La casa

The employees and their superiors stormed the famous La Casa, a renowned Italian restaurant on Hoe street,  all  of them dressed in sleek and corporate attire. The restaurant had hosted an exclusive dinner party celebrating a hard-won contract.Unexpectedly, Evania, the project editor was invited too.

Elegant wooden chairs encircled the dinner tables, their arrangement a blend of intimacy and sophistication that prompted connections. Evania found herself seated beside the imposing figure of Jonathan, the blue-suited CEO, his presence a quiet storm. 

Elizabeth, the managing director, rose gracefully, an empty wine glass in hand, tapping it with a teaspoon. She hit the glass with the teaspoon and sent a chiming sound throughout the room.

“First, let me welcome you all to this extraordinary staff dinner—and most importantly, our esteemed CEO, Mr. Jonathan Walter,” she said, as a wave of applause erupted from the crowd, swallowing her words.

“…as you all know, we are all here to celebrate. Please, let’s hear from our beloved vision bearer before the feast begins,” Elizabeth concluded, resuming her seat.

Jonathan rose beside Evania, his tall frame shadowed by a black-suited man, his bodyguard, Geoffrey.

“It’s an honour to unite because of victory. Our tradition demands excellence, a standard upheld by the company. I’m glad everyone fought to make this possible,” Jonathan declared, his voice resonant. “I would also like to congratulate the team that made this a reality.”

“Colleagues! A round of applause for the mastermind, Evania Taylor!” Elizabeth said, her voice dragging through the murmurs and chiming from the crowd.

Jonathan’s gaze followed her return to her seat, her beauty struck him, but he swallowed up his emotions. Evania stole glances at him over her wine glass, silent Italian music accompanied the night.

Becky, noticing this unspoken tension, slipped away to the bar counter. Evania was left puzzled, her seat next to Jonathan’s.

“Enjoying the party, boss?” Evania ventured softly, expecting no response.

Jonathan’s attention lingered on the band miming Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” until he turned, offering a fake smile. “Didn’t know you were such a drinker,” he remarked, glancing at the vocalist.

“Didn’t know you were thrilled by harmonists,” she countered, nodding toward the singer’s admiring stare.

“My father used to play Marvin Gaye all the time,” Jonathan murmured, his eyes locking onto hers.

“Oh,that explains why you're so consumed by it,” clapping as the band’s performance ended.

“My father was a conservative man, I wonder if you'd survive him” Jonathan posed, his tone cryptic.

“Barely, couldn't, even manage my own father, ” Evania retorted.

“You’re a piece of work, aren't you?,” he countered.

“No sir, I'm just an ordinary girl from Camden ,” she chuckled.

“You've a lot of nerve,I doubt you're from there” Jonathan conceded, admiration flickering in his eyes.

“Everything about me, and my whole life is attached to Camden, ” she smiled.

“I see!Camden innit!” he said, his mouth drawing a cute smile .

“Without a doubt,” she replied smiling back

“I guess the recess is doing you some good service ”Jonathan pressed, his brow raising.

“I’m holding up, eventually it gets better with time,” she admitted.

“Too much nerve Camden, too much nerve” he said, a sarcastic edge to his voice.

Evania kept calm, realising the tension between them, she wouldn’t let another mistake ruin the night. Meanwhile, Becky, uneasy with their prolonged exchange, had drunk a lot, her head slipped on her arm at the bar.

She fell off her stool with a thud that drew a collective gasp, realising she was down, she groaned in a loud voice. 

“Holyyy Cow!! What in the world is happening, Eva? Come on, where's Marcus?” she growled, her breath stinking alcohol.

Evania rushed to her, grabbing her arms. “Someone get me a cab—Yolanda, please?” she cried, locking eyes with Yolanda, who dialed swiftly. 

A yellow Toyota Prius arrived five minutes later, halting at the doorway to La casa. 

Evania rushed Becky to the cab,Yolanda insisted on taking her home, sparing her daughter the sight of her drunk mother, the staff watched as the cab vanished down Hoe Street.

Evania stayed back watching the cab disappear through traffic.

“Care for a ride?” Jonathan’s voice cut through the departing crowd, startled, Evania turned to see him gesturing from beside a grey Range Rover SV, bodyguards standing on either side.

Evania, hesitant at first, slowly approached the motorcade, as the door opened, she slid into the luxurious interior. 

She sat beside him, watched him scroll his phone while occasionally glancing at her . Finally, he spoke. “So, how long have you been on antidepressants?”

“As long as I can recall,” she answered quickly.

“Hmm! I see,” he began.

“It’s all in my file—my medical report,” she interjected.

“Of course, how could I forget?” he retorted.

“It's a part of me that I can't deny,” she murmured, turning to the tinted glass.

“You’re not as clumsy as I thought—a misjudgment, perhaps…” he admitted.

“Just because everything turned out in your favour,” she answered

“…which increases your score too,” he added.

Silence filled the car. Evania dozed off, her curly hair covered her brown cheeks, lips glowed in the night light. Jonathan stared at her all the way in admiration, until his bodyguard’s voice jolted him.

“Sir? This is it.”

“Are you sure this is her place?” Jonathan pressed.

“I believe so, yes,” Geoffrey confirmed.

Evania awoke to the quiet of her neighborhood, Jonathan’s wolf-like stare fixed on her. “Welcome back, Ms. Evania,” he chuckled.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said, yawning and rubbing her hair.

“See you on Monday,” he offered.

“I thought I was getting fired,” she inquired, turning her face towards Geoffrey who stared from afar, “Heard some rumors of course,” she whispered.

Jonathan smirked, raising his right hand, pointed at her with his index finger and closely gazed at her. He chuckled and then responded.

“Well, you resume Monday, but there's a condition,” he said with an honest smile. 

“What condition?” she asked, her face folding.

“Report on Monday, and you shall know.” He walked away heading back to the giant SUV.