Was I wrong to take this position? she asked herself as she glared out at the tall buildings surrounding her. Am I a sellout? Or just ambitious? I know I was part of the deal that brought Bruce’s company to this firm, but am I even good enough to be here?

​

     When she refocused her eyes, Eve’s own well-groomed reflection was glaring back at her. Almost as if to say, Of course you are. Look at yourself.

​

     These were regular musings Eve’s troubled mind liked to torment her with. She’d long proven that she was, in fact, capable of handling Bruce’s account. She’d been the lead junior marketing executive on his company’s current campaign for the last seven months. Yet the doubting voice in her head liked to resurface from time to time.

​

     It was because of Bruce that she was there at all. Well, maybe not all because of him. After all, her talent was all her own. Albeit a bit controversial at times, but hers nonetheless.

​

     That was apparently what had led Bruce to negotiate her current employment as part of his contract to be represented by Miles International’s marketing department.

​

     Eve liked to push boundaries where her clients would allow her. In her opinion, playing it safe didn’t set you apart from the competition. However, not all of her clients agreed with this way of thinking and, as any smart businesswoman would, she toned down her own perspective where the situation warranted.

​

     Her unique approach is what caught Bruce and his fellow shareholders’ attention in the first place. She liked to shake things up and his was a fledgling company looking to make a name for themselves. After months of talks with various firms, they’d narrowed it down but were dragging their feet on making a decision. It was during that time that Eve became acquainted with Bruce.

​

     Ultimately, what it came down to was his company wanted the reach that Miles International offered, but the raw talent and vision that Eve embodied. The problem being that this up-and-coming marketing agent wasn’t on Miles’ team. Instead, she was employed by a smaller, yet respectable competitor.

​

     Eve recalled the months of recruitment she’d endured, both from Miles International and other firms that were seeing her potential. She hadn’t been pressed to keep them interested since she wasn’t actively trying to leave her firm.

​

     In fact, she was happy and comfortable where she was at Kyle Enterprises. Eve was steadily building her career there with the help of a great support system.

​

     Not to be backed into a corner, the executives at Kyle saw the efforts being made to poach her and did what they could to entice Eve to stay. One perk they extended was an open invitation to attend functions normally reserved for themselves and the senior marketing agents.

​

     One such event being a charity banquet hosted by Arkane’s Chamber of Commerce in support of the city’s local businesses.

​

     Each event offered the opportunity to network, but the big draw of this particular fundraiser was the silent auction. It was being held at a hotel in a conference room large enough to host up to three hundred people.

​

     Tables were stationed along one side of the room, each filled with items ranging from housecleaning services and pedicure packages to deluxe items like a week-long trip to Europe.

​

     While Eve wove a trail through the tables perusing their items, she noticed in her periphery a polished suited gentleman who appeared to be strategically lingering one table length behind her. Each time she moved forward to the next table, he did the same.

​

     It wasn’t until she stopped at one long enough to place a bid that he finally made the move to approach her. His demeanor seemed nonchalant and relaxed. There was an ease radiating from him as he picked up the display card to get a closer appraisal of the item’s description.

​

     He gave a light scoff as he placed it back on the table. “I wouldn’t waste a bid on this one,” he remarked.

​

     It was an all-expense-paid boat ride down the Delmar, a major river skirting the edges of the city. By all accounts, it wasn’t one of the more luxurious options amongst the tables, but Eve had never been on the river and the bid was within her budget. A rare treat she was willing to afford herself.

​

     “Good,” she countered, folding her slip of paper and handing it to the attendee to record her bid. “One less person to worry about bidding against me.”

​

     Finally sparing a glance at the gentleman, it took every bit of Eve’s self-control to keep her face neutral. The person addressing her was David Miles, the CEO and heir of the Miles International corporation. His grandfather, Franklin Miles, had been the company’s founder.

​

     Eve interned at his company, during which time she’d heard how David began working there himself as a teenager, performing odd jobs at all different levels. It was his father’s intention that David understand the value behind each employee’s position and where the money they generated came from.

​

     Like his father before him, David assumed leadership of the multi-million-dollar entity when his time came. Which was much sooner than any of them anticipated. His father was forced to step down due to health reasons. Fresh out of business school, David’s succession went from being merely a discussion to a reality.

​

     Deciding to make his own mark on the legacy, the younger man jumped in and led the company in a whole new direction. He saw the potential for growth, while always keeping in mind the foundations on which it was built. Together, he and his shareholders went on to build a much larger entity than his father and grandfather ever dreamed of it becoming.

​

     Now, standing in front of Eve, David was a very self-assured, seasoned businessman with a long list of executive accomplishments. He also had the reputation of being a playboy.

​

     Between his celebrity-like status for being one of the top eligible bachelors in Arkane and for his connection with the Council, Eve was well aware of who he was and what he looked like. Tall with blonde hair immaculately slicked back, he was every bit the Prince Charming that people made him out to be.

​

     Fortunately for Eve, while her name was becoming known, her face wasn’t. She was an anonymous person behind her work. Very few knew her by her appearance and she liked it that way. The chances that David had any idea of whom he was interacting with were slim. She was just another pretty face.

​

     “Aren’t you curious why?” he probed with a grin pulling up the sides of his mouth.

​

     Eve raised an eyebrow at him. “Not particularly, but it seems like you want to tell me your reason,” she acknowledged, sweeping a stray lock of hair from her face.

​

     He leaned in, as if he were about to tell her a secret. “Because my boat is nicer.”

​

     Eve couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips. His unashamed declaration was delivered in such a straightforward manner that it was hard not to take him as anything but smug. It was clear that he was attempting to impress her.

​

     “Is that right?” she grinned.

​

     “By like ten times,” he said jokingly before taking a leisurely sip of the drink he was holding. “I’d love to show it to you sometime.”

​

     “I’m sure…” she began with what she planned to be a witty comeback but was abruptly interrupted by a man rushing up to David’s side.

​

     The man gripped David’s shoulder with a stressed expression creasing his face. In his state of agitation, he appeared unaware of the conversation he’d barged into. Focusing solely on his friend, his mind was preoccupied with something urgent.

​

     “David, Townsend just arrived,” informed the newcomer. “We need to get to him before Todd Jansen or anyone from his team gets wind that he’s here. I’ve heard they’re in talks with him, too.”

​

     The mention of her boss piqued Eve’s attention, as did the name of the other guest. Bruce Townsend was the creative mind and top shareholder of a promising startup. His company had been quite successful after their initial launch, but in the few years since, their numbers had started to become stagnant. Knowing a change needed to happen before things took a downward turn, they decided to let go of their previous marketing firm.

​

     Kyle Enterprises and Miles International were among the top contenders bidding to represent his company. Each vying to get a leg up on the other to win his business. Bruce was holding out for something, but none of them could figure out what it was. He was keeping his cards close to his chest.

​

     Securing an unreadable expression on her face, Eve inquired, “Are you referring to Bruce Townsend?”

​

     “Yes,” replied the newcomer, taking notice of her presence. “Do you know him?”

​

     Both men were giving her their full attention. Feeling like she had the upper hand, Eve felt a great deal of satisfaction from knowing something these two men didn’t.

​

     “I’ve read about his company in a few business articles recently, that’s all,” she shrugged. “Don’t mind me, though. Sounds like you two have business to attend to.”

​

     With a sweet smile, she stepped around the men and set off to make her rounds before the banquet began. Eve took solace in the fact that there were professions of all sorts in attendance and neither man could be certain to which she belonged.

​

     What they were also unaware of was that Bruce had set a meeting with her team for the following day to further discuss representation.

​

     As she stepped through the crowd, Eve could feel David and his companion’s eyes staring after her.

​

     “Who was that?”

​

     “I don’t know, but I plan to find out,” David vowed.

​

     The banquet portion of the evening commenced soon after her departure. Throughout dinner, several speakers took the stage for their presentations. Each giving a similar speech on how generations of their family contributed to making Arkane the great city it was and finding some way to lead into their spiel about what they saw for the future generations to come.

​

When the last presenter was announced, it was a familiar name. “Please give a warm welcome to our final speaker, Mr. David Miles!” the MC encouraged enthusiastically.

​

     Hoping he wouldn’t see her or who she was seated with when he scanned the crowd of faces staring back at him, Eve tracked David’s tall form as he crossed the stage to the mic stand. Not once during her internship had she interacted with him directly. That night was her first time meeting him face-to-face.

​

     Her initial impression hadn’t left her overly wowed. She was left questioning the validity of the accounts from those who’d met him and subsequently built him up to be this legend of a man. So far, he’d only succeeded in coming across to her as self-absorbed and overly confident in his effect on women.

​

     As she listened to him, though, she noted how eloquently he spoke. He was quite involved and knowledgeable on many levels in regard to the inner workings of his multifaceted company.

At least that rumor seemed to be true about him. He also appeared to have a pulse on the various happenings around the city.

​

     That didn’t surprise Eve. There were several times she’d seen him in the background or being interviewed on television in relation to a crime that the Council had responded to. Leaving her to wonder if he was one of or involved with the vigilantes of Arkane.

​

     Just like the speakers before him, David described his intentions and how his company was poised to positively affect Arkane. Only, his delivery was more articulate and detailed. He had planned deadlines and a clear vision behind his goals. So much so that it sounded as if they weren’t just ideas, but concepts already in motion.

​

     As much as Eve didn’t want to like the over-confident man she’d encountered earlier in the evening, there was something in the way that confidence translated to his business side. It challenged her to change her opinion of him.

​

     Throughout the event, the MC announced the silent auction winners between each of the speakers. To her chagrin, Eve didn’t win her bid on the river cruise. After David’s speech and as the dinner wrapped up, the room was a buzz with excited energy and the attendees were allowed to mingle once more.

​

     “Ah, there you are,” a voice called out smoothly. “I was starting to think you’d already left.”

​

     Disengaging from a group she’d been chatting with, Eve was surprised when David appeared in front of her. Realizing he was addressing her, she plastered a pleasant smile on her face.

​

     “No way,” she shook her head. “This is the fun part.”

​

     “I like your spunk,” he flashed a smile back and extended his hand. “I didn’t get a chance to formally introduce myself earlier. I’m David.”

​

     “I know who you are, Mr. Miles,” Eve stated, extending her hand to take his. “I’d be surprised to find anyone in this room who didn’t know who you are.”

​

     His grin widened. “It’s David. And I had to do some asking around, but I know who you are as well, Ms. James. Your reputation precedes you. I’ve been hearing great things.”

​

     An involuntary flush warmed her cheeks, which elicited a pleased look from David. She wasn’t accustomed to receiving acknowledgements from high-level executives. Especially ones of as much importance as David Miles. Even though she knew it was well-intended, the compliment made her slightly uncomfortable.

​

     “Thank you,” she replied. Then wanting to make things feel more even, she added, “So does yours.”

​

     A chuckle fell from David. “Hopefully you won’t hold it against me.”

​

     “I don’t know, there may be some validity to it,” she mused. “Last time we were face-to-face, you were plotting to monopolize a potential client before anyone else had the opportunity to speak with him. And right in front of me, at that.”

​

     “Trying and succeeding,” he agreed.

​

     Taking a deliberate drink from his glass, David waited to see what her reaction would be. There was a gleam in his eyes as he watched hers narrow into slits. He continued before she could say what was surely sitting on the tip of her tongue.

​

     “My team has been courting Townsend long before his company announced that they were looking for a new agency,” he admitted openly. “He’s been stubborn about making a decision, which you already know. Hell, until tonight, I couldn’t get him to tell us what he’s been holding out for.”

​

     “Oh?” she barbed, having become defensive at his forthright admission. It was always disheartening to compete with his larger firm because they operated on a broader scale, but it had really seemed like her team had a chance with Bruce’s company. “And what’s that?”

​

     “You,” he said simply.

​

     Not having anticipated his answer, Eve was left momentarily speechless. Her expression turning from indignant to one of confusion. A self-satisfied smile spread across David’s face for having caught her so completely off guard.

​

     “What?” she questioned, still not trusting what she heard.