"Alright, roll call, ladies," Mike Hopper stood on the stage in an auditorium filled with the cast and crew of 'The Perfect Duet'. He raised his arm with the hand that held a roster and peered down at the crowd. "Please, ladies, take your seat and when your name is called, let me know you're here." After the first few names were called, the auditorium finally quieted down so Mike could continue. "Tonya Kurt?"
"She's stuck in traffic," a crew member from the back of the room called. "She'll be here in 15."
"Ah," Mike clicked his tongue. "Very well." He smiled as he read the next name on the list. "Miss Ella Lopez?" He heard the familiar cough before he saw a slim arm rise in the background.
"Here," Ella cleared her throat and turned pink as more than a dozen pair of eyes set upon her.
"Great," Mike winked and continued with the rest of the role call while Ella's stare returned to her feet. She would've killed for her cell phone at the moment to keep her hands busy instead tearing apart her cuticles in anxiety, but the cast was required leave their cameras and cell phones at home. She'd saw a fiery woman named Lauren with intense red hair get her iPhone confiscated and throw a fit that not many women her age could pull off. But a few girls came to her side and calmed her down, reminding her that in a few hours she'd be face-to-face with JC.
Just thinking about the man she would also come up close and personal with later on that day made Ella's stomach do flips. She was curious to see what he'd be like: pompous, maybe? Hollywood hot-shot that couldn't wait to have 20 women fawning over him? Or would he be romantic and tender, crooning in a silk robe for the women at a grand piano that sat in the huge living area that the mansion was sure to have? Regardless if he were corny or an asshole, Ella maintained a stern understanding with herself that she would not stoop to slutting herself out for attention, like so many of the women on these shows are known for.
"Hey," a whisper interrupted her thoughts. "What's up? I'm Tonya." A gorgeous woman with skin the color of milk chocolate slid into the open seat next to Ella. She held out her manicured fingers to shake Ella's hand.
"Ella," she'd managed to stutter. She mentally kicked herself for staring at the woman, but it was hard not to. Tonya was straight out of Vogue magazine. She had on a short denim skirt that only made her long, dancer-like legs look fit and flawless. Her slim torso fit perfectly into a pink, sleeveless top that matched her rose colored pumps.
"Nice to meet you," Tonya smoothed her silky, straight black hair behind her ear and crossed her arms over her chest. "Did I miss anything?"
"No," Ella shook her head and tore her gaze away from the woman who could pass for Zoe Saldana's twin. "Just the role call. Traffic was bad, huh?"
"Between you and me," Tonya giggled and lowered her voice. "I was having a breakdown in the car before I finally got out."
Ella's mouth dropped open. "Really? Why?"
"I just don't know how right I am for this, you know? I mean, I've loved JC Chasez since I was like 12. I've followed 'Nsync their whole career. What's a famous guy like him going to find in me?"
Ella swallowed hard and tried to process what she had just heard. "Are you kidding me?" She met Tonya's eyes. "You make the rest of us look like we were hit by an ugly truck on the way over here."
"Shut up!" Tonya covered her mouth as she laughed. "You're crazy, Ella. I like you."
"Because I just complimented you?"
"Yes," Tonya joked and they both laughed. "But also 'cause you seem like the realest chick here. And don't be comparing yourself to these other women in the looks department. Girl, you look like you just stepped out of a Victoria's Secret ad, look at you."
Ella relaxed a little, willing herself not to get embarrassed. "Now, you're the one who's crazy. But, thanks. I was a mess this morning, too. My best friend had to practically kick me out of the car because I was begging to go back home."
"Well, now we're both here, and how about we put these little insecurities to the side so we can send all these other bimbos home and get our man?"
Ella nodded and laughed some more before the roll-call was finally over and it was time to go over some more protocol. She was relieved to have just met Tonya, being that all the other girls had already formed their cliques or were just too weird to talk to.
An hour or so later, Tonya, Ella and all the other girls were participating in a short ice breaker when Mike walked back into the auditorium with a group of other people wearing VH1 shirts following him. One woman in a baby blue Polo came into view and Ella's eyes narrowed when she remembered who she was. If looks could kill, Liz Sharp would've dropped dead and cold at that moment and Ella was embarrassed to see that Tonya noticed her mood change. "What the hell was that?" she asked as they headed back to their seats.
"What?" Ella asked nonchalantly.
"You were giving that blonde lady the stank eye, I saw you. Who is that?"
Before Ella could explain, Liz took the stage and cleared her throat playfully into the microphone. "Hey, ladies. I am Liz, as you all remember, and I am the producer of 'The Perfect Duet'." She paused to nod gratefully at the small round of applause. "Thank you. Well, I just got the 'OK' from the crew at the mansion that we're all set and ready to go! Everyone grab your bags and head to the bus." More cheering ensued as Liz smiled and clapped.
Tonya extended the handle on her rolling suitcase and waited for Ella to pick up her duffle bag. "What's with the eyes, hmm?" The pair had made their way to the bus and settled a few rows up from the very back row of seats before Ella finally confessed.
"Well, Liz was one of the people who were at my audition for the show," Ella began, keeping her voice low. "She was a total bitch to me, too. She kept rolling her eyes at my answers and accusing me of being a gold digger."
"Really?" Tonya asked, surprised. "She seemed nice enough when I met her, but I didn't have to audition."
"What?" Ella asked, confused. She thought everyone auditioned for a spot on the show.
Tonya nodded and opened her mouth to say something else when she was interrupted by a hard shove to her shoulder. They turned to see a heavy-set woman who looked to be in her late 30's trying to squeeze her way down the isle of the bus to a seat behind them. "Excuse you?"
The woman turned lazily to Tonya and blinked with little interest. "What?" She had bright blue eye shadow, extremely teased blonde hair and smelled of cigarettes, giving Ella the impression that this woman might drive a Harley and frequently hang around truck stops.
"What?" Tonya's nostrils flared slightly. "You shoved me with your big ass, that's what. So excuse you." If Tonya didn't have such a deadly serious look on her face, Ella would've erupted into laughter at her boldness. She watched the chubby woman roll her big eyes and continue on her journey to the back without so much as a grunt to acknowledge Tonya's accusation. That seemed to be enough for her when she turned around to Ella and clicked her tongue. "Can you believe it? The day isn't even over yet and I'm already getting into fights." She lowered her voice and added, "Big Bertha sure is gonna give us a run for our money. Once JC sees her, he'll probably send us all home."
Ella couldn't hold back her laugh anymore and held her sides as Tonya joined in. The bus engine roared to life and all of the woman continued to chatter noisily as they headed toward the mansion. The excitement finally began to settle in Ella's body as she imagined what her life would entail for the next few months, or even for the rest of the day. She thought about how JC would look when they got there, and really hoped he turned out ot be a nice guy. It’d be a shame for someone so good-looking to be a complete asshole. Her thoughts were bursting with the possibilities, so much so that she forgot how odd it was that Tonya said she didn't have to audition to be on the show.
JC counted to ten before stepping out of the limo and emerging into the sunshine. Lifting his aviator sunglasses and looking around, he saw a huge white tent in the front yard of the mansion that was covering about a dozen people who were messing with their camera equipment.
"Hey, Boss," Ace tapped JC on the shoulder. "Me and Jerry will get your stuff; go on inside and take a look around."
JC nodded gratefully and pulled his sunglasses back down to cover his worried eyes. His heart was pounding as he crossed the drive way and made it up the steps to the large building he was calling home for the next few months. The front double doors were already open and he stepped inside, his Nike's squeaking on the tile floor. "Hello?" he called, unsure what to do next. He scratched his flat stomach through his black t-shirt and looked down at his jeans. He felt a little under dressed.
"Mr. Chasez!" a high-pitched male voice rang throughout the foyer of the mansion as a short, young man in a VH1 t-shirt made his way to JC. "You've arrived! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Rex and I'm one of Liz's assistants." Rex extended his hand to JC, who took it quickly and exchanged greetings.
"Please," he smiled easily. "Call me JC. Nice to meet you, too."
"Great, JC," Rex held a clipboard in his hands and checked something off that JC couldn't see. "Please, follow me to your room so we can drop your stuff off and give you a tour of the vicinity."
"Oh," JC patted his chest like he lost something. "My bags, my stuff...my bodyguard is bringing it in."
"That's okay," Rex gently wrapped his hand around JC's wrist and pulled him toward the staircase. "Gina, Liz's other assistant, will show them where to put your stuff." He led JC up the stairs and down a long hallway with wooden floors and maroon wallpaper. Every few feet there was a giant statue or golden-framed painting on the wall. JC felt like he couldn't touch anything and it made him uncomfortable. He also noticed the wooden doors that were closed shut--the girls' rooms, no doubt. The decor wasn't out of bad taste, but it wasn't his, either. His attention turned to Rex as they arrived at another pair of massive doors at the very end of the hallway.
"Welcome to your home," Rex smiled brightly, using a finger to push up his glasses before opening the doors for them both. "Go on in and take a look, JC."
The first thing JC saw was the massive king-sized bed with dark blue comforters and what looked to be about ten pillows around the bed frame. Now this was his taste, and he knew he'd have Liz to thank for such a comfortable looking place to sleep. He looked at Rex with a faint smile on his face and waited for another nod of approval from the assistant before walking around and taking everything in. In the corner, a giant flat screen TV was perched on the west wall and an enormous couch, the same color blue as his bed comforter, sat against the east wall. The nightstands on either side of his bed were lined with scented candles. JC picked one up and sniffed it; lavender. He immediately thought of the wild night he shared with Liz just 24 hours ago. JC knew that provoking those intimate thoughts of her was Liz’s intention and he smiled.
"The only thing missing is a computer, and Liz actually wanted to apologize for that being that nobody in the house is allowed to have regular internet or cell phone access. Just to keep the show under wraps until we're done filming." Rex checked his watch and allowed JC to roam around a bit more before clearing his throat. "Well now I'd like to take you around the house to show you everything else we have to offer. Please, follow me JC."
Directly in front of JC’s bed was a massive floor-to-ceiling window that had a view of what seemed like the entire city. Any worries or troubles he was fixated with before had suddenly left him as he glanced at his bed one last time before closing the bedroom doors and followed Rex down the hall. His stomach fluttered at the thought of sharing that humongous bed with another woman, er, women.
Yeah, JC thought as Rex babbled on about all the amenities available to him, such as 24-hour catering and wait staff. I could get used to this.
Liz and her Blackberry were one in the same. One could not go somewhere without the other. Her whole life was in the smart phone, from her day-to-day schedule to her grocery list. She sat in the back of her limo as it drove to the mansion and retrieved her Blackberry from her purse when it rang, signaling a text. It was Rex letting her know that JC was in love with the mansion was now preparing for the girls' arrival. She texted him back quickly, thanking him and letting him know she'd be there any minute. As soon as she sent that text, an icon appeared at the top of the screen, indicating another text. She opened it and smiled. It wasn't from Rex, but it was a text she'd been waiting to read all day.
"What are you sneering at?" Mike, who sat across from her in the limo, asked.
"Nothing," Liz blinked, feigning innocence.
"Right," Mike rolled his eyes. Liz had been his business partner for about 2 years now. He knew she was a force to be reckoned with when anyone tried to get in the way of what she wanted. Some people were just built to be ruthless like that. But he enjoyed working with her because her drive and dedication were unmatched by anyone else he'd ever met in this business. So when she pitched the idea of having her boyfriend star in a reality show with other women fighting for his love and affection, Mike was anything but surprised. It was so Liz. "Hey, we're here." He clapped his hands together and opened the door when the limo came to a halt. "Let's go, kid."
Liz tucked her phone into her purse and grinned as she followed Mike out of the limo. Right on cue, the bus filled with the cast pulled up right behind her car. She cut quickly across the large front lawn to the camera crew who were up and ready underneath their tent. "Okay, guys," she shouted to the crew of men who were fixing the bleachers where the twenty women would be standing in the opening shot. "The ladies are here, let's go. Finish up the set, make it stable; don't want any injuries on the first day."
"Yes ma'am," they grunted simultaneously as they worked quickly to finish the large stage-like set.
The bus finally parked in the driveway and made an exhausted screech as it shifted into park. Liz walked to the doors and signaled for the driver to let her in. She walked up the steps and waved her arms around at the chattering women who were now all on the side of the bus that faced the mansion, their faces pressed against the window in excitement. "Ladies! Welcome to your new home!" Liz paused for the clapping and cheering then continued. "Okay, please stay seated while we call you all one by one to come and get set up for the opening shot. Remember the basics please: no one look or talk directly into the camera. It is what we call the ..."
"...fourth wall!" The women finished the sentence they had heard all morning.
"Exactly," Liz grinned. "Yes, just pay no attention to the cameras and act natural. Also, remember our zero tolerance for violence, no outside food or drinks, and don't forget, you're here for JC Chasez."
More cheering left Liz satisfied as she turned to exit the bus. Before she could take another step, she caught a familiar gaze and recognized one of the women she had auditioned months ago. How could she forget Ella Lopez? The rock in her shoe. Liz had finally come to terms with what bothered her so much about Ella, and it was that she was a knockout. Liz wasn’t ashamed to admit that Ella had a few qualities that she felt threatened by, like the whole wide-eyed, look-at-me, I’m-a-good-girl routine. It was endearing. And she was good-looking, almost to a fault. JC was definitely going to like her. Fortunately, as far as Liz was concerned, Ella wouldn't be a problem for much longer.
When JC was a kid, he used to think the worst form of torture was walking by a candy store everyday after school but never having the money to go inside and buy anything. He'd place both of his palms on the glass of the store and peer inside as the candy man carefully put the chocolate bars and lollipops on display.
Well now, JC was a grown man, but he went right back to that place, that form of torture, when he found himself in front of the candy store of twenty women standing before him. There were candies of every age, size and color staring right back at him like he was a tasty treat himself. He couldn't help but grin like fool when he heard the cheering and screaming that exploded when he walked out of the mansion and down the steps to begin the opening scene of 'The Perfect Duet'. He saw Ace standing to the side, grinning widely himself, and he took his place next to him, waving at the women as they got louder.
Cleavage, high heels and mini-skirts...oh my.
Ignoring the cameras jammed into his face came natural to JC, but one thing he couldn't help but notice was that Liz was standing right behind the camera crew, following their every move and barking directions over the loud cheering. But this is what she wanted, JC reminded himself, and it was show time. He looked back at Ace, gave him a quick pat on his back, and began the opening lines to the script he had to rehearse today.
"Wow," he began, talking softly. He knew the women probably couldn't hear him since they were still clapping, but JC remembered the mic clipped onto the inside of his black silk tie was there so he wouldn’t have to shout. "Welcome to 'The Perfect Duet'!"
"JC, I LOVE YOU!" a redhead from the group of women shrieked while bouncing up and down.
"Thank you, thanks," JC motioned with this arms for the women to quiet down. "Man, thank you so much for being here, ladies. I'm JC Chasez, and I’m looking for love. I mean, I love what I do, and I love the business I’m in, but it’s definitely taken me down some hard roads with lots of fake women, and I’m just ready to settle down and find the one." More cheering erupted before he could finish. He waited for a second started again. “And this is my good friend Ace.” He motioned to the big man to his right and watched the women in front of him look Ace up and down. “He’s also my bodyguard, here to protect me and you guys, if need be.”
“Hi, Aaaace,” a few women purred, causing Ace to smile so widely it looked like he had strained something.
JC laughed and began again. “Let me just say, you all are just stunning, look at you!" Cat calls and whooping, and he continued. "Really guys, thanks a lot and I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know every single one of you tonight. We've got the house set up for a mixer, a little bit of wining and dining, you know." He flashed a cheesy grin. "So why don't you guys run up and pick your rooms, relax and get ready to party tonight?"
"I want to party with you, baby," the same redhead pointed a finger seductively at JC.
"Oh," JC brought his hand to his chest and returned the redhead's sultry stare. "I'm looking forward to that." He motioned for them all to come down from the bleachers and enter the house, shaking their hands as they walked by him. "Man, y'all are going to kill me," he joked as he stared at the parade of women strut their stuff.
He noticed a tall, Latina woman with sharp hazel eyes, caramel colored hair, and curves that made him bite his lower lip as she passed by him with a shy look on her face. "Wow, hi," he said and gave a small wave, suddenly feeling stupid. He watched as she walked inside, the pair of dark denim jeans hugging her backside so perfectly he thought she'd had them painted on. "Y'all are going to kill me," JC repeated as the cameras followed him inside the house.
