Jessica

DRAMA

Chapter 25.

The next day, around seven am.

Mark in Coza.

. "Hi James, I am here in Coza and damn..it all looks so different. I can't even tell where I met Jessica anymore." Mark said over the screen as he was on a video call with James. He wasn't nervous- he was just unsure, unsure of what his meeting with Jessica would be like.

"It's bound to happen anyway, it can't stay the same forever and you know that," James adds as he speaks to his boss. Holding his tab as he adjusts and checks the schedule, something catches his eye. His eyes dilated for a second but he closed his eyes and calmed down. He didn't want to scare his boss or leave some kind of impression

"Okay, so when will you be here? And how is Beatrice?" Mark asked as he looked at his coffee and, stirred it, in his velvet robe. "You know this is more like a vacation for me. There's no headlines or traffic or trouble about different meetings, I even get a break from dad and the dates he tries to set up." Mark said as he paced around the room. He felt a soft aura of peace and comfort, one he hadn't felt in years. Coza was his comfort place, he needed it. He didnt stop to notice his assistant was being quiet, but it hit him.

With his coffee in his hand, he crossed them, he sipped and asked, "What's up? Why are you being quiet?"

"Oh, there's just some work I didn't do well and you know I will join you tomorrow and, well, I need to prepare." James said, as he had trouble trying to explain to his boss what he needed to do. He couldn't look in his eyes.

"Okay, but are you good? Or is it an issue with your girl?" Mark asked as he tried to tease him. "Oh no, I don't have any girls, Sir Mark, I will head out now and, since it's a vacation, just go out and don't touch your phone or anything, just have fun." Mark said with a nervous tone, he said that just to make him calm.

James stood up from his seat and flung himself. "How did this happen?" He asked on the other line.

James didn't expect this, no one did. He didn't know how Mark would react to the news.

James tried to look for the video, he kept seeing the headlines, he kept seeing references but not the actually video.

"Did Adam do this?" James was unstable, he didn't know how to act or what to do, but he knew he wouldn't tell Sir Mark, at least not now.

He dialed Adam's line to get an answer, he is the only one who had the power to take down the details of such category.

"Hi, Good morning Adam, I know it's kinda odd that I called but i wanted to confirm if you knew about the deleted video of ma'am Beatrice?" Mark asked in a somewhat voice, it was shaky and unclear. He wanted to be sure of what to expect and how to present it to Mark.

"Oh sorry, I didn't do that, someone ordered for it to be taken down and I took it down, not on my own accord but it was taken down." Adam replied honestly as he should. He didn't plan on adding more details to the question that James asked, he could understand what the awkward silence meant.

"Oh okay. Thank you for your cooperation." James said as he hung up, he felt suspicious and he wondered who could have deleted the video. He paced around the office with his pen in his hands, he had planned the whole day and how it would go.

"Should I call Lana?" He asked himself over the ipad, He finally sat down on the chair, he felt his legs lost its balance. He decided to sit down and regain his strength.

The eyebags just below his eyes showed a lot about how weak and tired he was.

He laid his head back and closed his eyes.

Asides being the assistant of a Boss who needs him all the time. James was actually ready to live the simple life in the suburbs, everything changed when he was told to work for the Bond Family as their son assistant, he was just in high school back then.

He left basketball, music class and someone he cared for, his girlfriend. James never tried to meet any other girl or be in a relationship, he always was on his toes and he worked hard. Both James and Mark are good looking men that ladies would troop over and date in a heartbeat but he dedicated his life to the bond family.

He visits home, once a month. His mum and little sister, Being the sole provider. He sends money to them and checks up when due.

As he rested, he thought about what his life would be without being involved with the rich.

He was brought back to reality when he felt the buzz from his phone.

He inhaled deeply and sat down as appropriate, his legs are widened, he removed his glasses and rubbed his face.

He didn't check the caller. Instead he just picked up the call.

"Good morning, is this James?" The caller on the other line asked, surprised at who called, he removed the phone from his left ear, he wanted to check who called. It was an official line, so the pleasantries or conversation should be as official.

James Scoffed, he found out it was from a hidden number.

"Yes, I am James. How may I help you?" He asked as he went on his laptop, He had spent years being an assistant that he knew a lot about prank callers and the little tricks and games.

"Anthony Flenco, I need to have a meeting with Mark, as soon as possible." Anthony Said with a cold tone as he hanged up.

"what in the world?" James couldn't believe his ears. Mark never liked Anthony and now; They are to meet?

He sighed and puckered his lips. He couldn't believe his ears.

He paced around the room aimlessly with no idea of what to do.

"I should call sir Mark." He said out loud as he managed to rest his body on the table, He is aware the meeting would go well but this was impromptu and unprepared for.

He would have to book a flight immediately, He knew how the Italians worked; They loved a quick and smooth work. The pressure from the company and the deal to find the heirloom. Even though James wasn't half the man that Mark was, He knew he would bear moat of the headaches and the trauma and the stress. He is basically the human shield for Mark.

He sighed and palmed his face. He shook it off immediately and dialled his phone.

"Sir Mark?" He asked as he noticed he picked up the call. "Yeah what's up? i was binge watching a movie." Mark said in a cold tone as soon as he picked up the call.

"Yeah I am sorry but Flenco wants a meeting with you regarding the partnership and...... they want it soon." James let's out; without a pause in his breathe.

"What? Reschedule this moment, I came here for my heirloom and that only. Nothing else. Anything else can wait a few days or weeks. Don't piss me off..You know how important this is and how much it means to me, my family and the company. Don't ruin my mood more than it is." Mark yelled at his assistant, he didn't care about the circumstances or what could be the outcome, he was piqued about the the thought of being in a meeting with Anthony.

"Mr. Anthony Flenco requested the meeting himself." James spat as soon as the silence was heard. Mark scoffed and laughed hard. Mark is a strict man who wanted things do his own way. But who can blame him; He had things handed down to him. He was taught how to be independent since a young age. He wouldn't dare let someone else who have power, decide how he would rule.

He was on a vacation and for a reason. His assistant knew before he called.

"Then find a solution! how that my problem, isnt this why you were hired? isn't this your job?" Mark got piqued his so called assistant; didn't know what to do in regards situations like this.

"Don't call if it's not important and book your flight and get your ass here." Mark hung up immediately without a listen to his assistant.

"That was heated." Mark said as he moved the phone from his ear. He sighed and went on to eat. He didn't know what to feel or how to feel.

"Now i have to balance two bosses." He palmed his face in a slow manner. Unsure of what to do. He just left the office. His closed his eyes and grit his teeth.

"Another messed up week." He said as he raked his hair