Date The CEO.com

Chapter 104: Evangeline's Bodyguard

A tan sandal and a fair slender leg stepped out of a black sedan. A gray cardigan draped over denim shorts and a white camisole. Oversized brown sunglasses perched on top of a button nose. They shielded over amber eyes. 

Long wavy crimson hair fluttered against a soft breeze.

Evangeline Reed had come to her apartment after two weeks off work.

Nanzie trailed behind as the model climbed up the stairs. The former opted out of her suit and wore tight yoga pants with a black shirt. Her raven black hair was braided at the back of her head. The shorter strands had been brushed back, exposing her sharp facial features.

She carried a duffel bag in one hand.

She had replaced her boots with sneakers.

Eve released a breath when the elevator doors closed after they got inside. She took off her glasses and scratched her neck. It seemed that the wig needed some cleaning. "That was lucky. I almost expected paparazzis at the front. Then again, this place has more famous models than me. I should have seen them by now."

"The complex keeps a tight security, reasoning that it disturbs the resident's peace," Nanzie explained. "They're only allowed near the driveway's entrance. Since no one knows your car yet, we slipped past unnoticed."

"So... they know the car is mine now?" Eve asked.

"Yes, but the security team is taking care of it. You are absolutely not to be disturbed within 100 meters. They'll be taken to court if it happens."

"That's" she trailed off, wrapping her mind at the development. "... a bit too much?"

Nanzie smiled. Her cyan eyes fell to the floor. "Ms. Avery and Mr. Ambryan wanted the best. You'll be able to read the whole document later. It also covers your insurance."

"My insurance?" Eve asked. She already had some for health, disability and life. As for the apartment, Andie and her applied for home insurance. She'd have an auto one if the company hadn't provided a car. 

The only other option she knew of was wedding insurancewhich she never availed.

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"As a model, your work relies on your outward appearance. They had insured several body parts for different amounts. They haven't disclosed the amount but they are open to tell you if you talked to them about it."

"Body parts?"

"Yes."

"Whose?"

"Yours, of course."

"What? Why?" Eve demanded. Body parts could be insured? What was the difference between that and health? And disability? "For my work? I'm still an amateur model. I don't have that much to lose if I suddenly gained a scar."

The elevator opened at the 10th floor. Nanzie stood by the doors, letting her out first. "You must understand that it involves more than your career. I doubt Ms. Avery would forgive herself if this situation leaves a permanent mark on your body. The circumstances are complicated but she wants to minimize casualties."

Eve halted in her steps. The empty hallway faded before her eyes. For a brief moment, she stepped in Avery's shoes. The madam was the reason why she was in this role. It was a favor that came with monetary benefits. Her intentions had been pure but it had consequences.

What was an idealistic dream now was one wrong way towards a train wreck.

Everything could fall apart, leaving damages instead of happy endings. 

Then, why continue it? Why continue a gamble where the odds were tipping over?

Eve searched for the answer. The Avery in her imagination only smiled sadly. She knew more than anyone what the chessboard looked like. The deal had been spontaneous and impulsive. The terms had needed polishingand it most likely still would in the future.

Yet, something kept her on the same path,

A glimmer of hope

Attainable if they kept moving forward...

Because love took risks. 

"Ms. Eve?"

Shaking her head, Eve's sunglasses slid down her nose. She pushed them back up and glanced to her left. "I'm alright, Nanzie. Please call me, Evangeline."

"I may have to find a universal nickname."

"Good luck." Eve chuckled. She led the way to the apartment, taking out the keys. It looked just as she left itin a mess. The living room and kitchen were spared but the bathroom and bedroom weren't. She had been in a hurry that the red dress from the launch party was still in a laundry basket.

The clothes from the closet littered across the floor and the bed. She hadn't decided on what to wear right away and the clothing items only got in the way. Nothing in the closet screamed, 'inconspicuous.'

She had dug deep just to find the closest ones for a 'normal' outfit.

"Uh make yourself at home?" Eve attempted to say, locking the door.

Nanzie merely set the duffel bag beside the coffee table. She placed her hands on her hips and looked around the place. She noted how the living room lacked a bit of color. The interior designer favored different shades of white. The only things that deviated from the theme was the flatscreen, the TV cabinet and legs of the coffee table.

And they were in shades of black.

Over her shoulder, she said, "Go take a bath while I set up here. I'll take a quick sweep and add a few more eyes outside. It won't take long."

"Oh, okay"

It really didn't take long.

By the time Eve washed up, Nanzie had finished the work. The crimson wig stayed on Eve's head. It would have to be that way except for when she slept and she took a shower. She grabbed her duffel bag, checking the contents. Her attention focused on the food she brought. 

It didn't seem to be enough.

A rolled up towel around her shoulders, she checked the pantry supplies. As she suspected, it didn't have any food supply. Why would it? All the fresh ingredients would only go to waste. Too many canned ones wouldn't be good either. 

They would have to drop by a supermarket.

"Do you mind if we get some groceries?" Eve asked when she heard a door open. 

Nanzie stepped out of the bathroom in a pair of boxer shorts and a long t-shirt. She scrunched the towel against her hair, squeezing every drop of water. A scowl formed on her brows as she considered the idea. "I don't think that will be good. The less chances for people to see you, the better. There are services that offer grocery deliveries. You can use my name for the transaction."

"Seriously?" Eve whined. "Am I only getting out of this apartment for work-related reasons? Can't Evangeline act like a normal human? Isn't that more believable than having her on house arrest?"

She shut the cabinet close and walked towards the living room. 

Her bodyguard sat on the couch with her knees apart. Her arm rested on her thigh as she continued drying her hair. A sigh flowed out of her lips. "You are allowed to go out. But, if there is an alternative, you are to stay indoors.

"Is this also part of the security plan?"

"Yes, it is."

"That is bullshlet me read it," Eve thought at the last second. Nanzie brought out a folder and handed it over. Eve sat beside her on the couch, skimming through the basics. She flipped to the next two pages.

The details were immaculateboth in a good and in a bad way.

"Fast food is banned? What? This is insane! Who would follow these rules? I can't even cross a street! The other bodyguards will bring whatever I need? What am I? An animal in a cage?" Question after question fired out of her mouth. "Is this Avery's or Ambryan's doing? You know what, don't answer that. It's already obvious."

There were still a few more sheets left but she worried that she'd explode after reading them. Rising to her feet, she grabbed her phone and marched to the bedroom. Someone was about to get a piece of her mind!

"Good evening, Ms. Evangeline." Ambryan spoke.

Eve kicked the door closed and paced around the room. Her amber eyes glared at the floor. "Why can't I get my own groceries with my own two hands? I am not a child. Why are mundane activities suddenly considered as high risks?"

"I have mentioned it before. There are more people watching you now." 

"So I should adjust my lifestyle and let them get away with it? Where is the justice in that?"

"You didn't seem to have a problem with it the past two weeks."

"That was by choice!" Eve practically yelled. The document flew to her bed. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to calm down. "I did it by choice and not because I was restricted. You can't take away my freedom like that!"

"What is the use of bodyguards if I can't go anywhere?" She continued. Maybe she wasn't the most sociable person but she did like doing the little things. She liked getting her own food, her own stationery supplies and more.

Spending time alone, both in and out of the house, was one of her favorite pastimes.

"For the times you do have to go somewhere like work," Ambryan explained in one breath. The tapping of a keyboard could be heard in the background again. "Is it really just grocery shopping? How far away is it?"

Eve's brown eyes fluttered as she read between the lines. "Are you trying to say that I need your permission first before I go anywhere?"