Jane Millionaire

A large screen television had been set up for the bachelors to watch the show’s premiere as it currently aired in the US even though it was early morning here. Most of the crew were in the media room with the bachelors. Jill wasn’t allowed to watch the show as it might influence how she reacted to the bachelors, and as far as anyone knew, she was sleeping in.

Instead, she snuck into the studio to call Jessie. She’d noticed the cell phone in the locked filing cabinet on the night she’d searched for the transcript of Jessie’s interview and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it ever since.

With ease, she picked the lock again, opened the drawer and was relieved to see the phone still hidden there. She dialed her home number. Please let Jessie pick up.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Where was she?

“Hello,” Jessie finally answered.

Jill sighed her relief at hearing her sister’s voice. She’d only been gone two and a half weeks, but she missed Jess. “Hello yourself. How’s it going?”

“Oh my gosh! I’m watching you on television at this very moment. And if Larry wasn’t right here with me to remind me why it’s not me, I’d be pea green with jealousy that I gave you this part gift-wrapped.”

“I’d much rather you had this part,” she said, although she wasn’t sure she meant her words. The thought of Jessie being here with Rob wasn’t a pleasant one.

“You look like you’re having a blast. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were a real princess, Jilly. You look fab!”

Jill smiled at her sister’s use of the nickname their parent’s had given. “Thanks. Having a top notch make-up artist at your disposal does that for a gal.”

“Tell me,” Jessie implored. “I want to hear everything. What’s the castle like? And the bachelors? Man, they are so hot. They were showing these clips of them at the hotel, and wow. Hey. Ouch.” Jill heard a scuffling sound, then giggles, and assumed Jessie’s fiancé was punishing her verbal appreciation of the bachelors.

“Oops, sorry about that,” Jessie said. “Now tell me about Bachelor #6, that Steve guy. He’s a certifiable hunk. And so is number ten. What was his name? I can’t remember”

“Jeff,” she automatically replied.

“Yeah, that’s right. And a doctor to boot. You go, girl.”

Jill rolled her eyes. If only it were that simple.

“And that host guy is to die for. I’d about sell my soul to sample a taste of him. Oh.” More scuffling and giggles came over the phone.

Jill was grateful for Jessie’s distraction, otherwise she might have blurted out that Jessie wasn’t the only one. She sighed, not meaning to, but unable to restrain her frustration at her situation any longer.

“I’m sensing negative vibes, and I’m on the opposite side of the world so I know, for once, I wasn’t the cause. What gives?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to check to make sure you’re okay.” Jill stalled, not willing to tell her sister about Rob. Besides, who knew if the phone was tapped? She could just see her conversation being aired for America’s viewing pleasure. Would probably help his precious ratings.

“I’m fine. Larry’s taking very good care of me, if you know what I mean.”

Yeah, she knew what Jessie meant.

Here she was the only woman in a house with almost thirty men and Jessie was still getting more horizontal action.

“How’s Dan?”

“Dan? He’s fine. He’s stopped by a few times to make sure I was fairing okay in your absence. Did you leave orders for him to baby-sit?”

“Yep.” Knowing Dan watched out for her sister offered a great deal of peace of mind. At least as much as one could have with Jessie listed as a responsibility.

“Jilly, forget Dan. I mean I love him dearly, but he isn’t the guy for you.”

They’d had this conversation before.

“Yes, I know,” she said and spoke the truth. If nothing else, this trip had convinced her that she and Dan marrying would have been a big mistake.

“You aren’t surrounded by all those hunks and still moping about him are you? Cause if you are, I’m gonna wring your neck,” Jessie threatened.