Date The CEO.com

Chapter 212: Extra! Extra! Ambeevan Shippers!

Ambryan kept turning away from his monitor.

Days had passed since the photoshoot happened. No word came from Elias Walker since that day. The men he and his mother hired also reported that the photographer hasn't left his apartment. 

Whether that was good news or not, Ambryan hadn't decided yet. 

A knock came from his office door.

Then, Eve emerged in front of him.

"There's a package for you from Mr. Wilson," she said, bringing a box of scones, "Do you want me to read the card and shall I leave it to you?"

"Is throwing it in the trash an option?" He replied as she set the box down onto his desk. One look and he knew it was from the most expensive bakery in the city.

"I'd advise against it since it's unprofessional. But you're the boss." Eve winked. "Although, I bet it's similar to the ones before."

The gifts had been subtle in the beginning. It could be from a new business venture Mr. Wilson purchased, extending it to maintain good relations with his partners. Except it became more frequent and quite random. 

At a glance, neither the CEO nor his secretary could see a pattern. They resorted to wait for Stuart Wilson to finally show his hand.

Ambryan opened an email from the board of directors. Even when distracted, he couldn't afford to ignore his superiors. "I'd rather have the man be straightforward about his intentions than to get on my good side first."

"Then, this could finally be it. The day he tells us what it's about," Eve teased, picking up the envelope. It was bigger than the other cards. A flower pattern was embossed on the pink paper. It also had a scent.

"I already know what it is."

Eve pushed up her glasses and raised her eyebrows at him. "You've solved the mysterious puzzle? You really are the smartest of your generation. You should be a CEO."

"Did something good happen to you?" Ambryan answered back. He propped his elbow on the desk and rested his temple on the base of his palm. "You seem awfully in a cheery mood."

"Just looking forward to the day of my leave." Eve shrugged.

"Ah." He nodded in understanding. "Give my regards to your sisters. I'm sure mother will also be happy to see them since she will be a guest."

"I'll be sure to do that." She showed him the envelope and added, "Mind sharing what this could be now?"

"It's about a birthday party."

Eve peeled off the seal and opened the envelope. Immediately, her nose got hit by the scent of roses and, sure enough, the parchment paper inside had a written invitation.

She did her best not to scrunch her face.

"So?" Ambryan tested, waiting for the verdict.

Squaring her shoulders, Eve mimicked the messengers during medieval times who read announcements from scrolls. "You are cordially invited to—" 

Ambryan raised his hand. "I heard enough."

She folded the paper back into the envelope. Then, she placed it back on the box of scones. "Shall I send an RSVP?"

"No need. I won't be attending."

"I take it this happens every year?" Eve guessed. Invitations frequently arrived at the office—whether by email or by post mail. The previous secretary had left a list of senders that she shouldn't forward to Ambryan. 

But Mr. Wilson wasn't on that list.

Yet, she couldn't recall an invitation like this.

"They usually ask mother to do it but I have always refused," Ambryan explained, inspecting the envelope. His nose scrunched from the familiar smell. It gave him a headache. "I should applaud him for trying something new."

Eve nodded. With her curiosity satisfied, she bowed her head. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going back to work."

Then, she exited the room.

Ambryan checked the calendar. The series of gifts started a bit early that he didn't make the connection until the recent increase in number. Having partially heard the invitation, he threw the envelope away. The date fell on a weekend which meant the office was closed.

But that didn't mean he wasn't fully booked.

Opening the DTC site (his mother had connected it to the app), he logged in and sent a message. 

.

``Yan: What are you doing about three weekends from now?``

.

Eve heard the ping of a notification. It led her to the app with just a click after unlocking the phone. She scratched the back of her ear and opened the calendar on her computer screen.

"Oh-ho," she smirked under her breath. "I see what you're doing, Ambee."

She turned back to her phone and typed in a reply 

.

``Lin: I'm sorry but I'll have to ask my secretary. Let me get back to you later.``

``Yan: If you give me the contact information, I'll book an appointment.``josei

``Lin: Pray do tell what do you have in mind?``

``Yan: I'll disclose the details to your secretary.``

``Lin: It would still need my approval so don't you want to know if I'd approve it or not now instead of taking an extra step?``

.

While waiting for his reply, Eve debated whether she should bring up the party or not. The idea of torturing Ambryan by attending was tempting. She could almost see the sour look on his face. A chuckle flowed out of her lips.

But if she was a good girlfriend, she wouldn't do that to him, right? 

.

``Yan: I recommended you for a modelling project that you might like. The shoot is on that day.``

``Lin: Getting more exposure because of my connection to the CEO? What shall people think?!``

``Yan: Do you want it or not?``

``Lin: Does Cale know?``

``Yan: Yes, I pitched it to him a few days ago.``

``Lin: You must really want me to take this gig.``

``Yan: And why do you think that?``

``Lin: Because you're telling it to me yourself. Tell me, are you going to be the photographer? Don't worry. I'll still act surprised.``

.

Eve jumped when the intercom rang.

She set her phone aside and answered it.

"Yes, Darryl?" 

"Ah, it's such a good day." 

"Why is that?"

"Because my day has been blessed with beauties."

"..." Eve closed her eyes, pausing for a second, then she shook her head. She walked right into that one. Chatting with Ambryan had made her lose her touch. "I sure hope you mean your wife, Darryl."

The security guard snorted from the other line. The microphone picked up the sounds of rustling papers. "My wife is 9 out of 10 beauties. You're the other one, of course."

"Is that all you called about? So you can get 10/10?"

"There's another package here for boss. Do you want it to be brought up or left here?"

"What is it?"

"Oh, nothing. Just a giant wine glass." Darryl whistled in nonchalance. He inspected the other goods inside the glass, lifting one up to read the label. "With bottles of very expensive wine I might add. You think he'd mind if I take one?"

Eve scowled at the mention of the gift. "Who is it from?"

"From… Mister Stuart Wilson and Family."

"Yikes." She flinched. They must be really desperate. The party didn't seem business-related. But knowing these businessmen, they'd find a way to make it into one. Mr. Wilson probably saw it as another chance to butter up to his partners.

"I take this is not a good thing?"

"I think they want Sir Hathaway to attend a party and are trying to convince him." Eve clenched her teeth and stretched her lips into a hard frown. She might need to send that email rejecting the RSVP after all.

This was getting a bit of hand.

"Well, they don't do it halfway I give you that." Darryl placed the wine back. It definitely felt expensive—something to savor while roasting by the fire: the clink of wine glasses, exchange of cheese bites, giggles and silly jokes…

"I'll have to ask Sir Hathaway what to do. Please excuse me."

"Mind asking if I can have one?"

"I'm sure he won't mind." Eve chuckled. 

She turned off the intercom and exited her desktop programs, leaving the internet browser. It stayed on its homepage with headlines of news articles scrolling down on the right side. The feature kept people updated with the news. She had seen one that interested her and wanted to go back to it later.

As soon as she got up, a new headline took the top spot.

Then, another one.

And another. The section became flooded with the latest scoop. Articles from every credible source covered the story as their front page news of the day. 

.

> Charlee Edwards Exposé! Jealousy taken too far? Read on to find out!

> Elias Walker Confesses with Hardcore Evidence! A Scheme to Break the Star Couple Apart?

> Evangeline Reed's Ex-Boyfriend Claims to be a Fake! Here is the Tea!

> Karma targeted CEO Ambryan Hathway's budding relationship! Ex-fling Strikes!

> Ex's are Oh-no's! Ambeevan Shippers on the Move to Show No Mercy!

.

Users in Twittah and Slowgram joined in on the news, expressing their thoughts. 

.

``Lei the Bunbun: HA! I knew it! I knew she wasn't anything good!``

``May the Kitty: Pfftt. Am I the only one not surprised by this? Everything about her is fake: tan, lips, hair, personality… should I go on?``

``NDdgaf: AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE! HALLELUJAH! But Elias is still not innocent here! I propose they both get what's coming for them! They conspired together!``

``sourcandy: @NDdgaf, I second that. This doesn't erase his own actions.``