Loving A STRANGER 168 Chapter 168: Don't Be Afraid

The reporters gasped, but Khloe paid them no attention.

The next question was for Kylie: "You're Miss Khloe Finch's sister, aren't you? And you're in the same company as well, ya? So, what do you think of her?"

Kylie looked into the cameras and said, "Khloe is a smart girl. She can be selfish and uncooperative at times or mean, but I don't blame her. It is all because our father, Laurence Finch, raised her… She was close to him in a way that I never was or will be. He never really had any use for me…" Hearing Kylie's answer, Laurence's face turned a pale shade of green, and he felt like he might throw up. Suddenly, some of the reporters turned around and began to take pictures of him. He didn't know what he should do but, instinctively, he knew that running away was the worst thing he could do.

Not knowing what to do, he held his composer until the attention returned to the actresses.

"There is not much more I can say then that," Kylie continued. "I can't be compared with Khloe. We are like apples and oranges. She used to work with Director Miller, so she has more experience than I do. I am honored to be here, but I don't really know what the chances are of winning…"

The crowd could not believe how humble Kylie was, especially in contrast to her sister.

At the end of the interview, Laurence dragged Khloe aside and scolded her in a low voice. "Khloe," he hissed, "What were you thinking when you compared Kylie to the devil? She is already the fan's favorite! Do you want them to hate you?"

"I was only speaking the truth," Khloe replied indifferently. "Try to remember what she did to me. She deserves everything that is coming to her!"

Laurence was purple with anger. Kylie had praised Khloe in front of the camera, which made her look good. Inversely, Khloe's nonsense had only made the media think that she was selfish and petty. Khloe was his favorite, though, so he had a hard time criticizing her. "In the future," he told her, "no matter how much you dislike Kylie, don't break off about her to the media. It makes her look good, and it makes you look bad. Do you understand?"

Khloe nodded that she understood, even though she was not convinced. She had a Facebook Page where fans could connect with her, leave her messages, and chat amongst themselves. She had been on Facebook only an hour early and, when she'd checked her page, she'd seen nothing but positive comments. Her fans said that she was born for acting. Even the most well-known Director Miller, said that her acting was very good.

One thing that Khloe didn't realize was that Laurence had paid all of these people to say good things about her as a part of his marketing scheme. On the other hand, every positive thing that was said about Kylie came from honest people who truly cared about her.

Along with Kylie and Khloe, there were four other contestants, and, Like Kylie and Khloe, they took the stage two at a time. Once everyone was done with the press, the cast and crew retired to the set where the photographs were to be taken. In the end, these photographs would be used for the promotional posters for the show.

On the stage, at their feet, there were six green X's. These were there to mark where the contestants needed to stand. Pus.h.i.+ng Kylie aside, Khloe took the X in the most prominent s.p.a.ce. Seeing this, the director frowned. It was not Khloe's place to decide where to stand. It was her job to stand where he told her to stand. He had intended for Kylie to be front and center, but, considering that Khloe was Laurence's favorite daughter, he didn't know how to press the issue without putting his job at risk.

Seeing the director's dilemma, the host went over to Kylie and asked her, "Who are you, and why did you take center stage without being directed where to stand?"

Khloe scowled and said, "You must know who I am." Khloe struck a pose and said, "I am Kylie Finch. I am the star of this show!"

The host laughed and said, "The star of the show is the person who wins. Didn't anyone explain that to you? Or have you never seen a reality game show before?"

Hearing these words, Khloe became very angry, but she held her composure.

"Well," the host said as he stepped away from Khloe, "I wish you the best of luck."

Khloe had meant to put herself up as the center of attention but, as she looked around, she realized that no one had joined her on stage, and she suddenly felt very self-conscious. She looked at the director and asked him, "Why aren't we shooting yet, and why hasn't anyone joined me on the stage yet?"

The cameraman brought his head out from behind the camera and said, "I'm sorry, but your make-up is too think. I can't have your front and center. You look like a corpse. Please step back to the X furthest from the camera."

"I… I… I…" Khloe stammered as she took four anguished steps backward.

"That's better," the cameraman said. "Thank you."

The cameraman turned to the other three contestants, scrutinizing them each individually until his eyes finally landed on Kylie. She looked innocent and pure, and her casual attire added to her 'Girl Next Door' appeal.

As Khloe took her place on the X furthest from the camera, one of the other contestants said to her, "This is my first reality show. I'm very nervous."

"Don't be afraid," Khloe replied. I'll watch out for you."

Finally, the cameraman instructed Kylie to take the position closest to the camera and had the other four contestants take the places slightly behind her.