AN: My most popular story, What Would You Do? Didn't get this many followers by the third chapter. I had like forty- and that's being generous. So, to say that having 80+ followers by my third chapter is exhilarating is an understatement.
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
EPOV
"Wait, wait, wait! What do you mean I have to consult you before I decide which contestants to keep on the show and which ones I want to eliminate?" I asked the producer. Isn't this supposed to be about a reality television show?
"Yes, just to ensure that we keep interesting enough contestants so the viewers don't lose interest." I opened my mouth to protest but he began to rattle on about something else. "You also aren't allowed to show any interest in one woman over another. If one of the contestants decides to give you a kiss, or sit on your lap, you should allow them."
"But what if-"
"I'm sorry, Edward, in the end it'll be your decision. However, we have to ensure that the viewers believe that you are giving everyone the same chance to be your Mrs. Right. They want it to be a competition. They want to be left in suspense." Tyler didn't really look at me as he explained this. Sure, it all made perfect sense in his head, but the thought of being paired with someone that I didn't like was revolting.
"Do girls make a lot of passes and Mr. Right?" I asked. Tyler mistook my question and gave me a knowing smile.
"Oh, yes. Yes they do." He ended it with a wink. "We video tape every single second, and have every single nook and cranny covered with a camera. So don't try and make deals with any of the contestants."
I felt my eyebrows jump up and off of my forehead. Deals?! Tyler laughed at my expense.
"That's right, Mister Cullen. Women will do almost anything to ensure that they can be in just one more episode. With anyone, really." I caught the hint. Tyler uses his position to get into women's pants. And I felt sickened at the idea. He mistook my silence and clapped me on the shoulder. "Okay, Mister Cullen, we will have a camera crew come get you once we've settle all the contestants down."
I walked towards my room on the opposite side of the House from all the women. I began to think of all the women that were here because they just wanted me for the publicity. Would I end up having to pick her as my Mrs. Right? The winning contestant and myself are supposed to have a wedding a year later- that's how long the contract lasts… Until our wedding. I couldn't force myself to pick someone just because it was good ratings.
Jasper had explained to me that the wedding was really what the women watch the show for. I tried to avoid any smart remarks about that, seeing as my goading him I the reason that I'm in this mess. The wedding is paid for by Finding Mrs. Right, and is aired live right after I've chosen my Mrs. Right. It's considered a celebrity even since Tyler is a well-known producer for his many reality shows, and has connections to several different agencies. It's good for the show, I suppose.
Another fear about this show is that what if someone here is actually looking for love? What if someone isn't just using me, and I have to turn her away because of unreciprocated feelings? The idea of breaking a young woman's heart was never pleasant. It was even more horrifying knowing that I would be doing it on national television!
My biggest fear was finding the love of my life. I suppose most would be eager to say they've found the one they would want to spend the rest of their lives with, but not me. Not this way. What if she doesn't love me back? What if she rejects me on national television? What if I chose her, but she doesn't reciprocate my feelings? What if I couldn't chose her for the sake of the ratings?
I pinched the bride of my nose in hope that it would cut off the headache before it continued to fester.
"Hi, Edward, I'll be your hair and makeup artist." Said a stunningly tall blonde with icy blue eyes.
"And I'll be in charge of your wardrobe!" A beautiful pixie smiled at me, with some sort of glint in her eyes.
"I'm Rosalie." Said the blonde.
"And I'm Alice." Explained the pixie.
Were they… smirking? (AN: BET YOU DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!)
BPOV
Where the hell are they? There is no way in hell that they would miss this.
I entered Alice's house uninvited. Well, I had a key so I guess it's fine.
"Alice? Are you home?" I called out to absolutely no one. I knew she wasn't home because she always waits at the door if she thinks I'm coming, ready to great me.
But she wasn't here. I called for Rosalie, hoping she might be raiding Alice's kitchen since Emmett devours their food.
No one.
I went to Alice's room to see in completely in place. Her bed was made, her vanity was organized, and everything seemed to be in order.
I walked into Alice's walk-in closet, that was at least twice as big as her room, and examined her clothes. That was when I noticed something strange- lice has organized all of her clothing in a very strategic way. She had a wall designated to show. The first row was flats, and they were color coordinated. The second row had a bit of a heel, and they were also color coordinated. The heel size progressed until it came to her tallest heel, and then collapsed into her winter shoes. Alice, God bless her, would never had taken any shoes out without reorganizing them so it seemed as though she hadn't taken anything. There were about six pairs of shoes missing.
I looked at her clothes that hung, coordinated as everything else. Spontaneous Getaway: In-Door, Cold Weather was missing. Seriously, she organized it to that extent.
Alice was gone on a spontaneous trip!
I ran out of the house and drove over to my brother's, hoping to find Rosalie there.
"Bells! Whoa! What's the hustle?" Emmett laughed at my expression. Or maye it was my hair that was flying everywhere. Who cares?
"ALICE IS MISSING!"
"What?" Emmett's eyebrows were scrunched up together. "Oh! No she's not, Bells. Alice and Rosie went somewhere together. They'll be back."
"But the driver for Finding Mrs. Right is gonna be at my place any second! I can't believe they don't wanna send me off!" Now I was beginning to sound like a child. Well, why shouldn't I? It was their whole idea to send me to that freakin' show! Now they can't even give me the courtesy of sending me off? "Where'd they go? When will they be back?"
"I don't know." Em shrugged with a clueless smile. "The girls said I would tell you. So they didn't wanna tell me. Alice is pretty scary, so I didn't want to object." He chuckled to himself.
"They suck." I stated.
"I can only concur when it comes to Rosie." Emmett winked at me, jesting at me with his elbow.
"Ugh. I don't want that type of information, brother." It didn't phase me. I have lived with Emmett's jokes all my life. I pouted and sighed. "I guess I should go await the car by myself."
"Awww, little sissy. Don't be sad. Tell you what, I'll come send you off!" I smiled.
"I supposed it'll be good enough."
"Ouch." He feigned hurt. "Rejected by my own blood."
Emmett and I were waiting on my couch when we heard a car pull up. I looked out the window to see an ugly van parked right in front of my house.
"Nice ride." Emmett teased.
"Whatever, it looks just like your car."
"That is not cool, Bella."
I stepped outside to see men with cameras begin to set up in front of my house. One man with a camera on his shoulder ran up to me. "Are you Isabella Swan?"
I nodded.
"Great, we are going to set up to catch you walking up to the limo."
"Limo?" I looked at the van, holding back a laugh. Maybe that was his nickname for his van?
"Yes. It will be pulling up shortly. There are other contestants in the limo, you were the last one to be picked up since you live closest to the destination." He explained quickly. Then it began to rain and he jumped onto my porch and under the shelter. "Boy it sure rains a lot here."
"Are you kidding? This is a clear night for us." I watched as the camera crew began to cover their equipment from the rain as they set up. "What do you mean I was the last one to be picked up? Isn't the show supposed to have Forks contestants?"
"No, we just used this as our small town." I nodded. "We actually hardly ever pick contestants from the town we set up in. Tyler must have liked you."
"No, my friends just are great at convincing."
Then the limo pulled up and Emmett whistled. It was a gorgeous limo. I was vaguely aware that my reaction was being recorded. At least, until the cameraman asked me a question.
"So, Isabella, are you hoping to be Edward's Mrs. Right?"
"I'm just in it for the free booze." I laughed. Em bellowed behind me, making the cameraman jump.
"Well, that's a first." The cameraman chuckled. I smiled at him and opened the door, where women and more cameras watched me. I turned back to see Emmett smiling.
"Bye, Em!"
"Bye, Bella!"
"Let Alice and Rose know I'm going to kill them when I get back!" He gave me a thumbs up and I closed the door behind me.
Everyone was watching me. I felt my skin flush red.
"So, is that your boyfriend?" A strawberry blond asked me with a hint of jealousy in her voice. The girl was gorgeous. That's when I realized that all these women were gorgeous. I must look to average. She must be shocked to think that I could land a stud like my brother- ew, that was weird.
"No. Actually, he's my brother."
Most of them nodded as if that made all the sense in the world. Yes, they couldn't believe that I was with him.
"Well, you should introduce us." She said with desire in her eyes and others nodded in hunger. I decided not to mention this to Rosalie. I'd hate for there to be a mass murder during the competition. I knew I'd be framed. I can see the headlines now: Competition Gets Forked By Isabella; A Small Town's Blushing Brunette Kills for the Win.
Okay, maybe I've put a little too much thought about mass murders.
"What do you think Edward's like?" One of the girls with large fake eyelashes on. I'm all for enhancing natural beauty but that was just distasteful.
"I hope he enjoys the beach!" One of the girls sighed.
"A condo on the beach! My dream!" Another squealed.
The women talked over one another to explain their dream man- well, not really their dream man… More like what their dream man comes with. I couldn't believe that they talked so freely about the materialistic things they viewed as necessities for a man to have. The cameras were right there! Shining a bright light in our faces.
"I hope he's got the full package." The strawberry blonde said, raising her voice so it would be heard amongst the chatters. She gave everyone a suggestive smile and that caused most of the women to burst into a fit of giggles.
When they began to talk about their ex's packages, I was officially done with the competition. I can't believe I was going to be branded as one of these girls! Why did I let my friends talk me into this?
"What's your name?" A pleasant voice asked timidly. I hadn't noticed that I'd been sitting next to this woman until she finally spoke out. She gave me a pleasant smile.
"I'm Isabella. But please, I prefer Bella." I shook her hand.
"I'm Angela. Angie is fine. Maybe we can bunk together?"
"Bunk? Oh yeah. I forgot that the contestants have to share rooms." I agreed with Angela's proposal, and that was when the rest of the contestants quieted down only to accuse us of making alliances too early on in the game.
As they all began to form alliances, we pulled up to a huge house.
I was closest to the door because I was the last one to get in, so I was the first to get out.
The house- if not a mansion- was absolutely beautiful. If I hadn't been so terrible at math, I would've been an architect. Buildings fascinate me. The walls were all white, the paneling was wooden, and there were huge glass windows. This hadn't been in Forks just a couple of weeks ago. Nothing so beautiful had ever seen this dumpy little town.
I was going to live here for the rest of the week. I was completely thrilled.
I was so mesmerized by the building that I was only aware of Edward's presence when the girls began to squeal and make cat calls.
Down the walkway was Edward Cullen- the man whose heart these women were here to get. I couldn't blame them.
He was absolutely godly. His hair was in complete disarray and his green eyes were piercing, even in this type of gloomy weather. It was obvious that his hair had been gelled into its disheveled form, but it looked effortless. Edward gave the girls a smile with only half his mouth, and they went into a frenzy. Yes, yes he was gorgeous. There was no denying it. I wasn't going to deny that I was extremely attracted to him.
Luckily, physical appearance isn't the most important thing. If only my insides would stop doing flips. I want someone that isn't so full of himself (No matter how just that confidence may be) that I can fall in love with their personalities.
Meeting a man on a game show was not exactly ideal.
When he moved, his muscles flexed. It was effortless, I knew it. He wasn't overly toned like my brother, but fit and built in all the right places…
Okay, so I guess I can at least admire him while I'm here!
"Welcome ladies! I'm Edward, and I'm here because I'm searching for Mrs. Right." Edward explained, his voice so soft that I felt the velvet wrap around me. Oh gosh. I had never felt so flustered because of a man. I felt my face become red as Edward continued. "You will be staying in this House in order to compete for my love and our dream wedding." I don't know if my own feelings tainted the way I took his words, but I could have sworn that there was disdain. "Each competition will be based off of aspects I find desirable in a woman. The last one standing will be right for me."
The girls around me squealed like teens at a boy band concert. I felt very out of place.
"There are eight of you right now, but we are actually going to have our first competition right now."
The girls muttered amongst each other in surprise- me included.
"They never have a competition this early on." I whispered to Angela, who looked frightened.
"I know. We just got here! Some of the girls came in on planes and have jet lag! That's not fair to them."
"Were you flown in?"
"No, actually, I grew up in Forks but I moved to Port Angeles with my ex." Her eyes saddened at the memory. I didn't ask any further questions simply for the fear of upsetting her on national television. I simply patted her back.
"Put your game face on, Angie." I growled a little and tried to make a menacing face. It was not successful because she burst into laughter.
"I have only heard your voices on your videos, so I'm still unable to identify them. To ensure that I'm one step closer to finding Mrs. Right, I have to hear some answers you ladies have for me. I prefer the unprepared answers, so that is why we are doing this competition right now." Edward announced. He led us to a side house that was hidden behind the massive mansion. He stood in front of it, the cameras always following, and he explained that inside we would go in one by one to answer one question. "I will be waiting inside for the first one."
With that, Edward left. And the panic set in.
Oh God, what on earth was he going to ask? What on earth am I going to say?
The only thing that comforted me was how little I cared about winning this show. The more I thought about going home to my bed, to Emmett's teasing, the better. By the time my name was called to enter the house, I was completely relaxed.
I could do this.
EPOV
I sat in the comfortable Love Seat, facing the cameras and a big red timer as another contestant opened the door and sat on her seat. There was a curtain that only allowed me to view her profile.
I asked the same question yet again. "What traits are admirable for your boyfriend/husband to have?"
"Well, I love it when the guy's pretty chill. Like, I can't have him all up in my business. I am a social butterfly, and I can't just have him keep me in a cage." Said an overly perky voice. I knew it was Jessica.
"So, you're saying that you want trust from your partner?" I asked. The talks were supposed to last for at least three minutes.
"Yeah, I suppose! I mean, I know it'll be hard cuz I get hit on all the time, but I won't act on it."
"You're faithful, then?" I pushed.
"Oh yeah! For sure." I looked at the curtain to see the shadow nod her head excessively. She continued to ramble on about the parties she goes to, scenes she's expected to be seen at, and how I could accompany her if she didn't have to stay by my side- she is a social butterfly afterall.
"Okay, thank you contestant seven." Jessica walked out.
I knew I hadn't heard her voice yet. I was still doing this to hear her voice. To get all those other nasally voices out- especially Tanya's.
I watched Isabella's figure stumble towards her seat. She cursed quietly enough for no one to catch it- at least no one that was listening as intently as I was. She sat down.
"Hello, contestant eight."
"Edward." She greeted politely.
"What traits are admirable for your boyfriend/husband to have?" I asked. I tuned in, waiting for her answer. She wasn't going to be like all the rest. Some of the girls had given me good answers, but I knew none were going to be like her answer.
She wasn't just another girl.
"Well, a nonfictional one would be superb." She laughed to herself. I watched her figure straighten up and I could only imagine her embarrassment for her answer. "Let me explain, I don't create my own boyfriends, however I read a lot and I just fall in love with some of the characters. They're written by girls and for girls."
How honest. How unique. "So you read a lot?"
"Oh, do I ever! My dream is to one day have a library in my house. Just like in Beauty and the Beast." Her voice was filled with desire. I wanted to continue to ask questions that was ignite more passion in her, but I noticed that the producer saw that my favoritism was noticeable, and that he wasn't overly happy about us straying from the original topic.
"So, do you prefer a well-read man?"
"It'd be nice to be able to talk to someone about all the stories. My friends and brother always tease me about being such a nerd- my nose in a book."
"Any other preferable qualities?"
"Really, just someone that'll make me smile while challenging me every day. That'd be nice."
Time was up. And I was saddened.
"Okay, well, thank you so much for answering those questions."
"Of course." And she left.
Mike, the director, announced that that was a wrap and they began to pack up their camera equipment.
"Edward, we have to discuss who to eliminate." Tyler waved me over. This would be my life for the next eight weeks. Put on a mask of fake interest, break one of these girl's heart, and then do it all over again.
I wasn't ready.
AN: Who's going home? Who's safe? What's the next competition? Tune in next week to get all these answers and more!
Review! They make my fingers type just a little quicker! Let me know if you want to see any specific competitions.