Date The CEO.com

Chapter 185: Can I Have a Moment Alone?

``Unknown: I don't know why you'd have to pretend in order to be with a man. Seems like he's not worth it.``

Eve paled, her lips turning cold. Her number was private. Only select people connected with Eve knew about it. All negotiations for modelling projects were made through Cale. No client had her direct contact. There didn't seem a need for a second number when Avery had restricted her and Ambryan on the app.

Then, who could this be?

"Evangeline? Are you alright?"

Blinking up, Eve broke out of her daze. Her eyes met Avery's who reflected her startled expression. She hid her phone immediately while her lips stretched into a coy smile. "Was I obvious? How embarrassing. I thought it might be Ambee's text message. I've been missing him a lot since he became busier."

Jarrett choked on his macaroni. His silver utensils fell on the plate as he coughed out the pasta. Andie quickly came to his aid and patted his back. She handed him the glass of iced tea, hoping it could wash it down. 

"You okay there, man?" Tae asked on his other side. He slapped Jarrett's back harder than Andie did. Each one was delayed by a second. He stopped when Jarrett lifted an arm in protest. The iced tea was almost gone.

"I'm fine," he assured everyone, the glass slamming on the table. "I just had my head in the clouds. Carry on."

Avery turned back to Eve and touched her arm. "Why don't you send him a message? I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you."

With everyone's gaze on her, Eve didn't really much have a choice. She slipped her phone out and thought of a quick message. He might be in the middle of a lunch meeting. He had been swamped with those for the past week.

What would be the best thing to say?

.

``Lin: 911 speaking. How may I help you?``

.

Eve pressed her lips together. Her cackle went back in her chest. It became difficult to breathe. The strands of her hair fell on either side of her face. The worries she had a minute ago went to the back of her mind. Her relationship was out to the whole world.

How could seven pairs of eyes make her feel shy?

Her phone vibrated in her hand.

.

``Yan: Sing a song?``

``Lin: … That is not part of our services.``

``Yan: I recall there wasn't a problem last time.``

.

Eve bit her tongue. Her sheepish expression had been replaced by horror. Fingers typing fast, she explained her situation in a lengthy message. She wasn't alone like last time and she couldn't just suddenly leave—

.

``Yan: I'd feel better if I hear your voice.``

.

Blood rushed up her neck and into her cheeks. Since when did Ambryan act this way? Was there something actually wrong? The second thought had taken over her mind. He was always put together in everything he does.

Maybe it was just an act.

Maybe he needed a bit of help.

"Will you please excuse me?" Eve asked no one in particular. She had already risen from her seat. Her legs moved fast and raced for the door. Urgency simmered in her veins.

"By all means, take your time," Avery replied when Eve was halfway out. Then, she took over the conversation, immediately grabbing Tae's attention. They talked about several famous photo pieces and shared their tastes in aesthetics.

Mila stared at the door. 

She had one fork in her clump of macaroni. It was one thing to hear and see it in the news. It was another thing to witness part of the relationship. Her heart sank, sensing complete defeat on its way. She could claim that the media sources were exaggerating—but not anymore. 

Instincts told her that Evangeline's behavior wasn't for show.

She just didn't know how to explain it.

Andie debated whether to follow her best friend or not. On, one hand, Eve wasn't in the wrong identity for this one. On the other, Elias could follow her outside. It would be a good chance to have her alone. Who knew what he'd do then?

But Nanzie was there.

It should be fine.

Jarrett stole a shrimp from her plate. She grabbed his wrist and pulled it back, biting it whole. 

Out in the hallway, Eve checked every cubicle in the first restroom that she found. She did the same with the janitor's closet and other possible hiding places. Once the coast was clear, she locked the door and took a deep breath. 

The DTC app was still open.

Three dots appeared at the bottom, telling her that Ambryan was typing.

She pressed the call button and placed the phone by her ear. It rang for a second before the receiver picked it up. Heavy breathing flowed out of the hand speaker. The air conditioner hummed low in the background.

Eve clamped her mouth. "I'm sorry. Are you in a meeting?"

"No," Ambryan replied. His voice sounded deeper.

Her eyebrows knitted together. "Wait… are you sick?"

"Just a little under the weather—" He coughed, placing the phone away from his mouth until he was done. "I'll be fine in the morning."

'Is that why he asked for that memorandum?' Eve began to wonder. She paced around the restroom and counted. He had messaged yesterday about his absence. His cold had to be around longer than that. It wouldn't stop him from working easily.

That meant the cold had developed the past few days.josei

Now, it had worsened to the point where he was bedridden.

"Have you taken medication?"

"Yes."

"Fluids?"

"Yes."

"Other than tea?" Eve demanded, halting her steps. Her reflection in the bathroom mirror displayed her stance. She had one hand on her hip and stood with her feet apart. Her scowl was directed at a wall.

"Yes, mother dropped by with some soup."

"Good." She sighed. Relief swelled in her chest. At least, Avery was able to visit him. There wasn't anything in his pantry for a sick person to eat. Did he have fruit? Should she buy some? What about Kiri? Was he able to feed her? Was he okay being alone?

"Is there anything you need?" Eve helplessly asked. He was a grown man. It wouldn't be appropriate to treat him like his sisters. He knew what he needed. He also had the power to get them—plus his mother was aware of his condition. 

There was someone to take care of him already.

Ambryan hummed for a moment. "I think I requested a song."

"..." Eve regretted her vague question. She should have nagged like she had wanted to in the first place. Unfortunately, it was a little late to change her mind. "Any request?"

"That lullaby you sang in the bakery."

"... Really?"

"Yes."

Eve cleared her throat. Soft whispers floated inside her head. The sound of the song from when she first heard it. A pair of indigo eyes gently watched over her as she laid in bed. Night air breezed into her window.

The world had frozen in time.

```Hear this song as you sleep,

A tale of a maiden who lays in her feet,

Under the willow at night she danced,

With only the whispers of winds she has```

```Hear this song as you dream,

As the unsettling silence became the melody,

With grace and poise, the maiden danced,

Yearning for the love she won't have,```

Wiping the hints of a tear, Eve cut off the song. Her body trembled from the sensation. Something tight squeezed her chest. It was a miracle that she could still speak. "Get plenty of rest."

"Thank you."

She hung up before Ambryan could say anything more. She spun on her heel and checked herself in the mirror. It had been a while since those memories surfaced. She hadn't stepped inside that ruddy apartment in five years.

How did it look like now? Shaking the last trace of those thoughts away, Eve checked her appearance one last time and unlocked the door. 

She managed to take half a step before getting blocked.

Elias Walker stood right in front of her. Gone was his carefree look. It had been replaced by disdain. The dark expression spooked her, causing her to jump. She sidestepped to get around him but he merely widened his legs. 

He had her trapped.

"Excuse me but I'd like to go back to the conference room," Eve demanded. Her hazel eyes glared at him through her lashes. If he was acting this way then, two could play the same game.

He chuckled, his hands resting on either side of the doorframe. The smile on his lips didn't match his gaze. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Reed. It's just rare to have you alone."

"Nanzie—"

"She won't hear you." Elias smirked. Then, he leaned a bit closer as if to tell her a secret. "I think she saw someone dressed like me and chased after it."

Eve grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him down, holding the fabric by the fist. 

"What did you do with her?" She sneered.

"Your bodyguard? She's fine. She'll come back soon enough." He assured her with a pat on her head. "I just wanted to be alone with you for a bit."

Eve narrowed her gaze. "What do you want?"

"Answers." He shrugged and reached for a strand of her hair. He trailed it until his fingers reached the tips then, brushed them against his nose. "You didn't reply to my message back there. Is it because I'm not Ambryan?"