Date The CEO.com

Chapter 180: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

``Eve: Will you be taking a leave, Sir Hathaway?``

``Sir Hathaway: Not entirely. I will only be out of touch.``

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Frowning, Eve stared at the chat. Weekends usually were off days for head management. The ones most likely to operate were the studios. There would occasionally be emails from office employees and studio heads. He did reply to them within the day.

Did he mean those perhaps?

Then again, he probably did more work than he let on. Despite her help along with the executives, there were still some left that needed his approval. Those would also have to wait now.

.

``Eve: What shall I say if the executives ask for a reason?``

``Sir Hathaway: That I am focusing on external affairs.``

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'External affairs?' She thought. 'The negotiations? Was there another get together perhaps?'

Eve glanced at her desk calendar. The last quarter of the year was fast approaching. She expected this around that time. It was to prepare for the next business year. Perhaps he started earlier because of the given opportunities with the streaming site and broadcasting company?

Should she askthe page for the Five Rules was open on her desk.

Her gaze flickered towards it for a second and dropped the idea.

This was the first step back in the right direction.

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``Eve: I will draft the memorandum for your review right away.``

``Sir Hathaway: Thank you.``

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Eve used a previous memo as her template. The tricky part was how to word it. She went through her emails, noting down the ones that usually came during the weekend. Her memory served her right when its majority were studio-related ones. 

It became the focus for the body of text.

```Please be informed that Sir```

```Mr. Ambryan Hathaway will be unavailable during the incoming weekend. Concerns from the studios shall be queued for the next working day. Any immediate need for response should be sent to the executives. Pending matters that need CEO approval shall also be addressed next week. Thank you.```

The rest of the day finished in a blur for Eve. 

Her hands moved non-stop. Work kept coming in. No wonder Ambryan had long nights. Her fingers began to stiffen. Backspace became her new best friend. It wasn't getting any easier as the sun completed its descent.

"Ms. Hart!" Darryl exclaimed through the intercom. "Are you still there? Go home, young lady!"

Eve squeezed her eyes shut, noticing how dry they were from staring at the monitor for too long. Her water bottle hadn't been touched since her lunch break. She drained it one go just before leaving the office premises. Her back ached from sitting too long. 

This definitely called for an aromatherapy-infused bath for when she got home.

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She stifled a yawn. "I got it, Darryl. I'm almost done. If I'm not downstairs in fifteen minutes, check on me again please."

"I'm sure when Mr. Hathaway said to take over some of his work, I doubt he meant to be like him. Don't overwork yourself. You might get sick! How else will my days be complete without you?" 

"Alright, alright. Fifteen minutes. Okay?" Eve smiled, finishing the last emails that were sent just before her official working hours ended. That had been her goal from the beginning. She had kept her promise and exited the lift with 2 minutes to spare.

Her legs leaped for the fresh underground parking lot air. 

Darryl huffed in her direction. "Don't think I won't have a word with boss about this."

"Aw, come on, Darryl. I've done this before when Sir Hathaway also stayed in the office late."

"That is not an excuse," he emphasized with a shake of his head. "It's dangerous to be out late even if you have a car. You're still young. Don't go aging faster by working yourself to the bone."

Eve chuckled. She stepped towards her car. "I'll see you Monday, Darryl. Go home early too, okay?"

"Oh, I will. I'm not like some people."

The lights were off when Eve stepped inside the apartment. It seemed that Andie hadn't arrived yet. 

Or so she thought.

A note had been left by the shoe rack. Its hot pink color easily made it stand out. Apparently, her best friend had a date night with Jarrett. There was also a hint about French macarons waiting for her in the living room. 

She chuckled before fetching the pastries.

Sweets and a hot bath? This night was turning out to be better than she thought.

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``Lin: I'll be sleeping in early for an event tomorrow. Don't overwork yourself. Good night.``

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Eve flopped onto her bed. Her hair was dried. Her body was refreshed. Her soul was cleansed. She predicted a deep slumber ahead. 

Her phone vibrated beside her pillow.

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``Yan: Had a long day?``

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A small smile bloomed on her lips.

.

``Lin: You could say that.``

``Yan: Hmmm.``

``Lin: What?``

``Yan: I'm simply wondering what could have tired you out.``

.

Eve pressed one letter. 

Then, she stopped.

what was she supposed to say? Her brain suddenly became awake as she bolted upright. Her eyes wandered towards her study table. If Evangeline was an English tutor, what could be the problems she'd face? There had to be a real memory from her past as an example.

Biting her lip, Eve composed her story.

.

``Lin: Ambee, have you ever tried teaching children?``

``Yan: I had been fortunate enough not to.``

``Lin: It's not always easy. One of them threw a fit earlier because I gave him a low score. His parent wasn't pleased that I had triggered him, saying I was at fault. They stopped acquiring my services on the spot by cutting off the connection.``

``Yan: Name?`` 

``Lin: Name of who?``

``Yan: The student and his parent.``

``Lin: ``

``Lin: why?``

``Yan: They need to be aware of their actions and face the consequences.``

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Ambryan leaned on the headboard of his own bed, a lamp illuminating the room just enough for him to see the silhouette. His usual gelled hair was in a mess. The tip of his nose had a tint of pink. Kiri joined him and curled up by his side, separated by a heavy blanket. 

.

``Lin: Hahahahahaha. You always surprise me, Ambee.``

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Lifting an eyebrow, Ambryan felt a cough rising.

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``Yan: Do I?``

``Lin: I didn't know you had that kind of humor! XD It was totally unexpected! Besides, there's no convincing those people. Don't waste your energy on them :P ``

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Lukewarm water flowed down Ambryan's throat and took the small tablet with it. Beads of sweat coated his back. Every muscle in his body felt heavy. A rope constricted around his head. Flames simmered inside his skin. He had hoped to be back on his feet tomorrow.

Unfortunately, his fever only became worse.

He didn't have another choice but to express his absence to the company.

Another coughing fit escaped his lips. It left a stinging sensation in his chest. He pulled the blanket to wake up his sleeping cat. When he spoke, his voice was nasal. "Kiri, you can't stay here. You might catch a cold."

"Meow~" 

The feline didn't move. 

He sighed. "I would move you but I currently don't have the strength."

Kiri resumed her slumber. If anything, she snuggled further onto the blanketdetermined to stay. Shooting stars consumed her mind in no time. She reached up to catch them with her tiny paws. They were like laser lights but better.

Ambryan felt his phone vibrate.

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``Lin: Is Mr. CEO busy now? You do remember it's after office hours, right? Don't overwork yourself! You might get sick! Think of the consequences if that happened! Think of Kiri!``

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A small smile appeared on his lips.

Could she see him right now perhaps?

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``Yan: You make it sound like this isn't a regular part of my work.``

``Lin: That is not an excuse. Don't go aging faster by working yourself to the bone!``

``Yan: I had been told I looked younger than 25.``

.

'How shameless!' Eve screamed in her head. 'Shameless! Shameless! Oh, I know about it, alright?! And I perfectly remember your response!'

.

``Lin: You can't possibly look younger than me.``

``Yan: Are you jealous?``

``Lin: No, I'm sleepy. Weren't you paying attention?``

``Yan: Am I keeping you awake then?``

.

Eve took her time to reply. Well, it was true but it wasn't a bad thing. If she analyzed it carefullymore than keeping her awake, she was probably distracting him. That would lead to more time he needed to finish his work. He had to be swamped. 

A yawn flowed out of her lips. She took it as a sign to end the conversation.

But what could her heart do?

It missed him and snatched the first chance it got.

.

``Lin: You are but I'm not complaining.``

``Yan: If you're tired, you should rest. You have a project tomorrow, right?``

``Lin: Oh, yeah. That.``

``Yan: Evan, that is not professional behavior.``

``Lin: I know, I know. Good thing I have you, aye? :P ``

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Ambryan chuckled. Warmth surrounded his heavy chest. It provided him more comfort than his bed. He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling through his nose. His sinuses had opened for the first since he got home.

He should take advantage of it so he could fall asleep faster.

``Yan: Good night, Evan.``

'... I shall sleep with you in my heart.'