Chapter 28 – Jesse Flynn

Jesse knew that he would have some good footage that day because it was Odessa's birthday and Nevaeh had prepared a party for the afternoon. It was a garden party with nice tables laid out with all kinds of foods and drinks, flowers everywhere – thank you, Sydney – and soft music covering the outside noises of gurgling water, crunching gravel, and over-excited birds in the trees. Actually, the key-word for Odessa's birthday was softness. It radiated from her, from the colors, and the general ambiance of the event. All the girls had been invited, but not all were staying the whole afternoon. Some showed up merely for the food, chatted a while, and headed back to their own activities.

Jesse wondered if their presence at such events was accounted for and it would play a part in them staying on in the Selection. Why not, after all? A princess or a queen consort was supposed to show up to events even she didn't want to go to, right?

If that was the case, then Anastasia would have a bad record of attendance: this was the second birthday party she skipped. Jesse made sure Sydney and Otis were occupied covering the party because he wanted to take a walk... Maybe he'd find out about the absentees.

He had his camera ready, snooping around for exclusive tea. He had already missed several dates, so he wanted to make sure he could get more information. The queen was expecting it, and she had expressively asked for tea. Well, not in those exact words, but he got the gist.

He made his way away from the group partying with finger foods and headed to the opposite side of the garden. The moment he passed the corner of the fancy building, he silently congratulated himself for having such great instincts. Because away from everyone's view and hidden by the Palace itself, a couple was making out pretty deeply. He quickly hid behind the corner, hoping that he hadn't been seen, and tried to figure out who it was. The three Princes were at the Party, so who could it—

OH.

O h.

Oh.

Jesse grinned and took out his camera just around the corner, keeping himself hidden. He snapped several pictures and zoomed in to make sure his guess was correct.

It was: Anastasia Pembroke and Timothy Parker, Silas' bodyguard.

Should he walk in on them and confront them? Sure, it wasn't that surprising. Jesse had heard that she was seeing him, but not in broad daylight like that! What was she thinking? Jesse decided to step in, just to see their faces. Was that cruel? Maybe. Was that his job? Definitely yes.

He stepped out from behind the corner and cleared his throat. "Ahem."

The couple jumped apart and Parker almost fell on his butt.

"Jesus!" he said.

"Nope, just me, Jesse," Jesse replied with a grin. "So, uhm, what are you two up to?"

"It's not what it looks like, I can explain–"

"Like hell, Tim," Ana said. "I told you it wasn't a good idea to meet up like this."

Timothy Parker rubbed his neck and Jesse noticed his ears becoming quite red. "Uh..."

"Oh, don't worry, Parker," Jesse said. I've already talked about this with Ana." He paused. "Did you not see the last blog article I wrote?"

Parker blanched. "I'm sorry. What?" He looked at Ana. "What did you tell him?"

The tiny lieutenant shrugged. "Just that Sir-sleep-around was usually otherwise occupied and that I had decided to spend some time with you."

"You named me?" he asked, running his hands in his hair, making his blond hair stick upright in some places. "I can lose my job for that, you know?"

Ana snorted. "It's not as if Glasses didn't know," she retorted. "He's third-wheeled us a few times."

Timothy Parker rolled his eyes. "Don't call him that. And it's one thing to have Silas know, and it's another to have the whole country know about it." He looked at Jesse. "How many people read your stupid articles?"

"Okay, first of all, they're not stupid. Second, that last one has thousands of likes and comments." He paused. "Okay, yes. Lots of people read it. But I'm not sure the Queen said something about it, though!" He raised his hands in defense. "It came out only this morning."

Parker rubbed his face with both hands. He grunted something unintelligible and Jesse was questioning if walking on them like that had been a good idea after all. But he knew he also needed the tea, and that was tea, alright.

"You're an idiot, Jesse," Anastasia said. Then she turned towards Parker who was still thinking about what to do, his hands locked behind his head. "Maybe we could ask Glass- I mean Silas if he has an idea about what to do?"

Parker snorted. "I don't want to bring him into this–"

"He's already in on it," Ana countered.

Timothy Parker sighed and took out his phone. For the first time in his life, Jesse actually felt bad about snooping around for the tea. Oh, how Nevaeh would be angry at him right now. If she knew about this, he'd be screwed. He'd rather the queen know about this – he was doing what she was asking, after all – than the duchess de Montignac. For some reason, he valued her opinion more than the Queen's...

"Yeah, hi, Silas?" Pause. "Yeah, sorry, I know you're in the middle of the birthday party, but we're in some kind of a situation, here." Pause. Jesse stepped closer to listen without seeming to. "Uh, I'm just behind the west wing." Pause. "With Jesse and Anast– please don't laugh." Pause. "Okay, thanks." Parker ended the call and turned around. "He's on his way."
The trio waited awkwardly for the Crown Prince to arrive, and not a minute later he appeared around the building's corner, pristine and suited as ever, a tiny smirk on his face.

"What's going on?" he asked, and Jesse could hear a hint of amusement in his voice. Clearly, he was trying not to laugh at the situation.

Parker quickly brought him up to pace and Silas put his hand on his bodyguard's shoulder. "It was bound to happen, Timothy." Then he turned towards Jesse. "I wasn't wrong when I said you were a bloodhound for information."

Jesse tried not to cringe at the insult, but he knew the prince was kind of right.

"Did you already publish the article?" he asked.

"This morning, I'm afraid."

Silas shook his head. "Look. I know my mother told you to dig further and give more information to the public. But some things don't have to leave this place." He paused. "It's your job as a journalist to know what is considered delicate information or not."

"None of the Selection is delicate information, Your Highness," Jesse replied, using the formal title. He hadn't given names to Anastasia in her interview: she had slipped in Parker's name on her own. But he wasn't going to put the fault on her.

"True," Silas said. "But not when it could cost someone's job in the process." He paused again. "Half a century ago, this could have ended up with both their heads. You're lucky we're not in the 'dark ages' anymore, and that I already gave them my blessing. If there was ever a blessing to give..."

"She's not on your list," Jesse pointed out.

"No, but Timothy is my friend and bodyguard and he asked me permission to see Anastasia during the selection," he said. "As long as she was in the competition, I didn't mind."

"What about Nathan? Does he mind?" Jesse said. He was trying to find a flaw in their stupid secret plan.

"I'm sure Sir-sleep-around doesn't care. I flipped him on his ass so I don't think I'm at the top of his list, anyway." Anastasia waved the problem away.

"What is the general reaction to the interview, Jesse?" Silas asked.

Jesse was surprised at how professional Silas sounded. He was a real diplomat and he had actually no way of winning against him. "It's rather equally split, actually." He scrolled through his phone to look up the article on the Blog. "Half the comments say they want to 'see who this Parker dude is' – I'm quoting here – and the other half want Ana gone, they think, and I quote too, 'that she's greedy because there are already three Princes to date and she still goes to a fourth guy'." Jesse looked up from his phone to the trio staring at him.

"Well, then," Silas said. "I only see one solution to this problem: give the public what they want. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date to go to."

"Wait, wait, wait," Jesse said before Silas was too far. "Who's your date and what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to go walk Doug with Brandy," he replied. "But I believe you have a story to take care of." He motioned with his head towards Ana and Parker and was on his way.
Jesse didn't know what to do: follow Silas on his date with Brandy – which couldn't be as juicy and interesting as a date with Ximena – or stay with the 'illegal' couple and prepare the next day's Report?

He decided the tea for the Report was more important and he sent Sydney on Silas duty.

-o-0-o-

"Goodeveningladiesandgentlemenboysandgirls!" Jesse boomed with his opening line. Boy, he always thought he was a genius for finding this one. It was his signature – along with the extravagant bow tie – and he loved it. He knew people would remember him forever for it. Right? "My name is Jesse Flynn and we are here tonight to spend a memorable evening with the family. And let me tell you, we have lots of juicy things happening..."

He wiggled his eyebrows at the camera, knowing fully well that Nevaeh was rolling her eyes at him right now. But who cared, right? He was at the peak of his career and he could bloody do whatever the hell he wanted!

"But before we get cozy with the princes to talk about their love life – because honestly, that's what it is, right? – I would like to invite her Majesty, The Queen, to the stage, because she has something really important to share with us." He paused, building the suspense. "Your Majesty?" He turned around to see the queen coming out from behind the stage decor, her head high wearing a fancy crown and the royal blue sash. Wow, this must be important, Jesse thought. He stepped aside, giving the whole stage to the Queen.

"Good evening, Illéa," she said, staring into the camera. Then she looked over the audience which had been lit for the occasion: the queen wanted to see the people she was talking to. "I have good news for you today. As you may know," she continued without a break, "I have been working for several years on a profitable alliance and friendship with the New Asian Empire." She paused, poised. "We already had trading agreements, in the past, signed by my own father, the late King James. But both Illéa and New Asia wanted more. It took time, it took many travels to and fro for both our ambassadors, but as of this week, we have finally reached an agreement and signed the Alliance papers!"

Jesse beamed. He was proud to be a citizen of Illéa, and to be the subject of such a Queen! The audience cheered. Maybe because the audience was made of people from the high spheres of the Illéan society – who else could pay Report tickets to see the Royal Family? – and that they knew what were the implications of such an Alliance. Jesse wondered what the rest of Illéa was thinking, behind their TV's and sitting comfortably on their couches. Would they be happy as well?

"This will mean easier trade routes on both sides, easier traveling as well, and also, we developed new student exchange programs!"

The audience clapped politely at that.

"I would like to invite Mr. Osamu Watanabe, the New Asian Ambassador who's been living in Illéa for many years, to join me on this stage."

Jesse knew this would happen but seeing the ambassador was always an odd feeling. He knew his sons a little – the last time he had seen them was at Valerian's birthday ball – but he had never talked to the man himself. Mr. Watanabe came on the stage and stood next to the queen, a practiced smile on his face.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said taking her hand in his and kissing the back of it. Of course, it was only for protocol's sake since the two of them had been friends for years. "It was a pleasure to be a tool in this international business. On behalf of The Emperor, I want to give you one of our most precious gifts." He turned around and a New-Asian man dressed in traditional clothing stepped forward with some kind of gift covered in a golden fabric embroidered with a red dragon.

The queen lifted the fabric and underneath was a high glass bell and Jesse could only see a plant in it. That was their most precious thing?

"This is the Royal Militonian Orchid, a flower that only blooms inside the walls of the Silent Palace, in China." He paused, letting a camera come closer to film the burgundy pointy orchid in his hands. "The Emperor entrusts it to you as his own child."

Jesse noticed the Queen was a little taken aback by this gift. Clearly, she hadn't been expecting it.

"Thank you, Osamu Watanabe," she said, taking the heavy gift in her own hands. "I will nurture it with great care." Both turned towards the audience who cheered and clapped. This was a Historical event, to say the least.

The Queen and the Ambassador walked down the steps and into the Audience after the Queen entrusted the gift to her maid who took it backstage. After that, on the big screen behind them, the video of the signing of the documents played, and then the stage director called out a two-minute break.

Jesse breathed a little better, and he was glad he was going to take the stage again, where he could control what happened. He invited the three boys to come to join him on the sofa so they'd be ready when they'd start filming again.

"Ladiesandgentlemenboysandgirls, after such good news, we are now going to focus on the Selection, what you all have been waiting for! Like I said earlier, some really juicy things happened this week." He wiggled his eyebrows again at the closest camera. "First of all, Prince Valerian went on a very special date with our favorite mermaid!" He turned towards Val. "So, Your Highness, what exactly did you do?"

"We made a wish come true for a little girl," he said with a wide grin. "Malia received a call from the Make A Wish foundation because a little girl wanted to be a mermaid with her and me!" He chuckled. "Honestly, it was one of the best experiences in this Selection. Like, we even got to see Malia do her Mermaid number in the middle of real fish and coral! I mean, that was pretty amazing in itself…" He turned around to look at Malia lost in the idle of the girls and they shared a knowing smile.

"That's amazing!" Jesse said. "So, you like being a mermaid? I mean– a merman?"

"Definitely," he said, nodding. "I'd need much more practice, but it's actually really fun." He turned to the audience. "You should try it!"

"You went on another date with Evelyne Mia, and also did something for the community. Correct?"

"Yes! We went to the Los Angeles Soup Kitchen to serve some meals! That, too, was fun, though it did make me think a lot…"

"Which is understandable. And do you think you might do other things with the Make a Wish Foundation or the LASK?" Jesse continued.

"I mean, why not?" Valerians shrugged. "I don't think I could do it all the time, with college coming up soon, but maybe a few times? I don't know."

"And speaking of college," Jesse said, bouncing off Val's reply, "the new semester starts in ten days. What are you going to do? Are you going to go back on campus and have a break in the Selection?"

"No," Valerian said, "though that was an option." He chuckled. "But me and all the other girls who are starting a new Uni semester decided to take classes through correspondence and have our own little study group." He paused, looking at the girls. "We've all written to our own Colleges, and they've all agreed to do that until we can go back on campus."

"A Study group! what an excellent idea!" Jesse said. "And who will be in that group?"

"Pallas, Roni, Eve, and me."

"Oh, only four? I thought there'd be more…"

Valerian laughed. "Most of the Selected have already finished college or didn't even go to college… so yeah…"

"Well, thank you, Prince Val, for all this good news. Prince Nathan?" Jesse turned his shoulders to face Nathan. "How does it feel to go incognito in town?" And before Nathan could reply, Jesse turned to the audience and the closest camera: "yes, because our Prince was in town, shopping, with a Selected… too bad you missed him!"

Nathan laughed. "It was a good experience. I was a normal guy, just for a few hours!"

"What do you mean by 'a normal guy'?" Jesse frowned.

"Just that nobody asked to take pictures, sign something, or asked to kiss me. It was just me and Gail, and we had fun."

"Because… usually people ask you to kiss them?" Jesse asked, only half-shocked, but playing the part for the Report.

"Among other things," Nathan replied with a sly grin.

Jesse laughed. "Oh, my goodness. And did you go on other dates I might have missed?"

"No, not officially," Nate said. "But that doesn't mean I don't spend time with the girls during the week either…"

"No, of course not." Jesse chuckled and went on to Silas. "Your Highness, I understand you went on a very romantic date this week… can you tell us a bit more about it?" Jesse wanted to know everything. Sure, he had seen Sydney's footage – she had finally not sold it to him but had left it on his desk in an envelope – but he wanted more details. He wasn't sure he would get any details from the prince himself, but maybe he'd get more from the girl?

Silas pushed up his glasses on his nose. Not good. "It was a picnic by the Lake," he simply said. "With wine and sandwiches."

Jesse wanted to shake him. "That sounds nice! Who was your date?"

"Ximena." The name came out in a single breath as if he was afraid to say her name out loud. And to Jesse's surprise, his ears started turning a little pink…

"Okay, let's see if we can get a little more detail from the drone footage." Everyone turned their heads to the big screen behind the boys, and everyone could see the prince and his date in a passionate kiss on the deck over the Lake, as if no one was there. To them, there was no one. Had Silas known about the drone? Had Ximena?

The audience awed at the sight and Silas quickly turned his back to it. It must be awkward to see yourself kissing a girl, Jesse had to admit. He quickly also looked at the girls and looked for Leigh and Ximena in the group: Ximena was grinning, her cheeks pink as some of the girls congratulated her. Not Leigh. She was staring at the footage with– was that sadness on her face? Or anger? Jesse wasn't sure, from this distance.

"Thank you!" he said as the footage stopped. "Now, I'd like to tell another story, one of forbidden love, yet blessed by the Crown Prince himself." He paused, building up the suspense. Boy, he loved doing that, being dramatic and all. It was like a drug. "Once upon a time, there was a bodyguard, and he fell in love with a blonde Lieutenant from Whites…" He paused, waiting for the computer guy to put their picture on the big screen. When it was up – a nice portrait of the two of them leaning against the West Wing wall where Jesse had found them – "Timothy Parker and Anastasia Pembroke!"

Timothy came out from backstage and walked towards the group of Selected with a white rose in his hands – Jesse had organized the whole thing, making it something nice on stage – and offered it to Ana. She stood in the middle of the group – and for the first time since the beginning of the Selection she was actually wearing a gown, a white gown matching the white rose – and accepted the flower. The Report and the Selection were all about theatrics, anyway… She joined Timothy in the middle of the stage, and Jesse joined them, too.

"Wow, congratulations to both of you!" he said. "How long has this been going on for?"

Ana and Parker looked at each other, thinking. "A few weeks?" Parker said.

"And no one knew about this?"

"Silas did," Parker continued. "He, uhm, even third-wheeled us once or twice."

Jesse, the audience, and even Silas laughed at that. "And did prince Nathan know about it? I mean, you were on his list…"

"No," Ana said. "We didn't tell him." She leaned over the two boys who were talking with her, trying to see Nate on the couch. "Sorry."

Nathan chuckled. "I can't believe you didn't tell me!" He shrugged. "But I'm glad you found your way out of the Selection. You didn't seem very happy to be here in the first place."

Ana and Tim exchanged some more banter with Jesse before they went backstage.

"Well, that's one more Selected gone from the Selection," Jesse said as the lists appeared on the screen. Ana's name was scratched off in front of everyone. "Valerian? Silas?" Jesse continued, giving them both a black rose to give to their eliminated Selected. The princes both took the roses from him and Silas was the first one to get up. That was surprising… He walked towards the group of girls and stopped a few meters away.

"Brandy Bradford, our last date together was nice and you taught me how to draw something else than stick figures." He paused, pushing up his glasses. "But I think we both realized that there can only be friendship between us…"

Brandy nodded, seeming to know what he was talking about. Had he told her during their last date that he'd eliminate her? Probably. She reached out for the rose and sat back down on her seat as her name was scratched on the list on the screen. She was now on only one more list, and the next time she'd received a black rose, she'd be heading home.

Next up was Valerian, who gave his black rose to Jenissa. "As much as I love your music and all, I don't think we'd be a good match…"

"I think you're right," she replied lightly, taking the black flower from him. Her name was also taken off his list, but she still had two lists to go through. She was still relatively safe.

When the two brothers were back on the couch, Jesse stood. "Well, Ladiesandgentlemenboysandgirls, what an evening! So many things happened today, and I hope you enjoyed every bit of it! History, a forbidden love, a passionate kiss, and two more eliminations!" He looked at another camera. "Don't forget to go read the last article I wrote so you can get to know three more girls, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram! Illéa, good evening and see you next week!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and the anthem played in the background.

"Cut!"

-o-0-o-

On Saturday morning, most of the girls slept in. But Jesse wanted to be up early in case something juicy happened. Unfortunately, he did not hear his alarm clock and slept until almost eleven in the morning. He woke up with a start and sat up on his bed. He lunged for his phone that was buzzing on his nightstand.

Sydney: dude, where are you? You're missing all the fun! [7:17]

Sydney: sent a picture [7:19]

Jesse clicked on the picture Sydney had sent: it was a perfectly high-definition picture of Silas running alongside Leigh on the track, right outside his window, on the Palace grounds.

Sydney: funny story, Leigh absolutely hates running, except on a treadmill. [7:21]

Sydney: Nevaeh told me that. I don't know where she got the info from, though. [7:21]

Sydney: dude? Wake up! [8:15]

Sydney: Jesse? are you dead? [9:06]

Sydney: pls tell me youre not ded? [10:47]

Jesse typed his answer right away as he kicked his covers away.

Jesse: not ded. Just got up. [10:49]

Jesse: damnit I cant believe I missed that. Thank god you didn't. [10:49]

Sydney: YOURE ALIVE [10:49]

Jesse: yes. I'll be down in 5 min. [10:50]

Sydney: we're outside. Hurry. [10:50]

It took him four minutes to splash water on his face, style his curls with some gel, and put on some decent clothes, after which, he ran down the stairs to join Sydney outside. She was sitting on one of the garden couches with Otis, Nevaeh, Silas, and Leigh, just chatting about nothing in particular. It was a real shock for Jesse to see Silas, Leigh, and Nevaeh in running clothes – t-shirt, shorts, sneakers – when he had only seen them in pristine suits and dresses.

"That's my cue," Silas said when he saw Jesse. He stood and left to go shower and change.

"But–" Jesse watched the Prince go. Why did he just leave when he arrived? That was… a bit rude, right? Jesse sat on the couch.

"Okay, so as I was saying," Nevaeh continued as if nothing had happened, "today is Pallas' birthday, and I asked her if she wanted to do something special for her special day. She asked if she could go to Belcourt for the day to spend it with her parents, and after talking it out with Auntie Len– I mean, the Queen, we decided, why not?" Nevaeh shrugged. "She left this morning with the Royal Jet, and she'll be back this evening. In and out."

"Can we actually do that?" Leigh asked. "Just take the jet and go somewhere for the day?"

"You'd like to go see your family?" Nevaeh asked.

"No! Oh, my goodness, no," the selected said. "I'm happy without them, I was just thinking…"

Nevaeh looked at Leigh. "What did you have in mind?"

Leigh ran a hand through her ponytail. "Could we use it for a date?"

The duchess raised a curious eyebrow. "If it's been talked out with the queen and the royal security, I don't see why not…"

The half New-Asian girl smiled. "Excellent! Thanks!" That said, she was off, probably to go prepare her date… Jesse definitely wanted to be part of that date, that was for sure!


Hiiii! hope you liked this chapter! ;)

let me know what you thought of Jesse's snooping around, of the report, and of Ana and Parker!

Thank you Pocket for Ana, she was really fun to write! But don't worry, she'll be back... (especially in Sisters;) )

also, if you haven't checked out Rylin Ryes' story yet called "The New Illéa" which is kind of a The Selection/Handmaid's tale mix, please do so! female syoc spots still open! :D

see you next week!

(ps: oh, and keep a lookout for the Sister prologue that should be out around December 1st!)