One Million

Chapter One

Skylar swung her heeled feet out of the sleek black limo. She pulled herself out with the help of the chafer and straightened her dress. It was a black mini skirt that hugged her form and showed off her curves. At just over 5' 3", the 22 year old was stunning. Her long blonde hair fell in waves down her back and to her hips. Her eyes were a piercing steel blue and she had full lips. She was gorgeous.

She was here for the opening of her father's new hotel and she walked with a straight back up the short flight of stairs to stand by her father who was in front of a giant ribbon that cut across the doors. She absentmindedly played with a strand of her hair until she caught a glare from her mother. Skylar dropped it and her free had found its way to her gold clutch that she now held in both hands. The paparazzi were all over the street, not only taking pictures of the event, but of Skylar. Ever since she broke up with her boyfriend of three years, the media had been all over her, trying to be the first to catch her with another suitor. She was the doll of the media and everyone knew it.

At over 115 million followers on instagram, she was one of the most famous people in the world. Why? Because her father was one of the richest men in the world. Ever since she was a baby Skylar had a social media presence. The name Skylar Elaine Tepburn was all over the media when she was born. Her mother, Helen, was a beautiful woman, ten years her father's junior. Some say she married him for the money, and Skylar could believe it. Her mother was a model and her father was rich; what a great pairing.

Skylar knew her parents' marriage was hanging by a thread for most of her life. She was surprised that they didn't divorce when she went to college and again when she moved into her own apartment. She was waiting for the news but it never came. Perhaps they had made up for all those fights. Or perhaps they stayed together for the sake of the public opinion. Whatever the case, it had surprised Skylar that they were still together.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" It was her father's assistant, Robert, who spoke up over the crowd. "It is my honor to welcome a man whom I have admired for may years. Today he will be opening the new Tepburn hotel here in New York City. Please welcome mister Julias Tepburn! Skylar clapped politely as her father stepped up to the microphone. Skylar didn't have to listen to his speech to know what it was about. She had been to enough of these events to know that he would thank his friends, coworkers, and family before cutting the ribbon. And that is exactly what he did. Skylar smiled through the entire thing and clapped when appropriate. She watched as her father cut the ribbon and the party began. They were ushered into the large lobby area complete with a cocktail bar and the drinking and socializing began.

Skylar hated this part of the evening. Sure, she pretended to be a social butterfly when the time called for it, but she would much rather curl up with a good book or Netflix whenever she could. She didn't have many real friends. Sure, she had plenty of people turn up wherever she had a house party, but only a few of them she considered real friends. Those two were the ones she came to with all of her deepest secrets. They had been there since elementary school and had proven to her that they were her friends for more than the crazy house parties and array of alcohol and drugs she had access to.

"So how are you doing?" Skylar was drug out of her inner thoughts by a woman in a pencil skirt and button-down white blouse. Skylar smiled.

"I'm doing fantastic!" That was far from the truth. In reality, she was watching her mother flirt with a young man and knew that they would be fucking before the night was over.

"That's fantastic to hear dear! What do you think about your father opening another hotel?" Skylar smiled and drug her eyes away from her mother.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity! I'm learning so much about business from him."