AN: This is an idea that, literally, wouldn't let me write anything else until I was done. Now that it's complete I can get back to the things I should be working on. Written for this week's Rumbelle Challenge.
As Isabelle French stood in front of the large studio audience, a camera pointed straight at her while she clutched a microphone so tightly she was afraid it would break. She was seriously beginning to rethink the life choices that had led her to this moment.
When Ruby had pushed her into signing up for the local TV stations reboot of The Dating Game, as a sign of solidarity and support for her friend, she hadn't given it a second thought. Now she was wishing she had never agreed. But how was she supposed to know that the producers would think she was a perfect bachelorette?
Never mind that she had crippling stage fright and had no interest in finding her perfect match through a TV show. When Ruby had found out she'd been selected, she had been over the moon.
"You have to do it Belle, please, for me?"
She was beginning to suspect that Ruby hadn't even signed up and this was some kind of ridiculous ploy to find her a boyfriend. But she had always believed that doing the brave thing would lead to bravery, and she really did need to get over her fear of speaking in front of large crowds, so she had agreed.
With harsh studio lights shining down on her, Belle had decided that bravery could go suck an egg, all she wanted to do was curl up with a good book and pretend none of this had ever happened. But it was too late, the mystery bachelors had already been introduced to the audience and now it was her turn to say something about herself before the questioning could begin.
All she had to do was last twenty minutes, that was it, just twenty minutes and then she'd be home free. After filming was over she could decline the holiday trip. And apologize to the poor guy she would be rejecting after having to randomly choose him based on a handful of meaningless questions.
"So tell us a little something about yourself, Isabelle." The host prompted.
"I−um−I'm originally from Australia, but I guess you can tell that." Belle mumbled the last part. "And honestly I have a little bit of stage fright." She admitted, feeling her cheeks heat.
"That's okay, even I get a little nervous in front of a crowd, and isn't this one heck of a crowd?" He asked, causing the audience to cheer loudly. "Now, you know how the game works, behind that screen is three mystery bachelors ready and waiting for you to ask them questions, when times up you'll have to pick one of them. Well that's the rules, let's begin!"
Belle nodded shyly and looked down at the stack of cards she'd been given. "Bachelor number one, if you were an animal, what kind would you be?"
"I'd be a bird of paradise, 'cause baby, all you'd find with me is bliss." Came the cheeky reply.
"Okay…" Belle muttered under her breath. "Bachelor number two, same question."
"What kind of answer is that?" She heard someone with a mild brogue grumble, suppressing a grin she waited for Two's response. "I'd be a−I don't know−a crocodile." Two said flippantly, his Scottish accent causing her smirk to bloom into a proper smile.
"And bachelor number three?"
"I'd be a stallion because I'm a grade A stud." Fighting the urge to roll her eyes Belle moved on to a different question.
The next several that followed were just as mindless, both One and Three's answers laced with poorly concealed innuendos. But number two was snarky and clever when he responded. Making her laugh and begin to relax, forgetting the cameras and the audience all together. Belle almost thought he was just as reluctant to be there as she was.
Time was almost up, and strangely she wished she had just a little longer. Or at least better questions, something with a little substance to them.
"Bachelor number two," She began, glancing down at the card she frowned, she didn't care how her snarky Scottish suitor thought he looked in a swimsuit. Honestly he seemed more like a full suit and tie kind of guy. "Do you enjoy reading?"
"Yes, I don't get to do it as often as I'd like to, but once and awhile I'll get a fire going and enjoy some poetry or a proper novel." He replied, his voice lacking the glib quality all of his other answers had held.
"Is there a specific author you have a predilection for?" Belle asked, forgetting that she had to move on to the other bachelors.
"Not really, I'd have to say I prefer the classics, but every now and again I appreciate something contemporary." He said sounding far more interested in her questions now that she had gone off script.
They went back and forth for the last few minutes, the other bachelors practically forgotten, before the host cut her off midsentence.
"Well that's all the questions we have time for today!" He interrupted loudly. "Now, Belle, it's time for you to choose, will it be bachelor number one? Bachelor number two? Or bachelor number three?"
Less than a half an hour ago she would have just randomly picked one of them, having little to no interest to get to know any of them better. Now she knew exactly who she'd pick, and she wouldn't be skipping out on the free vacation either.
"Number two, I pick bachelor number two." She said brightly.
"An interesting choice." The host muttered under his breath. "Well then, let's meet the boys you didn't pick! Come on out, bachelor number one!"
Next thing she knew she was being embraced in quick secession by two hulking brutes each a foot or two taller than her. When they didn't have something to prove, or lame insinuations to spout they seemed nice enough, but she wanted to get on with it and meet the man she'd chosen.
"And finally, bachelor number two, the one you've selected! Aurum Gold!"
As the crowd cheered a man only a few inches taller than her with a cane walked from behind the divider that had been blocking her view. Despite the confidence he had spoken with earlier he appeared hesitant and cautious. She smiled shyly, and he responded in kind his warm eyes beginning to sparkle.
"Gold, Aurum Gold, but please, call me Rum." He said, proffering his hand politely.
"Isabelle French, but everyone calls me Belle." She replied taking his hand and shaking it firmly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Belle." Rum whispered softly.