The Bargain.

Jonathan stood by the window, sipping a steaming cup of coffee, his sharp eyes observing the morning serenity outside. His gaze turned inward, landing on a maid polishing the unstained white sofas.

A sleek black SUV parked below, its tires rolling against the gravel. The maid’s voice broke the silence. “Someone’s at the door,” she said, the faint beep of the alarm breaking her voice.

“Let them in, please,” Jonathan commanded, his voice sounding curious.

Without hesitation, she hurried to the door, pressed a button on the keypad lock and the door swung open, revealing two women. The elder,dressed in a light green strap dress, stepped in with a warm smile.

“Oh, my dear son, how good it is to see you,” she exclaimed, caressing Jonathan in a brief embrace.

“I wasn’t expecting you, Mother,” Jonathan replied, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

“Here we are, in flesh and blood,” she said with a pleasing smile, settling onto the long couch near the television. 

“It's been a while, mother.” Jonathan began.

“I know, my dear one, I’m here now.” she interjected in a calm soft voice.

He sat beside her, while the other woman—Darlene— sank into a sofa next to a jade plant in a white vase. A tense silence swept across the room before his mother began. “I must admit, Jonathan, I haven’t heard from your sister in over a month.”

“She knows where her family is. Ivy’s old enough,” he replied coolly.

“What do you mean by that?” his mother pressed, her voice tightening.

“Ivy can handle herself, Mother,”

“She’s my only daughter! Don’t I deserve to know if she’s safe?” she insisted, her gaze sharpening.

“Mother, if Ivy were in trouble, you’d know it,” Jonathan confirmed, glancing at Darlene.

“Well, Darlene and I came for something more important than family issues—matters concerning the company,” his mother revealed, her fierce blue eyes locking onto his.

“I see, but we are doing quite well.” Jonathan countered, his tone edged with confidence.

“This matter goes beyond your daily grind,” she pressed, her stare unyielding.

“Seriously? Are you hiding something from me, mother?” Jonathan challenged, his voice rising.

“Oh, son, don’t groan like an angry dog,” she said calmly, brushing a stray grey strand from her face.

“Then explain to me why I am not aware of your plans,” Jonathan demanded.

“Well, Darlene and I have been doing some digging,” she began, her words faltering.

“I hope you haven't been meddling with the business?” Jonathan interrupted.

“Meddling? Ha! No, dear, that’s a waste of old age,” she chuckled, giving a sadistic smile.

“Isn't it obvious?” he pressed.

“Watch your tongue, boy. I am your mother,” Mrs. Walter warned, her voice a low growl.

“My apologies, Mother,” Jonathan conceded, dipping his head slightly.

Darlene, who had been consumed in her phone, looked up and rose, stepping into the centre of the sofa arrangement. She folded her arms and cleared her throat deliberately.

“We’ve completed an analysis of our online market share. We found a worrying gap between us and Daily Star,” she confirmed, her voice flowing with melodic authority.

“And what’s your point?” Jonathan asked, his tone filled with reluctance.

“The media landscape is unpredictable and very demanding . Daily Star recently improved its policies and grabbed two online platforms on the market.”

“We have three, don’t we?” Jonathan cut in.

“Let her finish, son,” Mrs. Walter interjected firmly.

“Go on,” Jonathan sighed, lowering his voice down.

“This has boosted their market share by forty per cent—a staggering figure in today’s climate,” Darlene continued.

“The crux is Daily Star acquiring yet another platform,” Mrs. Walter added, leaning forward.

“True, another blog turned into an online magazine? Good luck to them.” Jonathan scoffed, his tone scornful.

“With this direction, if Daily Star succeeds, they’ll dominate the online space,” Darlene warned.

“And what makes you think the owner’s willing to sell?” Jonathan challenged.

“Coincidentally, it’s someone you know,” his mother said with a half smile.

“Yelena Starkov, the one that seeks your heart,” Darlene clarified.

“I thought she preferred fashion? ” Jonathan asked, surprised.

“You should know, Jonathan. Your father always had such information at his fingertips,” Darlene remarked coolly.

“ Watch your mouth, Darlene!” Jonathan snapped.

“Enough!, children, this is not a fight,” Mrs. Walter soothed, raising a hand to calm the tension.

“All I’m saying is your father had a keen eye, he always acted swiftly, “Lifestyle” is an example,” Darlene said, her voice softening.

“My father had his own way, I too, have my own way of handling the company,” Jonathan defended.

“We aren't here to judge you Jon, we're here to guide you,” Mrs. Walter added warmly.

“I see a very thin line between judging and what you're doing right now,” Jonathan commented, his face showing doubt

“Your father and I married when this company’s future hung by a thread. He didn't let his ego get a hold on him,” Mrs. Walter explained.

“We suggest you do the same and consider…” Darlene added.

“Consider what?” Jonathan demanded, his expression a mix of wonder and suspicion.

“Offer her a deal so lucrative it outshines Daily Star’s buyout—a mergerer, perhaps, letting her retain some rights, you know,” Mrs. Walter proposed, resting a hand on his shoulder.

“It won’t be easy to convince the Russian, but with her father’s recent government troubles, she might just consider the idea,” Darlene added.

“We’ve explored our options. A merger’s the smartest play,” Mrs. Walter affirmed.

“If you managed to dig up all this information, why do you guys think I'm the one capable of convincing Yelena?” Jonathan mused.

“We tried, but she’s a tough nut to crack,” Darlene admitted.

“She insisted you negotiate the deal yourself,  perhaps you two know how to tolerate each other,” Mrs. Walter revealed, in a persuasive tone.

“Mother! You know Yelena—she’s a cunning witch,” Jonathan groaned, burying his face in his hands.

“No, son, Yelena is in love with you. I believe you two just took a break,” Mrs. Walter countered.

“You should take her obsession for you as an advantage,” Darlene suggested.

“It’s a win-win. You’ve known each other for a while—why not rekindle that old flame?” Mrs. Walter pressed.

“I can't believe you two!” Jonathan pondered.

“Jonathan, read between the lines!” his mother urged.

“I won’t accept this, Mother. It's utter foolishness.”

“Jonathan, please!” she called as he strode to the wet bar.

“I’m not interested in your schemes, mother. My heart is already taken.” he said softly, pouring a drink.

“I haven't seen you with any woman in a long time, who's that secret admirer lurking in the shadows?” Mrs. Walter asked, her voice rising in anger. 

“Mother, please, you haven't seen me in months.” Jonathan groaned, sipping the pale ale. He set the glass down,fuming in anger.

“Who is she? Why haven't you introduced her yet? Do we know her?” she yelled at him.

“I'm not in a rush.” Jonathan insisted.

“Quit playing games, son, my decision is final, prepare to meet Yelena, the company's future is at stake.” His mother yelled, her voice mixed with fury and anger.