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Chapter 121: Your Lingering Presence

Eve bolted straight for the elevators.

Her hand furiously tapped on the up button as if it could speed up the lift's descent. Adrenaline course through her blood. Her senses were on hyper alert. When the elevator still had halfway to go, she let the button go.

Instead, her legs paced around while her eyebrows scrunched together.

'What What was that?' She asked in her head. They were in the car. Both of their security teams had their eye on them. The windows were also heavily tinted. There was little to no chance for someone to spot them inside. 

So what was that act all about?

Eve shivered. Ambryan's touch lingered on her ear. She felt it grow hot so she used her cold hand to cool it off. Goosebumps rose at the back of her neck. Were her ears actually this sensitive?

"Ms. Reed, why are you running like you've seen a ghost?"

"Ah!" Eve yelped, jumping up in surprise. She shuffled her feet towards the source and placed her hand on her heart. Her mouth panted for breath. The tension receded a bit once she saw who it was. "Oh, Nanzie. It's you. You scared me for a second there."

Feet apart and hands at her side, Nanzie tilted her head sideways. She observed Eve and wondered what was wrong. The latter's lips had paled and her face had become ashen. Rather than seeing a ghost, it looked like Eve became one.

Then, Nanzie gripped Eve's arms and shook her awake. Her cyan eyes widened in alarm. "Are you alright, Ms. Reed? Did you see something? Did someone threaten you?"

"What? No! No, no, no! I'm fine." Eve pushed her arms away and turned back to the elevator. "I just desperately need to pee and I don't want to use a public bathroom, especially when we're this close to entering the apartment."

'Smooth, Eve. Smooth,' her inner voice mocked. 'Always the bathroom excuse with you.'

Eve ignored it. With Nanzie's presence, she felt calmer. Her amber eyes watched as the elevator reached the ground floor. She stepped inside first. The doors closed before them and a huge sigh of relief flowed out of her lungs.

Her head hit the back wall while her eyes closed. The toll from the past two days weighed her down. If she asked for a leave of absence suddenly, would Ambryan approve of it? Monday was their busiest day of the week. She might not make it through.

"Are you sure you're alright, Ms. Reed?" Nanzie spoke again. She stayed firm and monitored her client's movements. Collapsing from exhaustion didn't seem too far off from happening.

"I'm fine." Eve opened her eyes halfway. She spotted a black figure and stepped away in surprise. Her back hit the wall, followed by her head. She groaned and touched the sore spot. Her vision began to clear.

It was Nanzie's suit.

Not Not someone else's.

"I think it would be best if you sleep after you take a shower. Get plenty of rest. I'll prepare breakfast tomorrow. I'll include some herbal medicine to replenish your energy."

"What? You already made breakfast today," Eve pointed out. She regained her balance, choosing to stand upright. "We agreed to do it on alternative days. Tomorrow should be my turn."

Nanzie's gaze hardened. She stared Eve down. "This is non-negotiable. You haven't had a day of rest. I'll inform Cale and Avery to lessen your projects to one day. Nothing that includes extensive activity either."

Eve surrendered. There wouldn't be time to rest for the next five days. She'd love to spend the next weekend in her bedlike she often did in the past. Who knew having another career would be this exhausting? 

"Thank you, Nanzie," she finally replied. A small smile curled at the corner of her lips. "I can't imagine how I'd survive without you. We'll be up early tomorrow. Is it okay if I ask for breakfast to be portable? Something that I could eat in the car?"

The bodyguard nodded in understanding. "Not a problem.

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.

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Eve sat on the vanity mirror. Using her towel, she scrunched her damp hair. The makeup had been stripped off her face. Her reflection showed her raw self. Cale had mentioned that he only enhanced her beauty but, she still found both faces to be different. This one looked worn out with prominent eye bags and folds near her nose. 

While Evangeline was youthful. The same could be said about her personality. 

They seemed worlds apart.

Her fingers brushed the mirror. "How am I these two people at once?"

Then, Eve chuckled and cleaned out her ears. "If I told Andie that, she'd say it was normal."

Wasn't it though? People react and act differently in several situations. If it wasn't possible, there wouldn't be a thing called emotionsfeelings that sway a person's mood and their ability to perceive their surroundings.

Eve narrowed her eyes. "So what does that mean? Why is Evangeline the way she is around Ambryan? How does he make her bubbly and energetic?"

"Why am I even talking to myself about this?" She moaned a second later and closed her eyes. Her temple hit the vanity table. Did it really matter? At least, they weren't uncomfortable with one another. She was looking way into it.

Just like when she felt Ambryan touch her ear.

Her eyes peeled open, landing on the bouquet of flowers. She had placed them here since they looked pretty against the white wood. She reached for a pink hydrangea and traced its petals. The edges had begun to brown.

A pink box peeked out from behind.

"The gift!" Eve exclaimed, pulling herself up. She seized the box and undid the bow. The lid separated from the box when she lifted it. Pink decoration papers covered the inside. She pushed them aside and

"Oh. My. GoGirdle. Holy shischnitzel," she stammered in between breaths. Taking one out, the pink roller skate glinted under the light. Her hand caressed the material and guessed that it was waterproof. The lace had a darker shade of pink. 

Eve pressed a hand over her mouth. Tears welled up at the corner of her eyes. She should have known Ambryan would kick it up a notch. Putting the roller blade on the vanity table, she reached for her phone and sent one message.

.

``Lin: These are gorgeous. How can I even wear these?`` 

``Yan: I take it that you found them to your liking?``

``Lin: They look so beautiful. How could I even be mad?``

``Yan: I'm sure it will come to you later.``

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Eve had to chuckle at that. He had a valid point. Her gaze flickered at the skate. She twirled it around with one hand, completely admiring the design. Then, she looked at the bouquet. Another chuckle came out of her lips.

It became harder and harder to tame her smile.

She decided to tease him.

.

``Lin: Who knew you could be so sly? The bouquet was a hint at the gift, wasn't it?``

``Yan: Interesting theory.``

``Lin: Oh, come on! Don't be like that!``

``Yan: I simply like things to be color-coordinated. Something I might find having difficulty with this silver tie that you gave me.``

``Lin: Doesn't it look great? There were patterns on others but I chose a plain one. It's basically a shade between black and white. I figured that it would go well with your wardrobe.``

``Yan: Maybe. But it's shiny.``

``Lin: Not like you wear any gray as far as I've seen in your photos. Between the two, I thought this was more elegant.``

``Lin: Sophisticated.``

``Lin: Pretentious.``

``Yan: What are you exactly trying to say?``

``Lin: Haha! I think it really suits you even if you don't think so.``

.

No response came after that. 

It hardly diminished Eve's good. She found herself staring at the skate again. This time, she took out the other one and placed them side by side. Tiny rubies clustered together across the pink leather, forming a strawberry pattern. Each one had two oval-shaped emeralds for the leaves. 

They had been wedged into the fabric to create an even surface.

How much did it cost? Eve did her best not to think about it.

She glanced at her phone. Ambryan still hadn't replied to her. She had always wondered why he never wore a shade lighter than black. He did it with the color blue but his black clothing was always pure black. No hint of white.

Since she needed a present, she finally put it to use.

And it was something that would catch attention.

.

``Lin: Don't be too picky. I think it's good for our image. It stands out from your previous ties so people would notice. Some would ask you about it and you tell them that you got it from me. Clever, huh?``

.

Eve shrugged when Ambryan still didn't reply. She had used logic that he wouldn't be able to contradict. If he could wear a red tie at the launch party, a silver one was a mild change. Besides, it really would look good on him. Especially in an all-black suit

Her phone vibrated.

.

``Yan: Maybe I can wear it once.``

``Lin: Make sure to wear an all-black suit when you do!``

``Yan: Why?``

``Lin: So the silver stands out even more.``

``Yan: I'll think about it. Don't stay up too late. Get some rest.``

.

"Ah, sweet, sweet progress," Eve giggled while typing her reply. "At least, he knows how to care about another now. Even just a little.``

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