Chapter 1 The Late Night Show
The Late Night Show
JESSICA
PRESENT DAY:
With trembling hands, I fidget with the skirt of my dress and pull at my sleeves. My heart beats hard and fast against my chest. Beads of sweat start to form over my upper lip. I peak through the thick, heavy drapes, anticipating my introduction on The Late Night Show with Sammy Cane.
I watch her present her opening. I could have stayed in the dressing room and watched on the monitor, but my nerves forced me out here instead.
Sammy is a pretty woman with dark blonde hair, warm brown eyes, and a beauty mark just above the right corner of her mouth.
She was once a famous pop singer. The audience laughs and claps at her fun, energetic demeanor.
At the heart of the stage is a loveseat for the guest, an armchair for the host, and a rounded coffee table, where a mug of water or tea waits for me.
A small band sits off to the side of the stage opposite me.
My eyes shift to the open ceiling with large bright canned lights fixed to metal beams. Their warmth already blinds me.
Behind the filming crew and stagehands milling about are five rows of seats for the live audience.
A tiny flicker of panic stirs in my gut, quickening my already erratic pulse, when I notice every seat in the studio is filled.
I scan the audience for a familiar face, and my shoulders drop in relief when I find my mother sitting next to Sixes in the third row.
“I am so excited to introduce you to our special guest tonight. She is a singer/songwriter, the CEO of WP Corporation, and now the main star of our favorite reality TV show, A Game of Heart’s Desire: The Alpha Games. Please welcome Alpha Princess Jessica Langhlam!"
The curtain parts, and the audience cheers as I make my way onto the stage. Still trembling, I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look scary or unnatural. I offer a little twirl to showcase my dress.
I promised my friend, Akiyo, that I would wear her latest design. The long, fitted, high-split dress, off-the-shoulder with long sleeves, features a green-and-gold gauzy Asian print, matched with high strappy heels I can barely walk in.
Internally, I pray I don't trip. Slow and steady, I tell myself, as my ankle wobbles. Finally, I reach the hostess. Relief fills my chest. Thank goodness. Sammy welcomes me with a big hug, and my nervousness melts away.
“Thank you, Alpha Princess Jessica, for joining us today. We are so excited to have you! It is such an honor to be in your presence!” She motions to the loveseat.
I wave to the audience as I take my seat.
“What are you talking about? You’re Sammy Cane, the first contestant to win So You Think You Can Sing in the very first season.
You’re the first and only music artist to have multiple number-one hits stay on the top ten pop music charts for months, not to mention the first female artist to own her own record label just one year after entering the industry.
You paved the way for many young artists with a dream within the Northern A territories and worldwide. ”
She blushes at my own fangirling and drops her head.
“I have been a huge fan for years. It’s an honor to be in the presence of the Pop Queen,” I continue, pressing my still-shaky hands over my chest. The audience cheers. I raise my arms, pumping them in the air, encouraging them to applaud louder.
Her blush darkens with my praise, and she waves her hand to quiet the audience.
“If I’m the Pop Queen, then you are the Queen of Rock!
” The audience erupts with clapping and more cheering.
Turning to the crowd, she asks, “Did you know that a couple of the top hits I sang when I first started, ‘Unstoppable Woman’ and ‘Armor,’ were written and composed by the artist formerly known as ‘G’?” She points her thumb toward me.
“Yes, everyone, if you haven’t heard about it yet, the Alpha Princess Jessica Langhlam recently revealed that she is the mysterious artist famously known for hiding her features behind a mask. ”
I laugh. “When did I become the ‘artist formerly known as ‘G’?” Gasps and murmurs echo around the studio.
Sammy shrugs. “When the world found out who you really are, did you think that everyone would still call you ‘G’?”
“Oh… I didn’t think about it. I didn’t exactly plan to, you know, come out behind the mask the way I did.
” I haven’t even spoken to my manager since the whole thing happened.
I just let my lawyer and PR rep handle it.
“How have you been? It has been a long time since I last saw you,” I ask Sammy, changing the subject.
She smiles. “I am great! Busy, between working and raising my little family, but I can’t complain.
My two little girls are growing up way too fast.” The screen behind us displays her two children, one of them missing her two front teeth.
The audience emits a collective “aww” in response to the picture.
“They are too precious!” I coo.
Sammy’s head turns toward the end of the stage. A man wearing headphones with a mouthpiece makes hand motions. “Speaking of busy, underneath the mask and the title, I don’t think anyone realizes how smart, talented, and hardworking you really are.”
My mouth instantly dries at her insinuation. I casually reach for the cup filled with water and drink. I clear my throat before replacing the cup on the table. “How do you mean?”
She slips her hand between the armrest and the cushion of her chair and pulls out index cards with the show’s logo printed on the back.
“Well, for starters, at age sixteen, you challenged the LS territory’s aptitude test and acquired a high school diploma.
At eighteen, you earned a bachelor’s degree in business, and at twenty-one, you finished your MBA overseas.
” She leans over the arm of her chair closer toward me.
“Do you know what I was doing at eighteen? I was sneaking into karaoke bars and open mic nights.”
I giggle. “And just look at where that has gotten you today.” I motion to our surroundings.
She rolls her eyes. “If you only knew the half of it,” she replies with a mischievous smile.
“Anyway, we can talk more about that in private over lots and lots of cocktails.” We chuckle before she switches gears again, glancing at her index cards.
“You have practically built an empire of a multitude of businesses from hotels, restaurants, and clubs. Some of our sources reported that you have silent partnerships with wineries, whiskey distilleries, and other small businesses around the world.”
Heat blooms in my cheeks, listening to my business accomplishments.
“And on top of all of that, you recently became the CEO of a worldwide business consulting company.”
Shaking my head, I try to peer through the blinding lights, seeking out my mother and assistant.
“I think you give me way more credit than I deserve. I have business partners, board members, hardworking management teams, and staff who helped me to grow these successful businesses. And my amazing assistant helps keep me in line. I didn’t do it alone. ”
She fans the cards in front of her. “Oh, please! I for one know exactly how much work goes into starting a business. It’s not easy, let me tell you.
I’m just thankful that I went through all of the ups and downs of becoming a business owner before I had kids.
Most people don’t realize how much heart and soul you pour into a business—the sleepless nights, the tears.
It’s like selling your soul to the devil! ”
“No, really, I—”
She places a hand on my knee. “You are amazing. It’s okay to let the world see it.
All the sources we inquired had nothing but wonderful things to say about you and your work ethic.
Even those within the music industry said the same, and that includes me.
My personal experience working with you was by far one of my most favorite memories. ”
I break into a bashful smile and incline my head. “Thank you.”
She gently squeezes my knee before transitioning to the next topic. “You’re here tonight mainly to promote the premiere of the show A Game of Heart’s Desire: The Alpha Games.”
I let out an audible breath and nod.
Before I can respond, she leans in, frowning, and says, “I don't get it.”
I shrug. “What is there not to get?”
"Well, because you’re you. For crying out loud, there have to be miles of men lining up who want to be with you. Why do you need this show?”
A man from the audience suddenly yells, “I’m single! Mate me!”
I offer a hearty laugh. Twisting my hands together, I contemplate my answer.
I’ve been asked this question a million times.
“I think you pointed out the obvious. I spent almost a decade trying to discover myself and make a career.” I shake my head, disguising my embarrassment.
“After a few mistakes, I convinced myself that I don’t need a mate, that my career and family are all that I need.
But as it turns out, there are rules—laws—I must adhere to when becoming a female Alpha.
With that also comes personal sacrifices, not just to keep my role but to do what’s best for my pack. ”
Still frowning, she responds, “I understand that, but again, why the show?”
I don’t have an answer, at least not one I can honestly give.
I recall the script I should say, according to my PR guy, but it just seems so…
fake. But the show must go on. “Everyone thinks my life is so glamorous and romantic, traveling all over the world and meeting new people all the time. The truth is I haven’t made many attempts to connect with anyone.
Even though many of my friends are males, I simply can’t make a phone call and ask, ‘Hey, friend, are you still single? Great! How about you and I hook up and get mated before my twenty-fifth birthday?’” I jest.
That last part deviated from the script. My PR guy is going to have an aneurysm. Sammy offers me a sad smile.
Swallowing, I continue. “I know it’s not the ideal way to find my mate.
Trust me, I remember a time when I sat with friends watching the show, and I couldn’t help but think, what’s wrong with them that they can’t find someone the normal way?
I used to make rude comments and make fun of the female contestants,” I admit with a snort.
“I guess karma has a funny way of giving it right back to me because here I am, promoting the show.”
Disappointment flickers across Sammy’s face. “I hope you find your true mate.” She looks at me thoughtfully, reaches over, and clasps my hand. “I always thought you were special. You write and compose music with so much love and emotion. You deserve to have a meaningful relationship in your life.”
I look down at our hands. It is kind of her to say, but love, including a meaningful relationship, isn’t in the cards for me. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, especially coming from you.”
The man offstage with the headphones motions to Sammy again.
“Well, it’s that time everyone!” The audience grows wild with whistles and cheers. “Let’s play a game!”
My eyes widen. I was warned about this, but I honestly thought we took so much time already that I wouldn’t have to participate.
I glance over to see my PR guy’s face. He shakes his head in caution.
A part of me really wants to piss him off for his rude comments and annoying remarks throughout the week.
This morning, he drank my coffee on purpose and then refused to stop to buy me another one.
Let’s just say he’s not my favorite person. I narrow my eyes and paste on my fuck you, Gary smile.
Turning my attention back to Sammy, I rub my hands together. “Let’s do this!”
Finally, it’s over. I make my way to my mother and assistant, Sixes, who moved from their seats among the audience to join our PR guy, Gary, and Anders, my head guard, backstage.
“Nice job. Cute act, by the way—playing all meek and innocent,” Gary sneers in a hushed tone.
I lean closer to him and, in just as low of a voice, reply, “I’m in this mess because of your great idea in the first place. Besides, it was also your idea to act like a bubbly idiot to throw people off.”
With a wide, fake smile, he looks around to ensure no one heard me. “No, you wouldn’t need to pretend to be a bubbly idiot if you had just chosen a mate in the first place, Princess.”
I roll my eyes, and he stalks off, letting my mother know he will meet us at my place later to discuss the plans with the production team.
My mother gives me a gentle smile and reaches for my hand when someone from behind me clears their throat. Anders takes a closer step toward me, and I put up a hand to stop him. A stagehand, or perhaps a cameraman, stands awkwardly nearby. This man isn’t a threat.
“Uh, excuse me, Alpha Princess. I’m sorry to bother you, and I know you probably want to get going…
You see, there’s, uh… a little boy sitting over there.
” He points toward the audience. “He’s asking if he can meet you.
He… uh… he says he’s a huge fan of yours.
” The poor guy is sweating as if I am going to bite off his head.
I smile to ease some of his nervousness. “A little boy?” I ask.
His shoulders relax. “Yeah. Cute kid. He made his nanny bring him here today. We don’t normally allow children in, so I was surprised to see him sitting in the audience seats. He really wants to meet you.”
I crane my neck. There he is—a little guy, not more than five or six years old, with jet-black hair, sitting next to a young, ash-blonde female.
Anders whispers in my ear, “I don’t think this is a good idea. It could be a setup.”
I watch the two. The little boy talks animatedly to his nanny, and she is intent on the conversation.
They don’t seem like much of a threat. I look around them, and they’re alone.
“It’s just a little boy and his nanny. If you’re so worried, come with me.
” Turning to the man who made the request, I add, “Or would it be okay if you bring the boy and his nanny backstage?”
“That won’t be a problem. I can bring them now, if you like.” I glance at Anders. “Will that work better for you?”
His face is stern, and he doesn’t answer right away, probably calculating the risks to my safety either way. He finally nods, and the man leaves to escort the pair.