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NAVIGATION
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Because life isn't always a fairy tale...
Briar and Littlepaty will make you forget about Prince Charming and start looking for:
THE ACTOR PRINCE
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Jared Gregory is an ashtray of a man, and to make matters worse he is also an actor. Now he is stuck in a reality show and must choose a wife among ten women who are helplessly in love with him. He does not want to, but the script calls for him to fall in love.
Andrea Tevetoglu is a model, she is beautiful and ready to be Jared's princess; that is until something else comes up. Now her sister Laura is the only one that can save her, but will she want to?
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First five paragraphs are quoted from The Colours of the Ages by: Sarah Stuart (Briar)
The black clouds rolled sleekly through the sky; casting the world into darkness, as the wind whipped through the trees and created an eerie hissing. All the animals had long since scurried to their hiding places, none waiting to see what kind of terror the storm would bring. If it were not for the tinkering laughter that carried on the wind and sounded over the roar of the thunder then it be could assumed that all the people were safe in their homes, or at least they too were hiding in holes like animals.
A young girl, the source of the laughter, ran barefoot across the land, her dress and hair flying behind her like a flag in the wind. She continued to laugh as though she could hear a joke that no one else could. The storm did not seem to worry her it was as if she did not even know it was there at all. Behind her there were cries of fear as a man raced after her. He noticed the storm and knew what horror it would bring but he only feared it because the little girl did not.
“Katheryne!” yelled the man running as fast as the wind would allow him. “Katheryne stop! Katheryne!”
Katheryne ignored the sound of her name, she did not want to stop, she wanted to run and play through the drowning rain. She wanted to feel the cold wind whip around her, almost lifting her from the ground.
“Katheryne! Please, dear Lord please!” the man yelled, his panic getting the better of him. Still the child did not listen to his pleas, she stole only a single glance back to see if he was having as much as fun as she.
“CUT!” The director’s voice could easily be heard miles away. Jared Gregory snapped out of character and looked in the direction of the director. The girl that had been playing his daughter ran to her mother and asked for a drink of water.
Jared made his way to the chair that was reserved for him, it was next to a monitor where he could rewind and watch the performance he had just given. He asked for a soft drink from his personal assistant and sat on the chair to wait for it.
“Give me the headset.” He ordered from the camera man standing next to him. The man gave him an insulted look but he handed him the item without complain “Rewind the film.” Jared told him soon after.
The actor attentively looked into the small screen before him and frowned when the young actress that had been sharing the camera with him came into view.
“Aw, she is awful.” He exclaimed not bothering to lower his voice.
“Jared!” His manager came rushing behind him. Jared removed the headset from his ears and turned to look at him.
“What now Steve?” He asked.
“The deadline for the applications was yesterday.” The man told him “You have to pick the twenty five you want by Monday.”
“Twenty five?! You must be joking. Ten at the most.” Jared responded.
“But everyone uses twenty five. It gives you more choices.”
“I don’t care about the choices. This is publicity, nothing else.” The actor said raising an eyebrow.
“What about the proposal?” Steve asked perplexed.
“I’ll deal with that later.” He answered unconcerned “If those executives think that I am going to marry for the sake of their station they are out of their mind.”
“But it’s in the contract.”
“Then we’ll have to make another one.” Jared replied about to cover his ears once again. “Go find my ex-PA and bring me my drink.” He ordered Steve.
“Ex-PA?” The man asked.
“Yes.” He responded putting the headset back on “After you get my drink tell him he is fired for being so slow.”
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Laura was sprawled out on the cheaply made sofa in an apartment that hardly looked livable. Her overalls hung from her, appearing worn and unattractive. Her long hair fell in messy tangles around her face, highlighting her extremely sun burnt nose. Laura’s eyes held a dreamy tint as she stared around her strangely decorated apartment; as if they were looking upon a stunning image rather than the mess that was really there.
It was not that Laura could not afford a better apartment, she just chose not to. Just like she refused to eat meat, or buy anything that was not recycled or the colour nature intended. She did not have a reason for these choices, or rather a reason she cared to admit to anyone. All in all Laura was unusual and it did not bother her if everyone knew it.
The sudden banging on the door did not break Laura from her dream like state, instead it seem to drive her further into it. Even the calls of her name did not bother her; Laura was content and that was all that matter at that present moment.
“Laura,” yelled a frustrated female voice from outside the door. “Open up now! Laura!” There was an angry cry, followed quickly by a loud thump. “Laura it is me Andrea! You know the forgotten sister? The one who looks exactly like you, of course with a little or rather a lot more class.” The banging begun again and still Laura made no attempt to move. “Please open the door I have something to show you. Laura? Damn it Laura open the bloody door!”
Andrea’s cries soon died down and the banging came to a light tap until all fell silent in the room. Then if possible a more relaxed expression crossed Laura’s face. A few seconds ticked by when suddenly there came a piercing scream, though it was hard to tell whether it was a scream of delight or terror.
“Oh my god! These lamb chops are the nicest… oh… mmmm… I’ve never tasted such juicy, succulent…”
That was enough; Laura was up. She raced towards the door, her eyes ablaze. Almost tearing the locks off she ripped open the door to stare into the smirking face of her identical twin sister.
“Oh my Laura you are pathetic,” Andrea cried shaking her head and placing her hands on her hips. “You wouldn’t let me in unless you thought I was doing something wrong… my you depress me.” She glanced at her sister as if she was truly a disgrace and then with a careless sigh she pushed past her marching into the room with her head held high before turning back and waiting for her to say something.
Laura turned slowly towards her, taking in Andrea’s appearance with disgust. Andrea reached up and placed a gentle hand on a handsome white fur which was wrapped around her neck; a wide grin spread across her face. “Do you like it? Its minx. I brought it yesterday.” Instead of replying Laura spat coldly onto the ground, receiving a cry of outrage from Andrea. “How disgusting.”
It was obvious from the moment that Laura and Andrea were born, the only way they were identical was in appearance. Andrea had always admired beauty in the sense of appearance, she did not believe in looking deeper after all that took caring and patience both of which Andrea had none of. Laura was the complete opposite; she had no time for outer beauty and judged a person for their true self.
“Tell me sister,” Andrea said thoughtfully doing a small spin on her heels as she studied the room. “Were you having a nightmare when you decorated this place or did you have an epiphany and decide “hey pigs can live in crap, why can’t I?”
“Is there a reason Andrea why you are here?” Laura asked softly, her eyes narrowing on her sister. She took no notice of Andrea’s comments as they were always the same when she came into her apartment.
“Ah the Saint speaks!” Andrea cried unwrapping the fur from around her neck.
“I don’t have much time so speak quickly and in small intervals,” Laura snapped moving back to her chair. Andrea sighed again and went to find a place to put her fur but quickly decided against it.
“If you are going to be rude to me then I don’t think I will tell you,” Andrea said with pretend thought, stroking her fur lovingly. She tilted her head to the side so that her hair fell attractively over the side of her face. Even when no one was watching she wanted to appear beautiful and she always succeeded.
“In that case,” Laura cried flopping down on the chair. “Leave please as I have better things to do than to talk to you.”
“Sometimes I think you don’t like me,” Andrea hissed her eyes narrowing. She hurried forward before Laura could agree with her. No longer caring about the apartment she dropped down beside her sister and grabbed onto her hand. Her eyes began to dance with excitement. “Laura, I’ve found him,” she stated firmly. Laura frowned; the last time she had seen her sister so excited was when she had decided to buy the 'cutest' puppy in the world…of course the dog ended up being adopted barely a week later.
“Andrea what has happened?” Laura asked softly, trying to pry out the truth with her eyes. Andrea smiled broadly and a dreamily look entered her eyes.
“I found him Laura, the love of my life and we’re going to be married!” Andrea cried and sighed loudly. “I love him and he is bound to love me. Who doesn’t? And we’ll live in a castle and…”
Laura threw up her hands bringing her sister to a stop. “Hold it there Andrea. What do you mean he is bound to love you? You are not making any sense.” Andrea waved away her sister’s comment and leapt back onto her feet, doing a pretty spin on her heel.
“I’m going to be a Princess and he’ll love me forever and we’ll…”
“Andrea!” Laura yelled trying to bring her sister back to reality. “Who are you talking about?”
“The man I’m going to marry… Jared Gregory,” Andrea squeaked her eyes widening with glee.
“Who?”
“Oh Laura you don’t know anything. You know Jared Gregory, the famous Scottish actor?” Andrea snapped placing her hands on her hips. Her excitement began to fade at Laura’s blank look. “You are so backwards. If I wasn’t so happy because I am getting married then I would be mad at you.”
“Where did you meet this Gregory?” Laura muttered leaning back against the chair, completely confused.
“I haven’t yet,” Andrea said getting more frustrated at Laura’s ignorance.
“What?”
“I said I haven’t met him yet."
Laura pushed herself slowly up from the chair. She stepped cautiously over to her sister and took her hands in her own. “All right Andrea please calm down and tell me what you are talking about.” Andrea studied her a moment before the excitement filled her face again.
“Well you won’t believe me but I’m going to tell you anyway. I signed on a television program to stay in a Scottish Castle and meet Jared Gregory,” her voice began to rise with enthusiasm, “anyway he is going to fall in love with me and marry me. Then I’ll be rich and famous.”
“You what?” Laura yelled. “Like hell you’re going on some stupid television show to…”
“I have already signed on,” Andrea snapped ripping her hands back. “And he is going to love me over all those other ugly girls and we’re going to get married.” She turned sharply from Laura and started to march towards the door. “I can’t wait! Imagine when he sees how stunning I am! What a Kodak moment!” she cried and stormed out the door, slamming it behind her.
Laura gapped after her, unable to comprehend anything she had just sat. “She is only teasing me,” she muttered to herself. She nodded and sunk back down on her seat. “She has to be joking, not even Andrea could be so dumb…could she?” Laura gulped down the lump in her throat, she knew the answer to her question and it was not the one she wanted to hear. |
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“You expect me to read through all those?” Jared asked Steve for the third time as he stared incredulously at the enormous pile of papers waiting for him on his desk.
Steve nodded sympathetically.
“Why?” Jared whined “Can’t you just pick the ten most beautiful ones?”
Steve controlled a sight of disbelief as his eyes popped open at the sound of his employer’s question.
“Don’t you care to read a bit more about them?” He asked the actor.
“What for?”
“Well… As much as I’d like to say that you can live happily for five months with twenty five strange good looking women and not have to exchange a single word or thought with them, I am afraid that is not true.” Steve told Jared “You need them to be a little interesting beyond their looks or you’ll be bored to death after the first week.”
“Are you willing to put money on that?” The man asked sarcastically.
“Seriously Jared, don’t you want to give this thing a REAL chance? You might find your future wife among all those applications, she is waiting for you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Jared huffed “The only thing I am going to find is a new manager. What the heck was I thinking when I let you get me into this mess?”
“You accepted, you could have said no.” Steve replied
“I don’t think I want to do this anymore.” Jared said sincerely overwhelmed.
“Now there is no turning back, the contract has been signed.”
Jared Gregory looked in the direction of the desk and slowly made his way to it. He hesitantly picked up the paper resting at the top of the pile.
“There has to be an easier way to do this.” He said looking at Steve with a very distressed look on his handsome face.
“What are you waiting for?’ Steve asked him “The sooner you start reading them the faster you will be done.”
Jared groaned and rubbed his face with one hand before setting his eyes on the paper he was holding in his other hand. He read attentively for a few seconds until he noticed out of the corner of his eye that his manager was on his way out of the room. Without lifting his eyes from the paper he ordered Steve to come back for a second.
“Bring me twenty café lattes and do not disturb me in a week.” He added immediately.
Steve laughed.
“You only have until Monday.” He informed him still laughing as he exited the room and closed the door behind him leaving Jared to himself and the opportunity to find true love.
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A day later, an exhausted Jared came out of the office with a few papers in his hand. His eyes were red and his hair was all over the place. He had the shadow of a beard suddenly aging his face five years. Jared pushed the papers into Steve’s chest as he passed by him on his way to his room.
“Are these the lucky 25?” Steve asked holding the papers to keep them from falling on the floor.
“Ten.” Jared answered not bothering to look at the man.
“Twenty five.” Steve corrected.
“Ten!” Jared irritated replied “I said only ten. Take it or leave it.”
Steve shook his head from side to side, he did not agree with Jared’s decision one bit. Few choices meant that he would get tired of the girls soon and would try to break the contract.
“You are setting yourself up for failure.” He told an unconcerned Jared.
“I don’t have time for your jokes I need to take a long hot shower.” He said dragging his feet to his room.
Steve looked down at the papers he was still holding against his chest and could not help but be curious. He rearranged the applications and read through them making comments over what he found interesting about the lucky women Jared had chosen to compete for his love.
“Briar Bush, London native, long brown hair and brown eyes, considers herself a psychic; I guess this is the odd one. She is very pretty." He said looking at the photograph attached to the corner of the paper.
“Adria Biaggio, from Venice Italy, professional model, five feet eleven inches, hazel eyes, dark hair, not bad, not bad at all.” Steve added as he noticed the woman’s picture followed her curriculum.
“Sarah Czars, Australian. Wow!” He exclaimed “Stunning, black hair, violet eyes, what is this girl doing as a doctor. She wants to find her soul mate…” He read “Good luck on that one but there is no doubt that Jared will bed you right away.”
“Skye Maid, he picked a fellow Scottish… and a beautiful one too. Natural red hair, striking blue eyes, she is…another model, that lucky basket!”
“Clare Kissinger, English, a writer, blond hair, green eyes, very pretty and the youngest yet, she is studying law.” He said pleasantly surprised that Jared had included two very educated women.
The next application was another surprise to Steve.
“Linda Soriano, a Latin beauty from Mexico. I never knew Jared wanted some spice in his love life.” He chuckled “She is an actress too.”
“Then we have…” He said loudly “Melanie Andrews, from the U.S., the American factor has… a gorgeous face and… Oh lord what legs!” Steve howled.
That triumphant cheer was followed by a shock.
“Paty Little, Swedish International Porn Star…” He read unaware of what he had read until he revisited the name he had just passed over “THE Paty Little applied to be Jared’s fiancé?! I can’t believe it.” Steve knew the woman’s career well, very well.
He continued with the applications, only two were left.
“Olivia Valo, Finnish news anchor and model, she will definitely need to quit right away.” He said “If I were her boss I would hate to let those eyes go, and that figure, why isn’t she a porn star?” He asked lusting over the attractive woman.
The last application was unlike the previous ones. For one thing the paper was in a subtle hue of pink, and the lettering was what appeared to be French Script where as the other were all in Times New Roman.
“Andrea Tevetoglu, professional runway model, former Miss Babe of the World.” Steve read a bit nauseous “She is of Turkish American descent, born and raised in England, What the…?” He asked wondering what Jared had been thinking. He lifted the first page of the application “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” He exclaimed after the second page revealed the woman’s photo “He undeniably left the best for last.” Steve said smiling “I think I already know who his favorite is.”
Andrea 'Drea' Tevetoglu
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The shop assistant stumbled out of the change room, appearing as though she had gone to hell and back. Her hair was wild and her eyes were wide with both awe and fear. She barely managed to catch herself before she slammed into the glass counter.
"Where is she?" a female voice pierced through the small store. "I told her to be quick!" There was a moment of silence and then there came the frantic murmur of another woman trying desperately to calm down the woman who had been yelling. "I don't care if she has a day to live! She better hurry back with that dress or I am going…really? How sweet you are! Yes I do have an extraordinary figure… oh stop…"
The shop assistant still hung limply from the counter, her face paling with every note of the woman's voice. Slowly she lifted her eyes to look at the cashier and to her dismay she found only fear there too. 'Please' she mouthed praying the cashier would take over. The cashier shook her head wildly and backed up against the wall. "I beg you! Don't make me go back in there."
"Marie?" hissed someone from behind her. With a look of pure defeat upon her face Marie, the shop assistant, turned to face her doomed. Her eyes met with the stern expression of the shop owner. "What is taking you so long Marie? Mademoiselle Tevetoglu is waiting!" the owner stated firmly in a thick French accent.
"I-I-I'm s-sorry I w-was j-just r-r-resting…" Marie began unable to stop from stuttering. The owner groaned and slammed her hand upon her hips.
"You do not rest you stupid girl when someone like Mademoiselle Tevetoglu wants you to be quick. Now if you do not get that dress in the change in the next second," the owner growled her eyes ablaze. She took pleasure in the fact that Marie started to run towards the dress that the mademoiselle had requested. "You will have all your life to rest for I promise you, you will never work in fashion again!"
Marie was already running to the change room by the time the owner had finished her threat. She barely made it at the door when she slammed into something and crashed backwards to the floor. She landed hard on her back and her mouth dropped open as she stared up at the stunning form of Andrea Tevetoglu.
"Mademoiselle!" the owner cried hurrying over to her, not even offering to help Marie up from the floor. "Marie was just coming in with the dress. If you just want to step back into the…" she said wildly, trying desperately to make Andrea step back into the change room but this time it was not out of fear that Andrea would leave the store but rather the fact she was standing, quite confidently, in nothing but an extremely see-through white slip, which left nothing to the imagination.
"Really Gina I know where the change room is," Andrea cried arrogantly and went to step around Gina but the old owner skilfully took a quick step in front of her hoping to block her from going any further into the store. Andrea glared at the woman before a sly smile spread across her lips. "Hey excuse me," Andrea called in a loud voice, pointing over Gina's shoulder. "You can't take that without…" Gina spun around and with a snort of triumphant Andrea strolled around her into the middle of the store.
"Oh I just love this material," Andrea said picking up a small black dress and pressing it against herself. She glanced across at the mirror and mindlessly begun to admire herself. Gina meanwhile had grown very pale and seemed to be struggling to remain on her feet. "I think he is just going to love this on me and quite honestly I don't blame him." Andrea did a small spin, meaning to turn towards Gina when suddenly something out the shop front window caught her eye. She stopped sharply keeping the black dress pinned to her so it covered her near naked body. A small smile twitched at her lips, for out the window stood a middle-aged man, gapping stupidly at her.
"Marie, go get rid of that man right this…" Gina started but she was not given a chance to finish. Andrea flashed the man a seductive smile and slowly, without another glimmer of worry, she "accidentally" dropped the black dress to the floor, revealing her perfect womanly figure. The man's mouth dropped open and if it weren't for the fact that his wife had suddenly appeared before him he would have dived through the glass to get to her. Andrea laughed loudly as the man was forcefully dragged away. She went to look and see if Gina thought it as funny as she did when someone else stepped up to the glass. Andrea froze and all the amusement left her face.
"Miss Tevetoglu I have the dress that you wanted," Marie said regaining herself finally. She stepped quickly up beside Andrea hoping to some how lure her back into the change room when she caught sight of the strange expression upon Andrea's face, she followed her gaze and her eyes went to an identical face out the window. "Is she your sister?"
"No," Andrea said quickly snapping out of her daze.
"But she looks just like…"
"No not my sister," Andrea said ripping the dress from Marie's hands and quickly covering herself with it.
"She is mouthing your name."
"Never met her before in my life."
"But Miss I think she is calling you her sister."
"Never seen her before…"
"But Miss your identical," Marie said softly. Andrea's cheeks flushed in embarrassment for the first time.
"Oh look it is my sister! What are you odds?" Andrea cried as if she had suddenly realized it was in fact Laura standing on the other side of the glass. She cleared her throat nervously and forced a plastered smile on her lips. "Well I'll take everything I've tried on," she said turning to look toward Gina. "I think you know where my credit card is." Gina nodded quickly, all her anger at what Andrea had done now had disappeared completely. She was going to make a fortune. Andrea glanced back towards the window hoping that her sister wasn't really there but to her despair Laura glared back at her with her lips moving with a thousand curses.
"Will you be getting changed now Mada…" Marie begun but was cut short by the fact Andrea had already disappeared back into the change room. A smile of victory crept across the shop assistants face; for now she knew that there was something that could tame the wild beast.
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Laura kept her eyes locked on her sister as she stepped out of the store. She took no notice of the shop assistants that following Andrea with bags full of clothes. Andrea did her best to keep from glancing at her and quickly signalled the girls to load up the boot of the car that was directly in front of them.
"What a surprise to see you here Laura," Andrea said finally, hoping to break the awkward silence. Laura did not answer. "I see you took no effort in picking something attractive to wear out in public," she added glancing down at Laura's stain covered overalls.
"I could say the same for you Andrea but then it would be applying that you actually picked clothes to wear," Laura replied sharply, bringing a red flush to Andrea's cheeks.
"Is there a reason that you hunted me down? Or you just wanted to be the golden sister again?" Andrea muttered heading towards her car. She was no longer in the mood to receive Laura's dark glare.
"There are a few things we need to discuss," Laura answered softly. "Come there is a coffee shop just down the road, we'll talk about it there." Andrea hesitated not liking the idea of sitting out in public with her sister and being lectured. "I'm not offering you an option Andrea," Laura added in a cold tone and started to march towards the coffee shop.
Defeated Andrea followed closely behind, only lifting up her eyes when Laura had found them a seat. Instantly Laura's frown was upon her, and yet Andrea could faintly see worry within her eyes and it lessened her dread of what was about to come. The two sat there in silence for a long while, each waiting for the other to begin, speaking only to order a coffee.
It was Laura who finally broke the silence, "I don't know what I'm going to do with you Andrea," she cried, her frown lessening even more.
"You don't have to do anything with me Laura, I'm not your responsibility and I'm also not a child."
"Then why do you insist on acting like one?" Laura replied sharply.
"I was only joking, you couldn't really see anything!" Andrea said quickly, her face reddening slightly that her sister had seen her in the window. Laura shook her head and let out a frustrated sigh.
"I do not care who you reveal yourself to unless it is of course the entire nation! What I am worried about Andrea is you and this stupid reality show," Laura explained finally coming to the point she had been dying to discuss. "If you tell me now that this is all a big joke, I'll leave you alone and never bother you again."
Andrea smirked, as much as she wished that Laura would, she knew that her sister would let her be and secretly she never wanted her to. For a moment she contemplated lying and saying she was joking but Andrea was not a good liar, not to her sister anyway. Her awkward silence answered Laura's question.
"So you are serious?"
"Yes," Andrea replied simply.
"That is just like you Andrea, to only think of yourself and never the rest of your family," Laura snapped losing her calm. "Do you realise how much of an embarrassment this is going to be? and for what? Some simpleton who probably can't even spell his own name!"
"Don't talk about Jared that way!" Andrea cried.
"Jared? Jared?" Laura answered her voice becoming shrill. "You haven't even met him! He is the most conceded, thick sulked..."
"And you've met him I suppose?" Andrea hissed, flopping back on her chair and folding her arms. She glared over at her sister, glad to see she had silenced her for a moment. "Besides Laura I don't mess around in your affairs, why can't you do me the same favour?"
"Because I don't have stupid affairs!"
"That's because you’re boring and strange!" Andrea replied coldly. Laura's eyes hardened and a lump formed in her stomach. "I didn't mean that Laura, you just made me so angry." She sighed deeply and reached over the table to take Laura's hand in hers. "I really want to do this Laura and I think I can make him love me."
Laura groaned and shook her head sadly. "You just can't hear how silly you sound Andrea. This is not a game, it is life and you only get one chance at it. Why are you trying to throw it away?"
"I'm not throwing it away, I'm living Laura. I may not be like you, matter of fact I have never been and I never will be. I want to do this because I can and there is nothing else to it." Andrea squeezed her sister's hand. "For once just be happy for me and let me enjoy it."
Laura bit her lip and shrugged her shoulders; it was obvious that nothing she could say would change Andrea's opinion and that hurt her more than anything. If there was one thing Laura did not like it was being powerless. She lifted her eyes and studied her sister, searching for some kind of relenting but there was nothing and soon Laura found herself nodding her head. "Nothing I do is going to stop you Andrea and I'm beginning to think that the only way you are going to learn is to fail so if you want to go onto a reality tv show and make some celluloid figure fall in love with you then so be it," Laura said in defeated tones. "Just don't expect me to be there when you do fall."
Her words had an instant affect upon Andrea, who went from indignation to uncontrollable happiness for she knew that when Laura said she didn't care it meant that Andrea had won. For a moment Andrea could barely contain herself and she opened her mouth to squeal but one horrified look from Laura kept her silent, instead she chose to squeeze her sister's hand to the point of pain. "Oh Laura thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me! I'm going to be married! I'll be a Princess!"
Suddenly behind her a glass smashed to the ground. Andrea jumped slightly and spun around to look, her eyes met with a waitress desperately trying to pick up the shattered glass she had dropped, beside her a man bobbed saying something along the lines of an apology. Andrea, bored at anything that didn't have to do with her, went to turn back to Laura when the man looked sharply up. His ebony eyes pierced into hers before he dropped his gaze.
"Andrea? Andrea?" Laura cried, frustrated that her sister had been ignoring her for the last minute. Andrea shook away her surprise and quickly turned back, forcing a smile onto her face. "What’s wrong now?"
"Nothing," Andrea said quickly. "What were you saying?"
"I want to see the contract you signed."
Andrea quickly forgot about the strange man and flung her bag onto the table. Within seconds she proudly displayed the contract to Laura. "They let me keep a copy! I'm smart like you sometimes you know Laura! I kept a copy after I signed." Laura smirked and started to read.
"As long as you read it before you signed," Laura muttered her eyes studying each and every word. She did not see Andrea's smile flatter slightly and a frown creep across her brow. "You did read this before you signed?" Laura added the colour rising to her cheeks. "Andrea?" looking up she found a guilty expression upon Andrea's face. "Have you read it?"
"How am I suppose to know I'm meant to read it before I sign. I kept a copy didn't I?" Andrea cried throwing up her hands. Laura's amusement disappeared completely and her stomach filled with dread. "Why Laura? What's wrong with it?" Laura dropped her eyes back to the contract and re read a few lines, her face becoming paler each time. "Laura?"
"There is a clause in Andrea..."
"A what?"
"A condition, which states that you must appear on the reality television show and remain there until you are released or you will be prosecuted," Laura spoke calmly and slowly so each word had the proper effect.
"What do you mean by prosecuted?" Andrea asked feeling alarm for the first time.
"It doesn't say," Laura said reading the contract once more. "You realise what this means?"
Andrea shook her head and went to answer when something shiny caught her eye. She glanced quickly to the side to find a golden cigarette case flashing in the sunbeam from the window. Andrea lifted her eyes slowly and her heart dropped, the man’s ebony eyes pierced into hers again.
"Andrea? Damn it Andrea pay attention! Do you know how serious this is?" Laura cried.
"No," Andrea whispered forcing herself to look back to Laura. She could feel the man's gaze upon her but she would not look back. Something stirred inside her, something like never before. Desperately Andrea tried to listen to Laura's complaints but the man's dark ebony eyes remained there, burning into her soul.
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“I’m allergic to this place.” Jared said looking out the car’s window into the landscape of his native Glasgow. “I mean it.” He insisted when he realized Steve had ignored his comment “I can drop dead tomorrow and it will be your fault for not canceling this stupid show.”
Steve turned away from the road and gave the actor one long look before returning his gaze to the road.
“Jared, stop trying to blame me for your troubles.” He told him concentrating on the driving.
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Laura dragged herself to her apartment’s door and sighed from exhaustion. She was returning from the pet shelter she volunteered at every Wednesday and usually she was very cheerful after having spent her day with all the cats and dogs, but today there had a been a fair to try to get as many animals as possible adopted. They were all eager to please and in trying to show off for the families so that they could secure a home the pets had acted like a pack of elephants on the run. Luckily many of them did find a home, and they had Laura’s bones and muscles to thank for that. If only she could find the strength to get into the shower and then into her bed she would be okay. Just as she was about to introduce her key into the lock she realized there was an envelope on the floor and it was addressed to her. She contemplated the idea of leaving it there since it was most likely some kind of lame advertising for better cable TV or something, but it was half way inside the door and would surely jam it when she tried to open it. With lots of effort she managed to bend down despite her aching body and retrieve the envelope.
She opened her door and threw her backpack and the envelope on the sofa then headed for the bathroom where she turned on the shower. As she made her way to her bedroom the blinking of the answering machine distracted her. No one ever left her a message, in fact, only her parents, her aunt Lydia, and Andrea called her home and none had ever left a message. Her answering machine had been an unused virgin up until that moment when someone had unexpectedly and mercifully taken advantage of it. Laura chuckled as she thought of her no longer virgin apparatus and walked over to it to try to listen to the perpetrator.
There were three messages waiting and it took her a while to figure out how to play them, but when she did she was stunned to hear her sister’s voice.
‘Laura?’ Andrea asked sounding a bit scared. Her question was followed by a long pause. ‘Oh Bob you are not home!... I have something to tell you Laura. I’m on my way to Greece, I met the most wonderful man, it was love at first sight, I feel like if I’m dreaming, Laura… I’m in love. His name is Valentino and he is taking me to meet his parents, I think this is it! He is the one! But… you were right about the contract I…’
Laura felt herself panting as she pressed for the next message knowing it would be Andrea again.
‘The dumb machine cut me off.' Her sister continued 'I only have a few minutes because the plane will be boarding soon. Where was I?... Oh yes, the contract. I called them to cancel and they said I can’t…. If I don’t show up next Friday in Glasgow they are going to sue me for breach of contract and there’ll be a warrant for my arrest. They want to put me in jail Laura! But I can’t…’
The room started spinning around Laura as the last message was playing.
‘You need to fix this thing!’ Andrea demanded irritated. Behind her a female voice announced her flights departure. ‘I can’t leave Tino, I love him. I don’t know what I was thinking when I signed the contract. Who in their right mind would fall in love in a reality show, huh?... Laura you’ve got to help me, you are my only hope… I need you. Please, I am begging you…I know you will not let me down because you are kind and wonderful and always looking out for me. You are after all the oldest… Please’ This time the pause was shorter, her words were spoken hurriedly ‘There is an envelope for you waiting at your door, everything is in there. I will owe you my life dear sister. I love you!’
Laura stumbled to the sofa and let her weight drop on it. Andrea could not be implying that..? Laura thought as she reached for the envelope and tore it open. She stared at the contents of the envelope in awe and felt the need to scream.
Of all the evil things her sister could possibly do to her this was by far the worse. How could Andrea do this to me, how could she? She wondered on the verge of tears of anger.
“No.” Laura exclaimed with the sound of the running shower ringing in her ears. “No, no, no!”
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“Guess what day is today?” Steve asked Jared two days after they arrived in Scotland.
They had settled into the castle and were making the last adjustments for the show to begin. Jared had not been in a good mood lately and the thought of having to stay in one place for several months was not at all to his liking. In about thirty minutes Jared would be introduced to the candidates he had picked and the game would begin. Yet the man was acting like the world was about to end.
“It’s Friday the 13th!” Steve answered himself “Can you beat that?!”
Jared ignored his joke and pulled at the collar of the uncomfortable Victorian suit he had been put into ten minutes ago.
“Do I have to really wear this dumb suit?” He asked exasperated.
“Yes. You are Prince Charming, remember?”
“Can’t I be a modern prince?”
“Even modern princes wear royal attire for special occasions, weddings and such.” Steve informed him signaling for the dress assistants to leave the room.
“Damn it.” Jared said pulling the collar once again. He felt like he was suffocating. “So did you find me a PA yet?”
“Not yet, you’ll be stuck here for six months so I think we have time.”
“But I still need assistance while I’m here. Who is going to keep my schedule and pick up after me?” He wondered running his hands through his hair.
“There will be maids in the castle…and ten willing women at your feet.” Steve added with a wink.
“This better be as good as you make it sound Steve or you’ll be out of a job, and this time I’m not kidding.”
Steve shook his head tired of his threats. He was used to them by now, Jared had to at least hint at his dismissal daily or he would feel he was not in control of his own life. Of course Steve would never tell him he really wasn’t. Jared was like a child that needed to be made believed he was boss so that he could do things right. If when he first came to work for Jared five years ago, Steve had known he was going to be a nanny he would have asked for a bigger salary and weekends off. It was too late now to complain, just as he had told Jared it was too late to get out of the reality show deal.
“Stop all the fuss and come look at your ladies.” He told Jared beckoning to follow him to the balcony. Below them, in the shaded rose garden, stood the beautiful women Jared had selected among the applicants. “Only twenty more minutes and they’ll be yours.”
Jared looked down to them and was silent for a few moments.
“There is one missing.” He suddenly pointed out to his manager.
“Huh?”
“Nine.” Jared explained “There are only nine women down there.”
Baffled, Steve counted the women and found Jared’s statement to be true.
“Mmm, yes it appears that one is late.”
Twenty minutes later a director’s assistant came into the room. She smiled shyly at Jared before speaking.
“Mr. Gregory. The cameras are ready to roll but there is one contestant missing.”
Jared nodded.
“Miss Andrea Tevetoglu. Would you like to give her a few more minutes?” The girl hesitantly asked.
“We’ll wait ten more minutes.” Jared responded smiling at her as she left the room. “I hate unpunctual women.” He said pulling the collar yet again.
“Maybe she has a good reason.” Steve added remembering the girl’s photograph.
“Unless she is dying I don’t think any reason can be considered as ‘good’.”
Another fifteen minutes passed, Jared was walking down the stairs when the same assistant director from before stopped him.
“Mr. Gregory?” She said in almost a whisper.
“Is she here?” He asked her looking into her eyes.
“No sir.” The girl answered looking down.
“Fine.” Jared decided “We will wait no more.”
He continued to make his way down the stairs when the assistant’s cell phone began to ring. She answered it rapidly and called after him to wait.
“She is finally here.” The girl said smiling again.
Jared nodded and after a few seconds continued his descend into the foyer. He turned right and made his way through a corridor; he stopped just a few steps from the entrance to the rose garden and took one long deep breath. He was not ready for this. Not even close. He wondered what would happen if he ran away, what could they really do to him if he broke the contract. Sue him? Ruin his career? Yes, that and much more. He had to admit Steve was right, there was no way out.
Suddenly Jared’s thoughts were interrupted by the loud laughing voice of a woman and he felt the urge to peak through the side window to see who was making such a commotion. He saw her running toward the director, her face a most unusual color of red as if she had been running for miles.
“Sorry.” The woman said panting and loud enough for Jared to hear even though he was inside the castle “Sorry I’m late, I had a hard time finding a cab and got lost on the way here.”
Jared frowned wondering what she could possibly be late for. Surely she was not a hair dresser; her hair was all over the place. A big ball of yarn had more style than her head. Maybe an artist, he thought as he saw that her overalls were stained with different color tints. But why would the show need an artist at this point?
“Your name Miss?” The director asked the woman.
“La… Andrea. Andrea Tevetoglu. Drea.” She answered with a smile and blinking eyes.
“What!?” Jared exclaimed, a bit too loudly he realized when the director and the woman turned in the direction he was in. He ducked and hurried back to his room where Steve was still looking down the balcony.
Jared came in furious and slammed the door closed. Steve had only to look at him to know he was mad beyond reasoning.
“I know.” Steve told him closing his eyes “I just saw her.”
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“Mr. Gregory?” Another assistant called to his door.
“Ten more minutes!” Jared shouted.
“We are an hour behind schedule.” The man informed him through the door.
“Five then!” Jared retorted before turning to Steve again “Are you sure I picked her?” He asked incredulous.
“Yes. Her name is on the list and…”
“I couldn’t have.” He insisted “I mean, did you look at her?!”
“Well I have to admit she looks nothing like her submitted picture. It is her, the face is the same, but her hair is shorter and…”
“Frizzy.” Jared added.
“Well yeah, and her figure is a bit…”
“Fuller.”
“Not to mention that there wasn’t an ounce of make up on her face.” The manager mumbled looking at the women waiting for Jared in the garden.
“I could understand no makeup, but has she never heard of a hair brush?”
“Come on Jared, give the girl a break.”
“She fooled me! She fixed herself up for the photographer and fooled me in to picking her, I bet once the show airs she is going to confess she is lesbian and only wanted to prove the ridicule of shows such as this one.”
“What?!” Steve panicked “Do you really think that?”
“Of course I do!” Jared said sincerely as he pulled the room’s door open so forcefully he almost broke it. His five minutes were up, he had to go down and meet his women…and Miss Andrea Tevetoglu.
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