Regards,
Will
Email to Will Banks, cc. Dwight Anderson, Victor Petty, Kira Taylor, Toshiro Fukuhara, Callum MacKenzie
From: Dylan Sinclair
Subject Line: RE: RE: INCREDIBLE NEWS - TOP SECRET!!!
Will,
You are SO right. Death does not make for good reality television. It would totally ‘kill’ the sex vibe we’re going for. Also, we’d NEVER put your lives at risk! Trust me when I say any and all safety precautions have been taken. We’ll be using a location you’re personally familiar with, so not to worry.
You’ll be given all the supplies needed to survive in this environment. Even though your co-host doesn’t have a great deal of experience in the wilderness, she’s had years of managing difficult situations. Trust me, nothing can possibly go wrong.
Ciao,
Dylan
Email to Will Banks, cc. Dwight Anderson, Kira Taylor, Toshiro Fukuhara, Callum MacKenzie, Dylan Sinclair
From: Victor Petty
Subject Line: RE: RE: RE: INCREDIBLE NEWS - TOP SECRET!!
Will,
To reiterate what Dylan is saying, we at ABN would never put any of our employees’ lives at risk. We’re committed to upholding the highest safety and wellness standards for every member of the ABN family, so please relax and enjoy this new adventure.
We’ve got you covered,
Victor
Text from Dwight to me: Sounds like they’ve got it all under control. Have a wonderful trip!
Me: You better hope they do because you won’t make any money from my corpse.
Awful P.R. People and the Princesses Who Hate Them
Arabella
It’s Tuesday morning. Gran and I are having an early breakfast in the warmth of the solarium before we both begin our various functions for the rest of the day. The servers have finally left so we can speak freely among the lush, exotic greenery. Since Saturday night, I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to tell her about my gargantuan secret, needing us to be completely alone and for her to be in a mood that lends itself to helping her youngest grandchild. And if there’s anything that puts Gran in a generous frame of mind, it’s eggs Benedict day. It’s her favourite meal, but since her heart attack, she can only eat it once a month. Lucky for me, today is that day.
I wait until she’s had a few bites and her face has settled into a satisfied bliss before I speak up. “Gran, remember the other day when you told me to make this life my own and to take the next big risk that comes my way?”
Raising one eyebrow, Gran puts down her fork and knife. “What did you do?”
Oh dear. The raised eyebrow is never a good sign. “Before I tell you I need you to promise you won’t say a word to Father—or anyone else, for that matter.”
“I'll make no such promise.”
“Fine.” I shrug as though the conversation is over, then slice into a strawberry and take a small bite.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll go straight to your father and let him know you’re keeping a secret that will likely prove to be catastrophic.”
I’m about to say, ‘you wouldn’t,’ when I realize she most certainly would. I let out a sigh. “Do you remember that Will Banks fellow at the wedding? The one Tessa was teasing Arthur about?”
“The James Bond-esque man you were shamelessly flirting with at the champagne fountain?”
“I wasn’t flirting,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm. “And even if I was flirting a little, I would never do so in a shameless manner.”
“You absolutely were. Now, out with it. What did you do?”
“You’ll recall Mr. Banks hosts a nature documentary, and I thought it might be exciting to serve as a … co-host.” I pop a tiny piece of honeydew into my mouth and attempt to chew it casually. “I think it would be a real confidence boost, which is exactly what you said I needed—an opportunity to spread my wings and test my mettle.”
Sitting back in her chair, Gran runs her tongue over her front teeth. “Are you insane? You know you’re not permitted to hold a job.”
“What if all the money goes directly to charity?” I take a sip of tea. “In that case, it’s not a job, but a charitable act—and a considerable one at that, I might add.”
“As fun as that sounds, and as attractive as Mr. Banks is, this is entirely out of the question. There is no way the powers that be will allow it.”
“Yes, I know,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “That’s why I already signed the contract.”
Gran’s jaw drops, and she stares at me. For what may be the first time in her eighty-seven years, she seems speechless.
“I leave on Thursday for filming in a secret location. I’ll be gone for a week, maybe two, then I’ll come home and get back to business as usual, only I’ll have shown the world I’m not nearly as soft as they believe me to be.”
“A secret location? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Somewhere secret,” I answer.
“Where? Here in Avonia?”
“I don’t think so. The show generally films in rather … remote places like Antarctica or the Amazon rainforest.”
Tilting her head, she says, “So, you’re expecting to up and disappear in two days? Just wipe your schedule of everything, leaving all those foundations in the lurch—with no notice—so you can go off gallivanting in the wilderness with some man we don’t know from Adam.”
“I’m sure it can all be sorted out. Tessa and Arthur could each take on a few of my events … and I thought you might be willing to help, since this was your idea in the first place.”
“It most certainly was not! I meant paint your nails dark green or … or wear three-inch heels and see if you can get away with it. Not go live out in the wilderness somewhere eating bugs and trekking through swamp-infested, disease-ridden forests and contract malaria while simultaneously humiliating the family.”
“Oh.” My shoulders drop. “I thought you meant a real risk.”
“Well for you, green nail polish would’ve been a real risk. You're quite possibly the most sheltered and conservative person I've ever met. Why would you even consider this?”
He's cute. And he made me laugh. “You told me to do something big.”
Pursing her lips, Gran says, “Do you mean someone big?”
“Gran!”
“Oh please. Tell me the thought didn’t cross your mind. He’s hot as hell.”
“Is he?” I shrug, picking up my teacup. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Right, and I’ve just been chosen to be the next team captain for Valcourt United.”
Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “It doesn’t matter how handsome he is because I’m not looking for love. I’m looking for adventure, for some freedom for a change.” I pick at my mushroom galette with my fork, suddenly feeling full. “Besides, I’d never be interested in some man who fancies himself to be Tarzan and goes around eating grubs like they’re popping corn. This is about proving myself to the family and showing that I can handle difficult challenges and …”