Sax is here.
He’s somewhere on this compound, waiting for me.
“I’m ready.”
Chapter Five
Today is the day.
I’m going to meet Sax.
I’m going to be sick.
After puking up my guts, hair and makeup fixed me back up, and Drew came to collect me and take me to the house. He’s quiet, almost somber, as he climbs into the golf cart to take me to the other side of the complex.
He pulls us into a spot in front of the house. “This is a good thing. I promise. It’ll all be worth it.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Why are you talking like I’m going to the gallows, Drew?”
“I’m not. I know you’re scared, and I want you to know that things will be fine. It’s going to work out between you and Sax.”
“Have you met him?”
Drew ducks his head and rubs the back of his neck. He doesn’t make eye contact with me. “I sat in on the interview with Bradley.”
I want to grab him by the front of hisstuffy polo and demand that he tell me everything, but I don’t. I’ll find out for myself in just a few moments.
TheExpectedhouse is incredible, but I knew it would be. From the outside, it is unassuming, but inside, it’s pure luxury. It has all the latest gadgets, some not yet released, is impeccably decorated, and is outfitted with cameras everywhere except the bathrooms. Drew shows me how I can turn off the bedroom cameras as he walks me through the house.
“But if you do, or if production thinks that something juicy happened off camera, there will be a mandatory interview the next morning to go over what happened while they were off. It’s better to leave them on, if at all possible. The mics on them are sensitive, and there are more hidden around the house, so you won’t need to be mic’d. Just remember, the crew has seen it all before. You don’t need to worry about what they see. They’ll edit out or censor the most salacious bits.”
“I think I’ll take the interview, thanks.”
Not that I think Sax and I are going to fall right into bed with one another, but if the mood arises, I wouldn’t say no.
Bridgette comes gliding into the living room with Bradley, her husband and cohost, beside her. This is the first time I’ve met him, since he was the one who interviewed Sax. He’s just as beautiful as his wife, but his is manufactured, while hers feels natural. With his unnaturally tanned skin and bleached blond hair, he looks like every other reality television host.
“Are you excited, Ariana?” He adjusts his tie and beams at me. “This is the moment that will change your life.”
“No pressure, then.”
Bradley laughs heartily, clearly playing it up for thecameras. They are always rolling in the house, and there is no telling what footage will make it into our episodes.
“In a few moments, we’ll leave the house and send Sax in. After that, the doors will lock, and we’ll be communicating with you via the televisions.” Bradley points to a small camera mounted above the television. The TV is on, and the show’s logo fills the screen. “Expect us to pop up every so often to update you on anything that you need to know over the week.”
It’s not enough that Sax and I will be getting to know each other in person, but the producers make a game of it. Over the next week, they will give us daily challenges tailored to our relationship.
I’ve seen everything from team-building exercises to trivia games. One time, they even hooked one party up to a lie detector when the other didn’t believe a word they were saying.
We will get incentives for passing their challenges. Some of them don’t seem like rewards to me, but we had to fill out a lot of forms about what we liked and disliked before filming, so they can make sure it’s something we would want.
I have no idea where they come up with the challenge ideas, but I keep telling myself it’s worth it to get to spend some time with Sax.
Bridgette gently touches my shoulder. “Ariana.” Her smooth, kind voice interrupts my thoughts. “This is going to be a good thing, I just know it. Keep an open mind, okay?”
Why does everyone keep telling me it’s going to be a good thing? Why would they assume I’d think it’s not? Despite how difficult it was to leave my home and put myself at risk, finally meeting Sax is worth all the discomfort.
I can do this.
