the analysts.

“No,” Clara replies with firm softness. “The margin remains. What we adjust is the implementation

strategy.”

I look at her, it was always like that. Determined… Safe. Without hesitation when she knows she is right.

The meeting continues for nearly two more hours.

When the last point is finally closed, Clara leans back just in her chair and exhales.

“Good,” she says. “I think that’s all for today.”

There is a general murmur of relief.

That’s when she brings her hand to her throat lightly.

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Chapter 674 Olass of Water

Inced water,” she murmurs almost to herself.

And that’s where the stupidity begins. Alexander and I got up at the same time.

At exactly the same time, It’s so synchronized that for a second we look at each other.

Silence.

No one else seems to notice.

“I’m going,” he says, already taking a step.

“Don’t worry,” I reply, walking too. “I’m closer”

I’m not.

+25 Points

But that’s irrelevant, we walk to the small module where the water filter and coffee maker are, located at

the end of the adjoining glass room.

The door closes behind us. And now, yes, we are alone.

The silence is thick, full of things that are not said. I take a glass, he takes another.

Open the filter at the same time.

Ridiculous.

“I didn’t know you were so attentive,” Alexander says without looking at me.

His tone is polite. But not innocent.

“I didn’t know you were,” I reply with the same sharp courtesy.

The water falls into both glasses.

Perfectly aligned.

“I guess we can all learn new priorities,” he adds.

Ah.

There it is.

r

“I suppose,” I reply, leaning lightly on the counter. “Although some priorities are not new. They were just

poorly managed.”

Now he does look at me. Exchange of glances.

Nothing aggressive. But it is loaded.

“Clara appreciates stability,” he says.

“Clara appreciates being known,” I correct calmly.

An interesting silence ensues.

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Chapter 57A Gless of Water

“And do you know her?” he finally asks.

I smile barely.

“I was married to her.”

He nods slowly.

“The past does not always guarantee the future.”

“No,” I answer. “But it does not cancel it either.”

The water stops falling.

We both hold the glasses. And for a second it looks like we’re in an old west duel.

With glass glasses.

Pathetic.

We left the small area at the same time. Clara is still sitting, checking something on her tablet.

She sees us approaching and raises an eyebrow.

“Did you go together?” she asks.

“Yes” we say in unison.

She holds back a smile.

Damn.

We stop in front of her. And here comes the absurd second part.

We both extend the glass at the same time. She looks at one, then the other. Then to us.

“Is it a silent competition that I missed?” she asks with dangerous calm.

“No,” Alexander says.

“Not at all,” I add.

“Of course.”

Take one of the glasses, mine. Not because it’s mine. If not, because it was a centimeter closer.

Alexander notices it. Me too… And I can’t help but feel a completely childlike satisfaction.

She takes a sip.

“Thank you.”

And then take the other glass as well.

“I’ll leave this one here in case anyone else wants it.”

+25 Points

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<Chapter 62A Giess of Water

She looks at us with that expression that means. “Behave.”

The others begin to leave the roorn.

Alexander leans slightly towards her.

“I have a call in ten minutes. Shall we review the budget tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Clara replies.

I don’t say anything, but I observe. I always watch.

Alexander picks up his folder. Before leaving, he gives me a brief look.

Not defiant, not open. But of course… This is not over.

When the room is almost empty, Clara gets up.

“Did you really do that for a glass of water?”

I cross my arms.

“I was going to get up anyway.”

“Of course.”

She gets a little closer.

“Ethan.”

That tone.

“What?”

“I don’t need you to compete for me.”

The phrase is mild. But direct.

I hold her gaze.

“I’m not competing.”

“Yes, you are.”

Her eyes sparkle with something somewhere between amusement and warning.

“And so does he.”

I exhale through my nose. Maybe… A little.

“I don’t like it when he touches your waist,” I finally say.