Date The CEO.com

Chapter 226: Eve? What? NOT PREGNANT?!

Mikael stiffened and took his time processing the statement. Because if he was right and the CEO was hinting that the latter knew about the double identity then…

… why would he reveal it now of all times? And to him? His eyes fell on Eve. She seemed deep in sleep to have heard. Ambryan was also asking him not to tell her about his knowledge. So this couldn't be a ruse to let her know indirectly.

"So you do know," Mikael finally replied, getting a headache from overthinking.

Ambryan bowed his head and smiled with his eyes closed. "Only recently."

That was all he said. Mikael found the answer unsatisfactory. How many days had passed since the family event? Was it a little over a week? Was he provoking Eve to confess back then? Or did he find out later? 

The non-stop questions were pure torture.

"So you're telling me not to let her know?" Mikael asked. He hoped it could keep the topic going.

"I find it a little unfair." Ambryan admitted. A mischievous smirk spread across his face. The memories he once had now looked different. "Wouldn't things be too easy for her if I just told her about it?"

'... That definitely didn't sound good,' Mikael thought. He sighed and rested his cheeks against his knuckles. "What are you planning exactly?"

"She and my mother can't have all the fun."

"Oh, hey, Eve. I didn't notice you were awake. You heard everything, didn't you?"

Alarmed, Ambryan jerked his head in her direction. His secretary slept soundly on the bench. He believed she wouldn't be able to fake her sleep in this sort of situation. And so, he glared towards the male model.

Mikael merely shrugged. "Well, the three of you can't be the only ones having fun."

The CEO ignored his teasing and rose to his feet. He dusted off what needed to be cleaned as the fire fighters almost finished. A few bodies were taken out of the building and brought to the ambulance and its medical team. 

"Should I ask when you found out?" It was Ambryan's turn to ask.

"Way before you." Mikael snorted.

"That makes sense."

He narrowed his gaze at the CEO. "You're not about to pull an Elias Walker on me, are you? I heard about the shoot from Cale."

"You just saved her life. That wouldn't be appropriate. Please excuse me."

Ambryan walked over to the scene, not looking back. Wen stayed on his heels. They disappeared into the crowd. Security escorted the spectators outside of the site. Everything was shut down for the rest of the day.

Mikael glanced at the bench. Then, he flicked the sleeping beauty's forehead. "I'll have to take his side on this one. Good luck dealing with him."

Eve woke up to an orange sky. Fluttering her brown eyes, memories about the fire slowly returned to the forefront of her mind. She sat right up on the bench. Her sudden movement yanked the portable container of her oxygen mask off its resting place. 

"Eve! You're awake!" Jordan exclaimed as he jogged up to her side.

The secretary yanked off the mask from her face. "Mr. Dawson, when did you get here?" 

"I came as soon as I heard about the fire," he explained, placing his hands on his hips. "Mikael was looking after you but he had to help in handling the press since he is a key witness." 

Eve lifted her legs and stood on her feet. She assessed her surroundings. Expecting a big crowd, she found none. Most of the people left were the crew members. "Is anyone hurt?"

"Well, a few but they're in the hospital and their conditions seem to be stable."

Relief flooded in her chest. "Thank goodness."

"You, on the other hand…" Jordan crossed his arms over his chest and gave her the side-eye.

"If I'm here then, it's nothing serious." Eve was quick to defend. 

"It's nothing serious because Mikael carried you out." His voice lowered into a hiss. "What were you thinking?! Do you know the weight of what you did?!"

A deep sigh flowed out of her lips. She knew she made the wrong choice as soon as she reached the elevated catwalk. "It was a fire in a small room. The sprinklers were broken. Something had to be done. I didn't think it would escalate that fast."

Jordan grunted, understanding her perspective but disapproving it all the same. He patted her upper back. "Well, you better be prepared for the consequences."

"Am I suspended from work?" Eve flinched.

His chocolate eyes flew wide open. "Suspe—That is the least of your worries. Trust me."

"EVERLEE HART!"

Both individuals jumped from the interruption. Avery Hathaway stomped her way towards them. Her violet eyes glistened like gemstones inside a dark cave. Her commanding presence faded the rest of the world into the background. 

"Mrs. Hathaway!" Eve cried out, raising her hands on instinct—like she needed protection from the storm that was about to come. Jordan stepped away from her just to be sure.

"How dare you try to face a fire?!" The madam scolded right in her face. "If you wanted to help, the fire alarm was enough. You could have done more by going with everyone else and keeping them in an orderly fashion."

Unable to deny the logic, Eve pressed her lips together. She made a mistake. She knew that. They had every right to lecture her for such stupidity. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Hathaway. I was thinking straight—"

"Clearly." Avery scoffed.

"EVERLEE HART!" Another voice yelled in their direction.

Eve couldn't believe her eyes when she saw who it was. "Andie! What are you—"

"You think I can stay still after hearing about the fire? Especially when you feel unconscious inside?!" Andie ruffled her dirty blonde hair into a bird's nest. Then, she pointed an accusing finger towards her best friend. "I knew you always had this sense of chivalry but you crossed the line this time."

"I know. And I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't even begin to cover it, missy! Your sisters also heard the news. I think it would be best if you give them a call. Andie huffed. She shifted her attention to the madam beside her and smiled. Her volume softened into a gentle tone. "Hello again, Mrs. Hathaway."

"Andie. Nice to see you," Avery greeted back. Her gaze fell on the ring that the young woman wore. "Are you engaged?"

"I am!" Andie declared, her smile turning into a full-blown beam to the skies. "And my maid of honor just decided to throw herself in the fire before I could even have my wedding."josei

"Then, she should be punished."

"I agree."

Eve opened her mouth to protest when her phone vibrated in her pocket. The lock screen had been flooded by numerous notifications ranging from messages to missed calls. She made a mental note to check on them later.

"Hello?"

"Eve!" 

Her heart squeezed at the sound of her manager's voice. "Cale?"

"My poor girl, did you forget that you're a model? It sounds superficial but your physical health and appearance are important in the business. I know you meant well but this wasn't the best way to handle the situation." He reprimanded. 

Then, she heard him sigh. "Anyway, I'm glad you're alright."

"I'm very glad that I am alright too." Eve raised her voice enough to intercept the ongoing conversation next to her. "It's been comforting to hear that others feel the same."

"Think again!" Andie interrupted. "If we don't lecture you, you'd do something like this again."

"I got it. I got it," her best friend groaned, ending the call. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"You have to ask a certain CEO if you have permission to go home." 

"I thought that was the medical team's job?"

"They said that you are fine but you're not off-duty yet, are you?"

Eve gulped. "Right."

She made her way towards the studio. A small group of people stood in front of the crew. It didn't take long to identify her boss among them. His broad shoulders were hard to miss—not to mention his perfect posture.

"Sir Hathaway," she greeted with his back towards her.

He turned around. "Eve."

She bowed her head, unable to look him in the eye. "I'd like to apologize for my lack of judgement. I understand I wouldn't be of help if I put myself in danger. I will keep this in mind from now on."

A warm hand touched her head. She looked up to see Ambryan's indifferent expression staring at her face. "I'm glad you're okay. Go home and rest. We'll handle it from here."

"A-Are you sure?" Eve stammered, ignoring the blush on her cheeks. "Because I can—"

"Either you leave the premises with your own two legs or I carry you out. You choose."

She paused for a second. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Then, she turned on her heel and dashed for Andie. Ambryan watched her leave. He wondered if she noticed that her eyeglasses were gone. If she wanted to keep it a secret, it was bold of her to come up to him without them.

"Do you want me to send a security team for Ms. Hart?" Wen suggested. 

"No." Ambryan sighed. His hand clenched into a fist. He tried not to touch her but failed. "Mother made it clear that it's best not to draw attention to Eve. We're going to need damage control for her current presence in the media."

"Understood."