Date The CEO.com

Chapter 209: Love was Burning Red

"Ms. Evangeline," the stylist called Eve as soon as she stepped into the studio. 

Elias had rented a small space for his photo project. The decor and props reminded Eve a lot of her first photoshoot. It had the grays, the whites, the occasional gold embellishments… except based on her outfit, this was far from Ancient Rome inspired.

The man of the hour was busy with his camera and setup. He hadn't looked in the pair's direction since they arrived. But that wasn't an excuse for Ambryan to slack off. He sharpened his senses and watched Elias like a hawk.

"Please come this way," the stylist continued and gestured towards the extra props area.

Ambryan squeezed Eve's hand, unwilling to let her go.

She rose to her toes and kissed his cheek. "I'll be right back."

Cale appeared right behind her. He gave the CEO a wave of his hand. "I'll go with her so you won't have to worry. Just keep an eye on this out here. I heard another room is being used for a photoshoot too. It might lead to something fishy."

Nodding his head, Ambryan took careful steps. He checked on the security from the corner of his eyes. Each bodyguard was at their respective posts. They had memorized every entrance and exit for the place, including a list of people present—down to maintenance workers.

No one had been overlooked.

Nothing had been left behind.

Evangeline's safety was secured. There were also people assigned to watch the perimeter. Any suspicious activity must not be brushed off. It may sound a little extra but he didn't want to take any chances. Nothing was too much when it came to her.

He positioned himself on a folding chair near the camera. 

It was behind Elias and a little to the right. 

Back in the prop area, Eve rolled her shoulders, getting used to the new weight. Two people stood on either side of her. They helped support the prop. The amount of detail and quality exceeded her expectations for a low budget project.

It would make sense that Elias's backer had funded this setup.

"Okay," Elias announced (mostly to himself). He wiped the sweat off his forehead and finally looked around the place. Hands on his hips, he addressed the staff. "Is she done yet?"

Eve came into view. 

And the moment she did, work around the studio ceased. Gazes followed her every movement. She watched her bare feet as they touched the cold floor without making a sound. The lights hit the toasted glitter on her eyelids and illuminated her minimal makeup look into a tender shine.

Two huge feathery wings hung on her back and spread outwards. Each one was twice her size. She had to be aware of the wing span in order to avoid hitting things along the way. There was an elegant demeanor to her slow march.

Ambryan hitched his breath.

Elias beamed. "Beautiful."

A pair of glaring eyes bore holes into his back. He hardly cared and assisted Eve to the center of the shoot. The lasers on his back shifted to his hands. He could feel them as he assisted his model on the first concept, teaching her on how to hold the wings.

They were meant to wrap around her front.

Since it hid her leotards, it gave the illusion that she was naked.

Ambryan's mood deteriorated further. The worst part was, it seemed like he was the only one bothered. Elias jogged back to the camera and peeked through the lens. Eve adjusted her feet as she crossed her legs a bit, bending her left knee and pointing her toes. 

The famous fainting on angels came to her mind. She swayed her hip to one side and her shoulders to the other as if there was a wall beside her. Her chin raised up while her eyelids closed halfway to expose more of the eyeshadow.

Elias immediately pressed the shutter. This was already kicking off so well. It hyped up his energy even further. The staff who had worked with him before were surprised. They learned that this side of him was rare a long time ago.

It made them also look forward to the rest of the shoot.

After a few more poses, Eve lied on her back. Her arms began to ache from holding the wings. She was a bit glad that gravity helped her with the weight. Elias picked up another camera and climbed up a small ladder. Ambryan had stood up and stayed closed.

Hazel eyes flickered in his direction.

It was hard for Eve not to chuckle. In her five years working as his subordinate, no serious expression could compare on the one his face wore now. And to think it was because of her. She couldn't be more amused.

Ambryan raised an eyebrow.

Eve blew a kiss and giggled.josei

"Evangeline, could you please refrain from being distracted?" Elias spoke from the top of the ladder. He held the camera at arm's length, straining his muscles. "This isn't a Vicktoria's Secret Runway Show."

"Understood." Eve shifted. The ends of the wings dug into her back. She closed her eyes for her first pose. Her legs were crossed at the ankles while she played around with the wings.

Again, Ambryan found himself the only one bothered. The flying kiss would have been normally sweet. But the way Evangeline looked at the moment changed it into a sensual one. He pinched the bridge of his nose and walked back to his chair.

They were surrounded by security anyway. He could take a break and relax.

Otherwise, he might end up needing a cold shower.

Elias glanced over his shoulder. His chocolate brown hair swept over his forehead. There wasn't a moment to lose. He climbed down the ladder for close up shots. Kneeling beside her waist, he experimented for the best angle.

"What do you think of my photo project so far?" 

"It's certainly interesting." Eve narrowed her eyes. For someone who asked her not to be distracted, this was hypocritical in a sense. "I saw the black wings. I'm guessing this is a good vs bad sort of concept? Light vs dark?"

"Hm," he pondered, taking a few shots. "Almost. I find that people have two sides. Each one has variations. Pure, vulnerability, innocence, righteous… Anger, lust, revenge, greed… I wanted to showcase as many variations as possible. But I needed the right model."

"And you think it's me?"

"Oh, I just don't think," Elias corrected with a shake of his head. "I know you can."

"Like how I know a camera has a zoom feature that allows you to take close up photos from a distance."

Eve followed the source of the interruption. She flashed a smile. "Feeling better?"

"I would if the photographer kept his distance."

Elias gritted his teeth and stood up. He stomped towards the CEO and pointed a finger at the latter's chest. "Ambryan Hathaway, I have sworn it to your mother and I will swear it to you right now. This shoot is not meant to harm Evangeline in any way. Your presence here already violates my creative space. I can't conform to every complaint you have just because you're the model's boyfriend."

Ambryan squinted back. He grabbed Elias's wrist and yanked off the finger directed at him. His voice came out in a low seething tone. "Listen here, Elias Walker. You can keep repeating that statement but it's not the main issue, is it? You have publicly shown how you coveted my girlfriend. I'm simply here to keep you in your place."

His fingers dug into blue veins under the wrist he held. He clenched his jaw, hissing through his teeth. "If you think you can snatch her right under my nose then, you're mistaken."

The tense atmosphere between the two spread towards every corner of the room. Cale rushed to Eve's side and helped her sit up. The stylist draped the coat over her shoulders while he checked on her condition and massaged her arms.

Cale peeked at the two men. Their conversation didn't seem like it would end any time soon.

The corner of Elias' lips curled into a half-sinister smile. "We'll just have to see about that."

There were two sides to people. He wasn't an exception and neither was the man before him. What was so great about the CEO that people would go lengths to acquire his interest? Or even just a second of his attention? 

The mere thought of it made him sick to his stomach.

Fury flexed in Ambryan's eyes. "You dare—"

"Dare what? You think I need dirty tricks to take her away from you? Please" Elias snorted. He freed his wrist from the vice-like grip. The outlines of fingers coated reddened his skin. "I haven't done anything in this photoshoot that's not something another photographer would do. Yet, you already pounced on me."

"And why is that?" He mocked. His head took it's time to shake from side to side. Amusement twinkled in his chocolate eyes. "Perhaps… you're actually scared that I would snatch her from you? Oh, the great Ambryan Hathaway now has something to fear. Are you not confident that she'd still choose you despite having another man around?"

Ambryan's nostrils flared. His chest visibly rose and fell from heavy breathing. Red spots began to appear in his vision. "You're delusional if you think she'd leave my side."

"Because you'd tie her to you so she can't refuse?" Elias retorted. "Is that how you view love?"