The Bachelor by David Dower (read along books TXT) 📖

small cabin. They had put on cameras all over the island and there was that big possibility they also did that around the ranch. If that was ever true, she would flip like crazy.

“Though the audience bet for Chloe or Pauline, I guess we all know you’re on your way to beating them,” Steve said matter-of-factly.

She scoffed. If only he knew. She’d be leaving by the end of the week.

So, you better make this day worth to last for a lifetime, a voice deep inside her uttered.

 *****

Zach was getting giddy. Yes, yes, he acts like a child, but he didn’t care. This was the day he’d been waiting for. The only day he was dreaming of.

Along the way, he brought tulips for Julianne. Roses were out. He’d given away too much of the damned thing.

“You look anxious,” the camera guy stated.

“Of course, I’ll be meeting the woman who doesn’t seem to be swooned at the sight of me,” he grinned.

“This is also gonna be the first time that we’re gonna have the chance to shoot you alone with her,” Martin said with a laugh. “No wonder not all viewers like her. She is not very friendly with the camera.”

“I know,” Zach nodded, his mind already wandering off to where Julianne was.

He got to make this day perfect. This was his last chance to make her stay and go for the win.

 *****

Julianne lived in a really nice building, well-secured, well-maintained. There were some people who stopped when the car pulled over and some ladies cried out when they recognized him. Zach almost cursed the stupid show for deciding to air the episodes while the show was still on-going. Usually, they air it after everything was done.

He jogged to the direction of the building as girls hurried after him. There were two good things that happened: One, the door was already open to let him in. Second, Martin was left behind when he shut the door. He looked back with a stupid grin on his face.

One camera guy down.

People were already swarming outside and he doubted if it was possible to get out later. He didn’t care. He was going to see Julianne and that was all that mattered.

 *****

Julianne almost jumped out of her seat when her door racked against its frame.

“Jules!”

Rolling her eyes, all anxiety flew away, as she heard Zach’s eager and boyish voice outside. Of course, he was excited. The man never showed her anything that would have contradicted his alleged feelings towards her. Steve was already on his feet, aiming the camera at her as she walked to the door.

The moment she opened it, Zach’s smiling and vibrant face was looking down at her. “Tulips for you,” he grinned, his green eyes sparkling.

“Tulips… thanks,” she couldn’t help but smile either.

“You’ve received a lot of roses from me already so I think tulips are great.”

“They’re beautiful,” she said, looking at the red flowers. “Come in,” she said with a welcoming voice, stepping back to let him in.

As he did, she looked him over. He was looking casual today with a dark green shirt, a pair of pants and walking shoes. She liked this Zach, not the Mr. Suit and Tie one.

“So, you’re not introducing me to anyone?” he asked when they reached the living room.

“No,” she answered.

He looked around, “Nice place, Jules. Neat.”

“You want something? A drink?”

“I’m actually starving,” he grinned with embarrassment. “I was not able to eat my breakfast this morning.”

“An early lunch?”

“That will be awesome.”

Julianne busied herself preparing for lunch while Zach talked with Steve in the living room. The camera guy looked like he was not in the mood to shoot every single second which was pretty cool with Julianne.

“It’s done,” she announced at the two of them. “Steve, join us.”

“What? No, I’m cool.”

“I know you’re hungry. You’ve been here early and you haven’t eaten anything.”

Zach stood up and sighed, “Yes, man, come on. I’m starving. We’re going to have an adventure today.”

Steve and Julianne turned their eyes at him. “What adventure?” Julianne asked suspiciously.

“Let’s just eat first. You’ll need your energy, Jules,” he winked and patted Steve on the shoulder, “You too, man.”

Steve shared a knowing grin with him.

Julianne was not sure if that was a good thing or not.

 *****

By the time they were done with breakfast, Zach got up and started cleaning up.

Julianne was stunned. He could clean? The first time she met him, she was sure he was not a guy who would do something like this. “I’ll do it,” she said, trying to snatch a plate out of his hand.

“It’s cool, Jules, I can do this,” he said with a smile.

“If you’re trying to impress me—”

“I’m not. I can actually do this stuff, you know. My father made sure of that,” he winked and continued with his work.  Julianne watched him with amusement. It never occurred to her that Zachary Astor could be someone who could do dishes.

As he went on with his work, he glanced at her with a smile. “You look shocked that I can actually do this,” he shook his head.

“Yes, I am. I always thought you’re pampered.”

““For years, he forced me to work in some of the food chains we owned. Said I needed to do the basics,” he explained, adding, “And if you live in a ranch like I have for quite some time, you’ll learn a lot of things.”

Julianne just nodded. This was one of those moments that she was sure Zach was being serious. And she liked the serious Zach as much as she liked his childish behavior.

“Go get ready. We’re leaving after I’m done,” he said over his shoulder.

“Where are we going?”

“That’s a secret.”

 *****

Zach was already in the living room when Julianne came out still wearing the same clothes. She had tied her hair and she was holding a large bag in her hand.

“What’s that for?” he asked, frowning.

“It’s my computer. My pen, my notepad, my—Hey!” she cried out when he snatched it out of her hand.

“You’re not going to do some writing when you’re around me. If you will, you should write our love story,” he grinned at her wickedly. “And carrying a heavy baggage will only drag us.”

“Why? What are we going to do?”

“That’s a surprise,” he winked.

Julianne stared at Steve who was talking on the phone. After he said goodbye, he replaced the phone back on the receiver and looked at them. “The car’s already outside.”

Zach turned to Julianne with his usual boyish grin. “Let’s go, Jules.”

He started pulling her to the window of her kitchen. “Zach, where are we going?”

“We’re going to a Halloween fair,” he answered, opening one window.

“And why are you opening the window?”

“We’re going through the fire exit,” he explained, turning around to face her. “A lot of people are swarming outside the building. They know we’re inside.”

“Let’s go,” Steve uttered, carrying his camera with him. “I’ll go first.”

Julianne just looked at both of them incredulously. “I don’t think this is a good—”

“Don’t think, Jules. Come on!” Zach pushed her gently towards the window. She peered through as soon as Steve was out. The camera guy was grinning at her, straightening his clothes.

“No, I don’t think I—”

“Come on, Jules. We can’t just stay inside your home all day, can we?” Zach asked behind her.

“It’s too high.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch you,” Steve smiled at her, putting his camera down beside his feet. She was not really at the top floor of the building, but still, looking down at how far they had to go down using the stairs was kind of frightening for her.

“Jules…”

“Okay, okay! Just shut up first, Zach,” she said nervously as she climbed on the window frame, first her legs followed by her head.

“Just jump,” Steve urged.

“Yeah, right,” she rolled her eyes and slowly descended, the wooden frame scraping her thighs.

Finally, she was able to land down safely and she tried not to look down, knowing it would only make her sick. “Let’s go,” Zach announced beside her. She jumped. How did he manage to get out that fast?

 *****

Zach led the way down the stairs, holding her hand behind him. Steve got the guts to tape them with his camera while managing to safely descend down the stairs safely. A car was already waiting outside for the three of them. Zach rushed towards it and they climbed in before any bystander could identify them.

Never in her whole life had Julianne dreamed of such attention from people. She didn’t like the idea of a crowd clamoring over her, or the stare of curiosity thrown at her direction so she was glad for their escape plan though it still shook her nerves.

“Where are we going?”

“There’s this Halloween fair just a few blocks away,” Zach said, looking down at his watch.

“I don’t like Halloween,” Julianne uttered.

 *****

Zach looked at her, startled. “You don’t? Why?”

“It’s creepy.”

Inside, his mind was already reeling with excitement. Julianne not liking Halloween was actually a good idea. He could use that to his advantage. “It’s still early, why don’t we stop for an ice cream?” he asked.

Julianne scoffed. “You’re such a child…”

He winked at her, “I like ice cream.”

“Is that even possible? People will swarm around the two of you,” Steve said.

Zach thought for a second. “Who said we’re going out of this car?” He looked at Steve meaningfully and the camera guy shook his head.

“Fine, I’ll be your errand boy for today.”

 *****

And by errand boy, it meant he bought their ice creams and their costumes for the fair.

“What’s this?” Zach asked with a frown, holding his costume up before him.

“Just wear it, okay? I can’t find anything else.”

“I’m a witch?” Julianne frowned down at the pointed hat and the black dress.

“Good guess,” Steve nodded.

“Okay, you guys dress up. I’ll be outside.” As soon as he said that, he climbed out of the car, leaving the two of them alone. The partition between them and the driver was already closed.

Julianne looked at Zach and said, “Turn around.”

“Why?”

“I need to get dressed.”

“Jules, I’ve seen everything—”

“Shh!” her eyes widened with warning.

Zach chuckled, “Okay, I’ll turn around. You dress, I’ll dress.”

Julianne was done dressing in no time. She found out that she didn’t have to take off her clothes after all. The black dress was too loose and she just had to put it over her clothes. Nothing much to her costume, really. The hat had long artificial white hair that gave her witch character more character.

She had felt Zach struggling with his though. She heard him throw away his shoes and from the corner of her eye, she could see his pants. She gulped.

“Jules,” she heard Zach’s voice behind her.

“What?” she asked without turning around. For all she knew, he was all naked and was planning to make fun of her.

“Guess who I am?” he asked.

Slowly, she turned around and looked at his costume. “Superman?”

Obviously, he was superman.

He shook his head. “No, I’m your man.”

Her jaw dropped in disbelief. What entered his mind to utter such a cheesy line? “Ha, ha, funny,” she said dryly.

There was a knock on the car door. It was Steve. Julianne reached out and opened it for him.

Steve whistled. “Nice, Zach.”

Zach was frowning. “Yeah, not really for Halloween, Steve. This is some costume for a comic-con or something.”

 *****

As they waited for night time, they drove around the city, just going nowhere.

“What is your greatest dream?” Julianne uttered without thinking.

Zach turned his head to her and smiled. “When I was younger, I wanted to have everything in the world. I wanted to get richer. Now, all I can think about is a home outside the city with a very large lawn. Early morning coffee outside with the sun and the paper, kids running around in their pajamas, a Christmas tree, firelight and wine at night, a road trip…the simple things.”

A smile formed on her lips. He had said the very things she had longed for since she was young—a happy home and a family, something intact and fun.

 *****

“It’s time,” Steve announced an hour later. They had been parking outside the fair talking