by Jane Keeler
“Do people even come here?” Eva asked.
“Only the one’s that I like” said this burly black man as he came out of the kitchen. “How are you doing Mayor?” he asked Alex as he shook his hands.
“As well as we can be, Bill. It’s been a while.” Alex said. “Bill, meet Eva. She will working as a PR in my team from now on. You can trust her.” he added waving a hand towards her.
This was not the most romantic place on earth. But there was something about the whole rustic feel of the setting that made Eva swoon with joy. She had never come to a place like this before in her life. And she was pretty sure, had it not been for Alex, she would never have known about this place either. She could feel that she was developing some sort of a liking towards Alex.
“Am I smitten by Alex already?” Eva asked herself. “How can I develop any sort of affinity towards a guy on the first day that I meet him?” Eva felt perplexed.
Alex ventured out into the Kitchen as Eva took a seat at one of the only two tables at the joint. Alex came back from the Kitchen and took a seat opposite her.
“Do you like the place? Not too bad, huh?” Alex was gloating with pride.
“I must admit I have never come to a place like this. Is this where you bring all the other girls? Do I need to feel scared about what I going to come next? Are you some sort of a psychotic serial killer?” Eva was teasing Alex.
“Hey! Hold on lady!” Alex was dumbfounded.
“Forget it! I was just having fun with you.” said Eva as she winked at him.
Alex’s heart skipped a beat. His heart fluttered when she smiled like that.
“Well, you got me there!” said Alex sniggering.
“So let’s talk about the park. Is everyone on board your plan?” Eva asked Alex.
“Sadly, no.” said Mike looking down dejected. “There is uproar from the opposition saying that this is as a needless investment at a time when we are still feeling the effects of the economic downturn from a few years ago.”
“But opening a work will only increase employment wouldn’t it?” asked Eva.
“Yes, but that’s in the future isn’t it? The minds of the people are still stuck in the past. They need to see that what we need to do now is build towards the future. Not look at the past or our current affairs, but plan and do things for the future; for the next generation. I have tried very hard to convince that this is what we need right now – a sign of hope. But somehow I have not been able to get through to them.” said Alex trying to catch his breath.
“Wow! I really did not think you are so passionate about your work.” said Eva as she felt her fondness towards Alex grow.
“Yeah! I get a bit carried away sometime!” Alex exclaimed.
By then the steaks were ready. They were served a portion each and without wasting much time, they dug in. The food was so good, there was not a single word any of them said till they were finished.
Alex let out a burp before saying “Sorry about that!”
“Eww. That’s gross!” Eva said as she shut her eyes and contorted her nose.
“We have to wait a couple of minutes, before I am ready to leave. I am so full!” said Alex.
“So how many girlfriends have you had?” Eva was surprised she said that out loud.
“Well, aren’t you a nosey one. But, to answer a question, I have never had one quite smart and beautiful like you.” said Alex.
Eva suppressed a blush and excused herself to the washroom. She came and saw that Alex was already paying for the food. But Bill was having none of that.
“I am not going to take any money from you Mayor. I have a business to run here. And I intend on keeping this joint running!” joked Bill.
“Alright. Thanks for the food then, Bill!” Alex said and followed Eva out into the car.
“Well that was an adventure! Are you dropping me off?” asked Eva.
“Of course I’m dropping you off. Do you really think I am going to let go of a chance to see where you stay?” said Alex sarcastically.
They reached Eva’s house and Alex came out of the car to bid her goodbye.
“Goodnight Alex. See you tomorrow morning.” Eva said as she walked towards the gate to her apartment.
Alex pulled her close and tried to kiss her.
“We really shouldn’t Alex. I have barely even met you. And I do not want to give you the wrong impression. I really like you!” Eva said stopping Alex.
“I am so sorry about that. I do not know what came over me. See you tomorrow then.” Alex got back into the car hurriedly as he said that and drove off; obviously embarrassed about the whole situation.
Chapter 4
Eva reached office the next day and walked straight into Alex’s office.
“We cannot let the events of last night stop us for working together. This job is way too important for me to do that.” Eva was furious.
“Alright Jess. You can leave now. Mail me the schedule for today, will you?” Alex smiled towards Jess who was standing just behind Eva as he said that.
In a fit of emotion laced with fury and desperation, Eva had forgotten to even check if the room was empty before she started speaking. She realized how stupidly she behaved. She started apologizing to Alex as soon as Jess left the room and shut the door behind her back.
“I am so sorry about that! I cannot believe how I carried myself!” Eva said, looking down.
“That’s alright Eva. Jess has heard things far worse in this room than what you just said.” Alex said laughing. They decided henceforth to not talk about the incident and behave like professionals.
Over the next few weeks Eva and Alex worked together to solve the issue of the park. Through their collective efforts they had managed to make great inroads. Using her contacts with some additional help from her boss, Emma, they managed to put together a campaign which signified the chance for hope that building the park signified. They had even asked people to sign an online petition to show their support and managed to get it endorsed by some of the top Hollywood celebrities. Things were beginning to change and there was a huge amount of positive chatter that was generated about Alex as a politician.
Things got so busy; they barely ever had a chance to talk about that incident that took place outside Eva’s gate that night. Eva was more tensed about her work than ever before. But the more time she spent with Alex, the more she admired him for the gentleman that he was. He rarely ever lost his patience and his ability to relate to people in general was exemplary. This showed how much empathy he had for the people. She also noted how cunning he was when it came to achieving his goals. He was not happy with the PR executive from earlier, so he asked for a change in personnel. Alex was the first to understand that it was the PR strategy that needed to be changed to make this work for him. And even when talking to the mass, he used quotes and words that made the whole situation more of a sentimental thing instead of a political one.
One morning, after leaving late from work the earlier night, Alex woke up to the noise of cars screeching and people shouting. He woke up groggily and went to the window to see what the commotion was all about and saw that there were news crews from almost all over the country trying to get into his house. His guards were holding them off near the front porch but it was obvious that they would not be able to hold them off for much longer. Alex went out to the porch himself to get some answers.
As soon as he pushed the door open and stepped into the porch, a swarm of journalists with their mic and their cameramen jumped on his. All of them were asking questions simultaneously so Alex was not able to understand a thing they were saying.
“Calm down. Calm down. I cannot hear you speak.” Alex said as he tried to pacify the crowd.
“Mr. Mayor, is it true that you frequent brothels?” one journalist asked.
“Mr. Riley, what do you have to say about the allegations that have been labelled against you?” asked another.
“Mr. Riley, what would be you next course of action?�
�� asked yet another journalist.
“Are you going to step down as a Mayor?” asked a journalist with a British accent.
Alex could not believe what he was hearing. He retreated inside his house so that he could escape and think for a bit. He was completely clueless what all this was about. He could not imagine what they were talking about.
“Did one of them just say something about brothels? Oh god, no! Please, no! I cannot have heard that correctly!” he was trying to convince himself.
His cell phone rang suddenly and it was Emma who was calling.
“Alex, have you seen the news?” Emma asked him.
“No I haven’t. But there is a mob of journalists outside my house. What is happening Emma?” Alex questioned Emma.
“Alex I do not have details yet, but it seems some woman, who says she works as a sex worker or an escort, has come out in the open to say that you frequently visited her. The press has got hold of her claims and now everyone is baying for your blood.”
“What are you even talking about?” Alex asked still unsure about the situation.
“You need to get yourself together and think. I do not know if that is true, but I’m trying to get more information on this.” explained Emma.
“Emma did you just say that you do not know if this is true? Do you really think I am some kind of a frustrated pervert? You’ve known me for years Emma.” asked Alex incredulously.
“Alex I never said that you are any of those things. I am trying to help you here.” Emma tried to explain the situation to Alex.
Disgruntled, Alex hung up. He could not believe this was happening to him. He had worked so hard to reach this position. And he had no clue where this woman had popped up from. He tried to call Eva thinking that she would understand but she kept disconnecting her calls. It was as if the whole world came crashing down on him.
Chapter 5
Eva was perplexed. She was up and about in the morning doing Yoga while watching the morning news when she saw a woman appear on one of the channels and talk something about Alex. Eva was not paying heed at first but the breaking news ticker at the bottom made her realize that it was related to adultery. That is when she turned the volume up and heard everything that the escort had to say. She knew that Alex was not the most honorable person on earth but to think that he would frequent brothels and indulge in orgies. The incident made front page news. But she could not decide whose side she was on. If the incident was true, his career was over and she had made a mistake judging him. However, if the incident was a plot against him devised by someone from the opposition, he would need her help. She was praying that it was the latter but right now; she had no way of knowing. She kept receiving calls from Alex, but she let the calls go to voicemail. Over the last few weeks she had grown to be quite infatuated with Alex. But she was torn now. She realized the first person she should call is Emma – she would know what to do. She dialed her number and Emma picked after a ring or two.
“Hello Eva! Thank god you called. I was just about to call you. You must have heard about the incident.” Emma asked Eva.
“It’s all over the news. What do I do, Emma?” Eva asked back.
“It is pretty evident that Alex has been seeing that escort for a long time now. Did you hear the details that she gave about him? I think you should just quit this assignment and come back to the Bywater office.” said Emma nonchalantly.
Eva found this very unsettling. She had hoped that Emma would not believe what she heard on TV about Alex. She remembered her talking about Alex quite fondly when assigning her the job as his PR. Emma had barely hung up, when she saw an unknown number calling her phone. She picked up the phone and could not recognize the voice.
“Listen to me carefully Eva, I don’t have much time. My name is Peter and I was the one who you replaced to work as PR for Alex. Consider this a warning: Do not trust Emma. And whatever you are seeing on the news is all made up. There is no truth to behind those allegations. I was let go because I was not able to get enough dirt on Alex. And now that the opposition are not able to find any either, they have made up a story. This was probably a desperate measure taken because of the positive reviews that Alex’s Children Park campaign garnered. But I will not be able to testify this anywhere. It is up to you and Alex to figure that out. Please do not try to contact me. I do not wish to be involved in this. If you need help, contact the intern – Mike.” said the caller and hung up abruptly.
Eva knew as soon as she heard the news that there was more to this story than meets the eye. Emma calling and asking her to give up the assignment was another indication. And now the final nail was struck by this Peter guy. She called Alex back. She needed some answers.
“Hello, Alex? I know you must be upset that I did not pick up your calls, but I needed some answers before I spoke to you.” Eva started off as soon as Alex picked up the call.
“Eva I have done nothing of the sort that this woman is saying. I have never seen her before.” Alex let out.
“I know that. And that is why I needed to be certain about some things before I spoke with you.” Eva said.
“Eva we’ve been working together for the last few weeks and believe me I have wanted to be with you since the day I first saw you in my office. But I have never crossed my boundaries. It pained me every day that I could not hold you in my arms but I never even spoke to you about this because of the incident on the first night. I am not what that woman on the TV is making me out to be. You have got to believe me.” Alex was venting his frustration.
Eva was touched by what Alex had said. She could not deny that she had feelings for him too. And she knew how Alex felt about her. She needed to talk to him in person.]
“Alex, can you ask Ravi to come pick me up from my place? I need to speak to you in person.” said Eva.
“Ok. I am asking Ravi to leave right now. He won’t be using my car. He’ll be driving his car so do not keep looking for my car near your apartment gate.” said Alex before they hung up.
Eva waited outside her apartment for Ravi to come with his car. The car arrived soon and she was quickly whisked away to Alex’s place. Ravi asked her to use the back gate as there were journalists lined up at the front. Alex was waiting for her inside, head in hand.
Chapter 6
Eva decided to not play around and come straight to the point. “I received a very strange call a couple of hours ago. It was from your former PR executive. He says that this is all a plot against you by the opposition to tarnish the good name that you have generated in the last few weeks.”
“Peter?” asked Alex.
“Yes. And there seems to be a connection between Emma and the opposition too as Peter categorically asked me not to trust her. And she called me in the morning and basically asked me to stay away from you.” Eva had laid all the facts in front of Alex.
“Wow! I knew Politics was a dirty game. But for people to stoop so low was beyond my imagination. And Emma? I considered her a friend!” Alex said frustrated.
“Alex firstly, I have to make a statement to the press. We have to deny everything that has been said against you. We have to let the people know that you are not what the opposition is making you look like. And I have to talk to Mike. He knows something.” said Eva.
“Alright. I am going to be working out of my home for a few days until this gets resolved.” Alex said.
Eva was about to leave for Alex’s place when he held her back. Eva looked back and could not control herself any longer. They kissed deeply and passionately.
“Eva, I do not know what I would’ve done without you.” Alex said as a tear started rolling down his cheeks.
“Oh shut up and kiss me, stupid!” Eva said, surprising herself.
Alex never felt passion like this in his life. He could feel his insides doing a flip. He had been with a number of girls in his life but no one made him feel the way Eva did. Her smartness and beauty was infectious. He felt a sense of calmness when she was around. And they ma
de a great team. The weeks working on the Park project had proved to be extremely fruitful. So much so that the opposition felt threatened and come up with a cheap shot to destabilize his career. And they complemented each other very well. She was the yin to his yang.
They undressed each other and fumbled to unhook each other’s pants. Alex pushed Eva on to his bed and kept kissing her. Eva pulled his bottom towards her and rubbed against his erect manhood. Eva had dreamt about this a number of times before. But the reality of it all was beyond her wildest imagination. She pulled his boxers down with one hand while her other hand was removing her inners. Alex did not need a second invitation before he started to push in deep inside Eva. Eva let out a moan of passion and Alex tried to suppress it, fearing that the guards outside would hear it. Eva blushed as Alex put his hand over her mouth. Eva felt her body shake in pleasure as Alex continued to push deeper and deeper inside her. She could feel their fluids mixing and that thought gave her more pleasure. She pushed Alex to the side and mounted him like a horse. She loved how perfectly Alex fit inside her. She kept going up and down Alex’s manhood as waves of pleasure followed one after another. Eva could feel that Alex was about to come from his face which showed an expression of pure orgasmic bliss. Eva went faster and just as Alex tapped her hip to signal that he was about to erupt, she got up from over him and lay just besides him holding his pulsating organ in her hands. Alex came earnestly and all over himself and Eva’s hands. Eva pulled out a tissue from the tissue box on the bedside table and wiped her hands. She made a dash for the washroom to clean herself up and Alex followed him inside the bathroom. She cleaned herself up as Alex was washing himself off. They kissed again.
“I have to go, Alex. For your sake, I have to go and meet Mike, before someone scares him away too.” Alex said, stopping for a moment before kissing him again.
“I know. I know. I feel I can die now and it wouldn’t matter.” Alex declared.
“Well now, somebody’s feeling all lovey-dovey today! Did you not say that you did not believe in love or relationships?” asked Eva as she started to dress up to head out.
