Chapter 285: The Awaited Verdict

While Eve and Rose conversed at the corner, a different waitress stopped by the table to serve the free meal. Madame Isabelle had a whiff of her tea before taking a sip. Its calming effects warmed up her insides. She pushed her worries aside and let herself relax.

Ambryan busied himself with the last of the current inquiries. Once he started paying attention to them, Madison flooded his inbox. The old fool was trying to take advantage of him during his leave of absence. He was clearly slacking since Riffle didn't mention anything.

Sending the last response, Ambryan turned on airplane mode. Anyone who needed him urgently would have to go through his security team first.

"Will you be staying long?" His mom asked when he picked up his cup of tea.

"Until Sunday afternoon."

Madame Isabelle nodded. Her gaze shifted in the direction of the girls. They seemed to have made up. There was once a time when she looked forward to them gracing the stage. They would be the best of rivals and friends. She truly believed it. 

But life didn't always work out the way people wanted.

"So…" Ambryan dragged, noticing her line of sight. "What's the verdict?"

She directed her attention towards him. "What would you have done if I said I didn't approve?"

He flashed a confident grin. "Convince you otherwise."

Shaking her head, Madame Isabelle sighed with a soft smile on her lips. "I'm happy that you're happy. I'm happy that she's happy. And I'm honored that the both of you came to see me."

Ambryan watched Eve for a while. His mind had wandered elsewhere during the story. Something else had caught his interest. He opened his mouth, violet eyes still on his girlfriend. "Will you tell me about Eve's father?"

Madame Isabelle dropped the smile. Her lips thinned into a grim line. "He wasn't always like that you know. But, eventually, he became a greedy and selfish man." 

The story of Russell Spinster was well-known in town. He wouldn't be able to walk the streets peacefully anymore. Although Eve should be the one to tell Ambryan about her father, Madame Isabelle also knew that the girl disliked discussing him.

Ambryan obviously had better connections and power. It shouldn't hurt to warn him about Russell. Eve would understand the decision in the long run.

"I'll tell you a few details about him in case he decides to show his face," Madame Isabelle said, scowling at the table. "I can imagine he might, considering how high Everlee has climbed."

"That's alright. Mother and I will look him up."

She raised her eyebrows at the endearment. "How is Avery?"

Ambryan exhaled sharply. "Not good. We had some… unfortunate incidents lately. She's currently reflecting on them. Father says that she'll be okay though. I would have to believe him on that."

"You haven't gone to see her?"

"She met with me for the amendment. Other than that, we haven't interacted lately."

Eve returned to the table with conflicting emotions. She had given in to Rose's request, causing her to be even more anxious. Her mind debated whether to tell Mikael or not. That should have been the first thing she did but she knew what his response would be.

This shouldn't be big enough to put a strain in their friendship, right?

Right…?

Madame Isabelle finished her tea. "I need to go. I'm sure the two of you would like to go sightseeing. I won't keep you. If you need a place to stay, my home is open."

"Why don't we go on a picnic tomorrow?" Ambryan suggested.

Eve widened her eyes at him. "Oh! We can even go to the old playground!"

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you both tomorrow."

That said, Madame Isabelle stood up and waved before leaving the premises. She wanted to make a phone call. Despite how long it's been, she believed Avery deserved some comfort. They weren't in the best of terms but it was better than nothing.

It was about time things changed.

Ambryan and Eve finished the rest of their meal. 

They stepped out of the cafe, watching the sunset hover above the small establishments. Ambryan had booked them a room in a B&B which Eve found hilarious. They walked down the sidewalk while holding hands. No one spared them a second glance or a long stare.

Part of it was due to the security team that monitored the premises of the town. 

Eve found the lack of attention refreshing since dying her hair permanently. She hadn't realized how much she missed Cornelia Town until now. A few people did recognize her and they exchanged smiles. Some of them were her old classmates who now managed their own small businesses. 

Everyone had grown up like she did.

It was a surreal feeling.

The longer the couple walked, the more her body and mind remembered her days here. They passed by stores that held several memories. She, Andie and Rose used to take photos in the dressing rooms while trying out several clothes. 

That wasn't allowed but they managed to get away with it.

A wide grin spread across her face.

"You were right," Eve breathed out. A group of children appeared from around the corner. They chased each other, laughing as they played tag. She had done the same thing too at this exact spot. The nostalgia never seemed to end.

"Of course, I am," Ambryan replied at once. "But what is it about this time?"

Eve ignored his narcissistic comment and said, "I needed a scenery change. And this place is… the best one out there. I didn't realize how long it's been since I came here. I suddenly feel bad."

"You haven't done anything wrong," Ambryan told her. "It's not like you stopped caring about everyone. We all have our own lives. At least, you're here now. It's what should matter."

He squeezed her hand. They reached the corner and made a left. The old playground loomed in the horizon. They unconsciously walked in its direction. The paint had peeled overtime. Rust collected at various hinges and exposed metal areas. It was mostly empty since the children had already returned to their homes. 

Eve headed straight for the swing set. 

Once seated, she kicked her legs and let herself go, relishing the breeze. Ambryan took the spot beside her. He kept his feet firmly on the ground and rested his elbows on his thighs. His eyes turned towards her. Sunlight colored his skin orange. 

His own secret was out in the open now.

He wondered how Eve truly felt about it.

"E," Ambryan spoke, using her old nickname.

"Hm?" She reacted. Her feet stomped on the ground and halted her momentum. "You know… I think it hasn't fully sunk in that you're Noah yet."

"Funny. That's what I was going to ask you about." 

Eve snorted. Feet on the dirt, she moved the swing from side to side. "If someone had told me that months ago, I would have thought they had a few screws loose in their heads. One was an annoying kid who never shut up about sour candy while the other was the coldest person I've known on earth. There was simply now way it could be true."

Ambryan found zero humor in that. "If you were still my secretary, that comment would have landed you with extra work on Monday."

"Are you sure you want me to go back? Because you're making it sound like a bad idea."

"Will you?" 

Eve visibly stiffened. 

At the same time, Ambryan glanced up and saw the moon peeking out of the sky. He missed the change completely. "You resigned because of Jane but she's not a problem anymore. I would understand if you don't. I just need to find another secretary because no one can handle Madison other than Riffle."

Eve dropped her eyes on the ground. She pressed her lips together and gripped fabric on her thighs. Silence fell between them. This was it. This was her chance. If she waited any longer, she would chicken out until the last minute.

Her brown eyes closed briefly.

A slow deep breath flowed out of her lips.

"Um, Ambryan…" Eve started to say.

He peeled his eyes off the moon and turned towards her. "What is it?"

She stared at him dead in the eyes

"I want to go to Paris."

.

.

.

.

.

Ambryan returned the facial expression with a confused one. "Paris? For vacation?"

Eve shook her head. "No, for a modelling camp."

Another round of silence lingered around them. Ambryan took his time comprehending what she just said. "That was what you were looking at when we stayed in Zehell Castle, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Eve admitted, involuntarily averting her eyes. "I didn't expect this, to be honest. But I want to be better. I want to pursue modelling to see how far it would take me. I know this is all sudden and I should have discussed it with you all the way through but…"

Every fiber of her being fired up. She forced herself to meet his eyes once again. This time, they were free of hesitation. She mustered every fragment of courage and determination in their projection. 

"I really want to go. And I plan to do so."