Page 23 of Damaged Mogul
As I was stuffing a Manchego cheese and chorizo sausage puff into my mouth, she lost her shit. I was so caught off guard, I almost choked. Freaked out, my eyes bounced around the room, searching for the eminent danger. There was no bogeyman and the roof wasn’t falling in.
Joel Banner was in the house.
The woman has a thing for younger men with British accents, especially when they talk dirty to her in bed while they drive into her like military tanks. That was way more than I needed to know about her. Getting drilled by Joel is on her bucket list, so she left me standing there, as she chased after him.
Great.
Before I put myself out there again, I need to fill my belly. After piling delicious appetizers on a small plate, I find a little alcove, removed from the event’s hustle and bustle, where I can eat in peace.
As I savor succulent angus beef meatballs stuffed with blue cheese, a man who’s much older than my father—if the salt and pepper hair and wrinkles on his over tanned face are any indication—clad in a purple suit, lavender shirt unbuttoned enough to show chest hair, and wearing a pair of gold loafers, approaches.
“You’re hired,” the stranger says, pointing a finger at me.
I frown, a half-eaten meatball speared with a toothpick frozen in the air.
Smiling brown eyes stare down at me.
I drop the appetizer on the plate and place a hand in front of my mouth, chewing. I swallow. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re hired.” As if it makes more sense the second time around.
“I don’t remember applying for a job.”
“You’re considering the videographer program?”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to graduate at the top of your class.” He smiles wide, revealing a row of too white veneered teeth.
“Don’t tell me, you’re a psychic.”
The man lets out a booming, fake laugh. “You’re beautiful, funny, charming, and sexy as hell.”
Eeew. And you’re an annoying old man.
“I’d extend a hand, but you’re eating,” he says. “My name is Cadoc Cork Phallusburg.”
“Hi, I’m Lily.”
“No last name?”
“Nope.” The quicker I wrap this up, the quicker I can go back to stuffing my face.
“It’s your lucky day, Lily. I can makeallyour dreams come true.”
My eyebrows rise. “That’s quite the promise.”
“One I can keep.”
You’re full of it.“You don’t even know me. You don’t know what I strive for in life.”
“If you’re here”—he gestures to the room—“I’ve got what you need in spades.”
I try hard not to roll my eyes.
“I’m the CEO of Gennadius Records,” he says, “and I have a long list of new talent in need of music videos. I want to hire you.”
“I haven’t even started the program yet. And it’s not due to kick off until next year.”
