Revenge Of The Spiteful CEO

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, salty and mixed with food aromas, surrounded other diners enjoying their meals. Despite the growling hunger in

I avoided checking my watch, wo

e up. Later, he'd arrive with flowers and a convincing excuse, always tied to work-an impendi

that work would perpetually dominate his life, leaving

r no-show for our dates. Exhaling, the sting of feeling ignored lingered. Tonight, my twenty-first birthday, a

Anticipation had turned into disappointment. I found myself deepl

ift box on the table-a present for Zade. What a fool I was. I slip

Leaning back, I waited. Randy greeted me, mentioning the flowers he sent. Disappointment

iced smile. "Allow me to clarify. He used to be qu

ing of Zade, did you perchance spot him at the office? He was supposed

"I doubt it. I was the last to exit the offi

claimed, t

ountered some challenges recently. I had to convene an emergency meeti

e. Hours ago? "But if he left

has," Randy spoke gently, his genuine sent

tic gaze. Stay focused, Sapphire. Uncover the truth. "What trigg

ot prec

completely forget my birthday." There was a heated ed

rossing his features before he looked away. "I

own up, for what?" I stopped abruptly, my anger evaporating into horror. "Oh, Randy! What if something's happened to him? What if he's had an acciden

, please help me find him. I feel foolish and childish for reacting this way when he needs my help. Yes, he's stood me up before, but he always cal

my hand. Even in my anxious state, I sensed his

im. Please, Randy. I have this terrible feeling in the

dismissed it. As e-cards and birthday wishes flooded my phone from friends, the discomfort

ng the tears and fear in mine. I

. She might have some idea where he might be." He to

ly for Zade's se

voice was cle

We're trying to find Zade. Have you

e meeting, Mr. Channing. Maybe he we

ifteen minutes ago. But you may be o

bruptly, an unusual departure from her

a good point. What do you say we swing by the office to see if he's gone back? And even if he didn't, we can check his desk

o, nothing out of the ordinary.

w software he was working on. You know how intense he gets with his projec

back to our time together two days ago in my apartment. Everything appeared normal. We shared a tub of ice cream, watched four episodes of "Billions," and played a video gam

ing, I insiste

ine. While skeptical that Zade would be at the office at this hour, ruling that out was still worth a try. If not there, his apartment would be my next stop. I was determined to fin

he night watchman with a nod, and we entered the elevator. My gaze remained fixed on the panel during the ascent. As the doors opened on the fourth floor, Randy

check his desk for any clu

ndy began rifling through drawers and papers, yet everyt

ened it, my knees weakened, and I sought a chair as spots danced before my eyes. I blinked repeatedly; it

phire," Ran