The Boss I'd Rather Forget

Chapter 015- In and out

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*CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

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*Wren’s POV*

"Oh God, when I thought of a peaceful day," I murmured under my breath.

I said it so quietly I wasn’t even sure anyone heard me.

“Did you say something?” Liam asked, raising his eyebrows from his desk.

“Nothing,” I quickly replied.

I sat down at my desk and pulled a clean sheet of paper toward me. For a few seconds I just stared at it.

Then I picked up my pen.

The CEO wants an explanation.

Fine. I’ll give him an explanation.

I began writing.

The first sentence was terrible. I scratched it out.

At first I didn’t know exactly what to say. My mind was blank.

How do you explain to your ex-boyfriend that you froze in a presentation because seeing him felt like getting punched in the chest?

I couldn’t admit that I had completely lost focus because the CEO happened to be the one person I never expected to see again.

I couldn’t exactly write:

_Dear Sir, I zoned out because you are my ex-boyfriend and seeing you again nearly made my brain stop working._

That would be ridiculous. And also the fastest way to get fired.

I sighed and crumpled the paper. Started over on a new sheet.

This time I forced myself to be professional. No feelings. Just facts.

I carefully explained what had happened during the presentation, keeping my tone professional. I wrote that I had momentarily lost concentration. I assured him that it would not affect my work or my responsibilities going forward.

My handwriting was shaky but I didn’t care.

The rest of the team continued their usual conversations around me while I tried to ignore them and focus.

Green was laughing with Caleb about something.

I was halfway through the second paragraph when something caught my attention.

“Yeah, I had to come back when I heard that the CEO is not in the office.”

“Is he not in?” another person asked from near the water dispenser.

“Yep. I heard he went for a meeting with Togfo Int. He won’t be back till evening.”

My fingers suddenly stopped moving. The pen hovered over the paper.

My eyes widened slightly.

He’s not here?

A small smile slowly appeared on my face. I couldn’t help it.

“I think luck is finally on my side,” I whispered to myself. I glanced around quickly to make sure no one had heard me. Green was too busy gossiping. Liam had earphones in.

This is the perfect opportunity to submit it.

If I go now, I won’t have to see him. No awkward eye contact. No “Ms. Wren, come to my office.”

I could just drop it and leave.

I immediately returned to my laptop and began typing with renewed determination. My fingers moved quickly across the keyboard.

_Click click click._

I typed out the explanation properly this time. I reread everything twice. Corrected a few sentences that sounded weird. Added a final paragraph about how committed I was to the company and how it wouldn’t happen again.

Then I hit print.

Finally, I leaned back in my chair.

Done.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief. It felt like a weight had come off my chest.

“I want to go and submit this,” I announced, holding up the printed file.

“So fast?” Liam asked, pulling one earphone out. “Did you have it written before?”

“No,” I replied, shaking my head innocently. I picked up the printed file and folder. “Let me quickly go.”

I didn’t wait for him to ask more questions.

Before anyone could say anything else, I hurried out of the department.

The hallway seemed unusually quiet.

I walked quickly, clutching the file against my chest like armor.

_Click click_ went my heels on the marble floor.

In and out.

That was the plan.

Submit the explanation, return to my desk, finish my work, and go home without seeing Damien.

Simple.

When I reached the CEO’s floor, the air felt different. Colder. More serious.

I walked toward his office. As expected, I met the secretary sitting behind her desk in the small outer office. She was typing something and didn’t look up at first.

She looked up as I approached. “Sorry, how may I help you?” she asked politely.

“I’m here to submit something the CEO asked me to prepare.”

She glanced at the file in my hand. “But the CEO isn’t around. Maybe you should come back later.”

I immediately shook my head. “No, no. I just want to submit it and leave. Don’t worry about me. I won’t take long.”

Before she could protest again, I stepped into the CEO’s office and placed the file neatly on his desk. Right in the middle. So he couldn’t miss it.

For a moment the familiar surroundings made my chest tighten.

His style never changed. The office still looked exactly like something Damien would own—neat, expensive, organized, and annoyingly perfect.

The big glass windows. The view of the city. The bookshelf that was probably just for show.

I walked farther inside. My eyes landed on the large chair behind his desk.

That chair.

I stared at it for a moment.

I don’t know what possessed me.

Then, almost without thinking, I walked over and sat down.

“Oh…”

The chair was incredibly comfortable. I leaned back and turned slightly from side to side, enjoying the soft leather. It even had a massage function.

“So this is where Mr. Big Boss sits all day,” I muttered to myself.

For a few minutes I completely forgot why I had come.

I stared at the ceiling. I spun a little in the chair lost in thought.

I imagined Damien sitting here, signing papers, making decisions, probably looking irritating while doing it.

Then an evil idea suddenly crossed my mind.

“Should I plant a bomb here?”

I said it out loud in the empty office.

I paused.

“No.” I shook my head, serious. “He will die.”

That’s too far. Even for me. Also, I don’t know how to make bombs.

I thought for another moment, tapping my fingers on the armrest. “Or should I keep a nail there?” I pointed toward the seat. “No, also bad. What if I get caught?”

I imagined it. Me, in a police station, being questioned.

'Officer, why did you put a nail on the CEO’s chair?'

'Because... I was angry, and petty. But he deserved it.

I almost laughed at the thought.

“Okay, Wren. Enough.”

I quickly stood up. My heart was beating fast from laughing at my own stupid ideas.

I straightened my clothes and glanced at the file one last time.

Done. I have submitted it. Now I can leave.

I made my way toward the door.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, my mood completely changed.

I had done it.

I had entered Damien’s office.

I submitted the explanation.

I sat in his chair.

And I escaped without seeing him.

I actually survived.

A grin spread across my face. I couldn’t help it.

I started hopping lightly down the hallway, humming to myself.

“Finally…” _hop_

Another little hop.

“No Damien.” _hop_

Another hop.

“No awkward conversation.” _hop_

Another hop.

“No embarrassing memories.” _hop_

I felt so light. Like I had won something.

I was so pleased with myself that I didn’t notice the person approaching from the opposite direction.

I continued down the hallway, humming happily, and passed right beside the woman without even looking up.

I kept walking, completely unaware that someone had just watched me leave.

Behind me, the woman stopped walking.