When Roman arrives at his father's home the day after his death, having discreetly given the finger to all the vultures with cameras outside, the last person he expects to see is Marcia. His stepmother greets him with a peck on the cheek, saying, "Romulus. You were always your father's favourite, you know."

"Oh, uh, thank you. Don't know about that." He scratches the side of his mouth self-consciously. "It's great to see you but uh, when did you… get here?"

"I flew back as soon as I heard the news."

"And, uh, where's Kerry?" He looks around as if his father's girlfriend might pop out of a closet, bound and gagged.

"I have no idea." Marcia frowns. Roman realises that part of him had wanted to see someone who might be as devastated over his father's death as he is.

"Are the others here? Ken and Shiv, Con…"

"No, you're the first to arrive. Some of your father's colleagues are here though." She gestures to the next room and Roman nods as he walks in that direction.

The second last person he expected to see today is sitting at the table with Frank, Karl and Karolina, like she wasn't fired yesterday. "Hey," Roman says as he ambles up to them.

"Excuse me." Gerri gets up and joins Roman in the corner of the room while the others mutter condolences.

"I'm… glad you're here," says Roman honestly. She looks lovely in black. "I wasn't sure, after yesterday…"

"Well, nothing was put in writing. And with all that's going on, I'm needed to shepherd us through…"

"Good. That's good." Roman breathes out. Nothing was formalised. He need not have fired her at all or left his dad that message. He pushes that thought away.

"How are you doing?" she asks gently.

"Oh, you know. I'm coping."

"Well, I'm here if you need anything."

"Really? Because yesterday you didn't seem all that keen to talk, after."

"You were sniping at me since you got the news, Roman." She sighs. "Let's just put yesterday behind us, okay? It's a new day."

"Yeah. The big board meet. Picking of a new king."

"Would you want the crown?" She watches him closely.

"Me?" He honestly can't think about running the business right now, but he doesn't want Gerri to think he can't do it, not after all the time she spent mentoring him. "I mean, sure. Romulus killed his father and became king, right?"

"I think it was his brother he killed."

"Well, Ken's not here yet, the day's still young." He's blathering like he always does in her presence, he needs to get away. "Hey, do you happen to know where my dad's phone is?"

"No." She looks confused by the question. "I guess Kerry might have it. She was one of the last people to see him on the plane."

"Right, Kerry. Thanks." He bounds out of the room before he can make an even bigger fool of himself.