Date The CEO.com

Chapter 179: Having Feelings is Valid

With Evangeline's doppelganger in the midst, Eve focused herself on Eros. 

It wasn't like she had much choice in the matter though. Ambryan handled business out of the office, leaving her with part of the workload. He had added more than usual as her training for the promotion. They required decision-making which she hadn't been authorized to do before.

Barely two days had passed and she already rethought the offer.

"How would I know if this doesn't mess up?" Eve groaned, thinking of an email reply. She blew on her fringes and stared at the monitor. The concerns kept coming. Ambryan had instructed her not to call him unless they were top priority.

"Let's see" she browsed through the others and found familiar ones. The sender must be new. Her response to it came like clockwork. She had read it several times from Ambryan since working for him.

With each email, she kept him in the loop.

If she made a mistake, at least, he could correct it if he opened his inbox.

The elevator doors dinged. Eve got up from her seat and stretched her back. How long had she been sitting? Her lower back already felt sore. 

Long albino hair appeared within her sight. "Eve!"

"President!" She staggered towards him and bowed her head. She took a peek behind, unable to find Riffle. Did he escape from duty again? "Would you like some refreshments?"

Madison paced the floor, unhurried. He tried the CEO's office door once. The handle didn't budge. He tucked his hands into his silver coat pockets and said, "Taking over for our CEO? Knew you always had it in you."

His luminous green eyes landed on the secretary. 

"I'd beg to differ." Eve snorted. She was years away from matching Ambryan's level. His experience wasn't something to belittle. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

She moved in front of her desk. Her fingers brushed the surface until they touched something rectangular and flat. She kept it behind her back while the President walked towards her. He had one butt cheek on the table.

"You hadn't asked for assistance yesterday. I was worried if you were keeping troubles to yourself," Madison revealed with a frown. It hadn't been anything new. He often heard it from her mother. "You do know it doesn't hurt to ask for help, right?" 

"I know" 

He regarded her in silence. With her hands behind her back, Eve avoided eye contact. Madison knew her better than most employees. He had been a close friend of her mom's. They didn't meet often but when she died, he had reached out a hand. 

He was also doing the same thing today.

"So," he began to say. "How are you doing without dear old Yan?"

Eve pressed her lips together. "I may need some tips"

"Let me take a look."

Madison stood beside her as she opened the emails. He explained each concern, letting her remember the important points. As long as she answered with them in mind, it should be fine. Then, he went to the exception where things became a little complicated.

She got her notebook to write them down.

More than half of it had already been filled.

"What's this?" Madison flipped the page to the first one. It had caught his eye because of the large text. The writing had been done with markers instead of pens. They occupied the entire page in an organized manner. A half-smile teased on his lips. "The Five Rules?"

"It was my first task," Eve pointed out. "Couldn't let you down now, could I?"

Madison read them aloud.

"Don't draw meaningless attention,

"Speak only when spoken to,

"Avoid unnecessary affiliation with the boss,

"Never interfere with his personal matters,

"Always follow his orders."

"These were five years ago, right?" He said. Oh, how time flew. These had been Ambryan's demands for a new secretary. He had taken a step out of the box and searched for a female one. The setup had to be clear to avoid trouble. One slip at the time would have resulted to a termination.

Madison had a thought. He looked down at the secretary as she wrote down his advice. His head tilted sideways. "Eve."

"Yes?" She replied, not sparing him a glance.

"I need your opinion on something."

She put the pen down and swivelled her chair in his direction. "Was it?"

Taking the notebook, Madison used his finger as a bookmark and showed her the first page again. "Do you think these five rules are still relevant today?"

Eve's eyebrows shot up. Was this a test? It was near the end of the year. They were up for employee valuation again. She gulped, saying, "I-I think they're important at keeping things professional."

The President scowled at the ceiling and considered her words. He squinted his gaze back at her. "So are co-workers not allowed to be unprofessional?"

"I think it depends on who they are? And the hierarchy?" Eve suddenly felt small. Maybe it was the current height difference since he stood on his feet while she sat on a chair. Madison had a natural young-looking face as if he hadn't aged since he was a teen.

But that didn't seem to exist at the moment.

He talked as a person older than her.

"And you think you should always be professional around Ambryan?"

"He is my boss."

"But I'm also your superior and we're acting more casually right now," Madison countered. He placed the notebook on the desk. He had followed the stories and news about Ambeevan. They were cute. They were nice. But something had to be done.

Ambryan had to get to know Everlee as well!

If they were closer, it could help the reveal or make it worse. Either way, he found it worth the risk. In order to do that, he had to convince both of them to spend more time together. It was a good thing he could meet them separately for the time being.

"That's because you are acting casually, President," Eve retorted. She didn't even consider it to be a valid argument. "I only follow the flow while being respectful."

Madison frowned. This was another reason why he needed to convince Ambryan. The man must take initiative. He had high hopes for it. These five rules clearly needed to be taken away when the people involved were obviously right for each other!

"You and Yan have a professional relationship, huh?" He asked, using a nonchalant voice. He took a step back until the monitor partially hid his body. His arm folded over his chest while his elbow propped itself on the wrist.

"I believe so." Eve nodded once.

The President clicked his tongue and rubbed his chin. His mind couldn't find a way to phrase this next statement better. And so, he winged it. "Is that why you acted so intimate on set?"

"We WHAT?!" 

Eve's shriek echoed around the room. Was this a rumor circulating around the workspace? Normally, she'd regret behaving this way. But right now? She didn't give a flying feven if Ambryan had been around. She had never heard something more ridiculous.

Not as herself, at least. 

Not as Everlee Hart.

Madison leaned down until their eyes were on the same level. He flashed a cheeky smile. "He fixed your eyeglasses for you after the golf cart stopped moving."

Eve resisted to roll her eyes. "Isn't that common concern for another person?"

"But you seemed to be having a pleasant time."

"I'm not entirely sure what you want me to say, President. But it was nothing more than a helping hand," she explained. Pushing herself closer to her work desk, she wrote down the rest of the notes. 

She didn't have the time for this game.

"Hm." Madison straightened his spine, not entirely convinced. He had mentioned it as a good thing to be honest. Except her reaction proved that they thought differently. It might be best not to meddle more than he had. He'd let it take its natural course.

"Eve."

The pen dropped on the page. She sighed and glanced at him. "Yes?"

Madison brushed the top of her head. Her mother used to do it before. He hoped the simple gesture could ease the tension. "Having feelings for someone is perfectly valid. But I'll try not to make a move if the person is in a relationship."

Eve gritted her teeth. The incident had been taken out of context again."Sir King, I'm not"

The President pulled his hand back and waved, stepping out of her work station. A grin replaced his gentle smile."Oh, would you look at the time! I better go before Riffle throws a fit. You know how he gets. Good luck, Eve. Don't forget to message me if you're ever in a pinch!" 

"Well, that was fast."

Madison disappeared like a bullet. The elevator had already been waiting for him. He secured himself behind its doors and breathed in relief. He scratched the back of his neck. "That went well, didn't it? When will the complications end?"

Eve heaved a sigh. She went back to her regular work. Although she had part of Ambryan's work, her own one hadn't diminished. It was Saturday tomorrow. It was also the time for the shoot for The Magical Symphony. 

She had to get this done.

Today. 

Her phone vibrated with a message.

``Sir Hathaway: I will be out of touch over the weekend. Please send an early memorandum about my absence to internal employees.``