Page 40 of Dr. Billionaire
“Did you remember to invite your parents?” Mark asked tentatively. They both knew this was a sore subject, but he’d been encouraging Jenna to reach out to them for the past few months.
Jenna sighed. “I texted my mom about it. No response yet.”
“When did you send the text?”
“…Yesterday,” Jenna answered.
Now it was Mark’s turn to sigh. “Jenna…” he said, a hint of warning coming through his tone.
“Please don’t make a big deal out of it,” she said, spinning her earring rack to locate just the right pair. “I’m already nervous enough about tonight.”
“Okay, you’re right,” Mark said, coming up behind her and kissing the top of her head. “Let’s get going. Didn’t you tell Chloe you’d meet her there early?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Jenna took a deep breath to calm herself, then moved to the full-length mirror to assess her look. She was wearing a chic yet casual outfit, a fitted black graphic tee featuring the iconicFriendslogo, paired with high-waisted, distressed denim jeans. Over her tee, she had a light, oversized olive-green cardigan that added a touch of comfort to her ensemble. Her short blonde hair was styled in loose waves, and she’d finished her look with a bit of subtle makeup to highlight her green eyes. “This is going to be a good night,” she told her reflection.
The evening sky was streaked with the colors of twilight as Mark and Jenna arrived at the convention center. Jenna couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and nerves buzzing in her chest. She had spent months planning this, and this was the night it all came together.
As they walked through the main entrance, Jenna’s eyes widened in delight at the sight that greeted them. The event planner she had hired had outdone herself, transforming the space into a perfect homage to her beloved sitcom.
The entrance was adorned with a giant, hand-painted Central Perk sign. To the right, there was a life-sized replica of the Central Perk couch, complete with mismatched colorful cushions, inviting guests to sit and take themed selfies. A few attendees were already there, excitedly posing and chatting.
Further inside, the walls of the convention hall were plastered with themed decorations and quotes from the show. One wall had a large mural of the classic title sequence, featuring the cast dancing in front of a fountain. Another wall was decorated with large photo prints of memorable moments from the show—Ross’s “pivot” scene, Chandler and Monica’s wedding, Joey wearing all of Chandler’s clothes, and more.
Tables were scattered throughout the space, each covered in a tablecloth mimicking the pattern of Monica’s checkered table. There was a porcelain dog statue reminiscent of Joey and Chandler’s decor mishaps and a foosball table, which was already attracting a small crowd.
Suspended from the ceiling were colorful string lights, and in the corner was a DJ booth with a playlist of ‘90s hits and the iconicFriendstheme song. The event even featured a small stage area, where trivia games and costume contests were set to take place.
As they took in the scene, Mark leaned in and whispered, “This is incredible, Jenna. You and your planner did an amazing job.”
“What am I, chopped liver?” Chloe said as she came up behind them, playfully batting Mark’s arm.
“And of course, none of this could have happened without the amazing Chloe,” Mark said, smiling and giving Chloe a hug.
Jenna grinned as she hugged Chloe next. Her friend—and now coworker—seemed to be in a much better place the last few months. Back to her old self, in fact.
The event planner came bustling over to them. “Well, what do we think?” The girl was in her mid-twenties, with shoulder-length auburn hair and a scattering of freckles across her face. She was a bundle of energy and creativity, a force to be reckoned with despite her petite frame.
“It’s absolutely perfect, Marley,” Jenna gushed.
“I’ve got you set up at a table over here. Let’s get you settled, people are already starting to line up.”
The energy in the room was palpable, with about fifty early arrivers milling about, engaging in animated discussions about their favorite episodes and capturing memories with the themed decor. It was surreal to witness her vision brought to life, and even more so to see a line forming just to meet her.
“Jenna! Jenna!” A group of fans waved excitedly, and she waved back, her heart swelling with joy as she approached the table set up for her to sign autographs and take pictures.
As they settled into their chairs, the first fan, a young woman with a Phoebe T-shirt, stepped forward, her eyes wide withexcitement. “I can’t believe I’m meeting you in person!” she gushed.
Jenna felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “Thank you so much!” she replied sincerely, signing a picture and posing for a selfie.
Usually it was Mark who garnered the attention when they went out. Tonight it was her turn, and the shift was both exhilarating and a bit awkward for her.
Glancing to the side, Jenna caught sight of Mark mingling with a group of fans near the Central Perk couch. He was talking animatedly, hands gesturing as he recounted an amusing anecdote. When he noticed her looking, he gave her a smile that made her heart skip a beat. It was a smile full of pride and encouragement.
She watched as he stepped away from the group and made his way over to her. “How’s it going, superstar?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. “You’ve got quite the fan club.”
She laughed softly, feeling a warmth spread through her. “It’s incredible, Mark. I never imagined this kind of turnout.”
“Well, you deserve every bit of it,” he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.”
