I sipped away on my drink, feeling the bourbon kicking in. I settled down a bit. I leaned against my hand as I stared at Lorcan. He just nodded along to my story, not looking surprised at all.

“Not surprise?” I asked him.

“I’m a psychiatrist. I heard and seen a lot of fucked up things, plus I did a lot of fucked up things too.”

“Ohh.”

“My turn then.” He turned facing me. I was a bit tipsy.

“I actually didn’t torture that man for half a year, per se. It was an entire year. Plus, my sister had a miscarriage before I kidnapped him. He was a really good friend of mine. Before all that, I should have listened to the statistics…”

He trailed off, staring into outer space for a couple of seconds. I could see it was still fresh for him, and I understood he was protecting his sister and many other women from an abuser. He licked his lips and smiled afterward. I felt a cold chill go down my spine. I coughed a couple of times pulling him away from his daydreams. Even though he looked sweet, I could tell he had another side to him and I wondered what it looked like.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me the rest. You’re not obligated to. I just told you mine because I see nothing wrong with what I did, plus I couldn’t care less about it.”

“Oh, okay.” He tilted his head as he talked. When he did, I saw a large scar going for his ear, across his throat, then down his chest. I wanted to ask what happened, but I stopped myself after considering that he probably gets asked that a lot. So I just put it on the guy who hurt his sister. I guess he got it when the man tried to escape, but the scar looked nice.

When I took a closer look at him, I discovered he was even more my type since he dressed in the style of clothes I liked. Which I found it weird that the producers knew what I like in a person. I rolled my eyes at my thoughts before taking another sip of my drink, struggling not to drool like a teenage boy.

“Question Veda, did they dress us up in the style we both like?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. Do you like this robe on me?” I asked before lowering the robe to show off my shoulders, then I flipped my hair over to one side as I looked at him nicely.

He looked me up, and down, then he smiled at me.

“Very much so.”

“Ooo, did not expect that. Well, I like what you’re wearing, too.” I gave him a wink to just be flirty. Which was working by the way he was gazing at me.

But we were at a stalemate. I felt tension rising every second. When looking at Lorcan, I felt like I was prey. I didn’t hate it, which was strange. I despise being looked at with lust; it is repulsive. But when he looked at me, it was okay. For some unknown reason, my brain wanted to play a game with me, and it didn’t feel disgusting like the others. There was some strange energy going on. Every second felt like the last. He was clearly hiding something, and I wanted to know I’m not good with mysteries when it comes to people.

I leaned onto the bar, making the robe fall even more. 

“Oops, didn’t mean for that to happen.” Which earned me a chuckle for Lorcan. He rubbed his lips with his thumb, which made me pay attention to his lips.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, dear.”

“Really well. I love games.”

“Later,”

“Aww … well, that’s fine. We got a week after all, and I’m a very patient boy.” I smiled, then finished the rest of my drink, blew a kiss towards Lorcan, and walked back to the bedroom feeling tired.

I felt Lorcan’s eyes on me as I made my way to the bed. I laid down on top of the cover, took a little blanket on the bed, and covered myself. But left a little bit of my legs exposed just for him. I then went back to sleep with much difficulty. My mind was full of thoughts of what I was going through and how my plans back home were going. But I decided to push that to the side and rest. 

I was mentally exhausted.

Two days passed as Lorcan and I adjusted to our predicament. I just lounged around redesigning all the clothes in the closet. They were exactly my style, but I will not become a company doll and I will not let these people create an image for me. I did Lorcan’s too. While I was doing this, he was reading all the books that filled the personal library.

I felt a little sad redoing all the suits in his closet because I knew he would look good in all of them. I pushed my feelings aside and changed everything, but I left two the same. It took two days to finish my small project, but it was a good way to pass the time. I finished adjusting the pants of a black-and-white striped jumpsuit for me, then I was done. I got up, leaving the small upstairs craft room. I strolled down the stairs to see Lorcan holding a thick book with his legs crossed reading peacefully. A pair of silver glasses covered his eyes. He looked like he was seriously thinking about something.

I walked behind the couch he sat on, and leaned over his shoulder to see what he was reading. The page was full of explanations about the strangeness of the human brain and how easily it can be made to believe in anything. I read for a while before I ran my fingers through his hair. He didn’t say anything, he just continued reading while ignoring me.

I stopped playing with his hair, then went to the kitchen and fixed a cold glass of kiwi juice. I came back, sat beside him, and turned the TV on to find something to watch.

“I finish tailoring the last few items in our closet.”

“You did a good job,” Lorcan said, as he looked up at me.

“Shouldn’t I get a reward for doing that?”

“Well, what do you want?” He asked as he bookmarked his page in the book before closing it.

“A deal or you love.”

“A deal, or my love?” He chuckled as he decided to indulge my so-called joke.

“Yes, we’re about to go through hell, and I would like someone I trust by my side.”

“I think we have no choice in that.”

“And I want to give us a choice.”

I looked around at the cameras all over the house. Even though they said the cameras were turned off for the week, I don’t trust that. My number one rule in business is never to trust the media or anyone from the media's houses. I moved in closer and draped myself across Lorcan’s lap. I eyed the tiny cameras they hid in the furniture. I wanted to be safe in case they heard my plan.

I moved closer to his ear, covering it up with a suggestive hug.

“Can I trust you?”

“Maybe?” Lorcan said with a suggestive smile on his lips. 

“I want your trust and want to help each other out in this wonderful game.”

"How do we help each other out," Lorcan asked.

"By being the fan's favorite, I know in a few shows they can't touch them. So as a protection, we can do this."

Lorcan went silent, before speaking again.

“What if I want to go after someone?”

“I’ll help you. I have nothing to lose.”

“So, you want to protect each other?”

“Mmm, we can be a wonderful team and could possibly take over the world,” I said with flare. 

“You have big aspirations.”

“I do,” I felt Lorcan studying me as if he was trying to find my true motive. 

“You truly want this as your reward?”

“Please, it’s not that hard. I can wait for your answer, but we only have two days left.”

I leaned back and tried my hardest to appear cute in his eyes. When gazing at Lorcan, it felt like I was running through a burning forest and I was running out of oxygen. His eyes always had this terrifying aura that he kept hidden with the help of his glasses, but every once in a while, it would peek through. He was a dangerous man, but I liked danger and I’m a fool who always charges head-first into trouble with no exit.

“I will give you my answer Friday, dear.” “Thank you.” My smile grew even bigger, which made Lorcan throw his head back in laughter. I moved off his lap back to where I was sitting, then went back to watching TV like nothing happened. Lorcan watched me for a minute before picking up his book and continuing where he left off. Like this the days passed by.                                                                                                   

The sound of water filled my ears. I opened my eyes to see I was sitting underneath a gigantic oak tree surrounded by red spider lilies. I glance to my left to see a beautiful waterfall that flows into a small lake. I walked over towards the lake, surprised by how crystal clear the water was. It was like aqua obsidian.

The smell of fresh flowers mixed with the smell of water felt like peace and quietness. I sat down on the edge and dipped my feet into the water. I enjoyed it for a couple of minutes before I heard a growl. I scanned my surroundings. Catching a pair of piercing red eyes that sat on top of a short snout paired with a long set of canines.

The predator walked out with ease while staring me down. My heartbeat picked up with every step it took towards me. I took a glance down to see the paws were almost twice the size of both of my hands combined, or even more. It sauntered out of the shadows of the trees. It was a huge lion that seemed larger than a normal lion. A magnificent mane that was black and white surrounded the face. The lion itself had white patches all over its body like vitiligo. It slowly circled me as I held my breath. It felt like any motion I did I would be done for. This was the second time I ever felt like I was prey. It sneered as it went behind my back. I heard flowers being crushed underneath its paws as it got right next to my ear.

I was shaking for the first time in a long time.

“Veda!” I opened my eyes to see Lorcan standing in front of me, blocking out the sun. Before I could realize what he was saying, he handed me a cup.

“What?”

“You can’t just fall asleep out in the sun and not have something to drink. It’s too hot today.” I rubbed my eyes before accepting the ice-cold glass from him.

“What is it?”

“Peach tea lemonade.”

“Ooo, sounds good.” I took a sip and a wave of coldness traveled down my body.

I set the glass down and then laid back down on my stomach to bask in the sun. I pushed my hair to the side and stared at Lorcan, who took a seat beside me in the other beach chair. In his hands was a medium-sized pink box with a card.

“What’s that?”

“It’s from the producers of the show.”

“What?”

“It was on the steps.”

“Be safe before you open it.”

“Umm.”

He moved away from me, setting the box down on the lawn beside the pool. He then took the long pool net and flipped the top off the box. *POP* the lid exploded off with confetti, and two heart balloons came out of the box. I got up as Lorcan walked over to the box to see what was inside. I walked over while examining the heart balloons. I saw a card tied to one of the heart balloons. I tore it off to read.

“Hello Mr. and Mr. Kyrith, to celebrate your union and the start of filming, we decided to send you a catalog of wedding rings for you to have as your own! So choose your rings and have a romantic night together. -Love the producers!”

I finished reading the card aloud, then looked at Lorcan. He held an electronic catalog in his hands, browsing through them. We walked back to our shaded patio and sat together on one of the beach chairs.

“They’re all ugly,” I said, with my face scrunched up.

“I thought they have some taste since they chose almost everything here, but I guess I was mistaken.”

“Well, they got it from me.”

“True.”

“What type of ring do you want?” Lorcan asked me.

“Something simple and plain.”

“You! Something simple and plain?” Lorcan was very surprised by what I said.

“What? I want to get a proper ring when someone truly loves me. Just because I have some problems doesn’t mean I don’t have goals for relationships.”

“I’m just surprised. I thought you might say something like; you would love one from me.”

“Aww, I would love one from you if you truly love me. Though I hope that day comes soon if you do.”

I laughed, then reached over him for my drink and took a sip from the ice-cold glass. We scrolled for hours, but none of them fit our tastes. All of them were outdated or too over the top to get just for a show. But then we got to the section of ring sets and a beautiful idea popped into my head.

“How about we get a three-ring set?”

“Three-ring set?”

“Yeah, a simple band as a promise ring, then an engagement ring band that has smaller diamonds in it shaped for the marriage ring to fit nicely. And they all combine to make one beautiful ring.”

“I thought you wanted a simple ring.”

“I do, but I want to make the selfish producers lose a little bit of money. Plus, we can just wear the promise ring and put the other rings on a necklace or something.”

“I like that idea. What color do you want?”

“Black band with a gold line that goes through the middle, please.”

I said with a smile as I pointed at the design on the electron catalog.