THE BILLIONAIRE AND THE GIRL FROM CAMDEN

"Who in the bloody hell is responsible for this?" Jonathan yelled, slamming his phone atop a pile of files on the rack. His face marked with rage, teeth grinding as he stared at Mrs. Garvey.

"Sir, it's the editor, Ms. Evania," Mrs. Garvey replied, her voice shaking, as she walked toward the polished brown door.

"Get me that damn waif in here now," Jonathan commanded,sinking back into his ergonomic chair, his fingers drumming an impatient rhythm.

Mrs. Garvey hurried into the hallway, where she met Evania, who had just arrived. Evania froze mid-step, her face filled with dread, her legs trembling as she approached the stern, white-haired secretary.

"The top floor demands your presence, Evania," Mrs. Garvey said.

"What? Is it serious?" Evania asked, her voice a mix of politeness and regret, holding a bulky brown envelope.

"Not serious-catastrophic. How could you forget the approval form for a project you spent weeks on?" Mrs. Garvey replied.

"Oh, goodness! That little witch Becky! I thought she submitted everything, but I just found it buried in my handbag," Evania gasped, rushing toward the elevator. She pulled the helms of her tight blue dress as the doors closed, the elevator was packed with workers from various departments.

When it halted, on the fifteenth floor, she walked out, her heart pounding, cold sweat running down her back, her long brown legs shaking. She reached for the doorknob but hesitated, knocking instead. After a shaky breath, she knocked, fingers fidgeting with the envelope.

"It better be you, Evania Taylor,"Jonathan yelled, Evania opened the door. The squeak faded as she stepped inside.

"You have no idea the mess your recklessness has dragged us into," Jonathan shouted, rising from his seat.

"Sir, there's a mix up with one of my colleagues," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"Oh! Rough night with your boyfriend, so you forgot to deliver the damn paper to Garvey? Is that your excuse?" Jonathan asked, leaning over the crystal-glass table, his eyes blazing.

"Sir, I'm so sorry. This will never happen again," Evania murmured, sliding the envelope forward.

"Speak for yourself, lady. The damage is already done," Jonathan shot back, his tone dripping with disdain.

Silence filled the air, her heart beating fast against her chest. The clock ticked to nine, breaking the suspense. Evania brought out two documents from the envelope and laid them before him.

"Sir, this won't ever happen again. I got carried away by the madness, I-I'm truly sorry and will bear all the consequences," she stuttered.

"Clumsy! You really have got some nerves in you." Jonathan barked, standing to grab a white mug from the table. "Do you even grasp what you've admitted? 'A lot' means I'm missing a complete file because a distracted employee left it at her lover's flat." He shook his head in disgust.

"It's been a brutal week, sir. I'm drowning in work and struggling to keep up," Evania defended, her voice rising.

"Blimey! It's your job. You're paid to do it-work should be your obsession," Jonathan argued, stepping closer, his tall figure closing in on her.

"Here it is, all complete," she said, lifting one of the white sheets.

"And the other one?" he pressed.

"Oh, sorry, that's mine, this shouldn't be..." she fumbled, trying to stuff it back.

"I'm not a fool," he interrupted sharply.

"No, sir, this is," she began.

"Is that some sort of court document, has the law caught you offguard too? You're really something young lady," he said, an ironic smile playing on his lips.

Jonathan held the upper hand-Walter Media bent to his will. Evania, like the rest, was a mere disposable employee. Though her week had been rough, his focus remained on dominating the media scene at all costs.

Evania, however, experienced life beyond work. This close encounter with her formidable boss was unusual territory, yet she'd managed him her way-until now. The court order demanding her presence at 8 a.m. at Guildford was the only valid excuse to save her sorry ass from the angry boss. She spread it on the table, the red seal with its crown catching his eye.

"Do you think that's a valid reason to mess up the project?" He groaned.

"Yes, it's a court order-8 a.m. today at Guildford," she confirmed.

"Doesn't erase the losses I've incurred pulling strings to keep this contract alive," he responded.

"I had to be there or else my brother would be in bigger trouble,"

"For all I care, I set the rules here. This isn't some random courthouse like Staines or Guildford where old useless men sit to debate obvious cases," he cut in.

"At least spare me this once. I'll make it up to you, sir," Evania pleaded, her eyes blinking and searching the tall, dark-haired figure before her, a few strays of her curled hair blowing in her face, her stomach etched sensing danger. Clearing his throat with a commanding tone, Jonathan declared:

"You're suspended. Use the break to pull yourself together, or you're out."

"But sir,it's just a little mix up,you can't do this to me," Evania pleaded, tears forming in her eyes.

"This conversation is over. See you next week-if the universe still tolerates you," Jonathan bragged, his voice a scary roar tearing through the very walls of the office.

"Sir, you can't do this to me right, I worked myself off for this project, I still have..." Evania's plea fell on deaf ears, her eyes wide with boiling anger as the weight of his words became more evident to her.

"This conversation is over," he confirmed, turning away with an unapologetic look. "See you next week-if the universe still puts up with you, and if you finally wake up to your senses." His gaze fixed on her before he dashed to the window, staring out at the London skyline as if it carried the answers to all his questions. The room suddenly turned into a silent graveyard of suspense and unspoken tension.

"Sir! Gloria just called, she said, "You have less than twenty four hours for to even stand a chance in þhis deal." Her voice shot through the silence.

Jonathan clenched his teeth, hitting the table with his fists, Mrs. Garvey trembled, her wrinkled face frowned.

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.

A yellow taxi parked beside the prison walls of Wandsworth on Heathfield Road, Evania walked out in a grey sweatpants, gasping in the cold chilly weather, every breath a reminder of her fears, she raised her head and walked right through the prison gates, she was a bit late but determined to see her brother.

Mr. Thomas sat outside the legal interview room, his bald head shone under the dim light.

He saw her scuttle her way through the busy hallway. His eyes were dazed but furious as well.

"You know we are working against time , Evania," he whispered, as she sat beside him.

She gasped. "I'm trying, Thomas. God knows I'm trying."

He shook his head, eyes sharp with doubt. "Are you sure, because it doesn't seem so to me,"

"No old man, am here because being here itself is evidence enough," she replied, her voice cracking.

Thomas leaned in,"Becky told me about your suspension. Is it true?"

"Yeah, it is," she said, her voice barely heard, almost a plea. "The drugs do help with the pain, but it's still there."

"I know my dear, honestly alot of people can't handle the pain and disappointment of Anxiety as you do," Thomas conceded, a bitter edge to his smile.

"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, old man." Evania chuckled, taking in a deep breath.

Thomas Moore, a long term family friend and Marcus's lawyer was a man approaching retirement, yet determined to bail Marcus out of prison just because he thought their late mother's ghost watched him.

A prison guard approached, signaling with his fingers. Thomas shook his head, his face darkening.

"What is it Thomas?" Evania's voice trembled, her heart pounding as Thomas waved the guard away.

"You can't be serious, transfers, my foot!" he mumbled.

"What is it,Thomas, is there a problem,what is it?" She stammered, her tone curious.

Thomas looked down, burying his face in his hands in shame, she shook her head in disbelief.

"No,no,no, don't tell me anything happened to Marcus because-," she groaned.

"There's a little mix up, Marcus was transferred this morning," he admitted, his eyes dodging hers,

Her hands shook, slamming against the metal seat. "Tell me why we've been here for almost an hour and you haven't said anything?," Tears burned her eyes, running down her cheeks.

"Honestly, I pulled some strings to get him back here,I trusted the Chief to handle it, " he said, his voice heavy with regret.

"Trusted? Isn't he the one responsible," she spat, her voice growling.

"Procedure. Orders came from above," he cut in, already turning, his footsteps retreating like a fading pulse.

"Do something, Thomas!" she screamed after him, her voice breaking into sobs. "He won't survive out there alone!"

As Thomas's image vanished into the corridor, Evania paced the hallway.Each step echoed her fear. Her phone buzzed, and Becky's voice shot through.

"What's the crack, frisky?" Becky's tease was a faint spark in the dark.

"Becky, Marcus is gone," Evania choked, tears streaming down her face.

"Gone? Did he break out? I wasn't familiar with his game!"

"No! He's been transferred,"

"Oh, God," Becky gasped. "I'm so sorry darling, what about Thomas?" Becky wondered.

"He just told me now, and he's already gone, I don't know-" Evania responded, her voice barely audible.

"Am sorry dear, am out of town right now, but am heading back tomorrow, we'll see,"

The call cut off, leaving Evania in suffocating silence.

Then a prison guard walked up to her and led her through the sterile corridor to the chief warden's office. The chief, an old white man with a crooked blue beret sat there, sipping a hot cup of tea.

"Well, now, have a seat," he said, adjusting his beret.

"Thank you," Evania whispered, her voice barely holding.

"Thomas's girl. Name?"

"Evania Taylor. Here for my brother." Her words trembled, each syllable a plea.

He nodded, a flicker of warmth in his face.

"Thomas and I have been doing this for quite a while now,"

"Please," she begged, her voice breaking. "I'd give anything to have Marcus back here,"

"You're in luck, girl," he said, glancing at the clock. "He's on his way."

Relief crashed over her, but it was temporary. Marcus arrived in a black van,and two guards rushed him to the visiting room. His pale skin was marked with angry red spots, his frozen hands tucked between his bony thighs, his eyes hollow with exhaustion.

"Hey, kid," Evania whispered, her voice thick with tears as she glanced at the guard standing by the door. "How are you holding up?"

Marcus shivered, his teeth clenched, his voice a faint whisper.

"I'm getting used to it,"

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed, her voice cracking.

"I didn't make here last week because I got suspended,"

"Sorry about that, sis," he murmured, his voice a fragile thread.

"I will get you out of Wandsworth," she vowed, her voice clear despite the tears. "Thomas says we need another five thousand."

"No, Eva-," Marcus pleaded, his eyes open wide with fear. "You can't borrow again. You can't."

"There isnt any other way,," she insisted, her voice cutting through the pain.

"There's always another way, I know because I've tried already," he whispered, but the guard stepped forward, his shadow falling over them.

"Time's up," the guard announced, forcing Marcus to his feet.

Evania watched her brother get whisked out, his weary form disappeared through the corridor. Her heart pounded, desperately wishing to pull her brother back into the room.

Her phone rang again, her shaky hands clicked the cracked screen. Becky's name was covered in the animated bubbles on the screen as it vibrated on her ear.

Becky's voice shot through strongly sending her stomach into a rumble.

"Evania!! You're in deep shit," she screamed.

"What...," she stammered, her voice breaking as she walked out the prison.

"You're going to the party, but there's a rumor you will be fi..." Evania cut off the call as she predicted her next words.