Chapter 20
Twenty
S ybil
“Filming in NYC gives us a lot of opportunities, but it’s also a city with limited square footage,” Perry says. “Money talks, but there’s only so much we can do with our budget.”
Cooper and I exchange a skeptical glance.
Sorry, but our companies have invested an insane amount of money in this venture.
Budget shouldn’t be an issue. Perry catches our shared look and backtracks.
“It’s enough money, don’t get me wrong, but you’ve seen what we had to offer to get the talent on board.
We’re using most of our budget on them.”
“Don’t ask for more money,” Cooper starts.
Perry holds up his hands. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Somehow, I doubt that.
We’re in Cooper’s office for a producers meeting, and I have to admit, being here feels odd, like walking onto hostile ground that once was home.
When Ethan and I dated, I came here often.
Boy, have things changed. While the building is the same, Cooper and Ethan have moved to the highest floor.
Soon Ethan will be the CEO and Cooper the COO, so it makes sense.
But such proximity to their father and the other leaders of King Media makes everything feel much more real.
Even though Ethan has softened over the years, Cooper has hardened.
I can’t help but wonder what their father thinks of them.
“We have enough money,” Perry continues. “But we have to be smart about our next moves. Keep in mind that money in Hollywood goes fast.”
“This isn’t Hollywood,” Cooper deadpans, and Perry shoots him an incredulous look.
“You know what I mean.”
“Just tell us what you want,” I say, and Perry offers me a cheeky smile that reminds me of his younger years, when he could catch girls with nothing more than a grin in their direction.
“Well, we need to find the perfect place to film Top of the World , and I’m asking for your help to make that happen.”
“What do you have in mind?” I prod.
Perry straightens his spine, filling out his suit-jacket, as his gaze bounces between me and Cooper.
“We need six bedrooms. We can get away with some of the contestants sharing bathrooms, but it’s non-negotiable in their contracts that they get their own bedrooms. We have to film in the city, since that’s also in the contract, besides a week-long trip we’re going to take in July.
The location is as important as the cast. It needs to be luxurious—the kind of place people only dream about. ”
Both men look at me, and I can actually feel the blood draining from my face.
“No,” I state.
“The Laurence New York apartment would be perfect,” Perry tries. “I don’t know of anywhere bigger or nicer or more old-money New York than your family’s place.”
“ No is a complete sentence.”
“Could you at least talk to Amelia and see if she’d be open to it? It’s only for three months.”
Season one is only three months.
I shake my head.
Perry doesn’t give up. “We’ll move all the valuables and furniture into storage, dress it up for filming, do our thing and take really good care of it, and be out before you know it.”
The problem?
Our home will be immortalized in film forever.
Not only that, but the thought of strangers infiltrating it makes me want to vomit.
Sure, it’s the perfect size, and it’s beautiful.
And sure, Mom and my brothers plan to spend most of the summer on Nantucket.
I have my own SoHo loft apartment now, but that doesn’t negate the fact that I don’t want Top of the World filmed there.
Dad would’ve never agreed.
He’s not here to say no, so I’ll do it for him.
“I don’t have a good reason to say no,” I say firmly, annoyed that my voice cracks. “But if you must know, my father would’ve hated that, and I can’t imagine doing this, even though he’s gone.”
Perry pats my knee, his eyes going soft. “I get it. Forget I asked, okay?” He continues to both Cooper and me. “We need to think of something. Do you have any connections for a similar filming location? We’re already up against short notice if we want to film soon.”
Considering we’re contracted to film through the summer, he’s right. We’re running out of time.
“I don’t know of anything, but I’ll see what I can come up with.” Am I being selfish? Maybe I should talk to my mom about using the house. Maybe I’m being overly protective of it. It’s not like we spend a lot of time there like we used to.
Even thinking about it makes my eyes burn.
“We can use my place,” Cooper interjects, and Perry and I both turn on him. He’s sitting behind his desk while Perry and I are in the chairs across from him, looking the perfect picture of a Manhattan businessman, the midtown skyline silhouetted behind him.
“Your place is big enough?” Perry asks dubiously. “You have six bedrooms?”
“If we clear out the office, then yes, that would make six.”
“How many bathrooms?”
“Three and a half.”
It would work. Cooper’s place is gorgeous. New, modern, and worth millions.
“Are you sure?” I can’t imagine Cooper wanting to give up his space like that, especially when we all know I’m not willing to give up my family’s place despite it sitting empty.
He gives me a steady look—one I can’t dream of reading. “It’s fine. I can find somewhere else for the summer. Besides, my place is more modern and fresher and will do well with the younger demographic we’re after.”
“Where will you stay?” Perry asks. “Next door with Ethan?”
Cooper barks out a laugh. “Fuck no. I’m not crashing with the newlyweds. Those two are like rabbits.”
He runs a hand through his tousled hair, messing it up, and I can’t help but wonder who he’s been sleeping with lately. Just Roxanna? Anyone else? Maybe they’re exclusive. But thinking of him having sex makes my nerves fire, and I hate myself for it. Since when did I care who Cooper sleeps with?
“I’ll rent another apartment somewhere else in the building. There are some available. That will make it easy to move my stuff.”
Perry’s eyes light up. “Perfect! If you rent a place in the same building, we can use it as our crew headquarters.”
“Now you’re just being a dick,” Coop growls.
“I’m being a show creator. Trust me, saving money now will come in handy when we need it later.”
Cooper thinks it through. “Fine, whatever I’ve got to do for the show, I’m in. It’s only three months, right? How bad can it be?”
I have a feeling he’s going to live to regret those words, but I keep my mouth shut.
Cooper’s selflessness in this matter has not only solved a problem for Top of the World , but it’s lifted an enormous weight off my shoulders.
I sneak a thankful smile at my old friend, but he’s too busy discussing the next steps with Perry.
“You know, you’re going to have to run this by your building’s board. Some buildings won’t let us film. Of course, we’ll have to pay a fee for this, and we have the budget. Do you think you can make it happen?”
Cooper smirks. “My brother and I own the largest units in the building and are quite chummy with the other residents. Just leave it to me.”
I hope he can pull this off, so they don’t end up asking for filming rights in my family home again. I don’t know if I can take the pressure.
After we finish, Cooper walks us to the elevators to see us off.
King Media has the top seventeen floors of one of midtown’s nicest high-rises, and I won’t be surprised if in a decade from now they’re able to take over the entire fifty-story building.
They’ve become an American media giant and the people who work here take their jobs very seriously.
Of course they do. They work for Conrad King.
Cooper and Ethan are no different.
My opinion? Like your boss, and you’ll work hard for them. Conrad’s style? Scare the shit out of your employees, and they’ll be too afraid to make a mistake.
Despite my father’s personal mishaps, he had respect from his employees because he led with kindness and enthusiasm. He was a true leader, and sometimes I have a hard time seeing what he saw in Conrad King. Those two got along for decades before their relationship imploded.
But that was Dad’s fault.
The elevator dings, and I shake myself from my thoughts.
The doors slide open, and Conrad King steps out. My mood instantly sours.
“Perry. Sybil,” he says in greeting. “It’s good to see you with my son again. Reminds me of old times.” His words are kind, but his tone is cold.
“Hello, Mr. King,” I say. “If you’ll excuse us, we are actually leaving now.”
I make to step toward the elevator, but Conrad blocks my path.
“Nonsense. I want to hear how things are going.”
My lips twitch. “Mr. Vale is seeing to my progress, and I work for him, not you. You’re welcome to call him and ask about my progress, but it would probably be best if you asked Cooper, seeing as he’s standing right here.”
Cooper’s mouth is a thin line, and his expression is unreadable.
Conrad laughs. “You’re right. Lance will make sure everything goes exactly as it should. Pardon me for intruding, Sybil. I forget my place sometimes when it comes to your family, given all our history. ” He gives us a wink, pats Perry on the shoulder, and strides away.
I release a frustrated sigh. Every damn time I see that man, I can’t help but feel completely unsettled. I can’t trust him to be anything but self-serving.
“Goodbye,” is all Cooper says before swinging around on his heels and heading to his office.
“Well, that was weird,” Perry remarks, hitting the button for the elevator again, since that first one is long gone.
“Tell me about it,” I gripe. King Media belongs in another time, a past life, and being back there feels like opening an old wound.
The elevator opens again, and this time it’s blissfully empty, but it isn’t until I’ve completely left the building that I can finally relax.