CEO's Desire

Chapter 3 – Lost interest

After my conversation with Dad about the business trip, I felt the need to talk to John. I needed his support, and knowing he was there for me always made things easier. I picked up my phone and dialed his number, my heart pounding as I waited for him to answer.

"Hey, John," I said, trying to sound cheerful despite the heaviness in my heart.

"Hey, Marghie! What's up?" His warm voice instantly brought comfort, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I have something to tell you," I began, taking a deep breath. "Dad has assigned me to go abroad to handle an urgent business matter."

There was a brief moment of silence before John responded, "Oh, I see. How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but as soon as the problem is fixed, I'll come back," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "I wish I could give you a definite answer, but it's hard to predict."

John's voice was filled with reassurance. "Don't worry, Marghie. I'll wait for you. And you know what? When you come back, I'll propose to you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

His words caught me by surprise, and tears welled up in my eyes. "Oh, John, you don't know how much that means to me. I'll accept your proposal when I come back, and we'll have a big engagement party!"

His laughter echoed through the phone. "That's the spirit, Marghie! I can't wait to see you again and start planning our future together."

After hanging up with John, I couldn't contain my excitement. I hurriedly went to share the news with my family, hoping they would share in my joy.

As I gathered everyone in the living room, my heart was racing with happiness. "Guess what, everyone? John and I are planning to get engaged after my business trip!"

Cassie's forced smile didn't go unnoticed by me, but I tried to focus on the others. Dad and Mom glanced at each other, their disinterest apparent. "That's nice, Marghie," Dad said, his attention already drifting back to his work.

Mom added, "But shouldn't you prioritize the business matter abroad first? Your engagement can wait."

I felt a pang of disappointment, but I understood that my parents' priorities lay elsewhere. "Of course, Mom. The business matter will be my priority. But it's just nice to know that John and I have plans for our future."

Cassie's feigned congratulations didn't sit well with me either, but I chose not to dwell on it. I had John's love and support, and that was what mattered most.

In the coming days, I busied myself with preparations for the trip. I knew the responsibility that awaited me was significant, but I was determined to prove myself and make my mark in the business world.

As the departure date approached, I felt a mix of emotions - excitement for the challenges ahead, but also sadness at leaving behind the people I loved. I clung to John's promise, knowing that his love would give me strength during this time apart.

With John's words echoing in my mind, I boarded the plane with renewed determination. This business trip was not just about the company; it was also about embracing my worth and forging my own path. And when I returned, I knew there would be a bright future awaiting me - one that included a loving fiancé and a life filled with happiness and love.

As I settled into my hotel room after arriving abroad, a sense of determination washed over me. I had a job to do, and I was ready to prove myself not only to the company but also to my family back home. This was my chance to show them that they could trust me with the responsibility and that I was capable of handling the challenges that came my way.

I headed straight to the office. I wanted to hit the ground running and get to work as soon as possible. I had a clear plan in mind, and I was eager to make a positive impact.

Throughout the day, I worked tirelessly, immersing myself in the intricacies of the business matter at hand. The weight of my family's expectations and my desire to prove myself pushed me forward, and I was determined to succeed.

I found myself fully immersed in my responsibilities. I faced challenges and obstacles, but I tackled them head-on with confidence. I knew that with hard work and dedication, I could make a difference and make my family proud.

Every night, I would call John and update him on my progress. His unwavering support and encouragement fueled my determination. He was my anchor, my source of strength in this foreign land.

With each passing day, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. This trip was about more than just fixing a business matter; it was about finding my own path and reclaiming my worth. I knew that when I returned, I would be a different person - stronger, more confident, and ready to take on whatever challenges life threw at me.

As the days passed abroad, I couldn't help but notice a change in John's behavior whenever we talked. He seemed distant and less enthusiastic, and it left me feeling unsettled and anxious. I tried to convince myself that it was just the strain of long-distance, but deep down, I knew something was off.

Our phone calls became shorter, and John's responses lacked the same affection as before. Whenever I brought up our plans for the future, he would change the subject, and it felt like he was avoiding the topic altogether. The more I noticed his disinterest, the more it affected my focus at work.

One day, after another lackluster conversation with John, I found myself feeling a mix of sadness and frustration. I decided to give him a call again, hoping to understand what was going on.

"Hi, John," I said, trying to sound cheerful despite the knot in my stomach.

"Hey, Marghie," he replied, his tone lacking the usual warmth.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, unable to hide my concern. "You seem a bit distant lately."

There was a brief pause before he responded, "I'm sorry, Marghie. I've just been really busy with work and other things."

I could sense that there was more to it than just work, but I didn't want to push him. "It's alright, John. I understand. But if there's something on your mind, you can talk to me."

He hesitated for a moment before replying, "I guess I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. It's been hard to find time to talk and connect with the time difference."

I felt a pang of disappointment but tried to remain understanding. "I know it's not easy, John. But we can work through this. I miss you, and I want us to stay connected."

"I miss you too, Marghie," he said softly. "It's just been a lot to handle, and I feel like I'm losing touch with everything back home."

My heart sank, and I tried to hold back my emotions. "I want to be there for you, John. We can find a way to make this work. I don't want to lose what we have."

He sounded torn as he spoke. "I don't want to lose it either, Marghie. It's just that everything feels so uncertain right now."

The thought of losing John was devastating, but I knew I had to respect his feelings. "If you need time, I'll give it to you. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

As we ended the call, I felt a sense of emptiness and sadness. It hurt to see the distance growing between us, but I understood that we both needed space to process our feelings.

In the days that followed, I tried to focus on my work and distract myself from the pain in my heart. I threw myself into my responsibilities, determined to prove myself and find fulfillment in my own achievements.

But no matter how much I tried to bury my emotions, they resurfaced at night when I was alone with my thoughts. The fear of losing John consumed me, and I questioned whether I was enough for him.