Chapter 287 - Single

"The food is here!" Danson's secretary announced as 2 vans arrived in the loading dock.

As soon as the people in the auditorium heard this, everyone, from the lighting director to the set designer headed towards the loading dock to grab their breakfast and the place quickly emptied out.

Everyone was hungry and overworked, so this food was a welcome arrival.

Sue waved at her artists and gestured for them to follow her. They were allowed to eat too, but she had to monitor them in case they overindulged.

As they started walking out, Emerson was left standing alone inside the auditorium. He was a diligent person, so he had already had breakfast. Plus, he had two dinners last night because he had to eat Avaleigh's salad for her, so he was really full. Chu glanced at the lonely man and gave Avaleigh a nudge and a wink, "Hurry, go ask while no one is around."

Mimi frowned when she heard this. It frustrated her to imagine her man being all alone with another woman. "If you're not asking, then I'll ask!" she quickly intercepted as she started walking towards Emerson.

But, Chu immediately grabbed onto Mimi's arm to stop her, "Ava lost, fair and square. She has to do it!"

Chu was the youngest in the group, but everyone always spoiled her and supported her, so Ray quickly agreed, "Hurry, Ava, we all want to know the answer."

Before Avaleigh or Mimi got the chance to refute, Chu began to hurry all the girls out, leaving Avaleigh behind, "We'll wait for you outside!"

Avaleigh glanced at Emerson awkwardly and Emerson looked back at her with curiosity as her members left her in the empty auditorium with him. She looked like she had something to say to him, so he revealed a welcoming smile.

Avaleigh felt her heart flutter when she saw the man's smile. Why did he suddenly make her feel this way? Trying to ignore these feelings, she took a deep breath and approached him.

Avaleigh was in one of her stage outfits: a white crop top with pastel pink shorts, a feathery vest, and white knee-high boots. It was something that no one in their right mind would ever wear in public but looked really cute and stylish onstage.

Emerson looked at her outfit and was reminded of the first time they met and the clothes she wore that day. "No wonder you're a fashion icon," he couldn't help but comment.

Over the last couple of days, not only did he create a Weibo account to follow Avaleigh on social media, he also found himself searching her name online to learn a little more about her. Ever since he fell in love with Halia, he had never been fascinated by another woman like this. Was it simply because of work? 

Avaleigh glanced at her own clothes and laughed, "This was designed by our stylist. She's the genius behind-the-scenes, I can't take credit for it."

Avaleigh felt a little embarrassed, but to her surprise, the man replied, "The clothes may be well-designed, but not everyone has the body to pull it off..." 

He then added, "You should take care of your body and eat properly." He was still annoyed by the fact that she hadn't had breakfast.

Avaleigh was slightly moved by the man's concern.

At that moment, Emerson's eyes scanned upwards and paused on Avaleigh's face just as she reached him. Her smile was sweet and her eyes were gentle. Unlike Mimi and Marissa, this woman appeared to be a natural beauty and he found himself holding his breath as he looked at her. He had seen rumors online about her going under the knife, but as he looked at her in detail, he did not see any signs of surgery. In fact, she was more beautiful up close.

"Have you ever had any surgery done?" he asked straightforwardly, not realizing his question was a bit abrupt.

But, Avaleigh was unfazed as she shook her head. After all, she had nothing to hide or be ashamed of. "No, but I do have a lot of makeup on," she laughed shyly. "You should be careful asking that question in the future. Other women might be offended."

Emerson curved his lips upwards slightly, "I'm only asking you this because I'm fascinated by you...I have no reason to ask anyone else."

Avaleigh glanced away nervously and cleared her throat. What did he mean by this? This man was definitely a player. As mysterious as he was, this was one thing that she was still certain of. For all she knew, he probably said the same thing to Mimi in her room last night. Otherwise, why was she so obsessed with him.

Putting this thought aside, Avaleigh remembered what she had approached the man for, so she quickly regained her composure and changed the subject.

"President Wu, can I ask you something?" she said with seriousness.

Emerson nodded, "What's wrong?"

Avaleigh's eyes darted a little, but she eventually gathered the courage to ask what she had been assigned to ask, "Do you have a girlfriend or wife?"

Emerson was a little taken aback by this question. Why did she suddenly ask this? 

He was the CEO of a casino empire with thousands of employees under him. Moreover, he dealt with millions of dollars every single day and often made difficult decisions on the spot. Yet, never had he felt as nervous as he did now over a simple question.

His eyes softened as he looked at the woman in front of him and he noticed her cheeks were slightly pink. Was it her makeup? Was she hot? Or...was she equally nervous around him?

"Why are you suddenly asking this?" he asked as he narrowed his eyes, trying to understand what she was thinking.

Avaleigh retreated a couple of steps and choked on her words a little. She knew how weird it was for her to suddenly ask this question and she didn't want the man to misunderstand. But, as soon as she stepped back, Emerson stepped forward as though he was being drawn towards her like a magnet.

Emerson's heart fluttered. As he looked at the nervous woman in front of him, he realized why he had been so fascinated by her...

He was attracted to her...

From the moment that she picked up his wallet at the metro station, his attraction had been subconsciously growing stronger and stronger.

"No...I am single..." he replied as he looked into her eyes.