He had a corporate smile on his face, almost like everything that had just happened never did.
Sharing a hug with Rachel, he took the microphone and stood on the podium. He was in a black tailored suit, the overhead lights catching his silver tie pin.
"Well..." he turned his head to Rachel as she left. "I would first like to thank my secretary for such excellent flattery. I mean, isn't she just the best hype woman?"
A few cheers, chuckles and applause followed that.
Darren beamed at her, and she — standing with hands folded — beamed back.
Then he turned back to the crowd. "Yes, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Darren Steele. I am the son of a mechanic, Henry Steele, and a saleswoman, Pamela Steele."
He looked at his mother at the VIP who smiled at him and waved.
