All Chapters of TOO LATE TO WANT ME BACK, MR CEO: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

AuroraI suddenly realized how exhausting being a CEO can be. Suddenly, I was looking forward to having someone else handle the position.I didn’t know if the few weeks without being CEO wiped my memory of the mountain of paperwork that needed to be reviewed.The endless meeting I had to preside over, or just show up because I was in charge.The budget reviews I had to look at to ensure the company didn’t go under.The investor updates I had to prepare every day to keep the investors in the loop.And above all, the impossible KPI deadlines I must meet every month, according to the bylaws.Everyone all congratulated me and welcomed me back, but they were not telling the truth. Parrice looked particularly happy to be relieved of that stress.No wonder she was quick to pack her things out of my office.The young woman, who had recently gotten engaged to a Junior software developer at Google, had somehow convinced me to join her in every single meeting she was handling while she was gone

AuroraIt was when I stepped down from the car that I realized that money had a smell.The entire venue glowed with thousands of lights, and all manner of luxury lights known to man lined the entrance.Nothing from all the experience I’d acquired around wealth for the last five years prepared me for what I saw today.Thousands of camera flashes met me as I stepped out of the car, from photographers and paparazzi that crowded the red carpet.“Ms. Harrington!”“Aurora, over here.”“Look this way!”Newsmen and paparazzi hurried towards me. For a moment, I got scared before I noticed men in black suits over a black shirt and ties that shimmered like fish scales in the evening light.I drew in a breath I didn’t realize I needed, rolling my eyes.I walked up the several stairs draped in red rug to the entrance. At the top of the stairs, Damien was waiting for me with a small smile and a glass of champagne, standing tall and looking way too confident.Looking way too pleased with himself.

AuroraFor the first time since this night began, I was beginning to think that showing up here was a big mistake.I glanced at the entrance, then looked at Damien. He looked uncomfortable, but his face wasn’t convincing.“What's up about her?” I asked him again. He looked down, hesitating. “Aurora, we shouldn’t talk about it.”“Everyone, I want you to listen,” Genevieve’s voice boomed in the room. Warily, I approached the balcony exit, descending to the hall where everyone had gathered around Genevieve.She turned around, seeing me descending the stairs, and for a moment, I thought her smirk widened.No, I didn’t think. It actually happened, her eyes sparkling with mischief.“Listen, everyone,” Genevieve turned, backing me. “You all may have been invited here to celebrate life, but what you don’t know is that we are here to celebrate love, too.”I blinked, stopping just a tread away from the floor. What was she talking about?She continued speaking with a flourish.“I’m sure you al

AuroraI found a handkerchief forgotten in my dash. Pulling it quickly, I dabbed my face with it as Leon approached the car.I pushed the door open and got out, carrying my bag with me.“I thought someone was being pursued by a demon,” he croaked.I laughed despite myself. “And who would that be?”He hesitated. “I heard the noise from inside. I had to be sure I was safe.”I chuckled again. “I think you—” My words died in my mouth when I saw the expression on his face. I followed his gaze to the car’s hood, seeing its distance away from the garage shed. It was merely inches away.“Were you drunk?” His eyes slowly turned from the car to face me.I looked at the car, then at him, and shook my head.“You’re too meticulous,” he murmured. “Something is definitely wrong.”I shook my head vehemently. “I’m fine, Leon.”“No, you’re not.”“I am.”“No.”I sighed, letting the mask I’d prepared to lie to him fall off. He looked at me for a long moment.“I thought so,” he muttered. “Do you want to t

AuroraI only realized the weight of the disaster on Saturday when I arrived at the office on Monday.As I rounded my desk chair for my seat, I looked up to see Patrice Makepeace approaching my office door. She pushed the door open and walked in, her face bearing a dirty frown.I collapsed into the seat and peeled my laptop open. “Patrice, I’m not really in a chatting mood today.”“Neither am I,” she responded, dropping five different magazines on my desk one after the other, each with a resounding slap against the desk. Beside it, she laid her tablet. I tore my gaze from my booting laptop screen to the tabloids and the magazines, and my jaw tightened.And in an instant, things started connecting.The anonymous mail. The threat of scandal. The mishap of Saturday night. I realized in a rude shock that I might know who my nemesis is.I looked up slowly at Patrice. “I think I might know who my problem is.”Patrice narrowed her eyes at me. “What are you thinking?” I paused, then nodded