Piper and the Paparazzi King

5

A few days later...

Looking at herself in the restroom mirror, Piper couldn’t believe that in just moments, she would meet the CEO and head producer of Dangerous Games. Her dream job was coming true. After years of planning and praying, she was here. All her hard work paid off, and she was finally getting recognized for all her efforts. She wasn’t perfect by any means, but she could stand proud to know she was about to make her dream a reality.

“Well, Piper-girl, momma was right. Work hard and your dreams will come true. Look at me. In just a few minutes from now, I will sit in Wyatt Decker’s office. No turning back now. My future and my family depend on it. Speaking of family—”

Pulling her cell phone from her purse, she dialed it, waiting for the person at the other end of the line to pick it up.

“Did you get the job?” she heard a sweet older woman on the other side chirp. “What am I saying? Of course, you did. My daughter knows her stuff.”

“No, Mom. Not yet. I just wanted to let you know I’m here and ready for the interview. I’ll have that money you need for your medication soon. How are you?”

Helen adjusted her landline phone to her ear as she turned down the television set to hear her daughter better. “Don’t worry about me, sweetie. I’m doing okay and I’m feeling good. Your aunt and I went shopping, and I got a new hat for my bald head.”

“Awe, your bald head is cute. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. You get off here and get to that interview.”

“Okay, Mom. Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck. If they don’t hire you, they’re idiots. You know that business better than anyone. Go get um’, baby. Call me as soon as you know.”

“I will. Bye...” Turning off the phone, Piper looked back at the mirror to adjust her dress. “Here goes nothing.”

***

“Mr. Decker, your one o’clock is here.”

“Let her in,” Wyatt said, as he clicked off the intercom.

Seconds later, in walked his secretary with a fit brunette at her side, dressed in a slim-fitting bodycon dress with a ruffle at the hem. Modern-looking and professional, she had an era of class with a sweet hometown girl smile.

“You must be Piper Rose.” He stood and reached out his hand, greeting her.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Decker. I’ve been a fan of yours since I was a child. Being here is truly an honor. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”

She shook his hand firmly, as she always hated a dead-fish handshake. Although Piper was normally professional and confident when she needed to be, her gushing like a fan girl wasn’t the best choice of wording right now. Today was the day she had to break through her shy, fan-crazed exterior because her future depended on it.

Looking around the office, she was in awe. The rich mahogany woods and black leather looked like something right out of a movie of a wealthy villain’s lair was the highest penthouse view in the city. Yet this was no villain’s lair. This was the introduction to her future and the most exciting experience of her life. The epitome of dream jobs.

Her eyes met that sweet candy jar that reminded her of her grandma’s home as a child. Filled with multicolored gumdrops, that one small token of normalcy on his intimidating office desk made her smile and a little more at ease.

“Please, call me Wyatt. No need for formalities, Miss Rose. Please sit. Candy? I have a bit of a sweet tooth and the cherry gumdrops are my favorite.”

“Oh, thank you. I’m an orange girl myself.”

“Good, then you won’t snatch all the red ones like my son does. The little sneak.”

She sat in the chair opposite him at the desk with a giggle. Letting the orange candy calm her, she sucked the treat nervously while straightening the new dress she bought for just this occasion. As Wyatt thumbed through some papers, she shyly did her best to stay calm, but calm was far from possible.

“First, thank you for coming all this way. My son Rusty, the candy snatcher, has told me a lot about you. He’s impressed. I must admit, from your resume, I am as well.”

“Thank you, sir.” That’s all that came out as she watched him look over her files. The tension was growing, and she was sure she would faint dead away. Here she was, in the office of the man she remembered diving off the ring ropes and breaking industry records in his heyday. He was a real-life fighting legend right before her eyes.

“Fitness trainer, PR, was a fitness model and competitor, wrestler... That all? Or am I missing something? Maybe running for Congress next term or taking over some Fortune 500? Maybe you had a little time to start some space exploration on the way down the hall to my office.” Wyatt looked up at her with a serious stone-face look, completely in boss mode. “You’re a busy woman, Miss Rose.”

With a slightly nervous giggle, she knew that was coming. He didn’t look all that impressed either. This was her one chance to make a good impression, and if she screwed up now, all hope would be lost.

She spoke confidently, knowing he meant business. “No, sir. I have done a few other things that I have additional skill sets for, but my resume hits the main points. I am sure you wonder why I am all over the place, doing so many things.”

“It had been a concern. I want to make sure you’re focused.”

She shifted her weight to get more comfortable before she started, but the butterflies rolling in her stomach were getting the best of her. “Well, it was just a snowball effect. I wanted to learn everything I could about the entertainment and fighting industry, so I took every opportunity that came my way. This is a tough business if you don’t know your stuff. I got into bodybuilding and wrestling because it was something I always loved and dreamed of trying. I’m a realist and know the chances of getting to be a real fighter, or becoming famous in any area of entertainment, weren’t going to be easy. Behind the scenes, I was making a difference in public relations and part-time as a fitness trainer. I could work to get a level of success but also have something to fall back on in case my dream of being a fighter fell flat. Sorry, I’m rambling.” She blushed.

“No-no. This is good. I need to know where your head’s at with all this. So, Miss. Rose, you’re a fan of the fight clubs. Who is your favorite fighter, and why?”

“I guess I should say, you.” She timidly giggled again. “But, honestly is the best policy. So... I would have to say, Ford Collins.”

She could feel her face go flush, knowing she had a huge crush on the man for years. When she said it she almost wished she hadn’t, by the look on the man’s face.

“Humm...” the man responded, not seeming too happy about that response. He wasn’t looking for another Ford fan girl for this job.

She realized quickly that she was talking to his ex-father-in-law and needed to think fast on her feet for that next reply. “Sir, it’s not for the reasons you may not think. I’m a woman, and he is an attractive man, but going after celebrities is not my style. It’s more about his passion for the business. How he carries himself in the ring and out. You can tell he loves what he does. I’ve always been passionate about what I do, and respect people like that. I’ve always been drawn to those who are goal-oriented. People who have a passion and are driven to make their goals a reality. What he has done with Dangerous Games is inspiring. That’s why I always wanted to work here, to be honest. To be around like-minded people that love this business as much as I do.”

Wyatt was loving what he was hearing now. She was honest and forthcoming, not fidgety, and was looking him directly in the eye as she spoke, unlike when she first arrived. That was a good sign because, until now, the people he had interviewed prior had been a flop.

“Good answer. I like you didn’t try to kiss my ass with that one.” He winked with a chuckle, tapping his pen on the desk in reputation. “You could have said it was me and earned some brownie points. Listen, you’re skilled enough to put you in just about any area of our company. Rusty showed me some of your indie show videos, as well. I think with a little training to tweak your skills, you could be an asset on the show when we need it.”

Her eyes widened. She wasn’t expecting that. “Excuse me, sir? On the show?”

“Miss Rose, I don’t let outstanding talent go to waste. I may not throw you in the ring as a fighter, but I could use a good talent manager from time to time. As you’re aware, anyone who steps into the ring must be ready to fight—”

“That would be an honor,” she interrupted, wide-eyed and more excited than she’d ever been.

“Funny you mentioned my fighter, Ford, Miss Rose. Here’s the thing. Right now, we need you for something a little more personal than talent development, training, or in-ring skills.”

“Well, as I told Rusty, I am willing to do whatever I need to do to pay my dues. So, what would I be doing? Training under him until I can work on the show?”

“No, what I have in mind is much harder. You’d have to have some tough skin in this fight. I need you to be the personal assistant to the one and only Ford ‘The Engine’ Collins. The Paparazzi King.”