Author's Note: First off, an extra big thank you to all the readers here at Fanfiction.net
for all the encouraging reviews. It's great to know there's actually quite a few people who are reading this and enjoying it.
#2: Days later, I've only just realized that in the last part I've written the host as Chris, but it's suppose to be *Evan* – oops!
Week 1: Thursday
11:50 am
Malibu
The villa was built on spacious nine thousand square foot dimensions and with 20 bedrooms, there was more than adequate sleeping space for each of the bachelorettes who'd moved in. The constructed palace of wealth began the moment you touched the posh brass doorknob and stepped into the ostentatious foyer. With twenty foot ceilings and the grandeur of the winding staircase emanated powerful impressions. A fairly decent tour later discovered there to be two enormous bathrooms, each built for ten, a walk-in closet in each room and a pool, amongst other luxuries. It shared the same spectacular ocean views from Harm's bachelor pad, which was located adjacent to their villa.
This is where most teenage girls in their whimsical youths based their fantasies on, Mac reflected wistfully. But it hadn't been a part of hers. Her dreams had subsisted amidst a haze of booze and artificial highs that had masked the obscurity from the reality of her days. Shaking her head out of the gloomy gathering of clouds, Mac changed into her swimwear. After lunch they would all traverse over to the next door's pool for the start of their 'get to know me' campaign. She had a dreading feeling that there was plenty more to see of the other women's charms at work.
01:20 pm
Bachelor Pad
Situated a few meters away, and a shade or two more extravagant, was the Bachelor's temporary residence. Harm was currently in his master suite, contemplating irony in front of the full length mirror. In truth, he really was an eligible bachelor gaining on his late thirties. His mom had long given up trying to play matchmaker; mentioning here and introducing there, a new women into his life. That energy had been transferred to focus on Mac. His family knew a great deal about Mac despite not having met her once. He'd hold out, waiting to bring her home one day as someone more than just a work partner, a best-friend. To be able to appease their assertions that he and Mac were involved romantically. And thus, the years had just slipped on by him.
Wiping the residue foam from his jaw, Harm stored away the shaving kit. Glancing around his room, it struck him again incredulously how much money men were willing to squander away for extravagance. He was relatively familiar with wealth. Frank's generosity and affluence had ensured them a comfortable family life, occasionally bordering on high-classdom. It had taken many years during Harm's troubled adolescence, getting used to Frank and everything he provided in substitute for his dad. Harm smiled wryly in regret, remembering all the extra difficulties he'd caused in rebellion to Frank's existence.
But this level of prosperity provided in the Bachelor pad was something he would never indulge in for himself, Harm determined. There was everything and more in these quarters for a lone man. He'd spotted a gaming room, a fully equipped gym with an indoor basketball court he wouldn't mind making use of, and there was even a mini theatre room. He was no techno freak like Bud or Tiner, but that massive however-many-inches LCD screen complete with state of the art surround sound package would make Bud drool and Tiner turn green with envy. Well, Harm shrugged. Until Webb decides to divulge what it is that we're supposed to be investigating, might as well enjoy it while I can.
A Short While Later
It was a warm afternoon, a refreshing breeze blowing in gently from the ocean. Madonna blared out from strategically placed outdoor speakers.
I traded
fame for love
Without a second thought
It all became a silly game
Some things cannot be bought
How appropriate, Harm thought dryly. Except the premise of so called 'reality' shows like this was trading themselves for fame and love. Although he was still extremely skeptical that anyone could actually find true love on a TV show. Only one exception. If he had in actuality met Sarah Mackenzie here, under such circumstances, then that was an entirely other story altogether. Surreptitiously, he took another peek through lowered eyelids. Mac was swimming languidly through her third lap of the Olympic sized pool. He'd only ever seen her once in bikinis, at Manly Beach on that life spiraling descent trip to down under Australia. He couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from her sleek form. Regardless of the four audacious bachelorettes who were trying to get him into the water.
Mac was consciously aware of Harm's presence. They had yet to have their moment alone together since their 'initial meeting'. But she wasn't going to throw herself at him like the other women were doing. She'd set her game plans and that direct approach had already been tested and proven a failure. Let him come to her.
Feeling thirsty, Mac pulled herself out from the side of the pool. Grabbing the towel, she briefly patted herself dry and went to get a glass of cold juice. Choosing a deck chair on the opposite side from where Harm was lounging, she laid down to loosen up from her swim.
Seeing the scene Mac presented when she emerged dripping from the pool, Harm swallowed dryly and his face flushed with heat. Watching her settle into a chair, he considered now was a good time to take a cooling splash in the pool himself.
"Will you look at that," Ashley's hushed voice permeated Mac's relaxed state of mind. She lowered her sunglasses down her nose in time to see Harm stand up and stretch his muscular body.
"He's the perfect commercial for selling those Speedos or … whatever …" Jemma trailed off appreciatively.
"Or himself," Mac finished under her breath. If Harm was for sale, the queue would go on for miles long. Aw hec, be truthful Mackenzie, she corrected. I'd be the first in line, she grinned deviously. Additional admiration was shared all round as they watched Harm dive gracefully into the pool, welcomed by delighted shrieks.
"Oh, I just love your sandals Lauren," Rachael exclaimed, eyeing them enviously.
"Thank you." The words were spoken sweetly, but similar to the likes of Lt. Singer, without an ounce of genuineness.
"A hundred percent pure leopard skin. They're from the latest Gucci collection," she bragged. "Purchased directly from France."
"Ugh," Felicity shuddered. "Isn't that kinda cruel?"
"Well, it's not like I endorse animal killing or anything," Lauren brushed off the comment with an air of disdain.
No, you just buy the end product after the poor animal's dead and can't bite back you in the ass. Eating 'dead cows' as Harm often teased her about, was one thing Mac decided, but killing animals for their fur and body parts was an appalling disgrace.
"But if you buy it, isn't it like, the same thing …" Ashley said, voicing Mac's thoughts out loud.
There was no answer as Lauren pivoted daintily and flip flopped her way to the refreshment stand.
09:35 pm
Harm was granted his earlier wish when Evan suggested they end the day with a movie. So, changing into something more comfortable after dinner, he headed off to the theatre room with Evan and the camera man in tow. He arrived to find the all-female audience already settled in. Lauren and Rachael had claimed the main couch, one woman on either side of the empty centre spot waiting for him. Mac disappointingly, was on a large beanie bag on the carpet floor.
"So what're we watching?" he asked, sauntering into the room.
"Legally Blonde," they chorused cheerfully.
It was followed by Harm's responding, quiet groan. From fifty plus DVDs to chose from, (he'd already been informed of the impressive selection), they had to go for a chick flick. Had I expected anything else?