A Beautiful Rock by Lilliana Anderson Page A

was and she doesn’t know who my parents are. I changed my name when things ended with Jonathan. I didn’t need that embarrassment following me around forever. Especially the article where my father spoke about how disappointed he was that I didn’t understand the industry. That probably hurt more than anything Jonathan did… When Marcus searched my current name, he didn’t find any photos online. If he searched my real name, however, he’d find plenty and very few of them show me in a good light.
    You see, I’ve been hiding who my family is for years. My father is probably one of the most recognisable names in Australia’s music industry. I’m sure that being his daughter is what made Jonathan interested in me. And the whole experience taught me how fake fame is, and how much I wanted to be really far away from it.
    Everything was going along just fine until I agreed to do a favour for a friend and Marcus Bailey entered my life. If I get seen with him, then my quiet life could be over. I don’t know if I’ll be able to successfully disappear again.
    Now, more than ever, I realise I need to keep my resolve. But this time, I think I need to make Perry keep his too. Marcus Bailey needs to stay away, or I’m just going to be hurt, humiliated and exploited all over again.

Chapter 8
     

Marcus
     
    “Thanks man. I knew you’d do Dire Straits justice. That was an epic cover,” the producer says, as he shakes my hand when the recording is over.
    I’ve already done the short interview with the DJ and I was given a short amount of time to prepare my cover version of Dire Straits Romeo and Juliet . I was familiar with the song anyway, but the trick is making the song my own and not just singing an exact replica.
    As annoyed as I was when this got sprung on me, I have to say that I’ve actually had a pretty good time. I remember listening to Triple K when Theo and I first started out. It was a big dream to be asked on here to do Your Own Version , and now I’m here. Just me. I can’t help but listen to the niggling voice in the back of my mind that is telling me it would have been better with Theo.
    To be honest, this whole experience would have been better if I had hit it big with Matiari. But unfortunately, that’s just not how it worked out, and more and more, I find I’m asking myself if I even deserve this life. Then I remember how miserable I am, and I realise – yes, after what I did to Matiari on stage and after the way I’ve treated my family and my friends… yeah, I do deserve this. Every shitty moment and fake smile – I deserve it all.
    “Thanks for having me on, and thanks for recording this early . I know you usually do this live. I really appreciate your understanding and all.”
    “Hey man, we all need a break every now and then .” He claps me good-naturedly on the shoulder. “Listen, there’s a bunch of us going out next weekend to see a few up and coming bands play. I’m sure you have some sort of big plans, but it would be great if you could come along and lend your support to the little guys.”
    I can see he doesn’t expect me to say yes, but honestly, I wouldn’t mind going to a small gig. It’s probably just what I need to remind me where I came from.
    “Yeah . Actually, I think that would be a lot of fun.”
    “Awesome.” He nods, sounding cool but looking a little surprised as he pulls the flyer for the gig out of a pile of papers on a nearby desk. “We’ll probably get there around ten after the dinner service finishes. We’ll be up on the Mezzanine level. Do you want me to tell the door guys you’re coming?”
    “No, I’ll go in the same as everyone else. I’ll find you.” I hol d the flyer up. “See you next week at ten.”
    We do one of those hand clap, back slap things that guys like to do and I head out of the studio to find Karen sitting out in reception waiting for me.
    She holds my car keys out to me. “She’s worried that you’re angry with her,” she