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

to save his butt.

“And since when did you care about business?” his father asked, eyes blazing, and he was afraid he’d have to bring him to the hospital again.

“Of course I care, dad,” he stood up, clicked off his phone—he would have to call Liam back later—and faced his dad. “Look, I know I’ve done some things that weren’t very pleasing for the company, but hey, this can be my chance to redeem myself, right?”

“By being the next Bachelor? Whatever got into your head?!”

“Yes,” he nodded, keeping his calm. “Dad, look at the brighter side,” he motioned with his hand, “if I meet someone in that show that will be suitable to be my wife, and if—with your blessings together with mom—I choose to marry her and settle down, it will be nice for everybody’s eyes. Astor Industries will be the biggest family-oriented food enterprise. You wanted that from me, right?”

Inside his gut, Zach was hoping his father would take his words, but as usual, since the very first time he smashed his first car, his father only said, “You will be the death of me, Zachary. I swear to God, if you make another scandal this time, you’re out.”

And just like that, the old man turned on his heels and stormed out the room.

Zachary was trying to decode his father’s last words and when he did, it alarmed him. Does that mean he’ll cut me out? But that couldn’t be because he was an only son. And it was not like he would be making a big scandal with the show. He’d just leave without choosing anyone at the end and that’d not be scandalous at all if he could give enough good reason. Some people had already done that in the show.

Shaking his head, he grinned and dialed his friend’s number once again. “Hey, tomorrow’s the big day, buddy. Why don’t you and I go out? It will be my last night to party without the world watching me.”

 *****

“I really hope you’ll change your mind,” Diane told her as the doorbell rang. Her friend came early to say goodbye as well for she would have to go somewhere outside the city to promote her book without her.

She did not mind her friend’s statement and stood up to answer the door. “I hope so too, but I already committed to do this.”

“And you’re only doing it for research, I know it,” Diane stared at her pointedly.

“Stop that,” she looked over her shoulder as she made her way towards her door. “And don’t worry. I’ll be right there with you tomorrow for the tour, okay?”

“You better,” Diane cried out from the couch. “Your fans have been dying to see you since your book made a hit and you can’t disappoint them for not showing up!”

“Fine, fine! I’ll be there, okay? Now, shut up. My ride has come and I need to go,” she said before she turned the knob and swung the door open. A man was watching his watch and glanced up at her, his face blank. “We have to go now, Ms. Grey.”

“I’ll just get my bag,” she held up one finger and rushed to where Diane was sitting, already holding her small suitcase for her.

“Are you sure this is all you’re going to need?”

“Of course,” she beamed and adjusted her glasses.

“And are you sure you’re going looking like that?”

She frowned, looked down at her baggy green sleeveless shirt, her tight black pants, and her silver-white sandals. “Yes, I am.”

“You know you’re going to appear on national television, right?”

“But getting kicked out of that show is more important, right?”

Diane rolled her eyes and sighed. “Yes, you’re right. But let your hair loose, will you? I love your natural waves.”

Just to keep her friend looking satisfied, she gave in and pulled at the strings that held her hair in place. It was a good thing as well since the few people who knew her and who might be watching tonight’s show might not just point her out. Not that she cared anyway. “Bye, Diane, see you tomorrow?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll be waiting.” And then she looked at Julianne pointedly saying, “Your fans will be waiting.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Be sure, okay? You know you won’t be allowed to have phones in that show.”

“Yes, I know. I read the damn contract before I signed it.”

“Are we going or not?” the man outside the hallway peeked his head through the open door.

“Coming!” Julianne shouted over her shoulder. She hugged her friend and said, “Lock the house before you leave, okay?”

“Got it,” Diane waved and she left.

 *****

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” the driver grinned at her through the rearview mirror.

Julianne’s warning sensors came to life.

She didn’t like surprises and no one mentioned any surprises! She knew that the show was doing this to get genuine reactions from contestants so it was inevitable. But she couldn’t show her anxiety so she sat there, silent as a mute as the driver drove through the morning traffic.

“What are we doing here?” she finally asked in alarm when she realized where the driver had taken her.

“This is the surprise,” was the giddy response she received. “Hop out! We don’t have much time. The others have arrived, and look at all those…” he couldn’t finish his sentence as his eyes wandered some meters away, whistling that tone men used every time they see breasts and butts.

Julianne looked out the window and saw for herself a dozen or so women, dressed in dresses that in themselves were silently shouting, “Notice me!”, strutting their way towards the private hangar, their big suitcases wheeled behind them. “Where are you taking us?” she asked once again, grabbing the driver’s attention once more.

“That’s the big reveal for later. Now, come on!”

Reluctantly, she climbed out of the car and followed the path the ladies were taking. There were a numerous number of heads with different colors, cuts, curls, and by the look from their faces—from the few that Julianne was able to see—they wore the same curious looks. But apart from that, she also noted their excitement which she couldn’t find herself to feel.

Without getting much of a glance from the other ladies who could have been lost from America’s Next Top Model show, Julianne was able to make herself stand at the far back, far away from the cameras and lights that were already set up beside the large private plane inside the hangar.

“Welcome, ladies!” A man in tuxedo she had never seen before greeted them with his handsome smile and tanned looks. “Yes, I know you’re all curious why Chris is not the one facing you right now. This, ladies, is just one of the surprises we have in stored for you.” He paused as he looked at her fellow girls say “Ohh…” like they were stupid. Why does everyone have to say something when no one actually asked a question? “I’m Brent, and I am the new host for The Bachelor—I hope you’re not disappointed?”

The ladies smiled and shook their head and his smile widened. “Now that we got Chris’ absence for one season covered—by me—let me all welcome you to The Bachelor Season 16!” There were cries of glee and excitement from all the ladies and Julianne couldn’t help but smile and shake her head, not really knowing what to think. “Now,” Brent continued when the noise died down, “you must all be wondering why we are here?”

And heads from black, to blonde, to red, to brown, nodded their heads vigorously that Julianne imagined those little doggies she had on her car’s dashboard.

“Well, ladies, you are all going to stay at our Bachelor’s private island—”

“What?!”

“Oh my God!”

“Yes!”

“This is so exciting!”

Julianne had the urge to cover her ears as the ladies’ outbursts rang around the hangar.

“I see you’re all getting excited to board the plane so let me just take this moment to let our very own Bachelor explain everything—”

But no one was listening to Brent anymore as the plane’s door opened and there, like he was climbing out Air Force One, was Zachary Astor. Julianne was quite startled, really, that the hangar was in complete silence as the women looked at the man climbing down the plane’s stairs with astonishment and wonder in their eyes.

Of course the man was handsome—as almost all the Bachelors. Stark black hair, green eyes, imperfect but manly nose, well-shaped chin, great jaw, amazing broad shoulders, really good height—the works. But every appealing feature he might have that she might have seen was erased by the overpowering confidence and proud, smirking grin he was wearing as he devoured and reveled on the attention everyone was giving him.

While every woman present in the hangar was looking at him with admiration and awe, Julianne found herself frowning. As she looked at Zachary Astor, all she could see were fast cars, limousines, five-star hotels, bodyguards, VIP bars, elegant women, golf clubs, and…money. She was not struck by all of that because she couldn’t see him making coffee, eating at a diner, doing the lawn, driving a family car, or even wearing baggy clothes.

There was no disappointment though, because she never expected anyone like Zachary Astor to be anyone else than what he appeared to be: a rich egotistical boy who was borne rich, would die rich and be placed in a filthy rich golden casket and later in a golden urn to be placed inside a golden, freaking vault with his rich name engraved outside the door.

“Hello, ladies,” his deep, playful voice said, shattering the silence that had lingered at his presence.

“Hi…” was the echoed response from the eager ladies.

“Well, Brent already told you about the island, right?”

Heads of different colors and textures nodded once more.

“It’s a secret where it is though so as to prevent people outside the show to come swimming their way to wherever we will be,” he paused as his audience laughed. Julianne did not bother to hear his every word, too busy looking at the cameras and the crew behind them, trying to see what each person was doing. “Now,” her attention was called back to the man standing at the center of everything, “the only glitch is,” his face cringed as he held his words for suspense, “though I want everyone of you to stay with me on the island, I’m afraid I will have to choose—as we fly our way to the island—who among you will have to climb back on the plane and fly their way back here, leaving the island—and me.”

“Aaww…” the ladies groaned. Yeah, right. Like you didn’t expect an elimination, Julianne thought dryly.

“So, I hope you all give your best shot during our three-hour flight,” he winked and Brent stepped in, giving Zachary a big pat on the back.

“So, ladies, give your big shot, and let’s all board in!”

Julianne suddenly felt lost as their bags were taken away from them, leaving nothing but their own personal self to board the plane.

“Hi!” a blonde-haired girl beside her said as they waited for the other girls to climb up the plane first. “I didn’t notice you earlier. I’m Pauline,” the lady then held out her hand.

Julianne took it and smiled. “Julianne.”

“You sure you’re not going to change into a dress?” Pauline asked it in a way that was not offending at all, but merely curious.

She shook her head, “No, I’m not. I feel comfortable.”

“Wow, your glasses are thick!” Pauline said with awe.

“Yeah,” she smiled and nodded, not sure if she should explain her eye grades or how important her glasses were.

“Can you see when they’re off?”

“A little,” she nodded, walking one step ahead as the line ascended up the stairs. “But I’m nearly legally blind.”

“I see,” Pauline just nodded. “Hey, what do you think of Zach?”

“Handsome,” she commented.

“Hot, right? I really hope to get to know him more.”

“Uh-huh,” were the only syllable she could utter.

“So, tell me about your audition, how did you get in?”

“I—”

“Come on, ladies, we don’t have all the time in the world!” a man