Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (45 page)

Damn her heart for speeding, and she clicked on the box, pursing out her lower lip when she realized it was Rodger not Ryder.

Can’t sleep before your meeting?

The man had super-human powers
. Something like that.
I’m going to go in.

Her chest tightened at the thought of going to the office on her own at this hour, but she had to overcome it. Viktor arranged for her to text the guards when she was on her way, so she wouldn’t be alone.

How about I come and get you?

She exhaled.
Thank you, I’ll be ready in thirty minutes. I want to make some changes to the presentation.

I know I could feel it. I’ll bring your coffee.

Her anxiety ebbing a little, she shut the computer and dashed around the apartment, taking a quick shower and putting on a black pantsuit before hiding Ryder’s pillow to make sure the house cleaners didn’t wash it. She gathered up the rest of her items, summoned Spike, and rushed down to find Rodger right where he should be.

He handed her a coffee and they got in the car.

The man had a sixth sense, and they didn’t really speak as they drove. She swore the hum of the car almost made her doze off, but with no traffic this time of day they basically flew to the office.

As they parked, she picked up Spike.

“Are you all right?” Rodger got out of the car, came around and opened the door for her.

“I told you not to ask me that.” Pet in arms, she followed her secretary.

“This one time, I don’t really care what you told me.” As if he were a man on a mission, he looked around then got her and Spike into the elevator.

“I’m fine, I just want to make this change on the presentation.” Once the elevator doors opened, she rushed to her office, rechecked her numbers, and added the couple of slides as she sipped her not-delicious-not-Ryder-created coffee.

After going through the presentation one more time, she glanced at the time. No doubt, Ryder would be on location now. More than once, she went to text him, but didn’t want to bother him on set. Instead, maybe she would surprise him, work on the budget and have it ready for when she went out there over the weekend.

That was if he still wanted her there.

Also, on this fine Tuesday, the weekend felt extremely far away. On a positive note, maybe she would sleep some of the time away.

Though her body ached and more than once she caught herself staring off into space, she managed to get through a big portion of Ryder’s so-called paperwork. Thus far, she deduced he was an unorganized mess and, rather than trying to make sense of the past, decided to move forward on the future, noting all her questions down, including the final cast count, locations, and she really wanted to see a script.

Her fingers twitched wanting to contact Ryder, but now with him not even giving her a good morning call or text, or asking how she was, the most unusual tense feeling took over every one of her muscles.

“Cora.” Viktor entered her office and waved. “Everyone is arriving. Rodger took them to the conference room.”

“I’m adding scripted streaming to my goals for next year.” She handed Viktor a paper.

Viktor glanced at the document. “That’s nice, but this is about Ryder’s movie.”

She snatched back the paper and, stealing a move from Madeline, gathered everything up on her desk into one horrible pile and picked it up. “Let’s go.”

Head held high, she marched across the office and into her conference room. She shifted the pile over to Viktor and shook hands with George, Albert and a few of their minions. “Good morning, gentlemen.”

“Cora.” George held her hand between both of his. “May I speak for all of us here and tell you that I’m happy you are all right.”

“Thank you.” She always liked George. The man served as mentor more than once.

Albert also nodded.

Everyone took their seats and Viktor set up her laptop.

“I thought we’d start with Albert and an update on News Now,” George said and sat back.

The lights in the conference room dimmed, and the man began speaking about numbers, news feeds and returns on investments. Traditional, dry, he sailed right down the straight and narrow.

Her mind wandered and she reread her questions for Ryder. She really wanted to talk to him. Why didn’t he call this morning or text or message?

“We’re seeing a twenty-five percent increase in ad revenue.” Albert droned on. “We also were the first to cover three major news stories.”

With plenty of time before her turn, she clicked over to her email.

Her messages loaded and her stomach churned at the third one down.

From Starwatcher:

Seen any good stars lately or are you all alone in the universe?

A strange dizziness overtook her, and she forced herself to breathe and swallow. This was nothing, right? Just a crazy fan or someone trying to drive her crazy. It was nothing, she was fine.

She had to be fine. Ryder didn’t even bother finding out if she was fine or not.

Once more, she clicked over to the notes she made on Ryder’s movie. How on earth did he expect her to make a movie if he didn’t give her the proper information and didn’t even bother contacting her? She was getting control of this right now.

“News Now is expanding our global reach…” Albert continued.

After downing a glass of iced water, she scanned the room and caught Rodger’s eye.

The man came to her and bent down. “What do you need?” He kept his voice low.

“Ryder. Go get him and bring him back here.” She attempted to speak without moving her mouth.

“Of course.” Rodger whispered. “Anything else?”

The others around the room clapped at the end of Albert’s presentation.

She clutched the arm of the chair. “No. It’s a beautiful day, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy the flight.”

Rodger put his hand over hers. “You’re trembling.”

George cleared his throat. “Cora, we’re ready for you.”

“Just get him. I have some important business that can’t wait.” She closed her email on her laptop and pulled up her presentation.

“I’m on my way.” Rodger hurried out of the room.

“Cora,” Viktor mumbled.

At last, she put her first slide up and stood. If nothing else, she was wide awake now. “Chargge is the definite leader as an entertainment portal…” This was her moment and straightened her posture. “We have seen a twenty-seven percent growth in ad revenue in last twelve months.”

Albert sat back in his seat and crossed his legs.

She went to the next slide. “Our original content streaming for the website has been wildly successful. Ivy Alexander’s show continues drive that division’s ad revenue, but other shows are tailing it nicely.” The little reporter who used to be scared of the camera now owned it, mostly due to the support of her husband, Logan, who tutored her. “During the time she’s on set, she is featuring an all-inclusive report on the filming of
Hollywood Stardom
.”

“The whole world revolves around this movie.” Albert let out a laugh.

Oh, she knew this would come up. Cora turned to the table. “The proof is always in the numbers, and though this wasn’t a meeting about the movie, Albert, I do want you to know that
Starburst
has already made millions for the studio and
Stardom
is projected to outshine expectations as well.”

“Last I heard, the movie was running behind schedule and over budget.” As if his words didn’t really matter, he shrugged.

Cora faced George. “Sir, with all due respect, was this a debate I entered? If that is the case, I wasn’t aware or I would have had some questions for Albert as well.”

“How could you?” Albert leaned forward. “You were too busy talking to your assistant to even hear my presentation.”

“Actually, I take that back, Sir. I don’t have any questions for Albert, his set of data speaks for itself.” A bit of adrenaline running through her, she switched to the next slide. “Everything is very predictable.”

“Even with all your renegade tactics, you’re only two percent above me. That’s nominal,” Albert countered.

“If we were speaking about a dollar I’d agree with you, Albert.” She paced the length of the room. “However, on over a billion dollars, two percent can mean all the difference.”

Even in her delirium, no one would take her in business. She only wished she was as savvy with Ryder as she was with Chargge. “Lastly, next year Chargge will be adding scripted streaming to its entertainment lineup. I’ve run the numbers, and it’s now viable to have an in house production.”

“Interesting.” George jotted some numbers down.

“Maybe you can get some of the stars you’re so close with to help you.” Albert strummed his fingers on the table.

“If you’re discussing Ryder Scott, then I’ll have you know he only does film, but our connections with the studio will play in nicely with finding talent.” She returned to her seat and turned off her presentation. Unable to resist, she clicked on her email again. At the sight of the message, she shuddered and put her hand to her head.

“Cora, are you all right?” George asked.

There was still nothing from Ryder. Well, he would have some explaining to do. She shut her laptop. “Absolutely.”

* * * *

“YOU’RE A PILOT?” Ryder wasn’t sure why he even bothered asking Rodger the question since the man was clearly flying a plane. However, in this unbelievable, insane situation, he had to say something or he would put his fist through the window or Rodger or himself. Anything seemed a viable option.

“I think the answer to that is obvious.” Rodger stared straight ahead.

“Is Cora all right?” Ryder shifted in his seat. The man showed up on set and told him to get on the plane that Cora needed to see him right away for a business meeting. With such a disruption, they decided to shut down production for the day, while he dashed off with Cora’s secretary slash driver slash medic slash pilot. This man was annoying. This situation was annoying and he didn’t like being summoned.

“Of course she’s fine.”

Rodger’s answer seemed rehearsed and Ryder turned and gazed out the window as they made their descent into Van Nuys airport.

After a picture perfect landing, they made their way to the company car. “Is there any point in asking you any question to which I may get a real answer?”

“You can always give it a try.” With precision Rodger drove toward the office.

“Why don’t we start with why you don’t like me?” Asking any further questions about Cora was senseless.

“I don’t dislike you, Mr. Scott. I am merely reserving judgment.” The man kept his hands at ten and two.

At receiving only another passive aggressive riddle of an answer, Ryder remained quiet the rest of the ride. When they finally drove into the office-building parking lot, he got out of the car before Rodger parked. Ignoring two people in the lobby who wanted an autograph, he stomped through the space, and made his way up the elevator without being bothered.

At last he entered her office and stormed inside. Not bothering to acknowledge the spinner girl at the front, he showed himself past the sacred door and went right for Cora’s office.

Not caring if the door was closed or not, or who the hell she had in there, he threw the door open and found her in her usual position hunched around her three computer screens. “I’m here, your majesty.” He slammed the door and waited for her to come running to him, tell him she missed him, and she wanted to go back to Arizona with him.

“Good.” She stood. “I’ve been waiting.”

What happened to her flinging herself at him? “Rodger did his best to get the air currents to bend to your demands, but even he’s not that good.”

“I’ve been working on your movie, and I have a question for you.” She motioned for him to come over.

“And this was something you couldn’t ask me on the phone?” He went to her and noticed she seemed a little pale. Maybe now some tears and hugs would take place. One couldn’t lock lips remotely.

“I’ve decided that we just need to start over with the movie, therefore, I made this worksheet you need to fill out so we can plan correctly. I also would like a script.” She handed him a printed piece of paper and a pen. Not one of her good pens.

“You pulled me off set and stopped production so you can hand me a spreadsheet and a pen?” He tried to keep his voice even.

“Oh, I have one more thing.” She bent down.

Finally, he would get somewhere.

“Here, if you need something hard to write on.” She straightened up and offered him a clipboard.

His heated anger ignited into an explosion. He snatched the clipboard away from her and threw it aside. Then he crumpled up the worksheet and tossed it across the room. “Are you serious?”

Cora jumped back. “Ryder!”

“Is that all you called me here for?” He tried his best not to raise his voice but it didn’t work.

She raised her chin. “I have to know these things about your movie.”

“You know what I think?” He headed toward the door.

Rather than answer she crossed her arms.

“I just think you want to see how far your control reaches. How many hoops you can get your boys to jump through? Well, Miss Caine, let me be the first to tell you I don’t sing, I don’t dance, and I don’t jump. Find someone else.” After everything he refused to be one of her staff at her beck and call, and he opened the door and left.

Head up, chest out, he pushed past Rodger and Viktor and a bunch of people he didn’t know and returned to the elevator.

The night of the musical she said she didn’t need him, wanted him to leave and he listened. He gave her what she wanted. When he found out about the attack, he wanted to die or kill someone for hurting his girl. Then he wasn’t even allowed to ask how she was, and she didn’t care.

Instead, she sent him off, only to order him back to fill out a form after she made fun of him for using such an archaic tool such as a pen when she ran the digital world.

Before hitting the button on the elevator he glanced down at the cheap pen still in his hand.

Stop everything.

The pen could practically write on the wall for him, but he needed to see it. She summoned him here, but not to fill out a form. In fact, she could have practically filled out the questions on the form herself. She summoned him as her way of saying she needed him, had to have him there. She was hurting and scared and didn’t know any other way to tell him he was her person. His girl was talking he just didn’t hear her.