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

he liked looking at her eyes. They were not really the same as the others who looked like they wanted to swallow him alive. Hers were different. They stared at him like he was not there or something and it made him curious.

“So,” he cleared his throat once again, smiling his best smile, knowing the camera was rolling, “you’re a writer.”

“Yes,” she answered.

“What do you write?”

“Novels,” she answered once again.

“Care to share?”

“No,” she shook her head and gave a forced little smile for apology.

“Well, no worries,” he sighed, “there will be enough time to do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“This show’s going last for what? A few months? So there will be time to know about your secret works.”

“You don’t intend to keep me here, do you?” she asked.

Zach chuckled, “Why not? I find you interesting,” he answered honestly.

She looked shocked and he almost wanted to laugh out loud. Then, he saw panic cross her features. His frown deepened.

 *****

Julianne looked at the camera, considered for a moment and then decided. She leaned closer, moving one finger to tell him to lean his head over. With a curious frown, he did so, and their head were just inches apart. “Look,” she whispered, “I don’t really want to be here, okay?”

“I think I already figured that one out, yes,” he nodded and she felt his black hair brush against her forehead.

“And I will greatly appreciate it if you send me home today,” she whispered hurriedly.

“What?”

“Send me home today,” she repeated.

“And why would I do that?” he asked, lifting his head so he could look at her.

Julianne instantly leaned back when she felt his nose touch hers. Sighing, she leaned forward once again to whisper in his ear, “I need to go somewhere tomorrow and I don’t want to miss it for the world.”

She held her breath as she leaned back and watched his reaction. He did not say a word for like half a minute. He just sat there, his body leaning forward, apparently thinking about what she just said.

“It’s not like it will be such a big loss if you do that,” she added, this time for everyone to hear.

She saw the corner of his mouth lift up and he leaned back against the sofa with a sigh. “Hmm, you’re probably right,” he shrugged and she let out a breath of relief.

She smiled at him gratefully and said, “Thank you. I really appreciate this.”

 *****

Zach watched the change of that smile did on her face. She was, utterly, incredibly beautiful and he doubted if she knew that or if she cared at all. He could tell her priorities were far away from vanity and it deeply amused him further more. He would love to have her around for fun. Yes, the other ladies would surely be fun enough, but he was sure this woman would be fun in a different way. She would be fun in a way that excited him.

“Okay,” he nodded his head and her smile widened. “I will find a way to make it more convenient for you.”

“Thank you very much,” and she stood up, ready to leave.

“You’re leaving?” The question came out his lips without his knowledge.

“Yes, why stay longer if I’m leaving later, right?”

“Yeah, of course, thank you for your time, Jules,” he winked at her.

“Don’t call me Jules,” her smile disappeared.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t really like that name.”

“But I like it. Bye, Jules. See you soon,” he waved his hand. Her lips pursed, but she did not say a word and left.

Zach couldn’t erase the smile on his lips.

That woman was the first and only one who was giddy to leave his presence.

And she wanted to leave the show.

Zach sighed and thought about what he needed to do.

 *****

“How was it?” Pauline asked her when she came back.

“It was as what I hoped for,” she smiled.

“Wasn’t he great?”

“Fabulous,” she said with a little tinge of sarcasm. “I’m really tired and I need some sleep,” she added apologetically.

Pauline just smiled at her and nodded. “Sure, take a rest. We’re not going to reach this island for another hour or so. I really wonder where it will be.”

“Take it as an adventure,” she said, closing her eyes. “Not knowing where we’re going is exciting enough, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess so…”

She didn’t care where The Bachelor was taking them because she would be going back home today.

 *****

The plane landed on a small island unknown to everybody. Then a bus took them to a docking site where a big yacht was waiting for them to take them to the island.

“Hey, can I use my computer here?” she asked Fatima once they boarded the yacht.

“Aren’t you going to join them and have fun?” she asked, pointing her head towards the group. She followed with her gaze. There, at the very center of the girls was Zachary Astor, enjoying the attention of twenty or so women.

“No, I think I’m fine,” she answered. She was inside sitting on a couch sipping her orange juice. Pauline left her minutes ago to join the others outside with the fresh ocean air.

“Yes, you can use your computer. But no access to the internet or anything that will give you contact outside,” Fatima reminded her.

“Yes, I know that. I’m just going to do some work,” she smiled gratefully, already tying her hair up, ready to do some action with her computer.

“Okay, call out if you need help or something,” Fatima uttered, looking at her curiously.

“Thanks,” she smiled once again and waited until she was alone. She opened her computer and started working.

 *****

“So, Zach, where are we going exactly?” Chloe asked him. He looked at her admiringly. She changed her clothing—among the other ladies—into some more revealing beach attire. These ladies really packed their whole wardrobe.

Except one, he noted, remembering seeing Julianne Grey somewhere still wearing her green shirt and pants. In fact, he had a clear view of her through the glass window of the cabin sitting alone inside on the couch, frowning down on her computer. “That’s a secret, ladies,” he said, grinning at the beauties that surrounded him. “Brent already told you, right? I don’t want the location of the island known to the whole world.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Someone might try to snatch all of you away from me.”

He received the laughter he expected from each one of them. He sipped his wine, his eyes darting ahead through the window, landing on the uncaring lady sitting cross-legged on his couch with her laptop.

“I bet we’re somewhere in the Caribbean,” he heard one woman say and he just smiled. No way he was telling them where they were.

 *****

“Are you doing whatever you’re doing on purpose?” Julianne snapped her head up and saw Chloe standing by the door, wrapped in bikini with a white silk shawl around her hips.

“What are you talking about?” she frowned down at her computer, already lost in thoughts as she continued typing.

“You’re obviously trying to get Zach’s attention by intentionally making yourself solitary,” Chloe rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, think whatever you want. I don’t really care what you think,” Julianne looked up and smiled sarcastically. “So strut off, will you?”

Chloe gasped, her eyes widening. “You’re so not getting a rose. And I don’t really know what made you think you’ll have a chance.”

Julianne gave off a mocking gasp and stated, “Oh, isn’t this Project Runway? Oh my God, I think I’m in the wrong show!”

The blonde’s mouth fell open.

“Close that cave, will you? Flies are swarming over you and you might probably choke to death if they decide to make a nest out of your throat,” she couldn’t help but say. “I’m working so you better leave. Thanks for the visit though,” she turned her attention back on her computer.

“Your kind is now extinct and I’m not wondering why,” Chloe snapped and scoffed her way out the door.

Julianne did not bother dissecting her words and forgot about the incident like it was some stupid show she saw on TV.

 *****

Their trip to the island did not last longer much to the other ladies’ disappointment. As soon as they docked on the most amazing place they had ever been with its white sand and amazing shore, the ladies were ushered to a big cabin enough to hold a dozen more guests.

Jack Carter, much to Julianne’s surprise, was already in the island and had just finished setting up his crew. She reminded herself that he was the director and that, of course, he would be with them until the show finished. Correction, he would be with the ladies until the end—she on the other hand would be leaving today along with the other nine unfortunate ladies.

“Ladies,” Brent announced once they were all settled in the living room, Zachary standing beside him. The cameras, much more sophisticated now, loomed over them, attached to some robotic arms of some kind. “Don’t settle your baggage yet because we still have something to do first. That difficult job will be placed on Zach’s shoulder here. He,” Brent placed his arm over Zach’s shoulder for a tap, “will be choosing who among you will leave this island and go back home.”

Julianne’s heart hammered against her chest. Finally, she would go back to her own unit, have a rest, and join Diane on that promotional tour.

“Zach, are you ready?”

“No,” Zach smiled faintly. Julianne wanted to scoff because she knew it was just all for the camera. “But I think I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“I’m afraid so,” Brent chuckled and turned his attention back on the ladies who looked like they were in some freaking Miss Universe competition and that their whole lives depended on it. From out of nowhere, a man dressed in tuxedo came in, wheeling a table and on it lay over a dozen white roses. “Zach will pick a rose and call out a name. The lucky fifteen ladies who get a rose will stay, get a chance to unpack their bags until the next elimination, and have the chance to go on dates with Zach.” He turned to Zach and added, “Zach?”

Zach just nodded, his eyes already roaming around the twenty-five women before him. He looked at each one of them and when his eyes landed on hers, her heart raced once again, seeing that smirk on his lips.

“See you later, ladies,” Brent waved and walked off. He sat beside Jack Carter, looking at the little screen directors look at during filming.

“I just want to let you all know that I had a great time today,” Zach started his speech. Julianne was not listening, her attention on the people behind the camera. “But I’m afraid I will need to choose,” and without further ado, he reached out and picked a rose. He paused for a while and finally called out the first lucky girl. “Chloe.” The girl gasped and remembering her poise, smiled and walked towards Zach. “I’m hoping to know you better,” Zach said as he handed her the rose.

“Thank you,” Chloe said sweetly and stepped away to the other side of the room.

Zach picked another flower. “Hanna,” and the girl squealed with glee.

Vivienne was up next and she joined the other two. Brenda, Pauline, Karen, Jill, Stella, Sally, Jenny, Kim, Penny, and Amanda followed.

The process was actually long than it appeared on television if you were watching it and Julianne’s feet were already killing her. She couldn’t stand standing for too long. She would have a good rest later in the plane, she thought, trying to endure the last remaining minutes.

There were two more roses to give and she was getting giddy to leave already. Zach picked one rose, leaving the last one. He appeared to breath in a lungful of air before he said, “Tanya.”

The brunette heaved out a sigh of relief and walked towards him to get her rose.

 ******

Zach looked at the eleven women in front of him and smiled. Brent stepped in once again, looking serious than usual and said, “Zach, there’s only one rose left. Choose the best.”

He nodded and