Chapter 210: Love is a Choice

"Is that how you view love?"

Ambryan chose to remain silent. Mere words didn't work with this man. They also had an audience, whispering finally reaching his ears. His better judgement had come through and warned him to be careful. 

This most likely could have been staged—purposely made to rile him up.

Scripted by Elias to gain even more favor from the public.

"What's the matter, Ambryan Hathaway? Cat got your tongue?" Elias taunted, taking a step forward. A silly grin flashed on his lips. "Can't back up your words now?"

"And how do you view love exactly, Mr. Walker?" Eve interrupted. She stood up with the coat wrapped around her. The wings had been detached. "Does it have anything to do with fabricating stories and creating false connections?"

She stalked towards the two men and positioned herself beside Ambryan. Her hazel eyes blazed more gold than green. They burned like flames of the sun.

Elias fluttered his eyes in return, seemingly surprised. He bent down to match her eye level, saying, "It seems to work for some people. Don't you think so?"

Clenching her jaw, Eve tightened her grip on the coat. The temptation to punch the guy was too much to bear. Her urges demanded release. And if he didn't move in the next second, she just might give in.

"Please, Mr. Walker." She forced a smile, raising the volume of her voice. "Stop harassing my man or I might think you're actually pinning for him."

Ambryan coughed while Elias scoffed. The latter straightened his spine and crossed his arms over his chest. "And what would you do about it?"

"If this is going to continue, Mr. Walker, I'm afraid I would have to withdraw my model." Cale called out from behind the photographer. The expression on his face was far friendly. "This isn't an environment I'd want her to work under. I was given the impression that she'd be safe and that this shoot would proceed smoothly. But this situation is being poorly handled."

Elias spared the model manager a glance. Then, he did a quick sweep around the room. The staff averted their gazes when they noticed his stare. Their opened lips shut closed. 

His chocolate eyes eventually landed back on Eve. Any hint of amusement had left his face. The little minx had switched the initial impression of the conversation to a different direction. Now, people thought that his interests were intended for the CEO. 

It upsetted his stomach to the point that he was ready to barf out his breakfast.

"Break. 15 minutes," Elias sneered, yanking the camera strap off his neck. He stomped away from the pair and chose a secluded spot away from the studio. The noise resumed once he was out of earshot. The wings had been moved back to the prop area.

Eve nudged her elbow against Ambryan's side. "Hey. You okay?"

"Fine. My temper got the better of me. That's all." He cleared his throat and shook out of his daze. Was it possible that Elias had recorded that? Could he get a copy?

"Okay." Eve nodded. She exchanged looks with Cale and the latter left the two alone. Looking back at Ambryan, she jabbed her thumb over her shoulder. "Want to go to the dressing room for a while?"

They headed over like she suggested. The makeup artist and stylist quickly made excuses, leaving the room. Eve searched for something to drink inside the cooler. She offered a water bottle to Ambryan and joined him on the couch.

The orange juice felt cold as it flowed down her throat.

"Is that wrong?" Ambryan suddenly asked. He had his arms on his thighs while he stared at the floor. Eve waited for him to continue. Eventually, he looked at her. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Wanting to always have you next to me."

Eve blinked at the question. She recapped her juice bottle and placed it on the table. 

"I mean, it's not like you actually make it literal. We still go on about our individual lives but our presence is always there for one another," she began to explain, unsure of where it was leading. Her hands laid on her lap. She played with her fingers. 

Her tone eventually matched his whisper. "And, to be honest, if things spiralled down, I figured you'd be the one to leave."

"Why is that?" Eve heard him say.

"Uh… where to begin?" She snorted, throwing her hands on either side of her and onto the cushion. Her head laid on top of the backrest. "We're from different social classes? There are prettier girls than me. There are more intelligent ones. There are some who could understand your day to day life better. There are women who are more qualified to fill in that spot…"

These thoughts hadn't surfaced since the day she considered joining the website. She had been confident that he wouldn't choose her. Maybe she didn't know who the other girls were but she believed the madam wouldn't risk picking incompetent ones.

If anything, Avery probably considered a few daughters in her social circle—someone part of their world that could live up to their family's surname and reputation.

Ambryan considered her answer for a moment. Crease lines gradually appeared on his forehead, leading to a deep scowl. "These words sound a little familiar."

Eve twisted her neck towards him. "Really? How?"

A firm rope fastened around her chest. Her thoughts were mere speculation. She couldn't believe that she'd hear them turn out to be real. Who could it possibly be? It had to be someone special.

Leaning back, Ambryan propped an elbow on the backrest. He scooted closer and returned her stare with gentle eyes. "Mother had said something like it back when she first pushed me to date. This was before the website. She talked so much and listed many names, eventually getting frustrated and blurted out a name."

Eve pressed her lips together in confusion. "She favored an ex of yours?"

"No, but she did favor someone for a while." He clarified with a chuckle. Then, a thought occurred to him, making him squint. "Is that... why one of your rules not to have Eve around? Because mother had mentioned that she initially wanted us to become a couple?"

Never had Eve been more eager to live her life as a goldfish—where it wasn't expected of her to say something whenever she opened her mouth. Couldn't she still do that and let Ambryan guess what she was saying?

This was far from what she predicted he'd say.

"... sure. Let's go with that." Eve managed to squeak. Her mind went into overdrive. "She spends five times a week with you, sees you the most, knows your preferences and actually managed to keep her job for several years. She definitely has the advantage."

Everything she said was a repeat of the madam's words. Realizing that now, she mentally facepalmed at how the answer had been staring at her in the face.

"Our relationship is purely superior and subordinate." Ambryan twirled a piece of her hair. "The reason we worked well was because we communicated minimally and in a straightforward manner." 

'But does that still apply now?' She retaliated in her head. He had changed so much the past few months. First, he had asked Eve about what to buy as a gift. Now, he consulted Evangeline about his emotions—something much farther than a present.

He never ceases to amaze, does he?

"Anyway, wanting someone to be beside you is normal," Eve spoke and broke the silence. She reached out to grab his hand, forcing him to let go of her hair and look at her. "At least, I know I also feel the same way." 

She pressed her cheek against the hand and tilted her head sideways. "I believe we all have that fear that this person could disappear at any moment which fuels that desire even further. And… I think it's okay to be a bit selfish every now and then."

Ambryan brushed his thumb over her cheek. "How often?"

Eve thought for a moment. Then, she shrugged. "A reasonable amount."

"And right now?" He leaned down to touch her lips.

"Right now I need you to behave." She giggled, recalling the previous events. She patted his face and gently pushed him away. "Don't fall for his provocations."

"But he desires you," Ambryan reminded her. He turned his head towards the table and exhaled sharply. His blood began to simmer. The bastard finally showed his true colors. "I don't care how it's called. There's not one fiber in me that trusts him."

Eve let his hand drop. She grabbed his chin instead and pulled his attention back on her. The flecks in his violet eyes had darkened like she predicted. He must be using everything in him not to break his self-control.

Oh, how it melted her heart.

"Then…, how about me? Do you trust me?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows. "Because if that man tries anything, I'd be the first one to hit him."

Ambryan closed the gap between them. Somehow that was all he needed to hear. That she, herself, wouldn't let Elias try to break them apart. Up until now, his claims had been empty—coming from his own thoughts and not hers.

To hear her disapproval of Elias lifted the weight off his shoulders. 

She'd choose him. 

That was what mattered.

Eve grinned against his lips. "And maybe the second. You can have the third." 

"How generous."