Page 5 of The Secrets We Treasure

Six months later …

The goal was to keep her emotions fully reined in. That was the only hope Treasure had of coming out of this wretched interview unscathed. When Alyssa’s people first approached her requesting an interview, Treasure turned them down flat. That didn’t sit well with Ethan, who argued that Treasure would be insane not to do the interview. “The fact that Alyssa wants to interview you speaks volumes. Think of how hard we’ve worked to get your career where it is today. The publicity you’ll receive from the interview is invaluable.”

Eventually, Treasure gave in. Hopefully Ethan was right and some good would come out of the interview. However, Treasure’s instincts screamed that she should’ve listened to her first inclinations. She was not getting warm fuzzies about this interview.

Alyssa McKenzie was the worst sort of reporter—one of those sleek, refined vampires who would put her prey at ease by flashing a disarming smile before she slashed the jugular vein with an efficient stroke and then sipping the blood delicately from a long-neck glass like it was a top-dollar bottle of wine.

Spending two painfully long seasons as a contestant on The Singing Bachelor had given Treasure plenty of experience dealing with cutthroat women. Although, few of those women were as intelligent as Alyssa McKenzie.

Treasure watched Alyssa as she tucked a shiny, platinum blonde lock behind her ear, crossed her legs, and adjusted her pencil skirt. A makeup tech blotted Alyssa’s face with a powder puff and fluffed her hair.

“I’m good,” Alyssa growled with a flick of her hand as she pushed the tech’s hand away.

In a flurry, the tech moved to Treasure and followed the same routine of dabbing her face and fluffing her hair. A guy in his early twenties stepped up and hooked a microphone onto the collar of Treasure’s blouse. “On in two minutes,” he said briskly.

Treasure nodded, trying to squelch the butterflies flapping up a storm in her stomach. She cast a furtive glance at Alyssa whose chair was angled towards her. Out of courtesy, Treasure had attempted to converse with Alyssa while they were waiting for the interview to begin. However, she could tell from Alyssa’s bored expression that she had little interest in engaging in chitchat. “Let’s just save it for the interview,” she said dismissively.

Alyssa’s assistant sent over a series of benign questions beforehand that would supposedly be discussed. However, Treasure had watched enough of Alyssa’s interviews to know that the key to survival was to expect the unexpected. Alyssa’s trademark was putting people on the spot. She’d brought one poor girl—a rising pop singer—to tears when she pressed the girl about her illegitimate daughter.

Treasure’s insides turned to ice as she thought of the skeletons in her closet. Alyssa was an expert at digging up dirt. What if she’d somehow discovered Treasure’s secret and was planning on ripping her apart on live TV. What would Greer think if he learned the truth? The two of them were in a good place now. Still just friends, but it was enough. Greer could never find out what happened. He would hate her! Panic raced a scorching trail through Treasure’s veins as she swallowed. The interview would be live. Greer had sent her a text less than half an hour ago, wishing her luck and saying that he would be watching. An image of Greer flashed through her mind, evoking the longing that was becoming as familiar as her own breathing. She saw the mischievous twinkle in his intelligent brown eyes, his easy smile, his messy curly hair. When Treasure lost Greer, she didn’t know how she could possibly go on.

But she had gone on, taking one painful step at a time. Her heart, although ripped to shreds, kept beating all the same. By the grace of God and sheer perseverance, she’d rebuilt her life and found Ben, who adored her. They had Tray, whom Treasure loved more than life itself. If only Ben hadn’t died, how different Treasure’s life might’ve been. They would have had more children … raised them alongside the loving and nurturing guidance of Helen and Kevin. Ben’s death was so shocking, so unexpected. Ten years older than Treasure, he was cut down in his prime. No one realized that Ben had congenital heart disease until it was too late.

Her pulse throbbed against her temples. She had to get a grip! With a jolt, Treasure realized that Alyssa was assessing her with the crafty, dispassionate eyes of a gladiator gearing up to face her opponent. Or slaughter her opponent. Treasure pushed a tight smile across her lips.

“Everything okay?” Alyssa’s sculpted eyebrow lifted a fraction.

Oh, so now you want to talk.“Yep,” Treasure replied lightly, her spine straightening. She could do this! Alyssa wouldn’t get the best of her.

Excitement buzzed through the plush conference room of the five-star hotel as the camera operators got into position. A man wearing headphones pointed. “Three, two, one. We’re live.”

The change in Alyssa was instantaneous. Her posture became relaxed and engaging, her tone upbeat as she spoke to the camera. “Good evening. I’m Alyssa McKenzie with Up Close. I’m delighted to have Treasure Montgomery here with me. You’ll remember Treasure from the popular reality TV show, The Singing Bachelor, where Treasure won the heart of heartthrob Neil Jessop.” Her voice grew reflective with a slight touch of somberness. “Sadly, love didn’t conquer all. The two of them parted ways a couple of months after the show ended.” She paused for effect. “But a broken heart can’t keep Treasure down. She’s a social media influencer with over two million followers. She has her own cosmetic line, which I love, by the way. The mascara is fabulous,” Alyssa gushed, batting her eyelashes.

Treasure had to fight to keep her expression neutral. She was sitting close enough to Alyssa to see that the woman wore eyelash extensions and didn’t need mascara. Ethan must have worked out some sort of deal to give the cosmetic line a plug. He was always scheming up ways to expand the brand.

Alyssa turned her attention to Treasure and floated her a smile so resplendent that they might’ve been besties. “Thanks for joining me.”

What a phony!“It’s a pleasure,” Treasure responded graciously. She could fight fire with fire all day long.

Alyssa shifted in her seat. “I understand you have a new perfume line that just launched.”

“Yes, I do.”

A hint of amusement sparkled in Alyssa’s powder blue eyes. “Tell us the name.”

“Treasure.”

“Appropriately named,” Alyssa chuckled.

“Well, I certainly won’t forget it,” Treasure joked.

“No, you won’t,” Alyssa responded before shifting gears. “Tell me more about your clothing line. Are the items available in stores?”

This was all part of the questionnaire Treasure had received. Easy breezy stuff. “The clothing line is sold exclusively online, but the perfume will be available in stores.”

Alyssa leaned forward and sniffed. “I take it that incredible smell is your perfume?”

“It is.” Alyssa was certainly good at her job. She was so magnanimous that Treasure could almost believe they were friends. No wonder the woman caught people off-guard.

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