JON WOKE UP feeling hungover. He felt a very serious migraine."What did I have to drink last night?" He mumbled to himself as he rolled over. His head felt like a game of catch was being held in his skull. He swung his leg over the side of his bed and sat up. His head was pounding as he headed to the bathroom to wash up. He still had no idea of what to do next regarding his business life. Should he play safe and leave it as it is, and keep on enjoying the rewards of his father and grandfather? Or should he go against the odds and try again, risking running at a loss and humiliation?Those were the thoughts circling his head as he stood in the cold shower and shampooed his hair. He washed up and came out a few minutes later, dripping water all over the floor. He opened his closet, not in the mood for any type of suit, so he picked a shirt and suit pants. He left the top button open, folded the sleeves of the shirts and as an afterthought, he grabbed a thick woollen sweater and hun
IN A FEW minutes, Jon had arranged a meeting with Nicole. More like a date in Jon's point of view. If Maxim wanted to play dirty, Jon could play even dirtier. He smiled as he ended the call and turned to his friends and stepbrother that were watching him. Jeff raised an eyebrow, "Well?" "I have it under control," Jon said, feeling important. "Bullshit," Lucas snapped, "You are incompetent and should not be let to run the family because the only place you can run us, is to the ground." Jon glared at him but did not say anything before taking a deep breath and entering the next room. Stefan still sat at the table as their help cleared away dirty dishes. Jon took a seat opposite his father and said, "I have it under control." Stefan nodded, "I'm sure you do," He pinned Jon with a dead pan stare and said, "But that is bad, Jonathan. Bad for you, bad for the family name." Jon nodded, "I know.""What do you have in mind to do now?" Stefan asked. "I am not still sure yet," Jon sai
A SILENT 30 minutes drive later, Luke parked the car in the underground garage. Lucas and Jon stepped out. Lucas patted his shoulders and said, "While you'll be away on a date, I will be taking care of the family's business." He smirked at Jon and walked to the elevator.Jon frowned and followed Lucas. They both got into the elevator. Lucas smirked and said, "You are going to stand your date up?" Jon remained silent. The elevator opened and Oliver was standing outside."Good morning, sirs," Oliver greeted. Lucas scoffed and walked past, Jon nodded at Oliver's greeting. "What of Mr Richard?" Oliver asked. Jon shook his head, "Rick won't be coming anymore." Oliver looked like he wanted to pursue the matter but he kept quiet. "What do I have to do today?" Jon asked, walking to his office. "Well, you should be expecting a guest by 1 p.m.," Oliver said. "Who is that?" Jon asked, stopping in his tracks and looking at Oliver. "Someone called Mr Bach," Oliver said, looking at his
NICOLE SMILED AND asked, "I know of the rivalry between you and Maxim." "Hmm," Jon said. A waiter came by, "Can I get you anything?" "We'll think about it, but for now, just get a glass of coffee please."The waiter nodded and bowed before leaving them. Nicole leaned closer before continuing with what she was saying, "You seem like a pretty decent guy," She said, "Don't let Maxim drag you down…" Jon smiled, "You don't seem like you fancy your fiancé so much." Nicole scoffed, "Trust me, I don't. I think I told you before, I'm only with him out of family duties." "Well, he's a lucky guy," Jon said. "He surely doesn't see himself as lucky," Nicole replied. Jon started to say something but stopped as the waiter approached. The waiter carried a jug of black coffee in a wide tray that held small empty cups, and cups of milk, cream, sugar and little spoons. "Thank you," Nicole mouthed silently to the waiter, while Jon simply nodded. The waiter poured some black coffee into the two
MAXIM SMILED AS he held open the papers that morning. He had told Antonio to gently spread the news that it was Jonathan Stone that was ripped off his space at the Bay. He was quite proud of himself as he read the article on Jon. A weird smile was plastered on his handsome face for the major part of the day. His secretary even caught him whistling one time. He sat in his office located on 145th Square Avenue. Near his New Jersey apartment. In contrast to his intimidating personality, Maxim Ivanov's office was not an astounding building. Maxim was not a big fan of big buildings, so he kept his buildings as 'modest' as he could. His New Jersey office was a small building that could have easily passed for a new-generation bank. It was just 4 stories high and empty for the major part. He just planned to base more in New Jersey. "The building would need a renovation," He muttered to himself. And while he didn't work in his father's business, he still had to talk with the old man. He
A WEEK HAS PASSED since Mr Bach's meeting with Lucas but it still bugged Jon's mind at the strange way that the meeting ended. Mr Bach seemed very hurried in his leaving. Jon came downstairs to breakfast wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans."You're not going to work today?" Paxton asked. "I guess I am," Jon replied, sitting down and reaching for the daily newspaper. He had adopted his father's way of eating breakfast while going through the paper. The business world was quite calm and stable at the moment. No scandal. No hearing of Maxim Ivanov or The Orsattis in any article. Jon sighed in relief and closed the paper. "Hey, man," Rick said, coming into the dining room, "Look at this," He held out his phone for them to look at his screen. "Amanda is hosting a party?" Jon asked. "Yeah!" Rick nodded, slumping into a seat beside Jon. "Party for what?" Paxton asked"I don't know," Rick shrugged, "What does it matter? So listen, Jon," He said in a serious tone, "How cool would it be t
"HELLO TO YOU too, Dad," Maxim said sourly. His father scoffed, he stood up from the log of wood from which he watched his birds. "Come in," He said to Maxim as he walked past him. Maxim followed his father through a glass door in the back of the house. The house looked like it was printed from the page of a magazine. Everywhere was sparkling clean. "You care for some breakfast?" His father asked. Maxim shrugged nonchalantly, "I guess. I know how much you love cooking." His father smiled slightly, turning on the stove. In a few minutes, the sweet aroma of something nice filled the air and the sound of sizzling could be heard. Maxim could hear his stomach growl at the scent of the aroma. His father turned to him, "So… entering business with the Mafia, are you?" "Where did you hear that?" Maxim asked, not in any mood to discuss morals with his father, "You spend all your time watching flying rats and little dinosaurs." His father chuckled and stirred what was cooking, "I don'
MAXIM TOOK HIS time driving to the meeting point. He was going to apologise for the change in location anyway, so why not do something worth apologising for? After another half an hour, he pulled into the parking lot of The Cuisine, an exotic continental restaurant.A very big pickup truck was parked in the lot, instinct told Maxim that that was Leonardo's car. He parked his car next to the pickup and got out. He looked around as he stepped out and was surprised to see Leonardo had waited in his truck and only got out when Maxim arrived. "You are late," Leonardo grunted. He wore an expensive-looking leather jacket with numerous zippers. His hair and ponytail looked like it was styled with an excess amount of gel, it glistened in the sun."I am very sorry," Maxim said in a not-so-sorry tone. Leonardo snorted and they both went into the restaurant. As they sat, Leonardo said, "I know you don't want to be here, well, neither do I. But nobody opposes my grandfather." Maxim chuckled