The Bachelor, David Dower [uplifting books for women .txt] 📗

contract. You can say no the next Rose Ceremony if ever Zachary picks you again.”

That was a really tempting offer, she thought. And she wanted to grab it. “No, I don’t think that’s necessary,” she shook her head.

Jack looked shocked. “You don’t want to get out of here?”

“Of course I want to. But...” her voice trailed off. She didn’t know why she said no. “I have a deal with Zach. He’s going to let me go after the top four.”

“What does that really mean?”

“I will be in the top four, but after that, I will be going home. I won’t stay for the top three. That’s what our deal is,” she explained.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but I smell something else. He obviously likes you and you…you are getting a little fond of him, I can tell,” he grinned at her.

Julianne snorted, “You’re wrong. Zach is annoying as hell and I will never like someone like him. He’s a player and he only wants me because he can’t get me that easily.”

“Nah, I think he genuinely likes you,” Jack waved off. “He was angry earlier wasn’t he?”

“Yeah,” she answered, not knowing where Jack was leading.

“He was angry because you thought he told Chloe about your little secret,” he stated.

“How did you—”

“I’m the man behind the cameras, Julianne. I see everything. And I’m pretty good at reading faces.” He stood up, his eyes focused on the horizon. “Whatever’s bothering you, I think you should get it over with once and for all. You wouldn’t want regrets once it’s time for you to go home, right?”

She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She couldn’t understand what he was talking about—or maybe she did and just chose to ignore it. She was still denying the fact that she had something to patch up with Zach. She was still in denial that she was starting to like him and she was aware of that. She was not just ready yet. She couldn’t like Zach because she had to leave soon. That would complicate things and she didn’t know how to handle things from there if ever. She was an expert at making up a very complicated plot and she was an even greater writer for writing things to work out. But in real life, she lacked experience at matters of the heart.

Shit, she was going deeper.

“I have to go, I have work to do,” Jack smiled down at her and walked away.

 *****

Just as when his anger was subsiding, it flared higher when he saw Jack Carter walking towards Julianne under their tree. Yes, it was their tree. He owned the island and he owned that tree. Julianne liked that tree and he shared a few intimate moments with her under that thing. So yes, it was theirs. She couldn’t share it with anyone like she was doing now, talking and smiling up at that man.

If the director was a big, stocky fifty year-old, it would have been fine. But the man was young, handsome, and was great at his job. Zach, as much as he wanted to deny it, was intimidated by the man and he felt threatened. Julianne was all smiles when she was with Jack Carter. And he couldn’t even get her to smile like that.

Infuriated at himself and at her, he stayed inside his cabin like a kid having a tantrum. He only went out when it was time for dinner.

 *****

And it was the most awkward dinner Julianne ever attended. The ladies were still obviously afraid that Zach was still in a sour mood, but it seemed that he wasn’t. In fact, he was acting great as usual. But there was one big difference.

He was completely, utterly, perfectly ignoring her. She was not used to that. Every time they were in this situation, his eyes would always travel towards her, trying to catch her gaze. But now, it seemed that she was not there. Julianne tried to act cool about it, but the longer she stayed in his presence, the stronger the feeling that he was still angry.

Chloe and the others were getting a little bit more comfortable now that Zach seemed cool about what happened and that there was a possibility he completely forgot about it. The rest of the night was just not what Julianne would call perfect.

 *****

Seeing Zach ignoring her was what she had wanted from the start. Now, she was not sure if she wanted it anymore. The situation was still the same the rest of the week. Once, she even thought of coming to his cabin to talk to him, tell him she was sorry, but fear of being shoved away stopped her.

It was the night of the next Rose Ceremony that she found out how Chloe managed to know about her identity as J. Green. She was just entering the kitchen when she stopped upon hearing the girls giggling.

“It was easy, really,” Chloe bragged, “her computer was on and Pauline was asleep. I was shocked of course when I saw the documents and the draft of the story. I was completely stunned. Who would have thought Julianne is J. Green? I know I read her story and I was awed. But now, I change my mind. I don’t like the book anymore.” A round of chuckles and giggles rang around the room.

Julianne took a step back and walked away. So that was how she found out. The bitch trespassed inside her room and checked her computer? What a sneak!

And now she was utterly sure that Zach had nothing to do about it and guilt washed over her strongly. She threw him an accusing look that day a week ago and he was hurt. She should really apologize. But how? He was not even talking to her anymore. Hell, he was not even throwing her a glance.

 *****

Zach was suffering for days now. A lot of emotions had been swirling inside him. Bitterness, longing, yearning, and…sadness, he was not even sure. He didn’t know how to point it out, but he felt like hell. He wanted to go near Julianne, talk to her, annoy her like he used to, but he couldn’t. For once, he wanted to know that she regretted ever thinking he would betray her trust. It was important for him that she trusted him.

So, yes, okay, his past and initial actions shouldn’t be regarded as honest and loyal, but he knew how she treasured her privacy. He respected that and he never, not even once though he wanted to brag about her achievements, did he ever mention her pen name to anyone.

It was time for the top eight Rose Ceremony and he had another surprise for the girls. Tonight, two girls would be staying behind tomorrow and go back home. While the rest, he would take somewhere far and different—Julianne included.

 *****

“Ladies, it’s time for another heartbreaking event,” Brent said with a solemn tone. “Tonight, two of you will be left behind to go home tomorrow morning. The others, those who will remain, will have the opportunity to go somewhere else.”

Excitement and glee crossed the features of each and every one of the girls that surrounded Julianne. She, on the other hand, was busily looking at Zach who was staring at everyone apart from her. She wanted to talk to him.

What if he doesn’t choose me this time? What if he will eventually let me go? She asked herself.

That will be what you want, right? Another part of her asked.

Actually, she didn’t know if that was what she wanted tonight.

“Zach? Are you ready?” Brent asked the same question he asked every time.

His face serious, Zach nodded and stepped forward. The roses were wheeled in and he picked one up.

“Julianne,” he uttered her name without emotion.

Of course he would hold on to the deal, she thought. Without anyone nudging her, she walked up to him and took the rose. No speech this time. He just gave her the rose, not even meeting her eyes. She took it and walked to where Fatima was. She could feel the pang in her chest. She was not supposed to feel it, but she did. And it hurt.

“Chloe,” he announced after saying her name and Chloe, with relief in her face, walked up to him and got the rose. She gave him a peck and Julianne almost fumed.

 *****

Zach didn’t dare look at Julianne’s face and he concentrated at the task on hand. His eyes roamed around the ladies. He saw Hanna and reminded himself that he couldn’t pick her. She had almost jeopardized his chance with Julianne. Chloe was a bitch, he knew that, but she had to stay. That was what the producers wanted anyway. He called Pauline’s name, followed by Stella, Amanda, Kim, Penny, and Tanya.

The unlucky two, Jenny and Hanna had tears in their eyes as they hugged their friends.

Brent stepped in once again and said, “Hanna and Jenny, it was nice having you girls around, but Zach made the decision. As for you girls,” he grinned at the ones holding their roses. “We will all be leaving this island first thing tomorrow. Where? That’s another secret, right Zach?”

Zach forced a smile and nodded. He wanted to get the hell out of this island. He would have more time to talk and be with Julianne where they would be going. Tonight was not the right time, he thought. But tomorrow, he would try to talk to her. And she’d better say something to ease his mind. Chapter 16

The ladies were not so very happy to leave the island the next day. The only remaining Bitch, Chloe, was feeling a little lost now that her best buddy was gone, but she soon found company with the Romantics, Tanya, Penny and Kim. Everybody knew she didn’t like Kim that much because Kim was Asian and well, Chloe got race issues. Add that one to the things Julianne hated about the lady. The Desperadas, namely Amanda and Stella, were found to be talking in secret the whole time they were waiting for the boat. They were probably scheming on how to get Zach to wherever place they would find themselves at.

Pauline and Julianne spent their last remaining hours taking pictures, much to Pauline’s insistence. Julianne was able to breathe once again when Brent came and announced that they had to leave right that moment. Zach was nowhere in the boat and Brent said he was already on his way alone to the ranch.

“Ranch?” Chloe asked aloud, horror on her face. “We’re going to a ranch?”

“Yes, ladies, you’ll all be living with the horses and some other animals from now on.”

A collective groan escaped from the group of ladies wearing their usual dresses. Julianne held a grin. Good thing she wore pants.

“Where is it?” Tanya asked.

“It’s somewhere in New Mexico, but the exact location will be a secret. Mr. Astor wants his privacy whenever he goes there.”

“Privacy,” Julianne heard Chloe scoff.

“Will we have to like step on mud and shit?” Kim asked innocently.

Brent appeared to be thinking for a moment before he said, “That depends on how you would like to impress Zach. For everyone’s information, Zach likes spending time in that ranch. He manages it himself. And he’s a terrific horseman.”

“I can’t ride a