My CEO 138
138 Does perfection Exist? (Winona)
I'm actually not sure Jayden and | can live together long term. We are very different in fundamental things. Like, |
cook and clean for myself, and he has a whole array of staff for everyday things. He never got why | wanted my
career because he had more money than we could ever need.
As | move around my living room, | think back on my tworking and being friends- well | guess more than
friends- with Phillip. It was always so easy with him in understandingand my needs. He communicated even
when we weren't even in a proper, committed relationship. He got what being friends or a couple is about. That
level of respect for someone else's opinion without it ever having to be said.
If I could have that with Jayden, things would be near perfect. But Perfection is not something to strive for. It's a
thing we believe exists, but I'm not sure it does.
I look at Jayden unpacking a box he's packed and notice his expression shift. He looks like he's about to say
something but hesitates.
"What is it?" | ask gently. "Remember we are being honest about everything."
"I've been thinking," he starts, his voice cautious. "About Abby's routine. | know it's important to keep things
stable for her, but | also think it would be good for us to create new routines together. As a family."
I nod, understanding his point but also feeling a pang of anxiety. "I agree. But we need to be careful. She's been
through so much already. We can't just change everything overnight. Plus, her next operation is very close. |
want to keep the status quo until after that."
"Of course. That's why | wanted us to live together," he says quickly. He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I
just want everything to be perfect for our little girl. And for us."
"Perfect is overrated," | say with a small laugh. "Let's aim for a happy and healthy child. That's all she needs. It's
all I need too. Perfect is an impossible thing to maintain." Jayden pullsinto a hug, and | feel a mixture of hope
and uncertainty. | do love him. | know | do. But a lifelong relationship is about a lot more than love.
"I love you, Winona. I'll try not to be such a bonehead."
"Just be you, that's all I want. The real Jayden, not simage you portray. | want to know the real Jayden."
Jayden's phone buzzes, breaking the moment. He glances at it and frowns. "It's Mother. She wants to cover
and see Abby."
stiffen at the mention of Judy. Trusting her is a whole other ballgbut | do want to maintain the peace at least.
"Maybe it's not the best ttoday." Last thing | need Judy to see is the unrest between Jayden and I.
He nods, understanding. "You're right. I'll tell her another time."
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138 Does perfection Exist?
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Just as I'm beginning to feel a bit more relaxed, the doorbell rings. Jayden and | exchange a look of surprise.
"Who could that be?" | ask, standing up to answer the door. When | open it, Judy is standing there, holding a tray
of homemade cookies.
But I'm almost certain she hasn't made them.
"I was actually in my car near your house when | texted and, well, no point of these going to waste."
Jayden stands besideat the door, his face a mask of controlled anger. "Mother, | just told you not to come."
Judy's smile falters, but she holds her ground. "I'm not staying, Jayden. | thought it might be a good chance for
us to spend sttogether with Anne leaving. But we can do that when it suits you both."
| can see the tension rise between them, and | step in, trying to diffuse the situation. "Thank you, Judy. That's
very kind of you. You may as well cin for a bit seeing as you're here."
Jayden shootsa look, but I ignore it, focusing on keeping the peace. Judy steps inside, and | lead her to the
living room.
As she sits down, Jayden's frustration is apparent.
"Are you moving, Winona?" Judy asks as she looks around at the boxes we haven't unpacked yet.
"No. I'm staying here."
"| see. | thought you may have moved into the penthouse."
"Only temporarily while Jayden gets stronger. | think he's nearly there."
Judy nods. "Lots of couples live separately these days.
"What's the big deal about us not living together?" Jayden asks in a heated tone to his mother. "It doesn't mean
anything."
Judy looks between us. "Okay. | think I'll leave you two alone. You're obviously... busy."
Jayden stares at her, but he doesn't say anything. | walk Judy to the door, giving her a reassuring smile. Thank
you for understanding, Judy. We'll see you soon"
As she leaves, | turn back to Jayden, who's pacing the living room, his anger barely contained. "Why did you let
her in?" he snaps. "Why can't you ever listen to anything | say?" 138 Does perfection Exist?
(Winona)
I'm actually not sure Jayden and | can live together long term. We are very different in fundamental things. Like, |
cook and clean for myself, and he has a whole array of staff for everyday things. He never got why | wanted my
career because he had more money than we could ever need.
As | move around my living room, | think back on my tworking and being friends- well | guess more than
friends- with Phillip. It was always so easy with him in understandingand my needs.
He communicated even when we weren't even in a proper, committed relationship. He got what being friends or
a couple is about. That level of respect for someone else's opinion without it ever having to be said.
If I could have that with Jayden, things would be near perfect. But Perfection is not something to strive for. It's a
thing we believe exists, but I'm not sure it does.
I look at Jayden unpacking a box he's packed and notice his expression shift. He looks like he's about to say
something but hesitates.
"What is it?" | ask gently. "Remember we are being honest about everything."
"I've been thinking," he starts, his voice cautious. "About Abby's routine. | know it's important to keep things
stable for her, but | also think it would be good for us to create new routines together. As a family."
I nod, understanding his point but also feeling a pang of anxiety. "I agree. But we need to be careful. She's been
through so much already. We can't just change everything overnight. Plus, her next operation is very close. |
want to keep the status quo until after that." "Of course. That's why | wanted us to live together," he says
quickly. He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I just want everything to be perfect for our little girl. And for
us."
"Perfect is overrated," | say with a small laugh. "Let's aim for a happy and healthy child. That's all she needs. It's
all I need too. Perfect is an impossible thing to maintain." Jayden pullsinto a hug, and | feel a mixture of hope
and uncertainty. | do love him. | know | do. But a lifelong relationship is about a lot more than love.
"I love you, Winona. I'll try not to be such a bonehead."
"Just be you, that's all I want. The real Jayden, not simage you portray. | want to know the real Jayden."
Jayden's phone buzzes, breaking the moment. He glances at it and frowns. "It's Mother. She wants to cover
and see Abby."
stiffen at the mention of Judy. Trusting her is a whole other ballgbut | do want to maintain the peace at least.
"Maybe it's not the best ttoday." Last thing | need Judy to see is the unrest between Jayden and I.
He nods, understanding. "You're right. I'll tell her another time."
+25 BONUS
138 Does perfection Exist?
Just as I'm beginning to feel a bit more relaxed, the doorbell rings. Jayden and | exchange a look of surprise.
"Who could that be?" | ask, standing up to answer the door. When | open it, Judy is standing there, holding a tray
of homemade cookies.
But I'm almost certain she hasn't made them.
"I was actually in my car near your house when | texted and, well, no point of these going to waste."
Jayden stands besideat the door, his face a mask of controlled anger. "Mother, | just told you not to come."
Judy's smile falters, but she holds her ground. "I'm not staying, Jayden. | thought it might be a good chance for
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmus to spend sttogether with Anne leaving. But we can do that when it suits you both."
| can see the tension rise between them, and | step in, trying to diffuse the situation. "Thank you, Judy. That's
very kind of you. You may as well cin for a bit seeing as you're here."
Jayden shootsa look, but I ignore it, focusing on keeping the peace. Judy steps inside, and | lead her to the
living room.
As she sits down, Jayden's frustration is apparent.
"Are you moving, Winona?" Judy asks as she looks around at the boxes we haven't unpacked yet.
"No. I'm staying here."
"| see. | thought you may have moved into the penthouse."
"Only temporarily while Jayden gets stronger. | think he's nearly there."
Judy nods. "Lots of couples live separately these days.
"What's the big deal about us not living together?" Jayden asks in a heated tone to his mother. "It doesn't mean
anything."
Judy looks between us. "Okay. | think I'll leave you two alone. You're obviously... busy."
Jayden stares at her, but he doesn't say anything. | walk Judy to the door, giving her a reassuring smile. Thank
you for understanding, Judy. We'll see you soon"
As she leaves, | turn back to Jayden, who's pacing the living room, his anger barely contained. "Why did you let
her in?" he snaps. "Why can't you ever listen to anything | say?"
He's agitated and | don't want to increase that mood. "I'm listening. You don't need to get angry."
He stops pacing, his shoulders sagging. "I don't know if | can ever forgive her for what she did, Winona. She
almost killed you. She lied tofor years."
step closer, placing a hand on his arm. "I understand. But we need to find a way to move forward. For Abby to
have her family at peace, for us."
He nods, but | can see the conflict in his eyes. "I'll be mo
He's agitated and | don't want to increase that mood. "I'm listening. You don't need to get angry."
He stops pacing, his shoulders sagging. "I don't know if | can ever forgive her for what she did, Winona. She
almost killed you. She lied tofor years."
step closer, placing a hand on his arm. "I understand. But we need to find a way to move forward. For Abby to
have her family at peace, for us."
He nods, but | can see the conflict in his eyes. "I'll be mo