Secret Worlds (277 page)

I laughed along with the crowd. That kind of talk usually belonged in science fiction stories. Then again, my family belonged in something out of fantasy.

“What if I told you this is entirely possible, and you’re going to create it?”

Murmurs traveled through the crowd. Serenity leaned forward, her rebellious posture gone. The screen shifted from his face to a two dimensional drawing of a visor connected to wires.

“Virtual Reality is still an untapped resource, and what I believe is the next step in technology,” he said. “For the next year, you will design and develop the first virtual reality device combined with a social media space that will allow users to connect across the Globe.”

The buzz of the audience echoed through the group. This was not what we had been expecting when we’d applied for the intern project. It was so much better.

“Is this even possible?” I asked Serenity.

She rubbed the back of her neck, but her eyes gleamed. “Oh yeah.”

I smirked at her. “Glad I dragged you here?”

She cut her eyes at me but a smile hovered on her face. “Depends on if we’re successful.”

I scanned the crowd. “I’m surprised he let people that aren’t part of the project in here.”

“He wouldn’t be announcing it if he wasn’t already ages ahead of the competition with the development of the idea. He probably wants new of this to get out—increase his stock market value.” She shook her head. “In fact, he probably did some of it for the publicity.”

She had a point. Mercer never seemed to try to hide his life to the media. He constantly paraded his latest girlfriend out to different restaurants or shows. The reports had even filmed the entire first date with his last one. She hadn’t seemed to mind, either. Was she here, lapping up luxury at some suite in the Omni while he promised us greatness?

“In the lobby we have, lists of the divided groups and your responsibilities. We officially begin next week, and the leaders of each group will meet for a Retrospective every two weeks.” He waved to a microphone at the edge of the stage near the stairs. “Before I leave you, the floor is open to a few questions.”

With several burning on my mind, I pushed past the others in the back, sprinted down the aisle to the stairs that lead to the stage and placed myself in front of the microphone. The other students began to fill in behind me with raised eyebrows at my speed. Yes, first!

“Well, we have an eager one,” Mercer’s rich voice filled my ears.

As I met his gaze and fell into the deepness of his green eyes, my heart dropped into my stomach, and everything I had planned to say blanked from my mind.

It was from that moment on that I found myself forever lost.

Mercer chuckled. “I usually don’t render women speechless at first sight. Let’s start easy. What’s your name?”

The audience rippled with a smattering of laughter, probably from the people who knew me. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and my heart pounded in my ears. My mouth had dried up like the Sahara Desert. How could I, of all people, be tongue tied? I cleared my throat and tried to laugh it off as well.

“Sorry about that. I’m Cassiopeia Wayne. I’ll be covering the project journalistically,” I said with a smile. “I actually have a few questions. How many do I get to ask?”

He winked at me. “Two, and you’re down one with that last one.”

I blinked as I tried to comprehend what he just said. “Well, I better make this next one good.”

“That you had.” His eyes glittered like gems as he held in his laughter.

“I guess my main question is whether those participating will be credited if this project is successful and marketed.”

“I assure everyone here, that those responsible for the creation of Proprius will reap the benefits.” His gaze lingered to the group standing in the back before turning back to me with a smile. “I was actually worried that you would start off with a hard one.”

I wagged my finger at him. “I save the really hard ones for private interviews.”

The next person pushed past me and took my place in front of the microphone. Their voice blurred into the background as I walked back to Serenity. My heard thudded in my chest, and a shiver traveled through my body despite the heat building between my legs. What had that been? One look in his eyes, and I wanted to fling myself at him. I leaned against the wall and fanned myself with my hand.

“Is it hot in here?” I asked Serenity.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Mmm.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Let’s get out here before the crowd clogs the exits.”

I shook my head. “I should probably stay and listen to the rest of the Q&A session.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll be out in the lobby.” She shrugged and pushed her way through the exit.

The rest of the session passed in a blur. I tried to concentrate on the questions being asked but my attention wandered back to Mercer. He stood with his shoulders back but held himself with an easy confidence. He focused those intense eyes on the current speaker and was a hell of a lot more attentive than I was at the moment. What would those sculpted lips feel like against my own? Would they hotly trail down my neck? I cleared my throat and stood up straight as heat flushed my face. Sheridan walked across the stage and whispered in his ear.

He smiled apologetically at the last few people in line for questions. “It looks like that all the time we have for questions. I look forward to achieving greatness with everyone this year.”

The chatter suffused the room as people stood and gathered their things. I made a beeline for the doors before they could get to the aisle. Now was my chance to check out who was who in the groups. I may even get a couple of preliminary interviews. In the lobby, sunlight filtered in through the tinted, floor to ceiling windows and onto the beige tiled floor. Several students stood behind a group of tables with boxes on top of them. There was a sign on each table designating a group of letters in alphabetical order. I stepped up the last table with my hands behind my back.

“Hey, Cassi.” The guy behind the table pulled out a small packet and handed it to me. “Looks like you’re in a group all to yourself.”

I smiled. “Well, I get to interact with all the groups and report on it.”

“A one-woman journalistic army,” he chuckled. “So, are you going to be at the Hopp’s Revival this weekend? Maybe we can play a game of pool?”

I shrugged. “I guess it depends on how much I have to prepare for this.”

“Good luck.”

People crowded in behind me. I waved at the boy and pushed my way through the mass of bodies in search of a nice place where I could inspect my goodies. Laugher and chatter bounced off the coffee colored walls and drifted up the vaulted ceiling. I’d been lucky enough to grab the only spot for media coverage. Strange that a media whore like Mercer would only allow one reporter, but I guess he wanted the group to focus on completion and not be hassled by an endless stream of questions. Of course, that made my job more difficult as I had to balance finding juicy stories with not being too much of a nuisance. Sheridan stepped out from one of the side rooms with a tablet gripped in her arms. I smiled. The perfect person to kick off an interview.

I walked up to her. “Hey, Sheridan, everything seems to be going well.”

She glanced up at me with an excited smile. “It’s going great so far.”

“I was surprised to see you. I didn’t know you’d be the organizer for all this.”

“It was sort of last minute, after Tessa.”

The air took a grim turn, and my excitement faded with the mention of Tessa’s name. “Oh, right.”

Sheridan shook her head with a sigh. “It’s so sad. Whoever thought someone like Tessa would kill herself? She always acted like she would take on the world.”

“We all have masks,” I said quietly.

“I know, but that’s like saying you’d do something like that.”

I laughed nervously. “Well, no, you don’t have to worry about me.”

She lowered her voice. “Her roommate was pretty devastated to find her body, and I heard the police are still asking questions.”

I nodded. “Yeah, Marty was covering the story, so I don’t know all the details.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t grab it since you know.” She waved her had at the throng of people.

“They didn’t want Proprius to start in a negative light, so they are downplaying that she was supposed to be the organizer.”

“Well,” Sheridan said. “Despite the circumstances, I’m glad I was chosen.”

Mercer stepped out of the doors of the auditorium followed by three of his aides. I tilted my head as I watched those snug slacks moves against his well-shaped ass. Sheridan’s eyes glazed over as she followed him with her gaze.

“Anything to be close to him,” she said.

“I know what you mean.” I licked my lips as my gaze followed him. “Think he’ll give me an interview?”

She chuckled. “Already trying to move in for the kill?”

I snorted. “I doubt he’d be interested in any of us. But, he’s so good to look at.”

“You never know until you try.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “And you plan to?”

She smiled mischievously.

“He’s like seven years older than us.”

She shrugged. “With a body like that, who cares?”

I turned back to watch him leave. She had a point. I shook my head with a sigh. Back to work.

“So I didn’t come over here to talk about that,” I said. “I wanted to do a preliminary interview with you.”

She nodded to a girl waving to her from one of the tables. “Well, I’d be happy to, but it’ll have to be later. The day isn’t over yet; I still have a few fires to put out.”

“We can set something up later next week,” I said.

“Sounds great.” She hustled off. “See you at the party tomorrow.”

I hadn’t gotten an interview yet, but at least I had one set up. The crowd had dispersed until all that remained was around thirty people. Serenity stood next to the concession stand among five others. She had her arms crossed and seemed to glaring at a black-haired boy. Great. Of course James Thorne, my ex-boyfriend, had made it as part of the development team. He was almost as good at writing code as Serenity was, though he thought he was better. I took a deep breath and headed in their direction. I might as well rip this bandage off now.

“Hi guys.” I put on my bright and cheery voice. “You have time for a few questions?”

James spun my direction and his expression darkened as his attention landed on me. Our love had gone up in a glorious blaze, leaving nothing but ashes. No, it was nothing that great. It ended when I caught him with another girl and poured a steaming bowl of Texas chili over his head. My hair wasn’t the only thing that was kissed by fire.

“Back off, Wayne.” James sneered. “Go find another group to pester.”

I crossed my arms. “You’re going to go far with that can-do attitude.”

Serenity sniggered behind him. He flushed a bright red, and his sneer shifted to a full on grimace. James had always had a problem with witty come backs.

“Just get lost,” he shouted.

“Not a problem,” Serenity said. “I think I’m going with her. I’ve had enough of this bullshit.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the exit. As the door swung shut, another glimpse of Mercer sent my heart pounding. This day changed everything.

The next day, I parked the car in the parking lot across the street from the Hopp’s Revival. Serenity sat in the passenger seat with her arms crossed and stared straight ahead. He jaw tightened as she tapped her fingers on her arm in a rapid rhythm.

“I can’t believe I let you drag me to this,” she said.

“It’ll be fun.” I elbowed her. “Most of the crew will be there.”

“Your crew,” she muttered.

“Our crew if you didn’t lock yourself in your room with your computer.”

She shrugged. “Computers make more sense than people do.”

I sighed. “How did I ever become the exception?”

A smile hovered over her lips. “Freshman orientation. You called yourself Batman’s prodigal daughter.”

I lifted my chin and grinned at her. “Well I am.”

I slid out of the car and waited for her with my hands in my pockets. A group of students held the double doors of the bar open and blues music drifted past the road full of cars and to my ears. Soft lights shone through the writing on the windows. A crowd of smokers mingled amongst the cloud of fumes on the patio attached to the side with its deck painted green. Serenity slammed her door and stepped beside me.

“Let’s get this over with,” she said.

We sprinted across the crosswalk and to the doors. A slim boy in a dark blue t-shirt held the door open for us.

“Hey, Cassi,” he said.

I waved as I stepped inside. “Hey, Caleb. Which part of this craziness are you with?”

He chuckled. “Jest clerical. I’m not talented enough for any of the other groups.”

“How’s Sheridan treating you?”

“Oh, you know, the wicked bitch of the West.”

I chuckled. “I doubt she’s that bad.”

“You have no idea. She wants everything perfect for Mercer.”

Serenity rolled her eyes. “And on that name, I need a beer.”

She pulled me with her toward the bar and waved over the tender. I plopped down on the stool and scanned the room. Trickle by trickle, the place was filling up. Shouts echoed over the music as friends met up with each other. The tender slid two glasses full of dark ale in front of us. I lifted mine up and tasted it. My phone buzzed in the pocket of my jeans, and I pulled it out. With a wince, I hit the ignore button and stuffed it back.

“Who was that?” Serenity asked.

“Telemarketer.” I lifted my beer and took a sip. “How do you know Mercer?”

She downed half her glass before responding. “What makes you think I do?”

“Because you have this resentment that seems to carry way beyond just seeing him in the news.”

A roaring laugh from the pool table saved Serenity from responding. James smirked at his friends and rested his pool cue across his shoulders. A brunette girl rested one hand on his shoulder and leaned forward enough that her boobs almost popped out of her shirt. James caught my gaze and pulled the girl in for a long kiss. Ugh. I turned away and gulped my beer.