Finding one Star in the Crowd

As the night begins to wind down, Ethan moves around the room, watching the women interact with each other. As he is about to go outside for some air, he spots one woman who he had not spoken with yet. Taking a deep breath, he slowly approaches her place by the window.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" He asks, watching as she turns around.

"Yes, it certainly is." She replies.

Ethan is taken aback by her stunning beauty. Her Hispanic-colored skin, raven black hair, and big, beautiful eyes draw him in immediately. Extending his hand, he grasps her smaller one slowly.

"My name is Ethan."

Smiling, she looks up at him. "So I've heard." They share a laugh. "My name is Theresa."

"Well, Theresa.." Ethan says as he kisses her hand, "it is a pleasure to meet you. Mind if I sit down?"

"Won't they get mad in there?" She asks, pointing to the other women looking on.

"Well, if they do, then that's their problem. So, may I join you?"

"Sure." Theresa scoots herself over in the bench, allowing for Ethan to sit down.

"So why did you come here, if I may ask?"

"Well, I'm 25 years old, and since I haven't had much going on in terms of a love life, I figured I would try this to see what would happen."

"Hmm. Interesting. Do you think I'm crazy for doing this?" Ethan asks, curiously.

"Not at all. I think that if this is the way that fate meant for you to meet your future wife, then so be it."

"Fate, you say?"

"Sure. I've always been taught growing up that everything happens for a reason. I call it fate."

"That's very interesting, Theresa. I'll be keeping that in mind, for sure."

Theresa smiles as Ethan says this.

"You know, not to sound cheesy, but you have a beautiful smile."

"Well, thank you, Ethan."

"You're welcome. So, tell me about yourself?"

Meanwhile, back in the living room

"God, look at them! How could he want her?" Gwen thinks to herself as she watches Ethan and Theresa from the window.

"Hey Gwen, why don't you back out of the window?" Heather asks.

"I'm just seeing what's going on with them, and trying to size up my competition, so I can be the winner."

"Whoa, Gwen, take it easy. This isn't meant to be a mean fight, this is a reality show for Pete's sake!" Carly says as the remaining women roll their eyes sarcastically.

"I will win Ethan. That I promise." Gwen thinks to herself.

Back Outside

"Well, I have three brothers, and a sister. My papa died a long time ago, so it's only been my mother raising us all."

"Wow, that sounds like a very difficult job."

"Oh, it was for her. My older brothers helped as best they could, but it was never enough, you know?"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, things are different, now. Now, I can be able to repay my mama for all the things she's done for me."

"Sounds like you're very close to your family."

"Yeah, I am. What about you?"

"Well, my family story is very different. I grew up in a house where nannies and maids were my constant friends. And then, I was sent to boarding school. It was an okay life. I came back home after school, and then learned that my whole life wasn't what I thought it was. Turned out, my mother kept a secret from everyone that my biological father wasn't her husband. It was a former love of hers. I found out who the man was, and after some rough patches, he and I have a great relationship now."

"Wow, that's amazing. Seems like you've had it hard, yourself."

"Yeah, you could say."

Ethan smiles at Theresa, in total awe of her beauty. "What, do I have something stuck in my teeth?" Theresa asks self-consciously.

"No. You're just a very beautiful woman."

"Well, thank you."

"You're welcome."

As they walk back into the living room, Lindsey comes out from the 2nd floor, and the room falls to silence.

"Well, ladies, I hope you are having a great time meeting each other, and Ethan. But now is the time where I must take Ethan away."

A collective "aww" is heard around the room, while Ethan manages to maneuver his way toward Lindsey on the second floor.

In the meeting room

"So, Ethan, how is your night?"

"Lindsey, it is amazing. There are some incredible women down there. It's going to be so hard to choose who to keep and who to let go."

"Does anyone capture you right now?"

Ethan smiles as he thinks of Theresa. "Well, Theresa definitely has my interest. There just seems to be something about her. Gwen also has some of my interest. There was a spark when I talked to her, yet at the same time, I think I have to figure out what the right thing to do is."

"Well, take the time now to figure out who you want to keep. Remember, there are 10 women downstairs, and you will be giving roses to only 7. Be sure that these 7 women are the ones you want to get to know better. Each woman will be called up one at a time to you, and you will present them with the rose, asking if they will accept it. If they choose to, then you move on to the next person, but they also have the option of not accepting, and therefore, they will be leaving the show. Any questions?"

"None."

"Then, I'll let you be for a few minutes. Take your time."

"Thanks, Lindsey."

As Lindsey leaves the deliberation room, Ethan looks at the pictures of the 10 women. He smiles as he comes across Theresa's picture, where she smiles a big smile for the camera. Taking a deep breath, he prepares to make his choice.

After a few minutes

Ethan and Lindsey make their way back to the living room, where all the women are standing and waiting in anticipation.

"Ladies, thank you for waiting. Ethan will now be giving roses to 7 of you. You may choose to either accept the rose, or reject the rose, in which you will be asked to leave the house. Is that understood?"

A collective "yes" is heard, and then the ceremony begins.

"I just wanted to say that I thank you all again for being here, and I hope that with the women I chose, that we can begin a great adventure. With that said.." He picks up the first rose.

"Gwen."

Gwen walks toward Ethan, with a smug look sent toward the rest of the crowd.

"I definitely won't have a chance." Theresa thinks to herself as she watches Gwen.

"Gwen, will you accept this rose?"

"Yes, Thank you."

Ethan then moves to the next person. "Tina."

Tina walks up. "Tina, will you accept this rose?"

"Yes. Thank you."

After offering roses to Sarah, Carly, Jessica and Shauna, Lindsey comes back to Ethan's side.

"Ladies, this is the final rose for the night. Good luck."

"I knew he wouldn't pick me." Theresa thinks to herself, as she bows her head.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan spots Theresa's head bowed, and smiles as he knows he will make her night. "Theresa."

Theresa looks up shocked, as Ethan nods his head for her to come forward.

"Theresa, will you accept this rose?"

"yes, Ethan, I will. Thank you."

Once she returns to the crowd of women, Lindsey returns, and announces that the remaining women say their goodbyes.

Brenda walks up to Ethan as she leaves, and says, "Good luck, Ethan. I hope you find the love of your life."

"Thank you, Brenda."

Once the women have left the house, Ethan and the remaining 7 women each toast each other.

"Here's to our adventure." Ethan says.

Coming Up

The competition for Ethan's attention heats up

One lucky girl gets to have a first date with Ethan.

Please R/R