Loved Too Late Left Too Long Chapter 08
Keagan assigned me an undemanding role at a subsidiary.
I was received by the young CEO.
He shook my hand politely.
“Ms. Vaughn, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I glanced at the nameplate on the door. His name was Dawson Dillon.
“Mr. Dillon, could you please show me my workstation?”
Dawson exchanged a few pleasantries and then led me to the floor–to–ceiling windows.
There was an independent, luxurious workstation.
The view outside was pleasant, sunlight filtering through the window. This workstation was absolutely perfect for slacking off.
I spoke bluntly. “I’m not taking this role.”
Purchase completed
Dawson’s expression didn’t shift. “Well? What would you prefer, Ms.
“I know Keagan told you to treat me like a decoration, but Mr. Dillon, I’m not here for window dressing. I want to be your assistant. You’re the one who holds the final decision–making power in this company, and only by working un- der you can I gain real, practical experience.”
He still wore that polite smile. “Ms. Vaughn, being my assistant means being on call twenty–four hours a day. You’ll be making coffee and fetching food, not to mention enduring my bad moods if I take them out on you.”
I smiled back. “Mr. Dillon, don’t try to intimidate me. I know you have your concerns. With all due respect, if I refuse to accept this job, Keagan will be truly furious with you.”
Dawson fell into thought. Then he stepped past me, took the badge meant for the idler’s seat, and clipped it onto the position closest to the CEO’s office.
“Ms. Vaughn, welcome to join us.”
I let out a slow breath of relief.
I’d only been in Canada for a week when an overseas call came through.
“Was it really necessary to go abroad?”
The voice on the other end belonged to Terrence.
“This is just a show of goodwill, an apology. The wedding is still ours. No matter how much Mariela kicks up a fuss, the Mooney family will never let me marry her. You’re smart enough to understand that.”
Terrence had been showered with love and attention since childhood.
It seemed he believed that no matter how far I went, as long as he deigned to lower his pride a little, I was supposed to drop everything and run back to him.
“Terrence, I’ve put up with this for five years, but I can’t do it anymore.”
He fell silent for a moment, then seemed to concede. “Alright, I’ll give in this time. I’ll come pick you up myself.”
Dawson truly treated me like a lowly assistant, just as he’d said.
I made coffee, fetched food, and even bore the brunt of his bad moods.
Yet whenever he met with important clients, he’d take me along.
He always left me an out. “If you can’t stand it, go back to that idle position.”
I shook my head. “I can take it. I won’t go back.”
Late at night, Dawson and I were the only ones left in the company.
His rule for me was clear: I couldn’t leave until he did.
There was no such rule in Canada, but I could tell he was deliberately making things hard for me.
I accidentally fell asleep at my desk, only to be roused by a warm s
Dawson’s coat was draped over me.
He walked out of his office and handed me the document in his hand. “You’ll take over this project moving forward.”
I wondered if I’d gained a little of his trust.
I nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”
He dangled his keys. “No more overtime for you. I’ll take you home now.”
It was 2 a.m. when Dawson drove me back to my apartment.
I dragged my tired body to the door, only to find the lock pried open.
My home was brightly lit, and Terrence sat ostentatiously in the middle of the living room,
I couldn’t tell if he’d come to apologize to me or to drag me back.
Terrence stubbed out his cigarette and asked with dissatisfaction, “Who was that man? Your new lover?”
“My boss.”
He stood up and walked toward me, his tall frame blocking the light.
“Madeleine, I’m taking you home.”
“I’ve immigrated. Baltimore is no longer my home.”
He said casually, “Wherever I am is your home. What does immigration matter?”
When would Terrence finally realize he was no longer my whole world? That I wasn’t going to orbit around him any- more?
Seeing that I kept silent, he went on. “As long as you come back, we’ll get married right away. The media will be trip- ping over themselves to cover it. In Baltimore, no one will be above you.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. “Do you really think I’ve been joking or playing games this whole time? That I still love you?”
His expression flickered with confusion. “Isn’t that how it is?”
In his eyes, my leaving was nothing but a silly tantrum.
It was like he’d kept a cat. No matter how much the cat scratched him or ran off to wander, he always assumed she’d come crawling back.
Terrence looked at me now like he was pinching the scruff of my neck, waiting for me to tire of this little game.
I said clearly, “Terrence, I don’t love you anymore.”
He stared like he’d heard the funniest joke in the world.
“Five years we’ve spent together, and now you’re saying you don so childish.”
me? Madeleine, you’re nearly thirty. Don’t be
“Fine. I’ll go back with you if you’re willing to send Mariela away for good.”
The smile froze on Terrence’s face.
I tilted my head slightly. “See? We’ve been together for five years, but you’ve gone and fallen for someone else, haven’t you?”
