ESTHER

Chapter nine

I arrived at the party, holding the bottles of expensive red alcoholic wine that has been specially packed for me. Jack Rhodes asked for me to meet him at a place, close to the entrance but not that close so that we both would go in together.

I finally found his car, which was parked very well hidden, from the attacks of paparazzi. I walked towards it and when I arrived, knocked on the window. It was quiet for a few seconds before the door opened. I made way for him and also to avoid being hit by the door, as he made his way out of the car. When he finally stepped out, my mouth hung open, amazed at the being that stood in front of me.

All the times I have met Jack Rhodes, he has always been in a suit. He was also in a suit, but this suit, made him seem even more outstanding. Jack Rhodes has always been tall. Even with my heels on, I barely managed to reach his shoulder. The sleeves of the suit hugged his torso snugly and formally. One can drool just thinking about what lay beneath the suit.

As he made his way out of the car, he studied me and for a moment, I swore he looked lost. Whatever emotion that he had shown on his face, he wiped it off quickly.

Closing the car door, he raises his right arm for me.

"Shall we go?" He asked. I nodded shyly and hooked my left arm to the arm he so nicely brought out for me. As we made our way towards the entrance, I took my time studying the strong arms of Jack Rhodes. He certainly was working out. After feeling his biceps, I had never been very sure of anything.

We reached the entrance where a red carpet had already been placed. Paparazzi were everywhere and they started taking pictures of us immediately we came into view. One of them shouted across the flicker of camera lights, asking Jack Rhodes who his date is. That was when my senses returned.

Studying the way we were holding hands and our entrance into the party, it did look like I was his date. But Jack Rhodes didn't say anything, so I didn't either.

Finally making it into the huge hallway, I was greeted by apparently what seemed to be a Butler. He guided us to the main room where the party was held. There were guests everywhere, waiters roaming systematically around sharing champagne. I looked minuscule compared to the people who were in the room. I gently tugged my hand that was being held by Jack Rhodes and he released it immediately.

"Come. Let's go over to see the celebrant. Did you bring a gift?" Jack Rhodes asked.

"Yes. I brought six bottles of la cratér which were specially wrapped for me. I dropped it by the pile of gifts at the entrance.

"Hmm. That was a very nice choice of wine you made there. Original, yet classy. That's good." He nodded his head approvingly.

"Thank you." I managed shyly. It wasn't everyday one got a compliment from him and I had already gotten two in one day. Making our way towards the celebrant, I finally had a good view of her.

Amy mackerel was the female version of Jack Rhodes. She screamed extravagance in every movement she made, every word she spoke and even the dress she had put on. For someone celebrating her fiftieth birthday, she looked young, like in her mid-thirties.

By the time we reached her, she was in the company of two guests. She looked up at us and excused herself from them when she noticed Jack. Coming over to Jack, she enveloped him in a hug. It was weird seeing the affection being displayed.

"Jack! I'm so glad you could make it! Its been so long since I last saw you. How are you?" She asked enthusiastically.

"I'm fine Aunt Amy," he said.

Wait. Hold up. Aunt Amy?

"I'm so glad you could make it. What if your mother?"

"She asked me to send her well wishes and she apologizes for not being able to come." He said, nonchalant.

"My sister and her job. Some things never change." She shook her head.

She is his freaking aunt?!! My thoughts were running haywire. I might have looked weird on the outside, but hopefully, nothing on my face gave it out. Amy finally looked at me, but something about the smile on her face sent chills down my spine.

"And who is this dear? I never knew you had such a lovely young Lady as a friend." Her smile was wide. Very wide. I noticed the suspicious look that passed between them.

"This is my Assistant, Miss Esther." He said. Facing me, he introduced his aunt. "Esther, this is my aunt Amy."

"Good evening Mrs Mackerel," I said with a nervous smile, not sure if I should bring my hands out for a shake.

"Oh, she is so lovely." She said and suddenly enveloped me in a hug. I swore my ribs broke. I'm pretty sure I heard a crack from somewhere in my body. She finally released me, but her hands were still sitting on my shoulder.

"It's Amy to you. You should call me Amy." I smiled at her.

"Okay, Amy. Happy birthday."

"Thank you so much. Now, why don't you both make yourselves comfortable? Sorry I couldn't stay with you for long."

"Its no problem aunt. Go have fun." Jack Rhodes encouraged. She blew him a kiss and left. I was having trouble breathing because of the hug and I think Jack Rhodes noticed because he gave me a sympathetic smile. Or what seemed Like it.

"I'm sorry about that. My aunt can be a bit, enthusiastic." He said.

"It's no problem," I said. We remained quiet for a while and he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

"Forgive my crudeness sir, but can I ask you a question?" I said, finally breaking the silence. Jack Rhodes looked at me questioningly before giving me a silent nod to go ahead.

"You never told me that she was your aunt. You just said she was your celebrity friend. Why didn't you tell me? I would have prepared better." Jack Rhodes looked at me in what seemed like amusement.

"Prepared better for what? You already did great! There was no need for any other preparation." He said.

"I don't know. I just thought that since I am your PA, that I'll know information like this, just in case of anything. But it's no problem." I said quietly. I was feeling weird and I didn't know why. We were silent for a while.

"I apologize to Miss Esther. I used this few seconds of silence that we just had to think about what you just told me. And I can sincerely say that I understand your point of view. I'll make sure to keep you well informed next time. But you did great tonight. Good job." I looked at him weirdly, shyness and confusion etched obviously on my face. Does he talk like that? I wondered.

     I wondered why he brought me here. There was nothing to help him with. Apart from the occasional greetings from people who want to build a business connection with him, we both just stood there, doing nothing. I wondered if this was some kind of test. My heels were already starting to ache.

"You can take a look around Esther. I want to see one of my business associates." He said, making his way towards a group of fancy rich men.

"Okay," I whispered, doubting if he heard me. I quickly made my way to the buffet table, picked up the food I was interested in, and sat down on a table that was placed next to it. I started to devour my food, realizing that I was really hungry.

"Hey Esther, what are you doing here?" I quickly raised my head at the familiar voice, the chicken I was holding still stuck in my mouth at my process of devouring it. If it were anybody else, I would seriously have died from extreme embarrassment.

"Uncle? What are you doing here?"