Chapter 132
Resign
Chloe walked into StoneTech building and sighed.
It had been three long, dragging, confusing days since Chloe had last seen Damian Cross and now, she no longer came to work with her best friend.
The office lights glowed the same way they always did, the hallways buzzed with the usual low hum of activity, and the scent of fresh paper and coffee still hung in the air, yet everything felt strangely hollow to Chloe as she walked into the design department that morning.
Her bag hung loosely from her shoulder, her steps slower than usual. There had always been a kind of energy in her stride these past few weeks, ever since she and Damian began working side by side, but today her movements were quieter, almost hesitant.
She didn’t know which part of her chest hurt more. The fact that he’d hurt her with his words… Or the fact that he had disappeared without a trace since after that day.
She pushed open the office door and stepped inside, expecting, and hoping to see him seated behind the desk opposite hers, sleeves rolled up, focused on sketches or pacing as he spoke on the phone. She hoped maybe she’d hear him say her name the way he always did: calm, steady, warm in a way only she understood.
But the space was empty. Like it had been for three entire days.
Chloe paused in the doorway, her fingers tightening a little around the strap of her bag. She had told herself repeatedly not to care and that she should be upset with him—and she was—but that didn’t stop the heavy knot in her stomach.
The rumors, the hallway conversation, the coldness in his voice… and then how he had seemed to have vanished since then.
At first she’d thought he was simply avoiding her, maybe trying to give space so they both could breathe after the awkward, painful conversation in his office that day.
But by the next morning when his seat was empty again, she had felt the first small pinch of worry.
Then she had asked the assistant who usually brought in the reports to their office.
“Have you seen Mr. Cross today?”
“No, ma’am. Not since yesterday.”
By the end of the second day, she asked someone in logistics. Then someone in the legal department. Then she’d even passed by the office café where he sometimes grabbed coffee for them both even as far as checking in his office. Yet, he hadn’t been there and no one had seen him since that day.
Now, on the third morning, the worry had settled firmly in her chest. It was no longer mild confusion or irritation. It was real, tight, unsettling worry.
She set her bag down and sank into her seat. The office felt too quiet, too empty, too still without him there.
She opened her sketchbook, knowing she needed to continue reviewing the pieces for the fashion event happening in a week. They were almost done, at least, 95% there but that last 5% mattered. It was the difference between a collection being impressive… and unforgettable.
And Damian had always handled that final 5%. For years. He had overseen the finishing touches for every StoneTech fashion event.
Without him… Chloe swallowed hard, not wanting to think too much about it.
This event was her first major collaboration, the one meant to prove herself. The one she had poured her soul into. And now, she was supposed to do all of this alone?
She lifted a hand to her forehead, exhaling shakily.
Where are you, Damian? Why didn’t you tell me anything?
Her thoughts broke when she heard three soft knocks on her door.
She looked up quickly.
“Ms. Smith,” an assistant said. “Mrs. Laurent wants to see you.”
Chloe blinked. Mrs. Laurent? Why did she want to see her? Was Damian there? Was it about the Damian or the event? Probably Damian was there. She thought.
She stood, smoothing her skirt.
“Alright,” she said and managed a polite smile. “I’ll go now.”
The walk to Mrs. Laurent’s office had never felt this long. Each step echoed louder in her ears, bouncing around with her swirling thoughts.
She stopped in front of the door, inhaled deeply, and knocked.
“Come in,” Mrs. Laurent’s crisp but gentle voice called out.
Chloe pushed the door open, and her heart sank a little when she saw that Damian wasn’t there.
She hated that part of her felt disappointed. She hated that she was hoping he’d be in this office even after everything that happened between them. She hated that she cared.
“Good morning, Mrs. Laurent,” she said softly.
“Good morning, Chloe. Come in, dear. Sit.”
Chloe obeyed, sitting straight but feeling strangely small in the large office.
Mrs. Laurent folded her hands on the desk, her expression thoughtful, and observant. “I’ve called you in regarding the upcoming fashion event. How are the preparations going?”
Chloe nodded cautiously. “Everything is going well so far. The only thing missing is…” She hesitated, her throat tightening. “The only thing missing right now is Damian. I don’t know where he is or why he’s been absent from work.”
Mrs. Laurent nodded knowingly. “I figured as much. And that is part of the reason I asked you to come.”
Chloe frowned slightly, her pulse quickening. “Okay… may I know why?”
Mrs. Laurent drew in a slow breath. “Damian turned in his resignation letter.”
Immediately, Chloe’s entire body went still. The words hit her like cold water poured straight into her chest.
“…He what?” she whispered.
“He resigned,” Mrs. Laurent repeated gently. “Two days ago, actually. He has handed everything concerning the fashion event and the entire collaboration to you. That’s why I sent for you. I figured you might still be waiting for him if you weren’t told.”
“What?” Chloe’s voice rose before she could control it. “No, no, that doesn’t make sense. He wouldn’t just… leave. Not like this. Not without finishing the event. Not without telling me. Not without—” She stopped, choking back the rest of her words.
Not without saying goodbye. Why would he even leave?