Seven Roses (Haremworld)

“You’re right.” He snarled again but his face relaxed.

“And then we come to Anders...” I walked over to the smaller man and sighed. “I’m not sure how you managed to get a perfect match with Lyn, but you’re clearly not going to be much of a boyfriend or a husband to anyone. You’ve logged more stamps on your passport than Brando and Markus combined.”

“You shouldn’t know that. That information is classified.” He finally showed emotion, but it was more suspicion than anything else.

“A man of secrets, I like that.” I grinned and put my hand on his shoulder, turning to face Lyn again. “Lyn, you don’t have to decide right now—none of you do. All I’m asking is that you keep an open mind and see this through to the end. Seven days. You can have seven roses in your hand, or none.”

“I’ll see it through, fuck it. If this doesn’t work out, I’ll just hit you up after the show.” Dawson blew a kiss to Lyn.

We’ll have to edit that fuck out, but we can make it work.

“Not an option, Mr. Mars. The contract you signed specifically forbids it. If you violate it, I’m sure you know what will happen.” I nodded towards him.

“Whatever...” Dawson shook his head back and forth.

“This is crazy.” Lyn walked down from the steps and over to the group. “I would have given all of you a chance. I’ll admit I’m a little unsure about Anders, even with the perfect match, but I would have agreed to a date.”

“You still get to date each one of us.” I took her hand, which she pulled away from me immediately. “You’re under no obligation here. Give us a chance and maybe something special will happen that you never expected.”

“I’m...” She shook her head in confusion.

“We’ll have an answer from the lovely Lynette, right after the commercial break.” Henry Bennett stepped forward and pointed to the camera.

Chapter 5: Lyn

Of all the times to get caught up in a stupid commercial break. For a moment I forgot I was on a television show, forgot that the whole world was going to see whether I agreed to even consider the arrangement or not. Everything was going off the rails so fast I didn’t even know how to figure out where the train was, much less where the track was located. The commercial break gave me a moment to think. It meant they would cut directly to my face when the decision was rendered, whether it was in a minute or an hour. My mind started to spin.

The show was going to be controversial. There was no way that every single one of us wouldn’t become a household name after Charles Montgomery dropped his bombshell on the audience. If I followed my instincts and walked out the front door, it would never air. Nobody would know what happened except for all of us that had signed a nondisclosure agreement before we were allowed to take part in the competition.

I wanted to make it as an actress. Once the show aired, it wouldn’t matter if I walked away at the end. Even if it flopped and America revolted, I would have my name attached to it forever. That would be worth guest spots at least—I would be able to churn it into some semblance of fame.

“I’m...” I paused and felt my acting chops starting to take over. “I’m a little unsure about this, but I think I want to see it through to the end.”

“Fantastic!” Charles smiled from ear to ear.

“Seriously?” John seemed more shocked than anyone else.

“Yes.” I tried to figure out what the narrative was going to be in my head. “I’m intrigued.”

Hopefully nobody realizes I’m lying.

“Alright, kill the cameras.” Charles turned to the new host. “We need to go over a few things.”

“Yes sir!” Henry motioned to the cameras and I saw lights going off around me.

“Is everyone on board here?” Charles looked around the room. “This only works if you are all convincing.”

“What the hell...” Brando shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll give it a shot.”

“I was on board from the beginning.” Markus nodded.

“Fine...” Dawson rolled his eyes. “I already cleared my fucking calendar.”

“I still feel like I have no idea what’s going on, but I guess I want to see it through.” John nodded and looked at me. “I was looking forward to our date—I guess I still am—despite the circumstances.”

“Controversy is my life.” Adrian let out a sigh. “Why not, right? She isn’t going to choose to spend her life with seven guys, so I might as well ride this wave to whatever popularity it brings us.”

“Anders?” Charles turned to the smaller man who seemed to be stuck in a permanent state of shock.