Free The Price of Fame by Hazel Gower

*
    Markus had never been the nervous type, even when performing in front of thousands. Right now, though, he was so nervous he felt sick. Looking down at the woman who held everything of his in her small hands, he hoped Kylie could handle the media frenzy he knew would be waiting for them.
    They’d waited until last to get off the plane. Turning, he took a deep breath, slowly letting it go as they walked off the plane.
    Markus felt Kylie buzzing with excitement. “I’ve never been anywhere besides New Zealand, and that was for only three days with my parents. I can’t wait for you to take me to all the temples, Athens, oh, Mount Olympus, and Santorini. Did I say that right?”
    Seeing the gates up ahead, he prayed there weren’t too many paparazzi. They’d been through immigration and customs and were now walking to the exits. “Yes, you said it quite well.” He stopped as they reached security. “Kylie, you need to keep a tight hold of my hand. Don’t let go no matter what, and don’t answer any questions.”
    She bit her lip and glanced around them before nodding.
    A security guard came over to him with two others dressed in uniform. “Mr. Pegios, Miss Breal, stay between us at all times. I have everything else organized. I have men controlling the fans and media, but I still advise you to stay close. Your luggage is in the limo, ready and waiting to go.” He’d spoken English for Kylie’s benefit. Now he spoke into his walkie in Greek, telling people Markus and Kylie were coming.
    Kylie gripped his hand tighter the closer they got to the airport doors. Just as the doors opened, he said, “I love you.”
    Cameras flashed in his eyes, and fans and the media swarmed them. A flood of questions from journalists erupted.
    “Is this the woman from the video?”
    “Do you not like Greek women?”
    “Is it true you deliberately went elsewhere to fall in love?”
    “Is she pregnant?”
    “Are you going to move to Australia?”
    “Are you engaged? Is that her engagement ring?”
    “Is this all a stunt to prove you’re not gay?”
    On the last question, he felt Kylie shaking. He looked down at her to see her trying to stop herself from laughing. He wondered what she found so funny.
    Finally, the guards pushed their way through the crowd and to the limo. They got in, and as soon as the door was shut, he asked, “What is so funny?”
    She looked him up and down and raised her eyebrow. “Is there some gorgeous Greek man I’m going to have to watch out for?”
    It took him a moment to understand before he laughed, pulled her to him, and kissed her.
    She pulled away with a coy smile on her face. “You are way too good looking, and it’s always the hot ones who turn out to be gay.”
    He gave a growl and pulled her onto his lap. “I’m happy to prove to you that I’m not. We do have a bit of driving in traffic, and since we couldn’t join the Mile High Club, how about—”
    Kylie squealed as they were interrupted. Markus looked over to the far corner of the limo to see his manager, Gaelan, sitting with his laptop on his legs and phone in his ear as he stared at them.
    “I would rather not see that show,” he said in Greek.
    Markus shot a glare at Gaelan. “What the hell are you doing in here?”
    Kylie buried her head in his chest, mumbling, “Can you speak English? I don’t understand.” She turned up to him. “Who is he?”
    He looked at his manager, hoping he would see he was serious. “Speak English, please. Kylie is only just learning Greek.” Gaelan nodded.
    “Congratulations, you are number one in most countries. English and American producers are begging me to put you on their talk shows. Some even want the both of you.”
    Slowly, Kylie slid off him, only to shake her head. He knew she didn’t want to be in the limelight. She sat next to him, and he watched as his manager looked Kylie up and down, his gaze stopping on the engagement ring.
    Gaelan’s eyes widened for a moment before he