Page 34 of Date The Billionaire

“Good. Glad to see you’re so biddable, at last.” She came up to me and looked at me. “If you’d done what I asked to begin with, none of this would have happened.”

“I’m sure. How much longer until this is over?”

“About six more hours. We’re going to start shooting as soon as it’s gone dark. We need to get a bit of film from the girls, then the big finale, some shots of all the losers crying, then you’ll get to go home with your princess. She deserves it too, after what you’ve put her through.”

I didn’t scream, or punch the wall, though I really wanted to, I just gave a slight shake of my head and let her go on. I stopped listening. After what I’ve put Arabella through? Didn’t she mean Laney? Laney had put up with shit from both of these women and was still putting up with it, if I guessed right.

I was going to play by their rules, I’d decided. I was going to do what I was told. Then, I’d do what the fuck I wanted and hope I could pick up the pieces later. At least until I was off this island and had fulfilled my part of the contract.

I stared at Carol, her voice droning on, but I didn’t hear her words. That dream haunted me, the fire an obvious memory of my past, but a new element had been added; my inability to save Laney from pain and fear. I’d felt so helpless when I woke up, so angry that I’d had to shut it all down just to get through this day without killing anyone.

It was a technique I’d learned after my parents died and the grief had begun to overwhelm me. Just shut it down and get through the day. That’s what I was doing now, just getting by. Carol patted my cheek for some reason, her touch making me cringe both internally and externally, and I had to fight the urge to vomit as she left.

A few more hours. I could do it. Someone came in to bring me breakfast and I ate it without paying it any attention. Someone brought me clothes and shoes, a tuxedo and black patent leather shoes, and I left them on the bed until it was time. I took another shower, dried my hair, shaved, and waited.

I was planning out the best way to use my money on education for children, when someone popped their head in. David!

“David, thank God, somebody to talk to!” I pulled him into the room and he sat on the bed with me.

“What’s going on? Why do they have you in here? Kelly said there was some really bad stuff going down, but this looks like a prison! Is it because of those pictures with Arabella? Man, I got to tell you, Kelly is so mad at you!”

“Damn, they got out then?” That was not the news I wanted to hear.

“The pictures of you and Arabella wrapped around each other like melting licorice sticks? Oh yeah, they did! And Kelly wants your, as she so eloquently put it, balls for those pictures.”

“It was all staged, David! Arabella came to my room. How she even knew where I was staying I can only speculate, but she threw herself at me and cameras started flashing around us. She made all these threats and then Carol came and hauled me off here. One minute a tolerable hotel, the next an intolerable prison.” I waved my hand around to indicate the sparse room.

“The room does suck, Jake, I have to admit. How did you not break the door down?” He looked at it and I laughed.

“It’s solid metal, David. I wasn’t getting through that with my bare hands.” I’d have tried otherwise. Without a second thought, I’d have torn that door down, but there had been no way I was getting through that door.

Judging by the shine on the hardware, it was brand new. I guess that’s why they had me sitting outside for so long, to prepare this room and install that door. Bastards. I clenched my fists once more and looked away from David. He was studying the door, trying to figure out how to science his way through it, I’d bet.

“I see. No, I suppose you weren’t. At least it’s almost done.” He seemed nervous now and pushed at the air on his nose.

“Do you think you’ll go back to glasses when this is over?”

“It depends on whether Kelly minds them or not. If she does, I’ll keep the contacts in.”

“Laney is just so adorable with her glasses on.” I let slip before I realized what I’d said.

“You’ve seen her with glasses? When?” He looked at me, lost.

“She had them on one day... probably the same day you talked to Kelly about how mad she was at me.” I let my words trail off in a mutter as he caught my meaning. He’d been in contact with Kelly after we’d all been sent home. Just like Laney and me. I grinned at him and he pushed air up the bridge of his nose once more.

“Ah, yes, well. Okay then. Well, I just wanted to see you before the show. Good luck. I know I’ve chosen Kelly. I haven’t seen Trent, or Skip for that matter. Are you choosing Laney? Kelly will kill you if you don’t!” His cheeks had flamed red for a moment before he stood and turned away from me.

I looked at him, wondering if he was really curious or if he was spying.

“I’ll do what everyone expects me to do,” I responded.

“That could be anything, Jake. Follow your heart, isn’t that what you told me?” He clapped me on the shoulder before he left and I took a deep breath. He hadn’t been spying then, just curious. I felt bad for even wondering now.

He’d probably tell me it was the intelligent thing to wonder anyway. You could never tell in contests like this.

I could do this. I had to.

I dressed in my tux when prompted and followed the man out that came to get me as the time rolled near.