"Oooh," Darryl cooed. "Do you know sothing, boss?"
Ambryan thought for a mont. He tucked his hands inside his pant pockets and glanced at the ceiling. "I think Richard had spoken sothing about it. He's speculating that his secretary has an interest in Eve."
"Oh, that guy. What was his na again?"
"I actually don't know."
"..." Eve knew his na but she figured that it wasn't a good idea to share her knowledge. She let out a tired sigh and sipped her coffee. This train needed to end before they ca up with more theories. "Apologies, gentlen, but I don't have a boyfriend. Most of my free ti is spent with my close family and friends."
"Doesn't a boyfriend count as a close friend?" Darryl pointed out.
"Still doesn't change the fact that I don't have one."
He still wasn't convinced. "So what made you so tired over the weekend?"
Eve thought of another tiring weekend. She had shared plenty in the past. A familiar one would be more convincing since it was a recurring event and she knew the perfect one to tell.
"What else, Darryl?" She scoffed with humor. Then, her face flinched as the mories ca flooding in. "I was with my sisters. They're ten years old and have a lot of energy. We went to different places that offer different outdoor activities. Then, they wanted to visit an amusent park and didn't want to leave."
Andie had to bribe them with promised food. Thankfully, it worked and they all went ho. Both adults and children were of equal number that day. But, the latter still managed to be a handful. Darryl was right on that one.
``Youngsters really do have a lot of energy.``
"Ah, the twins," he remarked, nodding his head. "They just might be the only people I'd love to et more than your bofuture boyfriend."
Eve rolled her eyes at his obvious 'mistake'. At least, the bomb had been diffused. She better end it before soone lit it up again. She took out her phone and checked the ti. Her entire deanor changed.
She was in business mode. Her tone beca firm as she said, "Anyway, we should go up soon, Sir Hathaway. Your first appointnt will arrive in half an hour."
Ambryan looked at his watch. "You're right."
While Eve pushed the button on the elevator, he shifted his gaze towards the security guard. A rare smile spread across his face. Sothing his parents hardly witnessed. "Nice to speak to you again, Darryl. Hope you have been well."
Darryl returned it with a salute. "You too, boss."
"Please step this way, Sir Hathaway." He entered the elevator without another word. Eve nodded her head at Darryl before she followed after him. She chose to stay in front of the buttons.
The lift started its ascent. The sa soft jazz music flowed out of the speakers, filling in the silence. Eve went through her ntal list of tasks. She hoped to finish them fast while she still had so energy. If she felt depleted now, it would be more profound later on.
"You have twin sisters?" Ambryan suddenly asked. He leaned his back on the wall, wearing a scowl on his eyebrows. He watched as his secretary's shoulders stiffened.
"Ah, yes. I do." Eve replied. She looked towards the side, peeking at him through her peripheral vision. She couldn't see his face but she did notice his posture was relaxed.
Her head turned back to the front and observed as the floor number went up.
"I see."
She pressed her lips together and bowed her head. Was she supposed to say more? These were unchartered waters between them. Not to ntion how she just told him and his family about her parents last night.
She wasn't ready to reveal another piece of her life.
"Any particular reason why you asked?" Eve questioned, deciding to be upfront.
Ambryan analyzed his actions. The thought had lingered in his mind when Darryl ntioned the twins. The security guard knew that detail even when his secretary hadn't said anything. "I realized that I don't know much about you. Well, I was aware of that but even Darryl knows you better than I do and you spend more ti with ."
'And you care why?' Eve rebutted ntally. They had been like this for the past five years. What happened for him to suddenly change? She just saw him yesterday and nothing seed out of place.
So what was the trigger?
"It's simply part of Darryl's personality," she explained. "I understand that you value your privacy and your work. I figured that things are the way they are because it might weaken our Superior-Subordinate relationship. It's to make sure that due respect is always upheld."
Ambryan chose to stay silent.
She had valid points. He kept a distance for most people and his employees were included in that mix. It had always been that way. He only spoke to them for business-related reasons. Darryl was one of the exceptions because, like Eve pointed out, it was part of the old man's personality.
So of his business partners were also the sa.
So why did he suddenly notice that his secretary was different?
Because he was indebted to her?
"Thank you, by the way," He said after a while.
Eve finally glanced in his direction. Her eyebrow was raised. "For what?"
"Your insights and suggestions when I was choosing a gift. Evangeline loved the skates. I wouldn't have thought about it if you haven't ntioned that she might prefer sothing small."
Her jaw dropped at his statents. She opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish. "O-Oh. Not a problem. You can co to for advice anyti."
' okay, what am I doing?' Eve scolded herself. 'You can co to for advice anyti?' That was cheating! It was also a breach against The Five Rules! This had been a test. He was only saying these things to see if she still rembered them.
It was his way of lecturing her! She was sure about it!
Ambryan pushed himself off the wall and chuckled. "I will."
Eve stayed inside the elevator while Ambryan walked out of the lift. She examined his retreating figure. Not once did he look back. Her mind had gone into overdrive. It scrutinized the recent events and did a quick evaluation.
He walked the sa. He talked the sa. His clothes were also in pristine condition. There was no sign for this sudden change. She never felt so lost.
When the doors were about to close, Eve pressed her thumb on the open button.
"What just happened?" She thought out loud, blinking out of her daze. "Am I supposed to believe that one conversation impressed him more than my other contributions? And sohow he wasn't mad that I offered to talk about his personal life?"
Was the world spinning in reverse? Should she ask Avery? Maybe his mother knew sothinglike what happened after he dropped her off.
Eve slapped herself and finally exited the lift. She took a deep breath, cleansing her mind. There were far more important things to do. She shouldn't get distracted.
Her mutters ca out of her lips as her legs led her to her work desk. "I am thinking way too much. It's probably just a one ti thing. There's no need to worry. I just have to do better."
For the next 15 minutes, Eve gave her 110% effort on her job. She went through her inbox and handled prioritized matters. At the sa ti, she checked in on the docunts and food needed for the Ambryan's first eting for the day. The day had been packed in line with their surprise audit at the studios.
The CEO planned to make a personal visit without informing the staff.
They didn't know how long they'd be gone so work had been squeezed.
The food consisted of a simple breakfast al. She cut up the toasts into bite-size pieces. Using different jams and butter, she spread them over the grilled bread. Deviled eggs occupied half of the plate in case they wanted a softer bite.
Brewed coffee and tea were also done, ready to be served according to their liking.
Eve stood in the pantry and did one last sweep over everything. Then, the intercom sounded from her desk. "They're on their way, Ms. Hart."
"Right. These will have to do." She picked up the tray and headed for the CEO's office. There was a sitting area near the bookshelves. The couch and armchairs were made of leather while the glass coffee table had an oval shape.
The food was set at the center. Eve skipped over the drinks and prepared to greet the guests. She paused just before she left the office. Ambryan sat on his desk, his eyes never left the monitor. His hands neither typed nor moved.
A deep scowl frad his expression.
Eve frowned at the sight. "Sir Hathaway, your first appointnt is in 10 minutes. I already printed out the docunts you required. Is there anything else you might need?"
"No, you've done enough already," he responded. "Let the guests in after 10 minutes."
"Understood."
Opening the door, Eve t another surprise.
The visitors had already reached the top floor.
"Ms. Hart!" Luna called out from the other side. She giggled as Eve shut the door. "Long ti, no see! Is the CEO in a good mood today? Give so hints so I know which jokes to tell."
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