Chapter 173: Guilt is Hard to Ignore

Wen's grip on the steering wheel tightened. 

This was an unusual situation. Although stern and cold, Ambryan Hathaway displayed common concern from time to time. They rarely happen. And when they do, it would be in a subtle manner. Not many people would pick up on it. 

Glancing at the rearview mirror, Wen hid her grimace. 

Maybe it was good that the boss became more open. But given the current circumstances, it might not be the best to let him get closer to his secretary—not after what she just witnessed. 

It would have been easy to lookover if the madam had been the one to initiate the orders. No matter how many times Wen watched the recording, it had been Eve who proposed the idea. She stepped out of bounds from her work assignment.

Who was she to question Ambryan's decisions?

"You're burning up," Ambryan stated. He pulled his hand back and checked her forehead. "It might be better if you go home for the day. If you're still up for catching up on lost time, you can switch the working hours you have left today to Saturday."

Eve recoiled away from the touch. She was fine! Her increase in temperature stemmed out of something else! Unfortunately, she couldn't state the reason. She would have to convince him in a different way.

Taking a deep breath, Eve straightened her posture."Sir Hathaway, I really am alright. There's only a few hours left. If you insist, I can leave as soon as my shift is over—regardless of how long our time at the studios take."

Ambryan didn't seem convinced. He stared into her eyes and tested her resolve. Determination stared right back at him. He yielded, nodding his head. "Alright. You can come. But as soon as you feel unwell, Wen will take you back."

"Understood."

The drive up to the studios proceeded like normal. Ambryan answered urgent concerns on his phone, unaware that this had been staged. Eve distracted herself in the same way. There was no point in feeling guilty now. She had to keep moving.

By the time they reached their destination, Luna, Jordan and Mikael had already arrived on set. 

A stylist fixed Mikael's hair. They pushed back one side while the other stayed loose. The model had an almost symmetrical face. This way, they could get different angles of him. The time for this product placement was a watch. Its golden frame matched that of his hair. 

They had him wear a navy blue suit with a silk golden dress shirt and tie. The scene was simple. It would be at the beginning of an episode to indicate its time setting. 

"Oh, you're here!" Luna exclaimed, spotting the CEO and his secretary. She stood up from the black folding chair and greeted them halfway. "I'm so sorry about the short notice. I wanted to see first-hand how this will go. That way I can say my input before I leave."

"It's fine, Luna," Ambryan assured her. She stood on her toes to wrap an arm around his shoulder. He leaned down to make it easier. "There wasn't anything that needed my urgent attention anyway."

"Really? That's good. I'd feel bad for interrupting."

Eve flinched behind her boss. She crossed her fingers that this incident wouldn't take long. 

"Good to see you too, Eve," Luna greeted her. She also gave the secretary a hug, using both arms this time. "My, my. I hope you're doing well. It can't be easy to keep up with your boss' schedule and your own."

"There's nothing to worry about, Ms. Athon."

"Do tell me if you see her struggling," Ambryan cut in. "I had the impression that she's unwell."

Luna widened her ebony eyes at Eve. "Is that true? Don't push yourself. It's better to rest now and have you come back soon than to burn yourself out and face bigger consequences."

"As I've told my boss, Ms. Athon," Eve began to say. She resisted to glare in the culprit's direction. "I am alright. You can even check my temperature. It is completely normal."

"Yes, please, Luna. I'd like a second opinion."

Luna blinked, taking a bit of time for herself.

Something had changed between these two. She just couldn't put her finger on it. It was normal for a boss to care about their employees. But to this extent? Only a few take the leap. Ambryan hadn't been one of them.

She wondered if this change was because his heart knew Eve was Evangeline?

As soon as the idea was planted in her head, she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

A few meters away, the stylist finished Mikael's look. He thanked her for her hard work and joined Jordan. He picked up the script. There weren't any lines provided for him but he had read the episode. He debated what facial expression to make. 

Set the mood for the next scene or foreshadow the entire episode?

"First, this. Then, a video commercial," Jordan remarked as Mikael sat on a vacant chair. "Tell me, Mikael. Would you consider becoming a full-time actor as your next career move?"

"What are you? A reporter?" Mikael replied without looking up. He ran through what he had practiced in his head. It was a good thing he had been doing that when Luna called them. 

"I'm just being a supportive manager."

"You can be supportive by being quiet."

Jordan rolled his eyes. He got up and walked over to the group. Since Luna will be out of town, he would be accompanying Mikael during these shoots. It was about time he met the CEO formally. Before this, they had no business with each other.

"Ah, this is Jordan Dawson, Ambryan," Luna said, spotting the model manager. She pulled him to her side and finished the introductions. "He's Mikael's manager. He doesn't directly work with Athon Luxury but I do trust him."

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Hathaway." Jordan showed his best smile. His pearly white teeth contrasted against his bronze skin. He held out a hand for a shake. "I'm not one to believe rumors easily but you really don't look older than 25."

Ambryan accepted the gesture and returned the pleasant expression. "I think you've mistaken me as my mother. She'd argue that it's her who doesn't look older than 25."

Luna laughed at his words. "That's true."

Then, Ambryan started the next round of introductions. "This is Ms. Everlee Hart. She is my secretary. If there are any concerns related to the studio, do contact her."

"Ms. Everlee." Jordan directed his hand in her direction. The same smile was plastered on his lips. "I'll be looking forward to working with you."

"Please call me, Eve. And likewise, Mr. Dawson." Eve kept the handshake short. She stepped back as soon as it was over, hiding half of herself behind Ambryan. The conversation proceeded as they waited for the director.

Mikael watched the exchange. 

The pair seemed unbothered by the rumors caused by Elias Walker. Neither was Eve flustered at meeting Jordan as part of her secretary duties. His modelling manager also didn't spot anything amiss. 

It made him wonder if it really was that hard to notice.

Director Sam came out of the restroom and found the two groups. A dark cloud rolled over his head. They were working on a tight schedule when Athon Luxury barged in. As a result, the crew team worked around their own list of tasks. It was going to be another long day just to keep up with the deadlines.

Ambryan was the first to detect him. "Director Sam. I apologize for the short notice. Is the location ready for filming?"

Halting in his steps, Sam fixed his expression. "It's not a problem, Mr. Hathaway. Not a problem at all. We were going to film there today anyway."

"Oh, thank you, Director," Luna intervened. She walked up to Sam, towering him. She grabbed his hand and said, "I really do appreciate it. Let me treat the crew to a meal later, hm? It's the least I could do for interrupting like this."

Sam gulped. How could he be mad when faced with a woman like this? 

"There's no need for that, M-Ms. Athon," he stammered, pulling his hand back and hiding it behind him. He wiped his sweaty palms on the back of his shirt. He also sucked in his beer belly to make it less prominent. "Our team is always ready to be flexible. We can adjust at any given moment because some opportunities won't come again."

'... is the world trying to tell me I did wrong? Or Am I actually really paranoid?' Eve sulked in her head. This wasn't the only time she got reminded of her actions. If they were trying to remind her not to do it again, she got it the first time! 

There wasn't a need to keep repeating!

"But I insist! I already placed an order in a nearby diner."

"Then, I'd like to thank you on behalf of our crew, ma'am," Sam chuckled awkwardly and cleared his throat. "There are two golf carts outside that will take us to the location. Please come this way."

Mikael rose to his feet and caught up to the group. He still hadn't made up his mind about his acting. He was rereading the script for the nth time when he bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry I wasn't looking at where I was going," he apologized, finally looking up.

Eve gave him an apologetic smile. 

Then, she said, "Nervous?"