Chapter 8: Invitation letter.

When she raised her brow, Asher figured he had stared too much. 

"I assure you that your company is in good hands." He promised. He felt the need to assure her. 

"I don't particularly mind you making any changes. This… L.A. was my first endeavor so I put all effort into perfecting it. Maybe it was too perfect, but I enjoyed growing the stone business from a small shop online to a multi-billion business globally. I made many connections thanks to it. Mostly business-related you will find them in the company folder. They are tied to the company so you decide how to deal with them. I planned to grow it more so it would monopolize the gemstone business chain in its entirety… but…, It is time I retire. Not entirely but, it wouldn't be so bad to start afresh on something new. So, Mr. Demir, This company is now up to you to decide its future… It is now entirely yours."

Evie stood up feeling slightly uncomfortable talking about the future as if it was uncertain. After all, she had seen it. 

It could be called cheating him but this was the nature of business. It is never the seller's fault if the good was defaulted. The responsibility ultimately lies in the buyer's hand.

There was silence once more as they strolled until they got to a pergola. Asher's deep sapphire-blue eyes gazed at Evie as she sat under the shade and followed suit.

"Oh, Mr. Demir. I have come to know you have contact with the Scorpio gang. Would you mind letting me meet them?" Evie turned around and stared intently at Asher who was amazed at how much information this woman had in her hands. 

"No, I don't mind. Is there a particular reason for this, Miss?" Asher shook his head casually.

"..." 

In truth was a last-minute thing Evie remembered. She was testing the waters since how could a big family like his not engage in some dirty business. There was a high probability Asher had contact with them. He was, after all, Heir Demir.

She needed them in her last-minute thought plan, however, she wouldn't let Asher know that.

At the hesitation, Asher leaned forward, urging for an answer. He liked to know why a 'clean' lady like her would find an underworld mercenary syndicate.

"Let us say, I need some protective measures. Would that suffice for a reason.?" This time Asher sensed some sharp intent in her voice, much more austere than before. It seemed the lady was drawing a line. He inwardly raised his brow, surprised that she was capable of such an emotion. Her cold eyes gleamed with genuine apathy accompanied by sharp intent.

"That is enough. Just a procedure. I need to give a reason before recommending someone, don't I?" Asher quickly explained. 

He deeply felt he didn't want to be antagonized by this mysterious lady. That was an unbelievable excuse, even Asher found himself ridiculous. How could the procedure be so simple? However, now he had to make it 'simple'.

"Sure." Evie agreed before continuing, "I will be moving out today, so feel free to assign someone tomorrow. Martha, my assistant is acting CEO from the moment of bidding. Martha will step down as soon as the new manager or your personnel arrives. Every employee is continuously fulfilling their role. I hope you don't lay them off without a recommendation or too suddenly, Mr. Demir."

"Moving out?" Asher blurted out. 

It made him wonder just how she grew such a company. It was also true that the investigation report didn't include these details.

"Yes," Evie affirmed as she casually thought, 'I have no ties to the outside so there isn't much reason for me to live outside the company' 

"It's convenient…. Hmm? Maybe I should enjoy my youth more while it lasts. Thanks to you, I remembered that, Mr. Demir." She chuckled at the end, her eyes turning into crescents. Her small snort-like cute chuckle softened Asher's expression much to his unknowing.

'I wonder what her story is.' Asher mused.

He checked his wristwatch, his time was waning. 

"It has been a pleasure meeting you, Miss Adrianne. I must be on my way." Asher rose to his feet but paused mid-step. He glanced back to find Evie indifferently gazing at him. She was unperturbed by his leave. He suddenly felt regretful not having more time. Time seemed to pass by so quickly when with her.

Asher didn't want this to be the last time he met her. However, he didn't think she could reach out to him first.

Thinking this, he took out a thin black envelope with golden accents from his inner coat. "I would like to invite you to an evening party, Miss Adrienne."

Evie took the letter and studied it. It had the Demir family initials. Well, it would be a splendid endeavor before the world went bam. 

She nodded, "Thank you and likewise Mr. Demir. You can call me Evie."

Evie stared at the man's deep blues with a business smile. She was trying to be polite.

"Asher," he responded.

"What?" 

Evie tilted her head wondering where this was going.

"Call me Asher next time~"

Asher turned around and swiftly left. A small arc found its way to his lips as he walked to the elevator.

Her cold face was not easy to break down. This wasn't a bad thing or rather, he found it cute how she put up guard using a stoic expression. Her eyes especially, their mystical beauty veiled with their eternal winter.

'Oh well, we will see each other soon~'

Asher's good mood went on for some time before getting back into cold rationality for his upcoming meeting. His brows creased slightly thinking of the hustle of negotiating with obstinate and inflexible old geezers stuck in their conservative and old-fashioned ways.

'How irritating.'