Chapter 20 Samantha
SAMANTHA
After a short limo ride, I take Harry’s arm, and we walk into the red-carpet gala. Everyone is dressed to the nines, and it feels way over the top. Luckily, I selected black because most women are wearing evening gowns. Most people are also dressed conservatively.
I walk as carefully as I can, thanking the universe and Harry for buying me the shoes on the way to the hotel.
As various cameras flash, Harry lifts his perfect jaw, and I hold his strong arm.
“Happy?” Harry asks, low.
I lean over and touch his hand with my free one. “I am. But I’m private and nervous. I would rather roll about. And do it on your grass upstate.”
Harry makes a dark growl, and it’s time. “Roll with your tiger, that is.”
Harry gives me 'you’re dead' eyes, and I beam.
“Is that code for something?” he asks. He is fast, I’ll give him that.
Before I can say anything, we reach people at the entrance. People start to shake his hand, and I am surprised he is so well-known.
Note to self: Next time, look up who you work for, you dick.
The group of organizers, or whoever they are, take Harrison from me. After several introductions, I realize just how important the night is, and how much Harry has played it down.
Harry has been giving a large sum of money, and yearly.
It is for a global cause to preserve the habitats of big cats, such as lions, tigers, pumas, lynx, mountain lions, and more.
As I lose sight of Harry, I sip champagne, and mingle. I then get to meet some of his media colleagues. I also meet his two friends, Troy Remington and Rhett Crown.
I did not get to meet them when I prepared lunch for them all. After recognizing me, they humbly introduce themselves.
Troy and Rhett are cool, calm, and confident.
They are also gorgeous, sophisticated and charming.
We end up discussing their exciting and large media businesses.
Anastasia Remington, a stunning cousin of Troy’s, and a movie costume designer then arrives.
We are introduced, and Anastasia and I immediately connect.
She is my age, ultra cool, amazingly dressed, and we get to talking about life, fashion, and the boys.
It’s clear Anastasia, Troy, Rhett, and Harry are all close, and they know each other’s businesses.
It then becomes clear the movie star Ryan Remington and Chris Remington, the famous movie super-agent, are Troy’s younger brothers.
They are a fun lot, and as Anastasia and I talk fashion and start on another champagne, Troy, and Rhett head off.
I see them find Harrison, and the hot, suited billionaires talk business across the room and circulate.
It’s nice to catch my breath, before Anastasia turns back to me. “So, I trust the boys will close on the deal, and soon.”
“Right,” I say, unsure. “And I guess it’s quite… big.”
Ana looks at me, raising a brow. “Big?”
“Yes,” I say, confused.
“Really, you have no idea?” Ana asks, big-eyed.
“Of what?” I ask. “Tell me,” I gasp.
“Okay, so Harry owns a huge media company. Actually several. Also, movie companies. And, some of the top ad agencies in the US. He keeps it on the down low. Anyway, he’s pushing into Europe and Asia like a madman.
Troy and Rhett own other large media and entertainment entities.
Combined, they own some of the hottest in the world. ”
I listen on, watching the strong men across the room.
“And what they don’t own, that is worth owning, Harry plans to secure by this time next year.”
“Yikes,” I mumble, as I sip and watch the mysterious grump.
The grump who can make me come like no other ever has. Also, the man who can look gorgeous, make my knees weak, and kiss beyond what should be considered legal.
He really is a strange one; why has he not said anything?
“So, you and him, what gives?” Anastasia asks, sipping from her champagne flute and watching me. I try to ignore her, so Ana waves a hand closer to me. “Yep, you need to spill. That look, I know.”
I shake my head and laugh. She really is fun. “Look, we’re just friends.”
“Right. I don’t buy that,” Ana says, eyeing me close.
“I get that he now avoids women like the plague. He also said all the past sex and all the wild times did his head in.” Ana pauses to sip champagne.
“Oh! And the gold diggers!” Anastasia says matter-of-factly.
“The thing is, it’s just weird that you two… ” Ana says, waving her hand again.
“No, we’re really just friends,” I say with mixed feelings.
Ana watches me closely and she grumbles low. Just when she’s about to drill down, someone on stage taps a mic.
“Phew, quiet please,” I say. “Showtime.”
Anastasia laughs and pokes me. I giggle, swat her away, and act like I’m trying to focus.
Ahead, a distinguished gentleman with silver hair and a perfect suit starts a speech. He then moves on to saying wonderful things about Grumpy.
The man starts talking about Harry’s substantial work in movies. He then discusses his achievements in global media, entertainment and advertising.
He has, however, forgotten to say that Grumpy can kiss like no one else. Grumpy can be a grumpy son of a bitch. Grumpy can screw like no one else, and he can fuck like no other man on the planet.
Finally, the old man says Grumpy’s real name, and Harrison gets up, looking humble.
He is not humble at all; that is some ploy. He is commanding; he told me to do some very naughty things. Actually, wicked things, some were just sinful.
Harrison stands at the mic and looks around the room. He uses several silent seconds of time theatrically, creating drama. I am not surprised. This is typical of A-level social engineers, aka entertainers. He should be able to hold an audience.
He creates global media, and he can oversee global platforms. Platforms that keep hundreds of millions per night on the edge of their seats.
Even if his day-to-day social skills are average, he can really turn them on.
“Thank you for coming tonight and donating what you can. It’s been another good year in the nation’s media industry. Also, the advertising industry, as you all know. Some of us are trying to expand, and some of us are trying to help the nation and our future businesses.”
People cheer and hoot.
“We gave away another fifty million to protect habitats. Habitats, where big cats and other species can remain free. As many of you know, I’ve made it my life mission to save as many big cats as possible.
To remove them from small enclosures in Asia, and to do this…
Set them free. To save them from being caught and farmed. And to also stop them being skinned.”
Harry inhales, and my heart hurts for him.
“At the top of media, entertainment, finance, and advertising, it’s a little like hunting.
Hunting for new movie franchises, creating new media brands, and hunting for big clients.
Trying to do huge creative projects that often shoot, or need to be shot or managed globally, is a challenge.
In saying that, we don’t hurt the wild, and we do not do this… We do Not Touch The Free!”
Harry lets that sink in, and the place is silent.
“But we can and must help protect who and what we can. It is our duty to protect whatever that may be. More big cats, including lions, tigers, pumas are now being killed, and we must continue the campaign.”
I feel proud as I watch Harry speak with passion. I walk forwards slowly as if drawn to him.
Harry talks on, his eyes sweeping the crowd.
Finally, our eyes meet, and they hold. I smile, and he pauses for a split second. Harry breaks his rhythm for a beat, and then he talks on, slightly distracted.
I clearly messed up his flow, and I look quickly down, ashamed and embarrassed.
“Anyway, it’s been a great year for other things,” he says.
“See,” someone whispers near me.
I turn back, and Anastasia smiles. She then raises a brow. I shake my head at her and look back to the stage. Harry continues, and I gulp as I watch him. Ana must have been wrong, surely?
As Harry goes to close, he finds his rhythm and focus again. “And so, we’ve decided to increase the donation amount to the great cats of the world! We are rising to the challenge, and we are standing up to the threat.”
“And you personally for a hundred million,” someone yells.
“Ahhh thanks, Sandra, that was actually anonymous.”
People laugh, and a few clap and cheer.
“You know why he’s so fanatical, don’t you?” Ana asks, whispering near my ear.
“No?” I ask, turning my head a little.
“His tiger, Tusk. He saw his mother hunted down and slain.”
My heart hurts for Tusk and for Harrison. I put my hand on my heart, and I feel the diamonds. I watch Harry, pause, unplanned. He looks choked up, and I’ve never seen him so vulnerable.
“We are all strong in some ways, but we are all weak in others. Therefore, it’s important we help each other.”
There is silence, and our eyes meet again. I smile, and his eyes twinkle.
I then know.
Know I’ve helped him a little, but he... He is helping a lot, and he is helping many.
“Keep on fighting,” Harry says, now choked up. “Please, they need you. Please, keep on fighting!”
I see a flash of Harry broken. Broken in the cemetery that day. I wipe away a tear, and I fight to keep it together.
“Have a nice evening and thank you for coming.”
As people clap and Harry leaves the stage, I realize. I realize Harry is the same man. The very same man that protected me when we first met. In the storm from the jocks.
The protector, Harry, needs protecting.
As people clap louder, Harry starts towards us. He does not get far because he is blocked, hugged, and cheered by industry professionals.
He spends the next ten minutes shaking hands before he winds his way back to me and my full chest.
“Nice work,” I say, touching his arm.
Harry takes my drink, knocks it back, and sighs. “Thanks, that was intense. You want to get out of here?”
“Yes,” I say as our eyes meet. “Please.”
It is time for us.