The Work of a Legacy

Chapter Five

From: GreenJason@hotmail.com

To: RachelJ@gmail.com

I have to cancel the fitting for tonight. Have to meet w/ Ford and Green. BTW you were right about her. So what happens if she actually succeeds? They quit the show? Is Hank forcing them to date or something, or can they just walk their separate ways after this is all over?

What if he makes them get married?

Sincerely,

Jason Green, Chanced Bachelor

"That's sick, you know that, right?"

I sigh heavily and nod. "I know."

"Then why are you doing it? Is he forcing you to do it? If so I can get you a lawyer, we can figure something out-"

"Jason," I stop him, wanting to be anywhere but here, "it was my choice."

He stares at me unbelievingly before pointing to the door. "Get out."

I comply and leave, bumping into Hank on my way inside.

"Stelara! Just the girl I wanted to see. How'd your talk with Jason go? Well, I hope?"

I avoid his eyes. "It was... something."

"Something," he replies blankly. "I'm afraid you're going to have to elaborate."

Fidgeting my hands, I shrug. "It could have gone worse."

He rolls his eyes impatiently. "Look, I don't have a lot of time here. I have the footage, but I'd rather here it from you. What happened?"

"Did you tell him about our deal?" I blurt out.

He looks around nervously, making sure we're out of eyesight. "What deal?"

"The deal," I hiss angrily, "where you convinced me to trick another woman into falling for me."

He raises his eyebrows as if this is the first time he's heard of such a deal. "I haven't told anyone about any deals I may or may not have made."

"Then why did Jason confront me about it? He was pretty upset."

"Uh oh." Hank pulls out his phone and starts rapidly typing. "Must have gotten around somehow. That's not good. Your relationship with Jason has to be pleasant if you want to stay with us to the final four. Otherwise, viewers will know right away that you're the inside man, and that'll take all of the mystery away. We need that mystery. If we keep them guessing, we keep them interested."

I shrug. "What do you want me to do about it?"

He looks at his watch. "Nothing. We'll figure it out at the meeting tonight. Midnight. Don't forget."

I nod and walk past him into the living room.

"Hey, how'd it go?" Selina asks, spotting me immediately.

"It was okay," I shrug.

"Oh, secretive, are we?" She smiles. "Fine. Be like that."

"Selina!" A drunk woman sings loudly, slinging her arm around her shoulders. "Be roommates with me?"

Selina looks at me and shrugs. "Uh, okay."

Well, great, who am I going to be roommates with?

I'm not given the time to think it over.

"Ladies, ladies, ladies!" Hank drawls in what I'm sure he thinks is a suave and sexy voice. "It's that time around. On this plate are seventeen roses. That means that eight of you are going home today. Jason, when you're ready."