Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (61 page)

Viktor swiped up the envelope and tore it open. “He’s scum.”

“I know, and it was a big one.” Rodger sat in the chair across from her desk. “You won’t find anything in there except the ending to
Hollywood Stardom
.” I know they’re shooting the end tomorrow, but I’ll go on record that I got you the end before it shot. Madeline didn’t finish it until last night.”

“You could have shown me then. I wasn’t sleeping.” The other night she fell asleep from pure exhaustion, but it didn’t last long. Then housekeeping found where she was hiding Ryder’s pillow and washed it. That was the end of the scant sleep she got since Ryder left, or she left Ryder, or whatever. Either way, her world ended that night.

Viktor held the envelope out to her right as the intercom on her desk buzzed.

She barely had to give Rodger a glance before he jumped up and hit the button. “Miss Caine’s office.”

Miss Caine. For the first time she cursed her own name. Already she had been referring to herself as Mrs. Scott in her mind, no hyphen as Ryder wanted.

“Mr. McAllister’s office on the phone.” The girl’s voice imparting this information screeched through Cora’s skull.

Cora motioned forward.

“Put them through.” Rodger kept the call on the speaker. “This is Rodger, may I help you?”

“This is Debra from George McAllister’s office. We’d like Miss Caine to come to the office for an unofficial informal meeting regarding the CEO position this afternoon. Lunch will be served.”

Viktor nodded. She shrugged, took the envelope from the man she considered her brother and turned away again.

“She will be there, thank you.” Rodger hung up.

“Let’s get going!” Viktor yelled.

“No doubt my indiscretions and my association with those on the fringe of society has made this decision quite easy.” She stared out the window wondering what Ryder was doing. Somehow, she had to get her life together. She glanced at the envelope. Inside was the information the world wanted to know. Unfortunately, she knew her own ending.

“Cora, if nothing else, you have to hold you head high and see this through.” Rodger took Spike from her. Even her poor dog seemed more dour than usual. They both were sort of lost without the leader of their pack.

She stood, put on her suit jacket, grabbed her handbag and kept a death grip on the envelope. “Everyone in the car, this will be a working drive.”

With Rodger leading the way, they hurried to the car. “What do we need to do?”

Once settled and on the road, she took out her phone and read a list she created one night when she couldn’t sleep. It was finally time to face it. With this meeting, everything would have closure. “The car.”

“I already have three offers on it. Do you want to sell it?” Viktor asked from the back seat.

“I think we should donate it.” Maybe that would turn the karma around. Again, she glanced down at the envelope. Would knowing the end give her any happiness? She sort of pictured her and Ryder lying in bed sneaking a peek, being one of only a handful of people who had the secret. He made her bad. “Pick an animal charity and see what you can make happen. Do it in Spike’s name.”

“All right, what else?” Viktor turned back at her from the front seat.

Unable to say the next words, she took a breath and cleared her throat.

Thankfully, Viktor took the cue. “Do you want me to shut off the cards and cancel his insurance?”

Their lives were completely intertwined. She leaned down and grabbed the bridge of her nose.

“Let’s not do this now, we’re right near the offices.” Viktor reached over and patted the top of her head.

“I have one more thing on my list.” Maybe Roxy would have the answers. She opened the envelope, but didn’t take the paper out. Not saying the words wouldn’t make it less true, just like not saying she still didn’t love Ryder. “The cabin needs to go back in Ryder’s name.”

They pulled into the Ultracom lot.

“So much for a working car ride.” She sat up straight and tried to collect herself. Everything barreled down to Ryder.

“One good thing, he showed your human side.” Viktor got out of the car and opened the door for her. “Do you need to bring anything?”

She glanced between him, Rodger and Spike. “This is all I got.” They went up to the office building and were ushered into a huge conference room.

In truth, she expected to be called into a closed door meeting with her and George, then after some good-natured mentoring about cavorting around with the Hollywood set and the mafia would be sent on her way. She stopped short upon seeing Albert and Dane with their respective assistants in the room as well.

After some quick greetings, they settled into an uncomfortable silence until the door at the far end of the room opened and George entered, flanked by two more men.

George motioned to the table. “Everyone sit.”

Albert jockeyed for the seat nearest George, while she took the one furthest away.

“As you know, I’m going to be retiring, and it is no secret that the two of you are the candidates to take my position.” George took a sip of his water.

With no emotion left and the envelope still in her clutches, she sat back and waited. Across the table, Albert practically bounced in his chair.

“Any corporation would be proud to have either of you helm their ship, but in speaking with the board and reviewing where we see the future of Ultracom, we have decided that Miss Caine will take my place.” George stood and clapped.

Her breath left her. Did the man just name her CEO of Ultracom? Really?

“Yes,” Viktor whispered.

Everyone around the room applauded, everyone except Albert, who turned to his assistant and whispered something.

George’s assistants stood, opened a bottle of champagne, and began passing out the glasses, starting with her. After all she won, she was the boss, this was now her domain.

Once the champagne was distributed George held out his glass. “Cora, would you like to say a few words?”

Part of being a CEO was knowing how to speak on the fly, put her personal feelings aside, and get the job done. She pushed out of her chair and raised her glass. “George, you have always been a mentor to me, I’m honored and humbled by your decision.”

“Here, here.” George took a sip of the drink. “I am proud of you, Cora.”

She tapped her glass against both Viktor’s and Rodger’s and took a taste of her drink, trying not to focus on the dry rather than sweet champagne. No one except Ryder would have known her preference anyway.

“You did it.” Rodger gave her a hug.

“Go say something to your opponent.” Ever the teacher, Viktor spoke softly in her ear.

As if moving in a dream, she crossed the room, making small talk here and there, and not really hearing the words she spoke. If she had her life back, she and Ryder would have gone out on the town tonight, or better yet, stayed in with their dog and their movies. Who was she kidding? She never needed to celebrate around Ryder, because her life with him was one huge after party, fun and exciting and full of love. She would never have that again.

At last, she went up to Albert. “You were more than a worthy opponent,” she said.

“Time will tell if the right decision was made.” Without toasting her, he gulped the champagne. “I have to say I’m surprised, especially after that little stunt the other night.”

“I’d rather not talk about that.” She stared into her glass.

“I guess there won’t be any more stargazing for you. You’ll be too busy anyway.”

His words barreled toward her, hitting her right in the chest, and nearly knocking the wind out of her. Unsure if he was tipping his hat and waiting for her to make a scene or had simply slipped, she managed to channel the little she learned about acting and showed no reaction other than taking another sip of the bubbly drink. “It will be a challenge.” She spun on her heel and caught Rodger’s gaze.

He dashed toward her. “What is it?”

The man always knew.

“It’s Albert. He’s the one. You and Viktor get the proof.” She handed him the envelope. “As for this, I’ll find out on set.” Cora had to see Roxy get her ending. Maybe then, she could let go.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

INT. LOS ANGELES – GRIFFITH PARK OBSERVATORY - DAY

CHARLES is in his office.  He types into the computer, hits enter, then stands up.

CHARLES

I’m done, and I’m all yours.

CHARLES grabs his keys and joins ROXY underneath the model of the solar system.

CHARLES

Are you ready to go taste cake?

ROXY

(Crosses her arms and looks up at the planets)

Do you really want to marry me?

CHARLES

What’s wrong?

(He walks over and puts his hands on her shoulders.)

ROXY

I’m scared.

CHARLES

Roxy.

(He turns her)

ROXY

(Tears are streaming down her cheeks.)

You’re the only man.  The only man who stood by me, the only man who understands me, the only one who I didn’t screw over.

CHARLES