When they returned, Jasmine was waiting for them, and as Garius had covered the computer manufacturing operation, their software development companies and the mobile telecomms part of their organisation, Jasmine started on the 'Hollywood' side of things.
She began laying out information for them on the Production company, the Talent agency and the music and magazine companies, a slightly more glamorous side of their business. She spoke about some of the stars they represented, household names in some cases, and briefly went into what shows and productions they had shares in that were run or managed by other companies, drawing both Maddy and a reluctant Myra into the conversation by asking them if they'd seen this movie or show, or heard music by a particular artist.Mark was a little amused at how skillfully she'd drawn them into the briefing, making it more of a conversation than a straight delivery of information, and before he knew it she waMarkwalked back outside wondering about what Connor had asked. Thinking about it, it seemed entirely right that BenjaminMoorewould have built a safe room, or a whole series of them somewhere on the Island. If he had, surely it would be a priority that Henrywould take them aside and show them where it was and how to access it.He was still frowning as he exited the building to find Jasmineon the phone. She hung up as soon as she spotted him and walked over to join him."That was fast.""Yeah, he just ripped through the list, separating them into two piles," Markexplained. "Good guys and wanks.""Oh for Gods sake," Jasminemuttered."Told me to come back when we know what we're doing, where we're going and what type of protection we'll need," Markadded."Okay, that's not bad, I guess," She said, flicking through the folder. "Five? There was twenty two profiles in there."Markshrugged.
"Oh, my," Jasminemuttered, looking at him as if he'd changed into someone else."What?""This is going to be fun working for you," She said, smiling. "I'm not used to apologies and so much reasonable behaviour. It's really sweet."Markchuckled. "Sweet?""Yeah.You're so conscientious. It's... nice.""Just what every guy wants to be.... sweet and nice," He muttered, rolling his eyes."By the time Jaydenand Francescahave got you sorted out, you'll be fucking hot too," She grinned, giving him a playful wink.Markchuckled. "Yeah, I still don't buy that.""You'll just have to trust me," She said firmly. "As for being a grump, as you put it. When Mister Moorewent off on one he wouldn't stop for at least an hour. You were all of two minutes, so don't worry about it.""Just tell me if I'm behaving like a dick, okay?"Jasminechuckled. "Okay. B
Mark's eyes flickered over her shoulder as he spotted Maddy, Myra, Heidi and Garius arriving."Oh wow," He murmured, seeing Myra's new hairstyle. Gone was the long, curls. In it's place was something new and very eyecatching. Her hair was straight, without a single curl in sight, and it reminded Markof Jennifer Annistons hairstyle in the latter years of Friends, although it was more sharply angled at the ends. It shone in the sun, all black, straight and sleek.Jasmineechoed his sentiment a moment later. "That really suits her. I see they haven't done much with Maddy's hair though."Marklooked at her hair as they approached. He could see that it had softer lines to it, a lot more feminine in a subtle way, and that it really suited her softer features. "No, they have. They've made it suit her more than it did before."Markgreeted his sisters, complimenting them both on their hair. Myrajust shrugged it off, whil
"You let the US Special Forces use this place to train?" Maddyasked. "How cool is that?""About seven or eight years ago. It was supposed to be a hostage-rescue thing, and they claimed it a success," Jasmineexplained. "They caused around four hundred thousand dollars worth of damage though, so they haven't asked to come back again, and they've been very helpful when we've needed it because we still haven't told the media.""How the hell did they do that?" Markasked."They blasted through windows and doors with explosives all over the Island. Sunk two of the boats, blew up the pier and quite a bit of stuff went missing, most of it alcohol and steak," Heidi added. "When Mister Moorefound out he laughed so hard he nearly choked.""Sorry, but can we get back on the topic here?" Maddyasked, still distressed at the thought of speaking in public."I'll do it, Maddy," Marktold her."Hey, ar
Dinner was a bit more fun than it was the night before. It didn't take long before the girls were telling Garius and Mister Yousefabout Mark's impromptu meeting in the bath earlier, and teasing him about his unorthodox management style. Marktook it all in good stead, promising to hold his next impromptu meeting in the pool so they could all join him.The conversation soon turned to the events of the next day though, specifically the funeral. BenjaminMoorewas to be buried in a small grove on the north side of the Island, as per his own wishes, and guests would begin arriving from mid morning until right up to the start of the ceremony at three in the afternoon.It was Maddywho asked who the incoming guests were first, and Heidi pulled out a binder from beside her chair, handing out copies of the guest list to each of them. Markglanced down at his, and his eyes widened as he recognised many of the names on it.There was to be ac
The table seemed to break up without another word as Mark, Maddy, Myra, Garius, Heidi and Jasmineall dispersed around the pool or inside the buildings to make calls.Markcalled Samfirst and told him what was going on. His reaction at first was disbelief, but then as Marktalked some more it made sense to him, and the imminent announcement to the press gave it all credibility.Markglanced around to make sure everyone was out of earshot and then told him about Maddyand Myra. There was a startled silence on the other end of the line, and then eventually Sambegan to laugh."That's a brutal hand to get dealt, bro," Samtold him."You know I couldn't have known, right?""I know, man. Listen, your secret's safe with me, okay?""Thanks, Sam. I knew I could rely on you, buddy," Marksaid, relief evident in his tone. "But here's the thing. I need a favour.""Whatever
He walked through to his bedroom, stripped off and slid into bed, and just as he was reaching for the light, he heard Jasminesay, "Wait."Markgot a fright. He didn't even know she was in the room, sat in the chair she'd been in earlier when he got changed, the notepad still in her lap."Fuck. I didn't even know you were there," He said, when he'd settled back down under the sheet."I've just about got a first draft cobbled together for tomorrow," She said, standing up and walking over to the bed."Let's see it."She handed him the notepad, and as he lay there reading, she hopped up on the other side of the bed, stretching out beside him.It was seriously messing with Mark's concentration, her being on the bed beside him, him being naked under the single sheet, but he kept dragging his mind back on the task at hand."This is pretty good," He said finally."Only pretty good?" She said,
Henrywriggled in the leather chair, facing the bank of screens."Go to bed, you jumped up whore," He muttered, frowning. His fingers punched a few buttons, and the third large screen pulled up the feed from Jasmine's room, showing her fast asleep on her side, a sheet covering her to her shoulders.His gaze flicked to the other two large screens, the interior of Mark's bedroom and the exterior of his balcony. He could see Myrasitting on Mark's balcony, as she had been for the last half hour, probably unable to sleep and she was irritating him."Shit," He said quickly, leaning forward as Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in a black silk kimono and stockings, just as he'd ordered her to. Couldn't she smell the cigarette smoke, or even see Myrasitting on the balcony?"She's right there, you silly bitch," He snarled.He saw Myrasay something as Sarah began to open the door to Mark's suite. The b