Sleeping With The CEO-Chapter 306: Two?

Derek had woken up on Monday morning as the CEO of Haven Group. But now that was no longer the case. He was just Derek now. No title before his name. It was a strange thing but strange in a good way.

And after all the bad that had happened to him, Derek was glad to have something good, even if others in his life, people like his mother, would not view it in such a way. Because of his title, of his name, he had lost his Emily. It was only right that he discard the very thing that had caused him so much pain. Deep down Derek knew that Emily had left because of what his mother had done.

But if he were to blame his mother. There was a huge chance that he would never talk to her again. He did not want that. So he had gone for the next best thing... his title.

Now he was no longer CEO and he was also no longer in the city or at Haven manor. He could have gone anywhere. A bustling city in another country where the constant buzz of people, of traffic, and all other things would have kept his mind busy.

Or he could have gone to one of the private islands. Just taking some time to enjoy the serenity. But instead, Derek was in a small town. The very place where it had begun for him and Emily, right next to the room where everything had started. It did not bring him a sense of peace, of calm, because as far as Derek was concerned.

The only way for him to be able to achieve that, would be with Emily by his side. But being at the motel had definitely helped to lighten him a bit.

Without the constant reminders of what he’d lost. It was a bit easier for Derek to breathe, to think. Something helped by the fact that on the floor where he was staying, there was not much noise. All thanks to there being just one other tenant, and they were on the other side of the room that Derek had shared with Emily. He had only been at the motel for a short while, but he had yet to hear a peep. Or even so much as a sigh, coming out of the other room. Derek was taking that as a sign of good things to come. He did not wish to be bothered.

After Emily had left him, Derek had slipped into a sort of survival mode. A very difficult phase in his life where he had just been going from one moment to the next. Not really focusing too much on what was happening because he knew that if he dared to stop. To think deeply on what was going on.

Then most likely he never would have found the strength to keep moving. But now that he was away from the city. No longer weighed down by the responsibilities that came with being the CEO of Haven Group. As well as not having to deal with his mother.

Derek felt as though he could begin to face things again. A fact helped by the little bit of sleep that he had been able to get.

After the emotional rollercoaster that had been his Monday, as well as the trip over to the town of Joy. Derek had only managed an hour of sleep.

But it was an hour more than he had been thinking he would get.

It was not enough for anyone under any circumstances. But it was enough to tide him over until he managed to rest again. Since waking up from his hour of rest Derek had been laying in bed for hours.

Unlike back at the penthouse or back at the manor. There was no readily available swimming pool for him to make use of. Derek’s only option for the rest of the night, had been staying in bed.

He had been laying on it, alternating between staring up at the ceiling, and looking at the puzzle piece that he’d brought along on his trip.

When he had returned to the penthouse after quitting his job. Derek had debated with himself on whether or not to bring the puzzle piece.

After all, his intent with leaving the city was to leave behind everything that had hurt him.

But in the end he had been unable to make himself abandon it.

Things might have ended in heartbreak for him and Emily, but at the time when Derek had the photo puzzle made. He’d had it crafted out of love. And even as he lay on the motel bed at that very moment, not really sure what direction his life was taking anymore.

When Derek looked at the puzzle piece. It was not in hate or disappointment. But with soft eyes, unable to make himself resent, something that would have been instrumental in him confessing his love to Emily.

Derek held the puzzle piece up, flipping it over and just watching it from different angles. When he got too tired to hold it. He simply turned onto his side and curled up. The puzzle piece held close to his chest. His eyes fixed on the nearby wall.

He wanted to believe that his behavior was temporary. That he would get over it soon. But Derek got the feeling that he would be staring at the puzzle piece a lot, in the near future.

By the time that the former CEO finally forced his body to move from that position. It was not because he actually wanted to. Were it up to him, he would have lain there for eternity, not having to face anything. But the pressing need to relieve himself, as well as get some food into his body, had forced Derek to move. freewёbnoνel.com

And once he was up, he had decided that his body needed more nourishment than the protein bars that he had with him. Which was why he was currently in what seemed to be the town of Joy’s only diner.

Mechanically shoving food into his mouth without really tasting it. He had come in just after lunch, and the waitress had informed him that it would be slim pickings. But Derek had not really cared. In fact he had no idea what the dish he was eating was called. But he was certain that the waitress had told him. For him, it was just brown rice and vegetables.

The fact that it would give him an energy boost, was more important than the spices that had been infused into it. Or whatever it was that the cook had decided to name it. He had just finished off the meal when he heard a voice behind him "CEO Haven!"

He might have no longer been the CEO, but years of answering to the title had his head snapping up. His gaze settling on a familiar face.

The union leader of the solar panel plant instantly recognizable. It was hard to forget someone who had been there the night you had nearly been burned alive. Standing to greet her, the two of them shared a firm handshake and the woman took a seat across from Derek. "Just Derek will do," He told her.

"I am not the CEO anymore. " And the older woman scoffed.

"You will always be the CEO to me. You definitely did a much better job than that clown they put up on your seat," She said.

It was Derek’s turn to scoff now.

"That clown is my uncle," He said. And the older woman just shrugged, not rushing to try and apologize like other people would have.

"My point still stands," She told him.

"I don’t know why you quit but I want you to know that all of us here are grateful that you kept your word to us. All of the promises that you made were met. Thank you, Derek," She continued. And Derek nodded. The small show of gratitude threatening to make him tear up.

The interaction was cut short by her phone buzzing, and she let out a curse as she stood.

"I have to get back to work. You know how it is. Enjoy your stay Derek. I am glad that the two of you have chosen to come here to get away from it all. " Derek nodded, not really paying attention. It was only after she had left the diner that her words finally registered.

The two of you, what on earth did she mean by that?

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fr(e)ewebnov𝒆l.com Only