Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 99

was she sending me on a path that could possibly ruin my entire company? Finally, I turned and headed to the door where Ashlee waited. Chloe set her food-filled napkin on a table and followed on my heels.

Ashlee placed a hand on my arm at the door, "You were the only one requested. I'm afraid we can't let anyone else on stage."

"Oh," I said, looking over my shoulder at Chloe. "This is my new bodyguard."

"I go where he goes," Chloe said matter-of-factly, "or he doesn't get to go."

I looked at Ashlee, who looked as surprised as I felt. I knew Chloe would have to be intimately involved in my affairs, but the fact that I couldn't go anywhere without her was news to me. I wondered how much of that statement was hyperbole. For the moment though, I decided it was best to agree with Chloe. Considering our limited history, I didn't think Ashlee would push back very hard.

"She's right," I confirmed.

Ashlee looked askance at me for a full ten seconds.

"Relax," Chloe said, with more than a hint of annoyance in her voice, "I'm not going on stage with him. Just as long as I can stay close and keep him in my sights."

The younger VanCamp finally turned around and led us toward the auditorium. Was It just my imagination, or had I seen a fleeting glimpse of hurt on her face before she'd turned away from me? Was she really that sensitive?

We followed Ashlee back down the hallway toward the auditorium. Once we reached the door, Ashlee peeked her head through, and I could clearly hear someone on the other side talking through an amplified system.

"...and now I'd like to introduce you to the new king of the empire, Mr. Marcus Upton!"

The door opened and Ashlee gestured for me to head out. I did, and immediately froze two steps beyond the threshold as I was greeted by the thunderous applause of a sea of onlookers. I'd seen them all milling about less than thirty minutes ago, but to witness them all assembled as a group of faceless onlookers staring at me... Seriously, there had to be at least a thousand people in this room! I felt like a deer in headlights who was being thrown into the room! I felt like a deer in headlights who was being thrown into the deep end of a swimming pool at a high school in nothing but my underwear. Insert any other overused metaphors that applied.

I felt someone touch my arm and looked to see Ashlee standing on the threshold of the door, nodding toward an empty chair in the middle of the stage, and giving me an encouraging smile. I swallowed and glanced at Chloe, who was peering over Ashlee's shoulder but wasn't looking at me, she was scanning the crowd.

I turned, squared my shoulders, and tried to look as confident asl could as I walked out on the stage

A light glared down on me as I walked toward Karl, Chandler, a thick, stocky woman in her early fifties I assumed was the PR Director, another old white guy I'd never met, and an older, balding Asian man with glasses. A sixth empty chair sat next to Karl. Opposite those six spots sat Julla Lyons. She was one of the famous pundits from Channel Seven News and a total knock-out which probably hadn't hurt when they considered her to deliver the news on a massive, national network. She had dirty blonde hair that fell to her shoulders, bright blue-green eyes, and full lips on a generous mouth that gave her a slightly exotic quality. Her crimson-painted lips contrasted appealingly with her fair skin, which glowed under the stage lights. She stood up as I approached the chairs and offered me a smile and her hand.

"Mr. Upton, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Julia Lyons with Channel Seven. Please have a seat."

"I know who you are," I said as I shook her hand and then sat next to Karl. I immediately regretted saying it like that, thinking it sounded a little harsh.

"I suppose so," she said as she regained her seat, "but we don't know anything about you."

"Um..." I glanced at Karl, "There's not much to tell."

"Well that can't be true," she said amusedly. "What's this we hear about you being the sole inheritor of a massive media empire?"

"Oh," waved my hand at her dismissively, already feeling a bit more comfortable with the situation. Julia was not only beautiful but talented. She had a disarming way about her that made me forget that we were speaking in front of a crowd of people and cameras. I barely registered the laughter from the audience as she

asked her question. "Well, there is that, but other than about two weeks ago, I've lived a pretty boring life. I worked for a finance company. In fact-

I felt a gentle nudge from my left side as Karl's elbow came in contact with my arm. It was accompanied by a small cough. The message was clear, stick to the ************

"In fact..." I reflexively glanced down at Helen's paper crumpled in my hand.

"I... haven't been in touch with the Gerrards in years. We lived a pretty quiet life after the death of my father. Colin Gerrard, I mean."

I could see Julia's eyes flicker back and forth between Karl and me, clearly picking up on the fact that something happened between the two of us, but she continued on without missing a beat.

"So your father died and you were estranged from the rest of the family?"

"That's correct," I replied. "According to my mom, it hurt Colin too much to keep in contact with us after his son died. He took care of us financially, but cut us off from the family in every other respect. To be honest, I didn't even know my grandfather was Colin Gerrard until two weeks ago."

I could feel Karl stiffen in his seat next to me. We had talked about keeping my relationship with Colin to a bare minimum, so me sharing my past freely with Julia was clearly not expected, but despite the tense situation, I was enjoying seeing him flat-footed for a change. Karl seemed like a good enough guy, but sornetimes it felt like he enjoyed seeing me flounder like I was a caveman seeing an airplane for the first time. It felt good to see his feathers ruffled.

Thank you, Helen.

That must have been hard for you, wondering about your father all those years, Julia said, appearing intrigued. "What do you think about being a Gerrard? Have you met any of the family?"

"It's been interesting. I've been learning a lot about the business this past week," lied, "but I haven't been in contact with any of the farnily yet."

Karl was visibly squirming in his seat.

"What about the company? Colin Gerrard was known as a meticulous and detail-oriented businessman. Will you be continuing his legacy by taking an active role in the company?"

"I don't" Karl started to say, but emboldened by his discomfort and becoming more convinced that Helen had been honest, I cut him off.

To Be Continued...