New York was buzzing …
The anticipation in the studio was electric, as though a buzz of excitement was sprinkled through the air like static. Cameras stood at the ready, their lenses trained on the empty chair beside the host.
It was the only thing everyone could talk about and I couldn't blame them … Mr Black has existed in the hearts of many women. Most of them have married him in their heads, and others have had babies and even started a family… so I could imagine everyone glued in front of their TV waiting for the big reveal.
Sebastian's PR team had insisted that the only way for me to return was to return in Sebastian's arms when he announced he was the famous Mr Black. It'll not only throw everyone off balance, but it will also make them hesitate to make any move.
So, here I stood, clad in a Royal Blue knee-length gown with my hair packed into Chignon style and my makeup minimal, waiting for our cue to appear on the most famous show in New York – 'Truth and Lies'.
"Are you alright?" Sebastian asked suddenly startling me.
When I turned, I noticed his green eyes move all over my face with concern. In that moment, he became the Sebastian who loved me years ago. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts… now more than ever, I couldn't afford to be vulnerable. I was doing this for my parents and the only way to get back their legacy was to be in Sebastian's arms.
"Yes!" I replied, "Just a little anxious but I'll be fine. It's normal,".
He nodded his head and looked away while I felt emptiness settle in my heart. If it was before, he would have tried to comfort me one way or the other.
"Now, this is what we've all been waiting for," the Show's host – Lydia's voice suddenly boomed through the speakers. "When Mr Black came into our lives, we thought it was going to be just another regular person but in the few years since he came, not only have our lives improved, he has provided more than a million jobs to young people and has reduced by have the rate of unemployment… something our government couldn't tackle,".
There was a pause before she continued.
"Now, after three years of serving us behind the scenes, Mr Black will now reveal himself to the world. Please, welcome Mr Black, CEO of Blackway industries,".
The crowd erupted into a loud ovation and one of the stagehand sprinted to where were. "Are you ready sir, ma'am?"
"Yes," I murmured and we turned to Sebastian waiting for his response, instead his eyes was fixed on the monitor backstage, watching Lydia's as she kept going on about him with eagerness. The audience too were in frenzy, they were all up on their feet, clapping with their eyes fixed at the entrance through the side of the stage.
Time was going and I could feel the stagehand shifting with discomfort. Finally, Sebastian turned, his piercing eyes finding my apprehensive face in the dim light. As soon as I saw his expression, I knew he was not going to go.
"I'm not going out there,".
"Sir! That's not possible," the stagehand chirped in, "We already have everything prepared for you, if we cancel at this dying minute it would…".
A withered look from Sebastian made the stagehand stop talking as he scampered away.
I blinked severally, taken aback but not surprised by his sudden announcement. "What? But Sebastian, they just…"
"You're going in my place," he stated firmly leaving no room for argument. "I've thought long and hard about everything and me being here with you today would give me an unwanted attention that I am not ready to deal with. I have to think of my family and I've been able to keep them out of the media for the longest time…".
"But Seb…" I tried to reach for his hands but he swatted mine away, still maintaining the same morose expression he had on "You cannot back out now. You think they would belive me if I go up there without you being with me. This isn't what we agreed,".
"I didn't discuss this with my brothers, Sienna," he stated again "It's bad enough that I am already helping you and by the time this news breaks, it'll be chaos for me, so I am trying to minimalize the damage it'll cause on them and they both have a lot of things planned out in their lives right now. If I go out and introduce myself, it'll take the spotlight away from them.
"So, what I'm supposed to do now," I whimpered hating how I sounded.
"Go out there, introduce yourself to the world as my fiancée, no one can contest that and mid-show, I would send a letter to Lydia affirming your claims,".
"But," I spluttered, my heart hammering against my ribcage. "I can't just…what if the police where to…".
His large hands enveloped mine, a rare softness flickering in his gaze as he stared at me. "The more mysterious I remain, the greater power I will wield. If people know that you have my backing, they'll hesitate because you've met the real Mr Black and no one will be able to harm you now, I promise. You can do this, Sienna,".
Before I could respond, the stagehand came back, insisting that we were keeping the audience waiting. I barely had the time to tell him to hold on, before he ushered me forward. I stumbled into the blinding lights of the stage, as the roar of applause thundering on my eardrums – only to die down in a collective gasp of disbelief when everyone saw my face.
The air crackled…I felt a thousand eyes locked on me, their jaws slacked with shock. For what felt like an eternity, the only sound I could hear was the low hum of the cameras and my thundering pulse in my ears.
This was it… this is my chance to save myself and my parents legacy. You have to pull yourself together, Selene. I gathered my frayed nerves, pushing my chin higher than usual and started towards the host.
Lydia who is usually the picture of poise, gaped openly at me. She seemed frozen in place… her crystal blue eyes wide as saucers and her perfectly glossed lips parted in surprise. When I came up to her, she seemed to recover.
"I…Miss Winchester," she managed in a strangled voice "What on earth are you doing here? We were expecting Mr Black and not you," she peered behind my shoulders.
I drew in a steadying breath, channeling every ounce of breeding I've gone through since I started preparing to take over the company. Offering a winsome smile to Lydia, I arched my brow at her.
"My goodness, Lydia. Is this how you welcome guests to your esteemed program?" my voice echoed in the silence. "I must say, as a big fan of this show and given the enthusiasm you show whenever you have guests on, I expected a touch more … hospitality or is it because they say I am an impostor or the disgraced heiress? I saw it on the news this morning,".
A nervous laughter rippled through the audience. Most of them had recovered and where on their seats, staring at me curiously now. Lydia flushed as a wry chuckle escaped her lips. She pointed to the empty chair which I settled in before she did also facing me.
"I must apologize, Miss Winchester. I was so stunned by your appearance here and it was so unexpected. Mr Black's team had reached out to say he was going to come, that was why I was shocked. I hope you can forgive me and welcome once again to 'Truth and Lies'.
"Thank you for having me and in reality, Mr Black was supposed to be here with me and he sends his sincerest apologies. An urgent matter came up that required his attention and he was unable to get out of it, hence his absence tonight. But, I am here on his behalf,".
Lydia stared at me strangely "I wasn't aware you are acquainted to Mr Black, Miss Winchester? I mean with you coming to represent him on such short notice… how long have you known him? Is it someone we all know or we've met? Can you tell us that?"
A slow, secretive smile curled on the corners of my lips as I leaned forward to pick up the coffee mug in front of me. I could see Lydia watching me like a hawk and the audience too. After taking a sip, I set the cup back down.
"Oh! I and Mr Black are not just friends my dear Lydia," I purred and paused a beat savoring the moment. "I am his fiancée,".
The studio erupted.