Luckiest Man In The World - 2. I Won the Superpowerball Pt2

In an hour, we had an Asian lunch and decided which bedroom we each wanted. All were splendid.

When I woke, it mid-afternoon. Having nothing to wear, that’s what I wore. Nothing when I crawled into that huge bed. Can you imagine if I say it was “orgasmic?” Then I noticed some music coming from the bathroom, soothing relaxing music. Kyle had insisted I take the bedroom we saw first as mine. He chose another, just as nice. Entering the bathroom I saw Kyle leaning back on the side of the tub enjoying the warm water as steam radiated around him in rising swirls.

“Where’s the head?” I asked.

He pointed toward a door without looking or even opening his eyes.

“Thanks.” I did what I need to do. “So what’s wrong with the other bathroom?” I asked coming back in.

“Nothing.” Kyle shook his head. “But I liked this tub. Come on in.”

Looking around, I found a robe and towel. I slipped my underwear off and tentatively got in, after wincing at the heat at first. Then slid in further.

“This is nice.” I sighed and let the water relax me, the warmth seeping in.

“Heaven.” Kyle corrected, again neither opening his eyes or looking.

“I’m a billionaire,” I said.

Kyle chuckled not opening his eyes. “Yep. You are. My best friend is a billionaire.” Then he looked at me. “Still having trouble believing it?”

“My head is adjusting,” I explained. I laughed. “I woke thinking for a second, I had dreamt it. It has to be a dream.”

Kyle chuckled. “Just don’t wake up.”

“It was those Egyptian cotton sheets convinced me instantly it wasn’t a dream.”

“Yep.” Kyle agreed. He looked at me seriously. “You’ve never asked to have sex with me.”

I grinned. “I wouldn’t.”

“I meant what I said, about consenting if you wanted.”

I shook my head. “It would just be an action. Even if you got some pleasure, and you would believe me. It wouldn’t be because you didn’t want to. You’d be doing it as a friend. Not someone that loves me….that way.” He was very good looking. The red hair had darkened to a deep brownish red. He had great eyes and a very nice body. “Kyle, we’ve seen each other naked since we took baths together at seven. I’ve watched you grow up, seen the hairs come out at your groin and pits. I’ve watched you mature, but I cherish our friendship more.” I cocked my head. “Why? Are you saying you’re sexually attracted to me now?”

He moved from the side coming toward me. “Let’s see.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. Really, it was a damned good kiss. We had done it once before when we twelve or so, just to see what it’d be like to kiss someone. He separated from me and looked down at himself. “Nope. Not a thing.” He touched his own penis. Then he looked at me. “I think I should be offended.”

I laughed. “Why?”

He reached down and touched my penis. “You like boys and you have no reaction either.”

I had to throw my head back and laugh. I hugged him. “Don’t be offended. I trust you with my life. Take it as a compliment. We go beyond the baser needs.”

“Yeah, but your needs have got to be met.”

I grinned at him. “I’m a billionaire! Those needs will be met.”

 

Later Ned came in to say we could get something to wear. So, he handed me a card, like a credit card and we went down to the vast opulent mall, which I had no idea they had. Ned was right there. I noticed some other men within visual range.

“Enjoy this, gentlemen,” Ned said in a whisper. “This is your last trip to the mall as regular guys.”

“I don’t even know some of these stores.” Kyle groaned scanning the directory.

I pointed to a few stores. “You know them. Stop looking with your wallet.”

Kyle grunted and nodded. “Habit.”

I swear, I never paid more than $180 bucks for a pair of jeans before that day, and that was extravagant! These were Calvin Kleins or whatever…and not off the rack! To pay $1500!! But I did, for Kyle and myself, shirts, socks and shoes…oh yeah…underwear. We went to Perry Ellis, Ralph Lauren, and few I just looked and saw. We just got a few things and were back upstairs. When we got there, Karen was back.

“Well?” She grinned seeing we had some people bringing in bags and boxes.

“See this!?” I held the receipt up to her. “I didn’t pay that much for anything, except a car.”

She nodded. “Well, tomorrow some people are coming to get your size you and you need to show them what you present to the world. I want to get the clothes you had on when you got to the Lotto office for the first interview on Wednesday night. Then we can show them the results of what winning means.”

I nodded. “Okay.” I looked over the spectacular view of Manhattan. “Can we go out tonight? I mean before all hell breaks through Wednesday.”

Karen looked at Ned who nodded and said. “I told them to enjoy it now.”

“Sounds fine.”

 

We went to this Steakhouse. $150 for a steak! Prices even higher on some cuts. The fact that we drove up in a black Escalade and had security with us, only the waiter looked at us rather curiously when I used the card. It didn’t have a name on it. It did have a company name. Ned took care of it. But man, that was a great steak! Chewing was an option, it was so tender. Best onion rings I’ve ever had. Sorry, Bessinger’s. They had been my favorite in South Carolina. Then back to the….whatever. It had a hotel in the building, but our rooms were not part of that. The hotel used it, but it belonged to the Powerball people.

I played with the gaming system, and found they had a headset for my favorite game “Civilization!” Building an empire! It was 3D! It was 3 am before I passed out. At ten in the morning, there was a knock at my door. A guy I had seen as one of Ben’s men poked his head in.

“There’s a coordinator to see you.”

“Coordinator?” I asked, remember I had a late night? “To coordinate what?”

“You!” This guy came in, bursting around my guard, only to be wrestled to the wall by my security. “What the…”

“You were instructed by Mr. Turner, all guests must be announced and checked.” The security man growled.

“Sorry.” The man surrendered.

“You don’t just barge into a man’s bedroom.” The man wrestled the man away. “Get out!” He spoke to another man. “Tell Ms. Walker this man won’t do and be sure he’s out of the building.”

I got up, my eyes wide. These guys meant business. “Damn.”

“My apologies, Mr. Mitchell. The rules were clear. It won’t happen again.” He assured.

It was not fifteen minutes later another knock. The same guard stuck his head in. “Ms. Walker and a Ms. Simpson are here. Ms. Simpson is the new coordinator.”

“Thanks…” I ended the greeting meaning I was looking for a name to be given.

“Chet Dobbins.” He grinned and stepped back out.

I dressed quickly into my overpriced clothes and went into the living area. There were Karen Walker and a woman about ten years younger. Very attractive, with long brown hair done in waves down her shoulders.

Karen smiled at me. “My apologies for Mr. Wayneright. The man here before. He was….”

“Rude.” The other woman said walking up and shaking my hand. “Elena Simpson.” She introduced herself. “I will be coordinating your party and you, if you want.”

I looked to see Kyle come out of his room, yawning. He suddenly looked up. “Oh!” He ducked back in his room. “Company.”

“You’ll have a good time with that one.” I grinned.

“I’ve had much worse.” Ms. Simpson chuckled. Then looked at me with an appraising eye. “Much worse.” She nodded. “Much, much worse.”

I was feeling like a display dummy. “What were you expecting?”

Ms. Simpson caught herself and smiled. “Sorry. But frankly, I was expecting anything. From Midwest trailer park trash to a homeless vagrant. Instead, I find a very handsome young man, in his prime…there’s a lot I can work with.”

“To do what?” I asked, not sure if I like this.

“Just imagine what you want to present.” Ms. Simpson said. “Casual or dressy?”

I shrugged. “Classy I guess.”

Ms. Simpson smiled. “I think I can work with that.”

Kyle came out zipping his pants as he came. “Two thousand bucks for jeans and you will have a hard time zipping them up.”

The ladies chuckled.

“Oh, by the way. You are now down to two possible winners.” Karen told me.

“Two?” I asked. “What happened to the third?”

Karen hesitated, then said. “Well, you can’t collect when you’re dead.”

Kyle frowned. “Dead. How?”

“It seems our German winner bought the ticket a few months ago for this years’ drawing and put it somewhere, his wife took it, with some trash to the incinerator and burned the thing. By accident, I’m sure.” Karen explained. “He was so angry, he was about to hurt his wife and she shot him.”

“So now the collection has gone from $333,333,333.33 to half a billion.” Kyle stated.

Karen nodded. “Nothing from Australia.”

I sat on the couch. “Damn.” I rolled my head to loosen the tendrils of stress that was creeping up my spine. “It’s really starting to sink in.” I looked at Kyle. “My life will never be the same.”

Kyle sat beside me. “Nope.” He chuckled. “Danny boy demanded to know why I was away.” He shook his head. “I want to tell him, but…”

I looked at Karen. “How did the temp at my job go? How did Tom take it?”

She sat in a chair near us. “That Mr. Perriguex was hard to convince without details, but he heard the word free and let it go.”

“Told ya.” I grinned.

 

We were whisked to somewhere that looked like a lab…on the starship Enterprise. A lot of high tech computer screens and something I’d never seen before. Then told to strip. Put on these loose robes and walked into something that looked like a lab.

“Hi.” A woman said coming toward us. “I’m Julie. We need to get some measurements.” She had blond hair and blue eyes.

“Measuremlikeents,” I said.

Then she pointed to a spot on the floor. “For your clothes. Now if you could step into the circle on the floor.” She said to me.

I did as asked. She touched some buttons on a panel that looked complicated, but she flew right through it. There was a slight whine and some large round bands rose from the ground and began rotating around me. “This works like a CT scan, but it gives designers and accurate view of your body. If you could kneel on your right knee, please.” Julie instructed. “Then the other knee, then arms stretched overhead and then out, stand on tiptoes.” Then Kyle had to do it.

After that was over, Kyle pulled me aside. “I understand you having this done, but why did you insist on me?”

I was surprised. “Kyle…don't you realize how much you mean to me? I won money. I didn’t earn it. It was a gift. Do you think I would just collect and go, leaving you out? No way. I’m having a tux made for you and also a wardrobe.” I brushed his shoulder of lint that wasn’t there. “You’ll be the sharpest dressed lawyer in the South.” I gave him a slight shove. “Now accept the gifts,” I demanded.

Kyle’s eyes grew and he grinned. “Bossy now that we’re rich aren’t we?”

 

We went to the town again that night. Then back again to our new home for the week. The next day…nothing. Then I found out there was a pool! I loved pools. We spend the next few hours swimming at their indoor pool. It was like being on vacation!

 

“I’ve decided to give the house to Susan,” I said as we were being lazy at the pool.

Kyle looked up suddenly. “What!?”

I nodded. “I will even pay it off and buy her that Jeep Grand Cherokee she always wanted.”

“After the shit she put you though!? Why are you being so nice to that bitch?”

Turning to him as we lounged on two lounge chairs. “Because it’s the right thing to do,” I replied. “For me.”

He sat up and leaned in on me. “That evil woman lied to you, she had an affair with her boss and god knows who else, then tried to ring that house from you, offering you way less than it’s worth. Why are you being nice to her?”

“Something Cicely Tyson said in that Tyler Perry movie, Diary of Mad Black Woman,” I replied. “She said if all you want is to hurt someone, that means you’re not over that person,” I explained. I sighed. “If I do this. Doing something nice after all the pain she caused, I might be able to truly let her go.”

Kyle gave me a sigh and lowered his head. “I’m glad we’re best friends.” Then he grinned at me. “If you treat your enemies that well, think of what I’ll get.”

I grabbed him in a neck hold and wrestled him down as the door to the pool area opened. In walked Ned Turner.

“Ned!” I grinned as I put Kyle in a headlock.

Our security guard just grinned back. “Ms. Walker requests you come upstairs. Dressed as you were Sunday and Monday.”

I let Kyle go. “Sure thing.”

“Showtime,” Kyle said.

 

It was two hours before the time limit. We were dressed as we had been when we arrived at the Lotto office in Columbia. Kyle shook some hair looser on my head. Batting his hand away he grinned at me.

“You weren’t that neat at 2 am Monday morning,” Kyle explained.

I waved him off and dialed the phone.

“Hello?” I heard my ex-wife’s voice.

“If you hang up at any time during this conversation, your attempts to get the house is gone,” I said quickly and firmly.

“Eric!?” She asked. “The caller ID said this is from Manhattan.”

“That’s where I am,” I explained. “You may want to sit down.” I could hear her do just that. “I am now a millionaire.”

“You lie.”

“In a few hours, it will be announced that the Superpowerball winner is me,” I said calmly.

Her breath stopped. Then softly. “You lie.”

I looked at Kyle. “I told you she wouldn’t believe me.”

“And you turned down the camera crew that could be there and we could see it,” Kyle muttered shaking his head at me.

“Susan, you seem to think I operate like you,” I said a little angrily which I stopped immediately and sighed. “I don’t lie. And what would that get me if it weren’t true?” Hearing no reply I went on. “You hurt me. Really hurt me.”

“I never…”

“I loved you. And you leave me for Mark Fritz?”

“I never had an affair.” She said softly. “But you and Kyl…”

“I saw him fucking you on the desk!” I said angrily. I heard inhale swiftly. “You lost the right to ask me about anybody I sleep with and any relationship I have with Kyle is just your way of deflecting so you can act like the jilted party! I saw you. Mark does have a nice ass, AND I SAW IT!” I calmed down. “What’s more, since then I have a picture of that nice ass of his over your naked body, so unless you were taking naked dictation…well, you weren’t playing naked leapfrog. Stop playing it like it was a revenge thing. I told you, everyone, I’ve been with, male and female. Now, granted the photo I have is black and white and kind of grainy, but tell Mark he can come and pose for me any time.” I watched as Karen signaled me. “The person you presented to me when we met, and the woman I married was fiction and you did it very well, but that’s what it was, fiction. Well, the news crews will be here, so…turn it to CBS, NBC, ABC or FOX….I sure there will be others. I gotta go, tune in to see I was telling the truth. Oh, I did lie about winning millions. Make it a billion. And know this. Mark had an affair with a married woman. I wouldn’t trust him with a bag of change. He will cheat on you. But you’ll probably cheat on him, so I guess it’s even. Quickly, I’m paying off the mortgage and giving you the house and getting you the Jeep you wanted. Bye!”

“Ready?” Karen asked smiling.

I nodded and she and several of the security escorted me down in the elevator to a back way to a large conference area.

I sighed, feeling a little better than I had in years, but uncertain about what was coming. I felt a hand at my back. I turned to Kyle.

“Remember what you said right before I had that interview with Dan Poole.” Kyle told me.

Okay, it was the crude thing guys have no problem doing, but it works. “Imagine him taking a huge crap?” I laughed. “I remember.” Hey, it makes a person less intimidating if you can imagine them doing something so basic and human. Better than picturing everyone in their underwear!

A distinguished man in his mid-sixties was addressing the crowd. “As President of the Multi-national Lottery Association, representing over thirty-six countries and having over a billion participants we were presented with three winners.” He said with a definite British accent. “Only one followed the rules and came to receive the reward. Only one selection of the numbers was allowed, no crimes were committed when playing and within the seventy-two-hour limit. One in over a billion players.” He turned and looked at me. “It is with great pleasure I present, the winner of the one billion dollar prize. From Charleston, South Carolina, the Luckiest Man in the World, Eric Mitchell!”

The people gathered were basically all journalists and instead of applause, cameras flashed and recorded as a lovely woman in her early twenties, gorgeous, long blonde hair and in an evening gown brought a huge check, literally bigger than she was, the check read “1 Billion Dollars” and my name on it. I walked toward her and took the check from her as the cameras flashed and focused on me. Now came the questions came and they all did what journalists do, blurted them all at once and very loud. “How do you feel having won the billion dollars?” “What are you planning to do with the money?” There were various ways they all asked the same thing, so I held my hand up to stop them.

“I will answer all your questions by saying this…” I began. “I was at home when the numbers were announced. My head was in complete denial that I had chosen the correct numbers, but I had. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of events that the same part of my brain could not accept what was happening. Imagine that in a crowd of billions, fate or whatever deity pointed at you. Believing something is one thing, accepting is another. That has been hard. I wake every morning since believing it was all a dream, then reality kicks in. Now what I plan to do with this money…” I held the check up. “I have no idea! My mind is full of dreams and possibilities. Plans? None. For the next year, my plans have been laid out. What was planned before I had even chosen the correct numbers is a foregone conclusion, only now it is being implemented. I understand there are people of this world will be following my every move. I can say this…some of what I do will please you, some things won’t. There will be people that will like me and some who won’t. There will even be people that will hate me because I don’t believe things they do, that’s why I will be followed by security. My life has changed and there are people that are going to be envious and jealous.” I looked right in one of the cameras. “Some people…those who have done things to me that now may be wishing they had not, but I will be what I am and what I do will be my choice. Stay watching and you will see what I do.” I looked at Kyle who just shook his head. Not because he didn’t agree, but because he knew it was true. “Now, I’ve got a party to plan for and a year to go. It’ll be a great time! Enjoy!”

 

The next day was also a whirlwind. Beginning at nine in the morning with Mr. Dobbins knocking again.

“There are some representatives from the Powerball to see you and Ms. Simpson.”

“Thanks, Chet.” Rising I put some clothes on and went into the living area. “Good morning Ms. Walker, Ms. Simpson,” and I looked to the two men with them. "and gentlemen I don’t know.”

Karen smiled. “This Mr. Handley and Mr. Jacobson. They are bankers.”

I could have guessed that. They had the look. I shook their hands. “I’d say nice to meet you, but is it?”

The man, about forty, Mr. Handley smiled. “I would think it would be.” He reached for the briefcase Mr. Jacobson was carrying. Opening it he pulled a large envelope out. Out came a bank book, an ID and a card. “This is you now.” He handed me the bankbook. “In here is the whole amount deposited in your name. One billion dollars.” He opened the book and sure enough, one billion in my name. “This,” he handed me the card. It was a VISA. Is a VISA card that accesses this account. Any purchases you make should be done on this card, be it a house, car, clothing, dining out…whatever.”

“Yes,” Karen nodded holding her hand up. “But since this year is going to be about what you do, choose to get…all travel and stays this year is going to the Powerball. The only thing, for now, is the gifts you have bought for others, like Kyle’s clothes and the purchases you plan to make for your ex-wife.” She said. “Now, there will be people,” she began. “That will offer you things without having to purchase them to say that you took them.” She explained. “That will be a marketing ploy for them to sell more. Whether you take them or not is up to you.”

Mr. Handley nodded. “Right. And here…” he handed me the ID, “is your new ID.” He handed me a license for New York. “Where ever you decide to live, you have a year to choose, but for now…” he indicated the apartment, "this is your new address. For the next year, you are a citizen of Manhattan.”

I giggled. “Wow.”

“One final thing.” Mr. Jacobson pulled out a tablet. “If you would put your right hand on the surface of this, please?”

When I did, there was a green light that scanned my hand and I watched as a light at the top went from red to green.

“And it’s all yours.” Mr. Jacobson said hitting a button on the tablet. “Your ID has been confirmed and saved.”

Kyle came out of his room. Again yawning, but dressed this time. “What’s going on?”

I held up the card and ID. “I just got the billion bucks.”

Kyle’s grin was instant. “Awesome!” He took the card and ID. “New York?”

I waved at the apartment. “This is my home for now.”

“And now that is done, we need to plan for this party.” Ms. Simpson said coming over.

 

My memories of a story I’d read played in my mind of a Cinderella character who, after five or six royal balls had gone from grateful to demanding and expectant played in my mind. As Kyle and I sat to decide on the style of the tuxedos we were to have. I told him.

“And if I become demanding and start losing my gratitude. I trust you to bring me back in.” I said to him quietly.

Kyle grinned. “Trust me. I won’t let your head get too big.”

Deciding on what my style would be after seeing all the designers proposals, from Dior, Chanel, Armani, Ellis I chose a style from Armani that was contemporary but said style. Kyle chose Vera Wang. Now that included shoes, socks, shirt, and underwear. Then someone came in with these cases. There were cufflinks, pendants, rings and an assortment of watches! The diamonds and other stones glittered at me.

“What are you going to do if I get the swelled head?” Kyle chuckled.

Then colognes and then came the models. Yes, live models All gorgeous. Guys came into the room one by one to model everything from shorts to suits! Some in underwear! I didn't mind that one bit. The models were beautiful!! I had only seen something like this on TV and movies. This went on for hours! Selections were made by both of us and then it was way past lunchtime. We took a break for the meal and went on. My empty closet was going to fill up. Shoes and other necessities gotten and I finally noticed the camera crew. A crew that was going to document the whole thing to post on the internet.

Ms. Simpson gave me a tablet with names on it to look over for the music. “Pick anyone you like.”

Some of these groups I knew well, others I had never heard of. “All these people said they would come for my party? For how much?”

Kyle elbowed me. “What do you care? You’ve got the money.”

Ms. Simpson smiled. “Each of these people asked us to be here because it would boost their ratings. There’s no fee to you.”

“To me,” I repeated. Looking at the list. “Love them, and her…” I made five choices. “You think they’ll come?”

Ms. Simpson sighed with a laugh. “It still hasn’t sunk in has it?”

“What?”

She lowered the tablet. “You were able to do what billions tried to do. You’re charmed. Good luck. You are the world’s royalty. Not just one country, but dozens. Right now you are the man to be seen by and with. Everything you choose will be sought after and bought. You will set fashion, destinations…the whole reason for this is to boost the world economy. Everything you eat, every place you eat, the car you choose will be duplicated around the world!”

My eyes grew.

“Every piece of clothing you’ve bought will be featured as your choice and marketed that way.” She brought the tablet up. “These names will move heaven and earth to be here so they can say they were chosen by you, the Luckiest Man in the World.”

“But this is the first night.” I gasped. “Nickelback wants to be here? For me?”

“Mark Anthony will fly in from Europe to be here.” Ms. Simpson said nodding.

“Damn.” I muttered.

Kyle took my elbow. “Down boy.” He pointed to my head. “You are the It man for now, but keep it down.”

“Now, tomorrow…” Ms. Simpson said as it was concluding for now. “If you want, I have someone who’ll be available to do a complete makeover.”

I balked. “What the hell was all this?” I asked about the hours spent.

“That was your wardrobe.” She explained. “Tomorrow we can do the rest. Exfoliate, cut and tone. Make you into the man you can be.”

“That why you were so happy we weren’t rednecks?” Kyle asked.

She held her chest in mock, or not so mocked shock. “Perish the thought.” She leveled her eyes with us. “I would work with anything I got, but the fact that you are young and good looking does no harm. The fact that you are educated and articulate is a plus, plus. You, Eric, will become prince charming.”

“Damn.” Was all I could think of to say.

“Damn indeed.” Ms. Simpson agreed. “So that’s a yes to the makeover people?”

I looked at Kyle, who shrugged.

“No shaving anything below the belt,” I warned.

Ms. Simpson laughed. “Absolutely not.”

“I still say some of these things were made up by women to torture others,” I said to Kyle, then turned to Ms. Simpson. “What the hell.”

“Great.” Ms. Simpson nodded. “The party will start gathering at seven, the festivities will begin at eight, but this should go on for some time. It will be well into the next day before it ends. So get some rest. I’ll have the people here at one in the afternoon. Okay?”

And so that part of my new life began. What did I know? My grooming life consisted of a shave and shower. The occasional haircut, sure, but when we got up, after lunch they came. Teams of men and women bringing supplies in crates! My bathroom was decided was to be the place to do it all. And by it, I mean, we were asked to disrobe and put on these speedo-like briefs, coated in this goop that smelled kind of nutty, from toe to neck. Then covered in what looked like tin foil. This other crap was smeared all over our faces, hands were soaked in this stuff, it was green, then the nails were cut and filed and I don’t know what else. My skin was beginning to feel heavy, my face felt like it was shrinking, which I’m told that was exactly what it was doing.

“Because you couldn’t come to our spa, we brought the mud to you, that’s what we wrapped you in. The facial and mud gets rid of the excess skin and tightens.” The man doing the wrap and procedure said. Frankly, it was clear he was gay, so why use that gender for us? The near nudity was no problem for Kyle or me. Oh, sure, modesty is a virtue, but when it was necessary we were willing to let it go. Who was sexually stimulated by whom never factored in. “Now, for the hair.”

That smelled like mint and my head began to shrink too, or so it seemed.

When it was all done, we were told to shower then we came back and they dried and put goop in the hair again. Then we were told we could get up. Looking at Kyle I gasped.

“What?” Kyle asked, then looked at me. His eyes grew. “One of us has to get laid looking like this.”

I rolled my eyes.

 

With our clothes finally on, I had to admit it. I looked damned good. My skin was tight on my face, I was only 27, but it had firmed up! The eyebrows were separate but molded. My hair was dry and feathered back into place when I ran my hand over it. Kyle was right. Someone should be getting laid. As I put the Rolex on, my hands were clean and nails were not only cut but shiny! I was even pleased with my smell! The cologne was a new one from Giorgio. Then Kyle came in and gave me a wolf whistle. He looked…hot! That Vera Wang tux looked like it was cut for him. Oh, yeah, it was cut for him. We both decided on black with the full tie, only mine was red and his was silvery grey. His hair was naturally curly if not kept, now was straighter, but wavy.

“Can I rethink that sex offer?” I grinned at him. “You look hot enough.”

He grinned. “Oh, so you would have sex me now?”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “The women will be drooling over you.”

“Over you as well.” Kyle chuckled. “And men.”

“I’m nearly drooling over you now.”

There was a knock. Ned popped his head in, also in a tux. “You two look terrific.”

Kyle jutted his jaw at Ned. “He might be interested.”

“Interested in what?” Ned asked.

Kyle, no shame for this guy, grinned. “We were saying how we should be getting laid looking like this.”

“Oh.” Ned didn’t miss a beat. Shaking his head. “Can’t. Married. Besides, my husband would object and you’re both too young.”

Kyle was startled, but I just grinned. “Good for you.”

“Too young!?” Kyle claimed with a huff. He grabbed my arm. “Come on, Buddy. We need to let the old fogy do his job. Too young.” Kyle mocking being offended, but a smile to Ned told him it was in jest. Ned chuckled

 

The party was warming up and this place, the huge ballroom in the tower was decked out and filled with people, all dressed and looking their finest. Balloons fell and lights were searching. My security was all around me as we headed to the center stage. The President of the Powerball’s eyes grew as we approached.

“Ladies and Gentlemen.” He announced. His voice echoing and caused people to quiet down and look at him. It took a moment more before they were quiet enough. “A few days ago we had this.” He pointed to large screens overhead. An image of me in what I had on when I came to Columbia and Wednesday. Then another live image of myself in the tux, it was much larger than I really was, but all could see. There was a surprised “oh” and gasps all over, then a round of applause broke out. No one likes imagines of themselves or hearing recordings of their own voice. Most people. I looked at mine but didn’t see the big deal. The Lottery President clapped me on the shoulder as I stepped up to the stage. “The Luckiest Man in the World, Eric Mitchell!”

Now the applause was thunderous. The impression was as if I had done something remarkable. I suppose I had, but this much of a reaction? I waved at the people, but lights on me caused me to not see who was there. When I came down, suddenly I saw faces I recognized but couldn’t believe they were here for me. There were celebrities of all kinds. Sports, movies, TV, Broadway, politicians….there were people I didn’t know, but they all knew me. I loved it when Nathan Lane came up and hugged me, freaking Ned out for security reasons, but I waved him off.

“Are you kidding?” I asked Ned. “I love this guy.” I defended and hugged Nathan. “From you first Burger King commercial to The Bird Cage! This is Nathan Lane, for god’s sake.” Ned grinned at me.

Nathan did his best Albert from The Bird Cage. “Stop it.” Then he looked at me. “You saw the Burger King commercial?”

“I recorded it,” I said truthfully.

There were others that clearly were flirting. The problem was, were they flirting with me because they liked me, or because I was the celebrity now? My favorite groups sang and I got to meet them all. The music was great, the food was amazing and I partied like crazy. Tastefully. I danced with nearly all the women and a few men! Or at least it felt I had. Yes, I gladly danced with some men. I didn’t know what a closet was for except to put clothes in. I was startled when my favorite SVU detective came up.

“Care to dance?” He asked.

I don’t care, Christopher Melonie was gorgeous! In a tux and I felt my heart flutter. Yet I knew he wasn’t gay. He was gay-friendly though. Who cares!?

“Try and stop me.” I grinned. I was having to remind myself over and over to picture them crapping, it was the only way to keep them human. Then the music changed and it was a slow dance. “Do you want to lead?” I asked.

Christopher laughed at me and held his arms out to lead. “It's how I know to dance. I might step on toes if I don't.”

I nodded. “You got it.”

Now I could dance, but this man haunted my dreams for a while. I viewed his images on the internet often when he did nude scenes, which he had no problem doing.

“Feel any different?” Christopher asked.

I nodded. “It’s taking a while, but mostly I feel overwhelmed. I still have a problem accepting you are all here because of me.”

His smile was infectious. “You did an amazing thing. And you were rewarded for it. People are looking for a little of that good fortune to rub off.”

“Including you?”

He shrugged with a grin. “Good luck never will be dismissed.”

There were many, many others until a tap on my shoulder made me turn. Kyle was grinning at me.

“You’ve danced with everyone else.” He held his arms out. “Why not me?”

“Because you didn’t ask.”

As we danced, I saw the look on his face as he looked at me, but it was suddenly serious. “Kyle?”

He was chuckling, but there was little humor in it. “I need to tell you something.”

“Okay.”

“I was going to wait until this was over, but…”

“Kyle.”

He looked at me. “This is your life, Eric. I am just here to keep you company.” Then he rushed on. “I called Dan Poole today. He reminded me of a case I’ve been working on and well….I miss my life.” He stopped. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved all this, but…I will need to go back.”

I sighed nodding. “I knew you would.”

“This has been great, and I intend to go with you to Vegas, but after that…I need to go back.”

Putting my forehead against his. “I understand. But I can’t send you home alone. I will arrange something with Ned…”

“There’s no need…” He interrupted.

“You want me to accept you going home, this is how it’s gonna happen. You can go, but I’ll speak with Ned to find a way to help keep you safe. That’s it.”

Kyle’s eyes grew, then a smirky grin spread. “Boy, give a guy a little power. What about Susan?”

I shrugged. “Susan made her own bed. Besides, if anyone did just a little research. Susan and I were married about a year after six months of dating. You and I have a friendship that spans two decades. Who would you go after to hold for ransom? The cheating wife of a year and a half or the best friend of twenty years?”

“Okay, boss.” Kyle did that voice impersonation I loved from Looney Toones. “I love you, Eric.”

“I love you, too.”

 

I finally made it to bed about six thirty in the morning, the sun was an orange glow on the horizon and the streetlights were dimming. It was Saturday morning. When I woke, it was three in the afternoon. The rest of the day was spent doing whatever we wanted. We watched the footage of the party. Including one great commercial for Rolex. It was a great shot of me moving around with some famous people. The one with Cote de Pablo was one of the best. Ziva, NCIS? Remember her, that woman could almost convert me back to having sex with a woman. Almost. Any gorgeous woman that could kick any man’s ass had my vote. Then there was the shot of an arm with the Rolex I had chosen. Only it wasn’t really my arm, but you couldn’t tell that. The commercial said the watch gave the wearer instant style and sophistication. I was the proof! Right.

“Damn, you look good with Ziva,” Kyle commented.

“Cota just looks good.” I nodded. “Then again she’s not my only favorite from NCIS. I’ve been in love with Michael Weatherly, too when I saw him on the rerun of Charmed.”

“DeNozzo?” Kyle balked. “How could you choose Tony over Ziva!?”

I shook my head. “Who said I was choosing? Why does it have to be one over the other?”

“That’s so gay.” Kyle groaned.

I grinned at him. “Yes, it is.”

There was a knock on the suite’s door and a head peeked in.

“You’re up,” Ned observed coming in. “Everyone decent?”

“Not particularly. Are you?” Kyle asked.

Ned shook his head. “Not a bit.” He entered and came down the stairs. “Dobbins said you wanted to see me?”

I rose. “I did. Do you have a recommendation for a security firm to keep Kyle safe in Charleston?” I asked.

“Eric.” Kyle started to object again.

“I do.” Ned nodded. When I motioned him to sit with us he nodded and sat. “I know a very good one. Marcus Delray. Ten years a Navy Seal served overseas for three tours. Then Secret Service for ten more before opening his own firm.”

I nodded. “And he’s good.”

“Very.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “And you trust him?”

Ned grinned at me, then Kyle. “Enough to have married him.”

Kyle groaned again throwing his hands up. “Fags everywhere!”

I touched Ned’s arm. “Don’t worry. He just gets this way every now and then. He’ll be back to his normal annoying self soon.”

Ned let out a light chuckle.

 

We were flying to Las Vegas Monday, and most of our new clothes had arrived and that was being packed. Karen Walker came to supervise and discuss arrangements.

“So we arrive in Las Vegas Monday night. We need to decide where you want to go there. The party will again be Friday night.” She said.

“After that where am I to be?” I asked.

“Tokyo.” She replied. “But you have two weeks before we arrive there. Is there somewhere you want to be?”

I looked at Kyle, then back to Karen. “He should go home. After Vegas, I want to take him home.” I smiled feeling a little sad saying that. “He has a life and a career there. He needs to go back.”

“Awe!” She really said that! “But you two are so close and funny to be around.”

I nodded. “We love to have fun, but…”

“It was a shame we didn’t get some of that, it would have gone over well on the media coverage.” Then she nodded. “Of course, he needs to do what he needs to do.”

“And I need to get some things. Pictures of my mother and father I have and some other things.”

She nodded. “Of course. We’ll schedule that before we head to Tokyo.”

That done, we went on packing. Or should I say they did. I still couldn’t get used to that. I had a staff!? A staff!

 

It was in the quiet that evening Kyle began.

“You know…” he began. “This is going to be the first time we’ve been apart for this long.”

I raised an eyebrow. “We lived in separate homes for years.”

He nodded, conceding my point. “Just down the street from each other. My point is…we’ll be apart for months and only speaking through media.”

He was right. From the moment we met, we were never more than a few miles apart. And never more than two weeks. Hell, most vacations took by either family included the other family or each other if nothing else. I felt that anxious feeling surface. “Don’t remind me.”

“Well, not to toot my own horn, but…what’ll you do without me?” Kyle grinned.

I shook my head. “Toot, toot.” I said quietly. Sighing I had to voice my concerns. “Most of the excitement this week has been because I shared it with you. Buying you new clothes…the party. Doing it alone will be…difficult.”

Kyle gave me an embarrassed look, then pressed on. “You don’t have to be alone.” He said softly.

“Meaning?”

“You are a billionaire. You could…hire a friend.”

I looked at him surprised. “A prostitute!?”

Kyle winced. “Well…yes, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I mean, you have the money to hire someone whose job will be to make you laugh, be concerned about you and…yes, other things would be between the two of you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Just say it. Sex.”

“Okay,” Kyle said with protest. “Yes, including having sex with you. Imagine, being able to choose the person you have hanging around.” He pressed on. “This person won’t suffer, in fact, she or he will be handsomely rewarded. You could have the right look, right personality and if they fail to please you, fire them.”

“That’s prostitution!”

“So?” Kyle cried out. “It’s the reason they call it the oldest profession. It’s been around since humans emerged. People offering sexual gratification in exchange for food, shelter or money!” He looked at me. “We’ve had this discussion before. A beautiful woman in need exchanges what she can to feed herself or others, be it sex or companionship. Is there anything wrong with it?”

“Plenty.”

“Because you’re only thinking of the nastiness associated with streetwalkers.” Kyle urged me to see his point. “You’re seeing the drug use, girls and boys being exploited by pimps and men who abuse them. Sick minds that only want what they want. I’m talking about a fair exchange between two people who need something the other can give.”

I was beginning to cave and he knew that. “I don’t know.”

“Just think about it.” Kyle urged. “Now about the house and car for Susan.”

I was still thinking about what Kyle had proposed, so I was surprised at his change of topics. “What about it?”

“Do I do that, or will you have Karen and her minions do it?”

I sighed. “Let Karen do it. It’ll be better if people handle this who don’t know her, but have been warned about her.”

“Fine.” He nodded. “Now about your house….”

“I don’t have one.”

Kyle pinched me on the arm.

“Ow.”

“The one you’ll no doubt buy, stupid.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. Why?”

“Do you want to return to Charleston?”

I shrugged. “It is my home.”

“Aunt Pearl.”

Suddenly I remembered that older woman, in that big house…what had been an old Southern Plantation, all alone and the place falling apart and there was nothing she could do about it. “Aunt Pearl?”

She was neither of our aunts. She was a friend of my late mother and grandmother and seemed a little spooky at first.

“She’d never sell Bonnie Glenn,” I stated flatly.

“She might…to you.” Kyle prompted. “Who does she have to give it to? Her husband died long before we came along, she has no children, everyone else is dead.”

It was an intriguing thought. “I haven’t seen her in five years.” I looked at him. “She’d be...what…eighty now?”

Kyle nodded. “More or less, but still alive as far as I know.”

The old plantation would need work. A lot of work, but I had the money. “When you return, find out.”

He gave me a sloppy salute. “Aye, aye.”

I chuckled and gave him a slight shove. “Stop that.”

 

The next day we were off again. This time to Las Vegas. It was left to me to decide where we went during the week and where I went had to be planned. I researched and looked for places and things I would do and see. I couldn’t just…show up. When we landed, I was escorted to a motorcade. Me, in a motorcade! A stretch limousine with an Escalade before and after the limo and a pair of motorcycle cops before them and after. We drove along until we arrived at Creaser’s Palace. The manqué read “Welcome to Eric Mitchell: The Luckiest Man in the World.” A huge image of me in the tux from last Friday grinned down at everyone. Yep, it was starting to sink in at last in my mind.

As much time Kyle and I have spent together. He always reads me well.

“Down boy.” Kyle grinned. He pointed at my head. “You’ve got a little swelling going on there.”

I laughed at him. “What am I going to do when you’re not here?”

“Pop I guess.” Kyle shrugged. “But I’ll be around, you can call me. I’ll keep you in check.”

“I was really thinking that I need to thank whoever made this possible,” I said. “Just be grateful.”

Kyle nodded. “Grateful is good.”

When we pulled up, there was the crowd and camera crews. Police were pulling people back as were other security personnel. We got out to cheers as we walked up.

And then there was this woman, in her mid-forties, but her look was sort of severe. No makeup, hair pulled back from her face in a very unattractive look and the dress she had on was plain and not attractive. Really, she wasn’t attractive at all. She sneered and spit in my direction. My security rushed over and pulled her aside, but I held my hand up.

“Apparently I have done something you don’t approve of,” I said to her. “I don’t know you, so do you mind telling me what that offense was.”

“You are going to hell.” She spat.

“Why?”

“You now have all this money and proudly going about enjoying parties.”

I nodded. “I just got the money, and this is all part of the Powerball’s purpose for doing it, so I’m going to the party. What did I do to make you hate enough to spit at me?” I pointed at the camera crew. “You have the whole world watching, so go ahead.”

“You could be feeding the poor.” She defended.

I nodded. “Who said I won’t? As I said, the money was given less than a week ago and still intact. You’re claiming I haven’t done something I haven’t had time to do.”

“You were dancing with men.” She spat again.

I laughed. “And there we have it. I was dancing with men.”

“You’ll burn in hell.”

“Tell me…” I began. “What is your denomination?”

“I belong to an interfaith church.”

I laughed. “Bull, your interfaith is only interfaith with those that believe what you do.” Shaking my head. “Clearly you don’t know anything but judgment and hate. Your face tells me you don’t believe in pleasure of any kind. The fact that you don’t like that I won money tells me you spit on God.”

“I spit on you!”

“Because I haven’t spent the money on what you approve of?” I asked. “You did spit on God. He gave me the money, not you. Take pride in yourself.”

“I believe…”

“Who cares what you believe!?” I demanded. “What you believe or think is irrelevant! What do you know? What is the evidence? Arm yourself with knowledge before you attack someone you don’t know…because I danced with a few men!? I danced with a number of beautiful women I never would have met before. You are demented! The rational world has just seen that.” I said and walked into the hotel and the woman was being carted away by security and the police as she continued to rant.

Kyle raced to catch up with me catching my arm. “Are you okay?”

“That is why you need protection,” I stated. “People like her are going to pop up wherever we go.”

Ned was right there. “I am so sorry, she should never have gotten that close to you.” He was really stressing over the incident.

“Oh?” I asked. “You were responsible for her hate?”

“I should have checked more thoroughly.”

I stopped and touched Ned on the chest, stopping him. “Stop it, Ned. You are not responsible for her or her actions. You do a great job. Don’t think otherwise.”

“You should have ignored her,” Kyle said.

I nodded. “I’ve just never dealt with hatred like that. Unfounded and not necessary.” I patted Ned on the arm. “Next time, I’ll let you handle it.”

Ned grinned and nodded. “That would be wise.”

A man hurried to us, well dressed in his thirties, suit, hair perfectly combed. His tag on his lapel said he was he manager. He wasn’t bad looking, black hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. The one word that came to mind was “crisp.” His grey suit was pressed, red tie and lapel pocket had a red handkerchief, all crisp without wrinkles. Ned stepped up to halt the approaching man being followed by two women, equally impeccably dressed.

“Welcome to Caesar’s Palace, Mr. Mitchell.” The man greeted. “I’m Carl Mattingly, Hotel Manager.” He said with an eloquent British accent.

I put my hand out.

Kyle nodded catching on to what I had. “That explains it. British.” I chuckled as Mr. Mattingly’s eyebrow on one side rose.

“You’ll have to excuse my best friend here, Mr. Mattingly. He doesn’t get out much.” I explained.

“I meant nothing other than, the accent explains the…” he waved at Mr. Mattingly’s suit, “pressed look. Being British.”

I leaned forward as if to give exclusive information to Mr. Mattingly. “He is impressed with your crisp suit. Very clean and looks very nice.”

That brought what I imagined to be one of the few genuine smiles to his face. “One should try to be neat.” Then nodded to Kyle. “Thank you.”

I almost forgot myself when I noticed the younger of two women behind Carl repress a smile at the whole exchange.

“Oh, this is my best friend of twenty years Kyle Walters and my big shadow in charge security Ned Turner.”

Kyle and Ned shook the man’s hand, but Kyle pressed on. “No…I mean yes, but…have you sat down today?” He pointed to the man. “No wrinkles at all. Do you ever relax?”

I rolled my eyes. “Kyle…”

“I am impressed,” Kyle defended. “But he looks like he never sits down and I bet when he takes the suit off, there’s another underneath it if he does.” His face said he really was amazed.

I took his arm. “Good impressions? We want to make those.” I whispered. “This gentleman looks fine. Quit commenting.”

“Sorry.” Kyle apologized but grinned when he saw the blonde woman behind Carl giggle but stifled it before she was caught. He leaned toward me whispering. “I was just so stunned, I couldn’t help it.”

Carl looked not quite okay with it but was pleasant. “We have the best suite for you. If you’ll follow me.”

What can I say? It was a very nice suite. Plush and had everything.

“If there is anything we can provide…preferred beverages, special needs…” Carl asked.

I shook my head, then thought. “Well…do you have Cherry Dr. Pepper?”

Kyle rolled his eyes. “Naturally.”

I glanced at Kyle. “It’s good. You know it’s my favorite.”

 

Plans for the upcoming party were progressing nicely. There were openings I was to go to, people that I would meet. I was shopped out, but we did it anyway.

One night as we cruised through town, it was after eleven and the streets were busy. New York City was never asleep, neither was Las Vegas. I sifted through places to go and things to do on a tablet I was given to do just that.

“What are you doing?” Kyle asked.

I smiled only looking up at Kyle an instant and went back to my search. “Looking for something…not scheduled.”

Ned shook his head. “You’re the boss.”

I located a night club. In Vegas? Not surprising there. This one catered to all people. So that’s what I chose.

Kyle looked as we arrived. “A gay club!? What am I supposed to do?”

“It’s a gay-friendly club. They allow straights in.” I corrected. “I’m sure there will be women there. Women who like men, that is.” I gave the eyebrow wiggle. “I know there are just plenty of women who would love the idea of converting a wayward gay man.”

Kyle thought a second, then smiled. “Okay. I’m game.”