23-AND I MEAN EVERYTHING!

AND I MEAN EVERYTHING! "Hello, am I squeaking to Geronimo Stilton? The national hero? The famouse publisher? One of the mice who discovered the Cheesette butterfly?" said a voice. I cleared my throat. "Yes, I am Geronimo Stilton," I began. It was the next day. I was back in the office. I had been getting phone calls all

morning from reporters. It seemed my family and I had become famouse overnight. Now everyone wanted to know everything about us. And I mean everything! They wanted to know what kind of cheese I liked best. They wanted to know what kind of fur brush I used. They even wanted to know what kind of underwear I wore. It was crazy! My calendar was booked with interviews on TV. At the rate things were going, I wouldn't be free until next Christmas!

Just then, my secretary, Mousella, came charging in. "Mr. Stilton, the phones are ringing off the hook!" she shouted. "The operator has quit. The fax machine is spitting out paper. And the computers are bursting with e-mail

messages!" She paused to catch her breath. "By the way," she continued. "Did you know there is a Geronimo Stilton fan club on the Internet?" I sighed. Being famouse wasn't easy. Plus, the reporters had told me that an unmarried hero was the most POPULAR kind. Now every female mouse in New Mouse City was out to meet me. I was more popular than a grilled cheese sandwich at a weight loss clinic. Suddenly, we heard a rumble. Mousella let out a shriek. "Your female admirers have broken into the building. They are about to storm the office!" she cried. "But don't worry, Boss. I'll get rid of them. Maybe I can throw them a hunk of cheese or something." She raced off with a determined look on her snout. I shook my head. Then I stared out the

window. Up in the sky, I spotted a plane carrying a banner. It read, I LOVE GERONIMO STILTON!!! Right then, my cousin Trap strode into the room. He winked at me. "Guess what, Gerrykins," he said. "I have a surprise for you. And it's right behind this door." I GROANED. I really wasn't in the mood for one of my cousin's tricks. "I don't have time for fun and games, Trap," I said. "I'm trying to get rid of these female admirers. They won't leave me alone." My cousin giggled. "Come on CERRY

BERRY, just come open the door," he insisted. "The fortune-teller was right. You'll like this surprise." I scratched my fur. I thought only Thea had known about the fortune-teller. How strange. Still, what had that fortune-teller told me? She had said I would become famouse. Well, that had certainly come true. And after I became famouse, she said a certain mouse would fall in love with me. Madly in love. Could it be true?