Fated to the Ruthless CEO

“Smile…we’ve just started.” Devlin told her and to her surprise, held her hand tightly. Together, they went to their assigned table. Immediately, the cameras were flashing at them until they reached their table. Amber tried to whisper to Devlin to loosen her grip on her hand but he just held it more tightly.. She could not do anything to avoid the attention. Instead, she put her head down at least to hide herself from those cameras. The attention she got tonight is making her anxious.

“What was that? Why did you tell them that I am your date? I don’t understand what you are doing.” Came her questions in a low voice. What Devlin did just made her the center of attention from those reporters.

“Just relax. Stay with me all the time and you will be just fine. They will not bother you.” Devlin is known to date a lot of women but he never answered any questions from the reporters regarding those women he dated. It is actually those women who would tell the reporters for media mileage. Most of what they said were untrue but he never corrected any of them. Yes, he goes out on a date but he only has one serious relationship. That was Raven of course.

Devlin and Amber shared their table with four other people. There were three businessmen and a businesswoman. Devlin introduced her to them. She found out that each one of them holds a high position in their companies. Of course, Devlin knows them very well since he also meets them in other business conventions.

Amber is sitting quietly next to Devlin. She is carefully observing everyone at the table and the other guests. She recognized a few of the guests since she saw them on TV and magazines. She realized that this is really a huge event and Devlin did not even bother to tell her anything. She complained silently. Had she known, she would have politely refused his invitation. All of a sudden, it dawned on her. Devlin would never tell her since he already thought that she might refuse.

Looking around, it is also interesting to note that the table where they are situated is just across to the table where Raven is currently at. She was busy talking to someone. Amber noticed that Devlin could not even take his eyes off her. While looking at his reaction, she realized that there must be something romantic between them. Sometimes, she caught him with a sad look on his face while staring at Raven.

She does not understand why she has to be here when he can just invite Raven with him. Something is not right between those two. Last time she remembers how Devlin was in a hurry to leave her at the salon. Raven already left at that time. Probably, they talked. Amber has to shake her head. She must be really bored as there were so many things going on in her head.

Suddenly, the woman next to Amber spoke. Amber thought that she must be in her early 40s. She looks friendly.

“Hi Amber, you are so quiet. Aren’t you used to this kind of event? And look at these amazing jewelry you are wearing. They are priceless.” The woman said with a smile. Amber unconsciously touched her earrings and bracelet for fear that she may lose them.

“I am sorry I just don’t know a lot of the guests here. I mean personally.” She laughed at the absurdity of her words. Of course, she would never know anyone here. They belong to the upper society. Something that she would never belong to.

“I understand. Don’t worry about that. Usually, with this kind of business dinner, it is more like a social gathering. Later on, they will do some auctions to raise for charity funds. This is actually what this dinner is all about.” She explained further.

“That’s really nice. I hope you get to raise more funds.” Amber said casually, starting to get relaxed. She continued talking more with her while Devlin was also busy talking with the others. He would from time to time check on Amber.

“How are you holding up? Looks like you are getting along with our dear lady friend.” He whispered.

“Yes, she is actually very nice.” She felt Devlin put her arm behind her chair. Anyone looking at them would think that he is a besotted lover.

Suddenly, Raven came to greet Devlin and the rest of the guests at their table. They exchanged pleasantries. And then she heard something else. One of the guests asked Raven about Dalton.

“He could not make it tonight. He had a prior engagement that he could not cancel.” Raven said while the rest of them are now listening to her. Raven is not only a very beautiful woman but she exudes so much confidence. The way she carries herself is simply stunning. Devlin was quiet the whole time while listening attentively to their conversations.

“Anyway, I am sorry I have to go. I can’t join the evening’s auction. I hope all of you guys will have a great time.” She turned to look at Devlin and slightly bowed down her head. Then, she took a last look at everyone at the table and left.

“Hey, what’s up with you tonight? You have been acting strangely ever since you came to pick me up at the condo. Is there something bothering you?” Amber could not help but ask what she has been wondering all along.

“No, I am fine. I just had to do something from work and it was a bit stressful.” Amber looked at his face but she is not convinced that is the real reason. Raven may have something to do with his sour mood tonight.

They finished the business dinner without much issues except for one incident when one reporter approached Amber to ask her something. Devlin was a few meters away from her talking with some businessmen.

“Hi! I’m a reporter. Dana is my name. Would you mind if I ask you a few things?” Came the words of the woman who just approached her. Amber did not know what to say. She just wanted to walk away from her but that would appear rude. The last thing in her mind is to create any issue with anyone.

“Anyway, I take your silence means yes.” Dana said with enthusiasm. Amber still did not say anything.

“I just would like to know since Mr. Wesley is a very famous man, how do you find your date tonight?” She asked frankly which made Amber surprised. She almost expected the line of questions she would ask her but still she didn’t expect her to be very straightforward.

“I am sorry but I hope you understand that I wanted to keep things private. I really do not want to comment on anything” Amber said, trying to hide her uneasiness with the situation.

“That’s very interesting. The photographers followed you both earlier. Mr. Wesley held your hand for a while and there were some moments in which you were in the most intimate manner.” Then, Dana showed her photos with Devlin from her phone. Amber looked at the pictures carefully. There was a picture that looks like Devlin was kissing her on the cheek. There was another one that he was looking intensely at Amber while she was talking to someone. Those pictures were nothing for Amber but it could mean many things to anyone who sees them.

“There is really nothing between us right now. I am sorry but if you’ll excuse me.” Amber does not want to answer the reporter any more. But Dana asked one more question.

“Just one last question Ms. Adams, what do you think of Mr. Wesley’s ex, Ms. Raven Crawford?” Amber was surprised but she hid her reaction well. That question confirmed her suspicion earlier of Raven and Devlin. Amber chooses not to answer her question and immediately walks to Devlin’s side who is still busy chatting with the other guests.

“Where did you go? I told you to just stay with me.” Devlin”s tone of voice came out a bit rough which made Amber’s right eyebrow arched.

“I was just a few meters behind you.” That’s all she said. She does not want to deal with his different mood changes. She understood now that it has something to do with Raven. If he still likes her, why not pursue her again? She thought to herself.

They went home after Amber’s encounter with the reporter earlier. She never told Devlin about her. Driving home was quiet just like earlier. It was Amber who broke the silence. She could not hold the silence any longer.

“So, how was your conversations with your colleagues?” She hopes he will say something more. He must be deep in his thoughts to even notice her.

“It was good. How about you? Did you have a good time?” He asked in return. Amber did have some fun but there were times she felt uncomfortable and nervous. All in all, it was still good.

“Yes, I had a good time although I felt uncomfortable sometimes.” She chuckled. “I am not used to those kinds of dinner parties. I mean the guests alone are the experts in their field.” She said honestly. Devlin looked at her with an amused look.

“Well, I think you did great. Some of the guests even commented at the way you conversed with them. They said you are not only beautiful but you are smart as well. I am glad you came with me tonight. I know that you were wondering about me. Like I said, I am just bothered with a lot of things.” He took a deep sigh. He can’t tell Amber that he took her to the business dinner for a reason. He wanted to let Raven think that he is dating Amber, to make her jealous. But he did not get the reaction he expected from her. In fact, she was friendly towards Amber. He would not forget the words she said to him about Amber.

“Devlin, take good care of her. She is for keeps.” He wonders why she said that. There is really nothing romantic between her and Amber. She is nice, smart and beautiful but his heart belongs only to Raven.

He stayed mostly quiet during the night since he has been thinking of other ways to get back Raven. His brother must be controlling her or something. Knowing his brother, he could be such a controlling freak sometimes.

“Thank you. I did not expect that from them. We were simply talking about the simple things.” Amber said humbly. She actually gets to talk about different topics to the amazement of those she conversed with. She did not realize that she left a good impression on those influential people. They were more amazed when they found out that she’s only 20 years old and a fresh graduate.

“There were like a few of them who asked for your number when they found out that you’ve just graduated. I think you shared too much information tonight.” Amber looked at him with surprise. But his voice wasn’t upset or annoyed. He was just teasing her. She laughed when she immediately realized what was happening.

“You were great yourself. I can’t help but admire the way you talked to those people. I mean most of them are more than half your age.” She said with a smile. She remembers when she heard him debating about a topic over soil testing. Of course, he learned about that as it is also a part of his construction business. He elaborately discussed everything to know about soil testing. She looked at everyone and they were listening attentively to him. She was actually impressed by his extensive knowledge of almost everything.

“No wonder you have achieved a lot at a young age. You really go out your way to learn. That’s impressive.” She praised him for his dedication to learn about things thoroughly.

“Well, I have no choice. My grandma would never stop bugging me until I got hold of a book to learn something.” He laughed but at the same time looked sad again.

“I just missed grandma. Maybe we get along well since you have a connection with grandma. I felt like she was just around. You replaced that sadness with joy.” Amber took what he just said as a bittersweet compliment. It is not easy to deal with the grief of a loved one. She experienced it herself although she was still young at that time.

“You are doing great. Your grandma is definitely proud of you.” She said sincerely.

Devlin walked her to the condo. Before she could get in the condo, she told him about the jewelry.

“By the way, thank you for letting me wear these jewelry. This is one reason why I was also anxious and uncomfortable at the party. People could not stop looking at them. I was also afraid to lose them. If you could wait, I can put them in the velvet box…” Amber continued babbling but Devlin silenced her.

“What are you talking about? I gave them to you. That’s my gift for you.” Amber was wide-eyed. How could he just splurge her on extremely expensive gifts like these. For sure these jewelry are worth a fortune.

“But they are too expen…” Devlin cut her off.

“It is to show my appreciation. Thank you for coming with me tonight.” That’s all what Devlin said.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Amber wonders how much he would show his appreciation to his girlfriend. He must be really generous. She carefully placed back the earrings and bracelet inside their respective box. She must return it later on.

Amber went to sleep that night thinking about Devlin. He is indeed a person with a complex personality. She does not know what to expect from him next…