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Week 1: Thursday
Malibu
The villa was built on spacious nine
thousand square foot dimensions and with 20 bedrooms, there
was more than adequate sleeping space for each of the bachelorettes who’d moved
in. The constructed palace of wealth began the moment you touched the posh brass
doorknob and stepped into the ostentatious foyer. With twenty foot ceilings and
the grandeur of the winding staircase emanated powerful impressions. A fairly
decent tour later discovered there to be two enormous bathrooms, each built for
ten, a walk-in closet in each room and a pool, amongst other luxuries. It shared
the same spectacular ocean views from Harm’s bachelor pad, which was located adjacent
to their villa.
This is where most teenage girls in
their whimsical youths based their fantasies on, Mac reflected wistfully. But
it hadn’t been a part of hers. Her dreams had subsisted amidst a haze of booze
and artificial highs that had masked the obscurity from the reality of her days.
Shaking her head out of the gloomy gathering of clouds, Mac changed into her
swimwear. After lunch they would all traverse over to the next door’s pool for the
start of their ‘get to know me’ campaign. She had a dreading feeling that there
was plenty more to see of the other women’s charms at work.
@}~>~~~ * @}->- * @-->-->---
Bachelor Pad
Situated a
few meters
away, and a
shade or two more extravagant, was the Bachelor’s temporary residence. Harm was currently in his master
suite, contemplating irony in front of the full length mirror.
In truth, he really was an eligible bachelor gaining on his late thirties. His
mom had long given up trying to play matchmaker; mentioning here and
introducing there, a new women into his life. That energy had been transferred
to focus on Mac. His family knew a great deal about Mac despite not having met
her once. He’d hold out, waiting to bring her home one day as someone more than
just a work partner, a best-friend. To be able to appease their assertions that
he and Mac were involved romantically. And thus, the years had just slipped on by
him.
Wiping the
residue foam from his jaw, Harm stored away the shaving kit. Glancing around
his room, it struck him again incredulously how much money men were willing to squander
away for extravagance. He was relatively familiar with
wealth. Frank’s generosity and affluence had ensured them a comfortable family
life, occasionally bordering on high-classdom. It had
taken many years during Harm’s troubled adolescence, getting used to Frank and
everything he provided in substitute for his dad. Harm smiled wryly in regret, remembering
all the extra difficulties he’d caused in rebellion to Frank’s existence.
But this
level of prosperity provided in the Bachelor pad was something he would never
indulge in for himself, Harm determined. There was everything and more in these
quarters for a lone man. He’d spotted a gaming room, a fully equipped gym with
an indoor basketball court he wouldn’t mind making use of, and there was even a
mini theatre room. He was no techno freak like Bud or Tiner, but that massive
however-many-inches LCD screen complete with state of the art surround
sound package would make Bud drool and Tiner turn green with envy. Well, Harm
shrugged. Until Webb decides to divulge
what it is that we’re supposed to be investigating, might as well enjoy it
while I can.
A Short While Later
It was a warm afternoon, a
refreshing breeze blowing in gently from the ocean. Madonna
blared out from strategically placed outdoor speakers.
I traded
fame for love
Without a second thought
It all became a silly game
Some things cannot be bought
How
appropriate, Harm thought dryly. Except the premise of so called ‘reality’ shows
like this was trading themselves for
fame and love. Although he was still extremely
skeptical that anyone could actually find true love on a TV show. Only one
exception. If he had in actuality met Sarah Mackenzie here, under such
circumstances, then that was an entirely other story altogether. Surreptitiously,
he took another peek through lowered eyelids. Mac was swimming languidly through
her third lap of the Olympic sized pool. He’d only ever seen her once in
bikinis, at
Mac was consciously aware of
Harm’s presence. They had yet to have their moment alone together since their ‘initial
meeting’. But she wasn’t going to throw herself at him like the other women
were doing. She’d set her game plans and that direct approach had already been
tested and proven a failure. Let him come to her.
Feeling thirsty, Mac pulled
herself out from the side of the pool. Grabbing the towel, she briefly patted
herself dry and went to get a glass of cold juice. Choosing a deck chair on the
opposite side from where Harm was lounging, she laid down to loosen up from her
swim.
Seeing the scene Mac presented
when she emerged dripping from the pool, Harm swallowed dryly and his face flushed
with heat. Watching her settle into a chair, he considered now was a good time to
take a cooling splash in the pool himself.
“Will you look at that,” Ashley’s hushed
voice permeated Mac’s relaxed state of mind. She lowered her sunglasses down her
nose in time to see Harm stand up and stretch his muscular body.
“He’s the
perfect commercial for selling those Speedos or … whatever …” Jemma trailed off
appreciatively.
“Or himself,” Mac finished under her breath. If
Harm was for sale, the queue would go on for miles long. Aw hec, be truthful Mackenzie, she
corrected. I’d be the first in line, she
grinned deviously. Additional admiration was shared all round as they watched Harm
dive gracefully into the pool, welcomed by delighted shrieks.
* @}->- *
“Oh, I just love your sandals
Lauren,” Rachael exclaimed, eyeing them enviously.
“Thank you.” The words were spoken
sweetly, but similar to the likes of Lt. Singer, without an ounce of genuineness.
“A hundred percent pure leopard
skin. They’re from the latest Gucci collection,” she bragged. “Purchased directly
from
“Ugh,” Felicity
shuddered. “Isn’t that kinda cruel?”
“Well,
it’s not like I endorse animal killing or anything,” Lauren brushed off the comment
with an air of disdain.
No, you just buy the end product after the poor
animal’s dead and can’t bite back you in the ass. Eating ‘dead
cows’ as Harm often teased her about, was one thing Mac decided, but killing
animals for their fur and body parts was an appalling disgrace.
“But if
you buy it, isn’t it like, the same thing …” Ashley said, voicing Mac’s
thoughts out loud.
There was
no answer as Lauren pivoted daintily and flip flopped her way to the refreshment
stand.
Harm was
granted his earlier wish when Evan suggested
they end the day with a movie. So, changing into something more comfortable after
dinner, he headed off to the theatre room with Evan and the camera man in tow. He
arrived to find the all-female audience already settled in. Lauren and Rachael had
claimed the main couch, one woman on either side of the empty centre spot
waiting for him. Mac disappointingly, was on a large beanie bag on the carpet
floor.
“So
what’re we watching?” he asked, sauntering into the room.
“Legally Blonde,” they chorused cheerfully.
Harm responded with an inner groan. From fifty plus DVDs to chose from,
(he’d already been informed of the impressive selection), they had to go for a chick
flick. Had I expected anything else? "Sarah," his voice is a shivery warmth on the nap of her neck. Mac turned around to face a smiling Harmon Rabb. It's a faintly cheeky smile that fittingly bestows upon him the title of the Bachelor. He's acutely aware of the prey status he's obtained to the hungry stares of fourteen voracious women; perhaps even to the remaining marine. "Join me for a walk?" he asks, offering her his arm in proper gentlemanly fashion, even though they are both in shorts, t-shirts and bare feet. Harm sees a flicker of surprise in her eyes before its blinked away. She gives an indiscernible 'why not?' shrug, and links her arm through his. He'd already asked for similar individual time with two others, so although this request left a dozen other bachelorettes pouting with discontentment, it didn't construe as a suspicious maneuver on his part. He leads them leisurely out to the rear of the grounds which overlooks the ocean. The mansion is built on the crest of a small hill, raised majestically for the world to see. At the hill's edge is a steep slope, an unintended trail leading down to the beachfront. Harm encloses his hand over hers securely, taking a careful step on the grassy terrain down. "Harm, what you are doing," Mac pulls back with a laugh. "Come on, this way the cameras won't be able to follow us," he whispers eagerly. "Are you crazy?" she hissed, but follows. It's an extremely ordinary act of spontaneity, reminiscent of two school kids escaping from being caught through any outrageous means at hand. Something the two officers in the US military would never have considered doing just because ... they can. They half ran, half staggered down the hill. The near forty-five degree decline sends Mac sliding down the last meter on her feet like a pair of skis. Puffing, she stumbles to a halt at the base, consequently her toes stub on some rocks, causing her a small yelp of pain. Immediately, Harm was at her side. He knelt down, lifting up her foot and examining it gently with the feel of his hand. "Mac, you ok? Does it hurt?" he asks anxiously. "Yea, no big deal," she's grateful for the darkness. His hand which is still running tenderly over her skin is sending heat literally coursing from the tip of her toes right up to her face. "Are you sure? This was a bad idea-" "Harm, I'm fine," she stressed lightly. Slowly she extracts her foot from his grasp. "But you won't be if I beat you to the water Navy!" In a flash she took off, the tinkering of her laughter floating back to him in the breeze. However, it doesn't take more than a few running strides on his long legs for Harm to catch up to her. He grabbed her arm, smoothly pulling her to a halt. "What was it you just said?" he mocked her jokingly. Impulsively, his hand reclaims hers and a self-conscious grin passes between them. Their joined hands swinging between them, they stroll leisurely for a while along the length of the beach. The sand is a delightfully fine texture on their feet and at length Mac tugs on Harm's hand to sit down. The only sounds' enveloping them is the peaceful tranquility of the night and the soft crashing of waves. Eventually, Harm speaks of what was beginning to bother him. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you've been avoiding me," he says evenly, but the apprehension in his voice lets her know he fears there's at least a grain of truth to his words. "Hmmm?" she murmurs innocently, taking her time to reply. "I just thought you had enough on your platter." She misses his questioning look and assumes he accepted her answer. Glancing back at him, she comments offhandedly, "So, how're you enjoying your days thus far as the bachelor?" So that's what it's all about, Harm realized with a blend of relief and a fair amount of self-satisfied elation. She's uncomfortable about the other women. His first instinct was to tease her, but then intuition thankfully redirects. "Mac, I'm not looking for a fling," he tells her in all seriousness. She casts him a startled look and then her features soften into a bashful smile. She should've known he wouldn't be fooled, no matter how vague she tries to be with her emotions. They'd progressed a long way from the fundamentals of a solid friendship. Harm and Mac lapse into comfortable silence, this was as far as they would delve into in terms of 'them' for tonight. @}~>~~~ * @}->- * @-->-->--- Clayton Webb smiles smugly to himself in satisfaction. He's reviewing the latest footage for The Bachelor. Although the cameraman hadn't been able to lug his equipment after Harm and Mac's unexpected getaway, he'd still filmed what he could from above. The lens hone in on what appears to be intimate scenes of the lone couple. The distance is close enough to make out the Bachelor's arm is wrapped around the women waist, whose head is resting on his shoulder. The camera pans out to include the wide expanse of water shimmering under the moonlight, projecting and enhancing the romantic moment for all it was worth. Up for some clubbin’? An impressively swift flurry of activity two hours and eleven minutes later, and here they are in a trendy nightclub in LA. The posh establishment screams of glitz and glamour. From the furnishings to the DJ, to the upper class clubbers themselves, everything here is far more superior than your average nightspot. But breathing life into all clubs alike, is the air, smog thick with sexual vivaciousness and the atmosphere coming alive with human energy running amuck. Mac observes Harm at the pool table, his lean form bending forwards to line up a shot. She isn’t the only one watching him attentively, and it’s not his playing skills that they’re all concentrating on. Dressed simply in skin-hugging black Calvin Klein tee shirt and slacks, he’s The embodiment of the ‘tall, dark and handsome’ male population she teased him about last week. All the bachelorettes are sticking to him like magnets to a fridge. In fact, some of the women hitting on him aren’t even one of the fifteen ‘official’ bachelorettes. Tonight, things were really beginning to heat up - Literally and figuratively speaking. As the hours wore on and the crowds multiplied, the place is reaching near claustrophobic levels. In comparison, it makes close quarters on a sub seem like the master suite, Harm thought with a sigh. Besides the scaling room temperature, it’s getting hot in here for an altogether different reason. All the women were exercising their rights to frivolity to the full extreme on him. There’d been a dozen too many brush-ups here, and a few too many touches there. He glanced in Mac’s direction. She’s the odd one out, the only ‘bachlorette’ who’s not persistently at his side. The only one whose touch he wouldn’t mind. But she’s brushing up to some stranger who’d picked her up as soon as she’d stepped on the dance floor. Without much thought, he’s been keeping a close eye on her movements. His gaze lingers on her lilac coloured dress. The loose-fitting material swishes enticingly around the luminous skin of her legs¯ “Harmmm”
A hand touches him on the arm, another slides up his shoulder. It’s his turn again. Harm returns quickly to the pool table. He aimed, sinking the ball in with a bit too much force than necessary. * @}->- * The deafening music and the multitude of flashing disco lights illuminating the darkness is all contributing to Harm’s light-headedness. Or perhaps it’s the double bourbon and countless cocktails currently flowing through his system. He rarely ever drank so much in one night, and never before in Mac’s presence. But there’d just been no way around it. Earlier, Mac had been questioned on her lack of alcoholic consumption. Subject to the inquisitive looks, she’d simply stated she was a non-drinker. ‘It’s bad for the eyes,’ Dr MacKenzie had claimed convincingly. Not quite. The music pounds through his veins, oh-so-wistful lyrics taunting and daring him on. Well if this isn’t a game, I dunno what is. He grins and excuses himself from his latest dance partner. Pressing through the throng of people, he comes to standstill behind the man whom Mac is dancing with. Harm tapped the guy’s shoulder, nodding his head at Mac in a polite gesture for him to step aside. Receiving no objections from Mac, the man shrugged and incorporated his way to the adjacent group of dancers. Mac looks amused. Harm finds himself smiling broadly at her for no apparent reason. He mirrors her movements, dancing in rhythm to the rapid beats. She calls out something he doesn’t quite catch above the noise. Bending his head low, he tilts his ear in front of her mouth. “You can dance disco?!” He improvised a new twist to his steps for good measure, all the while continuing to grin lopsidedly. Inevitably, already limited space contracts and close body contact is made. A frisson of buried pleasure sparks between Harm and Mac. Their dance falters with uncertainty, before it’s resumed with escalated intensity. They’ve both become pawns in this game of seduction. Involuntary players; nevertheless, mutually tempted by the opportunities being presented. The reverberation of the music is pulsating through his body. The beats are hammering in time with his heart. Acting without their usual verification from the mind, his hands reach out to her hips, gliding up lazily to close around her slender waist. Harm pulled her up flush against his body. In unison, her hands move to entwine themselves behind his neck. Mac dismisses the warning signs which are blinking riotously in her head. We’re just having some fun. Innocent fun. Innocent fun... It turns into a mantra, in an attempt to fool herself into believing. Her eyes are locked on his, her fingers stroking the hair at the nape of his neck. There is nothing at all innocent in the sensual swaying of their hips. @}~>~~~ * @}->- * @-->-->--- “BUD look!” Harriet exclaims excitedly. The premiere episode of The Bachelor is claming her undivided attention. Even though the couple on her TV screen are two pint-sized dolls, Harriet just knew without a doubt that it’s Mac who Harm’s holding in his arms. “FINALLY they get to start acting on their feelings for each other,” she sighed. Bud ambled back from the kitchen with a bowl of ice cream in hand. “Honey, don’t you think you’re reading too much into the tiniest of things?” Harriet took no notice of her dubious husband. Reading between the lines is what she’s been doing for years. That’s the rule of the trade. Subtlety and significant gestures. It’s the way her superior officers and close friends, operate.
10:25 pm
Bachelor Pad
Malibu
Undisclosed Location
Saturday
10:15 pm
She hadn’t been offered another drink since, but it hasn’t deterred the others. The women were ganging up and utilising their most common weapon; Seduce the man when he’s drunk. Being a red-blooded male and The Bachelor no less, Harm was powerless to decline without raising undue suspicions. So, he’d downed drink after drink, feeling more and more relaxed by each passing minute.
For so long I've been too scared
To show the way I feel for you
But I know what I have to do
Love is like a game
And I'm gonna play it, play it
I hope you feel the same
Can't think and I can't sleep
I'm high up on a tightrope
And it always leads to you
These days, I find
You're always on my mind
I'm high up on a tightrope
And I got to get to you
That there's a love I can't deny
And it's too much to keep inside
Love is like a game
And I'm gonna play it, play it
No more time should pass us by
But this time is made for you and I
8:40 pm
Roberts Residence
@}~>~~~ * @}->- * @-->-->---