The Conundrum

Part 2

Kate POV

Ana taps her chin, thinking, "I have an idea. Let's call and see if we can get in touch with Jack. We need to see what they're doing and if he has any ideas. Don't we have his phone number or should we call the showroom?"

Rhi speaks up, "Why don't I just text Alex and see how his day is going? I haven't responded to any of his messages yet and I really need to; So he doesn't worry."

I can't help the laugh that comes out. "Rhi, you're brilliant! Hopefully he doesn't get an idea of what you're up to. In the meantime. I think we have Jack's number from yesterday."

I watch as Rhi picks up her phone and texts Alex.

R: Hey there. Sorry I didn't respond sooner. We're still at the pool and it's been an eventful day but we're really enjoying ourselves now. I hope you are having a good time rehearsing.

Rhi looks at us and says, "I've sent him a text. Have you guys called Jack?"

I have my phone up to my ear and put up one finger to indicate 'hold on.'

Ana looks at Rhi and shrugs. "I have no idea who she's talking to. I think she's the one who has all the phone numbers." I watch as Rhi nods her head in agreement.

"Hey Jack, this is Kate, Rhi's friend? Hey, how's it going? Oh good. Listen, we've got an idea and need your input on this. Are you somewhere you can talk without Alex hearing? Ok. I'll wait." I look at Rhi, "Is it ok if I tell Jack it's been an interesting day? You can tell Alex if you want but this will hopefully put a fire under their asses, so to speak." I ask.

Rhi looks at me and nods. I smile back at her for encouragement. "Yes, I'm still here. So, there's been some issues that came up today and Alex had mentioned seeing Rhi sometime tonight, either before, during or after the show. Rhi wants to surprise him. What are your thoughts? Has he said anything to you today?" I'm listening to Jack and trying to pay attention to Rhi and Ana too.

I hear Rhi's phone ping. She looks at it and smiles. "He responded!" I can't help but smile, she's like a teenager again. It's about time something makes her happy.

Rhi POV

My phone pings and I see messages from Alex. I can't help but squeal out, "He responded!"

I roll my eyes at my silliness and silently groan. Jeeze I sound like I'm in high school. How lame is that?

A: Hey baby! I hope your eventful day won't end with me beating someone's ass lol.

I roll my eyes but I can't help the warm fuzzy feeling inside.

A: Just kidding, but not really. I hope you're ok? I miss you. Have you talked to the girls yet about tonight?

R: We're trying to figure out our plans and I can let you know when we figure it out, if that's ok?

A: Yes, that's perfectly fine. I think we're done rehearsing for a few hours. The show starts at 7 pm and it's almost 2 pm right now so I'm thinking about taking a nap for a bit.

R: I hope you're not tired because of me last night. I hope I didn't keep you awake.

A: Oh no, it's not your fault. I just didn't sleep well. I had a beautiful girl on my mind last night and this morning. She's been stuck in my head since I saw her yesterday and I'm missing her terribly right now.

I smile to myself before responding. There's also an uneasy feeling encroaching and I'm not sure how to feel about that. Maybe it's just nerves because I've decided to do something I've never really done. I usually never do hookups, there are too many things that can happen, like getting attached emotionally and feelings getting hurt. Pushing those thoughts aside I respond before I can change my mind and chicken out.

R: Oh, anyone I know?

A: You might know her or have at least seen her. She was seen dancing at the Bellagio fountain last night, looking beautiful as ever and, according to her friends, she became a trend. Whatever that means?

I can't help the giggle that comes out and look up to see Kate and Ana smiling. I shake my head and roll my eyes. Whatever.

Kate POV

She giggles again. I look over and smile. It's so good to see her laughing and giggling like she should be. Maybe Alex is going to be a good thing for her.

"Yes, I'm still here. I think he's texting Rhi right now, she's on her phone anyway and that's what it looks like. Did he? That's great, isn't it? Let me see what he's text her, hang on."

I mute the phone and ask, "Rhi, let me see the texts from Alex please." She hands me her phone and I read them. Taking the phone off mute I respond to Jack, "Yes, I guess he says he's planning on taking a nap before the show after you guys are done getting ready for the show." I hand Rhi her phone back and walk over toward the water.

Once I'm away from Rhi I have to know something. "What's your opinion of the whole situation? Do you really think so? I warned him last night that if he had anything other than honorable intentions with Rhi he needed to leave her alone and forget about her. You do? I'm just really protective of her, that's all. There are reasons why and today was just proof of one of those reasons. So, what should we do? Any ideas? We're still at the pool and were going to go up and get cleaned up here shortly. He mentioned something about going to the show again or meeting up after the show. He didn't specify but my impression is that it didn't matter, he just wanted to see her. I spoke with another friend of hers who suggested we support her decision if it made her happy. After all, she's the one that knows how she feels. We can't tell her what the right and wrong way to feel is. If he does, then I support them. I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy. Ok, text me back and let me know what you decide."

Ana comes over and asks me how it went. "Well, from what Jack said, Alex is totally serious about Rhi. He's only interested in her and he doesn't know how he's going to be able to dance without Rhi there. He said he may not want to dance much longer because all he sees is her and he doesn't want to interact with other women like he did with her. I guess he's trying to figure out how he can still dance, which he loves to do, and not feel like he's cheating on Rhi. I don't know how he can think like that, considering they're not actually dating, but whatever. I'll tell you one thing, this is a really different situation. It's moving fast and it's only been a day since she met him. Crazy huh? Elliot said that if he makes her happy, we need to support her decision because she's the one that matters. He's pretty insightful. I can't imagine what's going to happen when we have to leave and go back to Seattle. It gives me a headache just thinking about it." I tell her the synopsis of the conversation and look over at Rhi. "She does look happy just texting him, doesn't she?" I say to no one in particular.

Alex POV

We've been rehearsing for hours now, and I think we've got it. We've got a few hours to go before the show at 7 pm. I hope Rhi is ok. I haven't heard from her and her phone just goes straight to voicemail. What could be happening that would cause her to not answer or turn her phone off? What if something happened and she had a breakdown or God knows what else? I'm starting to worry.

I don't know the whole story, but she seems so fragile at times. I can't explain it but I just wish I could take it all away and keep her in my arms to make the bad stuff go away. I'm hoping someday soon I'll find out what that is. I totally get Kate and Ana being protective of her. I can see how much they love her and want to keep her from getting hurt. Something tells me that what I saw last night and this morning is just the tip of the iceberg with her issues.

What do I have to do to make Kate and Ana believe that she's the one for me? That I just want to take care of her and make her happy? I guess since it's been only about a day and a half since we've met that could be part of it but love at first sight does, in fact, exist.

If it weren't for Jack and the guys I'd be a mess today. Jack and I were talking and he asked me what happened after they left, considering I got back around 9:30 am. All I could tell him was that we just sat and talked and slept. Nothing more happened. Last night anyway. This morning was a different story, but I didn't tell him about that part.

I'm not looking forward to the show tonight. All I want to do is see Rhi. I don't know if I can dance like I normally do now that I met Rhi. My heart isn't in the show because it's a more sexual themed dance and I'd have to pretend to do sexual things with strange women. I don't want to do that unless it was with Rhi. Last night's dance was so erotic, and the dance was supposed to just be an idea, but I put my heart into that and really felt something for her. That was how I showed her how I felt. Though it probably seemed like I just wanted to fuck her, which I did, but then spending the night and seeing her sleeping on the floor just solidified my feelings.

Man, seeing her on the floor was heartbreaking. I need to know what happened to cause that so I can help protect her. I don't know if she had a mental breakdown or what, I know that she talks to herself and seems to have conversations in the third person. I'm not sure what that's about but I need to know so I can help her. I'm not rushing her because I don't want to hurt her. Also, I've got plenty of time to do so. I don't plan on going anywhere. It's unfortunate that she doesn't live here and I know she'll have to go home soon. Come to think of it I don't know when that is. I'll have to ask. I don't even know if I want the answer to that. I try not to think about it because it just causes anxiety.

She may not be a child but there are things that seem childlike to me, though I can't treat her like one. She seems to be very strong willed and doesn't take shit from anyone. But she also seems like the proverbial damsel in distress. I think part of that is how she flirts. Most guys are the type that need and want to take care of the girl. At least where I'm from we do. I'd like to see how she is in her own element, her own town and not on vacation in Las Vegas. There's a different atmosphere here, one where what happens here stays here, in theory. I hope that's not how it is with her because it's definitely not like that for me.

Why hasn't she text me back? I'm really starting to worry about her. Those guys totally pissed me off earlier. I was so angry and, yes, jealous. She looked hot in that bikini and I know any man in their right mind would drool, but to check a girl out when she's clearly with a man is just plain disrespectful. I know she's with Kate and Ana, and I know they will keep her safe, but physically, how safe can she be? She doesn't look strong enough to defend herself physically, but she does have some muscle to her, so maybe she knows martial arts or something.

My phone goes off and I look at it. Oh, thank God she's responded! I was really beginning to worry. Ok, I was worrying before I even left her this morning. That was harder to do than I thought it would be. It felt like I would never see her again. I still feel that way, sort of, because she's not answered me about later tonight.

Boy that Kate, something tells me she's going to be a challenge. I mean I get it but good grief just give me an answer so I know what's going to happen. It's not like they have to come. It's just easier to get what I want when all three are invited. That sounds bad, but I really want to see Rhi.

I read her text and instantly the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

R: Hey there. Sorry I didn't respond sooner. We're still at the pool and it's been an eventful day but we're really enjoying ourselves now. I hope you are having a good day time rehearsing.

I wonder what happened today that was eventful? I'll leave the seriousness alone and wait until I get to see her again to ask what happened. No need in bringing up the situation until I can see her. It'll just make things harder to deal with in my mind, knowing I can't do anything about it.

I can't stop the barrage of questions I throw at her in response but I can't help it. When I see her response that they still don't know what they're doing my heart sinks. I'm left waiting in the unknown still. Ugh! This is frustrating!

I decide that I've got a few hours until the show so I'm going to take a nap and rest. Hopefully it will give my brain a break from thinking about her as much. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it will because she's invaded my mind since I met her.

Her next response makes me smile.

R: She must be a very lucky girl to have someone so sweet to do something like that in the spur of the moment. That sounds super romantic. Her heart must be swelling from happiness. Lucky girl.

I can't resist:

A: Oh, I think he's the lucky one. I bet he has more things he'd like to do to show her how he feels. I wonder if he'll do something like that again. Maybe she'll 'trend' again.

R: I've got to go. The girls are calling me. I'll text you later when we know for sure what we're doing.

Disappointment creeps in that I can't continue talking to her but I have no choice, I have to let her enjoy her vacation. Sighing, I respond:

A: Be careful please. I can't wait to hear from you and hopefully you will have good news that I can see you tonight.

This is going to be hard, waiting for an answer. I have no patience. I'm tempted to call Kate and Ana but I probably shouldn't. It might make things difficult for Rhi. I guess I'll go take a nap and rest up.

Jack POV

Well, this is interesting.

Kate just called and we talked about Alex and Rhi. He's totally into her. He's really struggling to deal with seeing her and still dancing. I was shocked when he mentioned not dancing anymore. I don't know what to do. When he brought it up, it was out of the blue.

I'm in the showroom behind the stage getting the props ready for the show tonight. We set up our own props and everything for the show. There is no real 'crew' to do all the set up. It's a little easier since we already know what we want and do our own coordinating and choreography.

Alex approaches me, "Hey Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?" He asks.

I stop what I'm doing and walk over to him. "What's up bro?" I ask.

"I need to have a serious conversation with you. Just hear me out, please." He says.

I hesitate then finally answer, "Of course. What's on your mind?" I don't know if I really want to hear this. I'm getting a strange feeling in my gut.

After a moment he starts, "Ok, so we met Rhi, Kate and Ana yesterday morning. You know how I was affected by Rhi. When they agreed to come to the show you know how excited I was. She was all I could think about yesterday until I could see her at the show. Getting to know a little more about her last night into this morning totally solidified what I want. I want her. I want to take care of her. I want to be able to help her with… well, something she's struggling with. I want her in my life. I don't want anyone else. I know it seems quick, considering it's been only a little over a day, but you know I've never seen anyone that I was interested in come through the doors. You know that I've never wanted to be with anyone here. This is something that came out of nowhere and I'm totally thrown for a loop. I've been thinking." He pauses and takes a deep breath. "I'm not sure I can do the individual dances anymore. I don't even know if I can dance anymore with anyone other than Rhi. She's all I think about and the dance last night, by the way thank you for helping with that, that was so… wow. I can't see myself doing that with anyone else. I'm struggling to decide what to do. Do I quit dancing altogether? What do I do? I love dancing but like I said, I don't know if I can do the one on one's anymore, unless it's with Rhi. What do you think?" He's got a pained look on his face and I can tell he's in a state of turmoil.

Wow. This girl really has gotten to him.

I watch and listen trying to keep up. He's talking so fast and round and round. I see he is actually truly struggling with this.

"I'm surprised, actually. In the time that you've been here, you've never even thought about dating anyone. You've always wanted to wait until you returned to Australia. She doesn't even live here in Vegas. Do you even know where she's from? Do you know anything about her? Other than what you saw last night and this morning?" I ask him.

I see he's really trying to answer my questions in an intelligent way.

He hesitates, "You know, you're right. I always knew that I would be returning to Australia and didn't want to have a relationship get in the way or cause any problems. But we can't help who we fall for, can we? No, I don't know everything about her but I do know that we have a lifetime to find everything out. Actually, to be honest, I don't even think a lifetime is enough time to learn everything about someone. But I want to try. Is that a bad thing?" He pauses, then continues, "Do you have any suggestions on what to do about dancing and Rhi? I love dancing, you know that, but…" He stops. He can't finish the sentence. He puts his head in his hands and looks at me with a pained look on his face.

He really is torn up about this.

I put my hands up trying to get him to stop. "Alex, whoa. You really are smitten with her aren't you? Have you asked yourself what do YOU want? Do you want her in your life long-term? Do you want her while she's here? Have you thought about the fact that she doesn't live here; she lives somewhere else miles away from here. What are you going to do when she leaves? There's so many questions, have you thought about any of that?" I sigh, I hope he listens and can give me an intelligent answer.

I need to know what he's been thinking and if he's really thought things through. I mean yeah, there's something special about her. She's got a personality that draws people to her and yes, she's attractive, but he doesn't know a thing about her other than what he's seen. I need to know if he's even thought about any of that.

He looks at me, "Jack, I know it seems inconceivable and, believe me, I totally agree with you. That's why I need your input. What should I do? I want to see her tonight, and I've told her and Kate and Ana that, but they haven't given me an answer yet. I told them after the show or even if they wanted to come to the show again they could. I offered it to the three of them because I think I have a better chance of seeing Rhi if they all come." He chuckles a little, "Boy, that Kate; She's really protective of Rhi and I think she's going to be a force to reckon with from here on out. Fuck, dude. I'm totally clueless of what to do. Should I wait and see what happens after she returns home? Maybe she's just an infatuation while she's here?" He rubs his hands down his face and I can tell he's confused.

Sighing, I look at him and say, "OK Alex, let's go down the list: Do you really like her, or do you just want to fuck her?"

It doesn't take long for him to reply, "I really like her, though fucking her would be a bonus." He smirks.

I roll my eyes before answering. "I mean that's obvious. Do you see her in your life years down the road?"

Thinking for a minute he responds, "I actually can, I see us happy and laughing and enjoying ourselves."

Okay, that's kind of vague.

Let's try another tactic. "Can you see you with her when she returns to her home? Can you see her in your life even if you went back to Australia? You know you want to go back someday." Somehow I need to make him think a bit more about this whole situation.

Sighing, he responds, "I don't really know. I see her with me, and I can see my family happy for me, for us, but I'm not sure where that is. Maybe it's because I don't know where she's living?"

Well, he's at least been thinking about some things. "Okay, on that note, does she know what your job is back in Australia?" I'm sure this won't be an issue, more like the cherry on top." I smirk.

He laughs, "No, I haven't told her that. To be honest, I don't really see that as an issue. She loves firefighters, even if she says it's the trucks she likes." He smiles a huge grin.

I can't help from laughing with him. "This is very true; I've witnessed it firsthand."

I take a minute or so to think things over. I see him looking at me, an anxious look on his face. I decide to get it all out and address as much as I can, with the hopes of coming to a conclusion quickly and with as little heartache as possible.

Sighing I start, "Well, I think you need to get some answers to a few questions before you go making any life altering decisions first. You need to find out where she lives, what she does, where she comes from, what her past is, all of that. Everything that makes her who she is today. Once you find that out, then you can make a more educated decision. You need to know all of that before you decide you want to spend the rest of your life with someone."

I need to make sure he's clear on this because I know how he is. He's a one-woman man and if something happens after he's committed he'll be devastated.

Continuing, I address the dancing issues. "As for dancing with other women, the sexual one-on-one dances, we can always re-cast someone in those parts. If you want to just be a side act, so to speak, then we can make it happen. I think we need to talk to the guys before we make that decision though. As for her coming to the show, I don't know how well it would go over with having her be a 'pre-selected', meaning be sitting in the audience and always being picked for the one-on-one dance with you. I don't know, maybe it can be done. It doesn't bother me, I can see how much this is affecting you, I just want you happy, but we need everyone's input on this."

I have never seen him like this before. He's like a brother to me and I just want him happy. I hate to see him struggling. Maybe I can help with this situation.

"Who knows? Maybe something will happen soon to help you decide if this is just a physical attraction and you wanting to fuck her or if there's something more." I start to lay down the blueprints for the plan with Kate and Ana about Rhi seeing him later, as a surprise. Besides, this may be just what he needs to help make some sense out of this.

I need information from him to get a feel for what the plan will be so I ask, "What are you going to do between now and the show? You look a little tired. Did you get enough sleep last night?" I ask him. I'm trying to gauge what he's thinking so I can let Kate know how and when to surprise him.

He looks at me and says, "Yeah, I slept a little last night, but I definitely need to take a nap. I'm exhausted from rehearsal and it was an early morning. I'm going to go text Rhi and see what she's doing. I'm really trying to get to see her tonight. I'll let you know when I head to the room."

While he's off texting Rhi I rush to the back to see the guys and let them know what's going on. Not all of them know what's been happening between Alex and Rhi so I need to approach this delicately. I pull Nick and Collin aside and give them some of the details. I'm hoping they jump in and help encourage the other guys to go along with my idea. After a few minutes of giving them a brief synopsis of what's happened, they both look surprised.

Collin speaks up, "Mate, I can't believe Alex. This is so unlike him. I had a feeling something was going on with him, by the way he's been acting, but I'm ok with supporting whatever you have planned." He smiles, shaking his head.

I can see Nick is mulling over things.

"Nick? What do you think? You were there throughout what happened yesterday." I ask him, breaking into his thoughts.

After a few moments, he answers, "I have no idea what to think. It's quite obvious that he's interested in Rhi but is it more than just sex? I mean, there are lots of guys that would jump at the opportunity to fuck her. Maybe he needs to get her out of his system? What better way to do that than physically? I know it sounds cold but to save him from himself I'd encourage it."

I'm not surprised at his response. He's never really been interested in anything other than sex with anyone he's met here. He's younger and wants to have fun and be free.

I need to jump on this before they change their minds. "Ok. That's settled. Will you guys help me convince the others to go along with my idea? I'm thinking, so it's not so obvious, maybe putting numbers on the back of the seats and calling out a number and whoever is sitting in that chair will be brought to the stage for the final dance with Alex. We can sneak her in and keep him from seeing her until it's time. Once he sees her it'll be over for him, I'm sure. We just need to make sure he keeps it like the show would normally be and not kiss her or look at her like he did last night at the lounge. I swear, it looked like he was in love and he can't be doing that during a show. He knows better, but I also understand where he's coming from."

Collin laughs, "You've really thought this through, haven't you? That actually sounds like a pretty cool idea. It's not obvious and maybe we can use it in other shows. I don't think you need to tell the guys about Rhi being selected prior to the show. Just let them know that she will be coming again as a surprise to Alex. I'm pretty sure they already have an idea of how smitten he is with her. I don't think they'll mind. Just push the idea of numbering the seats."

He's got a point. That's probably the best way to handle things.

Collin, Nick and I gather the guys together to let them know our idea and finish up by the time Alex returns. Everyone has agreed to the idea and things are starting to move into place.

When Alex returns, he tells me the girls still don't know what their plans are. I can see he's frustrated and I feel bad for him, but this will be worth it in the end. I decide to tell him about the numbered chair idea for the final dance and that we need to get it set up so it's ready. I tell him to go with Nick and Collin to get things started while I check something at the front desk. He nods and I watch as he walks away.

Bingo! I rush over to the front desk and call Kate instead of texting her. This needs to be done quickly so he can actually get some rest.

She quickly answers, "Hi Jack," she says, answering the phone. "What's up? Did you think of anything?"

I laugh, "Actually, I have everything planned out. Alex is going to take a nap before the show. Can you guys get down here as soon as possible and she can be waiting in his room when he goes up to sleep? Keep her texting him so that he has no idea what's going on. Better yet, maybe you can get her here while she's still texting him. Then, we will sneak her into his room and when he goes to take a nap, boom! There she is. What do you think?" I tell her my idea and wait for her response.

"Hmm, that's a good idea. But what about later?" She asks.

"I'll fill you in when you bring Rhi. The sooner you get here the sooner you find out." I chuckle before continuing, "I think the idea is actually pretty cool. We may even use it in future shows. I'll also fill you in on information I've found out from Alex. Just get her here as soon as possible."

Kate quickly replies, "Ok, I'll tell Rhi what the plan is, and we'll get her dressed. We're still at the pool so that will be a bit more natural and less obvious. I'll text you when we're on our way. Thanks Jack, see you soon."

Oh boy. I hope they don't take too long getting ready. I guess it's the best we can do though. I've got to keep Alex from going to his room for a bit longer than anticipated. I'll give him a few things to do here for the show. Numbering the chairs is a big one and should take up quite a bit of time. He'll never know what hit him when he sees her tonight. I just hope he remembers he's still technically working to entertain the audience. That water kiss was pretty hot but I hope he can control himself.