Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
I see Malcolm’s reflection behind me. He looks so handsome in his tuxedo that it takes my breath away. He walks up behind me and puts his arms around my waist.
“We sure do look good, don’t we?” he asks.
“You look very handsome. Like a movie star.”
“Nothing compares to you, sweetheart. Beautiful as always.” He kisses my cheek, and we leave for the ballroom at the training center.
The ballroom is surrounded by reporters and cameramen vying for attention from everyone who walks down the red carpet. As we approach, someone shouts, “Marissa Graves!”
I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Turn around, smile, and wave,” Malcolm tells me so I pivot to face the crowd of reporters and hold up my hand. The flashing lights and clicking cameras make my head spin and turn my anxiety into near full-on panic.
If Malcolm wasn’t holding on to me, I might run for the hills. I’ve been photographed more times than I can remember but never for something this big. This is my life’s dream, and now that I have it, it terrifies me.
Sensing my panic, Malcolm moves me away from the cameras. “You don’t have to talk to them now. They’re like vultures in a feeding frenzy. I’ll set up some one-on-one interviews later. We’ll slip off to somewhere quiet so you’re more comfortable.”
We enter the ballroom and Malcolm points to the stage. “Look, baby, it’s you,” he says just as I see my face on a giant banner hanging above the podium.
It’s a picture of me from when I won Nationals. There are only three other banners. One of Katrina Lee, a female diver, one of Everet King, and one of a male swimmer named Michael Davis. We must have ranked the highest in our time trials. Why else would be the only ones up there?
Andrika greets us, wearing a beautiful black evening gown. She takes my hands and asks, “Have you seen the final numbers?”
“No, we just got here.”
“Well, you should be ready to have the press all over you from now until the games. You blew everyone out of the water. If you swim like this in Paris, nobody will have a chance against you.”
Malcolm squeezes me. “See, I told you. You’re gonna be a star.”
The training administrator approaches us and shakes hands with us all. Funny, before today, he was very standoffish with Malcolm. Now, you’d think they’re the best of friends.
“Once the final numbers are announced, we’ll have a press conference with the four of you. I’ll send someone over to get you when we’re ready,” he tells me.
Thank god. I’m glad I won’t have to face the press alone.
Andrika, Malcolm, and I find our reserved table. Before we can sit, Everet comes over to us.
“Congratulations, Marissa. Seems like getting a little side action actually made you faster. Maybe once we’re in Paris, we can practice together,” he spits out and rushes off before Malcolm has a chance to clean the floor with him.
I can feel the heat coming off Malcolm as he growls and tracks the boy’s movement like a panther stalking its prey.
“It’s okay, Malcolm. Don’t let him ruin this night.”
Malcolm looks at me. “You’re right. Tonight is for you, Marissa. Mark my words, though. He has a beating coming. I promise you that.”
“I believe you.”
Once dinner is served, the administrator takes the stage to officially announce the scores of each competitor who has qualified for the Olympic team. When he reads my time, the whole crowd stands and applauds me.
“Stand up, smile, and wave,” Malcolm instructs me.
I do as I’m told and hope that my tomato-colored cheeks don’t show up online.
Soon, a member of the staff comes to escort me to the press conference. Malcolm stands up to come with me, but the woman says, “Sorry, Sir. It’s just the athletes right now.”
“She isn’t going without me.”
She starts to argue but sees the determination on his face and just shrugs.
“There’s no way I’m letting you go into a room with that punk without me.”.
Malcolm stands by the wall, and I take my seat at the long conference table beside Katrina. The press begins their questions with Everet, then Michael, then Katrina. I’m the last in line. When they get to me, they ask, “What do you think contributed to your amazing time? Was there a change to your training or your diet?”
I take a moment to consider my answer and smile. “For the first time in my career, I have the right team guiding me. My trainer and my agent have invested so much in me. I can’t thank them enough. Their support and encouragement are everything to me.”
I look past the press at Malcolm and feel my eyes fill with tears. He’s the reason for everything.
10
MARISSA
We land at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and are whisked away by van to the hotel near the Stade de France, which will be hosting the Olympic games.