The Luckiest Man in the World

Story: Luckiest Man In The World

Chapter: 1 I Won the Superpowerball

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Eric wins an international lottery and his life changes. Will that be good or bad? Yes, it's about me again. It's more than a daydream or fantasy. I write them and they become real to me. I see, hear, and feel them. I want you to as well. Cinderfella started after I saw Richard Madden is Prince Charming in Cinderella. I made him a brother in my continuation of the Fairy Tale. Damaged was a fantasy about a bare bear on a bear skin rug in a mountain cabin! I have a good imagination. Who does dream of making their own lives more exciting> I just wrote them down to share! Read Cinderfella and Damaged!

I Won the Superpowerball

ENTER TODAY!! Don't let the opportunity of a lifetime pass you by to become the Luckiest Person in the World! Be the envy of friends and family. The envy of the world!! Play the Superpowerball today!

My name's Eric Mitchell. I'm writing this as I was told I had to right after it happened, as part of the results of my...winning. It was the weekend after New Year's when it happened, and my life changed from just a face in the crowd to being known throughout the world. Even the King and Queen of England knew who I was. Really, I'm writing this just to keep things straight myself. Yet, I find that I want to get things straight, so people understand. And it's cathartic for me as well. First, let me state now and be clear, there was no divine revelation. I have no psychic abilities, no advanced mathematics formula to give you to win, I just guessed. As a result of dumb luck, I won what billions tried to win. My chances were the same as everyone else. And in every contest, there are the occasional winners. One chance in billions and this time, it was me. I was the one. So, why me? Beats the hell out of me. So, perhaps it was Divine. The point is, I don't know. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, or who I am...like that is possible given the mass media response. I won the Superpowerball. Yeah, just me.

I mean, who can forget those wonderful commercials? The Powerball People, not mine. I mean, we all saw the tired housewife struggling with three or four kids, doing laundry while ironing and cooking dinner and then "poof" she was in a designer gown, on this elegant marble staircase drinking champagne with a tiara on her head surrounded by gorgeous men. Or the one where the mechanic was being fussed at by a fat, greasy boss, then "poof" he was clean, super haircut, a slick tux with gorgeous women on his arms in front of a killer sports car. All commercials had limousines, cameras flashing for pictures around as crowds tried to see him. And in your mind, you wished it was you. Yeah, you know the hype. And you paid the five dollars for the ticket in hopes that that would be you. And you could buy only one ticket per draw. Only one, there were a few that tried to cheat, but they were found out and disqualified. But then again, you knew you couldn't really win. Hope is great, but the reality is what it is. Imagine being in the stadium on a Super Bowl Sunday and the camera randomly picks you. Why? Now imagine all the stadiums in the world filled and again, the camera lands on you and only you. It's unbelievable, right? What if really happened. It was real. The only difference is I did win. I went from an anonymous face in the crowd and in one week to global recognition. Really. Me.

I remember the day it happened, I had been out with my friend Kyle the month before and yes, we got a little hammered. Drunk. I remember needing cigarettes and we stopped at a Little Cricket to get some. We saw the Lotto signs and the advertisement for the Powerball and the big game, the Superpowerball. The only thing was, the Superpowerball was more than the one dollar like I said, it was five dollars for a ticket. As I said also, the game was only nine- or ten-years old years old. There were some winners, both on the same drawing had won in the decade it had been around. More countries wanted in. It just grew. One in Dubai and the other in Canada. It was as worldwide as it could get. The United States, all of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, all Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and others, so the half-billion dollars was easy to come up with. Now, it was a billion dollars. That's right, one billion dollars! Since the Powerball was a lottery for the United States, the currency is based on the United States dollar. The largest payout in history. Tax-free! Meaning, you didn't pay tax on the winnings, nor pay tax again! Sales tax when you buy something, yes, but the money didn't generate tax. What a deal, right? Who wouldn't want that!? The idea was that money would be invested, likely and everything you bought, clothes, jewelry, trips taken would sell! That was the point. There were marketing ploys for everything! Hell! Your face would be on everything from t-shirts to lunch boxes! And don't forget the commercials you were to do, and I did. Not to mention a TV show and a couple of cartoons! But for that first year, you had mandatory appearances around the world! Treated like kings and queens, fine dining and luxury stay in hotels. But you worked. Oh, after the year was up, you could return to your job...right. Who would do that? Give it away or do whatever you pleased. It was your money. It was your life after that. You could live anywhere. Imagine! I know you have, but if it was real, where do you go? This wasn't fantasy or a daydream, for me, it was real!

I bought a ticket a few weeks ago. That was Friday night, the drawing was Sunday. I had chosen numbers that meant something to me, my birthday, Kyle's birthday, Dad's and Mom's birthdays and their wedding day. 10 22 11 07 08 25 10 16 06 19. Again, you could only buy one ticket and had to have a valid ID and fingerprints taken. So, at that level of security and a lot of double digits, so the chances were slim or just impossible.

That Sunday morning began with a banging, ripping whatever I was dreaming about away. It took me a while, but I could hear it and it woke me.

"Eric!" I heard. "I know you're there. Open up."

I knew the voice well. Susan, my ex-wife. We had recently gotten the divorce finalized and were selling the house I had bought for us.

"No!" I shouted. "I won't sell you my half of the house to you unless you pay! That means either you pay what it's worth or no deal."

"I'm sure we can work this out. Open the door."

"Why? Your boyfriend has enough money," I shot at her angrily.

"Stop that!" She said aggravated. "Mark won't do that."

"So, you admit it now?" With that, I got up and opened the door. Understand, I lived in a one-room studio apartment, it was all I could afford. I lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Old, historic...and did I say old? Well, it was. We celebrated 300 years back in 1970. I lived in a house mostly used by students at the College of Charleston. Lots of parties there, but none I went to. I was the old man at twenty-seven. It was one of those houses that were narrow at the street, but long with these verandas that went down the side on both of its two stories. Charleston is famous for those. You see, you were taxed back in the day by how much of the house you had on the street, so narrow and long was the way to skirt that. Clever, huh?

Damn, she was beautiful. In her mid-twenties, dark auburn hair that fell just below the shoulders and green eyes. Her great-grandmother had been Japanese, so a slight slant to her eyes with porcelain skin. It gave her a hint of the exotic.

"No." She said quickly, "But I knew that would get the door open."

I rolled my eyes and walked off, leaving the door open. "Okay, give it another shot, but know I won't be selling at a loss."

"I offered $20,000. I know that job you have doesn't pay much." She put. "But it's all I can afford."

"Yes." I nodded. "For a house appraised for $120,000. Sorry, $60,000 or no deal."

"Sounds reasonable," A voice said behind Susan and in walked Kyle.

Understand, Kyle Walters and I have been best friends since first grade. Born twenty days apart, both male and roughly the same height, but that where it ended. We met in school for first grade on day one and became inseparable. We were the same age, one month apart. I was five going on six in October, he was five going on six in November. That's where it stopped. I had black hair and brown eyes, he had red almost orange hair and brown eyes and a face full of freckles as a kid. Now we were both twenty-seven and our paths didn't change since then. We even went to the same college, USC, that's the University of South Carolina, not Southern California. He went to become a lawyer, I didn't know what I was going to do, but I worked in a hotel while there and went into hotel management. We were even roommates for the last two years of school. We never fought...well, once, in high school we did over a girl. Beth Woods. She had been pudgy in middle school and came to high school thinned and gorgeous. We came to blows over her. Then I realized it didn't matter. I liked her, yes, but to throw out a decade of friendship away for her? No. The truth was, I am bisexual. I liked her, but also her brother. No, I never touched Kyle that way, not that you asked. We were like brothers, so no. Kyle was good looking enough, beautiful even, sure, but I'd never do that to him. If it had been Beth's brother Mark, we wouldn't have fought at all, Kyle was straight. The truth was, I did prefer men to women. Susan just hit that spot in me that made her irresistible. People say I chickened out, but I loved her. Really. We did

"You're still here, I see," Susan grumbled.

"I have to be," Kyle reasoned. "Someone needs to look out for him when dealing with the Wicked Witch of the East."

She gave a bitter smile and chuckled mockingly. "You two have always been very close. Strangely close. Perhaps I should have charged Eric with adultery."

"You could have," I nodded. "But Kyle is straight, and you know it. If you think you can prove otherwise, go for it." I shrugged and walked off. Turning toward her. "I have more proof when it comes to you and Mark than you do for me and Kyle." I grinned. "Not that I blame you. Mark's a really great looking man. He has a great ass."

Susan grunted. "That's disgusting."

"I told you when we started dating I was bisexual and had been with both girls and boys." I went in to start my breakfast. "Anything else?"

"I don't have that kind of money," Susan protested.

"I know," I said. "But you did okay with the settlement. Hell of a lot better than I did. Can't Mark help you out?"

"Stop it with Mark!" Susan shouted.

I grinned. "I didn't bring him into this, you did." Then I got angry. "I didn't file for divorce, you did. You walked out, not me, for him."

"What was I supposed to do? You were always so jealous. Besides, it wasn't working between us." Susan shouted.

"With good reason!" I claimed. "All those nights when you worked late! Going to dinner with Mark." I shook my head. "Get out. We've said all this before. Nothing's changed."

"Is that the reason you won't sell me your half of the house? To get even with me?"

I pressed my forehead in frustration over the same thing over and over. "Why are you being so dense?" I asked. "I worked hard to give us a house. To build a life, to have kids. Now you want to take what I worked for away. You wanted the marriage to end, well it did. Why am I going to lose hard earned money?" I pointed to the door. "Get out!"

Kyle stepped aside so she could leave. "Have a nice day. Watch out for falling houses."

"Die, Kyle," Susan stated as she left.

"After you," Kyle said back and grinned at me. "So, you really think Mark's got a great ass?"

I grinned back, wiggling my eyebrows. Well, he really did!

That day was spent with Kyle just hanging out. He sprang for the pizza that night. We watched a movie and then it got late. While I was off until Monday night, Kyle had to work in the morning, so I was walking him out when they drew the numbers of the Super Powerball.

"That's 10 22 11 07 08 25 10 16 06 19, remember, you have 72 hours to claim your winnings." The blonde woman announced waving her hand across a row of balls that had popped up from vats of balls that circulated with air that kept them dancing around. "The clock is ticking."

Kyle froze. "Eric! Isn't that the numbers you chose?" He knew the numbers and what they meant.

I was frozen, too. I heard the numbers, but it sort of faded in my mind. No, it had to be other numbers. "It couldn't be." Then I ran to my little table by the door. In a tray, I kept keys, cigarettes, lighter and loose change. Also, the ticket I'd gotten on that Friday night weeks ago. With the numbers still on the screen, I held up my ticket. And there they were. All of them, in order on my ticket. "Impossible," I whispered as a loud whine was all I could hear. The ticket held just below the screen numbers was blurring. Then I felt a sharp pain on the right side of my face.

"Eric!" Kyle shouted as he shook me lightly. "Don't stroke on me now! You're a billionaire!"

"Ow." I put my hand over my face. "I won," I said quietly.

Kyle nodded excitedly, "I know!"

I held the ticket up, "I won."

"I know!!" Kyle repeated more excited.

"I never win anything," I reasoned.

Kyle grinned. "You can't say that now. You're a billionaire!!" He grabbed my arm. "Come on!" He dragged me towards the door. "You won't be if we're not there to collect."

"Where?"

"Columbia," Kyle said as he hurried towards the car. "The state Powerball and Lotto is on Gervais Street. Let's go."

"It's nearly midnight and they won't open until eight in the morning."

Kyle stopped looking back in disbelief, "You wanta wait!?"

I grabbed the car door handle. "No."

It was a quick trip to Columbia; it was only two hours away and at that time of night there was very little traffic. I was still reeling over having won. My mind couldn't accept it, but here was the ticket. What would I do with that much money? Any car, any house...it was all too incredible to accept. Still, we talked about trips I have always wanted to take, cars we had wanted. We arrived in Columbia and the address Kyle had put into his GPS. There was a light on inside.

"They're open late," I commented. I looked at my watch. "It's after two in the morning."

"They're open because they know you'll show up. This is for you." Kyle shrugged. "All for you. Get used to it."

Before we got to the door, it opened and a well-dressed blonde woman in her late thirties open smiled a greeting. "That was quick. Welcome, Mr. Mitchell." She put her hand out. "Congratulations on winning the Superpowerball. I'm Karen Walker. I am the official litigator for the Powerball. I'm here to make sure you are aware of what is going to happen." She grinned. "You got here quickly."

"Hey, I heard the numbers, and we were on the way a minute later." I shook her hand as she let us in.

"I can only hope the others will be as quick," She said.

"Others?" Kyle asked.

"Yes," The woman said. "There were three winners worldwide that includes you. You were the only winner in North America. There was one in Germany and one more in Australia." She looked at Kyle. "And you are?"

Kyle grinned giving a head thrust in my direction. "Kyle Walters. Best friend to Eric Mitchell."

She shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Walters." She turned to me. "You have the ticket?"

I pulled to winning ticket from my pocket. There were no worries that she would just take it and run. It was registered with my fingerprints. Handing it to her, she took the ticket motioning for us to follow. "This is just a formality." The office building was like a bank, with teller windows for people to purchase and cash in tickets from daily lottos, pick 3 and the Powerball. It was all deserted except for some men milling around. Big men, as in brawny. Security? Dark suits. She went to a machine, like the one I had bought the ticket from that Cricket. She punched some buttons, then inserted the ticket. "As I said, this is just formality. Security with this is very good, your address and picture are part of that. Those numbers you saw were done hours ago. That's how I was here to meet you. We're based in New York. This lets the main office know you've checked in." She handed it back. "So, until they do the same...or don't, then we know who to reward the money to." She led us to an office where there were two men sitting drinking coffee. Both official-looking. "Legally, we have some things to discuss first." She motioned for us to sit in chairs that surrounded a conference table. Sighing she smiled at me. "How are you feeling?"

I told the truth. "Numb. Like this is all a dream and I'm going to wake up in my apartment any second."

She gave a nod. "Understandable, which is why I need to ask. Is there anything that will keep you from accepting the money? Give it to charity or something like that?"

I shook my head, "No charity I'd give it all to. Perhaps someday a part of it, but no."

She nodded again. "Think about this. The life you knew is gone. You will be flown to New York this week, probably in a few hours. So, by accepting the award, you're willing to commit to a week in New York?"

I shrugged. "Sure."

"Then there is the world tour, a week in Las Vegas then, a week in Tokyo, then in Australia, a week in Sydney, a week in Delhi, a week in Paris, a week in St. Petersburg, a week in London. There will be a week between some of these stops, but it's going to take you a year. Many will want to see you. There will be cameras following your every move."

I thought a moment, "I don't get one thing. How do you know you're giving the money to the right person?" I saw her confusion. "I mean, you could be giving it to a drug addict or a serial killer. I could funnel the money to terrorists."

She smiled. "That is your prerogative. You could buy drugs, pay for women...the whole thing is, the whole world will be watching you do that. That's what makes it interesting."

I was feeling a little shaky, whether it was the adrenaline rush or lack of sleep. It could have been both. "I'm feeling sort of shaky. Can we get something to eat?"

She smiled. "Of course, anything you want." She sat back. "You've had a pretty big shock. Naturally, you're out of kilter."

It was still dark out. Only four in the morning. "There's very little open," I commented.

She nodded. "Your plane is fully stocked."

"MY plane?"

The smile widened. "Your plane," She said again nodding. "As we didn't know who won other than you and who they'd bring, we were prepared for one or a family of ten." She chuckled. "You having a plane takes care of that. Of course, if you like, a room can be rented for you here, but at our building in New York, we have a suite for you. You can go there; the announcement of your winning won't be for two and a half days." Then she was serious. "How many are going?"

I looked at Kyle. "Don't you have to be at work in the morning?"

He shrugged. "I do, but considering my best friend just won a billion dollars...I'll call in."

"And what about you?" She asked me. "Is there somewhere you need to be?"

"Not until tonight, midnight," I answered. "I'm a manager and auditor of a hotel in Charleston."

She nodded writing something. "Okay. We have temporaries, all bonded and tops in their fields. We'll call the hotel and arrange for their employ for eight weeks. You will, of course, resign."

I loved where I worked, but not the job. "Okay, I don't know if Mr. Perriguex will like it, but..."

"We'll have someone cover for you that's very good and the hotel won't pay for it."

I brightened hearing that, "That he'll like." Then I turned to Kyle. "Don't waste your sick leave."

Kyle grinned. "Give me a dollar."

That was odd. I pulled out my wallet. "All I have is a five."

"That'll do." He pulled it from my hand. "Now say, I want you as my lawyer."

Now it made sense and I got it, "I want you as my lawyer."

Kyle looked at the woman with a smile. "You witnessed the exchange of currency and heard him say it. I am officially his lawyer. Now I can go to New York?"

"For how long?" I asked seriously. "I know you love being a lawyer, and I know you can't come with me for a year."

Kyle grinned at me slowly. "Yeah, I do." He put his hand on my shoulder. "But I'll be there any time you need me. And for this first week. I'll be there. Maybe Las Vegas, too. Not Tokyo. Sorry."

He was a good friend. "Hey!" I said, "You could start your own law firm. I'd finance that." I grinned.

He held his hand up. "Whoa there, Daddy Bigbucks, before you commit to that, I need to prove myself under that tutelage of a lawyer with decades of practice. Dan Poole will do that."

It was easy to see. "When the time comes, I will be there for you."

He looked a little sheepish. "I know." He hated getting all, as he put when we were ten, all mushy.

"Now, here's Mr. Turner," Karen introduced a man that had been sitting in darkness. He like some of the men out front was huge. Not fat, just big. Linebacker big. Only he must have been in his late forties and early fifties. Once he stepped into the light, I half expected him to have an eye patch, or a scar on his face. Old war wounds, you know. Where was the riding crop dictators always had? Yet once he was there, he smiled. Changed his whole face. But I wouldn't mess with him.

"Mr. Mitchell, I am in charge of your security."

Naturally. "Of course, you are," I said.

Kyle leaned toward me, "I won't mess with him on a well-lit street, much less a dark alley."

Mr. Turner chuckled. "A few have tried. But I'm here to advise you, once your face has been on the news and broadcast all over the world, you will become a target. Everywhere you go, people will be trying to meet you, touch you." His smile faded, "Some will stop at nothing to get what you have. Even kill you."

I swallowed at that. I had never considered that. Then again, I never really considered that I would win a few million, maybe a billion. Who seriously would!?

"How is killing me going to get them the money?" I asked.

Karen frowned. "People aren't rational when it comes to money. So, I'll ask again. Do you want to do this?"

The big man softened his features, "I don't mean to scare you, but never go alone anywhere. You have security that will be with you always." Mr. Turner said gravely. "Even to get a stick of gum or a pack of smokes. Always use your security."

"You are about to become the most famous man alive," Karen warned. "These days will be enjoyable, but intense. Is there anyone we need to worry about? Mother, father, siblings..."

"Parents are deceased. No siblings." I commented. Then I remembered. "I have an ex-wife."

Karen looked extremely pleased. "Do we need to worry about her? Was the divorce amicable? Will she be after a part of the money?"

I grinned. "Not with that agreement I signed. Nothing that she bought after the split is mine and nothing I get does she get. Only the house is in dispute. That was to be sold and half given to me. As far as the split is concerned...it was...tense, but reasonably friendly."

Kyle grunted. "I'd love to see her face when she finds out about this."

I laughed. "Kyle's not a big fan of hers." And said to the woman.

"Fan!?" Kyle asked, snorting. "Not even slightly. The woman practically ruined you."

I leaned forward to look as if I'm divulging secret information that was confidential. "It's the children that always have the hardest time in a divorce."

"She is a lying, scheming, manipulative bitch," Kyle muttered angrily. Karen and Mr. Turner looked surprised at the venom he spewed.

I jutted my head in his direction, "You'd think she divorced him."

Karen laughed, shaking her head. "Clearly. But you don't fear her interfering? No threats from her?"

"No." I shook my head.

Karen sighed with a smile. "Okay. And you better believe you will see her face. It'll no doubt be broadcast on local networks."

I sighed. "But I will contact her first. She won't believe me, but I should contact her."

Karen rose. "Not until Wednesday evening, but that'll be fine. If you could leave the keys with Mr. Turner, or is there some other way you want to have the car returned?"

Kyle dug his car keys out and handed them to Mr. Turner.

"Now, let's get on the plane," Karen stated rising.

We flew in a private jet! A g6 or g5...whatever. Nice, plush and we were bound for New York City. Some shrimp cocktail and lobster later, I was sleepy and was out. When we landed, I didn't even know what airport we were at, but...not contending with city traffic was nice. It was mid-morning when we arrived. There were no cabs taken, we were flown by helicopter to a building that had to be over fifty stories. That was small to some of these other buildings.

Then we were shown a place...well...Karen opened a set of double doors, and I was flabbergasted! We were on a landing where there was a room like I had only seen in magazines and on TV. Below us on the lower level was a suite. It was all white and glass with a fireplace and chimney, on either side of that were windows that went from the ground up to the ceiling on the second level. Unobstructed views of Manhattan.

"Damn!" I muttered.

"Double damn." Kyle agreed.

Karen chuckled. "I trust you're finding this acceptable. It's going to be home for a week."

Kyle smirked at me, then did his best not to show how impressed he was. "Well...I suppose it'll have to do."

I gave him a quick tap with my foot on his butt, "That's Kyle-speak for, Hell Yeah!"

Karen just laughed. "I can see that filming the two of you will be a good thing." She turned to Kyle. "Are you sure you want to return to work? Can't we convince you to extend it?"

"But I didn't win."

"Well, Mr. Mitchell seems to enjoy having you around and the two of you play off each other so well..."

Kyle looked at me and with my nod. He shrugged. "I'll see if Ol' Dan will let me have a sabbatical or something."

"Good. No doubt you two know we'll be making money off the coverage of you, Mr. Mitchell. Commercials alone will be very profitable." She led us to one of the stairs to go down, the landing had one on either side of the doors. "You will find everything you need, there are three bedrooms on the lower level, all with their own baths, dining room...and there is a kitchen open twenty-four hours that will make whatever you want. There's an entertainment system here," she lifted a remote and pointed it toward the stairs. A big TV lowered, "allowing access to any movie, TV show...also, there is a game system, any game you wish." She turned to me. "For now, rest, you'll be needing it. But tomorrow," she paused looking at us, "think of what you want to project to the world. Jeans and t-shirts may be comfortable, but..."

"We didn't pack." Kyle nodded.

"But I don't have the money yet to buy any clothes," I objected.

Karen raised her hand. "Friday night will be the celebration. Do you want to be seen as casual, formal...what?"

"I want the slickest tux a man can own." I grinned. Kyle looked at me surprised. I shrugged. "What? I like the commercial, mechanic goes out all gussied up. The accountant comes from the behind the desk...I want to gussy up!"

"Can he get a haircut?" Kyle asked pointing at the hair I always kept short. It was due for a cut, only I was watching the money then.

"Sure. I'll be sending someone to you tomorrow." Karen nodded. "There are some stores here to get something, for now, tonight...if you want."

"Will Giggles here approve of that?" Kyle thumbed to Mr. Turner who, like a shadow had followed us all the way. The smile that ghosted his face told me he took Kyle's name for him in good humor. "Do you have a name, other than Mr. Turner? Or shall it always be Giggles?"

"Ned," Mr. Turner replied and chuckled, "Only around the other men, please, call me Mister Turner."

I gave him a salute, "Roger that." I turned to Kyle. "I like him," I told Kyle loud enough that Ned could hear it.

"He's still a bit scary," Kyle whispered back knowing Ned could hear him. Then he snapped his fingers. "Better call Ol' Danny boy, gotta let him know I may be a little late."

"Please say nothing about what's happened." Karen cautioned.

Kyle stopped, then turned around. "Then I better use your phone. The area code will prove I'm outta town." He poked me. "He's good for the long distance."

We continued the tour; we were escorted into what we were told was the Emperor's Room.

"This room is bigger than my whole house!" I declared seeing the huge bed. Again, the white, glass and silver on the furnishings. No windows here. Then I heard.

"Holy shit!!!"

I turned to Karen and smiled with a shrug, "He doesn't get out much." Then went to the double doors I had heard Kyle's voice emanate from. "Your Mom would tan your hide...holy shit!" The bathroom was nearly the size of the bedroom. A huge tub in the middle big enough for two or three. The "shower" was behind glass but big enough for a whole team!

"Shall I get the soap?" Kyle teased me. "I can call Mom."

Other than that, there was a closet most stores would love to display clothes, shoe shelves...I was overwhelmed. No clothes though. "I want Kyle to get a suit and stuff."

"That would be fine." Karen was smiling at us. "You're the one with the money."

I turned to Ned. "If people know about Kyle's and my friendship, will that...of course, it will." I said, answering my own question. "I would gladly pay a billion bucks to keep him safe."

"And your concern is what exactly?" Ned asked.

"Well, he said he would ask for the time away." I started. "But if people see us, partying and behaving as the life-long friends we are, he won't be able to go back to his life before." I shook my head. "I can't do that to him. We'll try to give you the light banter, but I won't hurt Kyle."

Kyle put both hands over his heart and gave me mockingly sweet look, "You do love me."

I shoved him away playfully. "Did you doubt that?" I said growling, "But I'm serious. This could put your life in danger. And your future."

Ned nodded. "He's right." Ned agreed seriously.

"I'm a big boy," Kyle grumbled.

"Against an armed assault?" Ned asked. "The attack could be from anyone, a crazed maniac to North Koreans."

"But wouldn't the coverage show them that would be a suicidal attempt?" Kyle asked.

Karen gave a shaking nod. "Crazies would only see it as international exposure. With those in the Middle East, it would only be something they would use." She gave a sympathetic smile. "It's still possible to back out."

Kyle grabbed my arm, "Don't do it." He pulled me closer, "You were given this prize for a reason." He was searching for words. "I know it. God or whatever wants you to do something, but don't just throw it away." He threw his hands up. "Hell, I'll quit if necessary."

I looked at him. "That's a little drastic."

"But if seeing me with you makes me a target...I won't let you."

I sighed. "The truth is...anyone connected to me will feel that." I explained. "I can take care of Susan. It will certainly make it hard to form a relationship with anyone. So, unless you plan on changing so I can spend my life with you..."

Kyle looked confused. "What are you talking about? We do already."

I frowned. "I want a partner."

Kyle gave a nod, slowly getting what I was saying. "So, our talks to all hours of the night aren't enough." I shrugged. He sighed. "Okay, we'll have sex."

I groaned. "I don't want to have sex with you, Numbnuts," I muttered frustrated, "But perhaps with someone. Someone that would give it meaning."

"I don't understand." Kyle shook his head.

"You don't long to be with me," I said. "Not really. The desire to be with someone." I gave him a sad smile. "Why do you think it hurt so badly when Susan left me? I thought I had that."

Karen walked up. "Guys, you need rest. Order a meal and get some sleep. You can discuss this further later."

I nodded. "Let's see the other bedrooms."

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?" Sleep came quickly. I woke when 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 nor 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 men, 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 men."

"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 Klein's 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 and will be followed. He knew that. 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. Wainwright. 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 in his underwear, 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.

"Measurements," 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. It looked like two bands where the top one rolled around on the bottom one. "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. It created the perfect three-dimensional computer dummy or model of us. Cloth was never waisted and tailors never mistook our sizes.

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 are 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 was saving my proof in case she tried something stupid, "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 that 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 glad I took a course in Public Speaking in college. I knew to gather and organize my thoughts first. No "ums" or "like" or "you know." "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...that 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. Kyae 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 were 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 in 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's 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 the world's 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 twenty-seven, 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. "Now, we have this!" 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 your 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?"

"The waking hungry bear in the woods!? 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 Toons. "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. "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?"

Ned frowned. "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."