PARTY IN ESSEX

Evania had just stepped out of a meeting when her phone rang. As she reached for it, she found Elizabeth outside the meeting room. Elizabeth was visibly upset, her face folded, she called out to Evania before she could answer the call.

“Evania! The boss wants to see you right now,” Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice sharp with urgency.

“I’m in the middle of a meeting. W-what does he want?” Evania stammered, pressing the phone back to her left ear.

“I wonder why he’s so inclined toward you,” Elizabeth mused, her tone tinged with curiosity.

“Seriously, Elizabeth, you of all people should know I’m not in his good books,” Evania retorted.

Meanwhile, Jonathan sat in his office, scrolling through his tablet. On the screen was a photo of a tall, red-haired woman with sharp, inviting eyes. His mind drifted to the past as he gazed at the image.

Suddenly, Geoffrey opened the door and signaled to Evania, who entered the room. Jonathan quickly put away the tablet.

“Please, have a seat,” he said. Evania pulled out a mesh chair and sat down.

“Thank you,” she murmured softly.

“I have a job for you,” Jonathan revealed.

“What kind of job, sir?” Evania asked, her voice cautious.

Jonathan switched on his iPad and turned it toward her, displaying the photo he was eyeing earlier on. Above the image, the title read, “Yelena: The Latest Media Sensation.”

“I need you to look into her,” he challenged.

“I’m not an investigative journalist,” Evania protested.

“Versatility is one of the key skills we consider during hiring. You should know that, Evania,” Jonathan countered firmly.

Accustomed to his bossy attitude, Evania relented.

“I’ll do it. Just tell me what to do,” she said.

“I want you to gather all the information about this upcoming online TV venture—or whatever it is—and check their progress with the Daily Star,” Jonathan explained.

Evania stood up without a word, stepping away from the chair, but his voice stopped her short.

“Evania,” he called.

“Yes, sir?” she responded, turning back.

“About last time,” Jonathan confessed, his tone sincere.

“Ah! It's all good, no need to worry boss.” she replied graciously.

“So… we're good?” he asked, his lips slightly moved with a chuckle.

“Yeah, we’re good,” she giggled in return.

“Alright then,” Jonathan said.

“Good day sir,” Evania replied as she headed to the door.

Jonathan watched her curvy figure approach the exit, her curls catching his eye. Before she could open the door, he called out again.

“Evania.”

“Yes?” she turned, her expression curious.

“Maybe we could have coffee sometime and talk,” Jonathan suggested tentatively.

“Yeah, maybe,” Evania smiled as she walked out. As she passed, Mrs. Garvey entered and stood before the crystal office table.

“Sir! Jack is here. He says he’s ready.” she announced.

“Send in Geoffrey then.” Jonathan responded.

Jonathan was heading to Essex, with his favorite righthand, Geoffrey. He knew his mother's persistence would suddenly lead him back to Yelena, his obsessive Ex, so he decided to find a solution, to outsmart his mother.

They flew to Essex secretly where Uncle Mark was hosting a party aboard his lavish yacht. Jack hit the ground moments before the yacht departed to sea. Uncle Mark, gazing and waving his hands yelled even before they touched down.

The three men—Jonathan, Geoffrey, and Jack drew the crowd— swanked in colored shorts and glittering silk Valentino shirts. Uncle Mark embraced each in a warm hug, his voice screaming their names.

The yacht buzzed with revelers drinking and dancing to loud pop music. Half-dressed women in bikinis swayed their slender waists, each with a partner. Jonathan retreated to a cabin as the boat sailed, while Uncle Mark sipped a cocktail and danced with the crowd on the rooftop, where Jonathan eventually joined him.

“It’s been a long time,” Jonathan began, pouring a drink.

“Yeah, haven't seen you in a while son,” Uncle Mark chuckled, sweat dripping down his face.

“Uncle Mark, you still party this hard?” Jonathan asked, eyeing him.

“What more can I do, Jon? Life comes at you so fast.” Uncle Mark giggled.

“The tragedies of life are inevitable, even the brave must ease their sorrow,” Jonathan reflected.

“Exactly, Jon. Losing a wife is unbearable,” Uncle Mark murmured.

“So you turned to liquor,” Jonathan noted.

“Don’t love too deeply, mate. Take it from me,” Uncle Mark advised, sipping his drink.

“Speaking of love, exactly why I need your help,” Jonathan admitted.

“Haha! Do you need my help to find a suitor? Who do you think I am, the king of hearts?” Uncle Mark teased loudly.

“Hey, easy, old bull,” Jonathan whispered.

“Then tell me huh?, Is this all about your nagging mother again?” Uncle Mark giggled.

“Yeah. She's been overbearing, lately,” Jonathan clarified, his voice cutting through the music.

“Why is she pestering you, that woman just won't stop?” Uncle Mark pondered.

“I need a woman who can impress the Walters at the country home this weekend,” Jonathan explained.

“Wow! A wife for hire you mean?” Uncle Mark queried.

“I’m ready to pay any amount, as long as she impresses them.” Jonathan conceded.

“Why are you doing this, Jon? This isn’t you.” Uncle Mark wondered.

“She wants to hook me up with Yelena,” he insisted.

Perplexed by Jonathan’s insistence, Uncle Mark pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. An idea struck him.

“What if you try one of Cathy’s lovely birds?” he suggested.

“Those are known faces, Mark. One of our media outlets exposed their schemes,” Jonathan confessed.

“Haha! Karma is a bitch Jonathan.” Uncle Mark laughed.

“Am I a joke to you?” Jonathan muttered.

“Come on, Jon. Cathy could’ve helped, but you exposed her.” Uncle Mark explained.

“Wow, is that funny to you?” Jonathan inquired.

“Well, sounds ironic to me,” Uncle Mark said.

“So, what now, escorts?” Jonathan asked.

“Do you have any other options,” He clarified.

“Not so sure, that's why I came,” Jonathan responded.

“Enjoy the party, mate, we'll hit the usual spots till we find one suitable.” Uncle Mark replied.

Uncle Mark was then whisked away by a woman in a silky dress, leading him downstairs. Jonathan glanced back and saw Geoffrey chatting with a reveler.

“Such a small world,” a voice whispered, her breath a mix of cocktails, her lips painted red. Jonathan turned to find Yelena, staring closely behind him.

“Yelena! What a surprise!” he said with a forced smile.

“Oh yeah, surprise indeed,” she replied with a half-smile.

“What brings you here?” Jonathan asked.

“What do you expect, to party of course,” she answered.

“Oh! I see,” Jonathan remarked.

“Well, what about you?” her sultry voice inquired.

“Yeah, to party of course,” Jonathan conceded.

“So, are you enjoying the party?” Yelena asked.

“Of course I am,” he replied.

Yelena stepped closer, locking eyes with him. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered again, her voice sending a shiver through his stomach.

“Shall we have this dance?”

“Or rather sit down and discuss that merger first,” Jonathan whispered back.

“Do you wanna know how I managed to convince your mother," she warned, straightening her face as Jonathan grabbed her hips.

“Are you holding anything against her,” He gasped, his hands wrapped around her.

“Am I, maybe.” she joked.