Chapter 207: Unravelling a Treasure Chest

Eve faced herself in the vanity mirror. The lights illuminated on her fair face, exposing every texture on it—from her natural skin, the liquid makeup and the powder ones. She closed her eyes and let the artist add a pair of false eyelashes.

A bit of sweat coated her forehead.

And it didn't come from the lights alone.

"Can I see what she'd be wearing for this shoot?" Ambryan asked from another spot in the room. His tall and broad frame easily radiated a domineering presence. The provided space was a small one and cramped things.

Eve flinched, already imagining a sullen expression on his face.

The stylist jumped at his sudden question. She rummaged through the rack and held up a pair of skin tone leotards. The fabric was highly elastic and clung to the skin. It had a tube top and ended in a pair of shorts. 

Ambryan took one look at it and said, "She won't be wearing it."

Cale stepped in. He grabbed the leotards, testing the fabric's opacity. His magenta suit contrasted against the CEO's dark one. "I think it looks fine. It doesn't expose anything. She'd be fully covered up."

His answer met a cold wind in the wilderness with a tumbleweed passing by.

The frown on Ambryan's eyebrows had deepened.

Eve watched them through the mirror. Her shoulder muscles started to cramp. This tense atmosphere wasn't something she was used to. The leotards looked fine. She had worn something similar for ballet lessons. 

She was just thankful that it had shorts.

Much better than a bikini cut.

"How is this appropriate?" Ambryan questioned, searching for an argument.

Cale suppressed the urge to roll his aqua blue eyes. "I think a two piece swimsuit reveals more but people walk around in them. The color is for camouflage of course but this is needed for the artist's vision. To reject it means to disrespect their creativity and work."

"I'll wear it," Eve cut in. Glaring violet eyes flashed in her direction. Her hazel ones stared back through the mirror. The corner of her lips curled up. "But I need a robe or a coat whenever I'm off set."

Ambryan exhaled sharply. He crossed his arms over his chest and flopped down on the couch, taking out his phone. His mind soon became preoccupied with business matters and documents. 

Eve let out the breath she had been holding. That was one of several disasters appeased. She smiled at the makeup artist to continue. Most of the look had a minimal approach but heavy focus was brought to the eyes—with the use of rose gold shadows and blinding glitter.

Cale thanked the stylist and complimented on a few pieces. Eventually, he left her to do her job and joined the CEO on the couch. He crossed his legs and hugged his knee. His platinum blonde hair had, giving him a spiky slicked back hairstyle.

"Boring, huh?" He asked, trying to strike a conversation. "I know the circumstances aren't ideal but I am very glad you are showing interest in Evangeline's job. I can't wait for you to see how much she shines in front of a camera."

Ambryan spared him a glance. The latter had his attention elsewhere as if observing everything in the room. Now that Cale mentioned it, Ambryan did the same. This setup was familiar to him especially when he visited the studio for Mikael's first day of shooting. 

His gaze eventually landed on a redhead, noting the small smile on her face while she had her eyes closed. Shine in front of a camera? She was already doing that in this room. 

"Do you have a favorite photo of her?" Cale attempted again. 

Now that was something Ambryan had an answer to. He locked his phone screen and showed it to the model manager. "This one at the moment."

"Aw, candid? That is so sweet." Cale admired the photo longer. He recognized the street from the tabloids. Eve had her back turned towards the camera while her face focused on an autumn tree to her left. Her eyes crinkled from her bright expression.

"She always looks the best as her natural self," he breathed out. 

"That I agree with." Ambryan nodded, pulling his hand back.

"Does she have a matching photo for her phone?"

Eve stiffened in her seat. "Do I need to?"

Would it be suspicious if she didn't? But it would also be suspicious if she did. It wouldn't be practical to have a separate phone as Evangeline. It was a lot easier to lose. And she'd need her actual phone on her at all times.

With that out of her mind, having her boss as her wallpaper was also a no-no.

Cale widened his eyes, realizing what must be on her mind. "Oh…, no. I just said that off-handedly because several couples do that. It's not a requirement."

"Eavesdropping?" Ambryan spoke. He hid his phone and gave them his full attention.

"It's a small room," Eve pointed out. She stuck out her tongue and said, "If you want to replace the photo of a coffee as my wallpaper then I expect nothing less of the best quality you can offer."

"Coffee?"

She nodded, pressing her lips together. "I need caffeine at all times."

Ambryan turned his head towards Cale. "Please cut down her caffeine intake."

"Hey! That's what the photo is for. I pretend it's my drink so I don't drink actual coffee."

"I find it hard to believe that method works."

Cale leaned in his direction. "It only works on occasion. She demands to have coffee in every photoshoot because each client gets her a different one. She considers it as a coffee food adventure."

"And how many shoots she'd go through in a day?"

"It depends on how long they need her for. It can range from one to five if given the right timing. Every shoot has to have coffee ready for her. Iced or hot, cheap or expensive, they don't matter."

"When will the two of you stop pretending like I'm not here?" Eve scoffed. She stood up from her chair and asked the stylist for the leotards and coat. Her gaze glanced at the couch briefly. "It's not like I drink that much everyday. My shoots are all on the weekends." 

Ambryan regarded her with skepticism. "And how much do you drink on weekdays?"

"Depends on how much of a headache I expect to gain," she joked. "There's this one person who is always serious during sessions. I'm actually thankful that he loosened up a bit these days. Mood does wonders in one's work day."

Cale grinned. "Maybe he's in love."

"Or maybe he's having an existential crisis at an early age."

Eve disappeared to the changing room. The staff cleaned up the makeup and anything that had been littered on the floor. They eventually left the room to update the studio about their progress as well as ask if the set was ready.

Ambryan waited patiently, forgoing business-related concerns. 

"I heard from Avery that you found out," Cale opened up. His spirited voice was lower than usual. He had his gaze on the changing room. "I'd like to compliment you on being perceptive. And thank you for being understanding."

"Do you and my mother tell each other everything?" Ambryan inquired, mostly out of curiosity.

The model manager scrunched his sleek brows, taking his time to answer. "Maybe not. But when it comes to Evangeline? Yes. She reached out to me first when this started. I know it's wrong to deceive someone but I am glad to have seen her grow so far."

'It truly was an adventure,' Cale continued in his thoughts. He had received an offer for a video commercial. He couldn't wait to tell Eve about it. 

"Then, do you know about…?" Ambryan trailed. It actually sounded a bit stupid after what the model manager just told him.

"I do. And it's… a shocker to say the least. It worries me on how it could affect your relationship." Cale dusted off some dirt from the lapels of his jacket. Then, he met Ambryan's gaze. "I truly believe that the both of you are good for each other. I'd hate to see it end just because the truth may not be what you expect."

"I'm more than capable of handling any news she'd tell me," Ambryan repeated with the same level of confidence as when he told Evangeline. "I've known her in the past."

Cale blinked, his brows shooting up. "Really?"

"Yes, we grew up in the same hometown. I haven't told her about it and I'm not sure she remembers me. She hadn't shown any hints despite being easy to read."

Hearing that warmed up Cale on the inside. Childhood sweethearts reunited? Was this a romance novel or what? "You must be happy to see her again."

A rare light gleamed in Ambryan's eyes. "Very much. I had good memories there."

The gate that kept the past away from the forefront of his mind slowly unlocked. There was only six months left before the deal with his mother would end. It was almost time to revisit them before he did so in real life.

Eve stayed behind the door, having heard the entire conversation. Confusion and questions floated in her head. Was Ambryan from her hometown? She hadn't heard about the Hathaways living there. Maybe he stayed with a relative? 

The area was small. Everyone practically knew each other.

And a black-haired boy with violet eyes wasn't a common sight.