Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“When one of our asses gets up and makes it,” Riley admits. “I don’t know that any of these women are big cooks, but there are a bunch of protein bars and shakes and yogurts. Our call time is ten. We’re supposed to be in casual clothes or pajamas for the illusion that we’ve recently woken up, and then the host is going to come in and announce who’s going on the group dates and who gets the king all to herself.”
I sit on a single bed in a room that apparently had once been occupied by Janice and Chloe. I was sort of moved into the mansion. If one can call moving my purse up here moving in.
Patrick had told me someone would bring me my things in the morning, but as a contestant, I wasn’t allowed to leave.
I am a princess in a Gilded Age castle, and it’s all Luca’s fault.
Luca—who had practically run after the director got his champagne shot. I’d been ready to hunt him down, but they’d moved the herd back to the mansion for sleep. Hannah had too much champagne and I’d put her to bed before realizing I had one saving grace.
A room to myself because the girl who’s place I was taking had been rooming with two people Luca had cut. I’m not sure if it makes me feel lonely or if I’m enjoying the idea I don’t have two roommates.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Riley says. “This is my third show, so I know the ropes. I did this social media game show in England, and I was the third out in Best Home Chefs. I think that one was fixed because my duck breast was not dry. I heard you’re a PA.”
“I was. I think I’m probably fired now.”
She smiles, her even white teeth a gorgeous contrast to her dark skin. “I doubt that. I heard the director talking things over with the producers, and they were saying people on the live stream loved you. That girl next door thing really works.”
“I wasn’t trying to play a part,” I admit. “I was only supposed to fill in. They promised me I would be eliminated.”
She nods. “Yeah, well, there’s your first lesson. They lie. I think this is a fun thing to do, but I never forget that we’re not human to the producers. We’re a commodity. But it’s not like we’re angels. Half of us are actors looking for a gig, and most of the rest will end up heading to LA because this kind of attention is addictive.”
It isn’t to me. “Thanks for telling me. It was probably the pratfall that did it.”
“You fell coming out of the carriage?” Her eyes have gone wide. “Why didn’t I think of that? It’s so relatable. I’ve got my eye on you, Ani. You’re cool. Watch out for Shelby and Katy. I suspect they did something to Hannah’s dress. That wasn’t her original dress. She thinks it got messed up during travel, but I sense a sabotage.”
“We should tell production.” It’s good to have something to focus on.
“So they can do what?” She’s looking at me like I’m naïve. “Give them a featured spot? Like I said, I understand things from this side of the camera. If you need anything, I’m right down the hall. I’m rooming with Hannah and Emily. I know this isn’t Survivor, but you’ll find we still have tribes and alliances, and a knife in the back still hurts even when it’s covered in glitter. ’Night, Newbie.”
She turns and walks down the hallway, closing the door behind her. I’ve been assured I’ll likely have a roommate tomorrow, so I should enjoy tonight.
How can I enjoy anything when I have no idea what’s going on?
Why did he keep me? He made it sound like he was freaking Hades, but he doesn’t even start to have that bad boy vibe about him. Luca is more like Captain America, except with a British accent, and where did he get that? Ralavia is nestled in between a corner of Germany and France.
I have to find a way to talk to the man, to let him know he doesn’t have to punish me.
I don’t have my phone. I feel naked without my phone. I can’t even call Harper and Ivy to tell them I’m trapped in our favorite mansion with nine other women, most of whom want to murder me, and I have to share the most beautiful man in the world with them.
And figure out if my director is a big old asshole. Luckily I haven’t seen anything suspicious from Joe Helms yet.
Yet being the operative word.
I’m sitting up in bed wearing one of Ashley F’s T-shirts and Hannah’s PJ pants, watching the lights outside, when I hear a knock and a panel slides open revealing a hidden door.