Chapter 3: Week 1 The First Night
It had been two weeks since Sakura had seen Sasuke. She was currently drinking her smoothie at the juice bar with Ino. Since it was revealed that Sakura would be the new bachelorette, the attention left Ino's situation, which was something she was so thankful for.
She told Ino what went down between them and Ino was surprised by the ice cube. "Do you want to do this Sak?" Ino asked. Sakura looked up at the blonde.
"I do. I think it will be good for me. Besides we both drank too much." Sakura still regretted not bringing it up when he called her the next day. Because since their close encounter the pair chose to communicate by email or text only. They both knew they couldn't be together. Sakura already signed the contract and she was going to save the show. Sasuke wouldn't let the show crumble again.
Ping!
Sakura's eyebrow raised at her text alert. It was from Sasuke.
"Tonight's the night... ready?"
Sakura sighed. She couldn't stop the butterflies that formed in her tummy. Tonight, was the night they filmed the premiere. She had to send one poor guy home though.. That would be tough for her.
"As I'll ever be!" Sakura replied. She closed her phone and put it in her bag. She needed to get him out of her mind. 'T-4 hours'
Sasuke looked at Sakura's reply and sighed. He really made it awkward between them. He promises to be more professional from now on.
Naruto walks in eating ramen. "Hey Teme," "Dobe."
"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the big night?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto shrugged causing Sasuke to raise an eyebrow. Strangely Naruto had been very excited at first that it was Sakura and that she had chosen him. He went on for three days about how attractive she was. Now he seemed strangely uninterested….
"Yea, I'm about to go get ready, but I was starving!" the blonde replied.
"Hn."
Sasuke had been emailing all morning getting everything ready for tonight. Sakura has already met her fitness coach, Anko, and her personal chef Choji, to keep her in shape during shooting. Kurenai has claimed that she has the perfect outfit in mind for Sakura's big night. It was all coming together
Sasuke and Naruto met Itachi and Kakashi at the mansion they rented for tonight. There were camera crews and set designers everywhere setting up for the night. Itachi wanted to go over everything one more time.
"As long as there is still interesting drama tonight, it will be fine" Kakashi said. "Agreed" Itachi said with a smirk.
They were planning something.
Sakura met with Kurenai in her dressing room. She has picked out a silver - champagne mermaid dress for Sakura to wear. The dress was formed fitting, hugging Sakura's body in all the right places. The jewels on the dress caught the light and sparkled angelically. Her hair was curled with a little pinned back to the side. Her makeup kept light and elegant.
Sakura was securing her heels as her friend Ino walked in.
"Sakura, you look stunning!"
"Ha-ha all thanks to Kurenai here" Sakura said honoring the fashion icon.
Kakashi knocked on the door telling the girls it's time for Sakura to greet the men. The girls followed after him as he instructed Sakura on how to perform. He led her to her cue spot in the drive way where she will meet all the men coming out of the limos.
Sasuke walks out to the set and catches a glimpse of the beauty for the first time in two weeks. His body instantly reacted seeing her dressed like that. The dress was so light and airy, but hugged her body beautifully. The back of her dress was open reveling delicious, perfect skin.
Sakura spotted the man and smiled at him. His heart tugged as he absorbed her image. She looked unreal. 'Calm down Uchiha. Do your job' he nagged inwardly. He took a deep breath and approached Sakura.
"You look lovely."
"Thank you"
"The men will be approaching in ten minutes. The cameras will be here, here, and here. Now remember first impressions are everything. So roll with whatever they throw at you." Sasuke chided at the girl.
"Will do" Sakura smiled nervously.
"Let us get rolling then" Sasuke said as he walked off coldly. He needed to put some distance between them.
The first limo arrived and of course it was Lee. He walked out in a green spandex jumpsuit and leaped out at the poor pinkette.
"You are the most beautiful image of youth I have ever seen." Lee confessed.
"That's so sweet thank you so much" Sakura laughed nervously. He was very bold. "Ill see you inside" as she ushered him away.
The next few limos were a blur. Sasori was next and he tried to attach strings to the pinkette. She kindly asked him to save it for later. Shino was next and he gave Sakura a present.
"I love presents!" she exclaimed. She opened the box and butterflies flew out. She was in awe.
"Shino this is so thoughtful thank you" she said giving him a hug. "You're welcome" and then he headed inside.
She smiled as she waited for the next limo.
"Damn that was good" Kakashi said in the mic. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Yea it was the mushy hearts that the viewers wanted. He knew Sakura wouldn't fall for something that cheesy... but his heart still pinged with jealousy.
Sakura had gone through introductions with Sai, Hidan, Haru, Suigestu and Kabuto. Sakura did not reveal to show genuine interest in the men so far but put on a good show for the camera. She smiled a dazzling smile and laughed her sweet bell like laugh at the jokes. She even played along to Suigestu water gunning her a little.
She was a sight to behold on camera.
The next limo that approached was supposed to be Naruto. 'This will be interesting' Sasuke thought.
Naruto steps out of the limo carrying a rose. He was wearing a fitted tailored black suit with an orange tie. He approached Sakura and handed her the rose.
"A rose for a rose" he whispered as he took her hand and gave it a kiss. The cameraman zoomed in as Sakura's face became a lovely hot pink. "Thank you..." She whispered. This was their first-time meeting since Sasuke agreed to let Naruto be on the show.
Sasuke had to keep himself from snorting at his best friend's gesture. Naruto definitely knew what to do for the cameras.
Naruto said something else to Sakura and then went inside. Gaara arrived and didn't say much to Sakura. He quickly went inside.
"Here we go boys" Itachi exclaimed in the headset.
Sakura finally felt relief when the tenth person was done. She turned around when another limo pulled up. 'I swear that was ten…' Sakura thought.
Her mouth dropped as her ex-boyfriend stepped out. "Kiba?" Sakura said loudly.
"Sak! You look beautiful" Kiba greeted. Tears began to pool in Sakura's eyes. He looked the same lacrosse jerk as he did back then. Shiny brown hair with a carefree smile. She looked around for a staff member in distress.
"I did not sign up for this, no one invited you. Leave." Sakura said while trying to hold back a sob.
"What the fuck?!" Sasuke yelled in the mic. He hated seeing her so upset. "She didn't agree to this!" he hissed.
"Calm down Sasuke… It just adds some drama. She can send him home at any time" Itachi assured.
"Well I'm going to tell her that" Sasuke said between gritted teeth. He strode out towards the two. He wants Sakura to stop hurting. He doesn't know their complete history, but knows it wasn't pretty.
Sakura's eyes showed pain as Sasuke approached. "I want him gone now." She said in a low tone.
"Done. Security get him out" Sasuke said never breaking eye contact with the lovely woman before him.
"But Sak... I am sor-""Fuck off Kiba" Sakura said as she headed towards her room in the house. It had a private side entrance for her. Sasuke followed the hurt girl.
"Sakura, I didn't know" Sasuke told her. She didn't say anything but poured a glass of wine for herself. She took a sip and then carefully sat the glass down.
"That will not happen again. Or I am done." She barked, glaring at the young Uchiha.
"I understand. They didn't tell me" Sasuke pleaded.
"I don't care. I do not want my serial cheating ex showing up here while I'm trying to build me a new future" she said as tears fell.
Sasuke handed her a tissue.
"I promise"
Sakura took a deep breath and fixed her make up. "Let's just finish tonight." She said as she brushed passed him and out of the room. Sasuke just stared at her fleeting form.
Sakura went back to the men and began to mingle and Sasuke returned to the media room where Itachi, Kakashi, and Naruto were.
"Shouldn't you be out there dobe?" Sasuke ask while snatching the water from his friend's hands.
"I've been in there for an hour and was curious why Sakura was not there yet, so I came in here to find out. They have some great shots of her face when Kiba steps out the limo it's going to be classic." Naruto chuckled.
"You do realize we almost lost her right?" Sasuke said glaring at the three men. "That shit isn't cool."
"Whoa Sasuke… You usually are all for these things. You know she can send anyone home at any time" Kakashi said moving from his seat.
"Yes, little brother, I am curious as to why Sakura gets special treatment… You are not sleeping with her, are you?" Itachi snickered.
Kakashi and Naruto laugh as Sasuke's ears turn pink. Sasuke coughed and straightened his jacket.
"Actually I am not, unlike you or Kakashi who can't seem to keep it in your pants. Didn't you both sleep with your now wives? Who were contestants on this show at some point?" he said oh so casually.
It was actually a sore spot that almost cost Itachi his inheritance and Kakashi his job. However, since the show is about finding love and that's what the two head producers did, then how could Fugaka get upset?
"Sheesh calm down, Sasuke" Kakashi said putting his hands up in a surrender position. "We will tone it down with the real emotional stuff."
"Good. Now I have work to do and Naruto you need to go out there" he slammed his door on the way out.
"Shit" Naruto said. Sasuke usually is really calm and chill about these things.
"Naruto... Watch him"
"Yes Itachi"
Sakura was currently having a great conversation with Suigestu who was quite easy to talk too. She learned he was a competitive swimmer all throughout his life. He lives in Malibu on the beach and runs the Olympic training pool center that's ran there. He made her feel comfortable. 'This is refreshing' She thought.
"May I cut in?"
Sakura looked up at the man requesting her attention. It was Naruto. "Of course!" she chirped.
" I had such lovely time, Suigestu"
"Anytime gorgeous!" Suigestu said with a wink.
She followed Naruto to a private spot and they gave the camera crew a minute to set up the shot. Sakura studied that man in front of her was one of the first guys to grab her interest. He had soft messy blonde hair with deep cerulean blue eyes. He was tan and built like a god.
Sakura blushed from the gawking.
"So Sakura, how are you doing tonight?" he ask.
"I guess I am doing okay, considering it is such a long night, haha" she said with a smile. She had already talked to most of the guys and already had an idea who was going home. Naruto was actually the last guy she needed to talk too.
Naruto studied the girl before him as she rambled on about the events going on in the house. She was definitely an exotic beauty. A rare flower.
She laughed about something that Naruto didn't quite catch. "I cannot believe he is so drunk" she pointed at the poor man.
Sasori and Hidan were apparently old fraternity acquaintances in college, and had decided to catch up by partaking in a drink off. Sasori was losing. The poor man looked at Sakura and began to stumble towards her.
"You look divine, Sakura" he slurred. "Thank you" she said with a laugh. He looked quite disheveled.
" A beauty like you deserves to be kept like this forever" he said has he lifted her chin towards him. Sakura didn't like such close contact with the man. "Thank you…" she whispered.
"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled into Naruto's headset. "No one is to kiss her on the first night. It is in their contracts!"
"I here you Teme" Naruto said and put his arm around Sakura and brought her to his chest and away from Sasori.
"I am sorry but she is currently talking to me" Naruto said in a very protective voice. Sakura blushed heavily being so close to him.
Sasori gave Naruto a death glare and walked off.
"Thanks" Sakura mumbled embarrassingly while she got off the couch.
"No problem" Naruto said with a smile.
The assistant producer, Yamato, approached the couple. "Sakura midnight. Its time to do the rose ceremony"
Sakura smiled forgivingly at Naruto and walked off.
The men were lined up in the room and Sakura was standing in the center. She had to send someone home on the first night.
Sasuke and the rest of the production crew were watching it unfold on the many monitors in the media room. Kakashi was absent as he was going over the confessional reels with his assistant and making sure there was no mistakes.
"Suigestu" Sakura rang on the monitor. The man in question walked down to receive his rose.
"Him?" Itachi questioned. "He looks like an idiot"
"Hn." Sasuke mumbled as he sipped on his coffee. He didn't really care to see Sakura flirting and being her enchanting self for other men.
"Thank you for making tonight lighter" the rosette said with a big smile. Suigestu nodded and returned to the line.
She called Sai, Naruto, Shino, Kabuto, and Gaara rather quickly next. "Hidan." She said.
All that was left was Lee, Haru, and Sasori. The men began to get anxious as they realized there were only two roses left.
"Zoom in on Lee, the poor boy looks terrified" Itachi said with a laugh. "Who do you think it will be?"
"I think she should send Sasori home. He was way out of line" Sasuke mumbled.
"Mmmh. I think it will be Lee. Besides Sasori was just drunk. Haven't you done anything foolish when under the influence?" Itachi smiled at Sasuke.
Sasuke felt his ears turn pink. "Tch. Never."
"Not even the bet with Naruto?" "Nope"
Itachi laughed softly and returned to the pinkette on the screen. She called Haru's name and was picking between Lee and Sasori.
Sasuke studied the girls face. She showed all of her emotions. You could tell she felt guilty as she picked up the final rose.
"You have both been amazing guys to meet and I wish you well… Lee. I am sorry but Sasori… Will you accept this rose?" Sakura finally says.
"Zoom in on the boy!" Itachi barks. The poor bushy browed kid was heartbroken. He immediately burst into tears. "Sakura.. no" he sobbed.
Sakura pinned on Sasori's rose and walked Lee out. The poor boy couldn't stop crying and so Sakura kept apologizing. Finally, he was in the car and gone. Sakura sighed and headed to her own room. She was exhausted.
"Well first night is done!" Kakashi said getting up from his seat. He grabbed his coat and headed out. "It will be a good season for love" he said with a wink as he departed.
Itachi patted Sasuke on the back as he grumbled something about smacking Kakashi. "Goodnight little brother"
"Goodnight"
let me know what yall think! I know it is a little slow, but it will pick up soon and be more SasuSaku