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Authors: Jessica Clare
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that's hot pink - is a forensic archaeologist. Just like on that show! Isn't that cool?"
"Wild," I agreed blandly.
"And Becca - she's sea foam green - is a video game model and a stuntwoman. Apparently they stick all these little electrical doodads on her skin to see how she moves and..."
I tuned out, still lost in thought. Leona chattered on and on about the other women and talked about how we could stand out against 'the competition'. "Not that you need much help," she said smugly. "It's clear he's got the hots for you."
Which made me feel...weird. Did the others know this was all a big set-up by the world's most controlling guy? Or did they think they really had a chance with him?
And God, how arrogant did that sound?
Leona styled my hair, artfully braiding it on one side and letting the waves hang loose on the other. Then we went to makeup and wardrobe, and I was given a white sheath dress with an asymmetrical collar and one long, tight sleeve, the other arm bare. I liked this dress better than the last, because it showed off my tan and my impressive guns from years of endlessly working with heavy glass-blowing equipment. Plus, there was no chance of a stray boob going wandering, which was always a bonus. Leona looked utterly adorable in her peach sheath, her dress a simple one with an attached high collar and no sleeves. She looked like a frothy confection and I felt a little sad that she didn't know this entire thing was a farce. The excited look on her face as we neared the Decision Ceremony told me that she was looking forward to seeing Heathcliff again, which just made me feel worse.
As we arrived for the Decision Ceremony, I was surprised to see Heathcliff was already in the room, mingling with the remaining women. They hovered about him like vultures, one clinging to his arm and the rest hanging off his words. He looked over at me as we entered and gestured that we should join them.
I went straight for the drink tray instead.
An hour later, we gathered for the newest Decision Ceremony, and Heathcliff gave us another little speech about how he had to go with his gut and pick the women right for him. This time, we'd go down to six women from twelve. I kept my eyes closed as they brought the tray of flowers forward. Let me go , I insisted silently. Don't pick me. Don't pick me.
"My first flower goes to...Juno."
Groan. I cast him a withering look even as I stepped forward to receive my flower. When I stepped up and let him put it behind my ear, I told him, "You're just prolonging the misery, H. Like I said before, I'm not interested in second chances. Just stop it, okay?"
He leaned back and I saw those gray eyes flash with anger. Just a quick glimpse of it, and then it disappeared behind careful walls again. He gave me a charming smile and gestured that I should step to the side so they could continue with the ceremony.
I did so, but on the inside, I was seething. He was going to keep doing this, was he? Fine. I'd just have to be the strong one here.
"The next flower is for...Leona."
Leona practically bounded up to him with excitement, and my eyes narrowed. It was cruel of him to keep stringing her along, and I made a mental note to tell him just that the next time we had a moment alone.
The next four women were picked in short order - Kimberly, Becca, Jenni F, and a girl named Diamond who wore a stunning deep red.
"Now," Host Lawrence said as the other women exited in a flurry of tears. "Our billionaire bachelor gets a special date with one of our lovely ladies. This will give him a chance to have some one-on-one time alone with our women, and maybe get to know a certain lady a little better. You'll be invited to have a moonlit picnic on the beach with our billionaire bachelor. It'll be the perfect spot for...romance."
A flurry of titters arose from the remaining women.
My shoulders squared, and I prepared for an argument. A special date with a special lady, huh? I crossed my arms over my chest and
"Wild," I agreed blandly.
"And Becca - she's sea foam green - is a video game model and a stuntwoman. Apparently they stick all these little electrical doodads on her skin to see how she moves and..."
I tuned out, still lost in thought. Leona chattered on and on about the other women and talked about how we could stand out against 'the competition'. "Not that you need much help," she said smugly. "It's clear he's got the hots for you."
Which made me feel...weird. Did the others know this was all a big set-up by the world's most controlling guy? Or did they think they really had a chance with him?
And God, how arrogant did that sound?
Leona styled my hair, artfully braiding it on one side and letting the waves hang loose on the other. Then we went to makeup and wardrobe, and I was given a white sheath dress with an asymmetrical collar and one long, tight sleeve, the other arm bare. I liked this dress better than the last, because it showed off my tan and my impressive guns from years of endlessly working with heavy glass-blowing equipment. Plus, there was no chance of a stray boob going wandering, which was always a bonus. Leona looked utterly adorable in her peach sheath, her dress a simple one with an attached high collar and no sleeves. She looked like a frothy confection and I felt a little sad that she didn't know this entire thing was a farce. The excited look on her face as we neared the Decision Ceremony told me that she was looking forward to seeing Heathcliff again, which just made me feel worse.
As we arrived for the Decision Ceremony, I was surprised to see Heathcliff was already in the room, mingling with the remaining women. They hovered about him like vultures, one clinging to his arm and the rest hanging off his words. He looked over at me as we entered and gestured that we should join them.
I went straight for the drink tray instead.
An hour later, we gathered for the newest Decision Ceremony, and Heathcliff gave us another little speech about how he had to go with his gut and pick the women right for him. This time, we'd go down to six women from twelve. I kept my eyes closed as they brought the tray of flowers forward. Let me go , I insisted silently. Don't pick me. Don't pick me.
"My first flower goes to...Juno."
Groan. I cast him a withering look even as I stepped forward to receive my flower. When I stepped up and let him put it behind my ear, I told him, "You're just prolonging the misery, H. Like I said before, I'm not interested in second chances. Just stop it, okay?"
He leaned back and I saw those gray eyes flash with anger. Just a quick glimpse of it, and then it disappeared behind careful walls again. He gave me a charming smile and gestured that I should step to the side so they could continue with the ceremony.
I did so, but on the inside, I was seething. He was going to keep doing this, was he? Fine. I'd just have to be the strong one here.
"The next flower is for...Leona."
Leona practically bounded up to him with excitement, and my eyes narrowed. It was cruel of him to keep stringing her along, and I made a mental note to tell him just that the next time we had a moment alone.
The next four women were picked in short order - Kimberly, Becca, Jenni F, and a girl named Diamond who wore a stunning deep red.
"Now," Host Lawrence said as the other women exited in a flurry of tears. "Our billionaire bachelor gets a special date with one of our lovely ladies. This will give him a chance to have some one-on-one time alone with our women, and maybe get to know a certain lady a little better. You'll be invited to have a moonlit picnic on the beach with our billionaire bachelor. It'll be the perfect spot for...romance."
A flurry of titters arose from the remaining women.
My shoulders squared, and I prepared for an argument. A special date with a special lady, huh? I crossed my arms over my chest and
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