Date The CEO.com

Chapter 268: Kiss, Kiss, Fall in Love!

"I can't work with you!" The director yelled, jumping off his seat and pointing his finger. "You don't get to compromise because you think yours is better than the rest of us. Especially when I have told you many times that this isn't what I asked for!"

Mikael sat still. He had his legs crossed under the wooden round table and his back propped against the backrest of the matching chair. A cup of steaming hot coffee sat in front of him. Its aroma floated up to his nostrils.

Despite the tense atmosphere, he took a sip.

Meanwhile, the person standing next to him trembled under the scrutinizing gaze.

Jane's throat tightened from the sudden outburst of the director. She had been trying hard to learn what exactly he wanted. The script was simple enough. She merely needed to place the cup on Mikael's table while he had his eyes closed for a nap.

But then, he would hear the rattling of ceramic and snatch her arm.

It should be the highlight of their scene. 

Jane couldn't comprehend what went wrong. She had done every single step precisely. She figured it had to be something else like her expressions but no matter how she changed it, the director disapproved of every one.

"I want you off the project," the director decided. He waved his megaphone towards the exit. "I don't care who you are or who I'd piss off. This is non-negotiable. I'd given you enough chances so get out and stop wasting my time."

"B" Jane opened her mouth to protest but the director had already turned around. He instructed everyone to take a break while they figure out the next step. Mikael placed the empty cup on the saucer and walked away, leaving her alone.

No one spared her a glance.

"Ms. Wilson must be having an unlucky day," a crew member whispered to her companion. They were positioned by the snack table, using food to disguise their gossip. "She also got scolded earlier for slacking off in the dressing room."

"I had seen it coming since she first showed up on set. The director wasn't happy from her performance and gave her a break. He's right. He already gave her several chances. Otherwise, he would have fired here right then and there."

"She'll get more projects anyway since her father is an influential man."

"Yeah, it's a pity but she's not exactly pitiful."

Eve watched the scenario from the sidelines. Her shoulder leaned against the wall while her arms crossed over her chest. Of all the people present, she expected Jane to perform the bestgiven how many times the latter had acted well in real life. 

"Her manager has to be spoiling her too," Cale commented, coming up to her side from behind. "I haven't seen the person try to discipline Jane. But they're also not pleading to the director. Wonder why."

"Because it would look too desperate after being yelled at." Eve sighed. She shifted her attention to the other people in the room. Everyone talked in hushed tones, obviously speaking about the incident. She eventually lost sight of Jane.

"Gossiping? Never knew that was part of your hobbies." Mikael walked up to the two, drinking from a bottle of water. Jordan stood nearby with a phone to his ear.

Eve glanced over her shoulder and flattened her upper back against the wall. "You really are cold though. You didn't even try to comfort her."

"Why should I?" He moved to mimic her position beside her. He screwed back the lid of the water bottle, tucking a hand into his pant pocket. "I tried to help her but she wouldn't listen to me."

"And I bet you did oh so nicely?"

"You act as if I also didn't give you a hard time when we first met."

"So you're saying that you are always like this to rookies?"

Cale snorted, interrupting the conversation. "He was like that because he thought you bought your way in the industry. Just like how a certain someone seemed to have done so he tested if the person could handle pressure."

"Huh" Eve clicked her tongue. She gave Mikael the side-eye but he avoided it, seemingly distracted by the lights that hung from the ceiling. "I must have passed with flying colors if you're this nice to me now."

Mikael snorted. "I can still change my mind."

"We'll see."

"Have you thought about what I sent you then?" He met her gaze and arched an eyebrow. "If you're serious in modelling as you say, I'd be disappointed if you didn't take it."

Eve pressed her lips together and averted her eyes. She knew immediately what he meant. It was the document that he had sent her the other day. The details described a training program she could partake in to advance her career but she needed recommendations.

Since Mikael had done it before, he volunteered to write her that recommendation.

He only needed her word and he'd do it.

"Hey! You two!" A voice shouted towards them.

Whirling their heads in its direction, Eve and Mikael pushed themselves off the wall and waited for the producer to reach their spot. Cale and Jordan noticed the fiasco. They also approached the scene, intending to listen to what they assumed to be new instructions.

"We changed the script," the producer began to say. He paused to catch his breath, wheezing slightly. "The story of the grandmother will now be about how she worked in the cafe when she was younger. At the time, she met a young man but their feelings never led to anything because the young man had to leave."

"By the time he came back for her, she already married someone else," he concluded. Then, he handed them the new script. "There's only little changes but prepare for it. The director has little patience left. We'll start as soon as break is over."

Eve and Mikael exchanged looks. 

No words were spoken as they only had five minutes to prepare and rehearse. The scenes were meant for a montagemost of them a redo of Mikael's scenes with Jane. Eve skimmed them through. She had seen them earlier so it should be easy to reenact.

She just wished it would finish before lunch time.

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.

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Ambryan climbed out of his black Mercedes-Maybach S650. The crew members near the entrance of the venue recognized him right away. Half of them raced inside to announce his presencewhich sounded more like warnings.

He passed through security and entered the building.

The staff led him to the set where a scene was currently being filmed.

Eve turned away from the counter, carrying a tray with a cup of black coffee. She paused and gazed at a table near the center of the cafe. Her hazel eyes dilated. Using light footsteps, she strolled towards it. The gentleman who sat in it had his head bowed and his eyes closed.

Careful not to disturb his sleep, she gently placed the cup on his table.

She managed to take one step when a hand grabbed her wrist. 

Horror covered her expression as she faced the gentleman. Radiant blue eyes stared up at her. Pulling her closer, his gaze flickered towards the cup and its post-it note. He rested his elbow on the table and used his free hand to cup his cheek.

"Are you the one who has been writing these to me?" Mikael spoke softly but his face remained stern. 

Eve opened her mouth. Then, closed it. She avoided his eyes and stuttered. "My job is to only serve the coffee."

"That doesn't mean it didn't come from you."

Her breath audibly hitched. She tried to break free from his hold, twisting her arm and yanking it back. "Please, excuse me. I have to get back to work."

Mikael released her and reached for the coffee cup. "Then, let's meet after your shift is over."

Eve gaped in his direction. "W-What?"

"And cut!" The director yelled into his megaphone. He stretched his arms and rose to his feet. "That's a wrap for the morning session. Let's resume after lunch. Be on time, people!"

Heaving a sigh, Eve felt her shoulders relaxed. She didn't realize how stiff they were until this moment. It was a surprise that the director didn't call her out for terrible acting. She leaned over the table and buried her face in her hands.

"You did fine." Mikael said, patting the spot between her shoulder blades. "The director gave his approval. Time to move on. There's still more to shoot later."

Eve forced herself to straighten her back upright. He was right. She didn't have time to mope about her mediocre acting. Her character wore a watch which made it convenient for her to check the time. Heavy footsteps stopped on the other side of the table.

Mikael spotted the newcomer first. "Mr. Hathaway!"

At the sound of his name, Eve snapped her head up. "Ambee!"

Ambryan alternated his attention between the two. "Evangeline. Mr. Davis."

The male model noticed the subtle panic in Eve's eyes. He shook his head. The scene hadn't been intimate. There wasn't anything to worry about. Still, he felt like he should ease the tension for a bit.

"Try not to read into this like you did with me and your secretary, Eve," Mikael explained. "Ms. Evangeline is just nervous from the sudden change in script. None of us predicted that Jane would be kicked off the project."

Ambryan narrowed his violet eyes. He regarded the male model, wondering if there is implication behind his words. "I already had that cleared up, Mr. Davis. Don't make me suspicious now."

Mikael chuckled and glanced at Eve one last time. "I'll be going. Enjoy your lunch."

He stepped sideways, trying to get out.

Then, his foot hit the leg of the table.

Ambryan caught him just in time.

"Sorry about that"

Eve clamped a hand over her mouth. Maybe her height difference with Ambryan wasn't so bad after all. If she was as tall as Mikael, she and Ambryan would have been prone to accidental kisses...

just like now.