Love Game

Ben rushed into the mansion after the limo stopped at the steps. Leaving his camera on the vehicle’s seat and pushing out ahead of an irritated Bernice he swung the front door open and ran into the main room where he saw Adam and Nico sitting in silence.

“We’ve got a problem, Nevaeh is-”

“Gone,” Adam interrupted the camera man, “We know.”
Ben walked closer to the men, finally noticing that they were reading a couple magazines.

“So you know what happened? That the paparazzi-”

“Found her, yeah. We know.” Adam interrupted again.

Nico didn’t say anything, just continued to read one of the articles.

When he finally raised his head Ben saw the torment in his eyes, “Did you know she had an abortion?”

“What?” Ben snatched the article and quickly read it, “This isn’t right. It doesn’t sound like her.”

“But it’s there, in plain black and white,” Nico whispered as Bernice entered the room.

The room was quiet until Adam shocked everyone by defending her, “Are you insane? You of all people should know how the media manipulates things to suit them,” he raised the magazine in his hand, “You never participated in the interview, but it appears as if you did,” he tossed the magazine on the ground, “So who do you believe? The media or your heart?”

“What?!” Bernice spat

Everyone ignored her as they waited for Nico to answer.

Is seemed like forever when he finally said, “My heart.”

~*~

“Here ya go, what do you think about this?”

I watched as Aliy sat the double fudge ice cream sundae with sprinkles, frosting, chocolate cookies, and five cherries stacked precariously on top.

“Uh, it looks a bit much.” I explained

She pouted, then sighed, “You’re right.”

I watched with a little smile as her engagement ring sparked in the light when she waved over a waiter.

That’s right, after three days of ignoring Sean she finally broke down and said yes.

Which brings us to why I’m sitting in an ice cream parlor, Aliy’s looking for the dessert to serve at her wedding.

And as the Maid of Honor I have to sit through every food, decoration, and basically every other choice she has to make.

I smiled as the waiter took the sundae away and we left the shop.

“I still don’t know what to serve for dessert,” she pouted

I laughed, “How about some of that enormous wedding cake you just ordered last week?”

She smiled, “It is going to be delicious, isn’t it?

She continued to talk about her big upcoming day as we strolled through downtown.

I’ve been back for two weeks after emotionally leaving the show.

And I am slightly embarrassed to say that I spent the first three days crying.

Poor Aliy wasn’t even able to tell me about her engagement till my fourth day back.

But since then I made sure to give her my undivided attention, only allowing myself to cry at night.

And why am I crying?

Because I had to be completely stupid, ignore the lessons of my past, and fall in love with Nicolai Fieldings.

I don’t even know how or when, but it feels as if every day without seeing him brings me closer to death.

Cliché, isn’t it?

At least Nico isn’t as bad as Luke was. I still can’t believe I allowed him to control me after my parents died.

He’s the reason I lost my baby. It wasn’t an abortion, but him knocking me around and tossing me down the house stairs.

Then he goes and lies to the media, making me seem like the bad guy.

Mentally shaking my head I return to the present and help Aliy shop for more wedding supplies before we separated at her apartment door.

When I get to my door I notice a manila envelope sitting slightly under it. Bending I pick it up, enter my apartment, and look at the envelope.

Hmm, no return address.

Actually there wasn’t any address, just my name.

With narrowed eyes I open it. Just an unnamed DVD.

At least there wasn’t any white powder.

Walking to the TV I pop in the DVD and hit play.

And when it starts I have to sit down in shock.

It’s a recording of last week’s Love Game. The episode I missed and the shows finale.

Bernice stood in front of Nico, wearing a beautiful white gown. He was staring at her with a look I didn’t recognize on his face.

”Bernice, you are the last contestant in the house.” Nico said as Bernice smiled brightly

Nico sighed before continuing, ”But you are not my choice. I wish for you to leave the mansion and my life.”

What? He didn’t choose her? But…

My attention was snapped back to the TV when Nico said my name. The camera was zoomed into his face.

”Nevaeh, the time we spent together was a test of my physical and mental endurance.

My heart tightened and my eyes began to water.

”But,” he smiled, “I wouldn’t change it for the world, and I just want to say one thing.”

I swallowed, a lump in my throat.

”Open the door,” then the screen went blank.

Open the door?

With narrowed eyes I slowly got up and walked to my door, hesitating at the door knob.

What am I doing? Why am I listening to the DVD?

Sighing, I quickly make up my mind and open the door.

Only to jump in shock at seeing Nico standing in my doorway, holding a wrapped box.

“Hey, Nevaeh,” he said softly.

I couldn’t form words, my throat too tight.

He swallowed, looking a little nervous, “Can I come in?”

Without saying a word I step back and shut the door after he enters.

He looks around before turning back to me, “Nice place,” he gives a cautious smile, “Uh…”

He looks down and shoves the box into my hands, “This is for you.”

I slowly unwrap the box, running my fingers over the edges.

“It’s, uh, it reminded me of you,” he said as I opened the box.

Inside was an obsidian panther with pale green eyes. It was heavy and beautiful.

It looked really expensive.

I looked up at Nico to say something, but he placed his finger on my lips, “No, let me explain first.”

I nodded.

He took a deep breath, “The interview that you read? I didn’t say any of that. The writers actually took words from past shows and interviews and just added your name to make that article.”

Those jerks.

“I’m currently suing the magazine for their permit to write. That way nothing like this will happen to another person.”

I nodded, staying silent as he continued.

“Then, when you left I read the other articles.”

Oh, no.

He looked into my eyes, moving his hand from my lips to surround my cheek.

“I don’t know the true story of you background, but I know that the magazine was wrong. I don’t believe you would have had an abortion,” He smiled, “I hope that one day you feel comfortable enough to tell me everything, but for now I want you to know that I trust and believe in you.”

He swallowed and removed his hand, stepping back, “There’s just one more thing I want to say, and then you can speak. I choose you, I was always going to choose you.”

I bit my lip, a smile stretching my face.

“Thank you, for the gift,” I raise the panther a little, y fingers sliding over the smooth animal, “and I’m glad you trust me enough not to believe everything you read.”

I stepped closer, “And I want you to know everything about me. My past, my present,” I put my hand on his, twining our fingers, “and I want to share my future with you.”

He smiled, wrapping his arms around me, “I’d like that.”

~*~ 1 Year Later ~*~

I glanced at Aliy, her beautiful white dress sparkling in the sun as she fussed with her bouquet.

The music started, grabbing both of our attentions.

As the flower girls walked down the aisle I smiled at Aliy, “You look beautiful.”

She beamed, then shot me knowing smirk, “As do you.”

I looked down at my white dress, the exact same one that I wore for the first elimination on Love Game. In my hands was my white rose bouquet and adorning my body were the familiar sleeves, jewelry, and shoes.

I smiled, then together we walked down the aisle. Waiting for us were our grooms, dressed in handsome suits.

Nico and I held eye contact as the preist spoke. We said our “I do’s” and right before our first kiss as husband and wife Nico leanded down and whispered, “I love you.”

Beaming I reply against his lips, “I love you too.”