Date The CEO.com

Chapter 195: So Where is Eve?

"And the next thing you know she would share her ideas for a wedding, bragging to anybody who would listen." What Ambryan said hadn't come true but it was close.

If asked, Eve would say that she remembered a blur of faces. She lost track of the countless smiles directed her way. Her ears flooded with the latest gossip around the upper east side. It seemed that some customs of the past hadn't changed. Everyone seemed to know everyone

and she was the regular fish out of water.

Now, she learned that phrase meant more than being an outsider. It also pertained to how exhausting it was to keep upmuch like how a fish found it hard to breathe when out of its element.

Eventually, the event planners moved everyone inside. The invited media had their time and were ushered out. Eve lost Avery in the crowd. People crammed between them until their hold on each other broke off.

She sighed, partly out of relief.

"What did I tell you?" Ambryan chuckled behind her. He seized her hand within seconds after she got separated from Avery. Had he been watching her all this time?

"Ha-ha. It's not like you'd be any better." Eve snorted. She had been in these parties before. The CEO was one of the main reasons why people attended it. Without the barriers set up by his office and subordinates, it was the easy way to come in contact with him.

At that thought, Eve heard a voice.

"Ambryan!" 

"And here they come," she muttered, suddenly needing a drink. Her head twisted from side to side as she tried to locate a waiter. 

"Mr. Knoc!" Ambryan greeted with a shake of his hand.

Calvin laughed heartily. "Thank you for the invitation. Now, who could this young lady be?"

He shifted his attention to the young woman present. Among the dazzling gold and white lights, she stood out like a red rose with all its thornsas beautiful as she was eerily captivatinglike a temptation that lured you in even when afar.

She truly was a beauty that befitted the man beside her.

Ambryan tightened his grip on Eve's hand. "I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Evangeline Reed. Evan, this is Calvin Knoc. We're to collaborate on a project soon."

Eve held out her free hand, flashing a smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Knoc. I have been enjoying your latest selections on the streaming site."

Calvin returned the gesture. His eyebrows rose up from her words. "Is that so? Do you have any request by chance?"

"Not at the moment. Does the offer expire perhaps?" 

"Absolutely not. You are welcome to contact me once you made up your mind."

"I'll be looking forward to it then."

"Ehem."

Eve turned towards Ambryan. "What is it?"

A brooding dark cloud hovered around his head. Still, he met her eyes. If their gazes were connected, there would be less chance that she'd look elsewhere. "Since I trust Mr. Knoc's insight, perhaps you might also want to make a request for what films Eros should premier in the site."

"Excuse me?" Eve blinked.

"Ah, yes," Calvin said, clearing his throat. Eve snapped her head in his direction. "We have"

"Mr. Knoc and I have decided to include some of our films in his streaming site. It had initially been about the upcoming series but we both believed it was best to test how much audience Eros made films would gain."

Ambryan triumphed in his attempts. Hazel eyes had focused on him again. 

"I see" Eve mumbled. Her head processed the information. "And proven net worth productions would guarantee Mr. Knoc revenue even if the series incurred low income."

Calvin wagged his finger at her. "That's a good observation, Ms. Reed. I can see why Ambryan is very keen on you. You're exquisite both inside and outside." 

"You flatter me too much, Mr. Knoc," she replied, trying not to blush.

"Can I have a toast with the both of you then?" Calvin suggested. He waved a waiter over and passed two glasses of wine to the couple. "For the success of our joint venture and for the happiness of you both!"

"For you to find happiness as well," Eve added. The three clinked their glasses together.

Ambryan sneaked a peek to his left. It seemed that someone intended to finish their wine in one go. He snatched the glass and placed it back on the waiter's tray. The sight had given him flashbacks of another party.

Pressing his lips together, Calvin made his escape.

He had a feeling that he just started something bad.

"Hey!" Eve protested. 

"That would be all the alcohol you'll drink tonight," Ambryan declared and requested for a non-alcoholic drink. He finished his own glass before sending the waiter away.

"But" she tried again, feeling slightly desperate. "How else would I survive through this party?" 

There had to be a number of suck-ups. She was sure there had been some from the people Avery had introduced her to. Despite the taxing request, it had prepared her for the rest of the party. 

Only this time, there were probably more males than females.

"You're exaggerating."

Eve groaned. She had always drank alcohol at these parties and not once had she misbehaved. If anyone was exaggerating, it was him. The gears in her head whirled for a good excuse. "Well, I can't possibly reject it if someone offers. It's rude!"

"I'll be drinking on your behalf."

Her jaw dropped. Was he that serious? "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I can hold my liquor."

"Mhm. Right." Eve blew a raspberry. She got the message. Ambryan had made up his mind. There was nothing she could do to change it. Scowling at the floor, she went through her memories and searched for a reason that could explain his actions.

Ambryan cleared his throat, avoiding her direction. He didn't mind her behavior when intoxicated. Although, he did mind it if there were others around. Her flushed face softened her gaze with childlike innocence. Predators would pounce at such an expression.

He simply couldn't allow someone else to see it.

It didn't take long for another person to greet the couple. Unlike her time with Avery, Eve noticed that these people come to them instead of the other way around. Her feet began to hurt from standing too long. The thin stiletto wasn't of help either. It provided little support.

Ambryan threw his head back and drank his nth glass of wine.

Eve frowned. "Mr. Hathaway, I think you had enough."

"This is nothing." He coughed and returned the glass.

'... men. Why are they so stubborn?' Eve shook her head. She tugged his hand to the nearest sitting area. "Come on. We both need some rest. The night is still young. There will be more people to meet later."

Ambryan followed silently, his violet eyes hooded. The uneven tapping of heels against tiles caught his attention. He forced his eyes to open fully. In front of him, Eve staggered to stay upright. Her legs moved stiffly to avoid inducing more pain and accidentally tripping.

Suddenly, the CEO found himself wide awake.

He let her hand go and swept her off her feet.

With his arm wrapped around her back, Ambryan pressed Eve against him while keeping both of them upright. The soles of her stilettos hovered over his feet. If anyone squinted at the hem of her dress, they'd notice it was floating above the floor.

"Ambee! What are you"

"I'm sorry that I didn't notice you were uncomfortable," he cut her off, setting her down on a vacant couch. Then, he kneeled and checked on her feet.

"Hey!"

Ambryan ignored her objections. Blisters had begun to form on her skin. They covered the spots in pink patches. Some even looked close to peeling. Gritting his teeth, he yanked off the hook on the straps. "Are these new? Why would you wear something like this if you knew the party would last for long hours?"

Eve opened her mouth. Then, closed it again. A lump formed in her throat. What was the right thing to say in this situation? The heels were beautiful. She had wanted to look her best for this evening. She knew it was an important time for him.

Did that mean she made the wrong choice?

Once the straps came off, Ambryan gently removed the shoe. He proceeded to do the same with the other one. His sharp eyes memorized all the affected areas. Upon closer look, he noticed evidence of old blisters. The skin had healed but in a darker tone.

He clenched his jaw and took out his phone.

"Eve, can you"

Said person stiffened in her seat. 

It took all her willpower not to open her purse. She had felt the phone vibrate. Her thumb lingered on the latch, ready to unlock it. If Ambryan hadn't spoken when he did, she would have found out about the call the old-fashion way.

A tinge of guilt pricked her on the inside.

"Right. She must be resting. I should have ignored mother and returned to the office." Ambryan sighed, putting his phone away. "It seemed my secretary had burned out. You have to meet her another time. She'll accompany you whenever I'm not around."

Eve pressed her lips together. Tears swelled at the back of her eyes.

"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself," she couldn't help but say. The irony was too hilarious to ignore. "You're the one treating me as fragile as ceramic."