Date The CEO.com

"What about earlier?" 

Ambryan walked into the room. He sat on the swivelling chair and crossed his legs. His choice of clothes matched the color palette around him. He could be a statue amidst the furniture. 

"Don't play innocent." Richard scoffed. He leaned back, propping his hands on the mattress to support himself. "You walked out in the middle of lunch. Quite like a teenager I say."

He patiently waited for a response. The answer he seeked might take a while or it might never come at all. It had been Ambryan's habit ever since Richard knew him. 

His best friend acted as if he was alone—even when people who cared about him were around.

Ambryan stared at the floor. He laced his hands and raised them to the level of his chin. His scattered thoughts began to form. They filled the darkness in his mind, coloring it with events from earlier. 

Words created paragraphs about his reason but he would never admit it. 

Instead, he said, "I thought teenagrs throw tantrums instead."

Richard closed his eyes and hung his head. There should be moments when dodging was prohibited. His question was out of concern and not of malice. 

This form of rejection wounded him.

He shook out his complaints and fixed his posture. His forearms rested on his thighs as he stared Ambryan down. "Look, be honest with me. Why did you leave?"

Ambryan took a deep breath. He glanced at the window. The sun's radiance outshined the view. All he could see was light. "I simply did not wish to hear the conversation."

"But why?" Richard pressed, trying to guess the reason, "Is it because of Evangeline?"

That had been the main topic of their conversations. Even when dismissed, her name came up again and again. Was it that? Knowing Ambryan's value for privacy, the topic must have irked his best friend. 

Although Ambryan didn't say anything, that was what Richard had to go on. He would have to trust his gut with this one. 

A sigh flowed out of his lips.

"You know you can't keep this up every time she's the topic. There are more people like your parents who would pry into your relationship. You can't avoid them every time," Richard stated, his gaze hardening.

Ambryan looked at him. He wore zero emotions on his face. "But I have always been private about my personal matters. It won't simply change because of this."

Richard shook his head. How did Ambryan not understand the problem? His sharp mind should have picked it up by now. Why couldn't he approach it like a joint venture? It wasn't the best way to do it but, at least, it was something.

"Well, a part of it has too. Otherwise, Evangeline will be humiliated."

Ambryan scowled. Flames danced in his violet eyes. "How so?"

'Oh. Now, I have your attention.' Richard snorted. If this happened before, he would think Ambryan only worried about the image of their relationship. After the phone call earlier, things changed before his eyes.

His best friend was falling and it made him giddy inside.

Clearing his throat, he proceeded to explain. This was a rare moment. He would not waste it. 

"If the media only hears her side of the story while you refuse to speak of any, they'll make the assumption that your relationship is one-sided." 

Headlines displayed in his head. Numerous doubts would be planted among the masses. If Ambryan only spoke as a reaction to it, opportunists would stir more doubts—state that it seemed forced. 

For a couple to be strong, both parties should be firm on their standing on each other. 

Evangeline had made her move. 

It was Ambryan's turn to do the same.

"Keep it up and would they even believe her anymore?" Richard concluded. There. He had shared his thoughts. The rest was up to the person receiving them.

Ambryan bowed his head. The scrunch of his brows deepened. He had heard something similar from Madison. Something about him making a comment on the relationship to the public. How did they expect him to do it exactly? Just release a statement out of the blue?

Or did they want him to shoot fireworks in the sky about Evangeline?

The lack of direction frustrated him. 

"I'll think about it." Ambryan sighed.

Richard rose to his feet. He patted his best friend's shoulder, approving the positive attitude. "Well, that's all I can ask for. You can even use your parents as target practice."

Then, he walked out of the room and left Ambryan to his thoughts.

The latter placed his neck over the chair's backrest. The position gave him a direct view of the ceiling. A pattern of glow-in-the-dark stickers watched over him. They recreated a sky he hadn't seen in years. Strings wrapped around his heart and pulled it down.

His fingers curled over the armrests, clawing into the cushion. His heart thundered from the pressure. He lowered his gaze until it landed towards the room's corner. Slightly away from the light, shadows shrouded most of the space. 

Dust floated in front of the window's light. 

Behind it, an old rocking chair leaned against two walls. 

His lungs stopped breathing. 

Time reversed before his eyes. The day turned into night then, into day again. As the cycle repeated, the chair straightened up and moved forward. Varnish coated the worn out wood. Its polish was shinier. Its structure was sturdier. 

It creaked as it started rocking back and forth. 

Closed black shoes pushed against the floor, keeping a steady pace. 

Ambryan watched as the past replayed itself in a hazy painting. Although colored, he could see through the two people talking. The boy sat on the woman's lap. They watched as the world continued turning outside the window.

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'Nana, why do I have to talk to other kids?'

Haven't you always talked to them?'

'But these are different! Actually, even the adults are annoying. Why can't I just ignore them?'

'Because that would be rude.'

'But they keep asking questions I don't like to answer! Can't they just leave me alone? I don't feel comfortable but mother says I need to get along with them.'

'Aw, pumpkin. Just ask them a question back. People love to talk about themselves.'

'I tried! But they won't stop. What should I do?'

'Well, that is another skill altogether. You have to tell them the truth. And! Do it in an entertaining way. It takes effort but once you figure it out, you won't need to say a lot.'

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Ambryan blinked out of his daze. 

Had it been more than 15 years since that conversation happened? He could hardly believe it. The rocking chair went back and leaned against the walls. Its luster dulled down to a muted coating. 

The magic had faded away.

'To tell the truth…' the idea sounded as absurd as before. His younger self protested many times. It had been the one thing he wanted to avoid. But to make the questioning stop, he had to give it up?

It was unfair.

A small smile teased the corner of his lips. 

But it was helpful.

Ambryan walked out the manor. His leather shoes stepped onto the patio. At the table, his mother spoke in hushed whispers. He hardly heard it from his distance. Richard spotted him first and informed the others of his presence.

Avery snapped her head in his direction. Standing up, she said, "Ambryan! Are you alright?"

Ambryan showed her a gentle smile. Worry flashed in her eyes. Only now did he understand the consequences of his actions. He sat on his spot and gestured for her to do the same. "I am fine, mother. Is there anything left for lunch?"

"Were you really embarrassed about Evangeline dragging you out of the mall?"

"Jackson!" Avery hit her husband's arm, her eyes widening in fear. They had agreed not to bring it up again. Ambryan had told them more than enough times not to speak of her. They should leave it alone until Evangeline was around.

"It was quite amusing," Ambryan replied, shocking everyone around the table. "She hardly said a word when we entered that store. Then, she started talking non-stop. I let her lead us out so I could hear more of it."

"Really now?" Jackson blinked. "What was she talking about all of a sudden?"

"That shopping is not a good idea for a date."

"But most of my dates with your mother involve shopping."

Ambryan merely shrugged. "I know but I do have to say that we had a better time in the skating rink. I thought about buying the establishment for her."

"Why haven't you?"

"Don't even think about it."

Avery glared at her husband. "It's a bad idea! They just met weeks ago! Evangeline would faint from such an expensive present. It might even scare her away."

Jackson angled his body towards her. His arm bent over the table. "Darling, one way for a man to show his affection is in the value of his gifts. If she is practical, she will know this is a good offer."

"It's still too risky at the start of a relationship."

"I didn't hear you complain when I bought everything inside a store."

Ambryan leaned back and took a sip of water. He let his parents continue the debate. His job was over. The topic should move away from him soon. Even if it repeated, he knew better now.

Richard shook his head, smirking at the display. It seemed that things were finally looking up.