Suddenly, I Am Rich

After a few minutes, a soft knock came again on the door. This time it wasn’t from the producer anymore. Instead, it was one of the floor assistants. The assistant was wearing a headset on his head and had a bright smile on his face.

”Good evening, Mr. Adams. The cameras are ready for you. Please follow me.”

”Already?” Gray’s throat went dry. He looked at the clock and saw that it was still 30 minutes before 6.

”Yes, Sir. They want you to come already so you can see the set before the interview starts.”

”I see...” Gray quickly glanced at Mara, who gave him a thumbs-up like she was supporting him from the depths of her heart.

”Go kill it, boss,” she whispered.

Gray let out a deep sigh and nodded.

”Yeah... let’s just hope I don’t get killed instead.”

Standing, Gray smoothed the front of his suit with his cold palms. His shoes clicked quietly against the polished floor as he followed the assistant through the hallways. They walked for a few minutes, went down the elevator, and walked again through the backstage.

As they got closer to the studio, the small sound of applause and cheerful voices grew louder in his ears.

His heart was pounding now that he could hear it hammering against his chest.

”Don’t worry, Mr. Adamsm,” the assistant glanced at him when he noticed his slight nervousness, ”The host is good. He will lead you in the conversation smoothly. Just keep your eyes and listen to her, and you’ll be fine.”

Gray nodded, though the advice barely did anything to slow his nerves.

Finally, after a while, they reached the backstage. The bright lights from the stage could be seen at the back and on the side. The studio was so bright compared to the dark backstage that it almost made him squint.

At the back, he could also hear the audience clapping.

”There’s even an audience?” His brows furrowed.

”Yes, sir,” the assistant replied, followed by a small laugh.

”Usually, the show runs in segments. They usually have two or three guests every night, so you’re the second one today. The audience isn’t just for atmosphere too. They interact with the host sometimes, and it gives the loyal viewers a bit of fan service, too. It just keeps everything lively.”

”Fan service? I thought this was supposed to be a business interview.” Gray’s brows furrowed more.

Truth to be told, he didn’t do any research about this program. He trusted Mara enough that he thought that there was no need.

But now, he was regretting it just a little bit.

”Damn... I never thought of that.” Gray sighed.

The assistant laughed again.

”It is a business interview, but this program mixes things up. There will be serious questions, lighthearted ones, sometimes even audience reactions. Don’t worry. It’s never meant to trip you up. They just like to show their viewers that their idols are human too.”

”Idols, huh?” Gray muttered under his breath, ”Not sure I fit that label.”

The assistant didn’t comment on it. He just smiled and gestured politely for him to wait by the curtains. From the other side, a burst of laughter and applause erupted from the crowd. The host must’ve cracked a joke with the previous guest if they’re laughing that much.

As he was instructed, Gray just stood there. He glanced side by side and waited patiently.

However, on the side of the stage, a stageman was talking to the assistant.

”Two minutes till the first segment begins. There will be a 5-minute break, then we will bring him on stage. You can already prepare him.”

”Alright,” the assistant nodded sharply before returning to Gray’s side.

The moment he arrived back, he gave a reassuring nod to Gray.

”It’s almost your turn, sir. They’ll wrap up the first guest in a moment, and then there will be a short break around 5 minutes. After that, the second program will start, and the host will call your name. Just step out when they introduce you, shake her hand, greet the crowd, and sit down. Everything else will flow naturally.”

”Alright,” Gray pressed his lips together.

’I didn’t know that guesting in these kinds of shows would be more nerve-wrecking than attending meetings.’ Gray sighed again as he waited at the side of the stage, only talking to the floor assistant who kept him entertained.

After 7 minutes, the floor assistant took a step back and raised his hand in queue.

’Alright, sir, it’s your time.” That was the only thing he said before leading Gray at the entrance on the side.

”And now,” Suddenly, after a few minutes of silence, the host’s voice boomed across the set again. Her tone was bright and professional. ”Joining us tonight is a name you might have seen climbing the headlines recently. A young entrepreneur who has been making waves with his business ventures, and who some are calling the fresh face of the industry—please welcome, Gray Adams!”

Gray took a step forward as the assistant nodded at him.

When he appeared on the stage, the applause hit him like a wave. Dozens of faces turned his way, their hands clapping, and some even cheering his name.

’Woohh...’ Gray was sweating on the inside, but he still kept a smile on his face. ’I guess there’s no turning back now.’ He muttered..

”Woah! Mr. Adams, welcome,” the host greeted him warmly from her seat.

The host’s voice carried a natural confidence that made the crowd cheer even louder for the two of them.

The host was a striking woman in her thirties. She had long dark hair that fell neatly past her shoulders. She had a sweet smile on her face, and her features were soft and angelic.

People knew her face well, even Gray. She was once a popular actress who starred in big drama hits years ago. Later, she shifted into hosting, saying in interviews that she enjoyed talking to people more than acting.

Still, from time to time, whenever a big movie or drama project needed her, she would occasionally go back into acting, reminding everyone she hadn’t lost her touch at that field..

Gray had seen her on TV before. Her name was Luna McQueens. She was famous and admired by people. He even remembered saving enough just to watch her in the movie theatres one time.

”Thank you for having me,” Gray greeted her. Now, he could finally genuinely smile as he saw the woman. He extended his hand and gave her a firm handshake before turning to the crowd with a polite nod.

”Good evening, everyone.”

The audience clapped again after his polite greeting. A few people even shouted, ”Gray!” like he was a celebrity.

’This is actually insane. I can’t believe people are cheering for me...’ Gray couldn’t help but smile more as he sat down across from Luna.

”You know, Mr. Adams,” Luna began, leaning slightly toward him with her signature easy smile, ”the last time I saw a name rise this fast in the headlines, it was an actor who had just won Best Newcomer award. But here you are, young, running a business, and suddenly trending everywhere. How does that feel?”

Gray let out a short breath through his nose, chuckling as naturally as he could. It seemed like the interview had already started. He was amazed that it was actually smooth.

”Honestly? It felt surreal. I wake up and see numbers going up on my phone, people tagging me in pictures I don’t even remember posting. It feels like it’s suddenly not me.

That got a laugh from the audience, some nodding knowingly.

”So you’re saying fame still feels unreal to you?” Luna raised her brow playfully.

”Very unreal,” Gray admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. ”Half the time, I’m just hoping I don’t trip in front of everyone and embarrass myself.”

The crowd laughed louder at that, clapping like they agreed with the honesty. Luna grinned.

”I think everyone here can agree. We appreciate honesty, right?” she asked, turning to the audience.

”Yesss!” the audience shouted in unison, some raising their hands.

Gray blinked at the sudden interaction, but he caught Luna’s playful smirk at the side. Gray couldn’t help but laugh at that.

He had to admit it.

Luna was good. She knew exactly how to interact to both the guest and the audience together in a natural way.

”That’s good,” Luna said, turning back to Gray, ”because honesty is what this show thrives on. So let’s start from the very beginning. How did you end up here? Not just on my show, but in this journey of yours?”

Gray took a small breath, leaning forward a little. He could still feel his nerves crawling under his skin, but the warmth of the audience and Luna’s guiding tone started to calm him down.

”Honestly? I started at the bottom. I was working as a part-time employee in a factory, carrying boxes, making deliveries, and so on. But then one day, I was suddenly fired from work...”

The audience became silent as they closely listened to Gray’s story.