Seven Roses (Haremworld)

“Lyn, I know you weren’t expecting this, but Seven Roses always throws a few surprises in to keep things interesting. I’m competing and by god, I intend to win.” He walked over and joined the other contestants as the man with the microphone stepped up.

“My name is Henry Bennett and I’ll be hosting Seven Roses this season, but if you thought that twist was crazy—you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He walked over to the bouquet of roses in the middle of the room. “We’ll be right back after this commercial break.”

Another twist? What is going on?

Chapter 4: Charles

My master plan was revealed—almost. I still had one more surprise that was about to rock America to the deepest roots of modern civilization and make family values a topic of dinnertime discussion. It was something that had been burning in my mind for a while but I never found the right girl. What the men standing around the room didn’t know was that none of them were actually matched up with Lyn—except Anders. He was a bit of an anomaly to say the least, but I couldn’t resist having a perfect match on the show. Everyone else, myself included, matched up with only parts of Lyn. Key elements of their personality matched with her, but none of them were suited to be a full-time boyfriend or eventual spouse. They all had a host of challenges that would prevent it.

Lyn was the same way. No matter how many algorithms I ran, I could only get Anders as a real match. There just weren’t that many guys looking for a young virgin that seemed to be struggling with life in general. Collectively though—we were exactly what she needed. I just hoped she didn’t bolt when I laid it on the line for her.

“Welcome back, America!” Henry Bennett tried to match my smile, but it was a poor reflection. “I told you there was another big twist and it’s right here.” He pointed to the seven gorgeous roses, a trademark of our show. “Charles, would you like to explain this?”

“Absolutely.” I stepped forward and adjusted the bouquet. Once it was situated, I reached under the podium and picked up a glass case which was placed on top of the them. “This isn’t a traditional episode of Seven Roses. There will not be any eliminations.”

“What?” Lyn’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head—I hoped that was the reaction of America as well.

“You’ve probably noticed that everyone here leads busy lives for the most part. John here is probably the one with the most stability, but he’ll fill you in on a few things when you get your date with him. What I’m pitching is not a dating show, but a lifelong commitment.” I looked around the room.

“What the hell did you say?” Dawson Mars raised an eyebrow. “I’m not marrying anyone.”

“Nor should you.” I turned to him. “You’re on the road all the time. The last five girls you’ve dated have went to bed lonely most nights—except the ones that joined you on the road, but that never ends well, does it?”

“No.” He folded his arms.

“Lyn is a very special young woman. Not only is she a little hesitant when it comes to dating, she’s still a virgin.” I let that news sink in and saw Lyn’s mouth fall open in shock.

“What? You weren’t supposed to tell anyone that. It’s private!” She let out a huff and her eyebrows came together with a hint of anger.

“We won’t have any secrets this time around. Everything will be on the table. The decision you make is the one that defines the way this show ends. You can choose all of us—or none of us.” I walked towards her. “No eliminations. The roses stay bundled together and either you end the show with the bouquet in your hand or you leave all seven of them here to die.”

“You didn’t tell me any of this!” Her eyes flickered and I could see her anger was rising.

“Yeah, this is bullshit.” Adrian Cook looked to his left and right. “Is anyone else ready to bounce? This ain’t what I signed up for.”

“I’m intrigued.” Markus Cole lightly rubbed his chin. “How would that work exactly? Seven guys and one girl?”

“The one thing all of us are missing in our lives is companionship. Dawson, you screw more groupies than girlfriends. Adrian, you parade around with whatever starlet needs some street cred and agrees to date you—the press loves talking about how people are slumming it when their career goes that far off the tracks.” I looked at the two of them.

“I mean, I’m not denying it.” Adrian narrowed his eyes at me. “I know I’m a washed-up television star, but I plan on making a comeback one day.”

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nbsp; “What about me?” John Williams stepped forward. “I’m not a celebrity, I’m not into this stuff.”

“Tell me about Granite Falls.” I walked over to him.

“It is a crappy small town, but American Motors is building a plant there, so it’s getting better.” He shrugged. “Not a lot of women though...”

“Which is precisely why you are here. You’re not going to find the companionship you’re looking for there. I’m offering you that and a whole lot more with a very beautiful woman.” I turned to Lyn.

“I haven’t agreed to any of this.” Rage was still hanging on her face, making her eyebrows practically swallow her eyes.

“Not yet, but let’s continue. Brando Baldwin, the hunter. How many dates have you had in the last few years?” I walked over to him.

“I don’t date.” He grunted and his lip curled in a menacing glare. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Like most of us, you’re too busy to date. You don’t have the time to devote to it. A meaningful relationship isn’t going to happen when you’re chasing felons across the country, going down to Mexico to round up someone who crossed the border—hell, you’re hardly home.” I looked him in the eye.