Page 39 of Please, Forgive Me

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said, a subtle smile playing on his lips, though I could hear the relief in his voice. “I know this is best for everyone. And as I promised—no retaliation when you leave. If you leave.”

“Right.”

He rose from his chair and came around to the front of his desk, stopping just a few steps from me. His presence wasoverwhelming, as always. Even when he wasn’t trying to be intimidating, he owned the space just by standing there.

“And I promise I’ll keep being the same boss you know,” he added, arms crossed as he watched me. “Nothing between us changes. We move forward, like we always have.”

I tried to process his words. Part of me believed his sincerity. Another part… well, knowing Diego, I knew he always had cards hidden up his sleeve. Still, there was something in his tone that made me think he’d actually try to keep things in check.

He smiled again—this time lighter, almost playful.

It was the Diego who sometimes peeked out from under the cold, calculating layer. The Diego I secretly liked to see but who never showed himself fully.

“So, six months,” he said, with that peculiar humor only he could pull off. “Six months for you to regret even thinking about leaving the best company in the country.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

For all his control and his ability to drive me crazy, he had this unique way of making everything feel like part of a game. And, somehow, I liked our exchanges because of it—those moments when he lowered his guard and was just… Diego.

“Six months for me to see if you can be a tolerable boss,” I shot back, matching his teasing tone.

For a moment, all the tension between us seemed to evaporate, and I caught myself thinking maybe, just maybe, these six months wouldn’t be so bad.

It was strange, but I liked my boss like this—when he wasn’t trying to control everything or play the relentless CEO, but simply someone I could talk to and even laugh with, if only for a few minutes.

He watched me for a few seconds longer, eyes fixed on mine as if trying to read more. But before the silence turned awkward, he tilted his head slightly and said, with that voice that always seemed to know exactly what to say:

“Welcome back, Maria Gabriela.”

He extended his hand, almost ceremonially, as if we were sealing a new agreement.

I clasped it, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.

It was official.

I’d stay for the next six months.

As I walked out of his office, I felt a mix of relief and a sharp flicker of anticipation. Diego was a mystery I still hadn’t unraveled, but I knew, somehow, he would always have an impact on me.

And for now, I was willing to play his game—so long as I could keep hold of my own life.

CHAPTER 16

“Sometimes you have to lose something to learn its worth…”

MARIA GABRIELA

A week went by.

The office routine stayed the same, except this time Diego barely spoke to me.

The usual rhythm of the company filled the air—the steady tapping of keyboards, the low hum of voices drifting through the halls. Everything seemed normal, almost monotonous, as if balance had been restored after our last conversation.

I tried to stay focused on work—answering emails, reviewing reports, scheduling meetings—but that faint thread of tension lingered, keeping me on edge.

I knew Diego was waiting for the next move.

And in some way, so was I.