Date The CEO.com

Chapter 206: She is Her Own Person

Ambryan internally objected to his obvious disadvantage in the situation. If his mother was right, he would have known her real name by now. He had plenty of time to mull over it. But if knowing would cause her harm

then, maybe he could be a bit more patient.

Clearing his throat, Ambryan changed the subject. "So what did you do with Elias Walker?"

"We have him trapped in a basement."

The words flew out of Avery's mouth in one breath. She found it quite funnyif only her son would as well. His glare appeared on cue. The sun rays from the window dazzled the cheeky smile she wore.

"No need to be so serious," the madam muttered. She wiped a hand on the side of her face. "We tried everything to persuade him but, like I said, he only wants one thingwell, one personand that is Evangeline."

"He can't have her."

"He wants her in a photo project."

"He still can't have her."

Avery bit her tongue. This was going to take a while. Contrary to what most people she thought would assume, her conversation with Elias started normal. She had treated him well like she would to a guest. Of course, she had revealed what she knew about him.

In return, he threatened to reveal Evangeline's secret.

But with how much he 'needed' her as his muse, she eventually doubted on his claim.

"... Mother. You're not actually considering his offer, are you?" Ambryan stared at her in horror. Why would she consider such a risk? There plenty of ways for this to backfire in their faces.

His mother flinched. She sighed and explained her side. "It's like you said. Someone else is behind this. What better way to lure the person than see what happens?"

If Ambryan's eyebrows scrunched any closer, they would become one and create a unibrow with how deep his scowl became. "I will not have that man take pictures of my girlfriend for his own interest."

Avery rolled her eyes. "Well, he could always skip the taking pictures part and just buy them."

This sort of logic wouldn't survive a relationship with a mode. Although it was understandable, once the pictures were out to the public, they could go anywhere. The people could choose on what to do with them. It was the reality of anything revealed to the masses.

"It comes with the job," she spoke out loud. "You should get used to it. There's always going to be some guy out there who is infatuated with Evangeline. Haters who would throw darts at her pictures. Sickening people who would do who-knows-what."

Avery closed her eyes and massaged her temples with one hand. "And it's out of your control."

"I'm well aware." Ambryan turned his head away. He knew that well. But it didn't mean he should stop disliking it. Elias Walker also stood above. They shouldn't regard him at the same level. It would be naive to do so.

"Really?" He heard his mother say.

"I ignore it most of the time," he admitted, clearing his throat. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to hold myself back. As long as they don't touch her then I can find a way to tolerate it."

Avery shook her head. Not that she was any better. If someone tried to flirt with her maneven just for a secondshe'd be on that bitch's ass and haul it to the junkyard where it belonged. The audacity of them to aim for a taken man! She'd never overlook it!

Having these thoughts, Avery realized where Ambryan had gotten his behavior.

She'd rather not acknowledge it verbally though.

"Anyway, try to consider that we play along with Elias for a while," she tried again, ignoring her son's dirty look. "You can even be there during the shoot if you're that bothered. You can make sure they are never alone and double check on everything."

"I will not allow it," Ambryan replied. His hands clenched into fists. Despite the possibility of another person, he still didn't trust Elias. The man initially tried to take Evangeline away. Who was to say his demand wasn't part of his plans?

"What does Evangeline have to say in all of this?" The madam raised, crossing her arms over her chest. The targeted person should have her opinion be heard. And if it affected them as a couple, both partners should have their inputs.

Ambryan clenched his jaw. "She'd agree to it."

"Exactly."

He sighed in defeat. The argument already worn him out. He only had Evangeline's best interests at heart. Why was he painted as the bad guy all of a sudden? Her safety was important. He wouldn't dare put her at risk.

Was that not acceptable to do?

"Would it be bad to ask that you don't tell her?" He half-pleaded. His hands were practically tied. Both women stood on the other side and left him as an outcast in these circumstances.

Avery relaxed her shoulders. She got up and walked around the work desk. Her arm wrapped behind her son's back, squeezing his shoulder. "Hey, I understand your concern. And possessiveness. But you have to let fight her own battles too. If you coop her up, you'd lose her more." 

Ambryan leaned back. "I've done that plenty enough."

He had listened when she wanted space. Was that all he could do whenever she was in trouble? It felt helpless. HE felt helpless. If he didn't value her wishes then, he would have gotten his ways a long time ago.

"Then, fight together."

His head snapped towards his mother. A warm smile stretched across her lips. "See, this is what I meant about being there. You won't always see eye to eye but either you support each other or you leave to each their own. It's all up to you."

Ambryan glanced at the floor. 

Then, he pulled out his phone.

"We'll see what she has to say first. Maybe I was wrong and she'd share my opinion."

The call rang all the way through until it ended by default. The madam gulped when her son tried the number again. Her eyes flew to the door. The soundproof walls muffled the ringtoneif Eve had it turned on that is. Her heart pounded in her chest. 

The temptation to say something was too high!

If was here everyday, she might have slipped by now.

"Hm." Ambryan tried the number for a second time. 

"Maybe she's busy," Avery suggested. She grabbed the computer mouse and opened the email desktop app. Everlee's name was splattered on her son's inbox. All of them were related to work but the dedication was superb.

The secretary worked non-stop.

Typing like she'd run out of time.

Ambryan considered his mother's words. "It is office hours."

"Hello?" 

Any thought to save the call for later flew out of his head. A wide smile spread across his face. Avery pressed her lips together just to hide her reaction. She peeled her arm off and went back to her seat. Oh, this was too good. It had her heart beating erratically. Giddiness fuelled her blood like caffeine would.

Her son was in love!

This called for a celebration!

"Are you busy?" Ambryan inquired.

"Yes, I'm on the line with the CEO of Eros Productions," Eve said from inside the bathroom. She placed her mouth near the small window so it wouldn't echo. "I'm not sure but he seems to be calling for something important."

Ambryan chuckled. "Mother wants to see what Elias will do with his plan to make you his muse."

"Is muse?" 

Eve silently repeated the conversations she had with Elias. He hadn't said anything about this before. Was that his intention all along? She couldn't bring herself to believe it. "I doubt that's all he wants but he's trying to gain the upperhand."

"Like how it doesn't matter whether we believe him or not. He merely wants to pull you into his hidden intentions. Repeat it many times and people could start to doubt their initial impression."

Avery hung her head. 

"I think"

"So I think we should fool him and pretend to play along," Eve stated after some self-deliberation. "It's the fastest way to end all of this. And who knows? If he has an accomplice, that person might also show up."

Ambryan squeezed his eyes shut. "You're not allowed to be within a 100-meter radius from him."

"Excuse me but you can't tell me what to do," Eve scoffed. Judging by his tone, he already knew that. This sense of surrender must have been hard on him. It was his job to get the best deal available for the company and its external stakeholders. 

To lose meant failure.

But it wasn't the end. Eve had faith that he'd come around.

"I know." Ambryan admitted with a grave tone. He opened his eyes to the sight of his mother smirking. The corner of Eve's lips curled up on the other side of the line. That was a lot faster than she expected.

"And I like you even more just from hearing you say that," she teased. It really was heartwarming to hear. Who knew that being acknowledged as her own person would turn out to be quite romantic compared to most gestures? 

All that was left was to make him proud of her.

"If you're really determined to do this then, so be it." Ambryan folded his arm on the table. The smile on his face gradually straightened into a grim line. "But I do have some conditions."