Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
The bubbly blonde skipped to them, and Bobby couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Nessa Carmichael was already in her mid-twenties, but she still acted like a high school girl most times. “Yes, boss?”
“Bobby wants to look at the first performer’s resume.”
Dismay fell over Nessa’s face. “Oh, umm, well, you see...”
“Don’t play cute with us, Nessa. You know it won’t work.”
Nessa blurted out, “I don’t have it. He was a last minute addition, and he told me he really wanted to be a part of this so...I felt bad for him and let him audition.”
“Do you have his name at least?” Bobby asked.
Nessa nodded eagerly. “He said his name was...” Her brow furrowed. “It sounded like coffee.”
“Coffee?” F and Bobby were both bemused.
The biker who had just performed was heading towards them now, and Bobby wondered if it would be safe to accept him as part of the opening act when apparently he hadn’t gone through the foundation’s preliminary checks. Bobby liked being thorough and always requested for background checks on anyone who had business with the foundation. She didn’t want anyone with a criminal background – and that included speeding tickets – within a mile of her kids.
“Nessa, his name, please,” F said impatiently.
“I’m trying to remember it...I swear it really did sound something like coffee...”
The biker had reached them, and Bobby belated realized he was much taller than he had seemed from afar, forcing her to look up. Something about him was terribly familiar, and her heart started to beat a crazy erratic rhythm.
Surely, it couldn’t be—-
Nessa exclaimed, “I got it!” A smile broke over her face. “He said his name was kópanos.”
Bobby’s heart crashed.
The biker slowly took off his helmet.
Leandro Christopoulos smiled at her. “Hello, mégaira.”
Chapter Two
INHALE, EXHALE.
This time, Bobby was locked inside the private bathroom of the VIP box of the stadium, but everything else was the same. Its marble walls couldn’t mute the sound of the noise outside. Earlier, it was the roar of motorcycle engines and the clamor of the press. This time, what she heard was a mixture of laughter and chattering voices as the staff of Needs Heard mingled with the staff of the public relations department of Christopoulos, Inc.
She gave herself a Mean Look through the mirror. “You don’t love him anymore.”
But again, her heart proved stubborn as it continued to ache and bleed.
Bobby began texting.
Bobby: WTF are you?
Sabastian: Five minutes, moro mou.
Bobby: Make it four.
Sabastian: I’ll make it three if you promise me a kiss.
Bobby: Just hurry!
After pressing Send, she slipped the phone back into her pocket and gave herself another Mean Look. “You can do this, Bobby.”
When she emerged from the powder room, Bobby saw F waving at her excitedly. She could practically see the dollar signs shining in his eyes and knew that no matter how she felt now, this project would be a go.
“Sorry if I took so long,” she murmured as she joined F and the woman he was talking to. The two stood next to the glass walls overlooking the circuit, where the rest of the bikers were performing under Nessa’s flirtatious eye. The crowd of paps was still there, too, and at the sight of Bobby peering through the glass walls, all cameras immediately swung towards her direction.
She quickly pulled back, just in time to hear F say, “Bobby, this is Anna Largess, the head of Versatile.” Anna was tall, blonde, and svelte looking, and her china-blue eyes were cold and hard as they raked Bobby from head to toe.
“Anna, I’d like you to officially meet Bobby Granger, who we all look upon as our Wonder Woman because of how skilled she is at making rich men stay true to their donation pledges.”
Anna’s tone was cool as she murmured, “It’s a delight to finally meet you, Ms. Granger. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Oh really? Is that why you’ve decided to surprise us with the identity of your client?” She knew for a fact that F and Anna had spoken at length about their planned fundraiser, and not once had Anna mentioned that the client of her publicity firm was none other than Christopoulos, Inc.
“I thought it would be a nice surprise,” Anna answered smoothly, “knowing that it’s been quite some time since you and Leandro have seen each other.” Her eyes widened dramatically. “Oh, but sorry – I had assumed you’ve already moved on since you’re with Sabastian Gabris.”
So Anna the Bitch was on first name basis with him. The thought almost caused Bobby’s smile to falter, but she was able to keep her voice neutral as she said, “Nothing to apologize about. F and I always welcome every opportunity to give the kids a chance to enjoy new experiences.”
Before Anna could speak, Bobby went on talking about the recent projects of her foundation, deliberately making it sound as boring as possible. “Deafness,” she intoned self-righteously, “and other such handicaps must never be used as a reason to make individuals feel marginalized by the society in which they are an integral part of and as such is obliged to look after their welfare...”