Present

Lucas

"Are you sure you want to do this Lucas? This is the biggest news outlet there is. The story can reflect a negative light on you or you might not like what you find. There will be people who will lie just for a chance to meet you or hurt you. You may never find her." Stan asks me concerned his eyes having an intense reaction in them that I don't understand.

"I need to find her Stan It's all I've ever wanted since I lost her." My voice chokes up and I'm barely able to say the last words. My eyes flood with tears like a torrential downpour. I completely forget I'm in the middle of a room full of people watching me. I wipe the tears from my eyes and take a few deep breaths.

"We're ready for you Mr. King." One of the workers says to me. She is looking me up and down hungrily and it makes me feel sick. I don't want anyone looking at me like that but Jen.

On the stage is what looks like a weird piece of art but as I look closer it's actually a chair. I sit in it awkwardly and feel like the thing is going to tip over. The room I'm in is circular with a projection screen at the back showcasing the sun, sky, and a view of New York.

There are four cameras in the room pointed towards me. There are a few desks full of people all looking busy with headsets on. The interviewer comes over to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Rita Morrison," She shakes my hand excitedly.

I look over her face and can tell she looks so familiar. Rita... Rita... Then it snaps in my brain. The vivid jade green eyes and the bright shade of auburn hair. This was the Rita, Jen was with at the concert. My heart races she could have the information I need.

"Hey Rita," I give her a flirty smile. I watch as her eyes become hooded. "Where did you grow up?" I ask her pretending to be curious.

"Orlando," She breathly says while stepping closer to me.

"I see," I nod my head and then turn from her to look at my phone snubbing her. I cross one knee over the other. I search for Rita and her father in my web browser. He's still rich. Not as rich as me but rich nonetheless. She went to an Ivy League college for journalism. There we go she went to Martin W. Smith High School. This is a huge lead I've never had.

"Two minutes!" The man behind the camera shouts. I put my phone away and watch as Rita scurries to her seat across from me.

Fuck! Now that I found this lead I feel compelled to research but this interview is important. We live in three...two..." The guy uses his index finger to say one.

"I'm Rita Morrison, and we're here with the distinguished Lucas King." She says ecstatically. "Lucas I have to say I've been a huge fan for a very long time. It's a dream come true to meet you today."

This show is live and I'm going to look like a complete asshole. "Well you see Rita, you could've met me eight years ago."

I watch as her brows furrow. "I could've? I don't recall having a chance..." She says confused.

"You went to my concert on June 1, 2016, right?"

"Wow, how? I can't believe I missed out on the chance."

"I was in disguise and talking to your friend Jen, when you called me and Stan..." I point to him. "Losers, Idiots and what was it you accused me of when I asked Jen to meet Lucas King? Oh, that's right you accused me of going to rape her. So yes I remembered you because you're a horrible person." I say glaring at her in disgust.

There are gasps all around the room. Rita has her mouth open in shock and anger. "I would never do such a thing. You have me confused with someone else. Let's continue with the interview. I was told you wanted to come on the show to reach out to fans for help." She tries to gain her composure but she is rigid and furious.

"I'm looking for the Jen I was just talking about," I paused for a moment. "Your friend," I say in air quotes. "If anyone was at the June 1 2016 Orlando, Florida concert and has a video of us when we were on stage together I would like it sent to me. The first person to give me a quality video of the performance I will pay a million dollars." I say while looking directly at the camera.

"I'm Lucas-King0603 on the chaos server so there's no confusion or people trying to take advantage of others. My private messages are blocked. If I need to chat with you it will be on the server. Or I will private message you. My name is verified and has a little star next to it. If there is no star it's not me. Please don't be fooled." I look at the camera with a serious face.

"For every piece of information that will help me find her, I will give a million dollars per viable lead. I set up a chat server for all of us to communicate about this. If someone tells me the correct information I will pay you one million dollars. The information has to check out and be legit I'm not giving money to just anyone. The chaos server is called Lucas and Jen they are about to place the link below. It's chaossever.gg.lucasandjen."

"Why is it so important you meet her?" Rita asks with a viper stare.

"Because I love her and I want her in my life. Every single love song I wrote is about her. Every single one." Rita all but chokes on her saliva and starts coughing harshly. "She is the love of my life and I just want to find her." Rita's eyes start bugging out and she begins coughing more.

"I know you have the information I need Rita. I expect you to give it when the cameras are off." I give her a severe look.

"I have no information to give you," Rita says trying to hide her anger. She is so pissed she would hide the knowledge she has from me? She is a cruel bitch. Some people never change.

"So is this Jen the reason you're retiring and moving to Florida? To find her?" Rita asks the obvious.

"Yes, exactly."

"Why wait all these years? Why now?" Rita gives me a devious smile.

"I've come back here a week every month for the past eight years. I haven't been able to find her. Private investigators haven't been able to find her. It's like she's a ghost and all I have of her is little bits of information."

"Well, what even separated you two if you had such a bond?" Rita thinks she has me by the balls.

"I made a mistake and she had to leave. I waited for her but she didn't come back."

"That doesn't give a lot of detail."

"It's enough detail that is needed. I will be going into more detail on the show Linked By Ink. I'll be telling my story so it's another avenue I might be able to get information from. Plus I want to meet Riley Harris." I look at the camera and give a genuine smile. "Hi Riley," I excitedly say then wave.

"So you're trying to find the love of your life while also wanting to get with Riley Harris? That's a little gross don't you think?" Rita curls her nose.

"I'm ninety-nine percent sure Jen is married by now with kids and if she isn't she wouldn't want me back. Getting her is a long shot. I just want her in my life, anything she will give me. If she doesn't want that I would at least like closure so I can move on. As for Riley from what the media shows she's kind, insanely talented, and caring. Not to mention she's gorgeous. Why wouldn't I like her or want to meet her? I have a crush on her but that doesn't mean I'm trying to get with her."

Rita laughs shrilly. "Riley Harris has already stated she wouldn't want to date you. That you're not her type." She grins evilly.

"I don't need her to want to date me. I still have hope for Jen. No other woman will ever compare. Friends are a thing you know?" I raise one eyebrow at her. "I honestly think me and Riley would understand each other because we are similar." I can hear the sincerity in my voice.

"Please look at the link below and if you know anything don't hesitate to contact me. This is not an opportunity to chat with me or try to know one another. The people who try to connect with me like that will have their accounts deleted and will be IP banned. Chaos is working with me in tandem so actions will be taken. Getting in contact with me is only for finding her." I point below towards the information on the screen.

I don't know what to do if this doesn't work. Will I have to finally let her go? I can't do that. How could I ever possibly do that? I need her and if I can't have her I need closure.

"This interview is done." I stand up and take the mic off and walk towards the exit where Stan is waiting. Stan is staring at me with wide eyes with a look of panic.

Chad one of my other bodyguards says "That was a great interview, sir, I hope you find her. I'm a hopeless romantic myself so I hope she wants you back." There's a few tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, Chad that means a lot." I give him a big bear hug lifting him off the ground them putting him down. He's such a sweetie.

I watch as Stan regains his composure. "All this for a girl you spent one week with. Is she even worth all this? Maybe she doesn't want to be found. Ever think of that?" Stan raises his voice from anxiety.

"How dare you say that! You saw us together. We had an intense connection, one some people never find in life. She is my soul mate. I should have never listened to you!" I spit then push him.

"She is worth everything and more. If she doesn't want me to find her then too bad I'm doing it anyway. I let you and Stan run my life for far too long. I should have done this years ago! Since the day I lost her. Instead, I listened to you two idiots who kept telling me she didn't want me and she was just using me. I know that's a complete lie. I just don't know why you won't admit it!" I say getting up in his face.

Stan's shoulders slump and he turns his face away from me his face looking full of regret. He knows something and he isn't saying it. It's getting to the point I wanted to beat it out of him again. But there's no point he won't say anything. All we do is come out bruised and bloody. At one time he was my best friend. We lost that a long time ago.

Rita starts to walk by but I push her against the wall. "What's Jen's last name?" She tries to get by me but I fortify my stance.

"How the hell am I supposed to know she was just an acquaintance when she came with us? After the concert, we stopped being friends." Rita's eyes show she is lying and bitter.

"You're lying."

She laughs coldly. "I will give you one bit of information. I can't believe you're the one that got her pregnant."

"What?" I say with an excited glint in my eye. "I had a kid? With Jen?" My hopes are so high I'm in the clouds. It is reflected in my tone of voice.

Rita gets a grin with a vile edge to it. "Jen was eighteen. She didn't keep it obviously she had an abortion. I'm surprised she didn't try to contact you long ago to get money out of you. It's shocking really. The whole school found out it was hilarious actually."

Stan hastily runs off to the bathroom close by it is the woman's room but he goes in anyway. I can hear him loudly retching from here. It's quiet for a few moments and then he comes back.

I can feel my eyes become lifeless. I feel myself starting to shut down. The depression taking me under. "She was bullied badly... it was almost sad. It got to the point where she committed suicide. Word was she was homeless and had been living in the school at night and the janitor found her. So pathetic."

Stan gasps harshly and covers his mouth again. "No, No, No. That can't be true!" He shouts at her.

My eyes snap to hers. "You're lying, she's not dead! It was you who bullied her wasn't it?!" I scream in her face.

She gives me a wicked smile. "The rumor is she died... it was all hushed up. And yes I was." Her face gets a scowl and she shoves me away and rushes off. I run after her at full sprint ready to push her so she falls but Stan grabs me around the middle.

"I kill you! You dumb bitch!" I try wiggling out of Stan's hold but it's no use. People are walking up and down the hallway staring at me terrified.

One person was recording this on their phone the whole time. "Pay him for that phone. I'm getting that bitch fired." I elbow Stan in the chest and stomp on his foot and rush off after her.

Chad, Mike, and Ruby are already on me grabbing me and holding me back. I tried to wrench away but they pinned me to the ground.

"We need to get him outside," Stan says screaming over me yelling obscenities at her retreating back. "Mike buy this guy's phone." Stan gets a strong hold on me.

"I know where you work! I can find out where you live!" I holler as they pick me up and drag me down the hall and out of the building.