Eleven Parties

Word Count = 999 words

“We have an assignment for you!”

Jo Kitinger perked up when she heard this, and caught herself just in time before edging to the end of her seat. Instead she waited almost impatiently whilst her boss grinned.

“Ben Chase wants you to work with him on his most recent project.”

She almost gasped. Ben Chase wanted to work with her! How wonderful! Renowned throughout the journalism world as being one of the best, he was ruthless, and to the point. Yet, quite contradictory, he loved writing about all things domestic. It would be an honour to work with him, she knew, but she also had no desire to work on domestic issues. She wanted to write about the world, and make a difference.

He nodded. “I know it’s not ideal for you, but take it as experience with one of our best journalists. Ben will show you the ropes and he’ll write you a tremendous resume.”

Jo slowly nodded. “What’s the project?”

Here, her boss paused to try to stop a grin from spreading across his lined face. Unsuccessfully.

“Parties. It’s a piece about engagement parties. You’re going to be the subject of them.”

Jo struggled to keep her conflicted emotions at bay as her boss attempted to keep a straight, dignified expression on his face. Parties? How newsworthy...

*

The following evening found Jo dressed elegantly in a black cocktail dress, her hair twisted into a knot on top of her head, holding a cocktail glass of orange liquid, a wooden umbrella poking out the top of it. She felt awkward as about forty people glided onto the ship that Ben Chase had hired for the evening. It was undoubtedly a successful party, but Jo did not know any of the people that were wishing her congratulations on her so-called engagement to the “fine, handsome Mr Chase”.

Chase laughed at Jo’s awkwardness. “It has to look real!” he cried enthusiastically. “After all, it is a piece on engagement parties?”

“You enjoy this?” she demanded.

“Of course! Who wouldn’t?”

Jo blushed as a complete stranger approached her with a golden gift-wrapped present , congratulating her. She nodded, not quite knowing what to say. Chase scowled.

“I said no presents,” he said.

As the congrats kept coming, Jo realised there was only one thing to do. Wobbling slightly in her uncomfortable heels, she stalked away to the cocktail bar, hitched herself up onto a bar stool and decided that getting drunk would be the best thing to do in this situation.

*

The grass skirt was scratching her legs; the flip flops were making her toes ache. The fake sand across the floor was starting to turn a wet and gloopy mess from spilt drinks and her head was throbbing.

“That’ll teach you to drink on the job,” frowned Chase. He had known instantly that Jo was hungover that morning.

Still, she had to admit that this party was much less embarrassing than last night’s. This party was labelled ‘open to all’ and was held in a room of a club, decked out in a Hawaiian theme, with a fake palm tree and all. No presents this time either. Drinking lemonade, she watched as Chase made notes in his booklet, thinking that perhaps this wasn’t such a bad job...

*

“This is ridiculous,” she hissed.

“Have to keep up pretences Jo,” he reminded her as he spun her around the dance floor.

This one was a masquerade ball, and as much as she loved the wonderful emerald gown she had been given to wear, and the beautiful feathered mask, it was possibly more embarrassing than the cocktail party. At least then she hadn’t had to dance with him!

“Smile,” he told her, and she gave a nicely big, fake grin to let the watchers ‘ahh’ over. There had been more presents that evening, much to her dismay. She felt wrong. Why were they doing this?

Although she had to admit that as Chase smiled at her, he looked rather handsome in his tux and tie.

“You look beautiful by the way.”

Jo couldn’t help but smile at that.

*

Six more parties. Six! How would she get through them? The last two had been a shambles and she had ended up drinking herself into a peaceful oblivion in the corner, not realising how drunk she was until Chase had tried to get her to dance. One was a stupid rave party, the other a cartoon-fancy dress. Where did he get his ideas from? Tonight was a barbeque-garden party to allow Chase to introduce his ‘fiancée’ to his family. How in the world was she going to get through it??

*

Thank goodness that this was the last one. In the last three weeks she had dressed as a leopard, a queen, Minnie Mouse, and more, and tonight at least just involved a pretty dress. Tonight’s was a boat cruise party, similar to the cocktail party. It was nice, she decided, standing on the deck of the boat, watching the stars twinkling in the river. Eleven parties had been exhausting and often traumatic, but she had admittedly enjoyed some of them. Chase had turned out to be quite a considerate boss too.

He approached her now.

“We have a great article,” he commented, staring into the water with her.

“Good. I’m sick of parties for now.”

“Let’s dance,” he replied.

Surprised, Jo took his hand and let him lead her to the dancefloor.

“Again, you look lovely.”

“Thanks.”

They danced in silence for a moment, waiting for the photographer to finish capturing them for the article.

“Jo?”

“Yes?”

“Do you fancy going out sometime?”

Her eyes widened. “With you?”

He grinned sheepishly. “I’ve...urm...been wanting to ask you for a while.”

“Okay then,” she responded shyly. “As long as there are no more parties!”

He smiled at her; she smiled back. Probably the first genuine smile she had given him.

“No parties. Promise,” he said and kissed her lightly on the lips.