The Work of a Legacy

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dear Hank,
We've been watching your tapes closely, and I have to say, we are not pleased. We're running a show here, not a circus. Get it together, or get fired.
Many Thanks,
The producers

Jason POV

At this point in time, nothing surprises me anymore.

Or, that's what I thought. However, I can't help but be a little shocked when I see the new contestant mashing lips with Anna. Like, Anna's not my favorite, and I totally would have gotten rid of her if it weren't for Hank, but still.

So I got to thinking: why is this happening? Why does everything in this show that can go wrong, go wrong?

And then, it dawned on me: I know exactly why this is happening. Why all of these things are happening. I can tell by the malicious curl of his lips. The disgusted pride glinting in his eyes. I can tell that he's the one that's personally been behind each and every single one of my problems lately.

Fucking Hank.

Alex POV

I saw it all. Anna had talked about Deja before, and Hank had mentioned to the crew that a new member would be joining us, but I hadn't made the connection.

At first, I felt happy, you know? Something good was finally happening to Anna. I even began to hope that this would mean she'd forgive me, because she'd be in a better mood what with her ex returning for her and all...

And I also felt a bad kind of happy. That Stelara was finally getting what was coming to her. I watched with a hint of a smile on my face as I saw her world falling apart before her eyes.

But then, I saw something else.

I saw Hank.

I'd never liked that man, but seeing him now brought shivers down my spine.

He had the most awful smile on his face, like a vulture watching his prey struggle before it dies. That was when I stopped being happy.

Because, of course, this is all part of his sick plan for more drama. This is the calm before the storm.

I have to stop him.

Stelara POV

My chest rises and falls too quickly, notifying me of the coming attack, but I ignore it. Instead, I force myself to watch. This is what I've earned, after all. All those years of being an asshat have finally paid off. I've finally got what's coming to me.

Mercifully, after a few seconds they part, but the smile between them kills me just as much as the kiss did.

I can't take this anymore.

Ignoring the turning heads, I turn on my heels and sprint away, not bothering to look where I'm running to.

I find a clearing in the woods and collapse into a heap of troubled breaths and endless tears.

Anna POV

The curve of her neck. Her baby soft skin. The feel of her lips... everything comes back to me as I desperately cling onto the one I will always need.