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Prologue
Knox
Sitting across from Genesis Jones, senior journalist, for this interview, my mind is racing with thoughts, my heart beating a bit faster as I get ready to spill the beans for the "Mr. January" Bachelor feature in Forrester Media's magazine. Genesis, my baby brother Talon's best friend since high school and also the secret object of my younger brother Reece's desire, has a comforting yet intimidating presence. Her familiarity, rooted in our family connections, eases some of my usual reserve, and this cozy coffee shop is a far cry from my usual world of high-end resorts and calculated business moves.
In my career, I've always been the guy behind the scenes—the shadowy figure in the glamorous world of casinos and luxury resorts, overseeing everything as a Senior Vice President in my family's international empire. I manage staff to ensure guests have a great time and plan marketing campaigns to attract high rollers. It's a world of high stakes and meticulous planning, where success is everything. Today, I agreed to meet Genesis here, away from the intimidating formality of my office. There's something about this place's warm, unassuming ambiance that makes this encounter feel less daunting.
Honestly, interviews aren't my thing. I usually avoid them like the plague because I prefer staying out of the spotlight. But today, it's just Knox Forrester, no armor, pushed into the limelight by my mother, Rachael Forrester.
My mother set up this interview because of the Bachelor series, hoping to find me a suitable wife among potential candidates. But I have a different agenda. I want to use this chance to set the record straight about Robyn Ayyagari, the love of my life, regardless of my mother's schemes.
Genesis offers a warm smile as I approach, a mix of professional curiosity and familial warmth in her eyes. "Knox, thanks for doing this," she says in her soothing voice that combines professionalism with a personal touch.
I nod, taking a seat, and the clink of my watch against the table seems unusually loud in the cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop. "I'm not here for the reasons my mother hopes, Gen,” I start, my voice steady. It's time the world learns about my life beyond the Forrester empire, about Robyn’s role in it, how she saved me from myself. Let's just say it's time I step out of the shadows," I say, surprising even myself with my candid tone.
Genesis’s eyes gleam with mischief, as if she's excited to uncover my little secret. “You're in love with Robyn, aren't you?” she asks.
I thank the waitress for my coffee and give Genesis an amused wink as I take a sip. “I'm sure you want some kind of introduction before we dive into the juicy stuff about my love life, or lack thereof, Miss Jones,” I tease.
Genesis’s laptop sits open before her, a blank canvas ready to capture the essence of Knox Forrester for the 'Mr. January' feature.
"Alright, Knox, let’s get to the real you," she says, her smile bridging the gap left by my elusive pre-interview answers. “Your responses to my earlier questions were pretty... elusive, though hilarious. But how about the basics? Name, age, background—give me the good stuff."
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. Words have always been my allies, sharp and quick, always ready with a comeback, as my mother used to say. But now, as I prepare to unveil my own story, I find myself unusually hesitant. My palms get a bit sweaty, and my usual eloquence feels far away. I could use something stronger than this coffee to calm my nerves.
“Well, I’m Knox Forrester, 38 years old. Born into the Forrester legacy, but I’ve always aimed to chart my own course,” I begin, my voice steadier now. There’s a vulnerability in speaking about myself, a rawness that I usually keep buried under layers of business bravado and strategic moves.
As Genesis types, capturing each word, I realize this is more than just an interview. It’s a confession, revealing the man behind the empire—the dreams, the struggles, the hidden battles. With each question, I peel back another layer, exposing not just the businessman but the man who has loved, lost, and is still searching for his place in this complicated world.
Genesis types away, her fingers dancing over the keyboard, capturing the essence of my journey from a privileged kid to steering the helm of a casino empire.
“So, Knox, tell me, why have you always preferred staying in the background of your business?” she asks, her curiosity evident.
I pause, taking a sip of my coffee and allowing myself a moment to gather my thoughts. “Well, it’s quite simple,” I begin, my voice steady. “I've always been at the tables, playing. If people knew I owned the places, it would change the game entirely. They’d see me as the ‘house,’ not just another player. I wanted the genuine thrill of the gamble, not an altered experience because of my status.”
Genesis leans forward, intrigued, her fingers momentarily still over the keyboard. “That's quite a strategy. Playing incognito among your own guests. And what about your personal life, away from the tables?”
I chuckle, a sound tinged with a bitterness that surprises even me. “Ah, the poor little rich boy biography,” I muse. “Growing up, I was the shy one, always in the shadow of my brother Reese. He was the golden boy, the one everyone expected to take over Forrester International. I guess I’ve always been trying to prove that I'm more than just a Forrester, more than just another privileged heir.”
As the interview unfolds, it touches on my journey—the privileged yet pressured childhood, my path to carving out my own identity under the looming shadow of Forrester International, and the personal challenges and victories I’ve faced. Genesis listens intently, her typing a constant, rhythmic backdrop to my story. Her occasional nods and empathetic glances encourage me to delve deeper, revealing layers of myself I hadn’t anticipated sharing today.
Genesis leans in slightly, her gaze piercing, as if she's trying to read the deeper truths within me. "Anything else you want to share with our readers about this part of your journey before we move on?" she asks.
I pause, feeling a surge of honesty. "Just that life's a wild ride, you know? It takes you on unexpected paths and introduces you to incredible people." My thoughts momentarily wander to Robyn, reflecting on our journey and the potential future we might build together.
Genesis nods, her expression showing a mix of intrigue and understanding, silently urging me to continue.
“This interview isn't just about painting the glamorous façade of Knox Forrester that my mother wants the world to see and read. It's a glimpse into who I truly am, the challenges I've faced, and the love that's profoundly changed me," I admit, feeling a sense of liberation with each word.
I sense a weight lifting from my shoulders. This interview, this 'Mr. January' feature, it's more than a mere story. It's a chapter of my life still being written, rich with success, introspection, and a burgeoning love story that's only just beginning to unfold.
Wrapping up our interview, I can't help but glance at Genesis's laptop. The constant click-clack of her typing has been the soundtrack to our deep dive. It's kinda wild, thinking how much of my life, stuff I've hardly ever said out loud, is now just sitting there in her notes.
"Next time we catch up," Genesis says, eyeing her screen, "how about spilling some beans about your kid and teen years? Like how you jumped into the biz, the whole deal with your dad and uncles showing you the ropes. That stuff would really jazz up the article."
I nod, feeling a weird mix of nerves and excitement. "Yeah, sure thing," I say. Thinking about going back to those days, all the ups and downs under my uncles' watch, it's like opening an old photo album—some smiles, some scrapes. Those years really did a number on me and set me up for where I am now. But honestly, it’s not a trip down memory lane I take often.
As Genesis and I wrap things up, I can't help but feel thankful for how she's made this whole thing less awkward. It's weird how comfortable I've been, spilling my guts. When we say our goodbyes, it hits me that this isn't just some magazine piece. It's like I've taken a long look in the mirror, getting a real good glimpse of who Knox Forrester is and who he might turn out to be. I'm actually kind of psyched to see what our next chat digs up.
