A Date With Power
Eva lingered by the wall like she didn't belong, quiet and observant, her presence unnoticed, until twenty minutes later, when the conversation ended and the visitors filed out. That was when Eric's warm eyes found her.
He smiled. "Oh, Miss Eva, glad to see you. How are you feeling now?"
"I'm perfectly fine, sir," she replied politely, though her heart jolted when Damien's eyes locked onto he, sharp, unreadable, cold enough to pin her in place.
That stare again.
The one that made her feel like she was balancing barefoot on glass.
"It's good to have you back," Eric continued. "We really missed you around here. And a lot has happened while you were away. Tonight, our company has been selected as the chief representative at the Crystal Crown Gala. It's a massive milestone for us, we're talking global spotlight here. The past week's been a whirlwind."
Eva nodded, her posture straight, attention focused.
Eric went on, "Since the boss won't be attending to any business today, there won't be much for you to do. You can just stick around, take it easy."
"Oh... does that mean there's no way I could help?" she asked quietly, almost hoping for something to keep her hands busy.
"Well," Eric chuckled, then paused thoughtfully. "Actually, now that you mention it... the boss is currently without a plus one. You'll be accompanying him to the gala tonight."
Eva's breath caught. "Oh," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Under the table, Damien's fingers twitched. Just the thought of her beside him tonight, draped in elegance, close enough to touch, unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
Eva looked up again, hesitating. "Sir, wouldn't it be more appropriate if... the boss's girlfriend went with him instead?"
Eric raised an eyebrow. "You misunderstand. This is a professional appearance, not a personal outing. It's important his personal assistant is by his side. And frankly, it would be odd to have him show up with a male PA, given the nature of the event, powerful men and their chosen companions."
Then his tone shifted, formal, cold, slightly clipped. "Miss Eva, when you're called upon for office duties, you don't question, you comply. No one's forcing you to work here. If you're uncomfortable with our procedures, you're always free to walk away."
Her voice was barely audible. "I understand."
Eric nodded. "Good. We'll need to get you ready. This wasn't planned. Cathy was initially chosen to attend with the boss, but she has an exam. So, you'll be stepping in. I'll make a few calls and get everything arranged."
"Yes, sir," she said softly. She bowed slightly, turned, and walked out of the room, the weight of the moment pressing against her shoulders.
Behind her, Damien scoffed quietly, watching her retreat like a storm he couldn't control, but couldn't stop chasing either.
Damien's POV
How dare she hesitate to go with him?
Just moments ago, Seraphina had left his office in tears, another emotional casualty of Damien's cold refusal. She had begged to be his plus one to the Crystal Crown Gala, only to meet his signature blank stare.
And Cathy? She'd been the official choice. But Damien, uncomfortable with her, had quietly arranged for an "exam" to clash with the event, an exam she didn't even realize had been engineered to disqualify her. He preferred to go alone.
But Eric insisted. A man like you doesn't show up at the biggest gala of the year without a companion. He had been relentless about it all week. Yet, every name he suggested only irritated Damien further, until Eva.
Damien heard everything. Even while pretending to be buried in his laptop, his ears tuned in the moment Eric casually offered Eva the role. The idea shouldn't have mattered, but it did. It stirred something inside him. A tension. A desire. A nervous curiosity he hadn't felt in a long time.
He wanted the night to come already.
When Eric caught the scowl creeping across Damien's face, he mistook it.
"Don't take it personal, sir," Eric offered, trying to lighten the tension. "She probably declined because of her boyfriend."
Damien's fingers stilled on the keyboard. His jaw clenched.
"Then let her go work for him," he muttered, almost inaudibly.
Eric smirked. "Exactly why I said we should've fired her the other day. We're dealing with an employee whose possessive boyfriend thinks she's sleeping with her boss. The cleanest way to silence such rumors is to cut ties."
But Damien didn't reply. He stared blankly at his screen, clearly not giving the order Eric was fishing for. With a respectful bow, Eric quietly excused himself.
Meanwhile, Eva sat at her desk, her mind spinning ever since Eric appointed her as Damien's plus one. A part of her felt cornered. It wasn't just that she'd be attending such a massive event, it was this event.
Victor had invited her to the same gala just days ago. And now Damien?
She hated the attention. She hated being caught between them. But more than anything, she hated how powerless she felt to say no.
She adjusted a loose strand of hair behind her ear, inhaled sharply, and tried to push the nerves away. But the dread lingered like a shadow she couldn't shake.
Just then, Eric reappeared, formal and brisk.
"Miss Eva, you'll need to come with me. We must get you ready."
Wordlessly, she rose to her feet and followed him. He led her through a corridor she rarely used, until they entered a lavish space she had never noticed before. A sprawling room lined with makeup chairs, gowns, lighting equipment, and assistants bustling about.
Her eyes widened.
A makeup hall? For companions? she thought. Of course. Rich men and their thinking...
She absolutely wasn't aware such room existed in the company.
Then she saw a young man ending a phone call.
He looked like he had been waiting for someone, no, for her. Eva gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she rushed toward him in disbelief.
He wore a chaotic blend of blinding colors, stood confidently in high heels, long dangling earrings swinging with each gesture. His head was bald, shining under the warm lights, but she recognized him instantly.
"Hey, you! It's been so long. How are you?" she greeted with a warm, excited smile.
But the young man gave her a confused stare.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
Reality crashed in like a cold wave. Of course, she wasn't Ana anymore. She was Eva Myles. A stranger with a different face.
She quickly recovered, laughing it off. "Oh, I thought you looked like someone I knew back in college."
He chuckled. "No worries." Then he smiled, warm and genuine.
But Ana_Eva_knew him. Knew him well. It was Wilson. They had all attended the same elite college: her, Damien, Seraphina… and Wilson.
Wilson's mother had once worked as a personal stylist for Mrs. Eleanor Lopez, Damien's mother. Like Ana, Wilson wasn't born into wealth but was brought into the elite circle through his mother's ties. Her own father had been the loyal driver to a billionaire, which had afforded her that rare opportunity to attend the prestigious school of the rich.
Wilson had always been kind to her,one of the few who treated her like an equal. If things had been different, she would have thrown her arms around him, rekindling their old friendship. But that was before the surgery. Before her face, and life, changed forever.
Now, here he was, still loyal to the Lopez family after all these years.
"Who is this beautiful breath of spring, Eric?" Wilson asked dramatically with a wide grin.
"That's the lady I told you about. She's the one you'll be styling tonight," Eric replied.
"Ohh! So this is Damien's plus one?" He gasped theatrically, taking Eva's hand with reverence. "You two clearly have an eye for beauty. I swear, she'll outshine everyone tonight."
Eva blushed slightly as he turned to her with sparkling eyes.
"Girl, you are absolutely divine. God must've used his final creative spark when he made you. I've never styled anyone this breathtaking. Come, come, let's get you seated before I faint!" he teased, guiding her to the mirror chair.
"Hi, I'm Whitney. So nice to meet you," he added with a wink.
Eva blinked. Whitney?
How did Wilson become Whitney?
But she kept her thoughts to herself.
"Nice meeting you. I'm Eva. Eva Myles."
"That name suits you. Beautiful, powerful, elegant. And tonight, darling, we're going to make magic."
"Thanks for the flattery," she said with a small smile.
"I live for this, honey," Whitney said. "Eric, don't worry, I'll have her ready right on time."
"Good. Just don't get too carried away," Eric warned with a smile. "Eva, you're in good hands."