Future Husband: A Reality TV Show About Fandom Pretty Boys (Beta Needed)

by Edgelordess

Summary:

A shy woman thinks she is applying for a unique dating show with LARPing but later finds out they aren't acting.

Those contestants consist of wizards, vampires, a pirate, a Pokemon trainer and so much more.

This can't be real. Can it?

Chapter 1: Prologue: The Ritual

~March 2025:

 

“Ugh I hate my life.” Kayla, a 29-year-old single woman, muttered to herself as she was idly doomscrolling through social media in her childhood bedroom.

She had no job, no car, and was trapped in a cycle of debilitating depression that left her living with her parents in Sunnydale, California—a quiet suburban town just twenty minutes from Los Angeles.

She hated Sunnydale. There was nothing to do, and anything remotely interesting required relying on someone else for a ride. The lack of independence only deepened her sense of hopelessness.

Then, out of nowhere, a Messenger notification popped up.

It was from her friend Rachel, a struggling actress infamous for bombarding her with casting calls. Kayla typically ignored these messages—she didn’t see herself as an actress. She had a background in doing comedy, though she thrived in nerdy humor, which felt natural for a video essay, but not for the stage.

However, this time, her curiosity was piqued as the ad read, “Hot new dating show from RAWTV! Seeking men and women who like anime, comic books, and video games!”

She skimmed through the description, which read that the woman or man nwould spend thirteen weeks in a house with fourteen fictional lovers. Every week, she would send one man home, and they’d compete in various challenges to win her heart.

She smirked—it was basically The Bachelorette but with LARPing. Or at least that's what she thought.

The idea of applying crossed her mind, but hesitation quickly followed. Thousands of women just like her would be vying for the spot, many with the kind of bold, TV-ready personalities producers loved. She, on the other hand, was more reserved and socially awkward. She was lucky if she was able to hold a conversation with a hot guy.

She found her fingertips on the trackpad on a button that says, “click here to apply.” She stood there for what felt like minutes before giving in and clicking the button.

The screen shifted almost immediately, loading a long, meticulous application form. The first few questions were simple—basic demographic details—but then came the deeper, more personal ones.

What is your idea of the perfect date? Describe your first kiss. What qualities do you look for in a partner?

Each question felt like a test, a carefully laid trap waiting for the wrong answer.

She took her time, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she carefully crafted her responses. She wanted to be honest, but also likable—a challenge, considering her naturally pessimistic outlook.

She typed. Then deleted. Then reworded her answers, rereading them over and over again.
The questionnaire was only twenty questions long, but by the time she neared the end, her eye ached from staring at the screen for so long.

It was late into the night by the time she reached the final question. She blinked at the screen, exhaustion creeping into her limbs.

After she finished her application, she closed her laptop, put on her fleece garden gnome pajamas, and turned off the light.

“I doubt they’ll choose me,” she thought. But a small part of her wanted to be on the show, even if it was all staged.

She could already picture the crew treating her like a Barbie doll, crafting outlandish storylines around her.

Shaking her head, she let out a sigh. “Yeah, not gonna happen.”

 

~August 2025:

Days had passed and there was no response. For the next few weeks, Kayla would religiously check her email to see if she got invited on the show. The rest of the year flew by and she had long forgotten about the show, and she began to focus on other things.

She was preparing to move out of her parents' house to New York City, as she recently got a job out there, when suddenly she got a call from an unknown caller.

Not knowing who it was, she sent the caller straight to voicemail, and continued to pack. It wasn’t until she heard her phone beep, indicating someone had left her a message, that she listened to it.

“Hey Kayla, this is Laura, one of the showrunners for a dating show you applied for back in March. I’m just calling to let you know that you’ve been selected to take part of the show. When you get this message, call me back. Kay, byeee!” A cheerful woman said.

Kayla’s ears perked up and she quickly called Laura back. She didn’t think she would actually receive that sort of message! Her body coursed with excitement.

After one ring, the friendly voice on the other line said, “Hello?”

“Um…hi, Laura, this is Kayla…I’m just returning your call.”

“Excellent!” Laura nearly sang. “I take it you're still interested?”

“Yeah, definitely. I need some excitement in my life.” Kayla chuckled.

"Awesome!" the woman on the other end replied, her tone shifting from casual to urgent. "So, this is a bit sudden, but we're casting for our first season and need someone immediately. You live in Sunnydale, right?"

“Yeah.” Kayla’s voice became uneasy, twirling a strand of her red hair with her finger. “How soon do you need me?”

“Well, my agency has rented the space starting August 24th. So let's say the 25th?”

Kayla was silent. Her flight was in a week and a half.

“Are you still there?

Kayla's heart pounded. She thought she wanted to be on the show, but more than that, she needed a job. She hadn't been employed since last October, and the idea of relying on anyone for money made her stomach twist. Her grandparents had cut her off after years of support, leaving her parents as her only financial safety net—a situation she hated.

“Yeah…sorry.” She let out a sigh. “It's just, I got this job in New York and I’m supposed to start in two weeks. I’m sorry, I really want to be on the show, but I can’t be in two places at once.”

“Well if you change your mind, let me know,” Laura said with a hint of understanding. “Have a good day.”

“You too.” Kayla hung up the phone. She took a deep breath and then all of a sudden she felt a tears roll down her face.

“Wait…” She thought. “Why am I crying over something that isn’t real?”

The truth was Kayla wasn’t very good with men. She grew up mostly segregated from her peers as she was labeled as special needs. Some would say that this title would be a detriment to her social life, which it was. She had autism and is partially sighted but she could blend in like any other person.

From her sophomore year up until graduation, she spent at a school for learning disabilities. After she graduated, she had to adapt to the real world, which she would slowly realize she didn’t fit in. The people at her community college were very different than her second period math class. Nobody acted out. There were no disputes between students and teachers. And the way people communicated just seemed off.

Dating was rough for her because she had poor self-esteem and would date anyone who dared to show interest in her. With low self-esteem shaping her choices, she often found herself settling for anyone who showed the slightest interest. Over the course of her life, she had only dated four people—not a number that particularly bothered her. What did bother her, however, was how short those relationships were.

Her longest one barely scraped past eight months. Barely.

The man in question was Gary. Kayla genuinely liked him, but he had a reputation of being flakey. In those eight months, he had managed to see her maybe ten times. Each encounter felt like an afterthought, a half-hearted gesture rather than the effort of someone who truly cared.

He would later ghost Kayla for three months. The last time they saw each other was at PAX Unplugged in December 2023. Kayla would try to reach out to him afterwards, but there was silence. December had vanished. January came and went. Then February would follow soon after.

By the time March rolled around, resentment began to fester. She hated that feeling—hated herself for letting it take root. Then, out of nowhere, he reached out.

By then, she was already drowning in her own struggles, her emotions a tangled mess she couldn’t begin to untangle. She didn’t want to hurt him—not intentionally—but she also wasn’t sure she could trust herself not to.

Gary was the last boyfriend she had. Two years had passed since then, and in that time, life had become too overwhelming to even think about dating. By the end of 2024, her struggles had reached a breaking point—she lost her job, packed up what she had, and moved back in with her parents. The idea of putting herself out there again felt exhausting, almost impossible.

Especially in Sunnydale and Los Angeles, where the dating scene was riddled with pretentiousness and egos. Everyone seemed too polished, too self-important. And Kayla? She was too drained to even try.

Sure, this dating show was going to be staged, and if she went through with it, she wasn’t sure she’d even recognize herself by the end. But at the same time, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that could change everything.

And maybe—just maybe—despite the scripted moments and artificial romance, she might actually meet the man of her dreams. But that was never going to happen.

 

~January 2026:

Kayla was now thirty years old and working as a case manager in an outpatient mental health facility. She liked her job and got along with her coworkers, who were around the same age and had similar interest to her.

It was lunch time, and all the facilities clients were eating in the dining hall, a few doors down from where one of the staff’s offices were.

Kayla’s office accommodated up to four people, each desk facing a different corner of the room. Her view was the streets of Mott Haven, which wasn’t much to look at, aside from the typical New York City traffic jam.

“So let me get this straight,” Timmy said, swiveling his chair toward her. He was bald, about five years older than her, and always had a knack for calling people out. “You took this job over being on reality television?”

“Gurl, I envy you,” Brittany chimed in from across the room. She was a year younger than Kayla and had long blonde hair tied up into a messy ponytail.

“What show was it?” Chelsea asked. She was a heavyset woman with graying hair—the only normie in a room full of nerdy young adults.

"I think it was called Future Husband.” Kayla took a sip of her coffee before answering. “It's kinda like The Bachelorette, but..."

Before she could finish, Brittany cut in, her voice sharp and incredulous. "You took this stupid job instead of Future Husband?" The sheer disbelief in her tone made her sound like a hysterical hyena.

Kayla blinked. "You've heard of that show?"

“"Of course I have!” Her coworker scoffed, throwing her hands up as if the answer was obvious. “Kayla, that’s no ordinary dating show. That is an opportunity of a lifetime!"

Kayla laughed nervously, running a hand through her freshly dyed platinum blonde hair. Now that she had a stable income, she had finally treated herself to a salon visit. "I think you're over-exaggerating."

Brittany shook her head. “You don’t understand. It's one of few reality shows that isn’t scripted. And there is science behind it.”

“Science?” Kayla and her other two colleagues questioned in unison.

Timmy leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. “What kind of science are you talking about? Chemistry? Biology? Physics?”

Brittany hesitated for a moment, as if searching for the right words. “I’m not sure how to explain it, but the show runners managed to find a way to enter alternate dimensions so that the female contestant could interact with anime characters in real life.”

A beat of silence passed before her coworkers erupted into laughter.

"Oh, Brittany," Chelsea teased between giggles. "You’re just as delusional as some of our clients."

“I’m serious!” Brittany retorted as she whipped out her Android to search for clips of the show. She showed an image of a blonde man, approximately in his early to mid twenties, wearing a muted green suit, holding a gun. He looked as if he was cosplaying from a more recent anime, as Kayla didn’t recognize him.

“That's good looking cosplay, if you ask me.” Kayla commented. “But that doesn’t make anime characters real.”

"Loid isn’t cosplaying!” Brittany groaned. “He actually fights someone in the show." Determined, she tapped open the YouTube app.

The group sat in silence as she searched, her fingers tapping against the screen with urgency. "Okay, here! This is from Future Wife, the spin-off show for men."

She clicked play. The video showed a dramatic scene—a woman dressed as Sailor Mars engaged in a full-blown fight with Momo Yaoyorozu from My Hero Academia. Sparks crackled as Momo materialized a metal staff, her movements fluid and precise. Sailor Mars retaliated, fire flaring at her fingertips as she launched projectiles with pinpoint accuracy.

The effects were incredible—almost too good. The way the flames flickered, the way Momo’s staff actually seemed to connect with the environment—it all looked so real.

"Okay… that’s some pretty top-tier CGI," Kayla admitted. "But come on, Brittany. You really think they actually brought anime characters to life?"

“It looks like that webseries Death Battle with a higher budget,” Timmy added.

Brittany huffed. "It’s totally real!"

"And how exactly do you know that?" Chelsea teased.

The younger woman opened her mouth, then hesitated. Silence stretched between them as she struggled to come up with a response. Her eyes darted away, and for the first time, she looked uncertain.

Her coworkers burst into laughter once again.

~

After work, curiosity piqued Kayla’s interest as she was fascinated by the cinematography, costumes, and acting that she saw in the clip that Brittany showed her. She researched more clips, which led down a YouTube rabbit hole.

After about thirty minutes of looking at clips of Future Husband and Future Wife, she stumbled across a suggested video called “Medusa from Soul Eater Returns to her World! Ex-Future Wife Star Explains It All.”

The video wasn’t long—about ten minutes. The host was energetic but delivered the story with a surprising amount of matter-of-fact confidence. He referenced actual footage, splicing in clips from an Anime News America (ANA) interview with Medusa herself.

Kayla leaned in closer. ANA had always been a credible source for anime news. They covered industry updates, voice actor interviews, and convention exclusives. They didn’t do hoaxes.

Yet, there she was—Medusa, as cold and composed as ever, recounting her so-called experience on Future Wife as if it had actually happened. Her voice was unmistakable, exactly like her English dub actress. But this time, there was no dubbing involved—the interview was live on Zoom.

Kayla’s fingers hovered over her trackpad. Brittany wasn’t joking! This wasn’t a big passion project someone made. This was real life!

She couldn’t find full episodes of the show for free, so she was solely relying on what she could find on YouTube. She fantasized about what it would be like to date her favorite characters. And since she had paid time off, she thought this might be her chance of finding her future husband!

She scrolled through her old messages, pulling up the chat she had with Rachel from last year. She skimmed through their conversation until she found what she was looking for—the casting call for Future Husband! And just luck, they were casting for a fourth season!

Her heart thumped as she clicked the link.

Filling out the application a second time was much easier. She had already saved her essay responses in a Google document, so it was just a matter of copying, pasting, and double-checking her answers. Within minutes, she hovered over the submit button, took a deep breath, and clicked.

“Here goes nothing.” She thought.

She crossed her fingers, hoping Laura would call her again.

~

Two days later, Kayla was in the middle of her shift when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She checked it on break—a voicemail from Laura.

Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She had been chosen. Again.

For a moment, she simply sat there, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. A rush of excitement, disbelief, and nervous energy bubbled in her chest. She wanted to call Laura back immediately, but she was still at work—she had no choice but to wait.

The rest of the day crawled by at a painfully slow pace. She could barely focus, her mind wandering to what this experience would look like.

She imagined Diluc from Genshin Impact and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII engaging in a fierce magic duel, their powers clashing in brilliant bursts of energy as they fought for her affection.

She saw herself curled into the arms of Lysandre from Pokémon, his presence steady and reassuring, his voice smooth as he whispered something only for her to hear.

Then, her thoughts drifted to an elegant ballroom, the chandeliers casting a golden glow as she moved effortlessly across the floor with Leona from Twisted Wonderland. His hand was cool against her back, his crimson gaze unwavering as they danced, lost in the music and each other.

The train home was delayed, stretching the anticipation even further. Every stop, every announcement over the speakers, every impatient tap of her foot against the floor made the wait unbearable.

By the time she finally stepped through the front door, she barely took a moment to kick off her shoes before rushing to her room. She shut the door behind her, her heart pounding in exhilaration.

Without wasting another second, she dialed Laura’s number, pressing the phone to her ear.

The moment the call connected, she took a deep breath. "Hey, Laura, it’s Kayla."

"Ah, great to hear from you again!" Laura’s voice was bright and welcoming. "I take it you want to be part of the next season of Future Husband?"

"Yeah.” Kayla replied. “But can I get a few weeks' notice before production starts? Just so I can let my job know?"

"Of course," The cheerful woman assured her. "We’re just wrapping up Season Three, and we don’t plan on starting the next season until this summer anyway!"

Kayla perked up. "Perfect! That gives me plenty of time. But… I do have one question….”

"Shoot!"

The blonde hesitated for a moment before asking, "What made you choose me?"

“Oh honey,” Laura let out a knowing chuckle. "Your answers felt so genuine and passionate. Plus, we do background checks, and you have quite the history with fandom culture. Your love for different series really stood out. And I especially loved your Six Worlds: One Heart story."

“You read that?”

Six Worlds: One Heart had started as a serious passion project, evolving from a simple AI-generated scenario into a full-fledged fanfiction series. Though she had never published it publicly due to her struggles with linear storytelling, she had poured a lot of effort into its worldbuilding, mythology, and character dynamics.

When the Future Husband application asked contestants to showcase their creative talents, she had submitted a chapter, hoping it would highlight her skills as a writer. She just hadn’t expected anyone to actually read it—let alone bring it up in a casting call.

Laura, however, sounded delighted. "Oh, I did. And let me tell you, I loved the mythology you built around your self-insert being the goddess of creativity. It was fresh, engaging—it showed passion."

"But… I’m really shy in real life. I just do fanfiction as a hobby."

"Which is exactly why you’re perfect for this show. Our network, RAWTV, loves contestants who are genuine and true to themselves. That’s what makes for the best reality TV."

"But reality shows are all scripted anyway."

"Not RAWTV. The producers here are aware of how fake other dating shows can be and they have a different approach entirely.”

Laura continued, launching into an explanation about her company and its unconventional lineup of reality shows. One series was a realistic portrayal of America’s Next Top Model—no over-the-top manufactured drama, just raw competition and the struggles of aspiring models. Another show featured hidden cameras inside high school classrooms, following a group called Bully Hunters as they confronted school bullies in real time.

Kayla listened, intrigued. "Wow, that actually sounds… really cool." A slow grin spread across her face. "I can’t wait to start filming."

"Me too!" Laura’s excitement was contagious. "Now, let me tell you how Future Husband works."

Kayla leaned forward slightly, gripping her phone as Laura continued.

"You’ll start by selecting a few of your favorite fictional characters," Laura explained. "From there, my friend Avery—who happens to be a very talented shaman—will work her magic to bring those characters to life."

"I didn’t even know that existed.” Kayla shook her head in disbelief. “I’ve studied the occult for years, and I’ve never come across anything like that."

"That’s because it’s something only she and her family can do," Laura explained. "She doesn’t share it with just anyone. Aside from me and the rest of the production crew, no one outside of RAWTV knows the full extent of her abilities. She tries to keep it under wraps—having multi-dimensional powers is no small feat, and you can imagine the kind of attention that would bring."

"Makes sense. Her secret’s safe with me."

"Glad to hear it! Now, as we get closer to the filming date, we’ll finalize your list of lucky bachelors. I’ll give you a call around the first week of June so we can go over your choices."

"Awesome! Thanks so much, Laura!"

"No problem, Kayla. Get ready—your dream harem is about to become reality."

~June 2026:

The next few months dragged on for Kayla. Life felt dull and repetitive, each day blending into the next as she counted down the time until Future Husband finally began.

Then, on an otherwise uneventful Wednesday evening, just as she was finishing dinner after work, her phone buzzed. Laura’s name flashed across the screen.

"Hey, Laura, how’s it going?" Kayla answered, leaning back in her chair.

"Good! Do you have a few minutes to chat? I want to go over your selections for the bachelors.”

 

"Yeah, I’ve got time.”

"Perfect," Laura said. "I need you to pick fourteen men. They can be from any fandom, as long as they’re fictional. It doesn’t have to be just anime!"

“Ooh, that’s tough.” Kayla tapped her chin. "Fourteen? I have hundreds of fandom crushes!"

“Well, why not start with the ones you wrote about in your fanfiction? Itachi, Valtor, Sephiroth, and Sirius—that already gets you four."

"Actually… can I swap Sephiroth for Genesis from Crisis Core? I feel like he’d be way more into the competition."

"Absolutely! "Four down, ten more to go!"

Kayla tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. There were too many choices, too many fictional men who had, at one point or another, captured her heart. After a moment, she spoke.

The new Archon Quest for Genshin Impact had been released and Kayla had been watching playthroughs of the game for a while. The fandom was known to have a lot of pretty boys; Zhongli, Alhaitham, Kaeya-- but she knew exactly who she wanted. "Childe from Genshin Impact."

"That makes five!" Laura confirmed, her tone enthusiastic.

Another pause followed as Kayla sifted through her mental archive of fandom crushes. There were so many possibilities, but she needed to be strategic—she wanted a lineup that would keep things interesting.

"Alucard from Castlevania… ooh, and Prince Diamond from Sailor Moon!"

"Wait," Laura said, pausing. "Which character is that again? Is that… Chibiusa’s husband?"

"No! He’s actually one of the villains. He’s obsessed with Queen Serenity."

"Ohhh, right," Laura said, drawing out the word as recognition clicked. "I vaguely remember him. I see you have a thing for bad boys."

"Yeah, I like my men dark and edgy. Ooh! Can we also add Jack Sparrow? I recently got into the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise."

"Sure! That brings us to nine. Who else? You’ve got five more slots to fill."

"Hold on," Kayla said, pushing herself up from the table. "Let me go into my room. I actually have a list of characters I like."

“"No problem.’ Laura chuckled. “And just so you know, you can pick multiple characters from the same fandom if you want."

"Nah, I don’t want anyone to have a pre-established relationship. I mean, I love Orochimaru, but if I added him, it’d definitely cause a rift between him and Itachi."

"True. But you have to admit—it would make for some great drama!"

Laura listened as Kayla shuffled to the other room, the faint sound of a laptop opening in the background. Kayla pulled up a document where she had listed her favorite characters, but before she could click on it, something else caught her eye—a Facebook memory.

It was an old screenshot from The Sims 4, showing one of her Sims marrying one of the pre-made characters.

A lightbulb went off in her head. "Let’s add Caleb Vatore to the mix."

"I know that name," Laura said. "Where’s he from again?"

"The Sims 4. He’s from the Vampires expansion."

"Ohhh! Love him. Excellent choice!"

Kayla grinned, pleased with the validation. She navigated away from the memory and clicked open an old YouTube project she had abandoned months ago—a massive tier list labeled “The Ultimate Hot Fictional Boy Tier List”. It was meant to be a full video ranking characters across more than twenty fandoms, but she had never finished editing it.

She scrolled through her notes, skimming through her rankings and short descriptions of each character. "Ooh, what about Gladio from Final Fantasy XV?"

"I never played that one. But okay!"

Kayla kept scrolling, her eyes catching a subcategory labeled "Fruits Basket." Her heart tensed. Three names stood out immediately—Ayame, the dramatic and flamboyant snake, Shigure, the mischievous and slightly pervy dog, and Hatsuharu, the quiet yet temperamental ox.

“Why does this have to be so hard?" She thought.

"Are you still there?" Laura asked, as Kayla didn’t realize how long she had been silent.”

"Yeah. I’m just trying to decide which Fruits Basket character to add."

"Which ones are you torn between? Fruits Basket was one of my favorites when I was in college. Maybe I can help!"

"Shigure, Ayame, and Hatsuharu…"

"Hmm," The casting director mused. "Well, to be honest, I hate Shigure. Ayame is fun, though—he could bring some humor to the mix, especially with your lineup of brooding bad boys. But Hatsuharu might fit too, since you seem to like that type of guy."

Kayla hesitated. "If I choose Hatsuharu, is it possible to age him up? You know, just to make things… appropriate?"

"Of course! That’s the beauty of trans-dimensional magic," Laura said matter-of-factly. "Not only can you bring characters to life, but you can tweak them before they even set foot in this world. That’s also the secret to making the more aloof characters likable."

"I want to know more about this type of magic, but I have a feeling it’s way more complicated than it sounds."

"It is. Now, you’ve got three more slots left."

"Give me a minute while I think.”

"Take your time.”

Kayla continued browsing, opening another subfolder labeled Pokémon. She was surprised by how many crushes she had from the series—far more than she expected. But looking at her current lineup, she realized she needed to balance things out. Most of her chosen bachelors leaned toward the dark and brooding type. She wanted some variety.

After a moment, she made her decision. "How about Lance from Pokémon?"

"Ooh, he’s cute," Laura said, clearly approving. "I used to have a crush on him! Alright, two more slots! You got this!"

Kayla clicked out of the Pokémon folder and scrolled through the rest of her notes. That’s when she spotted a name that instantly reignited an old obsession—Lestat de Lioncourt.

Two years ago, she had been obsessed with him, far more than the main character, Louis de Pointe du Lac. There was something about Lestat’s magnetic energy, his charm, his utter refusal to be anything but himself.

"I want to add another non-anime character in there," she said, tapping her fingers against her laptop.

"Go for it!"

"Let’s go with Lestat from Interview with the Vampire."

"Adding some spice to the mix. I like it!"

Kayla glanced around her room, searching for inspiration for her final bachelor. Her shelves were lined with plushies and figurines from different franchises, posters with different characters were all over her walls. However, she noticed many of them were repeats from series she had already picked from.

Her gaze wandered over her collection, passing familiar faces until she spotted a blonde elven character peeking out from between her collector’s edition Snow White Barbie and her Gladio figure.

She reached over, adjusting the Legolas figure so he stood more prominently. "The last bachelor should be Legolas from Lord of the Rings."

"Excellent choice!” Laura’s voice purred with delight. “Alright, now that we have your list of bachelors, there’s one last thing—you’ll need to bring any merchandise you have of these characters so Avery can bring them to life."

Kayla let out a nervous laugh. "But I don’t have figures of some of these characters.”

"That’s fine!" Laura reassured her. "If you don’t have any merch, you can just print a picture of them. The last contestant actually submitted a drawing of her own OC, and it was enough to make him real."

The soon-to-be contestant let out a breath of relief, shifting positions, so she was laying on her side. "That’s… amazing. When do we start filming?"

"Two weeks!" Laura said, her excitement evident. "Get your plane ticket ready and we’ll pick you up in a limo and drive you to the mansion where you’ll be staying for the next few months."

Kayla felt her pulse quicken. This was real. It was actually happening. "I can’t wait!"

“Cool. Let me know if you have any questions.”

“Will do!”

~

The next two weeks flew by in a blur, each day passing faster than Kayla could process. But amidst the excitement, she faced one major hurdle—getting her trip to Malibu approved by her job.

Her supervisor was supportive, willing to let her go, but HR was less enthusiastic. They hesitated, citing her spotty attendance record as a concern. While Kayla had a great reputation among her clients and colleagues, she also had a weak immune system, frequently getting sick and needing to leave early for doctor’s appointments.

Just like before, it seemed like she might have to choose between the show and her job. Then, against all odds, a miracle happened—HR approved her request, though it would be unpaid.

She didn’t care. She had been saving up for months and had finally learned to manage her spending wisely. Money wasn’t going to stop her from living out this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Stepping off the plane, she took a deep breath of the warm Los Angeles air. The reality of what she was about to do finally started to sink in.

Standing near the arrivals area, she spotted a man holding a poster board with her name written in bold letters. He was tall and heavy-set, bald with dark skin and glasses.

She approached him with a small smile. "That's me."

The man gave a polite nod and reached for her suitcase. "Let me help you with your bags," he said, his thick Nigerian accent adding warmth to his tone.

Kayla stepped into the limo, buckling up as she stared out the window. Her stomach fluttered with anticipation.

This was it. Her journey to find her future husband was officially beginning.

The driver climbed in and punched the destination into the GPS. "So, you’re the new contestant on Future Husband, huh?" he asked, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

Kayla grinned, still trying to believe it herself. "Yeah. I’m so excited."

The driver let out a knowing chuckle. "You are one lucky lady."

The drive was quiet, save for the soft hum of the engine. Kayla slipped on her headphones, scrolling through her playlist before settling on something lively and energetic—hardstyle electronica pulsed through her ears, the fast beats matching the excitement thrumming in her chest.

This was the kind of music she always turned to when she was buzzing with energy. When she needed something to feed the fire inside her.

But as the car rolled smoothly down the road, her thoughts drifted to the reality of what was ahead. A dating show. A house full of fictional men brought to life.

Her fingers hovered over her playlist, hesitating for a moment before switching to something else.

The sultry, smoldering melody of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good filled her ears. She leaned back against the seat, her lips parting slightly as she let the song wash over her.

Then, she switched again—Muse’s Supermassive Black Hole.

A slow, knowing smile crept onto her face.

The idea of being on a dating show thrilled her in ways she hadn’t fully acknowledged before. There was a very real possibility that, behind the scenes, she might actually have her first real experience with intimacy.

The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

~

The drive to the mansion took a little over an hour, the scenery shifting from busy streets to the sun-drenched luxury of Malibu. Kayla kept her hands folded in her lap, bouncing her knee as anticipation built in her chest.

When the limo finally pulled into a parking lot, three figures were already waiting for her.
The first was an androgynous individual, their features sharp and masculine, yet their clothing was distinctly feminine—a flowing blouse, fitted trousers, and subtle jewelry. Beside them stood a short, skinny man with freckles, his expression warm and full of energy. The third person was a stunning woman dressed as Tinkerbell, her curves accentuated by a sparkling green dress. Her confidence was radiant, like she owned the place.

The driver stepped out and opened the door for Kayla. As she climbed out, the freckled man stepped forward with a bright smile.

"Welcome, Kayla!" he greeted, his voice full of enthusiasm. "My name is Daniel. I’m the president of RAWTV."

"Nice to meet you." Kayla smiled, shaking his hand.

The androgynous figure extended their hand next. "I’m Avery—the shaman Laura told you about." Their grip was firm, their gaze assessing, as if they were already reading her energy.

Then, the Tinkerbell-clad woman beamed and took a step forward. "And I’m Vanessa. I’ll be the host of the show."

Kayla’s eyes flicked over her costume, her lips curling into a grin. "I love your outfit!"

“Thanks!” Vanessa twirled playfully, the layers of her dress shimmering under the sunlight. "Every episode, I dress up as my favorite characters to keep things fun and give the show that extra fandom flare."

"That’s actually really cool." Kayla said in admiration.

Daniel cleared his throat. "Now then, let’s show you around. The rest of the crew is waiting inside."

He pushed open the grand double doors, ushering Kayla and the others into the mansion. The moment she stepped inside, her breath hitched.

The interior was stunning—a vast, open space with soaring high ceilings and a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging at the center. A double staircase curved elegantly on either side of the entrance, its dark wooden railings contrasting beautifully with the polished tile floors, which had a rustic yet refined feel.

Kayla barely had time to take it all in before Daniel led her deeper into the house, guiding her toward the west wing, where the kitchen was located.

When she stepped inside, she was hit with the scent of freshly cooked food.

The kitchen was enormous. A long dining table, big enough to seat twelve people, stood at th center, while a sleek countertop with barstools for ten lined the far end. Most of the filming crew was already there, eating lunch and chatting casually.

"This is the kitchen," Daniel motioned toward them.. "And these are the people you’ll be seeing almost daily. Filming runs from 9 a.m. to midnight, so you’ll be working with them a lot."

Kayla let out a nervous chuckle. "That’s a long time. I’ve never worked on anything this big before."

"It’s not as bad as it sounds," A bald man, with a thick white beard reassured. He was drinking a can of coke. "A lot of the time, we run behind schedule or end up not filming as much, depending on what’s happening that day."

The woman sitting next to him—about Kayla’s age, with a pixie cut and thick makeup—nodded. "We don’t really have story producers, so the drama happens naturally. Most of us here are just camera operators, hair and makeup artists, and editors."

She stood up, flashing a confident smile. "My name’s Daisy. I’m the PR coordinator."

Avery turned to Kayla with a friendly smile. "Have you eaten yet? We have a sandwich and salad bar if you're hungry."

Right on cue, Kayla’s stomach let out a loud growl. "Yeah, I’m starving!"

Daniel chuckled. "Let’s finish the tour first, and then you can grab something to eat."

He led her through the mansion, while Avery and Vanessa remained in the kitchen. He opened a set of glass doors that opened up to the backyard. The space was massive, featuring a large pool that sparkled under the sun, a built-in barbecue station, a mini bar stocked with drinks, and a comfortable seating area with plush outdoor furniture.

He gestured broadly. "This is the backyard. It’s spacious but always full of energy. We throw a lot of parties out here."

"It’s beautiful," Kayla stepped onto the patio, taking it all in.

The president nodded before leading her back inside. They walked down a short hallway before stopping in front of a small door. He pushed it open, revealing a compact bathroom with nothing but a toilet and a sink.

"This is one of the smaller bathrooms," He explained. "But if you need something a little more luxurious..."

He turned and opened the door directly across from it, revealing a spacious, high-end bathroom. A jacuzzi hot tub sat in the corner, next to a large vanity with a mirror framed by glowing lights. The space felt like something straight out of a luxury spa.

"Wow!” Kayla’s eye widened in awe. “How many bathrooms are in this place?"

"It’s a six-bed, five-bath. And we’ve got a game room too!"

Curious, Kayla followed Daniel as he led her into another section of the mansion. The moment they stepped inside, her jaw nearly dropped.

The game room was massive, almost overwhelming. A huge screen TV dominated the far wall—easily the size of a small movie theater screen—with several gaming consoles neatly arranged beneath it. The white leather sofas, capable of seating at least eight people each, faced each other in a way that made the room feel both luxurious and inviting.

But that wasn’t all. A Skee-Ball machine and a pool table sat in the corner, adding a classic arcade vibe to the space.

Daniel smirked at her reaction. "Pretty cool, huh? We have almost every console you can think of—Xbox, PlayStation, even some retro ones if you’re feeling nostalgic."

Kayla glanced at the wide selection of games displayed on the shelves. Most of them were unfamiliar to her—she had never been much of a gamer, especially when it came to party games. Still, the setup was undeniably impressive.

After a few moments of admiring the room, Daniel motioned for her to follow him again. They walked through another wing of the house, arriving at a narrow corridor lined with four doors. "All of these rooms are for crew only. This is where the editing and behind-the-scenes work happens."

He pointed to the last door at the end of the hall. "That’s another bathroom, but it also doubles as the hair and makeup room. That’s where you’ll get camera-ready before filming."

Then, he indicated the door to the left. "You’ll also meet with the editors here from time to time, just to go over footage before it airs live."

Kayla nodded, as she followed him to the end of the corridor. They stepped into another spacious room featuring a sleek bar, several small tables, and a compact stage equipped with a microphone and amp.

The president gestured toward the setup. "This is where we’ll hold the rose ceremonies. That happens every Friday night. We also use this space for indoor parties—on the rare occasion it actually rains in California."

Kayla chuckled at that, shaking her head. As a native Californian, she knew firsthand how rare rain was. The state had faced more droughts than she could count.

Daniel led her upstairs next, where most of the bedroom doors were open, revealing modest yet comfortable rooms. Each contained three neatly arranged beds, three desks, and small dressers, giving off a shared living space vibe. "This is where the bachelors will sleep.”

"It kind of looks like a luxurious summer camp." Kayla joked.

Daniel laughed. "Yeah, but with more romance and fewer campfires." He motioned for her to follow him further down the hall. "Now, let me show you to your room."

At the very end of the hallway, he opened a door to reveal a grand suite, far more extravagant than the others.

A California king-sized bed sat in the center, dressed in a striking red comforter. Above it, a glistening crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the space. A plush area rug separated the bed from a cozy seating area, which featured elegant chairs positioned to overlook the backyard’s scenic view.

Kayla’s eye widened. "This is so cool!"

"And that’s not all.” Daniel added. “You’ve also got a walk-in closet and your own private bathroom."

Kayla let out a stunned laugh, turning in a slow circle as she took it all in. "I can’t believe this!"

“Glad you like the place. Now, why don’t you unpack and get something to eat. Then you and Avery can start the awakening ritual in…lets say an hour?

“Sounds good to me.”

Daniel gave her a warm smile. "I’ll give you some time to yourself. Come down to the kitchen whenever you're ready to eat."

With that, he stepped out, leaving Kayla alone in her lavish new room.

Excitement bubbled inside her as she unzipped her suitcase and began unpacking. She hadn’t brought much—just the bare essentials: clothes, toiletries, a deck of tarot cards, a few board games, her medications, and, most importantly, the items needed for the ritual.

Her figurines were carefully wrapped in clothes, a precaution she took to prevent them from breaking during the trip. For the characters she didn’t have merchandise for, she had printed out high-quality pictures, tucking them safely into her backpack.

Once everything was set, she headed downstairs for lunch.

~

Later that afternoon, Kayla found Avery lounging at the outdoor bar, sipping a glass of wine.

She took a deep breath before stepping forward. "I’m ready to start the ritual."

Avery reclined in her seat. "You brought everything?"

"Yeah, it’s all in my room."

"Good," Avery said with a nod. "Bring it all down to the party room in the East Wing. You know which one I’m talking about?"

"Yeah, I remember."

With that, Kayla rushed upstairs, gathering all the necessary materials before making her way to the meeting spot.

When she arrived, Avery was already seated on the floor, legs tucked beneath her, surrounded by fourteen flickering candles arranged in a perfect circle. The warm glow cast dancing shadows across the room, giving the entire setup an undeniably mystical atmosphere.

Kayla swallowed hard. This was really happening.

"Place each item between the candles," Avery instructed, her voice calm but firm. "Then join me on the floor."

Kayla carefully arranged the figurines, printed pictures, and plushies between the candles as directed, making sure everything was placed neatly. Then, she lowered herself onto the floor, mirroring Avery’s posture.

"Now, let's join hands," Avery said, extending her palms. Kayla did as she was instructed. The shaman closed her eyes and began to chant.

The words were unfamiliar—nothing like Latin or any other language Kayla had heard before. Each syllable was short and clipped, almost rhythmic, and every few moments, Avery would click her tongue between words. It almost sounded African, though Kayla wasn’t sure. She wanted to ask but didn’t dare interrupt the ritual.

She stayed silent, focusing on the strange but hypnotic incantation. The chanting lasted for several minutes before Avery slowly opened her deep brown eyes, locking onto Kayla’s.

"Tell me, Kayla," Avery said, her tone softer now. "Who is the first bachelor you’d like to awaken? And give me three qualities about him."

Kayla’s gaze instinctively drifted to her right. Her eyes landed on a plushie of Childe, his stitched-on smirk almost looking mischievous under the flickering candlelight.

"Childe," she said with certainty. "He’s passionate, possessive, and playful."

Avery nodded and repeated another short incantation, this time even briefer than before.
Kayla suspected that Avery was translating what she had just said into that mysterious language.

"Next." Avery instructed, looking back at her.

They continued, moving through the list of bachelors one by one. Each time, Kayla named a character and three defining traits, and Avery sealed the words with another incantation.
By the time they reached the last name, the air in the room had shifted.

A sudden gust of wind picked up, despite the fact that they were indoors. The candle flames danced wildly, and a strange energy buzzed through the space.

Kayla’s heart pounded against her ribs. She had no idea what was happening. She was a firm believer of magic, but she hadn’t witnessed anything like this.

After the final bachelor’s qualities were spoken, Avery’s voice took on a softer, more hypnotic tone.

"Now, I want you to imagine the souls of these characters emerging from these items," she instructed. "Picture their touch. Their faces. Their outfits. Feel their presence."

Kayla closed her eye, following the guidance. Avery began one final incantation, her voice weaving through the air like a delicate thread pulling reality and fantasy together.

Kayla focused, picturing every detail—the warmth of Lance’s confident smirk, the intensity in Itachi’s gaze, the flow of Legolas’ platinum-blonde hair. Her mind’s eye conjured ghostly figures rising from the objects before her, their forms flickering like candlelight.

But something felt... off.

The incantation went on and on, stretching into what felt like eternity. Kayla’s body grew heavy, an overwhelming fatigue washing over her. Was it the ritual? Or just jet lag?

Her thoughts drifted like waves retreating from shore, her breathing slowed, and before she could fight it—She slipped into unconsciousness.

Avery’s eyes fluttered open, but Kayla’s remained closed. She expected this. This was part of the ritual. The mind needed time to process the summoning, to adjust to the new energy now existing in their world.

A quick glance at the space around them told her all she needed to know—all the candles had burned out. The flames had done their job, carrying the spell to completion.

The ritual had worked. A sudden chime echoed through the mansion. The front doorbell.
She exhaled, her lips curving into a small smile. The bachelors had arrived.

Chapter 2: Drama Queen

“Kayla…”

A voice hummed through the haze of her dreams, low and smooth, like a lullaby meant to keep her drifting.

She moaned softly, stirring but not fully waking. The voice came again, this time closer, richer—more seductive. Her good eye fluttered open, vision hazy as she took in the figure lying beside her.

A handsome man lay beside her, his ginger-colored hair tousled just enough to look effortlessly charming. His piercing blue eyes glowed under the low light, a teasing smirk dancing on his lips.
He was wearing a dark asymmetrical coat with crimson accents, a black fitted shirt underneath, fingerless gloves, and a sleek mask pushed up on the side of his head. He was stroking her hair, his touch feather-light, almost affectionate.

Kayla blinked sluggishly, too tired to react, her mind still clinging to the last threads of sleep. Maybe she was dreaming. Maybe this was just another figment of her imagination. So, she shut her eye again, dismissing the sensation as nothing more than exhaustion-induced hallucinations.

The man chuckled, his voice a deep, velvety purr. "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty!” His words were gentle, but there was a mischievous edge behind them, as if he enjoyed teasing her.

Something about that voice clicked. Her breath hitched. She knew that voice. She had heard it countless times before—smug, cocky, laced with just enough charm to be dangerous.

Kayla’s eye snapped open, and as reality came rushing back, so did the realization. Childe.
From Genshin Impact. Lying in her bed.

She sucked in a sharp gasp and bolted upright, her heart hammering against her ribs. She was still fully clothed, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t in serious trouble. Because if there was one thing she knew about Childe…It was that he was always unpredictable.

"Oh my god..." Kayla's voice barely rose above a whisper. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she stared at the man beside her. "You… you're real… the ritual… it actually worked?"

The man smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Of course it worked. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be lying here with you."

Kayla’s eye darted around the room, panic creeping in. Were there hidden cameras? Was she being filmed while she was sleepin? "Please tell me we didn’t just start filming."
"Relax. I only came to wake you up. They’re still getting everyone’s hair and makeup done." Childe chuckled, still lazily stroking her hair.

Kayla’s mind spun. Childe—her Childe—was real. Right in front of her. Breathing. Smirking. Looking at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

She hadn’t even processed how long she had been silent until he leaned in closer, his warm breath ghosting against her ear.

"Aw, come on, don’t be shy," he teased, his voice dropping into something silkier. "I won’t bite… much."

A sharp shiver ran down Kayla’s spine as her face heated up, turning a deep pink. She shook her head quickly. "Sorry, it’s just—"

Before she could finish, a knock at the door made her jump.

"C-Come in!" she called out, her voice embarrassingly unsteady.

The door swung open, revealing Vanessa. She beamed when she saw Kayla sitting up. "Oh, good! You’re awake!"

Then her gaze shifted to Childe, and her expression morphed from warm enthusiasm to playful annoyance as she placed a hand on her hip.

"And what are you doing up here?" she demanded, eyes narrowing. "You're supposed to wait until we start filming!"

The Fatui Harbringer stretched leisurely before swinging his legs over the side of the bed, looking completely unbothered. "I got bored," he said smoothly, flashing a cocky grin. "Besides, I wanted to see who my future wife would be."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Get your butt downstairs."

The ginger sighed dramatically but obeyed, winking at Kayla as he made his way out.

The host turned back to Kayla. "And you, come with me. It’s time to introduce you to the hair and makeup team."

~

For a production that prided itself on being "realistic" reality TV, the process of getting Kayla camera-ready took far longer than she ever expected.

Mike, the dramatic perfectionist of a hairstylist, had gasped in pure horror when Kayla casually mentioned she hadn’t gotten her hair done in months.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew—including Daniel—didn’t see the issue. They assured her she looked perfectly fine, but Mike was having none of it. He outright refused to let her appear on camera until one of the interns ran out to buy hair dye. Apparently, the fact that her roots were showing was unacceptable.

Kayla sat through the entire ordeal, resisting the urge to roll her eyes as Mike fussed over every detail.

By the time he finally finished, dinner had arrived—but, of course, there was another complication.

Daniel met her just as she was about to head toward the dining area, stopping her with a raised hand.

"Not so fast," he said. "You’ll be eating in a separate room. We don’t want you meeting the bachelors until the cameras are rolling."

Kayla sighed, poking at her food with little enthusiasm. Eating alone in the kitchen wasn’t exactly how she imagined her first night in the mansion. Most of the camera crew were busy setting up their equipment in other parts of the house, and the bachelors were all gathered together in the party room—getting to know each other while she was stuck here, waiting.

As she took another bite, Vanessa passed by and immediately noticed her frustration. With a small smile, she slid into the seat across from her.

"How’s the food?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Kayla shrugged. "I’m not a huge fan of barbecue, but it’s fine. I’ll eat it."

Vanessa, still dressed in her Tinkerbell costume, wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, the chicken was kind of dry if you ask me. But at least the mac and cheese and cornbread were good."

Kayla stirred her macaroni with her fork, her mind drifting to what was about to happen. She had spent the whole day getting ready, but now that the moment was here, a familiar unease settled in her chest.

She decided to shift the conversation. "So, if this show isn’t scripted, how does the drama play out?"

“"To be honest?” The woman dressed as Tinkerbell leaned back in her chair and shrugged. “I’m not quite sure. I’m new to RAWTV too."

"Really? But I thought you said that in every episode, you cosplay as someone else."

Vanessa chuckled. "That was actually an idea I pitched to Daniel when he brought me on as host. I have no idea what’s going to happen. I’m still waiting to hear back from the showrunners."

As if on cue, a woman with bright red hair strode into the room. She was heavyset, wore thick glasses straight out of the 1960s, and carried herself with an air of elegance and authority.

Her voice was crisp, polished with an Australian accent as she looked between them. "Are you Kayla and Vanessa?"

“Yes.” Kayla lifted a hand in greeting. "I’m Kayla."

"And I’m Vanessa." Vanessa gestured to herself with a grin.

“I’m Terry, the head showrunner,” the woman introduced herself, adjusting her glasses. “Sorry I’m late, but I just flew in from Australia, and my flight was delayed. Plus, the traffic from LAX to here was absolutely dreadful.”

“Just the person we wanted to see!” Vanessa’s eyes lit up. “We’ve been wondering—if the show isn’t scripted, how does the drama unfold?”

“Good question,” Terry replied with a nod. “The crew at RAWTV is very observant. We practice a lot of mindfulness and take detailed notes on everything that happens throughout the day. Instead of scripting things, we recreate real moments, shaping them into a storyline that feels organic.”

The soon-to-be contestant furrowed her brows. “Wait… so you’re saying the crew just… rewinds and repeats real events?”

“Exactly,” Terry confirmed. “Say, for example, you tripped down the stairs earlier. We’d have you recreate that moment on camera, but framed in a way that builds a storyline. It’s like copying a scene from real life and pasting it into a more structured narrative.”

Kayla blinked. “You’re not actually going to have me do stunts like that, are you?”

The Aussie laughed, shaking her head. “Of course not! That was a bad example—a bit too extreme. Let me think of something else…”

She tapped her fingers on the counter, searching for a better way to explain.

Kayla shook her head. “It’s okay, I think I get it.”

“So what’s the plan for this episode?” Vanessa asked, with contagious excitement.

“Since Kayla was asleep most of the afternoon, not much happened that we can recreate.” Terry admitted, with confidence. “This is the only time you’ll actually be given a storyline. But don’t worry—you’ll still get to tell it in your own way.”

Vanessa tilted her head. “What do you have in mind?”

Terry leaned against the counter, folding her arms. "Well, to be honest, tonight is mostly about introductions since it’s already getting late."

She turned to Vanessa. "You’ll start by introducing yourself to the audience. Then, we’ll recreate Kayla’s arrival—flying in, stepping into the house—and from there, she’ll meet the guys one by one."

Vanessa nodded, "That doesn’t sound too difficult!"

Kayla, on the other hand, bit her lip, shifting in her seat. "I’m just nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m not an actress."

“"You don’t have to be.” Terry gave her an encouraging smile. “Just react naturally, the way you would in real life. If there’s ever a moment where you feel like you need to act, we’ll coach you through it."

Kayla hesitated. "You really think I can do this?"

"Of course you can!” Vanessa beamed, as she gave Kayla a playful wink. “You were chosen for a reason!"

"She’s right. RAWTV doesn’t pick just anyone.” The Australian added. “We specifically look for people who are raw, real, and genuine."

Before Kayla could respond, a man wearing a lime green blazer strolled in. He had a curly afro and carried himself with effortless confidence, his bright eyes scanning the room.

"Ah, Terry! There you are," he said, his voice warm and deep. "Daniel was starting to get worried."

“"Yeah, yeah.” Terry exhaled dramatically, shaking her head. “Let’s just say Australian Airlines and I are not on good terms right now."

She motioned toward the other two women. "Denzel, have you met these two yet?"

Denzel’s expression brightened as he turned to them. "Not yet!" He grinned, leaning against the counter. "Hey, I’m one of the camera operators—looking forward to working with you both!"

Suddenly, Daniel’s voice boomed, “GODDAMMIT! WHERE IS SHE??”

Kayla flinched, nearly dropping her fork. She hadn’t expected that kind of outburst from him—he had always seemed so polite and reserved. She never would have guessed he had such a temper.

Terry, however, remained completely unbothered. She casually took a sip of water before calling back, “I’m in here, Danny!”

Within seconds, Daniel stormed into the kitchen, his expression shifting instantly from frustration to pure adoration the moment his eyes landed on her.

“There she is!” he exclaimed, his entire demeanor softening as he strode toward her.

Kayla watched as the two colleagues embraced, planting two air kisses on each of her cheeks. At first, she thought it was just a dramatic greeting, but then, without hesitation, they actually kissed.

Her eye widened slightly.” Oh… Are they together?” She thought to herself.

“I was starting to miss you!” Daniel pulled back, beaming. “Everyone’s been waiting for you.”

“Yeah, well,’ Terry rolled her eyes playfully. “You know how much bad luck I have when it comes to traveling.”

Daniel chuckled, shaking his head before turning his attention to Vanessa and Kayla, who were still sitting at the kitchen table. “You two ready to start?”

Kayla gave a quick nod while Vanessa answered enthusiastically, “Yeah!”

“Alright!” Daniel clapped his hands together. “Vanessa, we’re going to film your solo moments in one of the rooms. Denzel will be your cameraman. Kayla, you’ll be filming outside in the front yard with Frank.”

He motioned for Kayla to follow him outside, and as she stepped into the cool evening air, her thoughts raced. This is really happening. She was about to become a reality TV star.

He led her to the front courtyard, where the same limo driver from earlier stood nearby, arms crossed as he watched the production crew set up. A small team of staff members was already in place, preparing for the next scene.

A heavyset, bearded man with auburn hair, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, stepped forward first, extending a hand. His grip was firm but friendly. "Hi, I’m Frank. One of the camera operators."

Kayla returned the handshake. "Nice to meet you."

Before she could say anything else, a tall woman—easily over six feet—approached, her long curly brown hair swaying as she moved. She looked focused, almost detached, like she was already thinking ten steps ahead.

"I’m Frances," she said briskly, shaking Kayla’s hand with an efficient grip before immediately glancing at her phone as if she were already onto the next task.

Kayla hesitated for a second before offering, "I’m Kayla."

The tall woman barely acknowledged it with a nod before flipping a page. "Alright, Kayla. Here’s the setup. Get in the limo, look out the window, and give us that ‘first time in California’ excitement."

"Actually, I’m from here. I just live in New York now." Kayla corrected, though her voice was quiet.

"Huh. Okay then.” Frances shrugged. “Just look excited to be on the show."

Kayla slid into the back of the limo, followed closely by Frances, Daniel, and Frank. The moment they all squeezed in, she realized how much more cramped the space felt compared to her ride earlier that afternoon.

The crew took the side seats, while Kayla sat in the very back, with Frank’s massive camera lens pointed directly at her. Her stomach tightened.

She was no stranger to performing on stage or even recording videos for her own YouTube channel, but this was completely different. She had never been in front of a camera this big before.

Frank adjusted his equipment, then hit a button. "Rolling!" he announced. "And... action."

Kayla froze. Her mind went blank, her limbs stiff. She had no idea what to do. She shifted slightly, crossing her legs, her foot tapping anxiously to the rhythm of a song in her head.

Instead of facing the camera, she turned her gaze toward the window, avoiding eye contact.
If she looked directly into the lens, it would only amplify her nerves.

Seconds ticked by. Her jaw tensed as she muttered between gritted teeth, "Is this okay?"

"Yes, it’s great!” Daniel’s voice came from the side. “Now turn to the other window and gasp—pretend you’re seeing the mansion for the first time."

The contestant hesitated, then did as she was told, widening her eyes in mock surprise as she turned. The absurdity of the moment nearly made her laugh, but she held it in, feeling awkward yet oddly amused.

Then, Frances spoke, her tone as composed and detached as ever. "Now look at the camera and tell us what’s going through your head right now."

Kayla turned to the camera and swallowed. “Um…I’m really excited.”

“You don’t look like it.” Frances remarked, crossing her arms.

Kayla nervously laughed. “Sorry, let me try that again.” She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “I’m really excited to be here.” Her voice still wavered, but her expression on her face seemed more genuine.

"Cut! Excellent!” Daniel commented. “Next, we’re going to film you and Tobe entering the mansion. Nothing fancy—just follow him inside."

Kayla nodded, thinking, That shouldn’t be too hard.

Daniel reached for the door handle but paused. "Stay here for a moment. We want to get a shot of you stepping out of the car."

With that, he, Frances, and Frank exited the limo. Kayla remained seated, watching as they gathered outside to brief the driver, Tobe, on his cues.

She sat quietly, waiting for Frank to call action. A few moments later, Tobe opened the door, offering a hand to help her out of the limo. Kayla took it, stepping onto the smooth stone driveway, her eyes briefly flicking to the two unfamiliar suitcases placed beside him. They were a shiny, bubblegum pink, definitely not hers.

She realized that they were most likely props. RAWTV likely provided them since they didn’t want to be held responsible for actual luggage going missing.

With the crew following closely behind, Kayla trailed after Tobe toward the mansion’s front door, trying to act natural.

"Cut," Frances called. "We’re going to do that again from another angle."

Kayla nodded, turning back toward the limo with Tobe and the crew to reset the scene.

This time, the camera faced her directly, the lens capturing her every movement. Feeling self-conscious, she averted her gaze, focusing solely on following Tobe’s lead.

"Cut," Frances called again, flipping through her notes. "One more time. Let’s get a side-angle shot."

They ran through the scene again, following the same routine. Kayla stepped out of the limo, adjusted her posture, and followed behind Tobe toward the mansion’s entrance.

But halfway there, she misstepped, her foot catching awkwardly on the pavement. She stumbled forward, arms flailing slightly before she managed to steady herself.

“Are you okay?” Daniel’s voice was full of concern.

“Yeah… I’m just clumsy.” Kayla let out an embarrassed chuckle, brushing it off. She glanced toward Frances. “Do you want me to do that again?”

“Yeah. One more time.” Frances replied, though it sounded more like a demand than a request.

Kayla sighed, then headed back to the limo with Tobe to reset for another take. This time, she made sure to watch her step, carefully following him to the front door.

She barely had time to process it before Frances finally called out, "Okay, that’s a wrap! Let’s get you inside."

Kayla exhaled in relief, hugging her arms around herself. "Great, I’m freezing."

The dry California air nipped at her skin, and she shivered slightly. Though she was used to cool temperatures of New York, the harsh dryness of the West Coast was a different story. Her light, flowing dress did little to protect her from the evening chill.

She followed the crew inside, welcoming the warmth of the mansion. "So, what do we do now?" she asked the crew.

Daniel checked his watch. "Can you hang out in the kitchen for a bit longer? Vanessa’s still filming her session, and we’re not quite ready for you yet."

Kayla nodded. “Sure.”

~

Waiting for Vanessa to finish felt like an eternity. Kayla had already exhausted her social media feeds, scrolling through the same posts over and over. Her phone battery was now sitting at 20%, and she glanced at the clock on the screen—over an hour had passed.

Just as she was about to give in to boredom, Daniel poked his head into the room, his tone playful. “Having fun?”

Kayla groaned, tilting her phone toward him. “My battery’s gonna die, and I’m getting bored.”

“Give me your phone. I’ll put it on the charger for you.” Daniel suggested as he reached his hand out.

She handed over her iPhone, watching as he disappeared down the hall. Left with nothing to do, she twiddled her fingers, shifting restlessly in her seat.

A moment later, Daniel returned, this time accompanied by a woman about Kayla’s age. She had bright pink hair, a spiked collar, and a white-and-pink plaid dress, giving her a pastel punk aesthetic.

“Kayla, meet Gina,” he introduced. “She’s the audio director. You’ll be filming some stuff with her.”

Gina offered a friendly smirk. “Come with me!”

Kayla followed her and Daniel into the east wing, entering one of the crew rooms. The space was set up like a recording studio, complete with a plexiglass window, soundproofing panels, an array of audio equipment, and two massive desktop screens.

Inside, Frances lounged on a leather couch, chatting with a short, middle-aged man who was balding. A few other crew members occupied the room, all casually working on their own tasks.

“Come on in. We’re gonna do some confessionals.” Gina gestured toward the booth.

“Confessionals?” Kayla hesitated. “But I haven’t even met most of the bachelors yet.”

“Yeah, but we want to get to know you first.” Gina smiled. “What you think of the place, some basic questions, that kind of thing.”

She handed Kayla a clip-on mic. "Go ahead and put this on your dress."

Kayla swallowed her nerves. “Um… okay.”

Stepping into the recording booth, she found Frank already inside, his massive camera positioned in front of an empty seat.

She sat down, fidgeting slightly, trying to find a comfortable position. Through the plexiglass window, she could see Gina, Daniel, and the rest of the crew watching her from the other side.
Frank adjusted the camera. “Rolling!” he called out. “Action!”

Kayla straightened her posture, keeping her expression neutral. She quickly noticed a monitor displaying a live feed of herself, which only made her anxiety worse. Forcing herself to ignore it, she kept her focus on the crew instead.

“So, Kayla, tell us a little about yourself,” Daniel asked through an overhead microphone.

“Uh… my name is Kayla.” Kayla fidgeted with her hands, feeling the weight of the camera lens on her. Her voice came out soft and hesitant. “I’m thirty years old, and… um… I work as a caseworker in the Bronx.”

She cleared her throat, shifting slightly in her seat, feeling awkward under the crew’s expectant gazes.

Daniel’s voice came through the speakers, smooth and encouraging. “Excellent. Now tell us, what are your favorite fandoms?”

“Um… there’s a lot…”Kayla’s fingers twisted the hem of her dress as she thought. She took a deep breath, trying to push past her nerves. “I really like Genshin Impact, Harry Potter, and Naruto.”

She paused, glancing at the floor before adding, “I, uh… recently got into Pirates of the Caribbean too. And I love vampire movies… but like, um, real vampire movies. Not… you know… Twilight.”

Her face heated up, feeling silly for saying that. She quickly rushed to clarify. “Like, um, Interview with the Vampire and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Stuff like that.”

There was a brief silence, making her heart pound faster.

“Now,” Daniel said through the microphone. “In an ideal world, who is your perfect guy?”

“You mean… out of the bachelors?” Kayla’s voice wavered, and she let out a small, nervous laugh. “I, um… I don’t know yet. I just got here.”

“I mean in general.”

“…Oh.” Her throat felt dry. She knew the answer—she had written it out on the application—but suddenly, being on camera made everything ten times harder to articulate.

She took a shaky breath, her fingers tapping anxiously against her lap. “Um… I like extroverted men…” she started. “Who are, uh… creative and sensitive?”

She stole a quick glance at the crew, her nerves spiking as she realized everyone was waiting for more. Her brain scrambled to put together something else, but the pressure made it worse.

“…I value kindness and loyalty too,” she mumbled, before letting out another nervous laugh. She had no idea if that was enough, but the silence felt unbearable, so she quickly blurted out: “So, yeah!”

She instantly regretted how awkward that sounded, and to no one’s surprise, Frances let out a sigh. “Cut! Can we redo that entire question? I need you to sound more like… I don’t know… like you actually want to be here.”

“I’m sorry…” Kayla’s face flushed with embarrassment. She fidgeted with her hands, barely able to meet anyone’s gaze.

“Hey, it’s okay!” Daniel’s voice was warm, reassuring. “Don’t stress too much about the camera. Just focus on me, like we’re having a normal conversation.”

Kayla exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I’ll try my best.”

“You got this!”

From behind the camera, Frank’s voice rang out, lighthearted as ever. “Rolling! And… action!”

“In an ideal world, who is your perfect guy?” Daniel repeated.

Kayla took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes through the plexiglass window. She broadened her shoulders, trying to appear more confident, even if she still felt jittery inside. “I’m a huge introvert, so I like a more extroverted guy. Someone who can sweep me off my feet.”

She paused, digging through her memory to recall what she had said before. “I value kindness, creativity, and loyalty.”

“Cut!” Frances’s voice cut through the microphone. “You do realize most of the bachelors here are villainous bad boys, right? Can you mention something about that?”

Kayla stiffened, her hands gripping the hem of her dress. “O-Okay.”

She waited for Frank to call action again, then took another breath. “I also like bad boys,” she admitted, trying to sound casual. “Not because I want to fix them, but because I want some kind of adventure in my life. I grew up really sheltered, so I never got to experience the fun, reckless parts of my youth. I guess… I’m looking for someone exciting.”

She finished with a small, sheepish smile, her fingers nervously toying with the microphone clipped to her dress. “Is that answer okay?”

Through the plexiglass, Frances gave her a thumbs-up, but with an impatient expression.

Daniel leaned forward into the microphone. “What did you think of the house?”

Kayla straightened up slightly, a small smile forming as she gained a bit more confidence. “I’ve never been in such a beautiful place before. I’ve seen houses like this in TV shows and movies, but I never thought I’d actually be staying in one for a few months.”

She let the thought settle, but just as she was about to continue, she noticed Terry and Vanessa standing off to the side, laughing with Frances. It was hard to hear through the soundproof walls, but Kayla swore she heard Frances say, “Let’s add that.”

Her stomach tightened with nerves. What did Frances want her to do?

“You’re doing great!” Frances encouraged, though dry. “This next part is going to be somewhat improvised.”

Kayla’s heart skipped a beat.

“Great…” she muttered under her breath.

Frances pretended not to hear it, simply waving a hand dismissively. “Just roll with it.”

Kayla took a slow breath, bracing herself. “What would you like me to do?”

Before the showrunner could respond, Vanessa suddenly leaned into Daniel’s mic, her tone playful yet teasing. “I told her about catching you and Childe in bed together!”

Kayla froze. Her face flushed deep red, and her hands flew up instinctively. “We didn’t—I mean—I just woke up and there he was!”

“Hey don’t get defensive!” The woman dressed as Tinkerbell held up her hands innocently, her voice surprisingly genuine. “I believe you.”

“We wrote a little scenario, and we just want you to play along,” Terry added.

Kayla hesitated, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress as she considered the scenario. “Is it… appropriate for TV?”

“Of course it is.” Terry laughed, shaking her head. “Let me pitch it to you first, and if you’re okay with it, we’ll go ahead. If not, we’ll scrap it and try something else.”

Kayla exhaled slowly. “Okay.”

“So, here’s the setup,” Terry leaned forward slightly, her expression calm yet mischievous. “During the house tour, you’re going to find Childe waiting for you in your bed. He’ll greet you with a kiss. Then, Daniel will ask you what you thought of it. That’s it. Simple, fun, and makes for great TV. What do you think?”

Kayla’s heartbeat pounded in her ears. She wanted to kiss Childe so badly. The idea of being that close to him, of feeling his warmth, of letting herself get swept up in the moment—it sent a thrill down her spine.

But at the same time, the logical part of her hesitated. She valued personal connection in relationships. And this? This wasn’t connection.

She had spoken to Childe for less than a minute. Could she really kiss someone she barely knew, even if she had spent countless hours getting to know his fictional counterpart?

Her thoughts warred with each other. And then, there was that other voice—the inner exhibitionist. This stemmed from being part of the black sheep of the family.

She had always craved validation, had always known she was talented even when her family had taken forever to see it. Maybe this was just another way to prove—to herself—that she could command attention, that she could be desirable.

Her lips parted slightly, a response hovering on her tongue.

But before she could say anything, Frances leaned into the mic. "We don’t have all night, sweetheart. What’s it gonna be?”

Chapter 3: The Men of the House

"I’ll do it," Kayla announced after taking a steady breath.

The words left her mouth before she could second-guess herself. Was this the smartest decision? Probably not. But she was tired of living a dull, predictable life. What she had said earlier in her interview was true—she needed excitement.

Terry’s lips curled into a satisfied grin. "Amazing! But just so you know, you can always change your mind later."

Kayla shook her head, more to convince herself than anyone else. "It’s okay. I want to do it."

The crew began setting up. she took a deep breath, waiting as Frank adjusted the camera.

“Rolling! And… action!”

Daniel’s voice crackled through the microphone, his tone casual but teasing. "So, Kayla, how was the kiss between you and Childe?"

Kayla froze. Her brain short-circuited. She hadn’t thought this far ahead. Her cheeks burned, and she opened her mouth only to find that no words came out.

A few seconds of awkward silence passed before Frances’s voice snapped through the speaker. “Well? Say something!”

Kayla swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper as she finally managed, "He was… a bit forward… but I enjoyed it."

Her shy, sheepish smile lingered for a moment—part genuine, part an attempt to play up the moment for the cameras.

She caught a glimpse of some of the crew members stifling laughter, their amused expressions sending a boost to her confidence.

"Cut! That’s a wrap!" Frances called out.

Kayla exhaled, finally releasing the tension she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Terry clapped her hands together. "Alright, now let’s start filming you meeting the bachelors!"

Kayla’s heart raced. Prince Diamond and Lestat were notorious for being flamboyant womanizers. She had practically invited trouble by choosing them.

“What did I sign up for?” She thought.

She barely had time to process her thoughts before Terry led her into the main hall, Vanessa and the rest of the crew trailing behind.

"Alright," Terry began, "before you meet the bachelors, we’re going to film you meeting Vanessa for the first time. Pretend like you two are great friends!"

Vanessa scoffed playfully, placing a hand on her hip. "What do you mean pretend?"

Before Kayla could react, Vanessa wrapped an arm around her in a side hug, squeezing her gently. "We’re already friends."

Kayla let out a nervous laugh, giving a small, awkward smile as she waited for Denzel to cue her.

Unlike Frank, who had a booming, energetic presence, Denzel’s voice was much softer, almost too quiet for Kayla to hear when he called action.

Fortunately, Vanessa had no such problem. "Kaylaaaa!" she practically sang, her voice bright and theatrical, as if they were long-lost friends reuniting after years apart. She held out her arms, inviting Kayla in for a hug.

Kayla matched her enthusiasm as best as she could, forcing herself to sound natural. "Vanessa!" She stepped forward, reciprocating the embrace.

The host pulled back, grinning excitedly. "Are you ready to meet the first bachelor?"

Kayla felt her stomach flip, but she nodded with an eager smile. "I can’t wait!"

Vanessa turned to the camera with a playful smirk, extending her hand as if summoning someone onto a grand stage. "Bachelor number one, will you make yourself known?"

"Cut! That was great!" Terry called. Then, she turned to the camera operators. "We’re going to film Itachi from every angle."

Kayla’s heart pounded in her chest. She was about to meet her first anime crush.

Daniel stepped forward, addressing both Kayla and Vanessa. "Alright, here’s how this is going to go—we’re filming at a breakneck pace. You’ll greet the bachelor, he’ll say his piece, then walk off. And we’re gonna do that a thousand more times until you’ve met them all."

Kayla nodded, her nerves bubbling beneath her excitement. "Got it!"

The room buzzed with scattered chatter, crew members exchanging quick instructions as the showrunners finalized their setup. The air felt thick with anticipation, the kind that made her pulse quicken.

Then, Terry’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise. “Places, everyone!”

A brief hush fell over the set.

Kayla swallowed hard, her hands fidgeting at her sides.

Denzel’s voice followed soon after. "Action!"

This time, Kayla heard him clearly. Her breath hitched as she focused on the monitor in front of her—a live feed of Itachi being filmed from another angle.

The screen showed him stepping forward, emerging from the lounge, his movements elegant, deliberate. He was walking toward her, each step slow and measured, as if he had all the time in the world.

Kayla’s chest tightened. This was happening!

She had imagined this moment countless times before, but now that it was real, she didn’t know how to react.

She barely had time to process the moment before she looked up—And there he was. Tall. Dark. Composed.

He stood directly in front of her, his expression unreadable, yet undeniably intense. For a split second, Kayla forgot how to breathe.

"My name is Itachi of the Uchiha clan.” His voice, smooth and formal, filled the silence. “A former shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance."

The words sent a chill down her spine—not out of fear, but from the sheer gravity of them.

On the way his deep onyx eyes met hers, unwavering and unreadable. On the way his voice carried an almost hypnotic quality, like velvet lined with steel. Then, he extended a hand toward her. A silent invitation

Kayla’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached forward, her palm meeting his. His grip was warm. Steady. And in that instant—She felt her heart melt.

“Cut!” Frances’s annoyed voice rang. Kayla didn’t realize how frozen she was. “Are you going to react, or are you just a cardboard cutout?”

Heat rushed to Kayla’s face, and she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the cameraman following Itachi—a slender man with a goatee and curly hair—chimed in, his voice lighthearted. “Hey, chill! If my fictional crush came to life, I’d react the same way!”

“And that’s why we aren’t filming you, Garret.” Frances retorted. Her voice icy.

No one reacted to her remark. Kayla wasn’t sure if people fear Frances or if they were just used to her acting snotty. However this was show business and Frances had a point.

“No, it’s okay.” Kayla exhaled, shaking her head. “I just got lost in the moment, that’s all.”

Daniel, who had been flipping through his notes, suddenly perked up, his expression lighting with an idea. “I have a thought!”

He looked at Kayla. “Why don’t you act like one of those lovestruck anime girls from a shoujo? You know, the whole dreamy-eyed, starstruck reaction—and maybe even tell him he was your first anime crush?”

Kayla blinked. She turned to Itachi, unsure. “Are you okay with that?”

“I hold no opinion on the matter,” he said, his tone measured and polite. “The show’s purpose is to highlight your experiences, not mine.”

Kayla bit her lip, nodding slowly. “Um… okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

Her heart pounded in her chest, knowing she had to sell this moment—but could she really pull it off?

Frances crossed her arms, her tone dripping with condescension as she addressed Kayla. “Alright, we’re going to film Itachi entering again, and this time, try to act like a human being.”

Kayla’s stomach twisted, but she bit her lip and remained silent, too timid to defend herself.

Without a word, Itachi turned on his heel and walked back to the lounge, preparing for the retake.

A beat of silence. Then, Denzel called out, “Action!”

Kayla fixed her gaze on the entryway, mentally preparing herself as Itachi approached once again. She took a slow, steadying breath, forcing herself to stay in the moment.

Itachi introduced himself exactly as before, his voice smooth and composed. But Kayla barely registered the words.

Her focus shifted instead to the way his hand extended toward her. Almost on instinct, she reached forward and took it, their palms meeting in a firm but warm handshake. Then, before she even realized what she was saying, the words slipped from her lips.

"Oh my god..." she murmured, her voice barely audible.

She looked into Itachi’s deep onyx eyes, feeling like she was eleven years old again, sitting in front of the TV, watching Naruto for the first time.

“I’ve had a crush on you since I was eleven,” she admitted softly.

For the first time, Itachi blinked, acknowledging her words with a subtle nod.

“That’s… flattering,” he said, his voice distant yet sincere. “I look forward to getting to know you.”

His response was predictable, yet it still sent a quiet thrill through Kayla’s chest.

In Naruto, Itachi had always been indifferent to admiration, his focus solely on his shinobi path. He was calm, detached, unreadable—a man whose emotions were buried beneath layers of quiet restraint. And yet, here he was, acknowledging her.

And yet, here he was—standing in front of her, speaking to her directly. Kayla felt a warm smile tug at her lips as he stepped away, gracefully exiting the frame.

“Cut!” Frances called, her tone less irritated this time. “That was better! Try to bring that kind of energy with every man who walks on set.”

Kayla nodded.

“One down. Thirteen more to go.” She thought.

Terry flipped through her notes. “Alright, up next—we’re going to film Lance.”

Kayla’s heart skipped a beat. Lance. The Dragon Master. The Champion. A man who carried himself with grace, authority, and a touch of mystery.

The crew shuffled around, adjusting angles, tweaking lighting. Kayla smoothed her dress, forcing herself to take steady breaths.

“Stay calm.” She told herself.

Denzel signaled toward the crew. “Alright, rolling in three… two… one… action!”

Kayla focused on the screen in front of her, where a live feed captured Lance’s silhouette emerging from the lounge. His iconic red hair stood out even under the dimmed lighting, and his cape billowed slightly as he strode forward, every step exuding confidence.

As he entered the room, the cameras panned in, capturing the way he carried himself—poised, confident, but not cocky.

When he reached her, he flashed a small, knowing smile, his amethyst eyes sharp yet warm.

“Kayla, I presume?” His voice was deep yet smooth.

Kayla nodded, quickly offering her hand. “That’s me.”

Lance took it, his grip firm but not overpowering, and gave her a single decisive shake before releasing it. “I’ve traveled across many regions, but this may be my most interesting challenge yet.”

“Challenge?” Kayla repeated.

Lance’s laughter was light, yet confident, as he crossed his arms. “The competition, of course!”

Kayla felt heat rise to her cheeks, suddenly aware of how stupid she sounded. Obviously, Lance was talking about being on a dating show—not a Pokémon battle.

She let out a nervous laugh, trying to match his energy. “Oh yeah… that.” She forced herself to smile playfully, brushing back a loose strand of hair. “Guess that makes me the final boss, huh?”

“Then I’ll make sure to bring my A-game.” Lance’s grin widened, his amethyst eyes glinting with amusement.

“It’s so nice meeting you.”

“You as well,” Lance said smoothly before turning and walking off set, his cape swishing dramatically behind him.

A thrill ran down Kayla’s spine as she watched him disappear.

“Cut!” Terry called out. “Great job! Alright, next up—Alucard!” She turned to the crew. “Everyone in position!”

Kayla exhaled slowly, biting her lip. She knew almost nothing about Castlevania—other than the fact that Alucard was a smoking hot, brooding dhampir with a tragic backstory and a killer aesthetic.

“I should of chosen someone I know. Frances is gonna kill me.” Kayla thought.

Her thoughts were cut short when Denzel’s voice rang out, “Action!”

Kayla’s eyes snapped to the screen. The feed showed a tall, imposing figure emerging from the shadows of the lounge, his movement fluid, nearly soundless.

The moment he stepped into the light, she felt her breath hitch. Alucard Tepes was even more breathtaking in person.

His long, flowing blond hair cascaded over his shoulders, framing his sharp, aristocratic features. His golden eyes held an unnatural glow, as if he could see through her, unraveling every thought in her head.

He was regal, otherworldly, and yet, something about him felt untouchable, distant—as if he wasn’t entirely present in this moment. He stopped a few steps in front of her, his towering presence commanding the space effortlessly.

Then, he spoke, his voice low, velvety, with a slight Romanian lilt. "Kayla, is it?"

Kayla swallowed, suddenly feeling very, very small. "Y-Yeah."

Alucard gave a small, almost amused nod. “It seems fate has brought us together. Let’s see what it has in store.”

He extended his elegant, gloved hand, waiting. Kayla’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached forward and placed her hand in his.

His touch was cool, as expected for a vampire, yet there was an underlying warmth that sent a faint shiver up Kayla’s spine.

Before she could even process the moment, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, his movements slow, deliberate—effortless.

The kiss was barely a whisper against her skin, fleeting but undeniably intimate. It happened so fast, yet somehow felt like it lasted an eternity.

Kayla stood there, completely frozen, staring at him in silent admiration. Her cheeks burned, and for the first time since stepping in front of the cameras, she was at a complete loss for words.

Then, just as gracefully as he arrived, Alucard turned and walked off set, his long cape trailing behind him.

The moment he disappeared, Terry’s voice rang out. “Cut!”

Kayla’s heart pounded in her chest, and she had a bad feeling that Frances was going to chastise her with one of her usual snappy remarks.

"Do you want me to do that again?" She asked the crew.

Terry blinked. “Why?”

The contestant shifted on her feet, glancing toward the crew. “Just… because I didn’t do anything.”

A sudden laugh came from Daniel, who shook his head. “You didn’t need to. The expression on your face was enough. You looked adorable.”

Kayla opened her mouth, then hesitated. “It’s just that… when I was with Itachi, Frances said I should—”

But Frances cut her off with a wave of her hand. “I told you to react because Itachi means a lot to you. This? This is different.”

Kayla paused, then nodded slowly. “Oh… okay then.”

“Alright! Next up—Caleb!” Terry announced.

Kayla wasn't sure what to expect with Caleb. The Sims franchise was all about player customization, meaning every version of him could be different. But from what she knew about his default traits, he was ambitious, gregarious, materialistic, and a foodie. Would he be flirty? Playful? Mysterious? She didn’t have much time to wonder.

“Action!”.

From the moment Caleb stepped into frame, it was clear he was different from the others.

If Alucard was elegant and composed and Lance was confident and refined, then Caleb was pure energy—a whirlwind of charisma and mischief.

He bounded into the room, almost skipping as he walked, his signature black-and-red coat swishing dramatically behind him.

Then, without missing a beat, he twirled on his heel, striking an exaggerated pose with his hands on his hips. “Do I look cool?” he asked, his red eyes sparkling with playful mischief.

Kayla blinked, caught completely off guard. “Uh… yes?”

“Good!” The vampire grinned, flashing a playful smirk. “Because I spent at least two minutes in the mirror practicing that entrance.”

“You’re quite the performer,” Kayla remarked with a small laugh.

Caleb tossed his hair out of his eyes dramatically. “I like to stand out. Gotta keep things interesting, don’t I?”

“It was nice to meet you.”

Caleb took Kayla’s without hesitation, his grip warm and confident. Then, with a quick wink, he said, “You as well. I look forward to getting to know you.”

And just like that, he strutted off camera, his coat billowing behind him with theatrical flair.
The moment he was gone,

“Cut! That was great.” Terry’s announced. “Alright, next up—Lestat!”

Kayla’s heart pounded. The first few bachelors seemed reserved or playful. But Lestat. He was a wildcard. Not only was he sensual, but he was also unpredictable—demented, even.

A small wave of panic crept up her spine. What if he tried to kill her? No—he wouldn’t. Right?
Previous seasons of Future Spouse had included plenty of chaotic characters, and besides, Laura and Avery assured her that they had modified certain qualities during the awakening ritual.

Still, the nerves didn’t go away. Her mind raced so much that she didn’t even hear Denzel call action.

And before she knew it—Lestat was standing right in front of her.

Too close. His intense blue eyes locked onto hers, glinting with something wicked, unreadable.
A slow, knowing smile curled at his lips, and Kayla’s breath caught in her throat.

“Bonjour, ma chérie,” he purred, his voice low, silken, intoxicating.

Before she could react, his hand ghosted behind her ear, fingers brushing against her skin as he pulled her in ever so slightly.

Kayla’s body went rigid. And then his lips pressed against hers. Soft. Lingering.

Her good eye flew wide open as her brain shut down entirely. A muffled gasp came from across the room.

“Holy shit!” Vanessa had both hands over her mouth.

The whole crew froze, staring.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds, yet it felt like an eternity stretched between them.

When Lestat finally pulled away, he remained close, his gaze unwavering, as if drinking in her reaction. A slow, satisfied smirk played at his lips.

"Ah, mon amour, you're so innocent," Lestat murmured, his thumb brushing the corner of her lips before pulling back just slightly. His gaze remained locked on hers, amusement flickering beneath the surface. "I can’t wait to have you all to myself."

A shiver ran down Kayla’s spine.

Just like her earlier encounter with Childe, she felt a confusing mix of excitement and nervousness—turned on yet flustered at the same time. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath shallow.

"Cut!" Terry’s voice rang through the room. "Kayla, are you comfortable refilming that? I want to get a closer shot."

Kayla blinked herself back to reality, still feeling the ghost of Lestat’s lips against hers. “Um… sure,” she said, trying to sound casual.

“You’re awesome!” Terry beamed at her, giving an encouraging nod. Then, she turned to the crew. “We’re just going to film the kiss this time. Lestat, you’re fine where you are.”

“Action!”

The moment the word left his lips, Lestat moved without hesitation. His hand found the small of Kayla’s back, pulling her in effortlessly. And then, he dipped her.

A sharp gasp escaped Kayla’s lips, but before she could react further, his mouth was on hers again. This time, she closed her eye, letting herself sink into the moment.

The kiss was firm, deliberate, yet carried an almost teasing softness that sent electricity coursing through her veins.

A loud chorus of hooting and hollering erupted from the crew. Cheering. Applause. Even a few whistles. Kayla’s face burned. It was embarrassing—but also thrilling.

“Excellent!” Terry called, clearly pleased.

But Lestat’s lips were still on Kayla’s.

Terry nervously laughed, as she tried to make as much use of her time as possible. “Um… Lestat, can you stop kissing her so we can move on to the next bachelor?”

The vampire finally pulled away, his signature smirk still in place.

“Ah, my apologies,” he said smoothly, not looking sorry at all. “I may have… gotten ahead of myself.”

Still holding her hand, he helped Kayla upright, his fingers lingering just a little longer than necessary before finally letting go.

With a graceful, almost theatrical pivot, Lestat waltzed away, his coat billowing behind him like a cape, the very picture of a man who knew exactly how to make an exit.

Terry’s voice cut through the moment, full of energy. “Let’s film that exit one more time and cue Jack for his entrance.”

“Wait…” Kayla, still catching her breath, hesitated before speaking. “Do you want us to kiss again?” Her voice was shy, but she was willing.

“One more time.” Terry reassured. “Just to get a better shot of him exiting the frame.”

Lestat, still hovering nearby, let out a low, amused chuckle. “Oh, mon amour,” he murmured as he sauntered back toward her, his smirk downright wolfish. “You wound me. As if I would ever turn down another opportunity.”

Kayla’s stomach flipped. He was enjoying this way too much.

“Action!”

Kayla couldn’t even process what was happening, Lestat had already swept her into his arms again, dipping her effortlessly—just as he had before.

This time, the kiss was brief—a mere brush of lips before he pulled away, flashing her a mischievous, knowing smile.

Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and strode off, disappearing just as dramatically as he arrived.

“Cut!” Terry called, satisfied. She clapped her hands together, then turned toward the next set. “Okay, is Jack ready?”

A distinctly playful voice rang out from the other room, “Just a second!”

Kayla smirked, shaking her head slightly. Even in real life, Captain Jack Sparrow was a silly drunkard. Would he even make it far in the competition?

He was definitely the most absent-minded of the bachelors, but he had charm, and she wasn’t about to write him off just yet.

Frances, impatient as ever, let out an exaggerated sigh. “You have three… two…”

“Alright, alright!” There was a clatter, followed by hurried footsteps. I’m coming!”

Denzel didn’t waste any time. “Action!”

Jack skipped into frame, moving with that signature off-balance swagger, a bottle of rum in each hand.

Kayla had to bite back a laugh.

When Jack reached her, he paused dramatically, studying her with an exaggerated, thoughtful expression before handing her one of the bottles with a flourish.

“For you, madame.” His voice was smooth, almost theatrical, laced with his usual slurred charm.
Kayla stared at the bottle, unsure how to react.

“…Thanks?”

Jack beamed, as if she had just accepted the greatest gift in the world. He took a long swig from his bottle, smacked his lips in approval, then leaned in ever so slightly, dropping his voice to a playful murmur.

“Y’know, love, you’re as breathtaking as this here fine rum.” He held up the bottle, inspecting it as if it were a priceless artifact. “Smooth, refined, and entirely too tempting for me own good.”

Kayla burst out laughing, shaking her head. “I’m flattered. It’s nice to meet you, Captain.”

“You as well, love.” Jack’s grin widened, flashing gold teeth.

With a dramatic twirl, he pranced out of frame, arms swinging, looking for all the world like a giddy schoolboy.

“Cut!” Terry called, her voice filled with satisfaction and amusement. “That was great. Let’s do Gladio next!”

It had been a while since Kayla last watched a playthrough of Final Fantasy XV, so her memories of Gladio were a little hazy. But one thing was absolutely certain. He was sexy as fuck.

“Action!”

Gladio strode into frame with effortless confidence, his broad shoulders commanding attention.
He ran a hand through his tousled brown hair, his amber eyes locking onto Kayla’s with an expression that was both charming and relaxed.

When he smiled, it was genuine—warm, yet undeniably flirtatious. "Hey, Kayla," he said smoothly. "I’m really looking forward to getting to know you over these next few months."

His voice was deep, rich, with just the right amount of gravel to make her pulse quicken.
"The name’s Gladiolus, but you can call me Gladio."

Kayla, still trying to think fast and avoid another scolding from Frances, blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Nice tattoos!"

“Thanks. Took a while to get ‘em done.” The man chuckled, clearly amused. He flexed his arm slightly, giving her a better view of the intricate ink. Kayla immediately realized her mistake.

Her face heated up, and she snapped her eyes back to his, pretending she wasn’t just admiring his biceps. Gladio, of course, noticed everything.

His grin turned teasing, his voice dropping just slightly. “Like what you see?”

Kayla let out a nervous laugh, her cheeks burning, desperately willing herself not to keep staring.

“Cut!” Terry called, snapping her fingers. “Let’s get a few close-ups on those tattoos!”

Denzel moved in, adjusting his camera, capturing every intricate detail of the ink that snaked along Gladio’s biceps and shoulders.

Gladio, clearly enjoying the attention, flexed subtly, showing off the design with undeniable pride.

As the camera lingered, he turned back to Kayla, his voice low, casual. “Remind me to tell you the stories behind these sometime.”

Kayla, still somewhat flustered, nodded quickly, her eyes darting back to the markings. “I—I’m looking forward to it.”

Gladio’s smirk deepened, and with one last wink, he stepped away, his easy confidence never faltering for even a second.

“Cut!” Terry clapped her hands, clearly pleased. “That was solid! Alright, Prince Diamond, We are ready for you!”

Kayla’s stomach tightened. She had handled flirty, confident men. She had handled theatrics and playfulness.

But Prince Diamond was different. Possessive. Obsessive. The kind of man who didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

The idea of having someone that intense focused on her sent a prickle of unease through her spine.

But then, she forced herself to breathe, repeating what the behind-the-scenes crew had told her.
They softened his personality. He won’t be as extreme as he was in the anime.

Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this next encounter was going to be unlike any of the others.

“Action!”

Kayla took a deep breath. And then Prince Diamond stepped into frame. The air in the room shifted instantly.

His silver hair cascaded down his shoulders as he walked, framing his sharp, ethereal features, his piercing icy blue eyes locked solely onto her.

Unlike the others, he didn’t just walk into frame—he commanded the space, every step exuding a quiet, effortless authority.

Kayla’s mind raced. The other bachelors varied in class. But Diamond was different. He was royalty.

She hesitated before dipping into a small curtsy, her voice soft. “It’s an honor to meet you, my prince.”

Diamond’s lips curled into a smirk, eyes gleaming with something dangerous yet alluring. “No need for formalities,” he murmured, his voice smooth like silk. “Just call me Diamond.”

Kayla’s cheeks burned. “I—I’m sorry. It’s nice to meet you, Diamond.”

“You as well, my dear.” Diamond’s gloved fingers brushed against hers, taking her hand in his.
Before she could react, he lifted it to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against her skin.
Kayla’s heart pounded violently.

Then, without breaking eye contact, He tilted his head slightly, studying her as if he had just made a startling discovery. “You’re more beautiful than I ever imagined.” His voice dropped into something low, reverent. “Even more radiant than Neo Queen Serenity herself.”

Kayla’s breath hitched. The weight of his words settled over her, heavy and intoxicating.

She had expected charm, maybe even arrogance—and of course, possessiveness. But devotion? Her stomach twisted. This had to be for the drama. Right?

Yet, as Diamond turned away, his movements fluid, deliberate, she couldn’t shake the weight of his words.

He didn’t just walk off like the others—he sashayed, his presence lingering long after he was gone.

Kayla let out a slow breath, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides.

Terry’s voice snapped her out of it. “Eight down! Six more to go!”

Chapter 4: First Impressions

Chapter 3: First Impressions

"Hey guys!" Vanessa piped up, bouncing on her heels. "Can we take a break? I need to use the ladies' room."

“Good idea!” Terry glanced at her watch and nodded. "Everyone take five!"

Vanessa waddled away like a penguin. Meanwhile, the camera crew huddled together, reviewing their footage, their voices a mix of murmurs and quiet chuckles.

Daniel approached Kayla, offering her a warm smile. "How are you holding up?"

She let out a breathy laugh, her head still spinning from everything. "This is… exciting. I’ve never had so many guys flock toward me before."

"I bet! Which one of the remaining bachelors are you most excited to meet?"

Kayla paused, considering. She had already met Itachi, Childe, Lance, Alucard, Caleb, Jack, Gladio, and Diamond. That left Sirius, Lestat, Valtor, Legolas, Hatsuharu, and Genesis.

She tilted her head, lost in thought. "I guess either Sirius or Valtor… since I’d love to see real magic happen before my eyes."

Daniel’s eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to see that too! I love shooting footage of wizards. Maybe the two of them will duel for your affection?”

Kayla raised a brow. “Is that really necessary?”

Daniel shrugged, grinning. “It would make for some interesting drama, that’s for sure.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Before Daniel could respond, Terry strolled over, clearly having overheard their conversation. “Speaking of Sirius, I have a proposition for you.”

Kayla’s heart raced. Did Terry want her to kiss him too?

Daniel perked up. “Oh? Let’s hear it.”

“I was thinking we should save him for last—film his entrance outside with his flying motorcycle.” Terry crossed her arms, eyes glinting mischievously.

Kayla let out a quiet breath of relief. Okay, not a kiss. But, if she was being honest… she wouldn’t exactly mind kissing Sirius either.

Daniel snapped his fingers. “I love that idea!”

Kayla brightened. “Me too!”

She had to admit—there was something undeniably cool about a man on a motorcycle. Especially one that could fly. Though she loved the aesthetic, she wasn’t sure she’d ever have the nerve to actually ride one herself.

But watching Sirius make his grand entrance? That was something she couldn’t wait for.

“Perfect!” Terry smiled. “So we’ll film him and Childe’s entrances separately.”

She glanced at her watch, and as if on cue, Vanessa bounced back into the room. “Okay, guys, I’m pee-free now!” she announced dramatically.

Kayla burst out laughing, probably a little louder than necessary. She had an undeniable soft spot for toilet humor. Meanwhile, Terry and Daniel remained completely unfazed, barely reacting.

The show runner clapped her hands together, all business. “Alright, places, everyone! Hatsuharu’s entrance is up next.”

Kayla bit her lip, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her. Hatsuharu had been one of her favorite Fruits Basket characters. But there was one thing she hadn’t thought about until now. Was he still cursed? If she accidentally triggered his transformation, how was she supposed to react to a full-grown ox suddenly appearing in front of her?

“Action!”

Hatsuharu strolled in dressed in a black hoodie and skinny jeans, he looked like any other young adult—ordinary, yet still striking in his own quiet way.

His expression completely unreadable. Unlike the other bachelors, who had each exuded some level of charm or intensity, he was impossible to read.

Kayla tilted her head slightly, watching him carefully. "What is going on in his head?"

Even Itachi, who had been reserved, still carried an undeniable presence. But Hatsuharu?
He was just… there.

 

Before Kayla could process what was happening, she suddenly found herself in his arms. She braced herself, fully expecting to be tackled by a sudden burst of magic, waiting for the telltale poof that would indicate his transformation.

But… nothing happened.

Hatsuharu blinked, his arms still around her. “Huh.”

Kayla, just as surprised, tilted her head up at him. “Huh?”

“Hey,” he mused, “I didn’t turn into an ox this time.”

Kayla laughed, relieved. “No, you did not.”

“Damn. Kinda disappointed.” Hatsuharu clicked his tongue, grinning slyly. “I wanted you to ride me like a cowgirl.”

For a solid second, there was absolute silence.

Then Kayla burst out laughing. Nobody else did.

Vanessa’s jaw dropped. “Are you allowed to say that on television?”

“Cut!” Terry immediately threw up a hand. “Yeah, no. We are not getting away with a TV-13 rating if that makes it in.”

“Just saying what’s on my mind.” The man shrugged, completely unfazed.

Kayla, still giggling, had the distinct feeling that this would not be the last time he pushed the envelope.

“Alright, let’s reset.” Terry pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath before sighing. “Hatsuharu, maybe dial it back just a little.”

Hatsuharu cocked his head. “How little are we talking?”

Terry narrowed her eyes. “Let’s aim for… prime time television.”

“Got it. No cowgirl talk.”

“And… action!”

Hatsuharu stepped forward again, but this time with a hint of amusement in his eyes. Kayla braced herself as he closed the distance, wrapping her in a casual yet firm embrace.

“Don’t mind me,” he murmured, his tone effortlessly smooth. “I hug all the pretty girls I see.”

Before she could even react, he leaned in closer, his lips dangerously near her ear. “And if you’re wondering about my natural hair color… this is it.”

That was even worse than the last thing he said! Kayla’s entire body tensed, her face turning scarlet. She could only pray that the crew hadn’t picked up on it. From the lack of reaction behind the cameras, it seemed like they hadn’t heard a thing.

“Cut!” Terry announced. “Alright, Genesis is up next!”

Kayla exhaled deeply, trying to regain her composure. She had just barely survived Hatsuharu’s antics.

Next was the flamboyant Genesis Rhapsodos, notorious for obsessively quoting the poem LOVELESS in the game Crisis Core.

He strutted into the room, as if he owned the place. His gaze never left Kayla’s.

“Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess…” He recited. He placed a hand over his chest as if he were on stage, eyes gleaming with a passion that could only belong to a man obsessed with his own poetry.

Kayla bit the inside of her cheek, fighting the urge to smile.

Genesis lowered his gaze to her, finally acknowledging her presence. His crimson coat billowed slightly as he took a step forward. “I have crossed worlds to stand before you, my lady. Destiny has guided me here… to witness your beauty firsthand.”

Kayla felt her breath hitch, unsure if she should blush, laugh, or both.

Genesis took her hand gently, his fingers gloved but warm against her skin. He tilted his head slightly, studying her. “But tell me… have you read LOVELESS?”

“Can’t say I have.” Kayla answered with playful honesty.

The man stilled, his expression shifting into something that could only be described as gentle disbelief. “You… have not read LOVELESS?”

“Nope. Not a word.”

Genesis exhaled dramatically, placing a hand over his chest as if wounded. “My dear, one cannot truly understand the depth of the soul without immersing themselves in its verses.”
Kayla smirked. “I think I’ve been doing okay so far.”

“That remains to be seen. But worry not—” Genesis leaned in slightly, voice dropping to something almost conspiratorial, “I shall personally ensure you are well-versed in its wisdom before our time together ends.”

“Uh… looking forward to it?”

Genesis grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

Without another word, he brought her hand to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against her knuckles.

Kayla felt her skin heat up, but before she could react, he released her hand and pivoted gracefully, his coat billowing behind him as he strode off like he had just delivered the final act of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Terry clapped once. “Cut! That was fantastic.” She turned toward the crew, already moving on. “Alright, Legolas is up next!”

Kayla shook her head slightly. Genesis had been as dramatic as she expected—maybe even more. Next, she had to face the elven prince himself. She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her nerves.

The truth was—she knew almost nothing about The Lord of the Rings. Other than the fact that Legolas was sexy as fuck and that he was an elf who wielded a bow and arrow with inhuman precision. And now, he was about to stand in front of her—real and impossibly perfect.

“Action!"

The room seemed to still as Legolas entered the frame. His movements were effortless, fluid—silent in a way that felt almost unnatural. He moved with the grace of a shadow, his long golden hair flowing behind him as if caught in a breeze that only existed for him.

Kayla couldn't look away. His striking blue eyes locked onto hers, unreadable yet piercing, like he was assessing her in a way no one else had.

He came to a stop a few feet from her, inclining his head in a small yet elegant bow.

“Lady Kayla,” he greeted, his voice smooth and composed. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

Kayla’s mind scrambled for something intelligent to say. “Oh god. What do I even say to an elf?”

She was used to flirty men, over-the-top theatrics, and outright teasing—but Legolas? He was pure class.

Her instincts told her to curtsy again, like she had done with Prince Diamond, but she quickly shook off the thought. Instead, she forced a smile and offered her hand for a handshake.

Legolas hesitated—just for a fraction of a second—before taking it. His touch was light yet firm, fingers cool and smooth.

“The pleasure is mine, Prince Legolas.” Kayla finally spoke, hoping she sounded even remotely composed.

He studied her for just a moment longer, then gave her hand a light squeeze before releasing it.

“You may call me simply Legolas,” he replied. “I am no stranger to competition, but this… is unlike any battle I have fought before.”

Kayla blinked, caught off guard. “Is that a good thing?”

Legolas’s lips curved into the smallest hint of a smile. “That remains to be seen.”

And with that, he turned and walked off, as effortlessly as he had entered.

The moment he was out of sight, Kayla finally let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Cut!” Terry clapped her hands. “That was perfect. Alright, last one before we go upstairs—Valtor!”

Kayla’s stomach flipped. Valtor. The villain from Winx Club. A powerful sorcerer with incomparable magic.

His long blonde hair cascaded behind him, perfectly styled, catching the light like spun gold. His dark, regal outfit was pristine, his cape sweeping behind him as if he were royalty.

Kayla swallowed hard.

Valtor’s smirk deepened when he caught her gaze. His eyes, sharp and filled with amusement, seemed to see right through her. “My, my…” his voice was rich, velvety, dripping with charm. “You are the brightest star in the Magical Dimension.”

Kayla’s face burned. She wasn’t ready for this.

Before she could find words, he tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening.

“I must say…” he continued, voice dropping into something dangerously smooth. “I’ve performed many spells in my lifetime… but I have yet to find one that could make a woman like you disappear from my thoughts.”

Kayla’s entire body stiffened as Valtor’s lips brushed against hers—quick, deliberate, confident. Her eye widened.

This was the second man she kissed tonight. Plus she still anticipated her staged kiss with Childe.

Vanessa let out a playful whistle, fanning herself dramatically. “Okay, wow. I think I need a moment.”

Kayla felt her breath catch, her skin burning as Valtor pulled away, his expression entirely too smug.

He took his time, studying her reaction, as if relishing the effect he had on her.

“Mmm,” he hummed, his voice low and full of amusement. “I was right. You are… enchanting.”

“Cut!” Terry’s voice rang. “Let's do that from different angles.”

Kayla had no idea how to respond. She was equal parts flustered and dazed—and maybe a little too intrigued.

Valtor smirked, his eyes flickering with amusement. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Kayla bit her lip, her voice coming out softer than she intended. “I… think I’ll survive.”

Denzel adjusted his camera to get a side view of Valtor and Kayla, while Frank moved to get a close-up shot.

“Action!” Denzel announced.

Valtor stepped forward again, moving with effortless grace, and before she could process it, his lips were on hers once more.

This time, it felt slower, more deliberate. Kayla sank into the kiss, closing her eye as she let herself fall into the moment.

The heat of the set lights. The warmth of his hand at her waist. The subtle scent of something dark and intoxicating—like fire and magic.

Terry’s voice rang out. “Hold it for just a second longer—aaaand… Cut!”

Kayla pulled back, her breath uneven, her skin tingling.

Valtor grinned, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Shall we go again?” he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

“Calm down, casanova.” Frances snorted from behind the cameras. “We still have two more bachelors to film.”

“Alright, team, we’re splitting up. Denzel, Vanessa, and Kayla—you’re with me upstairs. We’ve got Childe waiting. Frances, Frank, and Garret—you guys handle Sirius’ motorcycle shots outside..” Terry explained to the crew.

Kayla followed the crew upstairs, her stomach a tangled knot of nerves and anticipation. This was the moment she had been waiting for. Childe was always going to be the wildcard.

Terry paused, eyes narrowing as she took in the harbinger’s appearance. “Hold on.”

She stepped forward, fingers swiftly adjusting the buttons on his shirt, leaving just enough undone to tease the audience. “There. Now you look like trouble.” She smirked, clearly pleased with her handiwork.

Childe simply chuckled, rolling his shoulders as if he couldn’t care less. “I always do.”

Without another word, he sauntered into the bedroom, slipping into character like he was born for this.

Terry then turned to Kayla. “You ready?”

Kayla swallowed hard, forcing a nod. “Y-yeah.”

The showrunner grinned, giving her a quick pat on the shoulder. “You’re doing great!”

She turned to Denzel. “Alright, let’s start with a shot of our ladies entering the room first.” With a wave of her hand, she signaled Vanessa and Kayla to step back. They moved a few paces until she lifted a hand to stop them.

“Perfect. Hold that position.” She glanced at Vanessa. “Now, when we roll, I want you, Vanessa, to turn to Kayla and tell her there's someone waiting for her in her suite.”

“Aye, aye, captain!” Vanessa chirped before turning to Kayla with an excited glint in her eyes.

Denzel adjusted the camera, signaling for quiet. “And… action!”

Vanessa led Kayla toward the suite, her voice teasingly dramatic. “And now, Kayla, we’ve saved the best for last. Your very own private suite… and someone special is waiting for you inside.”

Vanessa pushed open the door, stepping aside to give Kayla a clear view inside.

And there he was. Childe lay sprawled across her bed, completely at ease, as if he belonged there. His half-unbuttoned shirt barely hid his toned frame, the soft glow of the room casting sharp shadows across his features.

His mischievous smirk widened the moment he locked eyes with her. “Took you long enough. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Before she could even process it, he was there, his presence all-consuming. A hand ghosted over her waist, his fingers just barely brushing against the fabric of her dress.

“Hey, girlie,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. His breath was warm against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “Hold still.”

Before she could react, he tilted her chin up, locking her in place. And then, his lips claimed hers.

It was fast, confident, and completely unapologetic—not asking for permission, but taking exactly what he wanted.

Her fingers twitched at her sides, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer. Her brain short-circuited.

Unlike Lestat’s theatrical flair or Valtor’s smooth seduction, Childe’s kiss was raw and impulsive, charged with an energy that sent electricity down her spine.

He tilted his head slightly, just enough to tease her with the deepening pressure, as if testing the waters—and damn it, Kayla felt her knees wobble beneath her.

Her pulse thundered in her ears, drowning out everything else—until Terry’s voice cut through the haze. “Cut! Let’s get a few more angles.”

Kayla blinked rapidly, pulling herself back to reality.

Denzel shifted to a new position, adjusting his camera so that this time, Childe’s back was to the lens and Kayla’s face was in full view.

Every little detail of her reaction would be caught on film. A fresh wave of nerves crawled up her spine.

She and Childe stood in place, waiting for the cue to begin again—but neither of them looked away.

His blue eyes held her captive, playful yet confident—a challenge she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

Kayla swallowed hard, her pulse pounding in her throat. She was about to be kissed again—
And this time, she wanted him to.

“Action!”

Childe moved in smoothly, his hands finding her waist as he captured her lips once more.

But this time, Kayla didn’t hesitate. Without thinking, her arms slid up around his neck, pulling him in closer.

A soft, amused hum rumbled from his chest, as if he noticed the shift—as if he’d been waiting for it.

“Wow. Just wow.” Vanessa’s voice exclaimed in the background.

Kayla barely heard her. Her world had shrunk—there was only the heat of Childe’s lips, the way he angled the kiss just right, the scent of warm spice and sea salt clinging to him. She was getting lost in him. And the worst part? She didn’t want to stop.

“Cut!” Terry’s voice rang out, lighthearted but firm. “I think you two are forgetting what kind of show we’re on. This is Future Husband, not a porno.”

She pointed at Kayla, eyebrows raised. “You just met this man, and he forced a kiss on you! Act startled!”

Kayla flushed, her fingers still lingering against Childe’s shoulders as she quickly pulled back.
“S-Sorry! Reflexes.”

Childe chuckled, entirely unbothered. His smirk was devastatingly smug as he ran a hand through his hair. “I mean, I’m not complaining. I’m enjoying this.”

“Alright, let’s reset and do it again,” Terry instructed. “This time, Kayla, give us that shock factor.”

Kayla nodded weakly, heart still pounding in her chest.

“One more take.” She repeated to herself, mentally.

“Action!”

Kayla barely had a second to react before Childe’s lips were on hers again. But this time, she forced herself to freeze, her body tense as she tried to play into the surprise.

The kiss was just as intense, just as teasing, but before she could fully react—A loud, thunderous roar shattered the moment.

Kayla jerked back, startled, her heart leaping into her throat. The unmistakable growl of an engine echoed through the night air, followed by a blur of motion streaking past the window like a shooting star.

Her breath caught. She already knew what it was—Sirius.

Without thinking, she rushed toward the window, her curiosity overtaking everything else.
Even though she knew the crew was outside filming his grand entrance, she couldn’t help herself.

Behind her, Childe let out a low sigh, his smirk slipping slightly as he watched her go. “Tch.” He dragged a hand through his hair, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and disappointment. “Guess I’ve already got competition.”

Vanessa grinned, leaning in conspiratorially. "Oh, you have no idea."

Kayla barely registered their exchange. Her focus was locked onto Sirius, who stood outside, effortlessly cool as he chatted with the camera crew.

Her pulse quickened. What kind of energy would he bring? Would he be as playful and unpredictable as Lestat and Jack? Or would he be reserved and charming, the kind of smooth-talking rogue who made his moves when least expected?

She barely had time to wonder before Terry’s voice cut through the air. “Cut!”

"How's the footage? Do we need another take?" Terry asked Denzel, her expression laced with mild dissatisfaction.

The cameraman hummed, rewinding the scene on his monitor, fingers tapping thoughtfully against the equipment. "Hmm… let’s do that one more time. Just for good measure."

Was he messing with her? Did they really need another take, or was this just an excuse to make her kiss Childe again?

Not that she minded. If she was being honest with herself… she was enjoying this.

“Action!”

Childe wasted no time. He pulled her in once more, his grip sure and confident, his lips demanding yet teasing.

She did what she was supposed to—acted stiff, hesitant, flustered. But deep down? She wanted him. She was hungry for him and she wanted more.

“Cut!” Terry’s voice snapped through the air. “Great job, guys! Alright, Kayla and Vanessa, you go join the crew downstairs to film Sirius’s segment. Denzel and I will grab a few more shots of Childe here.”

Kayla turned to follow Vanessa out, but something in her periphery caught her attention. Childe.

He lounged on the bed like he owned it, that signature smirk plastered across his face—self-satisfied, victorious. Like he had just won a game only he knew they were playing.

Before she could step through the door, he called out, “How was that, malishka?” His voice was smooth, teasing, with just a hint of challenge. He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Better than the other guys you kissed?”

Kayla’s face went hot, her breath catching for half a second.

She quickly shook her head, forcing a coy smile. “A lady never kisses and tells.”

Childe blinked, then let out a low chuckle. “A lady, huh?” His smirk widened, eyes flicking over her with something close to amusement. “Are you saying you’re out of my league?”

Kayla panicked. “That’s not what I meant! Sorry!” She waved her hands, completely flustered. “I just— I don’t feel comfortable answering that question. It’s too early in the competition. And I’ve only spent a few seconds with each of the guys. You included.”

Childe hummed, as if considering her words, before leaning in just a fraction—too close, too effortlessly confident. “Then we better spend the next few months wisely because you're mine.”

Kayla’s breath caught in her throat, her mind scrambling for a response. But before she could even think of one, Vanessa grabbed her wrist with a playful huff.

“Come on, Kayla, let’s go,” Vanessa said, looping her arm through Kayla’s and steering her away before she could sink any further into Childe’s web. “We’ve got a whole crew waiting outside!”

Kayla barely had a chance to glance back before she led her downstairs, straight toward the rest of the crew gathering outside.

The moment she stepped out the front door, a bitter chill hit her like a freight train. A gust of wind blew past her, causing her to shiver. The forecast said it would be forty degrees but this felt freezing.

“I hope that they don’t have me out here too long.” She thought. “Or else I’m going to be a popsicle.”

Frances, arms crossed, turned toward Vanessa and Kayla. “For this next segment, I want the two of you to run outside,” she instructed. “Kayla, you’re going to spot Sirius, and we’ll capture a few reaction shots.”

Then, her gaze narrowed on Kayla specifically, her voice turning pointedly condescending. “Which I know you struggle with, but do your best.”

“Thanks for the encouragement,” Kayla thought, feeling a pang of insecurity.

She and Vanessa got into position and waited for the cue.

“Rolling…Action!” Frank called.

Kayla hadn’t meant to yawn, but it slipped out before she could stop it. Jet lag. Filming. A whirlwind of emotions. It was catching up with her.

She pushed through the exhaustion, shaking it off as best she could, and followed Vanessa—rushing outside into the cold, her breath visible in the air.

And then she saw him. A flash of black leather. Wind-swept hair. The roar of an engine cutting through the night. Sirius Black had arrived.

She gasped but it was quickly followed by another yawn. “Shit!” She muttered to herself. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Cut!” Frances announced, this time more annoyed than usual. She put her hands on her hips. “Whats wrong with you?”

“Sorry….I’m just tied. It's kinda late.” Kayla answered, as she looked down at her feet.

Frances shook her head. “We will be filming 10 to 14 hours daily. You better get used to it.”

Kayla felt her stomach sink. She knew reality shows had long filming hours, but actually living through it was something else entirely.

Frances let out a sigh, clearly irritated but trying to stay professional. “Alright. We’ll take it from the top. Vanessa, cue her again.”

Vanessa gave Kayla a quick reassuring pat on the back. “Shake it off, girl. You got this.”

Kayla nodded, inhaling deeply. She blinked rapidly, forcing the tiredness from her eyes. She had to focus.

“Rolling! …And action!” Frank announced.

Kayla and Vanessa rushed outside again, and this time—she locked onto him.

Sirius was perched effortlessly on his gleaming black motorcycle, one foot planted on the ground, the other propped up casually. His long dark hair was wild from the wind, framing his sharp features perfectly in the low lighting.

He looked completely at ease, like he had just stepped out of a dream. Kayla’s breath hitched.

Sirius grinned, a mischievous glint in his gray eyes as he revved the engine, the deep rumble vibrating through the ground beneath her feet.

“Evening, love,” he drawled, his voice rich and smooth. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

“It's okay,” Kayla replied breathlessly. “You're just in time.”

Sirius patted the extra seat on his motorcycle. “Wanna go for a spin?”

Kayla blushed and fumbled with the hem of her dress. “No…thats okay….I don’t like fast rides and I’m scared of heights!

Sirius chuckled, his smirk deepening as he tilted his head. “Afraid I might sweep you off your feet, then?”

Kayla shook her head. “No it's just…”

Kayla tried to laugh it off, but the exhaustion hit her once more, but this time with brutal force. The previous yawns were silent, but this one was loud enough to be heard on camera.

Sirius looked unphased as if he knew the distance and time Kayla committed into becoming a contestant on Future Husband.

However, Frances was not having it and shook her head. “Cut! Alright, this isn’t happening tonight. We’ll have to film this segment tomorrow.”
She crossed her arms. “You are wasting the crew’s time.” She turned to Sirius and gave him an apologetic look, “I’m really sorry.”

Sirius waved a dismissive hand, completely unfazed. “No worries. Even the toughest witches need their rest.”

Kayla, however, felt her stomach tighten. Frances’ disappointment hung over her like a storm cloud. She hated feeling like a burden.

“I-I’m really sorry,” Kayla mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. She knew exhaustion was no excuse in Frances’ eyes. The woman ran a tight ship, and Kayla had just thrown off the schedule.

Frances exhaled sharply. “Whatever. Just go.”

“Kayla, go get some sleep. Seriously.” Daniel suggested. He had been ounging casually on the doorstep. “You’ll need your energy for tomorrow.” His voice was firm but kind, a sharp contrast to Frances’ irritation.

Vanessa, ever the mood-lifter, flashed Kayla a reassuring smile. “Yeah, don’t stress it. Filming’s brutal—I’d be dead on my feet, too.”

She sighed dramatically, shifting her stance as she tugged at the hem of her dress. “Not to mention this damn thong has been riding up my ass all day!”

Childe, fresh from filming, strolled outside just in time to catch her complaint. He arched a brow, his signature smirk tugging at his lips. “Then why wear them?” His tone was a mix of genuine curiosity and barely concealed amusement.

Vanessa rolled her eyes dramatically. “Because if I wore anything else, they’d show every time I bent over.” She gestured to her tiny, sparkly Tinkerbell dress for emphasis.

Then, without warning, she bent over, hands on her knees. “See? Barely anything.”

Kayla stifled a laugh. “Do you really need to flash a bunch of guys to prove a point?”

“Uh, yeah!” Vanessa retorted as if this was obvious information. “Someone here clearly doesn’t understand the sacrifices of women’s fashion.”

“Alright, alright, point taken.” Childe held up his hands in surrender. Then his expression turned into something more mischievous. “Since you guys are done filming, why not join me for an afterparty, Malishka?”
“Well technically we never finished. But this drama queen runs on her own schedule, apparently.” Frances muttered

Kayla gave Childe an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but if I don’t get to bed soon, I’ll pass out.”

Childe raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to bed now?”

“Yeah.” Kayla yawned. “I’m tired.”

“Tragic. But fine.” Childe sighed theatrically, placing a hand over his heart. “I suppose I’ll just have to entertain myself.”

Kayla chuckled, giving him a small wave. “Good night. See you in the morning.”

Before she could take a step toward the house, a pair of strong arms swept her off her feet.

“Allow me,” Sirius said smoothly, cradling her effortlessly in his arms.

Kayla gasped, instinctively wrapping an arm around his shoulder to steady herself.

Vanessa’s eyes went wide as she dramatically fanned herself. “Oh, my god!”

Childe, however, was far less amused. His jaw tightened, fingers twitching at his sides as he watched Kayla nestled comfortably in another man’s grasp. He knew there would be competition, but watching it unfold in real-time was far more infuriating than he expected.

The crew exchanged looks—some knowing, some amused, and others skeptical of how quickly tensions were escalating.

“If only we could add this to the show.” Daniel joked as Frances crossed her arms in frustration.

The rest of the crew said their goodnights to Kayla as Sirius led her inside.

A crew member who was a young, petite female who wore overalls and a striped midriff was walking through the hallway. She spotted the two of them and raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

“To bed.” Sirius answered casually as he walked up the stairs.

“We still have an hour left of filming until we are done for the night!” The woman retorted, confusion evident.

The wizard said nothing and kept walking.

The crew member’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing suspiciously. “Oh.” Her tone shifted, laced with something teasing. “I see how it is.”

Kayla’s stomach dropped. “No! Not like that!” She squirmed slightly in Sirius’s grip, but he held firm, clearly enjoying himself.

“I must say, you’ve set a new record. Most couples here don’t get it on until week four.” The woman smirked, placing her hands on her hips

“No, really, it’s not—”

But Sirius had already carried Kayla far enough down the hall that the crew member’s teasing laughter faded into the background.

He strode over to the bed and placed her down onto the plush mattress. Before she could even think to protest, he leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead.

“Sweet dreams, love.” His voice was low, warm, and just the tiniest bit smug.

Kayla barely had time to process before he turned, flicking off the light and slipping out the door.

Chapter 5: Heart and Soul

“Did he really just do that?” Kayla thought to herself.

She chuckled as her mind replayed Sirius carrying to her bedroom on a loop. She was living in a real life fan fiction!

She turned the light back on so she could put on her pajamas which consisted of a solid gray t-shirt and neon green microshorts which almost exposed her butt cheeks.

Despite her shy, reserved nature, she preferred minimal clothing. Too many layers felt like hiding, like she was shielding something from the world.

Though, she did have some ounce of modesty. She would never wear these pajamas if she were around her family. It really depended on the situation.

Once she was dressed, she strolled into the bathroom, shuffled through her toiletries, and looked in the mirror.

“Mike was right. I really do need to get my hair done.” She thought to herself.

He had done a decent job covering her roots, but her split ends were glaringly obvious, and the length had grown past what she was comfortable with. She preferred something low-maintenance, her hair usually cropped into a neat pixie cut.

She brushed her teeth and went back to her room. She turned out the light and went to sleep.

~

The mansion had finally settled into a quiet hum, the production crew long gone for the night. Most of the bachelors were still awake, scattered across the living area in varying states of relaxation. The only exceptions were Legolas and Itachi, both early risers who had already turned in for the night.

Sirius lounged on the sofa, smirking as he swirled a glass of whiskey in his hand. “So, what do we think about our lovely Future Wife?”

Childe clicked his tongue. His grip tightened around his glass as he replayed the image of Sirius carrying Kayla upstairs. The sight had made his blood boil. If not for the show’s strict warning—that using magic to seriously harm or kill another contestant would send them back to their respective worlds—he might’ve already done something reckless. He had no intention of risking his place here.

“I think she’s quite lovely,” Jack slurred, downing the last of his rum with a satisfied sigh.

Caleb nodded enthusiastically. “She’s a bit awkward, sure. But you know what? So are we! That’s what makes this whole thing interesting.”

Lestat chuckled to himself, his sharp eyes flickering with amusement. Caleb was adorable. The boy called himself a vampire, but he was far too innocent. Easy competition. Jack, too—the pirate could barely stay upright, let alone put up a fight for Kayla’s attention.

Gladio, catching Lestat’s smirk, raised an eyebrow. “Something funny, bloodsucker?”

Lestat merely tilted his head. “Just enjoying the company, dog.”

Lance burst out laughing at Lestat’s response as he would never expect a prim and proper vampire to use such slang.

“Please never say that again,” Hatsuharu muttered, almost embarrassed.
Valtor chuckled, swirling the wine in his glass as he studied Lestat. “I wasn’t aware vampires had a sense of humor.”
Lestat smirked, reclining back with effortless grace. “Oh, we do. It’s just usually at the expense of mortals.”

Lance was still laughing, wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye. “I gotta admit, I did not see that coming. Dog? Really? What are you, a ’90s rapper now?”

Lestat blinked, his amusement briefly giving way to confusion. “A what?”

Hatsuharu smirked as he flipped through channels. “Hey, go easy on him. He’s a grandpa from the 1700s—he probably thinks music is just some guy playing a harpsichord in a candlelit parlor.”

Lestat’s golden eyes flickered coldly. “Watch your tongue. I am not ignorant—I am a connoisseur of music.”

Lance grinned. “Oh yeah? What’s your favorite band, Grandpa?”

Lestat took a slow sip of his drink, “One with talent. Unlike some of you, I have an ear for true artistry. Not the mindless noise you call modern music.”

Lance leaned back, clearly amused. “Right, right. I bet your idea of a banger is some guy in a powdered wig crying over a harpsichord.”

Before Lestat could retort, a smooth, lilting voice cut in. “Ah, but poetry is the true foundation of music, is it not?”

All eyes turned toward Genesis, who entered the room, with LOVELESS in hand. “A true artist understands that lyrics are as important as melody. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Lestat’s lips curled into an approving smirk. “Finally, someone with taste.”

Sirius scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “You do realize this is a dating show, right? We’re here to get to know Kayla, not to form an after-school club.”

“And yet, literature is the language of passion. Perhaps some of you would do well to learn the art of seduction.” Genesis retorted, his eyes never leaving the pages.

Lance snorted. “Yeah, because nothing sweeps a woman off her feet like a monologue from Hamlet.”

Diamond, lounging at the end of the couch beside him, chuckled. “Lance has a point,” he mused, swirling his wine. “But let’s be honest—the true way to a woman’s heart is through hypnosis.”

The room fell into a brief, stunned silence. Some of the bachelors looked amused; others, outright offended.

Gladio shot him a sharp glare from across the room. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Diamond leaned back with a smirk, twirling the stem of his glass between his fingers. “Why not? Isn’t that the reason we’re all here? To win? To claim our prize?” His violet eyes gleamed. “Let’s not pretend you wouldn’t do the same if you had my abilities.”

Sirius’s expression darkened as he sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “We might be competing for her affection, but Kayla’s not some prize to be claimed.” His voice was firm, laced with quiet irritation. “She’s a person, not a trophy.”

“She is beautiful and intelligent and someone we should cherish,” Caleb added.

Hatsuharu, who had been silently observing the tension rise, felt something stir inside him. The creeping, quiet presence of Dark Haru lingered just beneath the surface, coiling in the back of his mind like a shadow ready to strike. He tightened his fist.

“Manipulation isn’t love,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Diamond arched an eyebrow. “Is it not? Love is power, is it not? And power, my dear friends, is rarely achieved through honesty alone.”

Alucard, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, his deep, resonant voice cutting through the air. “Only cowards seek control over what should be given freely.” His crimson eyes locked onto Diamond’s with quiet intensity. “If you have to force it, then it was never yours to begin with.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Even Diamond, for all his arrogance, held Alucard’s gaze for a moment before offering a small, knowing smirk.

“Perhaps,” Diamond said smoothly, reclining into his seat. “Or perhaps love is simply a game of strategy, and only the most cunning will succeed.”

Gladio scoffed, crossing his arms. “Well, count me out of that version of the game.”

Childe, who had been watching everything unfold with his usual unreadable expression, suddenly smirked. “This is getting interesting,” he murmured, mostly to himself.

Lance’s eyes widened. “Damn, and here I thought this was gonna be fun. Now we’ve got existential crises over what love really is.”

“All great love stories are born from conflict.” Genesis’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “And I have a feeling this one is no exception.”

Hatsuharu forced himself to take a deep breath, pushing down the rising anger threatening to take hold. But it was too late. He went dark.

In one swift motion, Hatsuharu shot up from his seat and grabbed Diamond by the collar of his pristine white suit, yanking him to his feet. The room went silent.

Diamond, still smirking, barely reacted, his violet eyes gleaming with intrigue. “Oh?” he murmured. “So the quiet one does have a temper.”

Caleb stepped forward, hands raised in an attempt to de-escalate. “Whoa, hey! Let’s not do this. We’re all stuck in this mansion together, remember?”

Sirius nodded, his voice firm but measured. “He’s right. This isn’t worth it. We don’t want to risk going home over some stupid fight.”

The tension in the air was thick, but before anyone could say anything else, Jack, who had been lounging lazily with his drink, suddenly perked up. “Aye, why don’t we steer this ship into calmer waters, eh?” He took a dramatic sip of rum. “Like, uh… who’s president now?”

A beat of silence.

Lance blinked. “That’s your lighthearted topic?”

“Eh” Jack shrugged. “I’ve been out of the loop.”

Diamond exhaled sharply, adjusting his cuffs before casting a smug glance around the room.
“Enough of this.” His voice dripped with arrogance. “Kayla will be mine, and you pathetic Casanovas don’t stand a chance.”

With that, he rose from his seat, smoothing out his pristine white suit before striding toward the exit. His footsteps echoed as he disappeared down the hall, leaving behind a charged silence.

The remaining bachelors exchanged wary glances. They needed to get rid of Diamond if they wanted to survive the competition.

~

The next morning, Kayla’s alarm blared from her iPhone, but she was far too exhausted to care.

"Just a few more minutes," she thought, blindly reaching for her phone. Half-asleep, she tapped the screen and rolled over, completely unaware that instead of hitting snooze, she had turned the alarm off entirely.

The next thing she knew, her bedroom door burst open.

“Hey, do you know where the crew is?” Vanessa’s voice jolted her awake.

Kayla blinked groggily, rubbing her eyes. “What?”

Vanessa sighed, hands on her hips. “I mean, some people are here—hair and makeup, the PR chick—but none of the showrunners or tech crew. Not even Daniel.”

Kayla sat up, her grogginess turning to confusion. “Wait... what time is it?”

“Ten. Everyone was supposed to be here hours ago!”

Kayla shrugged. “I mean, this is Los Angeles. Traffic here is basically a nightmare.”

“Yeah, but it was bad yesterday too, and I still managed to get here on time.”

“Maybe there was a bad accident or something? Kayla rubbed her temple, still trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. “Did you try texting anyone?”

Vanessa shook her head. “No one’s responding either. The only number I have is Terry’s, and she won’t pick up either.”

She held up her phone, showing a string of unanswered texts. The last message from Terry was at 8:15 AM: “Running a bit behind! Be there soon.”

Kayla frowned. “That was two hours ago…”

“Yeah,” Vanessa muttered. “Hopefully, everything’s fine.”

Kayla nodded, though a nagging sense of unease started creeping in. “Yeah… hopefully.”

A brief silence settled between them before Vanessa clapped her hands together. “Anyway, there’s breakfast downstairs. You should grab some before it’s gone.”

Kayla swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Alright, I’ll be down in a minute. Just need to freshen up first.

“You better hurry—Jack’s already halfway through everything.”

“Of course he is.”

Vanessa left the room while she went to the bathroom to shower. Except there was a problem. There was no hot water.

She turned the shower on to the highest temperature and was lucky that she could get it to room temperature.

“If only one of the guys kept me warm.” She thought as she shivered underneath the water.

She imagined one of the more forward bachelors like Lestat or Childe creeping their way into the bathroom and holding her close as they shared their body heat.

After five minutes she threw on some clothes which consisted of a shiny black midriff with a black lace mini skirt. She put on her favorite Baphomet necklace, followed with a ring on her second, third, and fourth finger. The outfit contrasted with her pink socks with little Snorlaxes sleeping on them.

She spent a few seconds on her hair, as she was rather low maintenance and checked herself out in the mirror.

“I look good.” She told herself before heading downstairs.

Some of the bachelors were gathered in the kitchen. Diamond, Genesis, Hatsuharu, Sirius, Gladio, Valtor, and Jack sat around the table, while Lance and Itachi cleaned up near the sink.

There was an odd tension in the air—one that Kayla couldn’t quite place. The men at the table, with the exception of Jack, who was far too busy scarfing down his breakfast to care, were locked in a silent standoff, their gazes sharp and unwavering. No one spoke.

Kayla hesitated for a moment before offering a bright wave. “Hey, guys!” she greeted, trying to cut through the heavy atmosphere. “Did something happen? It’s weirdly quiet in here.”

Gladio didn’t break eye contact with Diamond, his expression hard, as if silently warning him that something was about to go down.

“Oh, it’s nothing, beautiful,” Genesis dismissed with a charming smile. “Just a little exhaustion from last night’s filming session.”
“Not to mention, the awakening ritual takes a bit out of you at first,” Hatsuharu added, stretching his arms lazily over his head.
Oh, right. They were literally born yesterday.
Kayla reminded herself that, for most of them, everything in this world was brand new. Not only did they come from different centuries—some from completely different worlds—but they had only just been brought into existence here.

She still didn’t fully understand how Avery’s trans-dimensional magic worked, other than the fact that it had the power to bring fictional characters to life. From what little she knew, Avery could tailor them to fit whatever purpose she envisioned, but the specifics? Completely beyond her understanding.

She had meant to ask Avery about it the day before, but after witnessing the ritual firsthand—and feeling the strange, draining energy it left behind—she hadn’t had the energy to question it. Instead, she figured she’d just ask the ones who had actually gone through it.

She leaned forward slightly. “So… how does trans-dimensional magic actually work?”

“Ah, it’s quite complicated,” Diamond said, his tone rich with amusement. “Most people from this world wouldn’t be able to comprehend it, but in simple terms—our spirits were drawn to Avery’s call. She gave us form and purpose, telling us everything we needed to know to fulfill it.”

Kayla stared at him, waiting for something to click in her brain. It didn’t.

Diamond’s smirk widened, clearly enjoying her confusion. “Alright, let me put it in terms even you can understand,” he said smoothly. “We’re basically test tube babies—except instead of starting as infants, we came out fully formed. Once we arrived, Avery sat us down and gave us a crash course in your world—things like pop culture, money, and, of course…” He gestured toward her with an elegant flick of his wrist. “The role we’re meant to play here.”

Kayla furrowed her brow. “Wait, hold on—how long was I even out for? It couldn’t have been more than two or three hours. How did you guys manage to learn everything about my world in that short amount of time?”
“We did not acquire complete knowledge,” Itachi clarified, as he wiped down the counter with a sponge. “What we received was a foundational understanding—an expedited briefing designed to orient us within this reality. The expectation is that we will continue to observe, analyze, and assimilate information on our own.”

Kayla bit her lip. “That sounds… kinda hard.”

Lance, stacking clean dishes from the dishwasher, shook his head. “Not for all of us. My world’s pretty similar to yours, Kayla. The only real difference is…” He grinned. “You guys don’t have Pokémon.”

Hatsuharu nodded. “Same here. No major culture shock. The biggest difference is that, in my world, people can turn into animals because of a curse. That doesn’t seem to be a thing here.”

Kayla blinked. “Yeah, definitely not a thing.”

“You two might have it easy, but I, on the other hand, come from a world far more advanced than this one.” Genesis sighed and gestured toward the coffee machine with mild disdain. “I’m not accustomed to such… primitive technology.”

Valtor raised an eyebrow. “You mean the coffee maker?”

Genesis scoffed. “It’s borderline archaic.”

Sirius chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Well, someone’s a diva.”

Genesis arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You should talk. You claimed you’d never even heard of television before.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “I never said I hadn’t heard of it. I said the wizarding world relies on more traditional technology.” He waved a hand lazily. “Muggles still exist in my world, you know.”

Hatsuharu tilted his head. “Muggles?”

“Oh—sorry,” Sirius corrected. “Non-magic users.”

The tension in the room had begun to ease, the conversation shifting into something more casual. But even as the atmosphere lightened, Kayla couldn’t ignore the way Gladio’s expression darkened whenever his gaze landed on Diamond. The look in his eyes wasn’t just annoyance—it was disgust.

Kayla swallowed, glancing between them. “Something happened last night, and they aren’t telling me.”

A part of her wanted to press for answers—to understand what had gone down while she was sleeping. But another part of her wasn’t so sure she wanted to know. Some things were better left unsaid.

She grabbed a plate from the cabinet, ready to serve herself some breakfast—only to find that most of the trays had been picked clean. All that remained were scattered crumbs and a few lonely scraps. She sighed, setting the plate down with a defeated slump.

Noticing her expression, Lance looked over. “Hey, you okay? You seem kinda… disappointed.”

Kayla rubbed the back of her neck. “There’s no food left… and I don’t know how to cook.”

Hatsuharu narrowed his eyes at Jack, who was still casually munching on what looked like the last bit of toast. “You were supposed to save her some, you know.”

Jack blinked, then grinned sheepishly. “Was I? Oops!”

“I can prepare something for you if you’d like,” Itachi offered, as he set the wet sponge down. “Do you eat eggs?”

Kayla’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Sunny-side up, please!”

Before Itachi could move, Lance smirked. “Hey, hold on, we’ve got a pancake griddle. I can make you something too.”

Not to be outdone, Valtor stepped forward, his voice smooth and confident. “Why limit yourself? I can prepare anything you desire. Just say the word, and it’s yours.”

“Well… eggs and pancakes sound great,” she said carefully, trying to keep the peace. Then, glancing at Valtor, she added, “Why don’t you slice up some fruit for me?”

For a split second, Valtor’s expression darkened, but he masked it with a charming smile. “As you wish, dear Kayla,” he said smoothly, though there was a clear edge in his voice.

Kayla quickly took a seat between Hatsuharu and Jack. As the unofficial cook-off began, she watched in amusement, wondering how she had somehow turned breakfast into a full-blown competition.

Then, Vanessa burst into the kitchen. “I finally heard back from Terry!”

Kayla perked up. “Oh, good! Where is everyone?”

Vanessa sighed, shaking her head. “Apparently, there was a last-minute schedule change that they all discussed after I left last night. They won’t be here until noon.”

Kayla bit her lip. “Does that mean we will be working overtime?”

The memory of nearly passing out on set flashed in her mind, along with Frances giving her a very pointed scolding for it.

Vanessa shrugged. “I don’t know. Hopefully not—because I like my beauty sleep too.”

Gladio’s tense expression softened slightly into curiosity. “Speaking of which, are the bloodsuckers still sleeping?”

Vanessa tapped her chin. “I think I saw Caleb earlier. But yeah—Lestat and Alucard are still holed up in their room.”

Gladio smirked. “Hope they don’t miss the camera crew. You know, with their whole ‘sunlight is the enemy’ thing.”

Kayla chuckled. “Oh, I doubt it. If they do oversleep, I’m sure Frances will give them a wake-up call they won’t forget.”

Vanessa snorted. “Yeah, true. Though… I am a little worried about their diet.”

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Kayla, who loved vampires in theory, suddenly felt very aware that she was sitting in a house with three of them. And as much as she enjoyed their aesthetic, she really didn’t want to be on the menu.

Diamond, completely unfazed, leaned back with an aloof expression. “They’ll survive,” he said smoothly. “Vampires are highly intelligent creatures. They adapt.”

Itachi, flipping the eggs with practiced ease, spoke in a contemplative tone. “I believe Avery provided them with a few blood donations to sustain them for now. But how she acquired them is beyond my knowledge.”

Sirius brow furrowed slightly. “Unless she works as a nurse, I can’t imagine how she got ahold of them.”

Kayla had always been fascinated by Avery’s magic—how effortlessly she bent reality to her will. But now, hearing Itachi’s words, a different feeling settled in her chest. Unease. Just how much did they actually know about Avery?

Lance, pouring pancake batter onto the griddle, voiced the same thought. “Does anyone really know what Avery actually does here? She kinda just sat behind the scenes last night.”

Vanessa, leaning against the counter, shrugged. “She’s actually studying medicine. And she works as a shaman as a side hustle.”

“Even so,” Itachi murmured, “hospitals don’t just give away blood. There must be a catch.”

A heavy silence lingered in the room, the sound of sizzling food suddenly feeling too loud. Then, the faint shuffle of footsteps broke the stillness.

Childe strode into the kitchen, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, socks, and running shoes. His skin gleamed with sweat, his breath still heavy from what was clearly an intense workout.

Kayla’s breath hitched the moment she saw him. He looked like a Greek god. Broad shoulders, sculpted abs, toned muscles—he was the epitome of an athlete. And unlike the others, who were still immersed in their quiet contemplation, Childe knew exactly what he was doing.

He didn’t acknowledge anyone else—his sharp blue eyes locked only onto Kayla, fully aware of her staring.

A smirk curled on his lips. “Like what you see?” he asked, voice dripping with amusement. He rolled his shoulders, making a point of stretching in front of her. “I just finished my morning fitness routine.”

Kayla’s brain short-circuited. Words? Gone. Thoughts? Nonexistent. All she could do was nod like an absolute fool.

Vanessa, ever the instigator, shot Childe a teasing grin. “Careful, Childe,” she mused. “Keep this act up, and I might just claim you for myself.”

“Vanessa, you flatter me,” Childe let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the attention. “But I’m afraid my heart belongs to Kayla.”

Without missing a beat, he strode over to where Kayla sat and pressed a light kiss to the top of her head.

A collective grimace passed through the bachelors seated at the table. Some rolled their eyes, others merely glared.

Childe, thoroughly amused by their reactions, shot Kayla a mischievous look. “Why don’t you ditch everyone else and come join me for a swim?”

Kayla felt heat rise to her cheeks. “M-Maybe after breakfast,” she managed, suddenly very aware of the daggers being stared into Childe’s back.

Childe simply shrugged before heading toward the backyard, clearly unfazed by the collective tension he had stirred.

“So, Kayla, tell us about yourself. You know everything about us, but we barely know anything about you!” Lance said as he flipped a pancake.

Kayla let out a nervous laugh. “That’s… kind of a loaded question. What do you want to know?”

Lance thought for a moment before offering, “I dunno, like… what do you do for fun?”

Kayla twirled a strand of hair between her fingers. “Um, well… I write fanfiction, I do tarot readings, I sing, and I have my own YouTube channel.”

Itachi raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “This YouTube… what exactly is it?”

Kayla hesitated, trying to find the simplest way to explain. Fortunately, Vanessa jumped in before she could overthink it.

“It’s kinda like TV,” Vanessa said, “but it’s on a smaller device called a computer, and anyone can create and upload videos. You don’t need to be a professional to run a channel.”

Itachi nodded thoughtfully. “Interesting.”

“And what sort of videos do you create?” Valtor asked as he leaned forward in his chair.

Kayla offered a small, smile. “Just different stuff about fandom culture. I recently posted a chapter of an audiobook I’ve been working on.”

Gladio raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “You’re working on an audiobook too? You’re a talented woman.”

Genesis leaned in with interest. “I’d love to listen to that story. What’s it about?”

“Oh, trust me—you don’t.” Kayla thought.

Her current project was a self-insert smut story featuring herself and her favorite Genshin Impact characters. Childe included.

Trying not to combust on the spot, she waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s nothing special,” she said, forcing a casual laugh. “It’s, uh… basically a story where I imagine what would happen if I died and woke up in another world. You know, trying to adapt to it and all.”

It wasn’t technically a lie. The story was a strange blend of fiction and nonfiction—her real-life thoughts and struggles woven into a completely different setting.

Diamond studied her with intrigue. “And what sort of world does your character enter? Is it one of ours?”

Kayla hesitated, gripping the edge of her seat.

She knew this was a competition—but this was a dating show, not a bloodbath.

Hatsuharu, noticing her shift in demeanor, tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”
Sirius let out a knowing chuckle, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “It seems our precious Kayla is hiding something.” He tilted his head, studying her reaction like a detective piecing together a mystery. “It is one of our worlds… isn’t it?”
Kayla’s face went scarlet. How the hell did he figure that out so fast?!
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, suddenly wishing she had never opened her mouth about the audiobook in the first place. She could feel the eyes of the other bachelors on her now—watchful, intrigued, and some even smug.

“Pfft, no! It’s—it’s just inspired by different things,” she stammered, waving her hands dismissively. “Totally random. Not related to any of your worlds.”

Sirius’s smirk widened. “Liar.”

Diamond smirked. He knew how to get Kayla talking. He just needed to get her to look into his eyes.

Slowly, he reached across the table, his touch deceptively gentle as he rested a hand on her shoulder. His voice was smooth, almost comforting. “I won’t be mad if it isn’t my world,” he assured her, his tone dripping with understanding.

Kayla hesitated, her resistance wavering as she finally lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Are you sure?” she asked cautiously.

Perfect. She was putty in his hands. His lips curled ever so slightly as his irises flickered—violet melting into an eerie, glowing red. His power seeped through the air like an invisible web, wrapping around her mind, coaxing her into submission.

And then, before she even realized what was happening, the words slipped from her mouth. “My story is a Genshin Impact fanfiction.”

A sharp silence fell over the table.

The bachelors around the table exchanged glances, but it was Jack who spoke first. He squinted at Diamond, tilting his head. “Uh… is it just me, or is there somethin’ real weird goin’ on with his eyes?”

Hatsuharu’s entire body went rigid, his fists clenching at his sides. His voice was low, seething.
“He’s hypnotizing her.”

Chapter 6: Heat Rising

“Son of a bitch!” Gladio growled, pushing back his chair with a loud scrape as he sprang to his feet. Before anyone could react, he grabbed Diamond by the collar, yanking him up from his seat.

Vanessa rushed toward them, hands outstretched in a desperate attempt to mediate. “Hey, stop—guys, don’t—”

But it was too late.Gladio’s fist collided with Diamond’s face with a sickening crack, sending the prince stumbling back.

“Holy shit!” Vanessa shrieked.

The room was momentarily stunned into silence, but the most unnerving part was Diamond’s reaction—or rather, his lack of one.

He simply straightened himself, brushing off his shirt with an air of nonchalance. Then, to everyone’s disbelief, he smirked.

“I have to admit, Gladiolus, that was entertaining.” Diamond mused, voice smooth as ever.

Meanwhile, Sirius had rushed to Kayla’s side, waving his hand frantically in front of her face. “Hey—wake up, sweetheart!”

Kayla blinked rapidly, her mind still foggy. “Huh?”

The fog in her mind lifted as she processed the chaos in front of her. Gladio looked ready to throw another punch. Itachi, who had been at the stove, immediately set the frying pan down on the counter and rushed toward them.

“Don’t you ever do that to her again!” Gladio snarled, his glare burning into Diamond.

“Or else what?” Diamond taunted. “You’d risk going back to your world?”

Itachi tightened his grip on Gladio’s wrist, his voice sharp and authoritative. “Enough. You both know the rules. We can’t seriously harm each other.”

Across the room, Kayla finally regained her senses, the lingering haze in her mind fading. But as she took in the charged atmosphere—the tense standoff, Gladio’s seething rage, and the unsettling amusement in Diamond’s eyes—her stomach twisted with unease.

“What… happened?” she asked, her voice unsteady. Then, spotting the clear hostility between them, she sat up straighter. “Was there a fight?”

“Oh, nothing so dramatic,” Genesis drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “Just our dear Prince Diamond weaving his wicked sorcery to extract the truth from you.” His eyes gleamed with something between amusement and disdain as he quoted, “A gift of knowledge, forcefully taken, taints the soul of the giver.” He folded his arms, his expression darkening. “But I suppose consent is too trivial a concept for some.”

Kayla’s breath hitched, a cold shiver running down her spine. “He what?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her mind reeled, trying to retrace the conversation. She had been talking about her audiobook, answering their questions—but she hadn’t realized that Diamond’s comforting reassurance had been nothing more than a trap.

A carefully calculated manipulation.

And worse? She had told them. They knew she had written about Genshin Impact. They knew her world of choice. And more importantly, they knew Childe was part of it. Now they were going to hate her.

A lump formed in her throat. She couldn’t be here right now. Tears stung her eyes as she shoved herself up from her seat and ran.

“Kayla—wait!” Lance called after her, hurriedly shutting off the pancake griddle before sprinting after her.

“I need to be alone!” she choked out, her voice breaking as she disappeared down the hall.

A young woman with dark skin and long dreadlocks—someone Kayla vaguely recognized from the night before—spotted her rushing past.

“Hey, are you okay?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.

“No!” Kayla choked out between sobs as she bolted up the stairs, not stopping to explain.

The woman’s brows furrowed as she watched her go. Without hesitation, she turned and walked into the kitchen, her sharp gaze sweeping over the room. “Alright, what happened? I heard a lot of noise coming from here.”

“Uh… sorry, Tanya, there was just—” Vanessa hesitated before sighing. “There was a fight.”

Tanya blinked, clearly confused. “A fight?”

Gladio crossed his arms, his jaw tight. “I threw a punch at Diamond. That’s all.”

Tanya’s eyes narrowed. “Then why is Kayla crying?”

A heavy silence settled over the room. Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair before finally speaking. “She didn’t want to tell us something and…” He trailed off, his gaze landing squarely on Diamond.

Diamond, still composed despite the palpable tension, exhaled and held up his hands in mock surrender. “I was—how do I put this?—pretentious and may have… employed a bit of hypnotism to help her talk.” His lips curled into a smile, though this time it was almost apologetic. “My deepest regrets.”

Hatsuharu rolled his eyes, unimpressed. Of course Diamond was sucking up to one of the producers. But judging by the way Tanya’s expression darkened, she was just as furious as everyone else.

“You do realize you could get disqualified for that, right?”

Diamond gave a slow nod, his tone smooth and composed. “Yes, once again, I sincerely apologize. It won’t happen again.”

Tanya, unimpressed, pulled out her phone and fixed him with a sharp glare. “Oh, I know it won’t—because Avery and the showrunners are about to hear about this.” Her fingers flew over the screen as she typed. “You better start praying to whatever god you believe in, because whether you’re staying here or not is out of your hands now.”

Diamond remained silent, watching her send the message with an unreadable expression. There was no protest, no smug remark—just quiet, calculated observation.

No one knew what he was thinking.

~

A little while later, the bachelors had scattered throughout the house, each finding their own way to kill time. Vanessa lounged on the couch between Lance and Gladio, watching as the two locked into a heated Mario Kart match, trash talk flying between them.

Just as she was about to comment on their abysmal driving skills, the jingle of keys caught her attention. The front door swung open, and in walked Daniel—wearing a party hat.

Vanessa sat up. “There you are! What took you so long?”

Daniel grinned as he stepped inside. “Apologies. Terry insisted on throwing an impromptu brunch for my birthday.”

Vanessa’s face lit up. “Oh! Happy birthday! You don’t look a day over twenty-one!”

“Forty three.” The president corrected with a laugh. “The rest of the crew will be here soon. Can you three round up Kayla and the other bachelors? We’ll have a powwow in the lounge.”

~

Once the crew arrived, most of the bachelors and Vanessa had gathered in the lounge area. The atmosphere was casual, but there was a lingering tension—one person was missing.

Legolas leaned forward, his sharp gaze scanning the room. “Where is Kayla?”

Vanessa turned to Lance, brows furrowing. “I thought you were supposed to get her?”

Lance ran a hand through his hair. “I knocked, but she didn’t answer. Figured she was in the bathroom.”

From the small stage at the front of the room, Frances crossed her arms, standing beside Terry and Daniel. “Well, she’s been in there too long. Someone go get her. We need to talk shop.”

Vanessa pushed back her chair and stood. “I’ll find her. She probably didn’t say anything because she’s still upset about this morning.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried upstairs.

Legolas frowned. “What happened?”

Diamond waved a hand dismissively. “It’s a long story. I’m sure she’s over it by now.”

Sirius scoffed, crossing his arms. “Oh, are you serious? Anyone in her position would be furious if you pulled something like that on them.”

“That's exactly what we are going to talk about.” Frances said as her lips pressed into a thin line. “Before we start filming, I think it’s time we review some of the house rules—since it seems some of you have forgotten how to behave.”

She crossed her arms, her gaze shifting between Gladio, who sat stiffly at a table behind Diamond. “There is a strict rule when it comes to magic and combat in this house,” she stated firmly. “The only time you are allowed to use either is when we give permission. No exceptions.”

“This rule isn’t just to protect the company—it’s to protect Kayla, the crew, and all of you,” Terry added. “We cannot afford to send anyone home when we’ve barely filmed anything.”

“Fine. I’m sorry,” Gladio muttered. “I just didn’t want Kayla getting manipulated by… that.” His eyes flicked toward Diamond, his distaste clear.

“And once again, I offer my sincerest regrets,” Diamond said, his voice dripping with feigned remorse. “I never intended to harm her—merely to help her come out of her shell.”

For a moment, it seemed like he was done. But then—his eyes flickered.

A flash of something sinister gleamed within them. It was brief—so brief that most of the bachelors, still focused on the showrunners, missed it entirely.

Except for Lestat. Seated beside Diamond, the vampire said nothing, his expression unreadable—until the corner of his lips curled into a knowing smirk. Lestat wasn’t jealous. No, he was intrigued. Diamond’s methods were bold, reckless even, but undeniably effective. And in this competition, power was what mattered.

A thought took root in his mind—one that sent a thrill through his cold, immortal veins. If he played his cards right, if he aligned himself with Diamond, they could eliminate the others one by one. And by the end of this? It would be him and Diamond—the final two bachelors standing.

Diamond leaned back in his chair, a slow, knowing smile curling at his lips. “On the other hand, it does make for a rather… unique storyline for the show.”

The room froze.

Hatsuharu shot up from his seat, his jaw clenched. “Are you fucking serious? You actually want to do it again?”

Lance shook his head in disbelief. “You must be out of your damn mind to stoop this low.”

“Actually,” Daniel said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, “Diamond has a point. This is reality TV, after all.”

Caleb’s eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He hadn’t witnessed the dispute that morning, but now, as the pieces fell into place, a wave of anger surged through him.

“You’re willing to hurt Kayla for ratings?” he demanded.

Diamond, ever composed, merely gave a small, calculated smile. “Again, it was never my intention to harm her. I was merely offering her comfort. She seemed… tense.”

Gladio shot up from his seat, fists clenched at his sides. “You fucking liar! That’s not what happened at all!”

Frances held up a hand before things could escalate again. “Enough.” She exhaled sharply, glancing toward Daniel before nodding. “I do agree with Daniel on one thing—this is a reality show, and conflict sells.” Her tone darkened. “That being said, we need to put some restrictions in place.”

She turned to Diamond. “You may use your hypnosis, but only when the cameras are rolling.”

Terry crossed her arms. “And you can’t make anyone do something illegal.”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Legolas, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He had fought through wars, faced darkness and death—but this? This twisting of morality for entertainment unsettled him in a way he couldn’t ignore.

“If you are truly going through with this…” He hesitated, his elven grace faltering. “Then I must request to return to my world. I do not feel comfortable here.”

Hatsuharu gaped at him. “Whoa, no need to go through such extremes!”

Terry sighed. “I’m afraid we can’t grant that request, Legolas. We need Avery in order to send anyone back. And she won’t be here until Friday.”

Legolas pressed his lips into a firm line, frustration evident in his normally composed demeanor.
It was Sunday. Which meant—for the next five days—he was stuck here.

~

Vanessa knocked gently on Kayla’s door. “Kayla? It’s me. Just checking in.”

Kayla lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The tears had dried, but the heavy pit in her stomach remained. Diamond’s hypnosis still haunted her—the feeling of being powerless, of losing control over her own words.

“I’m fine,” she lied..

Vanessa hesitated. “The guys and the crew are downstairs if you wanna come down.”

Kayla let out a quiet sigh. She wasn’t ready to face them—but she couldn’t hide forever. “I’m coming.”

Pushing herself up, she ran a hand through her hair before opening the door.

Vanessa gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m really sorry about earlier.”

Kayla shook her head. “It’s not your fault.”

Without another word, Vanessa led her back to the lounge.

As they entered, Daniel clapped his hands together, his expression bright but businesslike. “Good. Now that we’re all here, let’s go over today’s schedule.”

Kayla quietly slipped toward the back of the room, taking a seat beside Alucard. He glanced at her, his golden eyes soft with an unspoken apology before he turned his attention back to Daniel.

But Kayla didn’t see it that way. Because of her autism, she misinterpreted his look. Instead of kindness, all she saw was pity—or worse, disappointment. Her stomach twisted as she quickly averted her gaze, staring down at the floor.

Now that her Genshin Impact story had been exposed, she was certain the others must hate her for it. She could already imagine the whispers behind her back, the judgment in their eyes.

And knowing Jack, with his boisterous nature and inability to keep things quiet, he had definitely spread the news to anyone who wasn’t in the kitchen earlier.

The thought made Kayla shrink further into herself, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress as if she could make herself disappear.

“Alright, today is challenge day, which means we’ll be filming the weekly challenge.” Daniel announced.

“Challenge?” Kayla asked. Her voice was loud enough to get his attention.

Daniel blinked. “Oh, Kayla, I thought you’d seen a few episodes of Future Husband. You do know how this show works, right?”

Kayla shook her head, suddenly feeling even more out of place.

“Apologies, then. Let me break it down for you. Each episode has a storyline, a challenge that ties into it, which then leads into a group date and a solo date, and finally, the rose ceremony. The challenge acts as a kind of first impression round, and from there, you’ll choose up to six bachelors for the group date and one bachelor for the solo date.” The president explained.

Kayla nodded slowly. “That… makes sense now.”

But even as she processed his words, she slumped back in her chair.

Not that it matters.

Would any of them even want to be chosen after this morning?

Now that her Genshin Impact story had been exposed—now that they all knew—she couldn’t shake the feeling that the bachelors would see her differently. That they’d resent her for keeping it a secret.

She let out a quiet, unintentional sigh, sinking lower into her seat.

Beside her, Alucard tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes studying her. He leaned in just enough for his voice to reach her ears. “Is everything alright, my sweet?”

. “What’s the point of doing this anymore? You all hate me.” Kayla muttered with a defeated sigh.

From in front of her, Itachi turned slightly, “What are you talking about?”

Kayla frowned. “You were there. You know what happened.”

Itachi held her gaze. “Kayla, it wasn’t your fault. You were under hypnosis.”

She shook her head, refusing to let herself off the hook so easily. But before she could say anything more, Frances loudly cleared her throat from the front of the room, her sharp gaze landing on her, Itachi, and Alucard. “Is there something you three would like to share with the rest of us?”

Kayla exhaled deeply, straightening in her seat. If she didn’t say something now, the tension in the room would just fester.

She forced herself to speak. “Look, everyone… I’m really sorry about what happened in the kitchen. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

A confused murmur spread across the bachelors.

Lance furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about? Diamond should be the one apologizing!”

Kayla bit her lip. “I know. “But… my answer could’ve caused damage I never intended. I didn’t want anyone targeting Childe since I knew this was already going to be a heated competition.”

A tense silence followed.

Hatsuharu shook his head, baffled. “I don’t understand. Why would we do that?”

From across the room, Childe leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching the exchange with growing curiosity. He hadn’t been present for the earlier dispute, but the tension in the room—and the way certain people were reacting—had certainly piqued his interest. His brow arched slightly, intrigued.

Kayla hesitated, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. “I just… thought you might think I have some kind of bias against you all.”

“That’s ridiculous. I didn’t think that for a second.” Sirius scoffed, shaking his head. He turned, glancing at the other bachelors. “Did any of you?”

The ones who had been in the kitchen earlier immediately shook their heads, while those who hadn’t been there exchanged puzzled looks, clearly out of the loop.

Gladio crossed his arms, his tone steady and reassuring. “None of us are mad at you, Kayla. We think you’re a wonderful person.”

Kayla blinked, her breath catching in her throat. “Really?”

While this conversation played out, Childe leaned toward Jack and whispered, “What happened while I was gone?”

“Oh, mate, you missed quite the revelation,” Jack explained as he stretched his arms behind his head, clearly enjoying himself.

Childe narrowed his eyes. “Spit it out.”

Jack leaned in, voice brimming with amusement. “So, the lass was talking about this story she’s been working on—one where she gets pulled into some other world.”

“And?”

Jack smirked. “And when we asked what world she ended up in…” He paused, drawing out the moment before shooting Childe a knowing look. “She said yours.”

Childe’s expression froze. His head snapped toward Kayla, who was still caught up in her own conversation.

Jack chuckled, giving Childe a hearty slap on the back. “Bet you didn’t see that coming, eh?”

Before Childe could respond, Frances cleared her throat dramatically, demanding attention. , “Alright, enough! We don’t have time for all this kumbaya nonsense! We’re on a tight schedule, people!”

The room immediately refocused, attention shifting back to the showrunners.

Daniel nodded, stepping forward. “Today’s challenge is simple: you’ll each get a few minutes with Kayla during a cocktail party—which, by the way, is happening right now outside.”

Jack perked up instantly. “Ooh, I do love cocktails!”

Kayla’s stomach dropped. A party? Her worst nightmare. She never thrived in social events—she usually ended up in the corner, watching from a distance rather than actually participating.

“While that is happening, we’ll pull people aside for confessionals and solo stuff.” Daniel continued. “Then, after dinner, we’ll reshoot some footage from yesterday.”

Kayla swallowed hard. There was no escaping this.

“Alright, lets split into groups.” Terry announced. The left side of the room—go put on your swimsuits and head outside. The right side—you’ll be filming confessionals now.”

“For those heading outside, cameras start rolling in fifteen minutes—so don’t take forever.” Frances added.

The room buzzed with movement as everyone began to disperse.

Kayla went upstairs to change into her black one-piece swimsuit, sighing as she caught sight of her reflection. Her half-hearted shaving job was painfully obvious, but she could only hope no one would notice—or care.

With a resigned shrug, she removed the rings from her fingers but left her Baphomet pendant on, its weight against her chest grounding her.

Once ready, she made her way back downstairs. Waiting for her outside were Itachi, Alucard, Childe, Jack, Hatsuharu, Legolas, and Diamond—all dressed in their swimwear.

Childe wore sleek, orange swim trunks, his toned torso glistening slightly from the heat, looking as effortlessly confident as ever. Jack, of course, had gone for something a little more fun—bold, striped shorts with a ridiculous pirate-themed print that somehow suited him perfectly. Hatsuharu had chosen black swim trunks with a red tribal design, his lean frame relaxed as he stretched lazily.
Legolas looked almost ethereal, his pale complexion unbothered by the sun, his swimwear simple yet refined—muted green trunks that somehow managed to look regal on him. Diamond, in contrast, had chosen all white, his sharp, sculpted form giving him the air of a prince even by the poolside. Itachi’s swimwear was dark red, practical, effortlessly elegant.

Then there was Alucard—the outlier. Instead of swim trunks, he wore black tailored shorts and a loose button-up, the fabric airy but unbuttoned enough to reveal a teasing glimpse of his sculpted chest. He held a black umbrella in his hand to keep the sun off his skin. His long, pale hair framed his face as he stood slightly apart from the others, his crimson eyes unreadable, as if he had merely tolerated the idea of dressing down for this event rather than embracing it.

Kayla tried not to stare—tried to act normal—but her gaze instinctively skipped past Diamond. Even now, she couldn’t quite bring herself to meet his eyes.

“Alright, here’s how this is going to go.” Frances explained through a megaphone. “The guys will act like the party already started without Kayla. She’ll walk in, looking excited and happy, then throughout the afternoon, she’ll pull each of you aside one by one to get to know you better.” She glanced around the group. “Sound good?”

The men responded in unison, “Yes.”

But in Kayla’s head? A very clear, “No.” Acting natural when she felt completely out of her element? That was a joke

As she internally panicked, the camera crew consisted of much more people than the night before. She recognized Garrett and Denzel, but there were five more operators with them. They moved into position, setting up along the backyard, adjusting lighting, and making sure everything was ready to capture the perfect shot.

Frances lifted her megaphone, her voice cutting through the chatter. “Alright, let’s get everyone in position.” She pointed as she assigned their spots. “Kayla, head back inside for now. Itachi and Diamond, you’ll be lounging in the lawn chairs. Childe, Legolas, and Hatsuharu—you’re in the pool. Jack, you’ll be stationed at the bar.” She then turned to Alucard. “And you—stay in the shade. I’d rather not have you melting on us.” With a flick of her wrist, she motioned for everyone to move. “Let’s get this set up, people!”

With a few murmurs of agreement, everyone moved to their assigned spots.

Once the scene was set, Denzel, who was stationed near the pool, raised his hand. “Action!”

Kayla took a deep breath as Garret, the cameraman assigned to follow her, positioned himself.

“Alright Force yourself to have a good time,” she told herself, straightening her shoulders as she stepped toward the door.

Kayla forced a bright expression onto her face as she stepped outside. The summer air was warm, the lights strung across the backyard giving the space a relaxed, intimate glow. The sound of clinking glasses, soft laughter, and water splashing from the pool filled the air as if the party had already been in full swing.

“Act natural. Just pretend this is a normal gathering. Nothing to stress over.”

Itachi and Diamond lounged in their chairs, looking effortlessly relaxed. Childe, Legolas, and Hatsuharu were already in the pool, their toned physiques half-submerged as they chatted casually. Over at the bar, Jack leaned against the counter, already pretending to sip from a colorful cocktail, while Alucard sat comfortably in the shade, observing the scene with quiet amusement.

The camera followed her every move.

“Hey, guys!” Kayla greeted, trying to sound lighthearted.

Jack was the first to react, raising his drink in her direction. “Ah, our leading lady has arrived!” he called, flashing his usual cheeky grin. “Took ya long enough—we were about to start placing bets on whether you’d show up or not.”

Kayla let out a soft, nervous laugh as her gaze darted between the bar, the lawn chairs, and the pool. She could feel every eye in the room on her, silently waiting to see who she’d approach first.

Eventually, her eye settled on Itachi. Unlike the others, he wasn’t clamoring for her attention. He sat quietly in his lounge chair, his expression inscrutable. Yet, she could sense a hint of unease there—a shared discomfort that suggested he, too, wasn’t entirely at home in this setting.

“Care to join me in the garden?” she asked as she approached him, hoping the cameras wouldn’t catch the slight tremor in her voice.

Itachi’s dark eyes met hers, his expression softening slightly. “I’d love to.”

With that, he stood, offering her a small nod before following her toward the garden, away from the expectant gazes of the others.

“Cut! Alright, you two, follow me.” Frances called.

She guided them toward a secluded corner of the backyard, where three more cameramen were already stationed, adjusting their equipment.

As they moved further from the party, the lively chatter and splashing water faded into the background, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of crickets. The air was cooler here, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.

The garden stretched on like a hidden sanctuary, filled with twisting vines, vibrant blossoms, and meticulously trimmed hedges. Under the warm glow of string lights draped between the trees, the space took on an almost dreamlike quality—something straight out of a fairytale.

At the heart of it stood a small gazebo, its wooden beams entwined with ivy. Positioned beside a tranquil pond, the structure radiated a quiet elegance. Lanterns hung from its edges, their soft golden light shimmering against the rippling water, casting flickering patterns that danced like fireflies in the night.

Itachi took a seat across from Kayla, his posture composed yet relaxed.

“Alright, this is the part where you two get to know each other.” Frances explained. Then, she turned to Kayla, her tone slightly condescending. “Try to act casual.”

Kayla fought the urge to roll her eye. Easier said than done.

Frances had no idea what it was like to be on the spectrum, how hard it was to force social ease when it didn’t come naturally.

Before she could dwell on it, one of the cameramen—a heavyset man with shaggy blonde hair—raised his hand. “Action!”

Kayla let out a nervous laugh, already regretting her words as soon as they left her mouth. “So, um… nice weather we’re having.”

Internally, she cringed. "Really? That’s what I open with? Could I sound any more stupid?"

Across from her, Itachi blinked, then tilted his head slightly. If he thought her comment was awkward, he didn’t show it. Instead, he gave a small nod. “Yes. The air is cooler than I expected for this time of year.”

Kayla felt herself relax just a little. At least he wasn’t laughing at her.

She fidgeted with the edge of her Baphomet pendant, trying to think of something else to say that didn’t sound ridiculously forced.

“Come on, Kayla. This is your moment to actually talk to him. Say something that isn’t about the weather.” she thought.

Itachi watched her closely, his dark eyes unreadable. Then, as if sensing her internal struggle, he spoke first. “You look uncomfortable.”

Kayla froze for a second, then exhaled, giving him a small, tired smile. “Yeah. I kinda suck at this.”

Itachi’s gaze softened slightly. “You’re doing fine.”

Kayla blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the reassurance.

Itachi adjusted his posture slightly, his expression as calm. “You don’t need to force yourself to be someone you’re not. Just… talk to me.”

Kayla bit her lip, hesitating. “It’s just… I already know so much about you. I don’t even know what to ask.”

Itachi considered that for a moment before a thought came to him. His gaze flickered toward Frances. “I have an idea. If you’ll allow it.”

Frances, arms crossed, let out an exasperated sigh. “If it’ll get her to talk, then sure. Out with it.”

Itachi turned back to Kayla, his voice steady. “Why don’t I ask you questions instead? I know nothing about you.”

“Oh.” Kayla sat with the suggestion for a moment. Then, realizing she actually liked the idea, she nodded, feeling a small bit of tension leave her shoulders. “Okay. I can do that.”

Itachi gave a slight nod, taking a moment to choose his first question. His dark eyes studied her—not in an intimidating way, but with genuine curiosity.

“What makes you happy?” he asked simply.

Kayla blinked. She hadn’t expected something so… open-ended. She thought for a moment, fidgeting with her Baphomet pendant before answering.

“Well… I guess I like simple things. Watching my favorite shows, writing, listening to music…and making dumb jokes that only I laugh at.”

“I see. What kind of music?”

“A little bit of everything, but my go to is usually metal and alternative music.”

Itachi’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, his usual composure shifting into mild confusion. He had miscalculated—he didn’t actually know what Kayla was talking about.

In his world, traditional instruments dominated—flutes, shamisen, taiko drums. The concept of modern genres was foreign to him. But he wasn’t about to admit ignorance so easily.

He tilted his head slightly. “Metal… and alternative?”

“Right sorry, I forgot, you're from a different time period,” Kayla said with a sheepish chuckle. “It’s modern music—intense, raw, and full of passion.”

Itachi considered that for a moment before nodding. “I see. Perhaps you could share some with me sometime.”

Kayla’s smile widened. Oh, she was definitely taking him up on that offer. Her mind immediately raced through her favorite bands—Rammstein, Helloween, Lord of the Lost—and so many others she wanted him to hear. The thought of Itachi Uchiha, the ever-composed shinobi, sitting back and listening to metal music was almost too good to be true. She’d make sure to introduce him to the best.

~

Kayla had spent a full forty-five minutes talking with Itachi, surprisingly uninterrupted by Frances for once.

Their conversation had flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from modern music to the intricacies of social services in her world. She had explained what it meant to be a caseworker, how she helped people struggling with mental health, and the challenges that came with it.
Itachi listened intently the entire time, never interrupting, never dismissing. Instead, he asked thoughtful questions—what motivated her to choose this path? What kind of support did people in her world receive? Did she ever feel helpless in her work?

Kayla had answered honestly, surprising even herself at how comfortable she felt opening up to him.

“Alright!” Frances called. “That was a great chat, but we need to keep things moving. Kayla, time to switch to your next bachelor.”

Kayla barely held in a sigh. She knew this moment couldn’t last forever.

She turned back to Itachi, offering a small smile. “Thanks for talking with me.”

Itachi dipped his head slightly. “You as well.”

Itachi, Kayla, and Frances made their way back toward the pool area, the warm glow of string lights reflecting off the water.

Kayla scanned her surroundings, trying to decide who to talk to next.

Hatsuharu and Childe were still in the pool, casually tossing a beach ball back and forth, their competitive energy turning it into an impromptu game. Legolas was lounging on a raft, drifting effortlessly, looking like he belonged in an ethereal fantasy painting. At the bar, Jack and Diamond were kicking back with mai-tais, Jack already looking several drinks in, while Diamond sipped his own with his usual unreadable smirk. Alucard remained comfortably in the shade, looking as regal and unbothered as ever.

Kayla’s gaze landed on Legolas. Truthfully, she didn’t know much about him. The only reason she even had a Legolas figurine in her collection was because—let’s be real—he was a smoking hot elf. Might as well fix that.

She stepped closer, calling out, “Hey, Legolas. Wanna come talk?”

The elf prince turned his head, his icy blue eyes studying her before giving a small nod. “Of course.”

With effortless grace, he swung his legs off the raft and stepped out of the pool, water dripping from his toned frame as he moved to grab a towel.

Kayla quickly forced herself to look away.

“Do NOT get distracted by the ridiculously attractive elf. Do NOT get distracted by the ridiculously attractive elf…”

Legolas dried off quickly before falling into step beside her, following her and Frances back toward the garden.

He fell into step beside Kayla, his movements as effortless as ever, but his mind was elsewhere.
As they walked toward the garden, his thoughts drifted back to the conversation from earlier that day—the one that had left him uneasy.

The moment the showrunners refused his request to return home. He had wanted to leave—had wanted to remove himself from this situation before he risked hurting Kayla. But he wasn’t given a choice.

Now, he was stuck here, bound to a world that was not his own, forced to play in a twisted game. And yet his eyes flickered to Kayla, who was walking beside him, seemingly unaware of the weight on his mind. There was something about her.

Something that reminded him of home, even though she was nothing like the elves of his world.
“Perhaps… I should give this a chance, he thought. If I am to remain here, I should at least try to understand her.”

They reached the gazebo, the soft glow of the garden lights casting long shadows over the pond.

Frances gestured for them to take their seats. “Alright, same thing as before—Kayla, talk. Legolas, respond. And try to keep it interesting.”

Kayla shot her a look but didn’t argue. She turned back to Legolas and waited for her cue.

“So… I’ll be honest. I don’t know much about you.” She admitted with small smile. “Besides the fact that you’re a badass archer and, well… an elf.”

Legolas chuckled softly. “A fair observation.”

Kayla hesitated for a moment before deciding to just go for it. “Do you like being here? In my world?”

Legolas' gaze flickered for a brief second, unreadable. Then, he answered carefully. “It is… different.”

“Different good or different bad?”

“I do not yet know.”

Kayla shifted awkwardly. “Oh… okay.”

Silence settled between them. Searching for another topic, she blurted, “So… what’s your world like?”

Legolas blinked. “What do you mean?”

Kayla shifted in her seat, “Well… to be honest, I never read Tolkien’s books.”

A pause.

Legolas tilted his head slightly. “Yet you know me?”

Kayla rubbed the back of her neck. “I’ve seen you in movie trailers.” Her face grew warm. “And… I thought you were attractive.”

“I see.”

“You’re judging me, aren’t you?”

Legolas’ lips twitched—almost a smile. “No.”

Kayla let out a breath. “Okay, good.”

Legolas gazed toward the garden, his expression thoughtful. “Middle-earth is… vast. There is much to know. Too much to explain in the time you have.”

From behind the cameras, Frances huffed, crossing her arms. “You’ve got some time. So start talking.”

Legolas’ sharp blue eyes flickered to her, then back to Kayla. “Where shall I begin?”

Kayla leaned forward slightly. “Okay, tell me about your home.”

“I am from the Woodland Realm. A kingdom hidden deep within the forests of Mirkwood. It is ruled by my father, Thranduil.” The elf explained.

Kayla’s interest piqued. “So… you’re a prince?”

Legolas hesitated for a moment before replying, “Yes.”

Kayla blinked. “…You don’t seem thrilled about that.”

Legolas’ gaze drifted slightly, as if recalling something distant. “My title is of little importance. Duty comes before status.”

“That sounds kinda lonely.”

Legolas remained quiet, his silence heavy, speaking louder than any words could.

For a moment, they simply sat there, the garden’s soft glow casting long shadows around them.
Kayla studied him carefully, noticing the way his gaze would flicker away from hers, his posture slightly tenser than before. Something was weighing on him.

“Is something on your mind?” she asked gently.

Legolas hesitated before answering, his voice low. “Yes.”

Kayla waited, expecting him to elaborate, but instead, he exhaled slowly and shook his head.
“I wish I could tell you. But this is not the place for it. Forgive me.”

Then, without another word, he stood up and exited the gazebo, disappearing into the garden.
Kayla blinked, caught off guard. “…What just happened?”

Frances let out an exasperated sigh. “Well, that’s all we’re getting from him for now.”

Kayla looked over at the crew. “Did something happen that I missed?”

One of the cameramen, a middle-aged man with curly red hair, gave a nonchalant shrug. “Not that I’m aware of.”

The shaggy-haired cameraman chimed in, “Yeah, I didn’t see anything either.”

“He’s just homesick, that’s all. Nothing to be concerned about.” Frances explained with a dismissive wave of her hand.

But something about the way she said it made Kayla’s stomach twist. Her gut instinct told her there was more to this—something Frances wasn’t saying. She wanted to press further, to ask what she really meant, but… what good would it do? Frances had already made up her mind to move on.

With a quiet sigh, Kayla followed her back toward the pool area. Laughter and splashing filled the air as the bachelors continued their fun, completely unaware of the uneasy feeling settling in Kayla’s chest.

Her gaze drifted—watching Childe and Hatsuharu wrestle in the pool, Legolas nowhere in sight, Jack and Diamond still at the bar, Alucard in the shade.

But her mind wasn’t on them. It was on Legolas.

“Hey.” Frances’ irritated voice snapped her back to reality. “Are you actually going to pick someone, or am I doing it for you?”

Kayla blinked, suddenly aware that Frances—and the cameras—were waiting on her.

“Umm…” She quickly scanned the backyard. Her gaze landed on Jack, who was still lounging at the bar, sipping his mai-tai with a carefree smirk. “I’m going to go talk to Jack.”

As Kayla approached the bar, Jack spotted her and grinned, raising his glass in greeting.

“Ah, my dear Future Wife finally comes to grace me with her presence!” he teased, dramatically setting his drink down.

Kayla rolled her eye, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Jack was easy to be around. He wasn’t caught up in mind games, didn’t carry the same weight of tension that had been lingering all evening. Exactly what she needed right now.

“Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to talk to me… privately.” She asked, quietly.

Jack’s grin widened, mischief flashing in his eyes. “Oh?” He leaned in slightly, voice dropping playfully. “Now, now, love, if you wanted to sneak away for some alone time, all you had to do was say so.”

Kayla snorted, shoving his arm lightly. “Not like that!”

Jack chuckled, taking a slow sip of his drink. “Mm. Shame.”

Frances rolled her eyes. “Just follow us to the garden.”

Chapter 7: Forbidden Fruits

Notes:

Finally, some spicy action!

Talking to Childe was like trying to navigate a battlefield blindfolded. Every attempt Kayla made to change the subject, he sidestepped effortlessly—always steering the conversation back to himself or, worse, her fanfiction.

And when she tried to shut him down? He just turned up the charm, his relentless flirting making her heart race for all the wrong reasons. For once, she was grateful when Frances finally called cut.

The next bachelor she spoke with was Sirius, who, unlike Childe, actually made her feel comfortable. They bonded over their shared love for magic and music, and for the first time that day, Kayla felt herself relax—laughing, even, as Sirius charmed her with his effortless charisma.

After Sirius came Gladio, whose flirty but friendly nature kept the conversation lighthearted. Occasionally, he’d throw in a comment that made her blush, but she still managed to keep up with him, enjoying his company.

By the time she finished talking to him, Lestat, Lance, Valtor, and Genesis had joined the others outside.

Kayla scanned the group, her eyes landing on Genesis, who had settled into the shallow end of the pool, his usual air of poetic detachment surrounding him.

She was about to approach him when Diamond stepped into her path. Kayla’s stomach twisted. Not him.

She tried to sidestep him, but he was faster. With his usual silken charm, he said, “You can’t avoid me forever.”

Her jaw tightened. “I’m not avoiding you,” she lied smoothly. “Frances told me to approach Genesis, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Across the set, Frances crossed her arms, unimpressed. “I said no such thing. If he wants to talk to you, then talk to him.”

Kayla’s stomach dropped. Diamond’s smirk deepened, his violet eyes glinting with satisfaction.
He had her cornered.

Her heart pounded in her chest. He was right—she couldn’t avoid him forever. But that didn’t mean she was ready for this conversation. She needed to stall for time.

She let out a slow breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Fine. We can talk.”

Without another word, she, Diamond, and Frances made their way to the gazebo.

As soon as they arrived, Frances turned to them, arms crossed. “Alright, listen up. I know you two had some drama earlier, but the audience doesn’t know that. So for the sake of the show, pretend you like each other.”

Diamond grinned effortlessly. “Fine with me.”

Kayla glowered at him, arms folded tightly over her chest.

Frances sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Kayla, are you even listening?”

Kayla muttered under her breath, not quite looking at her. “I’ll do my best.”

“Action!”

Diamond settled into his seat, crossing one leg over the other with perfect poise. His violet eyes gleamed with amusement as he studied Kayla, who sat rigidly across from him, her arms still folded.

“There’s no need to be so tense, my dear,” he said smoothly, resting his chin on his hand. “I’m not going to bite… unless you want me to.”

Kayla rolled her eyes so hard it nearly hurt. “Charming.”

Diamond chuckled, unbothered. “I thought so.” Then, he leaned forward slightly, his usual flirtatious smirk replaced with something calmer, more thoughtful. “So, Kayla, tell me—what kind of life did you have before all this?”

Kayla blinked, caught off guard. She had been expecting more teasing, more games. Not… this.
“Why do you care?”

Diamond tilted his head slightly, studying her like she was a puzzle he wanted to solve. “Because if I’m to be your future husband, I should know more about you, shouldn’t I?”

Kayla huffed, shifting in her seat. “Well… it’s nothing special. I was working as a case manager before I ended up here. Helping people with mental health issues, substance abuse, things like that.”

Diamond raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely intrigued. “That’s quite the responsibility.”

“It is.”

Silence.

Diamond’s grin widened. “What’s your happiest memory?”

Kayla blinked. That wasn’t what she expected. For a moment, her mind went blank. Her happiest memory?

Her instinct was to deflect, to brush it off with a joke or pick something generic. But the way he was watching her, leaning in just slightly, made it feel like he was genuinely curious.
And that unnerved her more than anything.

Still, she played along.

She shifted in her seat. “Um… I guess it’d be when my family would go to Aunt Jess’s for New Year’s. Cousin Jim and Tom were my favorites growing up, and I always loved playing board games with them.”

Diamond tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. “You seem close with your family.”

Kayla let out a short, humorless laugh. “Not really.”

Diamond raised an eyebrow. “No?”

She shook her head. “There are a bunch of people I don’t talk to.”

His gaze sharpened slightly, sensing there was more to it. “How come?”

Kayla shrugged, suddenly feeling the weight of Frances’ presence nearby. She knew if she revealed too much, Frances would rip into her later. So she simply said, “It’s complicated.”

Diamond studied her for a moment before leaning back, his smirk returning—though there was something almost calculating behind it now.

“I see.” He didn’t press further, but Kayla had the nagging feeling that he wasn’t done prying just yet.

~

Kayla’s interview with Diamond was excruciating. He kept prying into her personal life, asking probing questions that made her uncomfortable. She, in turn, kept her answers clipped and vague—partly because she hated him, and partly because she knew that reality TV and childhood trauma didn’t mix well. By the time Frances finally called cut, Kayla let out a relieved sigh.

The three of them headed back toward the pool area, Frances leading the way, Kayla in the middle, and Diamond trailing just a little too closely behind her. And then a hand wrapped around her wrist.

Kayla gasped, her heart jumping as she whirled around, anger flashing in her eye. “What is it now?” she snapped.

Diamond’s lips curled into a smirk.

And before she could react, her mind went blank. A hazy, hypnotic fog settled over her thoughts, her limbs suddenly heavy, her resistance melting away.

Diamond’s voice was silk and velvet, smooth as ever. “Please forgive me about this morning.”

Kayla’s expression softened, her voice distant, entranced. “Okay.”

Diamond released her wrist, and as soon as he did, a strange fog lifted from Kayla’s mind. She blinked, disoriented.

“What… just happened?”

The last thing she remembered was talking to Diamond, but if she was being honest with herself… she couldn’t quite recall what they had talked about.

Her brows furrowed, a faint unease creeping up her spine. Maybe it was just jet lag, she reasoned. The long filming hours, the pressure—it was exhausting. That had to be it.

Shaking off the lingering confusion, she hurried after Frances, rejoining the others by the pool.

Her gaze landed on Genesis, who was lounging in a lawn chair, absorbed in a book.

Kayla approached him. “Hey, wanna come with me to the garden?”

Genesis closed his book with a quiet thud, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “Of course, my sweet angel.”

~

The conversation with Genesis was, to put it lightly, a disaster. He spent the entire time waxing poetic, going on long-winded tangents that neither Kayla nor anyone else could decipher. She tried to interject, to get him to clarify, but Genesis was a force of nature, his words flowing like an unstoppable monologue.

Eventually, Frances had enough, rubbing her temples as she called “cut”, muttering something about him giving her a migraine. Kayla bit back a laugh, grateful for the reprieve.

Next up was Valtor. He was undeniably charming, his words smooth and dripping with flirtation. He seemed to delight in making her flustered, drawing out every stammer and blush with an effortless smirk.

By the time she moved on to Lance, she was relieved to finally have a normal conversation.
Lance was easy to talk to, their conversation flowing naturally. He didn’t try to flirt or put on a show—he was just himself, and Kayla found herself relaxing in his presence.

When their interview wrapped up, Kayla followed Frances back to the pool area.

The sun had started to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in streaks of warm gold and deep violet.

Her gaze flickered to the three remaining bachelors, and a wave of unease settled over her.
They were all vampires. And the sun was still out.

Kayla frowned, turning to Frances. "Hey, Frances, how am I supposed to interview the vampires if the sun is still out?"

Frances sighed, crossing her arms. “You’re going to do the smart thing and wait until it gets dark.”

Kayla blinked. How was she supposed to know that? She shifted awkwardly. “So… what do I do in the meantime?”

Frances grinned, already walking away. “You party with the others.”

Kayla groaned under her breath. "Great…”

A party. With a bunch of flirty bachelors. By the pool. She hated parties. And, to make matters worse. She couldn’t even swim.

Kayla stood there for a moment, watching as Frances disappeared back toward the crew. The sound of laughter and splashing filled the air from the poolside. Some of the bachelors were already making the most of their free time.

Childe and Gladio were locked in a splashing war, sending waves of water at each other while Itachi watched from the shallow end, unimpressed.

Across the way, Valtor and Genesis lounged in the jacuzzi, steam curling around them as they sipped on drinks, deep in conversation.

In the shaded area, Alucard, Lestat, and Caleb stood together, engaged in what seemed like a quiet but intense discussion, their expressions unreadable.

At the bar, Jack was completely passed out, his head resting on the counter, an empty glass near his hand. Hatsuharu, on the other hand, was still going strong, throwing back shots like it was a competition with himself.

Nearby, Diamond sat at the bar, his demeanor strangely calm and collected as he observed the scene before him, his violet eyes flickering with something unreadable.

 

Kayla sighed, shifting awkwardly. What was she supposed to do? She wrapped her arms around herself. Maybe she could just… sit somewhere and watch?

As she scanned the area for an empty spot, a shadow loomed over her. “You’re not thinking about sitting this one out, are you?”

She jumped, turning to see Sirius standing beside her, a lazy smirk on his face, drink in hand.

Kayla nervously laughed. “No, it's just the sun is in my eye and I haven’t spoken to any of them yet.”

Sirius grinned, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh. Sure, love.” He took a slow sip of his drink, watching her with a knowing look. “Nothing to do with avoiding a certain pool, then?”

Kayla crossed her arms, trying to play it cool. “I told you, I just haven’t talked to them yet.”

Sirius hummed, tilting his head slightly. “Right. So if I were to, say, challenge you to a friendly swim, you’d be all in?”

Kayla visibly tensed. “…That’s hypothetical, right?”

Sirius grinned like a wolf that just cornered its prey. “Maybe.”

Before Kayla could protest, a low, smooth voice cut through the conversation. “Do I sense coercion?”

Kayla turned her head, and there he was—Diamond, his usual charming smile in place, but something unreadable flickering beneath the surface.

The tension that had just started to settle into something playful between her and Sirius shattered instantly.

Sirius’s lazy smirk faded as he turned, drink still in hand, eyes narrowing slightly. “And here I thought you’d be too busy brooding at the bar.”

Diamond smirked, unfazed. “Me? I’m not the brooding type.” He took a slow step forward, his usual polished demeanor intact, though there was a subtle edge to his tone. “That would be more your style, wouldn’t it?”

Kayla glanced between them, feeling the weight of the tension settle in. They didn’t seem like they were about to throw punches, but there was something there—something unspoken, simmering just beneath the surface.

Kayla cleared her throat and took a step back. ‘Nope. Not getting in the middle of whatever this is.’

She turned on her heel and made her way toward the shaded area where the vampire trio—Alucard, Lestat, and Caleb—were lounging.

“Hey guys,” she said, her voice softer than she intended. “How’s it going?”

Alucard, who had been leaning back in his seat with a goblet of red wine, lifted his golden eyes to meet hers. “Better now that you’re here.” His voice was smooth, edged with a teasing warmth.

Lestat smirked, brushing a stray blond curl from his face. “My dear, you look positively drained. Have the mortals exhausted you already?”

Caleb, the most human-like of the three, smiled sheepishly. “We were just watching the madness unfold.” He nodded toward the pool, where Childe and Gladio were still locked in their ridiculous fight, water sloshing over the edges as they wrestled like a couple of unruly brothers.

Kayla sighed, crossing her arms. “Yeah… I don’t even know what’s happening anymore.”

Alucard took a slow sip of his drink. “A battle for dominance, no doubt.” His gaze flickered toward the two in the water before settling back on her. “It’s to be expected. You are, after all, the prize.”

Kayla’s face heated. “I’m not a prize.”

Lestat chuckled, resting his chin in his hand as he studied her. “Perhaps not in your eyes, darling, but to them?” He nodded toward the bachelors. “You are the reason they fight.”

That did not make her feel better. Her face only got more red.

“Kayla, are you blushing? Does seeing a bunch of men fighting over you turn you on?” Caleb teased.

“What? No! Absolutely not!” she sputtered, waving her hands frantically in front of her. “That’s not— I don’t—”

Caleb grinned like a cat who had just caught a mouse. “Ohhh, I think it does.”

Lestat let out a low, amused chuckle, draping an arm over the back of his seat. “How delightfully wicked. Our dear Kayla, secretly enjoying the spectacle of men tearing each other apart for her favor.”

Alucard, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally smirked. “I suppose it is a rather… primal display of devotion.”

Kayla buried her face in her hands. “Why am I even here?”

Lestat leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with amusement. “Tell me, darling, if you had to place a bet—who do you think would win?”

Kayla peeked at him from behind her hands. “Win what? The most ridiculous fight of the century?”

Caleb laughed. “Hey, I think it’s entertaining.”

Alucard took another sip of his wine, watching her carefully. “In all seriousness, though, does it bother you? Their need to compete for you?”

Kayla lowered her hands, hesitating. “I mean… I knew what I signed up for.” She glanced toward the pool, where Childe had now climbed onto Gladio’s back, attempting to dunk him underwater. “But I guess I didn’t expect this level of… intensity.”

Lestat tilted his head, a slow, knowing smirk curling at his lips. “Perhaps they simply can’t help themselves. You do have a rather… intoxicating presence.”

Kayla blinked, taken aback. “You really think so?”

Lestat let out a soft chuckle, his fingers lightly grazing the back of her hand. “Don’t be so modest, darling. You possess a look that is both delightfully innocent… and dangerously tempting.”

Before she could even process his words, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her effortlessly against him.

Lestat chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “You’re so adorable when you’re flustered.” He ran a gloved finger under her chin, tilting her gaze up to meet his. “It’s another reason those men flock to you. They can’t resist.”

Kayla’s breath hitched. “I—I don’t think that’s—”

“Oh, but it is,” Alucard murmured, stepping beside her, his deep golden eyes flickering with amusement. “Your nervousness, your hesitation—it only makes you more enticing. It’s the thrill of the chase, Kayla.”

Caleb smirked, resting his elbow on the back of her chair and leaning in close. “It’s true. You do have this way of pulling people in, even when you’re trying to run away.”

Kayla shrunk in her seat, trapped between the three of them. “I—uh—”

Lestat leaned in even closer, his lips ghosting near her ear. “Tell me, darling, do you secretly enjoy all the attention?”

Kayla’s entire body tensed. She felt Lestat’s breath warm against her skin, and it sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

The truth was, she did like the attention. More than she was willing to admit. And worse—it was turning her on. But there was no way in hell she was saying that out loud. She barely knew these guys.

Kayla pulled away sharply, forcing a nervous laugh. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Lestat chuckled, clearly not convinced. “Oh, but I think you do.”

Alucard smirked, his sharp gaze studying her reaction. “Your heartbeat is racing.”

Kayla swallowed hard, eyes darting between them. “I—I just had too much caffeine today.”

Caleb laughed, leaning in closer. “Sure, that’s it.”

Lestat’s fingers traced along the edge of her chair. “No need to be shy, darling. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a little admiration.”

Kayla’s grip tightened on her lap. The heat in her face was unbearable, and to make matters worse, the cameramen were eating this up. She could practically feel the lenses zooming in, capturing every flustered expression, every nervous shift of her body.

“I, um… I gotta pee! Excuse me!” Without waiting for a response, she practically bolted from her seat.

Lestat let out a delighted laugh. Alucard shook his head, amused. Caleb leaned back in his chair, smirking. “We broke her.”

Kayla practically sprinted into the mansion, her heart pounding like a drum. As she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with Vanessa, who arched an eyebrow. “Where are you running off to in such a hurry?”

Kayla huffed, trying to catch her breath. “Too many hot guys. Too much flirting. I just—I need a few minutes to breathe.”

Vanessa smirked knowingly. “Oh, I see how it is.” She crossed her arms, her tone teasing. “Overstimulated, are we?”

Kayla groaned, rubbing her face. “You have no idea.”

Vanessa laughed, patting her on the shoulder. “Take your time, babe. I’ll stall for you.”

“You’re a lifesaver.”

With that, Kayla darted past her and made a beeline for her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

She leaned against it, exhaling sharply. She took off her swimsuit and walked over to her backpack where she opened a small pouch and took a small purple bullet vibrator. She lay on the bed, spread her legs and turned her toy on as a fantasy began to play…

…She saw herself outside with the vampire trio, the atmosphere thick with an almost dreamlike haze.

Lestat patted his knee, smirking. “Come here, ma chérie. Sit on my lap.”

Without a second thought, she did. She felt something hard between her legs and began to grind against him.

Caleb laughed. “Seems like our innocent Kayla isn’t so innocent after all. She’s a slut.”

Alucard smirked and cupped Kayla’s chin in his hand and tilted so it was facing the camera. “Look at them. Does being teased a bunch of vampires turn you on?”

“It does.” She purred as she looked into the lens.

Lestat ran his hand up Kayla’s thigh, gently caressing it. Then he slipped his fingers through her swimsuit and into her slick folds.

“L-Lestat!”

“Fuck, Kayla You are turning me on.” Caleb groaned as he took off his swimtrunks, revealing his erect cock. He stood up and approached Kayla. “I want you to suck me off.”

With a wicked grin, Kayla parted her lips and took him into her warm, wet mouth inch by delicious inch. She hollowed her cheeks and sucked hard, tongue swirling around his thick shaft as she took him deeper. Relaxing her throat, she let him slide past her tonsils until her nose was buried in the coarse hairs at the base of his cock.

A guttural moan tore from his throat as her warm, wet mouth engulfed him. His fingers tangled in her hair, gripping tightly. “Ohhhh fuck yes, just like that. Your mouth feels incredible.”

Lestat rocked his hips, grinding his hardening length against the curve of Kayla’s ass. A low groan rumbled in his chest. “Feel how much we want you, ma belle?” He gripped her thigh, giving it a possessive squeeze. “How your sweet little body ignites our desire?”

Kayla could only moan. The sensory overload was killing her. As if that wasn’t enough, Alucard grabbed her foot and sucked on each one of her toes. "You’re utterly enchanting when you squirm." He murmured against her flesh.

He glanced over at the cameras, giving a knowing smirk before returning his attention to Kayla’s toes. He slowly trailed his tongue along the arch of her foot, savoring the taste of her skin.

His hands glided up her calf, squeezing and caressing as he worked his way higher. “You have the most delicate feet, my sweet.” he purred, placing open-mouthed kisses along her ankle. “I wonder, does the rest of you taste as divine?”

Lestat, who was still bouncing Kayla on his lap, lowered the straps of her swimsuit, slowly peeling it down so her bare breast were exposed. “Such perfect little tits.” He cooed as he gave her nipples a firm squeeze.

Kayla’s head was starting to spin as the three vampires continued to tease and probe her. She wanted to encouarage them but her voice was muffled against Caleb’s cock. Her tongue swirled around the swollen head, lapping at the bead of pre-cum leaking from the tip. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder as she took him deeper, gagging slightly as he hit the back of her throat. Tears prick the corners of her eyes from the intense stimulation but she doesn't pull away, too lost in the haze of lust.

Alucrad removed his lips from her feet and smiled wickedly at Lestat. “I want to taste her.”

“Wait your turn.” Lestat hissed, his hips still rocking. His length was getting harder with each movement. “She seems to be occupied at the moment.”

Alucard licked his lips as he watched as Lestat traced his fingers against Kayla’s pussy lips, gently carressing them before slipping a knuckle in. She gasped as he gently penetrated her before pressing deeper. Her moans grew louder but were still muffled as Caleb continued to pound into her mouth.

Caleb’s grip tightened in her hair as he felt himself approaching his peak, his thrusts became more erratic. “Fuck, I'm gonna cum soon,” he warned with a strained grunt.

“Keep going. The crew is loving this,” Alucard encouraged as he looked at the camera with confidence. They zoomed in on the action, capturing the act from all angles.

Lestat pumped his finger in and out of the smitten woman’s pussy. She bucked her hips, encouraging him. He smirked as he felt her juices coat his finger and then without warning inserted a second finger.

Caleb thrusts his hips faster and feral noises escape his lips. Then white ooze erupted from his cock and he pulled out, letting the liquid splash all over Kayla’s half naked body. He gave her a satisfied smirk and gave her a passionate kiss. “Such a good girl, taking my load in like that.”

“Let’s get this flimsy garment off you,” Lestat said as he lifted Kayla off him and peeled the rest of her bathing suit off. The three vampires licked their lips at the sight of her naked body.

Alucard pushed her down on the lawn chair, spreading her legs. “I want to taste you when you cum.” He murmered against her pussy lips. He gently lapped her juices before plunging his tongue in.

“Aaaah yesss!” Kayla moaned as she wrapped her legs around his neck.

“Our sweet angel is so responsive, isn’t she?” Lestat asked the other two vampires as he stripped off his swim trunks. His cock was thick with a red tip as he pressed it against her lips. “Open up, ma belle.”

The woman obliged as she took him in her mouth. Lestat let out a satisfied groan. “Such a hot little mouth she has.”

“It was like fucking an angel!” Caleb added as he tweaked Kayla’s nipples.

Alucard alternated between flicking her clit rapidly with the tip of his tongue and delving deep inside her fluttering channel, fucking her with his tongue. Two fingers joined his mouth, pumping in and out of her soaked hole as he curled them to hit that special spot inside.

Lestat’s thrust intensified as he gripped Kayla’s hair, forcing himself to go deeper down her throat. She closed her eye and relaxed her jaw as the vampire continued their relentless assault. She bucked her hips. She could feel the heat building inside her, the pressure coiling in her belly. She was close, so close. The overstimulation was driving her crazy.

The wet sounds of Kayla slurping and gagging filled the air, punctuated by Lestat’s harsh grunts and moans of pleasure. His heavy balls slapped against her chin with each thrust, drawing closer to her face.

Kayla felt vulnerable yet incredibly aroused, her body trembling with anticipation. Panting heavily, she reached back to tangle her fingers in Alucard’s hair, tugging lightly. She broke off into a moan as he found a particularly sensitive spot, her hips bucking involuntarily. Lost in a haze of lust, she ground shamelessly against his face, coating his tongue with her slick arousal.

Alucard hummed in appreciation against her flesh, the vibrations sending jolts of pleasure through her core. “Delicious,” he growled, his voice rough.

He sealed his lips around her clit and suckled gently, flicking the sensitive bud with the tip of his tongue. “So wet already, just for us.”

“You like this, don’t you?” Caleb teased as he playfully nipped her nipple.

“Oh she loves this! Getting fucked by three vampires and getting filmed just turns her on.” Lestat added as he thrust faster.

Kayla’s tongue danced along the sensitive underside, tracing the thick vein as he hilted in her throat over and over. She felt him swelling even larger, his pace becoming erratic as he teeters on the brink.

Lestat pushed himself further down her throat, causing her to gag. He continued to thrust in her mouth until a loud guttural groan escaped his lips. He pulls himself out and thick ropes of cum cover her face and body. “Ah, that was magnificent.”

Kayla gasped for air as Lestat’s cum dribbles through her mouth. She squirmed underneath the Romanian vampire, who continued to lick her slick folds.

“I wanna taste her too! Alucard, can’t you share?” Caleb asked like a little boy.

Alucard gave Kayla’s pussy one final lick before scooting over. Caleb knelt down and continued where Alucard started. “She’s so wet!” He exclaimed, dipping a finger inside her.

“G-guys….I can’t take it…anymore…I need…to cum!” Kayla panted.

“You heard her. Give her what she wants.” Lestat encouraged as he drank up the sight of the younger vampire pleasuring Kayla.

Without further prompting, Caleb sealed his mouth over Kayla’s pussy, his tongue delving deep to lap at her nectar.

“Oh yesss…I’m gonna…I’m gonna…!” The wailed, as she gripped the young vampire’s head, pulling him deeper.

“Cum for us, my sweet.” Alucard whispered against her ear. He traced her lips before planting a passionate kiss.

Lestat’s hand came up to roughly grope her breast, pinching and rolling the stiff peak between his fingers.

Kayla mewled, her tongue tangling sloppily with his as she lost herself between Alucard’s and Caleb’s mouths and Lestat’s hands. Her hips bucked erratically, smearing her dripping arousal all over Caleb’s face as she chased her rapidly building peak.

With every thrust of Caleb’s tongue, sent sparks of electricity down her spine. He closed his lips around her clit and suckled. Lestat tweaked her nipple harder, causing something inside her to snap.

“KYAAHHH!! OH GOD, YES!!!” She wailed, throwing her head back as her orgasm crashed over her like a tidal wave.

Alucard removed his lips from hers and looked down at the naked woman, covered in vampire cum. “Look at you, such an exhibitionist.”

Kayla blushed as she looked into the camera. Then she looked at the three horny vampires as she queitly pleaded, “fuck me.”

Lestat growled possessively, hoisting Kayla up and wrapping her legs around his waist. “As you wish, ma petite déesse.” He postioned his rehardened cock at her entrance. With one powerful thrust, he sheathed himself fully inside her tight, dripping heat.

“Oh fuck yes!” Kayla cried out, her back arching as Lestat stretched and filled her completely. Her nails raked down his back, urging him deeper.

“I wanna join in!” Caleb exclaimed as he slowly entered Kayla’s ass.

Kayla let out a sharp, keening cry as Caleb's thick cock breached her tight rear entrance stretching her impossibly further. Tears of overwhelmed pleasure pricked at the corners of her eyes.

Lestat set a deep, driving pace, his heavy balls slapping against her ass with each powerful thrust.

Alucard captured Kayla's lips again, swallowing her wanton moans.

Lestat and Caleb set a relentless pace, their thick shafts plunging in and out of Kayla's stretched holes in tandem. The dual penetration had her seeing stars, overwhelmed by the intense pleasure radiating from her core.

Alucard removed his lips from Kayla’s and trailed his cool fingers along her sweat-slicked skin. He palmed her bouncing tits roughly, pinching and rolling her sensitive nipples. “Such a naughty girl. You act so shy and yet you love this.”

Kayla could only moan and whimper as the vampires used her body for their pleasure, pushing her closer and closer to a mind-blowing climax. The feeling of being so utterly filled and stretched was incredible, bordering on too much stimulation.

“Ah ah ahhhh! I'm gonna...gonna cum again!” She keened desperately, her inner walls starting to flutter and clench around the two mens’ cocks.

Lestat slammed into her one final time, hilting himself deep as his cock jerked and pulsed. Thick ropes of cum painted her clenching walls white, marking her as his. “Take it all, ma petite!” he roared.

Caleb followed a split second later, sinking his fangs into Kayla's shoulder as he emptied his heavy balls in her spasming ass. “Fuck yes!” He groaned around a mouthful of her flesh.

Alucard seized Kayla's mouth in a bruising kiss, swallowing her screams of rapture as her own earth-shattering orgasm crashed over her.

~

Kayla’s vibrator was covered in her juices. She lay on the bed, trying to catch her breath. She felt a sense of relief—satisfaction, even—but a lingering thread of anxiety still tugged at her thoughts. She wasn’t done yet. Caleb, Alucard, and Lestat were still waiting for their one-on-one conversations, and she had to push through.

Forcing herself up, she headed to the bathroom, quickly freshening up before slipping back into her swimsuit. With a final deep breath, she made her way downstairs. As she stepped into the living room, she nearly bumped into Daniel.

“Oh, there you are!” he greeted with a warm smile. “How are you feeling? Vanessa said the food didn’t sit right with you.”

Kayla chuckled, silently thanking Vanessa for the cover. “I’m fine. No more greasy food for me, though!”

“The backyard buzzed with conversation, the lingering warmth of the day settling into a pleasant evening breeze. The pool glowed under the soft outdoor lighting, casting shimmering reflections across the water. Most of the bachelors had settled into their own groups—some still in the pool, others lounging with drinks in hand.

After the long, chaotic day she had, Kayla knew exactly what she needed.

She made her way over to the outdoor bar, flagging down the bartender. “I’ll take a mojito, please.”

Drink in hand, she sank into an open seat beside Hatsuharu and Sirius. The cool, minty taste was a welcome contrast to the heat still clinging to her skin.

Hatsuharu shot her a playful smile. “Welcome back.”

Sirius smirked, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “You look like you’ve survived something.”

Kayla let out a sigh, taking a sip of her drink. “Barely. I still have three more interviews.”

Hatsuharu stretched his arms behind his head, giving her a lazy smirk. “You make it sound like you’re walking into a death match.”

Kayla scoffed, stirring her drink with her straw. “If you were in my shoes, you’d get it.”

He shrugged, his expression completely deadpan. “I don’t know. Sounds kind of fun.”

Kayla shot him a look. “Fun? Try being analyzed, flirted with, and thrown into a reality show when you have crippling social anxiety.”

Sirius leaned back, resting his arm over the back of the chair, watching her with an amused glint in his eyes. “You’re doing a good job managing it, though.”

Kayla blinked. “You think so? I’m lucky if I can hold a conversation with you guys without stammering and blushing.”

Sirius chuckled, lifting his glass in a mock toast. “Ah, but that’s part of your charm, love.”

Kayla rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her. “Sure, let’s call it charm and not social ineptitude.”

Hatsuharu, still resting his chin on his hand, watched her with a lazy sort of amusement. “You’re selling yourself short.” His voice was casual, but there was something firm in his tone, like he meant it. “You’re handling all of this way better than most people would.”

Kayla huffed, leaning back in her chair. “Yeah, well, I still have to get through Caleb, Alucard, and Lestat….and they are kinda touchy feely and make me feel weird.”

Hatsuharu laughed. “I’ll pay someone to shut Lestat up. That grandpa is always talking about the seventeenth century which is boring as fuck”

Sirius chuckled, taking another sip of his drink. “You’d think being immortal would make him more interesting, but nope—just a walking history lesson with a flair for dramatics.”

Kayla smirked, stirring her mojito with her straw. “Right? And Alucard just… stares. Like, full-on piercing into your soul stares. I don’t know if he’s reading my mind or just plotting something.”

Hatsuharu shrugged, completely deadpan. “Could be both.”

Kayla sighed. “And then there’s Caleb….to be honest…I don’t know much about him.”

Hatsuharu and Sirius exchanged confused glances but before they could pry further, Kayla heard Childe’s voice from behind. “You know the point of a pool party is to get in the pool right?”

Before Kayla could respond, strong arms grabbed her from behind.

“Wait—Childe, don’t you dare!” she shrieked, twisting in his grip, but it was too late. With a mischievous laugh, he lifted her off the ground and tossed her straight into the pool.

As soon as Kayla hit the water, panic seized her chest. Her arms flailed, legs kicking wildly as she struggled to keep herself afloat. Oh shit—oh shit—oh shit!

She could hear laughter echoing around her, but the moment her head slipped under, all she could hear was the muffled roar of water. Her body felt heavy, her limbs fighting against the pull of the pool.

Valtor, who was standing across from Childe shot him a disgusted look. “Why the hell did you do that?”

Childe gave the wizard a genuinely apologetic look, “I didn’t know she couldn’t swim.”

Diamond cut through the water with effortless grace, reaching Kayla within seconds. His arms wrapped securely around her, pulling her up as her head broke the surface. She gasped, coughing violently, her fingers instinctively clutching onto him.

“I’ve got you,” Diamond murmured smoothly, his grip firm yet careful. “Just breathe.”

Kayla barely registered the chaos around her—the scolding voices, the laughter that had turned to shocked murmurs. All she could focus on was the way her body trembled from both fear and exhaustion.

Frances, ever the opportunist, barked through her megaphone, “Keep rolling! This is great drama!”

Chapter 8: Breathe of Reality

Everyone shot the Fatui Harbringer disapproving looks. Genesis crossed his arms, glowering at Childe. “You imbecile. If you didn’t know she couldn’t swim, you should have asked before throwing her in.”

Childe let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah. That was dumb. I didn’t think.”

“No kidding,” Lance said, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, Diamond’s grip on Kayla didn’t waver as he slowly guided her toward the pool’s edge. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice softer, almost uncharacteristically so.

Kayla shivered, coughing up a bit more water before managing to speak. “Y-yeah… just—just cold.”

Gladio glared at Diamond, unsure what to make of his stunt. “You sure she’s alright?” Gladio asked, crossing his arms. “Or did you just convince her she is?”

Diamond barely spared him a glance, wringing the water from his sleeves before tossing his soaked shirt aside. “I don’t need hypnosis to help a drowning woman, if that’s what you’re implying.”

Gladio scoffed. “Oh, I’m implying a hell of a lot more than that.”

Kayla, still catching her breath, felt her stomach knot. She was already overwhelmed—shaking, cold, and humiliated in front of everyone. The last thing she needed was another confrontation.

“Guys, not now,” she muttered, voice hoarse from coughing.

Gladio’s glare didn’t waver. “I just think it’s interesting, is all,” he said, his voice laced with suspicion. “How quick you were to jump in. How fast she calmed down. I mean, you’re good at making people feel things they normally wouldn’t, right?”

Diamond arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk. “Are you implying I somehow hypnotized the ginger fool into throwing her in?” He scoffed. “Please. If I wanted her in the water, I would’ve had her walk in willingly.”

Gladio’s jaw tightened. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”

Kayla, still shivering slightly, glanced between the two men, her voice strained. “Guys, please.”

Childe rubbed the back of his neck. “Diamond didn’t tell me to do anything. I was just horseplaying. Honestly!”

Gladio’s glare lingered a moment longer before he scoffed, turning away. “Whatever.”

The tension lingered like a thick fog, heavy and unshakable. Even as the conversation around her moved on, Kayla couldn’t ignore the unease prickling at the back of her mind. She turned to Diamond, her voice low with uncertainty. “What just happened?”
Diamond sighed, adjusting his damp sleeves with an air of indifference. “To be honest, princess, I haven’t the faintest idea. That man has been breathing down my neck all day.”
Kayla frowned. “Gladio isn’t the type to pick fights for no reason.”
Diamond smirked, but before he could craft some suave rebuttal, Vanessa’s voice rang from inside. “Dinner’s here! Come and get it while it’s hot!”

The announcement shattered the tension as the bachelors began filing inside. Kayla moved to follow them when she heard Childe’s voice behind her. “Wait—Kayla!”

She turned to face him, her arms instinctively wrapping around herself as the cool evening air nipped at her damp skin.

Childe rubbed the back of his neck, looking unusually sheepish. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know you couldn’t swim.”

Kayla exhaled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. “It’s… fine. Just don’t do it again.”

His usual playful demeanor dimmed just slightly as he gave her a solemn nod. “I won’t.”

Kayla offered him a small, hesitant smile before stepping inside, with Childe trailing close behind. But before she could fully process everything that had just happened, he suddenly perked up again. “I know!” he said, snapping his fingers. “I’ll teach you how to swim!”

Kayla chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Maybe… if we can find time.”

As they entered the kitchen, her gaze landed on Legolas, who was quietly placing vegetables onto his plate. For a brief moment, their eyes met.

She half-expected him to brush past her again like he had before, avoiding conversation entirely. But instead, as he walked past, he leaned in just enough to whisper, “I’ll tell you what happened when the crew leaves.”

Kayla nodded subtly before whispering back, “Where do you want to meet?”

“Someplace private. Let’s say… the gardens.”

“Okay.”

With that, he straightened, his expression unreadable, and without another word, he disappeared into the crowd.
“Don’t tell me you’ve already picked your future husband,” Childe teased, his usual smirk in place.
Kayla felt heat rush to her cheeks. “No! It’s not like that.” She shook her head quickly. “It’s just… when I tried to interview him earlier, something was clearly bothering him. But when I asked, he ran off and has been hiding in his room ever since.”

Childe crossed his arms. “Huh. That explains it. I was wondering where he’d gone—I haven’t seen him since this afternoon.”

Kayla sighed. “Terry said he’s struggling to adjust to the competition, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to it.”

Childe scoffed. “Well, if he can’t handle the pressure, maybe he shouldn’t be here.”

Kayla frowned. “But I want him to be here.”

As the line moved forward, Kayla watched as the others grabbed their food and found their seats. She was up next, and as she stepped forward, she spotted Daniel leaning casually against the kitchen counter, a plate of food in front of him.

He gave her a warm smile. “The food’s great, but fair warning—the chicken’s a little greasy. Don’t want to upset your stomach.”

Kayla chuckled nervously. “I’ll keep that in mind. Can’t wait to try it!”

Daniel gestured to the seat beside him, where only a baseball cap rested. He picked it up and set it aside. “Saved you a spot.”

Kayla smiled. “Thanks.”

She grabbed her food and slid into the seat next to him.

“So,” Daniel said, taking another bite of his meal. “How was your first full day of filming?”

Kayla let out a dramatic sigh. “Overwhelming.”

Daniel laughed. “Yeah, I hear you. Fourteen-hour days aren’t for everyone. I remember when I first started as an assistant director—brutal doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Kayla’s eyes widened in amazement. “Wait—you were a director?”

Daniel nodded. “Yeah, after I graduated from film school, I worked on a few short films with some friends. Passion projects, mostly—long, exhausting, and barely any money in it, but I loved it. Eventually, I got picked up by a few cable networks to work on bigger gigs, but man, some of those jobs were like slave labor.”

Kayla leaned in, curious. “So how did you go from directing to owning your own TV network?”

Daniel smirked. “Funny story. Back in 2017, I had just wrapped up this reality show gig. It bombed in the ratings, and I lost my job. To be honest, I was burned out anyway—stuck in the wilderness for hours with the most obnoxious crew imaginable. I wanted out.” He took a sip of his drink before continuing. “During that time, I got really into streaming—had this Twitch channel where my friends and I would roast sappy reality TV shows for fun. Turns out, people loved it.”

Kayla smiled. “And that turned into RAWTV?”

Daniel grinned. “More or less. My dad works in the industry, and he pitched the idea of taking reality TV commentary and turning it into an actual network. Next thing I knew, we were producing our own shows instead of just making fun of them.” He leaned back in his chair, a satisfied look on his face. “And here we are.”

Kayla tilted her head, curiosity piqued. “Interesting. I’d never even heard of RAWTV until the casting director called me.”

Daniel smirked. “That’s because we’re still growing. Almost everything we produce streams on MAX, but I’m thinking about launching our own platform soon.”

She nodded, taking a bite of her food. “So, who came up with the whole Future Husband concept?”

Daniel let out a chuckle, shaking his head. “Honestly? I never expected it to take off the way it did. It was supposed to be a joke.”

Kayla raised an eyebrow. “A joke?”

“Yeah. So, Laura—the casting director—used to cohost on my Twitch channel. One night, we got really drunk with some friends and started pitching the dumbest reality TV ideas we could think of. Someone in the chat threw out: ‘What if anime characters came to life and had to figure out how to live in the real world?’ We laughed it off at first, but Laura actually loved the idea. She started adding all these ridiculous fanfiction tropes, and before I knew it, she was saying, ‘Oh, I have a friend who’s a shaman—she can literally bring fictional characters to life.’”

Kayla nearly choked on her drink. “Wait… Avery?”

Daniel’s grin widened. “Yep. I didn’t believe her at first. But then, next thing I know, I’m standing face-to-face with Morrigan Aensland, and that’s when it hit me—this was actually possible.” He leaned back, shaking his head at the memory. “But I was still hesitant. A lot of my colleagues are normies—they’ve never played a video game, never watched a single anime in their lives. I wasn’t sure how they’d react.”
Kayla tilted her head. “So what changed?”
“Laura,” Daniel said simply. “She reassured me that this was going to be great, and, well, she was right. Future Husband brought in a whole new audience. RAWTV used to cater mostly to reality TV junkies like myself, but now? We’re reaching anime fans, gamers—people who never would’ve watched our network otherwise.”

Kayla let out a small laugh. “Honestly, if I had a MAX account, I’d probably binge a previous season. Just so I can get a feel for how this whole thing works.”

Daniel’s eyes lit up. “You can borrow mine!”

Before she could protest, he grabbed a pen from his backpack, scribbled something onto a napkin, and handed it to her.

Kayla took it hesitantly. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.” He waved her off. “The Future Spouse series is my favorite to shoot. That’s why I’m always on set—it’s so outlandish. I mean, last season on Future Wife, we had Chun-Li and Yang Xiao Long get into a heated rap battle for their future spouse’s attention.”

Kayla burst out laughing. “Okay, that I have to see.”

~

As the last remnants of dinner were cleared away, the group gradually made their way back outside. The evening air was cool against Kayla’s skin, the sun having dipped below the horizon, casting everything in a deep indigo hue. String lights twinkled along the perimeter of the backyard, casting a soft, inviting glow over the pool and garden. But despite the picturesque setting, Kayla felt the weight of her remaining interviews pressing down on her.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself before making her way toward Caleb, who was now sitting at the bar area with the other vampires. “Hey, Caleb, come talk to me!”

Caleb flashed her a smile. “Sure!”

Kayla and Frances led him toward the garden, the soft rustling of leaves and distant hum of cicadas filling the air as they made their way to the familiar gazebo.
Despite his previous flirtations, Caleb turned out to be surprisingly easy to talk to. In fact, he was so lighthearted and playful that Kayla found herself wondering how he could possibly be a vampire. He lacked the brooding intensity she had come to expect from his kind, replacing it instead with a carefree, almost ditzy energy. He cracked jokes, teased her about her nervousness, and even found a way to make Frances laugh—an impressive feat, considering the woman’s usual no-nonsense demeanor.

By the time their conversation wrapped up, Kayla was smiling more than she had all day. But her next interview proved to be an entirely different experience.

Alucard was a stark contrast to Caleb. He was still flirtatious in his own way—his deep, velvety voice laced with amusement as he spoke—but he was also reserved, speaking in measured words that often trailed off into silence. Kayla found herself fidgeting, unsure how to fill the gaps between their exchanges. Every now and then, he would smirk at her discomfort, clearly enjoying the effect he had on her.

She tried to steer the conversation into safer territory—asking about his world, his hobbies, anything to keep things moving—but he never gave more than what was necessary, leaving her grasping at straws to keep things flowing naturally.
By the time Frances called cut, Kayla exhaled, relieved that it was over. But that relief was short-lived. Because now, it was Lestat’s turn.
Kayla wasn’t sure how she managed to get through the conversation. Every word out of his mouth was like silk—low, teasing, completely improper for prime-time television. He had an uncanny ability to make her stammer, blush, and completely lose her train of thought. At one point, she couldn’t even remember what she had originally meant to ask him. It didn’t help that he clearly enjoyed watching her squirm.

By the time Frances finally called cut, Kayla was certain of one thing—this show was going to be the death of her. But, unfortunately, the night wasn’t over yet.

As she, Lestat, and Frances made their way back to the pool area, Frances turned to her with an exasperated look. “We’re going to refilm your first encounter with Sirius,” she announced. “And this time—don’t fall asleep.”

Kayla winced. Right. That happened.
She gave an awkward laugh. “I’ll, uh… I’ll try not to.”

Frances wasn’t amused. “You better not. Now, go put on the same outfit you wore yesterday and meet me in the front yard in fifteen minutes.”

Kayla let out a resigned sigh before heading upstairs to her room. She shuffled through her suitcase, pulling out the short black dress she had worn during the original shoot. It still smelled faintly of her perfume and a little bit of summer sweat.

Once changed, she hurried back outside where Frances, Vanessa, Sirius, and the camera crew were already waiting.

Frances clapped her hands together, all business. “Alright, let’s go over this scene again. Sirius, you’re gonna drive up on your motorcycle—smooth entrance, got it? Vanessa and Kayla, you’re going to run outside and look surprised. And for the love of all things holy, no one—no one—is going to yawn this time!”

Vanessa placed her hand on Kayla’s shoulder, reassuringly. “You got this!”

Kayla smiled. “Thanks!”

Frances lifted her megaphone. "Places, everyone!"

Without missing a beat, Kayla and Vanessa hurried inside, taking their positions by the door. The anticipation settled in Kayla’s chest as they waited.

A few moments passed before Denzel’s voice rang out—"Action!"

On cue, Vanessa and Kayla burst through the front door, their gazes snapping to the sleek motorcycle pulling up in front of them. Sirius, ever the showman, slowed to a stop, his signature smirk already in place. His long coat billowed slightly from the ride, and his dark hair was effortlessly tousled from the wind. He swung one leg over the bike with ease, standing tall as if he owned the world.

Vanessa gasped dramatically. “No way!”

Sirius gave Kayla a playful smirk. “Evening, love, wanna go for a ride?”

Kayla blushed and shook her head. Her heart raced. “Sorry, I don’t like riding fast or heights.”

Sirius chuckled, tilting his head as he studied her reaction. “Oh? Not a thrill-seeker, then?”
Kayla swallowed, suddenly very aware of the cameras on her. “Not really. I like keeping both feet on the ground.”
Vanessa elbowed her playfully. “Come on, Kayla. Live a little!”

Kayla shot her a glare but before she could protest further, Sirius took a step closer, his presence almost magnetic. “I’ll take it slow for you. I promise.” His voice was smooth, teasing, but there was a genuine gentleness behind it.

Kayla hesitated. Every part of her screamed no way, but with the cameras rolling and Frances eyeing her impatiently, she knew she had little choice.

Frances clapped her hands together, megaphone in one hand. “We don’t have all night! Just get on the bike!”

Kayla hesitated, glancing at the roaring motorcycle as if it were her worst nightmare. “Do I have to?” she asked, her voice barely above a mumble.

Frances rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. “If you like him, then yes. That’s kind of the point.”

Kayla chewed on her lip. She did like Sirius—he was charming, confident, and a little reckless in a way that intrigued her. But adrenaline rushes? Not so much.

Sirius, ever the troublemaker, leaned forward on the handlebars, smirking. “Well, love? You gonna make me beg?”

Kayla exhaled sharply, glancing between Sirius, the bike, and Frances—who was watching with an impatient glare. The cameras were rolling. If she said no now, she’d look like a coward. But if she said yes… she’d have to survive the ride.

She bit her lip, then muttered under her breath, “I really don’t want to do this.”

Sirius grinned, completely unfazed. “Come on, love, trust me. I’ll take it slow.”

Vanessa nudged her. “At least pretend to have fun!”

Kayla shot her a look but knew there was no getting out of it now. With a deep breath, she walked up to the bike, hesitating before swinging her leg over and settling onto the seat behind Sirius.

Sirius reached back, grabbing her hands and pulling them around his waist. “Hold on tight.”

Kayla’s face went red. She tightened her grip, feeling the solid warmth of his back against her chest.

Frances smirked, clearly enjoying the sight of Kayla squirming. “Alright, Black, take her for a spin. Just up to that driveway over there.” She gestured toward a sleek mansion three houses down, a convertible parked neatly in front.

Sirius chuckled, clearly enjoying Kayla’s embarrassment. “Hold on tight, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice a low purr.

Kayla’s grip instinctively tightened around his torso, her face burning hotter. She wasn’t used to being this close to someone—especially not someone as effortlessly confident as him. The steady warmth of his back, the way his muscles shifted beneath her touch, made her heart hammer in her chest.

Frances, watching with a satisfied smirk, pointed down the street. “Alright, take it nice and easy. Drive up to that driveway over there—three houses down. We’ll get a couple of shots, then we’ll wrap.”

Sirius revved the engine, shooting Kayla a teasing glance over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll go slow. Wouldn’t want you flying off on our first ride together.”

Kayla swallowed hard, nodding, though she wasn’t entirely convinced.

The motorcycle rumbled forward, smooth but powerful, as Sirius guided it down the street. The wind brushed against Kayla’s skin, making her shiver slightly. It wasn’t as terrifying as she’d expected, but the thrill still made her stomach flip.

From behind the cameras, Vanessa grinned, nudging Frances. “Not bad. She looks like she’s enjoying herself.”

Frances snorted. “For now. Let’s see if she’s still smiling when we ask her to do it again.”

As the bike pulled up to the designated driveway, Sirius braked gently and turned off the engine. He glanced back at Kayla, his smirk never fading. “Well? Was that so bad?”

Kayla let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “I—um, no. It was… okay.”

Sirius laughed. “Just okay? Guess I’ll have to try harder next time.”

Before Kayla could respond, Frances’ voice rang through the megaphone. “Alright, that was decent. But I want another take. Kayla, act more excited. Sirius, turn up the charm. Let’s go again!”

Kayla barely had a moment to process what was happening before the bike lurched forward again. Sirius revved the engine, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and instead of keeping a steady pace like before, he pressed the gas a little harder.

The sudden acceleration made Kayla tense. Her grip around his waist tightened instinctively as the world around them blurred slightly. “Sirius—!” she squeaked, her breath hitching.

“Relax, love,” he called over the rumble of the engine, his tone light and carefree.

She shut her eyes, bracing herself. The wind whipped against her face, her hair blowing wildly as the bike picked up speed. This was not part of the script.

Then suddenly—her stomach dropped. The tires weren’t touching the ground anymore. Kayla’s eyes snapped open, and her breath caught in her throat as she realized they were rising. The motorcycle wasn’t just moving forward—it was lifting off.

The street below them shrank as they soared into the air. A small drone hovered nearby, its camera lens gleaming as it captured the moment. The distant hum of its propellers was barely audible over the roar of the bike.

Kayla’s entire body was rigid with terror. Her breath hitched as the cool night air rushed past her, the ground far too distant for her liking. “SIRIUS, WHAT THE HELL?!” she shrieked, gripping onto him with all the strength she could muster.
Sirius let out an easy chuckle, completely unbothered by the fact that they were literally flying. “Relax, love,” he called over his shoulder. “I just thought I’d impress you.”

Kayla’s heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. “I’M NOT IMPRESSED, I’M GONNA HAVE A HEART ATTACK!”

Sirius only laughed harder. “That’s not the reaction I was going for.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, every muscle in her body tensed like a coiled spring. “PUT ME DOWN! NOW!”

Sirius sighed, as if she were being unreasonable. “Alright, alright,” he relented, finally beginning the descent.

The motorcycle dipped lower, the wind still whipping through Kayla’s hair as they slowly closed the distance between them and the ground. Her knuckles turned white from how tightly she was holding onto him, her entire body frozen in terror until she felt the reassuring bump of the tires reconnecting with the pavement.

As soon as they landed, she practically threw herself off the bike, stumbling slightly as her legs threatened to give out beneath her. Her breath came in rapid gasps, her pulse still hammering in her ears.

Meanwhile, Frances—who had been watching from below—was struggling to hold back laughter. The second Kayla wobbled off the bike, she lifted the megaphone. “Alright, that’s a wrap!”

Kayla shot her a glare, still trying to regain her balance. “Thank god.” She placed a hand over her racing heart, still shaken. “I never want to do that again.”

Frances smirked, lifting the megaphone to her lips. “Are you sure?” she teased. “Because from where I was standing, it definitely looked like you were having the time of your life.”
Kayla shot her a look that could kill.
Denzel lowered his camera, his expression serious. “Frances, knock it off. That wasn’t safe.” His gaze shifted to Kayla, full of concern. “Are you okay? Do you need a minute?”

Kayla exhaled slowly, still trying to steady her nerves. “I’m fine… just never doing that again.”

Denzel shook his head, clearly not amused. “We need to be careful with stunts like that. If something happened to her, we’d be in serious trouble.”

Frances let out a dramatic sigh, waving a hand dismissively. “Fine, fine. No more aerial stunts.”

As the group filed back inside, the air was thick with the lingering tension of the stunt. The bright, artificial lights of the mansion felt almost jarring after the open night sky. Kayla still felt like she was moving, the phantom sensation of flying on Sirius’s motorcycle making her stomach twist.

Vanessa had pulled her aside, speaking to her in a soothing voice, guiding her through a simple breathing exercise. “In for four… hold for four… out for four,” she instructed, demonstrating with a steady inhale.

Kayla tried to follow, though her hands were still trembling slightly. She clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to ground herself.

Across the room, Sirius watched, his usual cocky demeanor replaced with something gentler. Guilt flickered in his stormy eyes as he approached.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Kayla, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice lower than usual. “I think I got a little carried away.”

Kayla finally looked up at him, still shaken. She let out a slow breath. “I’m not mad at you,” she admitted, her voice steadier now. “I’m mad at Frances for making me do that.”

Sirius nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Yeah… she does have a way of pushing people past their limits.”

Kayla huffed. “That’s an understatement.”

Vanessa gave her a reassuring pat on the back. “You did good, though. You didn’t even puke.”

Kayla groaned. “Don’t jinx it.”

~

The rest of the night passed in a haze of exhaustion. Kayla sat through her confessional, recounting each of her interviews from earlier that day. She rattled off her thoughts about each bachelor—some conversations were fun, others nerve-wracking, and some left her blushing. But when Daniel asked her to recall her conversation with Diamond, her mind went blank.
She frowned, trying to reach for something—anything—but the only memory that surfaced was him pulling her out of the pool.

Terry offered a reassuring smile. “It’s been a long day. You’ve been talking to people non-stop. It’s probably just mental fatigue.”

Kayla nodded, but the unease lingered. It wasn’t just forgetting the details—it was the feeling that something had been erased.

After the final round of questions, the crew wrapped up for the night. One by one, they packed up their equipment, exchanging goodbyes as they left the mansion.

The bachelors drifted off to their own activities—some hanging out in the lounge, others disappearing into their rooms. Kayla was just about to head upstairs herself when movement at the staircase caught her eye.

Legolas was descending. His eyes met hers. “Ready to talk?” he asked.

Kayla nodded, her stomach twisting with unease. Without another word, the two of them walked in silence toward the garden. The cool night air did little to ease the tension tightening in her chest.

She broke the silence first. “Terry told me that this kind of competition isn’t really your thing.”

Legolas sighed, his gaze distant as he stared at the softly swaying trees. “It is not. I have fought many battles, but after this morning, I realized I cannot go through with this. I do not wish to harm you.” He turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Not after what happened.”

Kayla frowned. “What do you mean?”

Legolas hesitated. “Have you forgotten?”

Kayla opened her mouth, but no words came out. The truth was—she had forgotten. Whatever moment he was referring to was a complete blank in her mind.

Legolas studied her carefully before exhaling sharply, his tone grim. “This proves my point. The damage has already been done.”

Kayla’s heart pounded. “What are you talking about?” Her voice came out more desperate than she intended. “What damage?”

Legolas’ gaze darkened. “Diamond. He is dangerous. He convinced Daniel and the others to let him use his hypnosis on you. And I… I cannot protect you from that.”

Kayla took a step back, shaking her head. “Hypnotized? No—no, that doesn’t make sense. I don’t remember even talking to Diamond except when he pulled me out of the pool.”

Legolas exhaled sharply. “Think, Kayla. What is the first thing you remember about today?”

She furrowed her brows, searching her mind. “I… I remember oversleeping. Vanessa woke me up. Then I went downstairs for breakfast and…” Her eyes darted up to his. “Diamond and Gladio were fighting.”

Legolas nodded. “And do you remember what the fight was about?”

Kayla opened her mouth to answer—but nothing came. She didn’t remember. There was just… a blank space where the memory should have been. Her stomach twisted.

Legolas’ jaw tightened. “So he’s done it again.” He turned away from her. “On Friday, you have to eliminate me. I refuse to be part of such a twisted game.”

Kayla’s breath hitched. “What?” Her voice cracked. “You… you want to leave?”

Legolas kept his back turned, his posture rigid. “I refuse to be part of a game where manipulation is allowed to run unchecked.”

Kayla shook her head. “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

Legolas exhaled sharply. “The others told me what happened. That Diamond used his abilities on you. Twice.” He turned to face her then, his piercing blue eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite place—concern, frustration, maybe even regret. “And yet, you don’t remember. Doesn’t that alarm you?”

Kayla’s heart pounded. “I… I don’t know.” Her mind raced, trying to piece together the missing moments, but all she found was a void.

“This morning, you and he fought. The details are unknown to me, but it was enough to cause tension among the others. And now? It’s as if nothing ever happened.”

Kayla opened her mouth to argue, but the words caught in her throat.

Legolas sighed, stepping back. “No matter what you believe, I cannot remain here. I did not come to fight battles of the mind. If this is how the game will continue, then I will not be part of it.” His expression hardened. “Eliminate me on Friday.”

Kayla felt the words like a punch to the gut. “Legolas—wait.” She reached out for him, but he was already walking away, disappearing into the shadows of the garden.

Kayla stood frozen, her pulse roaring in her ears. What had Diamond done to her?

She stormed back inside, her pulse pounding as she spotted Gladio, Valtor, Sirius, and Lance sitting around the coffee table, a deck of cards scattered between them.

They looked up as she entered, her presence demanding their attention. “Do any of you know what happened between me and Diamond this morning?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

The four of them exchanged uneasy glances, the air suddenly heavy with tension.

Kayla swallowed hard. “Legolas told me that Diamond hypnotized me. He—he doesn’t even want to be part of the competition anymore because of it.”

Gladio exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. “It’s true.”

Valtor’s expression darkened. “And from the looks of it, he erased your memory of it, too.”

Kayla’s stomach dropped. A cold shiver ran down her spine. “What?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Valtor leaned forward, his expression serious but reassuring. “It’s alright. I know a spell that can help you regain your memories.”

Kayla hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She took a deep breath and sat down. Valtor raised his hands, murmuring something under his breath as he moved them in fluid, deliberate motions. A faint glow surrounded his fingertips, and suddenly, a wave of clarity washed over her.

The memories rushed back like a flood.

She saw herself in the kitchen that morning with some of the bachelors. Lance had asked about her hobbies, and she had casually mentioned writing fanfiction. Then Sirius, Genesis, and Hatsuharu had started asking questions—genuinely curious, pressing for details. Kayla had gone shy, dancing around the subject, trying not to admit what—or who—she wrote about.

Then she saw it—the look in Diamond’s eyes. That strange, unreadable glint when he reassured her that he wouldn’t be mad if her story didn’t take place in his world.

Her breath hitched. That’s when it happened.

Kayla blinked hard as reality set in. Her fists clenched at her sides. “We have to do something!” she burst out. “I don’t want Legolas to leave because of Diamond!”

“I’m with you on that,” Gladio said, his voice firm. “I don’t want him hurting you again.” But then he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “If only we could do something…”

Sirius tapped his chin, thinking back to the morning dispute. “I think Jack mentioned something about Diamond’s eyes changing colors. Maybe that’s the key. If you don’t look him in the eye, maybe he won’t be able to put you under again.”

Lance nodded. “Yeah, just pretend you’re still under his enchantment. Keep up the act until Friday—then send him packing.”

Kayla swallowed hard. The idea of pretending to be under Diamond’s control made her skin crawl. But… if it meant keeping Legolas here and stopping Diamond from using his hypnosis on anyone else, then maybe it was worth it.

“I’ll try,” she said hesitantly, her voice quieter now. “But… I’m not very good at acting…”

Valtor placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’ve managed to keep your cool while talking to us today.”

Kayla raised an eyebrow. “You think stammering and blushing is keeping my cool?”

Valtor chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. “I’ll admit, I have a rather… commanding presence. But trust me, it could’ve been worse. You didn’t run. That’s a victory in itself.”

Kayla let out a breath and managed a small smile. “I guess you have a point.” Sitting up straighter, she pushed her nerves aside. “I’m going to find Legolas and tell him what I’m planning.”

Gladio nodded. “Good. He deserves to know.”

Valtor stood, adjusting his coat with a smirk. “I’ll go with you. If Legolas tries to run again, I can always use a little magic to… encourage him to stay.”

Kayla shot him a wary look. “You’re not going to hex him, are you?”

Valtor chuckled. “Of course not. Though I might need to use a binding spell.”

Sirius stretched lazily, pushing himself off the couch. “I’m coming too. Someone’s gotta keep things light, and let’s be real—pointy-ears might listen to me over a sorcerer with an ego complex.”

Valtor smirked. “Careful, Sirius. Your jealousy is showing.”

Sirius scoffed. “Jealous? Please. I just think you like the sound of your own voice too much.”
Kayla sighed, already regretting bringing them both along. “Alright, alright, let’s just focus on the plan.”

With renewed determination, the three of them made their way upstairs, intent on reaching Legolas before he could slip away again.

Kayla hesitated for only a moment before calling out, “Legolas?”

Silence. No response.

Sirius strode past Kayla without hesitation. “Allow me.”

Without bothering to knock, he pushed open the door, revealing Legolas perched on the windowsill, his expression distant, lost in thought. His keen eyes flickered toward them, and his posture tensed immediately.

“I told you—I want no part of this.” His voice was firm, final. He moved as if to slip out the window and disappear into the night.

But before he could escape, Valtor lifted a hand, summoning a glowing rope of blue magic. It shot forward, winding around the elf’s arms, holding him in place.

Legolas’s eyes flared with indignation. “Release me at once!”

“Not until you listen,” Valtor said coolly.

Kayla swallowed hard, stepping forward. “Legolas, I just wanted to tell you… I remember. I remember Diamond hypnotizing me.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on, trying to steady herself. “You were right.”

Legolas’s expression tightened, his brow furrowing. “How is that possible? You told me you didn’t remember.”

Valtor smirked, crossing his arms. “I’m a very powerful wizard. Restoring lost memories is a simple feat for someone of my caliber.”

Sirius took a step forward, his voice firm. “We have a proposition for you. Just hear her out.”
Legolas eyed them warily. “Release me, and I’ll be all ears.”

With a snap of his fingers, Valtor dissolved the magical ropes. Legolas rubbed his wrists, but he remained where he was, waiting.

Kayla took a deep breath. “Sirius thinks that Diamond’s hypnosis works through direct eye contact. So, if I just avoid looking into his eyes and pretend I’m still under his spell, I can stay close to him without raising suspicion. Then, when the elimination ceremony comes… I’ll send him home.”

Legolas considered this, his sharp gaze studying her. “That might work… but you’re forgetting something. He’s already hypnotized the crew. If they’re under his influence, what happens if they put you in a situation you can’t escape?”

Kayla opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Shit… you’re right.”

Legolas let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry, but I can’t take part in this.”

Sirius scoffed, folding his arms. “So you’re just giving up?”

Legolas’s jaw tightened. “I’m not giving up—I’m recognizing my limits.”

Valtor smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Sounds like an excuse to me. You’re supposed to fight for her affection, not run the moment things get complicated.”

Legolas scoffed. “This is not some battlefield where honor and skill determine the victor. This is a spectacle, a game where the rules are bent to entertain an audience. If you think brute force and stubbornness can outmatch manipulation and deceit, then you are the fool.”

Kayla, sensing the tension rising, stepped between them. “Enough!” she snapped, glancing between the two men. “Legolas, I don’t want you to leave. If you go, that means Diamond wins. I need allies, not people walking away when things get tough.”

Legolas looked at her, something conflicted flashing across his face. “Kayla—”

She took a step closer, her voice softer but still firm. “I know this isn’t the kind of fight you’re used to. But if you back down, then Diamond gets exactly what he wants. And I can’t let that happen.”
Sirius exhaled sharply, giving Legolas a pointed look. “You’re overthinking it, pointy ears. Stick around, keep your head down, and help us outsmart Diamond.”
Legolas’s expression remained tense, but his voice softened. “I just don’t want Kayla getting hurt.”

Sirius’s demeanor shifted slightly, his usual smirk fading into something more sincere. “None of us do. That’s why we’re sticking together.”

Valtor tapped his chin thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with an idea. “Actually… I think I know how we can make sure Diamond doesn’t get another chance.” The group turned to him expectantly. Valtor smirked. “If the showrunners are willing to let Diamond use his hypnosis again, then we just need to make sure he never gets the opportunity.”

Legolas narrowed his eyes. “And how do you plan to do that?”

Valtor’s smirk widened. “Simple. We keep our eyes on her at all times. There are thirteen of us and only one of him. If he so much as breathes in her direction, someone will be there to step in.”

Sirius chuckled. “I like it. Make sure he doesn’t get any alone time with her.”

Kayla swallowed, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. “I appreciate it, really, but… that feels a little extreme. What if he catches on?”

Valtor’s expression remained confident. “He won’t—because you’re going to play along. Do what he expects, don’t give him an opening, and he won’t get the chance.”

Kayla frowned. “Play along?”

Sirius stepped in, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey, we’re not letting you handle this alone. If things get out of hand, we’ll step in.” His gaze flickered to Legolas. “Now, are you in or what?”

Legolas remained silent for a moment, tension lingering in his features. Then, finally, he sighed. “Alright. I’ll stay.”

Chapter 9: Truth or Dare or Enchantment

The next morning, Kayla, Vanessa, the bachelors, and the showrunners gathered in the lounge to go over the agenda for the upcoming days. Terry, Frances, and Daniel stood on stage, their usual authoritative presence commanding the room’s attention.

Terry cleared her throat, holding up a clipboard. “Alright, so the next few days are going to be fairly relaxed. We’ll mostly be reviewing footage and figuring out what we can do in terms of shaping the storyline.”

Frances smirked. “Though don’t get too comfortable. We still need to reshoot a few things from the last two days.”

Kayla, seated in the front row near the stage, raised an eyebrow. “Hopefully, that doesn’t mean I have to get on the motorcycle again.”

Frances gave her a dramatic sigh. “As much as I’d love to refilm that moment, no. We actually have a body double coming in later tonight.”

Kayla exhaled in relief.

Meanwhile, Terry had begun passing around a stack of papers to the rest of the room. “This,” she announced, “is the script for the storyline we’re planning to work into the show.”

Kayla frowned as she took her copy. “Wait, I thought RAWTV lets the storylines unfold naturally?”

Daniel leaned against the podium with a knowing grin. “We do… most of the time. But today, we’re feeling creative—and we think a little extra drama might be fun.”

Kayla’s stomach twisted. She already hated improv, but pretending to be someone she wasn’t? That was even worse. If the role required her to cry, she’d probably start laughing. If the script told her to laugh, she’d freeze up entirely.

As she flipped through the pages, Terry spoke again. “Now, don’t worry about memorizing your lines. We don’t expect you to be perfect. Think of this as more of a rough outline for what we want to capture.”

Kayla barely heard her. Her fingers clenched the edges of the script as she skimmed through it, her pulse hammering in her ears. They wanted her to reenact the kitchen dispute from the day before.

Before she could react, a chair scraped loudly against the floor.

“I refuse to do this,” Legolas said, his voice firm as he stood. His expression was hard, unreadable, but Kayla could hear the conviction in his tone. “I don’t want to hurt Kayla.”
Gladio crossed his arms, his voice firm. “Agreed. This doesn’t feel right.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room as several of the bachelors nodded, their expressions ranging from discomfort to outright disapproval.

Frances scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. “That’s how show business works. What, are you all gonna walk out now?”

Kayla’s jaw tightened as she shot Frances a glare. “You’re asking us to reenact a traumatic situation! I don’t want to do this either!”

From the back of the room, Diamond sat casually, arms draped over the chair, watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk.

Daniel’s brows furrowed. “Traumatic?” He exchanged a confused glance with Terry.

Kayla let out a sharp sigh, gripping the script in her hands. “What Diamond did was really scary—not just for me, but for everyone else!”

Lance leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Yeah, and he’s unpredictable too. Who knows what he could make Kayla—or any of us—do?”

Frances rolled her eyes. “He was already told he could only use his hypnosis while on camera.”

 

Daniel remained quiet, watching the exchange unfold. His gaze flickered toward Kayla, who clutched her script with a tense grip. There was something in her eyes—something vulnerable, uneasy. She looked like a lost lamb as she recounted the previous day’s events.

Daniel let out a slow sigh and raised a hand. “Enough.” He turned to Kayla, his tone softer now. “I’m sorry. The three of us will come up with a new storyline.”

A brief silence filled the room as the showrunners exchanged glances, brainstorming among themselves. Then Terry’s face lit up. “I know! What if we rewrote the scenario so it’s more silly and less intense?”

Kayla folded her arms, clearly skeptical. “And what exactly do you have in mind?”

Terry grinned. “What if we put you all in a truth or dare scenario… and Diamond hypnotized you into doing a saucy dare?”

Kayla shook her head. “Your missing the point! I don’t--”

But Sirius grabbed her hand reassuringly as he mouthed the words, “I’ll protect you.”

Kayla hesitated, her breath catching in her throat. Sirius’ grip was firm yet comforting, his silent promise lingering in the air between them. He was telling her to trust him—to trust them.

She exhaled sharply and turned back to the showrunners. “Fine. But only if I get a say in what the dare is.”

Frances smirked, clearly satisfied. “Done.”

Terry clapped her hands together excitedly. “Perfect! I’ll start writing the script now.”

Daniel nodded before turning to Kayla and Legolas. “In the meantime, you two come outside so we can redo your interview. The rest of you—do whatever you want until we call for the next shoot.”

As the group began to disperse, Legolas lingered, lightly tapping Kayla on the shoulder. His expression was unreadable, but there was concern in his eyes. “You’re really going through with this?”

Kayla offered him a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine. The dare is in my hands, and I won’t look Diamond in the eye.”

Legolas didn’t seem convinced, his brows knitting together in hesitation. Sensing his unease, Kayla placed a hand on his shoulder. “The others will be watching out for me,” she reminded him. “I won’t be alone in this.”

Still, Legolas sighed, reluctantly nodding. “Just… be careful.”

“I will!”

~

The interview with Legolas was painfully awkward. He barely spoke, offering only short, polite responses. Kayla couldn’t tell if it was the lingering tension with Diamond or if he was just naturally reserved. Either way, the conversation never gained any real momentum.

Most of their conversation was centered around understanding each other’s worlds, but it quickly fell into mundane small talk. There was no spark, no drama—just a simple exchange of cultural differences that didn’t do much to drive the narrative. Frances, growing visibly frustrated, kept cutting in, urging them to change the subject or find something more interesting to discuss.
After what felt like forever, Frances sighed heavily and waved her hand dismissively. “Cut. I guess that’s all we’re getting.” She shook her head, clearly displeased. “Don’t blame me when this show flops.”

Daniel, who had been standing beside her, chuckled. “Oh, Frances, you’re such a normie!”

Frances raised an eyebrow, not amused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Daniel grinned. “Legolas is from another world! He’s not used to the modern Earth stuff.”

Frances let out an exasperated sigh. “I get it, but I still want to keep the ratings up! Social media might be a novelty to him, but our audience already knows what it is. They’re not going to be entertained by a history lesson.”

Kayla watched the back-and-forth between Frances and Daniel, realizing that Frances probably hadn’t even watched a single episode of Future Spouse either.

Daniel just chuckled, shaking his head. “Relax. The first episode is always a slow burn, but trust me—there’s plenty of drama coming.”

With that, the group headed back inside the mansion. The air was noticeably lighter, the tension of the conversation dissolving as everyone settled in.

Kayla turned to Daniel. “So, what now?”

Daniel flashed her an easy grin. “I’m gonna check in with Terry, see how her script’s coming along. I’ll be back in a bit. Just hang tight.”

As Daniel disappeared into one of the crew rooms, Kayla and Legolas found a spot in the living room where the other bachelors were lounging. The air buzzed with casual conversation, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filling the space.

Kayla settled onto the couch between Jack and Caleb, while Legolas took a seat across from her, flanked by Itachi and Sirius. Caleb, who had been deep in conversation with Lestat, turned his attention to Kayla, giving her a playful nudge. “So, how’d it go?”

Kayla let out an exaggerated groan, slumping back into the cushions. “That was so awkward.”

Caleb raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh?”

Legolas, looking mildly guilty, inclined his head. “I apologize, Lady Kayla. You must understand, I am unaccustomed to this kind of environment—one where people observe my every move for mere entertainment.”

Kayla waved a hand dismissively, offering him a reassuring smile. “No worries! I’m not used to it either.”

Just as Legolas seemed to relax a little, Sirius leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. His tone was casual, but there was an edge of curiosity behind it. “So… have you thought about the dare yet?”

Kayla shook her head as she played with the hem of her midriff top. “I’ve been so focused on the interview that I haven’t had time to think. Though I know I need to hurry.”

Sirius smirked, watching her fidget with the hem of her top. “Better come up with something quick, love. Wouldn’t want Diamond to take too much control over the situation, now would we?”

Kayla shuddered at the thought. “Yeah, no thanks.” She sighed, leaning back against the couch. “I need something that won’t put me in a compromising position but is still entertaining enough to keep the producers happy.”

Jack, who had been quietly sipping a drink beside her, finally chimed in. “Easy. Make him do something ridiculous. Embarrass him instead.”

Caleb nodded eagerly. “Exactly! Flip the script on him. Make him think he’s in control, but really, you’re the one calling the shots.”

Kayla chewed on her lip. “I think you guys are forgetting that he’s the one who gets to dare me to do something. I don’t exactly get a say.”

Lestat leaned back in his seat, a slow smirk curling his lips. “Then, mon cher, why not play into his game? If he’s going to hypnotize you, at least make it interesting.”

Kayla frowned. “I really don’t want to,” she admitted, crossing her arms. “But I know Terry’s expecting something… bold.”

Lestat tilted his head, his smirk playful yet knowing. “If bold is what the showrunners crave, why not a kiss?”

Kayla grimaced at the suggestion. No matter how undeniably attractive Diamond was, after what he’d done to her, the last thing she wanted was to kiss him.

Jack leaned back, arms draped over the couch. “Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s jealous,” he mused. “Some of us have already had the pleasure.” He shot her a teasing wink.

Kayla’s stomach twisted, and Sirius must have noticed because he leaned in, his voice softer. “Relax, love. You won’t actually be hypnotized, remember?”

She exhaled slowly, gripping the hem of her top. “I know,” she admitted. “But just the thought of it makes me nervous.”

Before anyone could say more, Daniel reentered the room, scanning the group before landing on Kayla. “There you are. Terry wants to meet with you.”

Kayla hesitated, biting her lip, but nodded and followed him out of the lounge. They walked through the east wing of the house until they reached a small, cluttered office space. Papers and empty coffee cups were scattered across the desk, and Terry was furiously typing on her laptop when they stepped inside.

At the sound of the door, she glanced up and smiled. “Oh, perfect. Just the person I needed.”

She pushed her laptop aside. “I’m almost done, but I wanted to run some dares by you first.”

Kayla took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Actually,” she said, meeting Terry’s gaze, “I thought of one.”

Terry leaned forward, intrigued. “I’m listening.”

Kayla hesitated for a moment before saying, “Something simple. Just a kiss.”

Terry blinked, considering it. She flipped back through her notes, tapping a pen against her chin. “Huh. That’s actually way tamer than what I had in mind.”

Kayla let out a sigh of relief. “Great.” Then, curiosity got the better of her. “Wait… what exactly did you have in mind?”

Terry smirked, pushing her laptop aside. “Oh, I had options, mate. Though some had to be scrapped ’cause, ya know… prime-time telly and all.” She started counting them off on her fingers. “One idea was you callin’ Diamond Daddy for the rest of the night, another was a cheeky little strip tease, or—this one’s a ripper—skinny dippin’ in the hot tub.”

Kayla’s entire body tensed, her face heating instantly. “What?!” she sputtered.

Terry shrugged, completely unfazed. “What? It’d make bloody great TV.” She leaned back in her chair. “But don’t stress, reckon the kiss is a solid choice. It’s cheeky enough for a bit of spice, but won’t have the network breathin’ down our necks.” She flashed Kayla a grin. “So, let’s roll with that, yeah?”

Unbeknownst to them, Diamond stood just outside the door, eavesdropping with an amused smirk playing on his lips. Being called Daddy doesn’t seem so bad, he mused, his ego thoroughly entertained by the idea.

Just then, a crew member—Milly, one of the video editors—rounded the corner. She was dressed in an oversized neon t-shirt and baggy pants, her asymmetrical haircut framing her curious expression. She paused mid-step, eyeing him with mild suspicion. “Uh, you looking for someone?”
Diamond turned to her smoothly, slipping into his usual charismatic demeanor. “Not at all. I must’ve taken a wrong turn—I was looking for the restroom.”

Milly didn’t look convinced, but she shrugged and pointed toward the door right next to the office. “It’s literally right there, dude. You walked right past it.”

Diamond chuckled, playing it off with an easy smile. “Ah. My mistake.”

Milly, seemingly satisfied with his answer, continued on her way without a second thought. She didn’t even notice when, instead of following her direction, Diamond casually turned on his heel and strolled back toward the living room, seamlessly slipping in among the other bachelors. His smirk lingered.

~

A few moments later, the showrunners gathered Kayla and the bachelors in the living room. Terry stood at the center, passing around copies of the new script.

“Alright, now that you’re all here,” she began, arms crossed, “have a quick skim through. Like I said before, this is more of an outline—you’re free to say and do whatever feels natural. We just need a clean shot of Diamond hypnotizing Kayla.”

Kayla flicked her eyes toward Diamond, who was already smirking at her. She smirked back, but neither of them had any idea what was truly going on in the other’s head.

Frances, arms crossed, scanned the room. “And as you’ll see, we’re setting this up as a game of Truth or Dare. But let’s keep it tasteful, people. We still plan on airing this.”

She shot a pointed look at Lestat, who merely chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief.

Sirius placed a reassuring hand on Kayla’s shoulder and leaned in, his voice low. “You got this.”

She nodded, whispering back, “Thanks.” But her eye never left Diamond’s. For the first time, she felt like she had the upper hand.

Terry clapped her hands together, bringing the focus back to the group. “Alright, we’re going counterclockwise, starting with Itachi. Once everyone’s had a turn, we’ll call it a wrap.”

A brief silence followed as the bachelors skimmed their scripts one last time before handing them back to Terry.

With everything in place, Terry, Daniel, and Frances moved out of the frame, positioning themselves behind the cameras.

Kevin, the cameraman, gave a quick signal. “Rolling!” His voice rang through the room.
“And… action!”

Itachi cleared his throat, his sharp gaze settling on Legolas. “Truth or dare?”

Legolas straightened slightly. “Truth.”

A brief pause. Then, Itachi asked, “What is one feature of Kayla that you find most attractive?”

Legolas hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. While he couldn’t deny that Kayla was a striking woman, he wasn’t accustomed to such direct questions—especially from someone as composed as Itachi.

After a beat, he finally answered, “Her modesty.”

Hatsuharu and Gladio chuckled under their breath.

Childe, on the other hand, let out a loud groan. “Seriously? That’s your answer?”

Legolas frowned slightly. “What? It is a virtue worth admiring.”

Hatsuharu smirked. “Yeah, yeah. Very noble of you, Legolas.”

Kayla couldn’t help but laugh. Despite her shy demeanor, she was anything but modest—at least, not in the way Legolas meant. She had no shame in embracing her sexuality, and her wardrobe often leaned toward the more provocative side. But for a chivalrous elven prince, his answer made perfect sense.

Jack clapped his hands together. “Alright, my turn! Kayla, truth or dare?”

Kayla hesitated for a second before deciding, “I’ll go with truth.”

Jack chuckled, leaning back against the couch. “Playing it safe, I see. Alright then—what’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?”

Lestat scoffed, swirling the wine in his glass. “Of course, the drunken pirate would ask such a question.”

Jack shot him a grin. “What can I say? A man has his priorities.”

Kayla tapped her chin, pretending to think hard. “That’s a tough one. But I’d have to say fruity cocktails—mojitos and mimosas are my go-to.”

Sirius nodded approvingly. “Good choices, love. We’ll have to share a few sometime.”

“Though I’m not a heavy drinker. Too much alcohol makes me sleepy.” Kayla added.

Some of the bachelors laughed.

Jack chuckled. “A lightweight, huh? That just means you’re a cheap date.”

Kayla rolled her eyes playfully. “Or it just means I like remembering my nights out.”

More laughter rippled through the group, but Kayla noticed Diamond watching her with an unreadable smirk. There was something calculating in his gaze, like he was already plotting his next move.

Kayla cleared her throat, trying to shake the feeling. “Alright, my turn.” Her eyes scanned the room before settling on Childe. “Truth or dare?”

Childe leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. “Oh, let’s make this fun—dare.”

Kayla tapped her chin in thought before grinning. “Alright, I dare you to do an impression of one of the other bachelors.”

Childe smirked. “Easy.” He stood up dramatically, rolling his shoulders before slipping into an exaggeratedly smooth tone. “Ah, my dear, sweet Kayla,” he purred in the worst European accent that sounded a blend of Italian, German and Russian. “You are a vision, a muse, a celestial being gracing this mortal plane. How shall I ever endure the agony of your absence when this competition ends?”

Lestat raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, while the rest of the group burst into laughter.

Alucard crossed his arms, feigning offense. “And who, exactly, was that supposed to be?”

Childe smirked, completely unapologetic. “Well, it was supposed to be Lestat, but…” He paused, tilting his head. “Now that you mention it, I guess it did sound a little like you too.”

Lestat scoffed, shaking his head. “That was dreadful.”

Jack wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. “No, that was pure gold.”

Sirius, clearly entertained, leaned forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Alright, do Genesis next!”

Childe grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. He cleared his throat, flipping his hair dramatically before adopting a brooding expression.

"I am Genesis Rhapsodos," he declared in an exaggeratedly dramatic voice, clutching an imaginary book. "A hero, a poet, a man of unparalleled depth!"

Alucard smirked while Lestat rolled his eyes. Kayla barely suppressed a giggle as Childe continued, pacing back and forth.

"Oh, woe is the heart that beats alone! A crimson sky weeps for love unspoken, and the wind carries whispers of sorrow and longing!" He dramatically gestured into the distance as if he were performing a soliloquy before suddenly turning, eyes dark with false intensity. "Tell me, dost thou see the moon’s gentle glow and think of me, lost in the abyss of desire?"

Caleb let out a snort, slapping his knee. "That was amazing and terrible at the same time."

Genesis crossed his arms. “Is that really what I sound like?”

“Have you ever listened to yourself?” Hatsuharu teased, smirking. “Because that was spot-on.”

Before Genesis could retort, Caleb shot upright, eyes gleaming. “My turn! Hatsuharu, truth or dare?”

Hatsuharu cracked his knuckles. “Dare me.”

Caleb's grin turned downright devilish as an idea struck him. He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Alright, Hatsuharu, I dare you to—" he paused for dramatic effect, letting the anticipation build, “I dare you to wear one of Kayla’s outfits.”

A collective “Ooooh” rippled through the room, amusement and intrigue lighting up everyone’s faces. Kayla chuckled at the absurdity of it, already entertained by the mental image.

Hatsuharu, unfazed, merely shrugged. “Should be easy.” He turned to Kayla, completely deadpan. “Go pick out something nice for me to wear.”

Childe leaned in with an exaggerated smirk. “Ooh, and make him look sexy!”

Kayla laughed, already heading for the stairs. “I’ll see what I can come up with!”

The moment she disappeared, the group immediately began tossing out suggestions.

“Make it something short,” Sirius called.

“Don’t forget accessories!” Jack added, barely containing his laughter.

Kayla returned a few moments later, holding up her selection with a triumphant smirk. “Alright, Haru. Try this on.”

She handed him a black velvet off-the-shoulder top, a red leather mini skirt, and a pair of fishnet stockings.

The room erupted.

“Oh my god,” Childe wheezed, clutching his stomach. “That’s perfect!”

Hatsuharu smirked. “You’ve got style!”

He took the clothes and headed to the bathroom to change. When he came out wearing Kayla’s clothes, almost everyone laughed and gave wolf whistles. The outfit looked so tight on him that it restricted his movement, but he pretended to be feminine.

He strutted back into the room, head held high, one hand on his hip as he dramatically flicked imaginary hair over his shoulder. The black velvet top clung to his broad frame, the off-the-shoulder cut barely staying in place. The red leather mini skirt, clearly not designed for someone of his build, barely reached mid-thigh, and the fishnet stockings stretched comically tight over his legs. He moved stiffly, his usual grace hindered by the restrictive fit, but that didn’t stop him from committing fully to the bit.

The reaction was immediate.

Childe practically collapsed against the couch, howling with laughter. “I—I can’t breathe—”

Lance gave an exaggerated wolf whistle. “Damn, Haru, you’re working that outfit!”

Gladio wiped away fake tears. “I’ve never been more attracted to a man in my life.”

Lestat, unimpressed, sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You all have the maturity of a pack of drunkards.”

Meanwhile, Kayla was losing it. She had to clutch onto the armrest of a chair to keep herself steady. “Oh my god, I didn’t think you’d actually pull it off!”

Hatsuharu, without missing a beat, lifted a hand to his chest in a dainty, dramatic gesture. “Pull it off? Darling, I am thriving.”

Then, with all the grace of a runway model, he attempted to take a step forward—only for the skirt’s tightness to completely betray him. He stumbled, nearly toppling over, and had to catch himself on a table. The room exploded.

Caleb wheezed. “Dude, you can’t even walk in that thing!”

Hatsuharu regained his composure, flipping an imaginary lock of hair. “I am simply too powerful for this fabric.”

Childe, still laughing, pointed at his legs. “Forget walking—can you even sit down in that?”

Hatsuharu’s smirk faltered ever so slightly as he looked down at himself. “…That’s a great question.”

“Try it!” Kayla encouraged, giggling uncontrollably.

With exaggerated confidence, Hatsuharu attempted to lower himself onto a chair—but the skirt had other plans. The fabric strained, refusing to budge, and he found himself awkwardly hovering mid-squat, unable to bend his knees past a certain point.

A few seconds passed. The room erupted.

Caleb was wheezing. “Dude, you look like a malfunctioning action figure!”

Childe wiped away tears of laughter. “Oh my god, this is the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

Hatsuharu, still frozen in his ridiculous half-sitting position, sighed dramatically and straightened up with as much dignity as he could muster. “Yeah, you know what?” He dusted off the very tight skirt. “I think I’m just gonna stand for the rest of the game.”

~

The game continued, each turn bringing a mix of ridiculous, embarrassing, and downright chaotic dares. Alucard had dared Lance to act like a chicken, resulting in a surprisingly theatrical performance. Others had been more provocative, particularly toward Kayla—Gladio had grinned as he asked about her first kiss, while Genesis, ever the dramatist, had dared her to sit on his lap for the rest of the game.

Then it was Diamond’s turn. He leaned forward, his gaze playful yet unreadable. “Kayla, truth or dare?”

Kayla hummed, pretending to deliberate before flashing a confident smirk. “Dare.”

Diamond’s grin widened. “I dare you to call me Daddy for the rest of the day.”

The room erupted.

Childe immediately choked on his drink, nearly doubling over. Jack’s laughter was instant and unfiltered. Caleb’s eyes widened before he let out an exaggerated “Ohhhh shit.”

But Kayla… her playful expression vanished in an instant. Her stomach twisted, her body tensing involuntarily.

Her first instinct was to laugh it off, but there was an underlying nervousness gnawing at her. There’s no way he could’ve overheard that conversation with Terry… right?

Her eyes flicked toward Terry, silently pleading for an out. “Um… that wasn’t part of the script…”

Terry, completely unfazed, shot her a thumbs-up. “Keep going, you’re doing great!”

Kayla’s mouth went dry. Not the response I was hoping for. She turned back to Diamond, shifting uncomfortably. “Can’t you dare me to do something else? Something that—” she hesitated, lowering her voice slightly, “—won’t make my parents think I’m slutty?”

Diamond’s smirk deepened. “Your parents aren’t here, are they?”

“No, but…” She trailed off, scanning the room, suddenly feeling the weight of everyone’s attention. The way they were watching her—some amused, some concerned, and a few… visibly pissed.

The playful atmosphere had fractured. A tense silence settled between them, stretching unbearably long.

Then Frances spoke up, his voice cool and expectant. “Well? Are you gonna say something?”

Legolas gave Kayla a look of sadness, while Valtor reached over to put his hand on her knee. “Do it!” He whispered with encouragement.

Then she looked over at Sirius who mouthed, “Don’t look him in the eyes.”

Diamond exhaled through his nose, tilting his head as if he was trying to understand something deeply perplexing. “You’re telling me,” he mused, voice casual but pointed, “that you’re willing to kiss strangers, sit on their laps, and even share your clothes with them, but this harmless little dare is where you draw the line?”

His eyes flickered—violet shifting to red.

Kayla had mere seconds to react. If she met his gaze for even a moment longer, she’d be trapped. Her breath hitched, and she forced herself to focus past him, locking onto the painting of a sunset on the wall instead.

A trickle of fear ran down her spine, but she steeled herself, allowing her voice to slip into something dazed, almost mechanical. “…I’m sorry, Daddy.”

The tension in the room snapped.

Gladio’s jaw clenched, his entire body going rigid as he immediately recognized what had just happened. His sharp glare cut to Diamond, eyes dark with fury. Without hesitation, he shoved forward, fists clenched, ready to swing. “You manipulative bastard—”

Genesis and Lance lunged, grabbing his arms before he could throw a punch. “Not now,” Genesis hissed, voice low.

“Let go,” Gladio growled, but Lance tightened his grip.

Meanwhile, Diamond leaned back, completely at ease, his smirk deepening as he murmured, “Good girl.”

Kayla shuddered.

In an instant, his eyes flickered back to their usual violet hue, as if nothing had happened.
Terry, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air, clapped her hands together. “Cut! That was great! Let’s go around the room one more time and—”

Before she could finish, Gladio shoved past Lance and Genesis, his movements stiff with barely restrained fury.

“I need a moment,” he muttered, his voice tight.

Without another word, he turned and strode upstairs, leaving the room in a stunned silence.

Frances put her hands on her hips. “There goes another one.”

Daniel leaned back, ever the voice of reason. “Give him time.” Then, addressing the group, he added, “Why don’t we all take five?”

Kayla chewed on her lip, feeling a pang of guilt. She hadn’t warned Gladio about the plan—she had expected him to go along with the game, to brush it off like nothing had happened. His reaction, however, had been far from scripted.

She sat up, ready to follow him, but before she could move, Valtor’s voice stopped her. “And where do you think you’re going?”

She turned to find him watching her with knowing amusement, one brow arched.

“To talk to Gladio,” she said firmly. “I need to tell him what’s going on.”

Valtor leaned back, effortlessly composed. “He’s aware. I informed everyone last night. He’s just playing it up for the cameras.”

Kayla inhaled deeply, steadying herself. She wanted to believe him—wanted to trust that, for all his cunning, Valtor was at least consistent. He was a master manipulator, yes, but he was also true to his word. She recalled that infamous scene from Winx Club, where he had so effortlessly revealed the truth about Bloom’s parents, his voice unwavering, his conviction absolute.

A man like Valtor didn’t lie for the sake of lying—he lied strategically.

“Okay,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

She caught a glimpse of Daniel and Terry heading upstairs, likely to check on Gladio.

Kayla turned back to Valtor, trying to keep her expression neutral. “I’m just gonna get something to drink,” she said casually.
Valtor’s smirk didn’t waver, but there was something knowing in his gaze, as if he could see straight through her. “Of course,” he said smoothly, his voice laced with amusement as he watched her turn away.
Kayla made her way to the kitchen, where Hatsuharu, Legolas, Childe, and Sirius were gathered. Hatsuharu and Childe were laughing about something, completely at ease, while Legolas’s expression darkened the moment he saw her.

“Are you alright, Lady Kayla?” Legolas asked softly, his concern evident.

Kayla forced a small smile, keeping her voice low. “I’m fine. Diamond didn’t hypnotize me,” she reassured him, her fingers brushing against the cool metal of a seltzer can as she pulled it from the fridge. “I was just… staring at the wall.”

She cracked open the can, the sharp hiss filling the brief silence.

Sirius leaned against the counter, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You put on quite a show there.”

Kayla took a sip, the carbonation fizzing against her tongue. “Let’s just hope I can keep this up,” she murmured, her gaze flickering toward the doorway, wary of who might be listening. Then, barely above a whisper, she added, “I don’t want Diamond… I mean Daddy to catch on.”

Childe choked on his drink. Hatsuharu had to slap him on the back as he doubled over in laughter.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. “You know, that might be the most disturbing thing you’ve ever said.”

Kayla groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Don’t remind me.”

Terry reappeared briskly, clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone—Gladio’s filming a confessional with Daniel, so we’re going to continue without him.”

With that, the bachelors and Kayla made their way back to the living room. Kayla’s pulse pounded against her ribs as she settled onto the couch, silently praying that no one would dare involve her in anything with Diamond again. Just thinking about calling him Daddy made her stomach churn, the taste of bile creeping into her throat.

Terry, ever the enthusiastic host, beamed as she clapped her hands together. “Alright! Same format as before—we’ll go counterclockwise, starting with Itachi and ending with Diamond.”

Itachi waited for his cue, then his sharp gaze landed on Kayla. “Truth or dare?”

Kayla hesitated for a fraction of a second before deciding to play it safe. “Um… truth.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Diamond smirking, clearly entertained as he watched Itachi carefully consider his question.

Finally, Itachi spoke. “You once said I was your first anime crush. What is it that draws you to me?”

A low whistle cut through the room.

“Damn,” Childe snickered, leaning back. “Didn’t expect the world’s most serious ninja to go straight for the romance angle.”

Itachi barely spared him a glance. “I’m just curious.”

Kayla shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling way too many eyes on her. She forced a nervous chuckle. “Well… I’ve always had a thing for bad boys.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “And you have this whole goth aesthetic that I really like.”

Itachi blinked, tilting his head slightly. “Goth?” he repeated, as if the word was entirely foreign to him.

“It's a style of art and music.” Hatsuharu explained.

Alucard folded his hands in his lap, his golden eyes thoughtful. “The origins of the gothic aesthetic can be traced back to the Germanic tribes of the late fourth century, though the modern expression is more deeply rooted in the architecture, literature, and philosophy of later centuries. Dark hues, intricate designs, an affinity for the macabre—these elements define true gothic fashion, much like what Lestat and I wear.” His voice, ever smooth and refined, carried a faint note of melancholy. “It is not merely a style, but a reflection of something deeper… an appreciation for beauty within the shadows.”

"I see." Itachi nodded slowly. “Though I don’t think I consider myself as goth. My Akatsuki cloak is only a uniform I wear. It doesn’t represent what I would actually wear.”

Kayla raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And how would you describe your sense of style.”

Itachi was quiet for a moment before responding, “I prefer bright colors. I’m particularly fond of light blue.”

Hatsuharu burst out laughing. “Wait, seriously? The brooding, tough guy actually likes colors?”

Itachi remained unfazed. “It reminds me of the sky. Something freeing. Being a shinobi is all about honor, duty, and bloodshed. And I find blue to be a color of comfort.”

“How poetic.” Lance teased.

Childe nudged Kayla. “So, your ‘bad boy’ crush is actually a softie.”

Kayla smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Sirius chuckled. “I don’t know. I think the idea of Itachi walking around in a bright blue sweater kind of ruins the whole mysterious ninja vibe.”

Itachi tilted his head. “I don’t see how color negates one’s abilities.”

Jack clapped his hands together, steering the conversation back on track. “Alright, alright, enough about colors. It’s my turn.”

He turned toward Lestat, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Truth or dare?”

Lestat tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. “I’ll be bold and go with dare.”

Jack leaned forward, his grin widening. “Perfect. I dare you to sing the most ridiculous, over-the-top love song you can think of to Kayla.”

Kayla burst out laughing.

Lestat placed a hand over his heart and met her gaze with unwavering confidence. “Oh, ma chérie, you best wipe that grin from your face, for I shall serenade you with a song so divine, even the heavens will weep.”
Genesis smirked, leaning back. “This is gonna be good.”
Without hesitation, Lestat stood and took center stage in the middle of the room. With all the grace of a seasoned performer, he spread his arms dramatically before launching into an operatic serenade, his tenor voice rich, velvety, and undeniably captivating. His vibrato resonated throughout the room, filling the space with an almost hypnotic energy.
The laughter and jeers that had started at the dare quickly faded into stunned silence. His voice was beautiful. Breathtaking, even. Every note carried an intensity that made it impossible to look away.

As he neared the song’s climax, Lestat extended a hand toward Kayla, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. Before she could react, he took her hands in his and gently pulled her to her feet, guiding her to the center of the room with him.

Kayla’s entire body tensed, her face burning so hot she was sure she was about to combust. “W-wait, hold on—” she stammered, but the moment she met Lestat’s gaze, she lost all ability to form a coherent argument.

The others erupted into cheers and whistles, fully invested in the spectacle unfolding before them.

Lestat dipped Kayla dramatically as he belted out the final note, holding her steady with ease. When he finally released her, he smirked. “That, ma belle, was the Flower Song from Carmen. What did you think?”

Kayla, still breathless and completely flustered, muttered, “That was… something, alright.”

Chapter 10: Daddy Diamond and his Baby Girl

Summary:

TW: Tickling and dubious consent.

The game of Truth or Dare intensified, each prompt growing bolder and more provocative than the last. Kayla had quickly become everyone's favorite target, determined not to back down despite her heart racing faster with every passing round.

Legolas, perhaps sensing the rising tension or simply oblivious to it, offered a relatively innocent dare. “Kayla,” he said gently, his voice soft and curious, “I dare you to see how many grapes you can stuff into your mouth.”

The room immediately erupted into laughter, Childe and Hatsuharu exchanging amused glances.

“Seriously, Legolas?” Childe chuckled, nudging the elf prince teasingly. “Could you possibly act any more virginal?”

Hatsuharu snickered beside him. “Leave it to the elf to pick something wholesome.”

Ignoring their teasing, Kayla bravely reached for the bowl of grapes, determined to prove herself. But to her embarrassment, she could barely fit four grapes before her mouth felt full, her cheeks puffed out comically.

Lestat leaned back, observing her struggle with a sly smirk. “Well, isn’t that precious?” he drawled, eyes gleaming mischievously. “Such a tiny mouth—but I suppose that's normal for a delicate flower like you.”

Genesis rolled his eyes dramatically, groaning aloud. “Must you turn absolutely everything into an innuendo?”

But Hatsuharu took it as a challenge, eyes sparkling mischievously as he leaned forward. “My turn. Kayla, truth or dare?”

Kayla hesitated, feeling all eyes on her. "Dare."

Hatsuharu's grin widened mischievously. “I dare you to kiss me—and not just a quick peck. I'm talking about a real kiss.”

Kayla blushed fiercely, biting her lip nervously. Before she could respond, Childe scowled slightly, crossing his arms. "Really? You're just trying to outdo everyone else now, aren't you?"

Hatsuharu shrugged, still grinning. “Fair is fair. You, Valtor and Lestat all got kisses the other night. Don't I deserve equal treatment?”

Childe immediately bristled, visibly annoyed. Valtor smirked and placed a friendly palm on his shoulder, but Childe brushed him off irritably. The attempt at comfort only seemed to worsen his mood.

Kayla's cheeks burned as she slowly stood, making her way toward Hatsuharu, who awaited her with a teasing, expectant grin.

Taking a steadying breath, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Hatsuharu eagerly reciprocated, deepening the kiss without hesitation.

Jack fanned himself theatrically. “It's getting hot in here!”

“Ew, was that tongue?” Lance teased, dramatically shielding his eyes as laughter erupted around them.

Kayla quickly pulled away, her face scarlet. “No, there wasn’t!” she protested.

Valtor smirked mischievously. “I could've sworn Haru tried slipping in a little tongue.”

Kayla shook her head, flustered, and hurried back to the couch, sinking between Caleb and Jack. “You guys are unbearable, you know that?”

But the questions only got bolder. Kayla was pulled into three more rounds, and this time, she stuck firmly to choosing truth—anything to avoid another dare spiraling out of control.

Genesis leaned forward first, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What’s something that turns you on... that isn’t sexual?"

Kayla shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of everyone's attention pressing down on her. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice barely above a whisper as she admitted, "Leather."

The word seemed to hang in the air, making her cheeks burn even hotter.

Then Alucard, ever calm and piercing, asked, "Have you ever cheated on someone?" She shook her head quickly—at least that one was easy.

Finally, Lance flashed a boyish grin and lobbed what seemed like a harmless question: "Are you ticklish?"

 

Kayla’s heart skipped. Her mind immediately veered to dangerous territory—private fantasies she definitely didn’t want exposed here. She swallowed hard, cheeks burning, and managed only a soft, flustered, "Yes."

Caleb leaned forward eagerly, a wicked grin on his face. "Aw, look at her! She's blushing again."

Kayla tried to hide her face behind her hands. "Stop it! No, I'm not."

Sirius smirked, leaning back comfortably. "Oh, really? Then why's your face practically glowing?"

"Because you're all embarrassing me!" Kayla protested, peeking through her fingers.

Lance chuckled innocently. "What's so embarrassing about being tickled?" he teased, clearly amused by her reaction.

Diamond, who had been quiet this whole time, finally flashed a crooked smile. "Maybe there's more to that blush than she's letting on."

Kayla had no time to respond before Diamond's voice shifted subtly, becoming authoritative and commanding. She quickly focused on a painting behind him, feigning a hypnotized voice to avoid his gaze. "Tickling... is a huge turn-on for me, Daddy."

Everyone erupted into laughter and playful shock.

Caleb's eyes widened. "Whoa, didn't see that coming."

Genesis leaned forward, amused. "Fascinating revelations tonight, aren't they?"

Diamond, satisfied, leaned back casually, his eyes glinting. "My turn. Kayla—truth or dare?"

Kayla swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "T-Truth, Daddy."

Diamond's smile widened slowly, eyes glinting mischievously. “Tell me, Kayla—what’s your biggest fantasy you haven't dared to share with anyone else?”

A stunned silence fell over the room, broken only by a few scandalized chuckles and curious murmurs. Kayla's blush deepened to a vivid scarlet, heart racing uncontrollably. Her gaze flicked desperately to the showrunners, but they seemed just as captivated as everyone else—no rescue was coming.

She swallowed hard, realizing there was no way out of this one. She'd have to admit it, even if it meant facing the embarrassment head-on.

“Well, I’ve always fantasized about being gang-banged and tickled.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She avoided eye contact with everyone and stared at the ground.

Everyone’s jaws dropped.

Sirius was the first to break the stunned silence. "Damn.”

Hatsuharu gave a playful whistle, eyes glinting with amusement. "Kinky."

Lestat leaned forward, his smirk dangerously intrigued. "It appears I underestimated you, ma chère. Perhaps you are not a flower after all, but a lioness in heat."

~

The next round circled back to Itachi. He met her gaze calmly, his tone quiet but clear. “Alright, Kayla, truth or dare?”

She hesitated. The game had been going on for an hour and the prompts were only getting more provocative.. “…Truth.”

He gave the faintest hint of a smile, the kind that barely touched his lips. “If you had to pick one of us to sneak away with for a midnight rendezvous… who would it be?”

Kayla shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m still getting to know all of you.”

Childe crossed his arms. “Pfft, what kinda answer is that?””

Lance nodded thoughtfully. “To be fair, we did just meet her yesterday.”

“That’s plenty of time,” Childe retorted. “Some of us make strong first impressions.”

“Yeah, and some of us just make loud ones,” Genesis muttered under his breath.

Childe turned toward him, smirking. “You’re just jealous because I kissed her and you didn’t!”

Genesis brushed his bangs out of his face. “We have 14 weeks together. That’s plenty of time.” His eyes never left Kayla’s.

“That’s the spirit!” Jack cried, grinning like a madman. He spun around and pointed at Hatsuharu. “Truth or dare.”

Hatsuharu leaned back casually, cracking his knuckles with a confident smirk. “Dare me.”

Jack’s eyes lit up like a kid on pirate-themed candy. “Alright. I dare you to… run around the room pretending you're a majestic unicorn—complete with sound effects. And you have to narrate your tragic backstory as you gallop.”

The room erupted with laughter.

Caleb nearly doubled over. “What kind of dare is that?!”

Sirius raised his drink. “A brilliant one.”

Legolas giggled, already bracing for impact. “Hatsuharu, you better commit. I want hooves.”

Hatsuharu gave a theatrical sigh as if this were beneath him—but then stood with the solemnity of a man about to perform Hamlet.

“If I must,” he said, placing a hand over his chest. “Prepare yourselves for the tale of Thunderblaze the Lonely.”

He dropped to all fours and began to gallop around the circle, letting out high-pitched whinnies between dramatic narration.

“I was born under a blood moon… abandoned by the herd… cursed with sparkling hooves and a horn too fabulous for this world…”

Everyone was in hysterics.

Genesis had to wipe tears from his eyes. “I’m losing brain cells just watching this.”

Hatsuharu reared up on his knees. “And now I wander... searching for a rider brave enough to tame my wild heart!”

He turned, locked eyes with Kayla, and dramatically neighed. “Perhaps… she is the one.”

Kayla dissolved into laughter, practically falling into Itachi.

Jack gave a slow, exaggerated clap. “Bravo. A performance worthy of legend.”

The game spiraled further into chaos with every round—spicy truths and ridiculous dares flying across the circle like wildfire.
Jack dared Sirius to chug an entire jar of pickle juice, which he did with theatrical flair and visible regret. Childe, leaning in with predatory interest, asked Legolas if he’d ever had a forbidden romance, to which the elf only offered a cryptic smile and said, “Once, in the forest. That’s all I’ll say.”

Genesis, never one to waste a moment, dared Kayla to kiss him—and from there, it became a cascade. One by one, the bachelors found their way to her lips. She was breathless, blushing, and laughing between kisses, a little dizzy from all the attention.

Then the final turn came. Diamond leaned forward with that signature, slow-burning smirk. “Truth or dare?”

Kayla froze. Her instinct screamed truth, but deep down, she knew he’d be expecting that. If she showed fear, he’d seize it. “…Dare,” she said finally, forcing a smile. “Daddy.”

The silence that followed was thick and loaded, some of the guys visibly shifting with discomfort or anticipation.

Diamond tilted his head, savoring the moment. “I dare you to read us one of your fanfics.”

Kayla blinked. “Like… any of them?”

Diamond’s grin widened, dark and amused. “Your favorite. And make sure it’s sexy.”

The breath caught in her throat. She stood slowly. “Alright. I’ll go grab my laptop.”

Lance leaned forward with a hopeful grin. “I hope this one’s about me.”

Kayla rolled her eyes with a shy laugh and slipped out of the room. But halfway up the stairs, she nearly bumped into Gladio.

“Oh—Gladio,” she said, surprised. “Are you okay?”

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, jaw tight. “I’m fine. Just needed to blow off some steam.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “What about you? Is Diamond still playing his little mind games?”

Kayla hesitated, then shook her head. “No. I’ve been pretending the whole time.”

Gladio’s expression shifted, brows furrowing. “Wait… what?”

“I thought Valtor told you,” she said, confused. “He told everyone else.”

“Well, he didn’t tell me,” Gladio muttered, clearly annoyed.

Before she could respond, Diamond’s voice floated up from below. “Don’t keep us waiting, doll.”

Kayla exhaled. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

Gladio gave a curt nod. “Yeah. We will.”

With that, Kayla grabbed her laptop and headed back downstairs, heart pounding—for more reasons than one.

“Sorry to keep you all waiting,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “Let me just find something I’m actually proud of.”

She sank onto the couch and opened her Archive of Our Own page, scrolling past dozens of drafts and works-in-progress. Eventually, she clicked on a fic titled Fairytale Ending—a slow-burn romance starring Sirius Black and an original character who, in every way that mattered, was just a dressed-up version of herself.

It was seven chapters long, but since Diamond had asked for something spicy, she went straight to the final one.

She glanced up at him. “Do you want me to read it, or would you rather do the honors?”

Diamond tilted his head, his smile sharp. “Oh, I’ll read it.”

Kayla handed him the laptop. As his eyes landed on the screen, the first word made his expression flicker.

“Sirius,” he read aloud, his voice cool.

The name rolled off his tongue with barely concealed irritation. He masked it quickly, but Kayla saw the slight clench in his jaw before he continued.

The others leaned in, clearly enjoying the moment.

Caleb nudged Lestat. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”

Sirius chuckled. “Careful, Diamond. Don’t let your jealousy show in your narration.”

Diamond gave no response—he simply cleared his throat, adjusted the laptop in his lap, and began to read. His voice, smooth and deliberate, filled the room. And though his tone was even, every now and then, there was a subtle bite behind the words—as if every line about Sirius set his teeth a little more on edge.

The story escalated quickly—what began with slow, teasing kisses soon built into breathless touches and the gradual shedding of clothes. By the final paragraphs, Sirius and Kayla’s self-insert were tangled in bedsheets, the writing steamy enough to fog up the room.
The bachelors exchanged a flurry of glances. Childe let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. Lance fanned himself dramatically, while Sirius—smug as ever—wore a grin that only grew wider with every sentence.
When Diamond finally reached the last line, he shut the laptop with deliberate care and handed it back to Kayla.
“That was… impressive,” he said flatly, his tone clipped and dry—like he’d just swallowed something bitter.
Kayla gave a sheepish smile, clutching the laptop like a shield as the room erupted into playful commentary.
As Kayla hugged the laptop to her chest, the room burst into commentary, each voice overlapping the next like a chaotic symphony of opinions.

Childe leaned forward, eyebrows raised. “Okay, but I wasn’t expecting it to get that detailed. You really went for it.” He shot her a teasing grin. “So… how do I get a chapter like that with me in it?”

Legolas’s face turned red. “I feel like I need a glass of water. Or a cold shower. Or both.”

Jack let out a loud laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’ll never look at Sirius the same way again. Well done, mate. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

Kayla’s cheeks burned as she clutched her laptop, her pulse still racing. As much as she tried to stay composed, she couldn’t ignore the warm flutter low in her stomach and a wetness between her legs. Listening to her own words, the way the game had unfolded, the attention—aroused her.

Terry clapped her hands together, cutting through the tension. “Aaaand cut! Fantastic job, everyone. I was titillated the entire time.”

Frances, ever the realist, added, “Unfortunately, we’ll have to cut the dramatic reading from the final edit.”

Terry sighed with mock disappointment. “Tragic. Kayla, would you mind joining us in the sound booth for a quick follow-up?”

Kayla nodded, still a little dazed, and followed Terry, Frances, and Daniel out of the room, leaving behind a chorus of playful whistles and applause from the boys.

Once inside the sound booth, Kayla’s eyes were immediately drawn to a large poster board on the wall. Six blank spaces sat beneath a row of numbered slots.

Kayla furrowed her brow. “What’s this?”

“You’ve spent a decent amount of time with the bachelors, so now it’s time for phase two. You’ll choose five guys to go on a group date with, and one bachelor for a solo date.” Daniel replied.

Kayla gave a nervous laugh. “Wait—I've barely known them for two days. I hardly got to know anyone on a deeper level.”

Frances crossed her arms. “Then go with your instincts.”

Terry chuckled, giving Kayla a gentle pat on the back. “Ignore her. You can take as much time as you need.”

Kayla turned back to the board, trying to clear her head. Memories from the past two days flashed through her mind. She remembered her conversation with Itachi—the quiet way he talked about life and purpose. She had definitely bonded with him.

Then there was Sirius, who had carried her to bed when she was too tired to move. Her heart had melted a little, and the memory brought a small smile to her face.

She scribbled both names on the board.

Hatsuharu was easy—he’d been chill and surprisingly thoughtful during their chat in the garden. She added him next.

But now… three blank spaces remained. And with eleven bachelors left, she felt completely torn.

“I don’t know who to pick for the last three,” she admitted, turning to the crew. “I need opinions.”

Terry didn’t hesitate. “Honestly? I loved that moment when Childe kissed you. Add him.”

Daniel nodded. “Lance. He’s genuine and humble..”

Frances rolled her eyes. “I have no comment. They're all chaos.”

Her pen hovered over the final space as an uneasy feeling crept into her chest. She didn’t want to write his name. But part of her felt she had to. Diamond had already hypnotized her twice, and if she didn’t tread carefully, it could happen again. Choosing him might be the safest move… even if it was the one she least wanted. Reluctantly, she wrote his name.

“Done,” she said quietly, handing the pen back to Terry.

Terry beamed. “Excellent lineup!”

Kayla looked at the board again—and then frowned. Diamond’s name was in the solo date slot.
“Actually,” she said quickly, “can I swap Itachi and Diamond?”

Terry nodded. “Of course.”

With a swipe of white-out, Kayla made the change, carefully rewriting the names. Itachi now held the solo slot, and Diamond was shifted to the group date—where he’d be easier to keep an eye on.

Just then, Daniel glanced at his phone. “Food’s here.”

Frances perked up. “Finally. I’m starving.”

Kayla stepped back from the board. “I’ll join you in a bit… I need to use the bathroom first.”

Daniel gave her a knowing look. “Stomach still acting up?”

Kayla nodded. “I’ll be okay, though.”

She brushed past the crew and sprinted up the stairs to her room. Finally, some time to herself. Even if it was a few minutes. She needed to release some pent up sexual frustration. She flopped on the bed. She reached across the nightstand and took out her vibrator as a fantasy began to play in her mind…

~

She saw herself back in the living room, the game of Truth or Dare still underway—but this time, when Diamond asked, the words that slipped from her lips were different.

"Dare," she heard herself say, the word heavy with anticipation.

Diamond's lips twisted into a devilish grin. "I dare you to let us tickle you for one minute straight."

Kayla's heartbeat quickened as the thirteen men moved closer, surrounding her in a circle of mischievous smiles and eager gazes, each filled with a hungry, playful energy.

"A full minute, huh?" Kayla tried to sound confident, but her voice trembled just enough to betray her nerves. Still, she lifted her chin defiantly. "You're on."

Diamond glanced over at Terry, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Start the timer."

Terry nodded, pulling out her phone obediently.

Diamond's smirk widened as he turned back to the others. "Pin her down—I want to see her squirm."

Kayla felt a thrill run down her spine as Itachi and Legolas each took hold of her arms, while Genesis and Jack firmly gripped her legs, leaving her completely immobilized.

Diamond raised a hand dramatically. "Now—start tickling!"

“Let’s start with her feet,” Hatsuharu declared mischievously, peeling off one of Kayla’s socks before brushing his fingertips teasingly against her skin.

Kayla squirmed beneath her captors, laughter bubbling uncontrollably from her lips.

Valtor's smirk deepened as he watched her reactions. “Well, well—someone’s enjoying herself.”
With deliberate slowness, he lifted her shirt just enough to expose her stomach, his fingertips lightly tracing patterns across her sensitive skin.

Kayla writhed helplessly beneath their touch, laughter intensifying as more hands joined in, teasing her mercilessly from every direction. Her heart raced wildly, caught between embarrassment and exhilaration as the relentless tickling continued.

Valtor’s hands grew bolder, circling her navel before trailing lower—just enough to make her shiver, not quite crossing a line, but skimming it dangerously. “Sensitive, aren’t we?” he murmured with a purr, his breath brushing her ear.

Genesis smirked as he brushed his fingertips along the dip of her collarbone, while Childe joined in, running a single finger along her thigh just below the hem of her shorts.

“You look so helpless,” Childe teased, his voice low, playful. “Maybe we should up the stakes?”

Kayla’s face burned, laughter mixed with gasps as her body twisted under their touch.

“I think she’s begging for mercy,” Lestat drawled from behind her, voice like silk and sin.

Diamond shook his head. “She doesn’t get a say in it. She is supposed to do what she is told.”

“I wonder if her tits are ticklish?” Sirius mused as he felt an ache in his groin.

Diamond smirked. “Lets find out!”

“Please, no!” Kayla begged but she could barely get the words out because how much she was laughing.

Diamond didn’t listen, and he raised her shirt over her head and unclasped her black bra. Her small breasts were now in full view for all the guys to see. The guys murmured approving comments.

The albino prince leaned in, dancing his fingers across Kayla’s firm tits. Her fits of laughter became screams as she thrashed against him.

“Aaw, I think that means she likes it.” Childe teased as he took off Kayla’s other sock.

“Are you turned on, baby girl?” Valtor asked. His breath gently brushed against her ear, only intensifying the sensation.

“Y-yes,” Kayla moaned in between laughs.

Diamond leaned down, his mouth capturing one of her nipples, sucking and biting until she cried out. The mixture of pain and pleasure sent shockwaves of heat straight to her core. “You're so sensitive, doll.”

“Please….hahaha…stop…”

Genesis shook his head. “Why stop? We are having so much fun!”

“Besides, you still have forty five seconds left!” Terry added, pointing to her phone.

Forty-five seconds? She could barely get past the first fifteen. Would she be able to survive the slow torture?

“I wonder if we can get her to cum before time runs out?” Caleb thought out loud.

“I’d be happy to test out that theory.” Diamond said, his hands palming her breasts, his thumbs circling her nipples. Kayla squirmed, her breath hitching as he pinched and rolled them between his fingers.

“Noooo! Hahaha you’re killing me!” Kayla protested.

Diamond slid his hands down her body and began to unbutton her shorts. As he did so, his eyes never left hers. He slid her panties down, leaving her completely nude.

“Whoa, look at her pussy.” Childe licked his lips. “It's already so pink and wet.”

“Hahaha, Daddy, please, hahaha!”

Diamond smirked. “Whats the matter? You don’t wanna cum for us?” He traced his hands up her thighs.

“I do but…hahaha”

“Look at her. She’s as red as a tomato.” Valtor taunted as he stroked her hair.

“So sexy!” Genesis added.

Diamond leaned in between her legs stuck his pinkie inside, and gazed inside her with a satisfied look on his face. “What a beautiful cunt you have.” He flicked his tongue against her clit, and she moaned.

“Fuck, I can’t take it anymore.” Hatsuharu groaned as he undid his pants, took out his cock as he watched Diamond torment Kayla.

The guys that weren’t holding down Kayla did the same. Their cocks were big and hard, needing to release. They stroked themselves as she came undone.

“You're putting on quite a show.” Sirius teased.

Diamond leaned in, dragging his tongue along Kayla’s slit in one long, slow lick. A shuddering moan tore from her throat at the exquisite sensation.

“Twenty more seconds!” Terry announced with excitement.

Kayla was thrashing underneath the competitors, unable to stop moaning and laughing. Valtor, Genesis, and Sirius continued their ticklish assault, while Diamond ate her and the others watched.

“I'm…gonna…hahaha.” Kayla began.

“She’s so close.” Lestat said, as his cock throbbed in his hand.

“Cum for us, baby!” Genesis cooed.

Kayla couldn’t take it anymore. She felt her inner walls tighten and release as clear liquid oozed onto Diamond’s tongue. He eagerly lapped up her juices.

Terry grimaced, somewhat disappointed. “You still have ten more seconds.”

Then the crew started to count down in unison. Nearly all the bachelors jerked off as they continued to watch Diamond eat Kayla’s pussy. When they reached the zero mark, some of them came on various parts of Kayla’s body.

~

Kayla turned off her vibrator and quickly cleaned it with a tissue. Then she laid in bed for a few minutes, as the orgasm she had was earth-shattering. She heard the bachelor's and crew talking and laughing downstairs. She sighed and adjusted her clothes before joining everyone.

Chapter 11: Lights, Camera, Shopping!!!

11. Lights, Camera, Shopping!

Kayla joined everyone for lunch, drawn in by the smell of warm tortillas and sizzling spices. Today’s spread was a taco buffet, with choices of beef, chicken, fish, or tofu. The kitchen and living room were absolutely swarming with people—bachelors joking, producers darting around, and crew hauling cameras back and forth.

She weaved through the chaos until she found a spot on the couch squeezed between Sirius and Valtor. Perfect. Just who she needed to corner.

But before she could even open her mouth, Valtor’s eyes narrowed, catching her tense expression. “You look like you just bit into a lemon. Something wrong?”

She didn’t bother sugarcoating it. “I thought you said you told everyone about the plan.”

Valtor’s brow lifted lazily. “I did.”

“Except Gladio. He had no clue that anyone else was in on this.” Her voice was low, but firm.

Valtor didn’t so much as flinch. A smirk curled at his lips, like this was nothing more than amusing gossip. “Honestly, he’s weak competition. The way he acts around Diamond? He’s practically begging to be disqualified.”

Sirius, who had been lounging comfortably, now sat up and crossed his arms over his chest. His cool gray eyes flicked between them. “So this was all part of your little scheme? You had your own agenda from the start.”

Valtor gave a shrug so casual it was insulting. “Can you really blame me? Look around. It worked, didn’t it?”

Kayla’s scowled. “I don’t believe you.” Without waiting for a response, she pushed herself off the couch and stalked away, leaving Valtor’s smug grin behind.

A few heads turned at the sudden tension.

Sirius stood up too, brushing invisible lint from his pants as he followed. “I’ll talk to Gladio,” he said quietly, already moving in the opposite direction.

Kayla found a quiet spot in the corner of the room—on the floor, no less—next to Jack, who was seated like a statue, arms resting on his knees, observing the chaos like it was just another episode of television.

He glanced at her. “Lovers’ quarrel?”

She let out a half-hearted laugh. “I don’t even know if you can call it that.”

 

Jack leaned in slightly, waggling his eyebrows. “Oh, come now. A dramatic exit, wounded pride, the brooding stare? Sounds like a lovers’ quarrel if I ever saw one. And I’ve seen quite a few.”

Kayla shook her head. “I just… I don’t know who to trust anymore.”

He nodded sagely, as if this were the most obvious conclusion in the world. “Ah yes. Trust. Slippery little thing, that. Hard to find, easy to fake, and usually hiding behind a charming smile and a slightly-too-perfect jawline.”

Kayla gave him a look.

“What?” he said, gesturing vaguely to the room. “You’ve got a lot of those around here.”

She huffed out a laugh despite herself. “I thought reality TV that wasn’t staged would have less drama.”

He shifted beside her, fished something out of his trousers—what looked like a raisin—and promptly tossed it over his shoulder. “Ah, real people. Tricky creatures. They’re a bit like cursed treasure—rare, valuable, and usually come with baggage.”

She gave him a look. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“Not at all,” he said brightly. “But what should make you feel better is this: even in a storm of lies and very attractive half-truths, there’s always one thing you can trust.”

“And what’s that?”

“That squishy thing in there.” Jack explained pointing to Kayla’s heart. “You’ve got instincts, love. Gut feelings. And when they scream at you that something’s rotten in the taco buffet, chances are… someone’s already poisoned the guac.”

“What does that even mean?”

“Not entirely sure. But it sounded wise, didn’t it?”

Kayla stifled a laugh.

“Point is,” Jack went on, dropping the theatrics for just a moment, “people will say a lot of things to win. They’ll play games, wear masks, stir up drama just to stay relevant. But you—if you stay true to yourself, and don’t let them turn you into another chess piece—then when the final curtain falls, you’ll still recognize the woman in the mirror.”

Before she could get a word in, Terry clapped her hands together, her smile broad and mischievous. “Alright, looks like we’ve got all the bachelors present—and of course, our lovely Kayla and Vanessa. So here’s what’s on the agenda for this afternoon: we’re going on an outing!”

Kayla’s eyebrows shot up. An outing? she thought. This can’t possibly be the group date already… right?

Terry barely gave her time to process. “A lot of these fine bachelors need a little help updating their wardrobes—get them some modern, hip looks so they don’t stick out like sore thumbs. So we’re all going shopping!”

Vanessa practically squealed, clapping her hands in excitement, while the bachelors exchanged a flurry of looks—some confused, some vaguely horrified.

Daniel leaned in with a good-natured grin. “We know most of you are perfectly content in your usual getups, but trust me—people are going to notice when you strut by in your new fits.”

Frances snorted. “Besides, half of you have been wearing the same clothes for three days straight. Pretty sure some of you could weaponize that stench by now.”

 

A few of the bachelors groaned while others gave dramatic sniffs of their shirts.

Terry chimed in, unbothered. “On that fragrant note—don’t forget, tomorrow Kayla will announce her date selections. Five of you will be going on a group date this Wednesday, and one lucky bachelor will score a solo date on Thursday.”

That perked the guys up. Chatter broke out instantly as the competition vibes returned in full force.

Daniel stepped forward with his usual calm. “There’ll be a bus waiting outside in forty-five minutes. Use the time wisely—freshen up, look sharp, maybe reevaluate your life choices.”

~

After lunch, a big yellow school bus rolled up to the driveway, ready to haul the bachelors, Kayla, and Vanessa off on their shopping adventure. Vanessa wasted no time claiming a seat next to Kayla near the front, right behind the driver.

Childe and Alucard plopped down in the row behind them, close enough that Kayla could practically feel Childe’s grin.

“So, Kayla,” Childe leaned forward, elbows on the seatback, voice dripping with playful mischief. “Any clue which lucky six get to go on dates with you?”

Kayla shot him a knowing smile. “Nice try, but I’m not spoiling the surprise.”

“Oh, come on!” He groaned. “Where’s the fun in keeping secrets?”

Alucard rolled his eyes and slumped deeper into his seat. “Give it a rest, Childe. You’re being insufferably loud—worse than usual.”

Vanessa nudged Kayla with her shoulder, eyes wide with exaggerated innocence. “Can you at least whisper it to me? I promise, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

Kayla chuckled, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Later, okay?”

Vanessa’s grin said she’d hold her to that. Meanwhile, behind them, Childe let out an over-the-top sigh of defeat, earning another exasperated huff from Alucard.

The bus ride was quick—only about fifteen minutes—and when they arrived, the crew was already stationed outside the entrance, clipboards in hand and cameras at the ready.

Terry clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, listen up! The mall is still operating, but we’ve cleared it out just for this. Here’s how it’s gonna work: all the bachelors will split into teams of three. Each team will be paired with a stylist who’s got some sizzling new looks picked out for you. Then, at 2:45 sharp, we’ll meet back at the food court for a little fashion show—just for Kayla.”

Itachi’s face darkened like someone had just sentenced him to public execution.

Meanwhile, Hatsuharu scratched the back of his head, half-smiling, half-mortified. “Man… this is gonna be so embarrassing.”

Terry waved a hand dismissively. “Oh relax, it’s all in good fun! And don’t worry—it won’t have any impact on who gets dates. So strut your stuff and look pretty!”

Frances called out who would be put in one group. Once she was done, she turned to Kayla and Vanessa. “Kayla, you will have your own stylist as well.”

“I will?” Kayla asked.

Laura sent her an email of how much clothes she should bring. She was told to come with casual wear, a swimsuit or two, a few dressy outfits for date nights, pajamas, and a few active wear outfits. She didn’t know the show would be dressing her up as well.

“Yes, you’ll be paired with Ursula,” Frances announced, gesturing toward a curvy, sun-kissed woman sporting clear-framed glasses and a cheerful polka-dot dress.

Ursula gave a warm smile. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

Kayla returned it. “Nice to meet you too.”

Ursula adjusted her glasses, giving Kayla a quick once-over. “From what the showrunners told me, you wear black and red beautifully—so I’m thinking we lean into a slightly edgy vibe.”

Kayla almost let out a visible sigh of relief. Thank Satan it wasn’t going to be some frilly, bubblegum-pink nightmare.

Ursula brightened. “Now, come with me—I’ve got something waiting for you at Windsor.”

Windsor? That sounds fancy, Kayla thought, already picturing sleek fabrics and dramatic silhouettes.

Vanessa perked up beside her. “Ooh, can I tag along?”

Ursula beamed. “Of course! The more the merrier.”

Daniel, Kevin, and two cameramen trailed after them, capturing every moment as the three women wandered through the mall. Eventually, Ursula pointed toward a sign that read Dressing Rooms. “Alright, you wait in there. I’ll bring the options to you.”

Kayla nodded and ducked inside. A few minutes later, Ursula returned with an armful of dresses. “Here we go—five different styles. Try each one on and then come out so we can all admire you properly.”

The first dress Kayla slipped into was a long, black, flowing midi—lightweight and perfect for a Malibu summer. It hugged her just right, a size ten that fit her curves beautifully, though the hem skimmed the floor a bit since she was only five feet tall.

She gathered up the edges so she wouldn’t trip and stepped out, giving the group a playful spin. “So… what do you think?”

Vanessa’s face lit up. “Girl, that color is everything on you.”

Daniel gave an approving nod. “Yeah, it really suits you.”

Ursula tilted her head, assessing with a practiced eye. “Love it, but we won’t have time for alterations on the length. Let’s see the next one.”

Kayla slipped back into the dressing room and changed into a fancier satin red dress. It had a low, wide neckline that dipped just past her thigh. Honestly, Kayla wasn’t a fan—her smaller chest didn’t quite fill out the top, and the cut felt like it was trying too hard.

When she stepped out, Vanessa gave an exaggerated wolf whistle. “Hey there, sexy!”

Daniel grinned. “I like it.”

But Ursula just shook her head. “Mmm, this isn’t the vibe I’m going for. Let’s see the asymmetrical one.”

The third dress was a bold, bright red with an asymmetrical neckline and a hem that dipped dramatically to one side. Kayla studied her reflection, and for the first time that afternoon, she felt powerful—like the goddess of fire come to life.

When she stepped out, there was a moment of stunned silence.

Ursula’s eyes sparkled. “That is gorgeous. But I still want to see the last two before we decide.”

Back in the dressing room, Kayla carefully wriggled into the fourth dress. This one was just as stunning, though in a different way. It featured delicate spaghetti straps, a bodice of intricate black lace that hinted at skin beneath, and a flowing silk skirt that fell in an elegant, asymmetric hem. Kayla smoothed her hands down the fabric, admiring how the textures played together. It felt romantic, almost haunting—a dark fairytale kind of pretty.

When she stepped out, there were more appreciative murmurs.

Finally, Kayla tried on the last dress. The moment she pulled it over her head, her face fell. It was short, tight, and covered in flashy black sequins that caught the light in a way that screamed wild party girl. Definitely not her style. Where she longed for moody, gothic drama, this dress practically shouted tequila shots and dance floors.

Kayla stepped out reluctantly, already shaking her head. “Yeah… this one’s not it.”

Ursula studied her critically for a moment, then sighed. “Agreed. That’s not the look we’re going for at all. So it’s down to the third and fourth options. Which one do you like more?”

Kayla hesitated. “Well, that kind of depends… what’s the venue?”

Ursula let out a small laugh. “Honestly? They didn’t give me specifics. They just told me to pick out something pretty.”

Kayla turned to Daniel with raised brows. He chuckled, hands tucked in his pockets. “Alright, fine—I’ll spoil it. It’s supposed to be for ballroom dancing.”

A flush crept up Kayla’s neck. Ballroom dancing? Her heart gave a little flutter. She’d never done anything so classically romantic before.

She glanced back and forth between the dresses—the hauntingly elegant black lace and the fiery red asymmetrical gown. Her fingers brushed the fabric of the red dress, and a smile slowly formed. “I can definitely picture myself salsa dancing in this,” she said, her voice tinged with excitement.

Ursula grinned. “Then red it is.”

~

Kayla’s group had finished up a bit early, so they found a spot in the food court to wait for the bachelors and the rest of the crew.

She absentmindedly scrolled through her phone, trying to look busy. A notification popped up—someone had left a comment on her most recent Byakuya Togami x self-insert fic on Ao3. She was about to tap it when suddenly Vanessa leaned in way too close.

“Whatcha doing?” Vanessa asked, eyes sparkling with nosy curiosity.

Kayla jumped slightly. “Just…checking my messages.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes with playful suspicion. “Are you still writing fanfiction while you’re on this show?”

Kayla shook her head quickly. “No, I was just reading the comments.”

“Suuuuuure you were. So who’s the lucky bachelor this time? Do I know him?”

“Depends…do you play Danganronpa?”

“Do I?! I love Danganronpa! I was actually thinking about cosplaying Junko later this season.”

“Well… then you’d definitely know him.”

Vanessa’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Who is it? Please tell me it’s Nagito—I adore him!”

Kayla let out a small laugh. “Actually… it’s Byakuya.”

Vanessa scrunched up her nose. “Him? Why him? He’s such a jerk.”

Kayla shrugged, still smiling. “Yeah, but… he’s hot.”

“I guess—if you’re into arrogant assholes.”

Kayla laughed, though a little nervously.

Vanessa tilted her head. “So why didn’t you have Avery awaken him?”

Kayla sighed. “I was only allowed to awaken fourteen characters. If I had it my way, I would have also awakened Ban from Seven Deadly Sins, Volt from Date Everything, and Spike from Buffy.”

Daniel, who had clearly been eavesdropping on their conversation, perked up. “You know… we might be able to make an exception for you.”

Kayla blinked. “What do you mean?”

“I could ask Avery to awaken those characters for you,” Daniel said with a casual shrug, like it was no big deal.

Kayla’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? I already have fourteen men fighting for my affection as it is.”

Daniel chuckled. “Hey, I’m a sucker for Spike myself—and honestly, I think those four would make a pretty interesting addition to the mix. I could have Avery come by tonight if you’re up for it.”

Kayla hesitated. “But… isn’t the house only set up for a certain number of bachelors? Is there even room for four more?”

Daniel tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm, good point. But Room B does have an extra bed. If we added just one more bachelor, we could turn it into a double elimination later. Keeps things interesting.”

Vanessa practically bounced in her seat. “Ooooh, that would be so fun! More drama, more chaos—I love it.”

Kayla mulled it over, chewing her lip. She hadn’t even gone on her first dates yet—did she really want to add more bachelors to the mix? But then again… what was the harm? The only real downside was that the newcomers might be at a disadvantage.

She drew in a slow breath, then nodded. “Alright. Go ahead and invite Avery over.”

Daniel’s face lit up. “Excellent!”

Vanessa practically squealed. “I can’t wait to meet these guys. This is going to be so much fun!”

Daniel pulled out his phone and shot Avery a quick text. By the time he slipped it back into his pocket, Terry, Frances, the bachelors, and the rest of the production crew came bustling back into the food court.

Terry clapped her hands together. “We’re back!”

Kayla’s eyes drifted to the bachelors—they were still in their regular clothes but now each held a shopping bag or two, looking a mix of excited and sheepish.

Terry turned to them with a bright smile. “Alright, boys. You’ve got five minutes to change, then it’s time for the fashion show. Chop chop!”

Several of them groaned, but still began heading off, bags in hand, ready for whatever chaos was coming next.

~

Once the five minutes had passed, the lights in the mall had dimmed, and loud EDM music began to play.

Terry had a megaphone in her hand and announced, “Let the walk-off begin!”

First down the makeshift catwalk was Jack—and the transformation was almost comical. Gone was the rugged pirate; in his place was a surprisingly clean-cut guy in a crisp white polo, khaki shorts, and spotless sneakers. It was jarring, like seeing a lion in a petting zoo—but his playful grin and cocky strut somehow made it work.

Next came Alucard. He, too, had dialed back his usual dark aesthetic. Clad in a rich burgundy dress shirt tucked into slim black jeans, finished with polished loafers, he looked strikingly refined. His long hair was tied up in a high ponytail that sharpened his aristocratic features. But unlike Jack, he moved stiffly, clearly uncomfortable out of his usual dramatic garb—though that hint of awkwardness made him oddly endearing.

Then Gladio stepped up. He wore a black-and-white striped t-shirt with slightly frayed sleeves, denim shorts, and black high-tops. The look was casual and rugged, perfectly suited to him. As he sauntered past, he shot Kayla a wink that sent a flutter straight through her chest.

The dark, brooding Itachi emerged next—though Kayla nearly did a double take. Gone was his usual cloak and solemn air. Instead, he wore a dark green jersey paired with crisp white shorts, looking every bit like he was about to step onto a basketball court. The athletic outfit was so out of character it was almost hilarious, but somehow, he still managed to carry himself with quiet dignity.

Then came Caleb, who normally draped himself in elegant, shadowy Victorian coats. Now he looked like he’d stepped straight out of a Michael Jackson music video—tight black pants, a shimmering jacket, and even a tilted fedora that he tipped dramatically as he passed.

“M’lady.” He said as he made eye contact with Kayla.

Kayla stifled a giggle.

Childe rounded out the lineup with perhaps the most striking transformation of all. His usual edgy street look was replaced by something straight off a New York runway: a pale pink button-down tucked into high-waisted white trousers that accentuated his lean build. It was polished, almost decadent, and the confident way he strutted made it clear he was enjoying every second of it.

However, some outfits felt like clever, modern updates to the bachelors’ usual styles—fresh takes that still stayed true to who they were.

Lestat, for example, pulled off a modern gothic twist effortlessly. He wore a sheer black mesh top that hinted at pale skin beneath, paired with ripped, chain-draped jeans. A spiked choker rested at his throat, giving him a dangerous allure that was both timeless and undeniably contemporary. He looked like he could step out of a nightclub—or a dark fairytale.

Diamond followed, maintaining his refined, princely aura. He was dressed in a crisp white dress shirt tucked into sleek black trousers that hugged his long legs, finished off with polished leather shoes. Even without elaborate embellishments, his elegance was impossible to overlook; he carried himself like royalty.

Then there was Hatsuharu, who stayed true to his laid-back, rebellious vibe. A simple black t-shirt, baggy black shorts, and black-and-white checkered Vans suited him perfectly. It was understated, relaxed, and somehow made him all the more magnetic.

Genesis was next, his usual crimson battle armor swapped out for a bright red rocker ensemble, complete with a studded belt and sleek leather boots. He clearly loved the transformation—striking pose after dramatic pose until Terry finally laughed and called out, “Alright, Genesis, that’s enough—move it along!”

Lance came after, his typically regal Pokémon Champion attire traded for something far more relaxed: an orange polo shirt paired with green cargo shorts. The casual summer look made him seem surprisingly approachable.

Then there was Legolas, who stepped out looking downright shell-shocked. His elven armor had been replaced by a bold, metallic silver outfit that looked less like it belonged in Middle-earth and more like it had wandered off the set of a Lady Gaga video. He stood stiffly, clearly wishing to vanish back into the forests of Mirkwood.

Sirius, on the other hand, strutted out with absolute confidence. He looked every bit the Vegas cowboy, complete with tight leather pants and a black cowboy hat trimmed with tassels. The grin he shot Kayla suggested he knew exactly how ridiculous—and irresistible—he was.

Last but not least, Valtor, who looked as though he’d just returned from a luxury resort in Maui. He wore a vibrant blue floral shirt paired with matching loose pants and simple sandals, his usual dark mystique traded for breezy island charm.

When all fourteen bachelors finally lined up side by side, Kayla took a long look at their wildly different outfits. The sight was so unexpected, she had to bite back laughter.

Terry turned to her with an eager smile. “Well, Kayla, what do you think?”

Kayla blinked, still trying to process it all. “…Wow. That was… definitely something.”

Daniel crossed his arms with a grin. “So, Kayla, who do you think is the best dressed?”

If Kayla was being completely honest, she wasn’t thrilled with some of the producers’ choices. A few outfits felt downright awkward, but she understood they were aiming for the kind of playful spectacle reality TV thrived on.

She let her gaze wander down the line, carefully considering each bachelor’s transformation. Her eyes kept drifting back to Genesis—not just because she had a soft spot for edgy rockstar style, but because he truly made it work. Confident, bold, and undeniably striking.

Kayla gave a small, almost shy smile. “I’m gonna have to say… Genesis.”

Genesis immediately smirked, striking another set of dramatic poses as if to seal her vote. The other bachelors didn’t miss a beat, breaking into laughter.

Hatsuharu rolled his eyes. “You’re off the catwalk, man. You can stop posing now.”

Diamond rolled his eyes. “What a casanova.”

 

~

When Kayla, the bachelors, and the production crew finally returned to the mansion, she spent the next hour tucked away in the recording booth, filming confessionals about everything from the group’s chaotic dares to the fashion show.

She was in the middle of describing the over-the-top outfits when the door cracked open. Avery peeked in and gave a small wave.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Avery said with an apologetic smile. “Mind if I steal Kayla for a bit?”

Gina shook her head. “Go right ahead. We were just about to wrap up.”

Kayla unclipped her mic and handed it back to Gina, then stepped out of the booth with Avery. A sudden realization struck her, and she turned quickly. “Oh—Avery, I don’t actually have any pictures of the new bachelors I want you to awaken.”

“Don’t worry,” Daniel said, appearing at her side with a stack of photos in hand. “I thought ahead and printed some out for you.”

Kayla let out a relieved laugh. “You’re a lifesaver, Daniel. Thanks.”

Daniel gave her a playful wink. “What are presidents for?”

Avery just smiled, already leading Kayla out of the room. “Come on. Let’s make some magic happen.”

Kayla followed her into the lounge. Just like before, she arranged the photos in a small circle on the floor, with herself and Avery at the center. But as she settled down, a pang of guilt twisted in her chest. Week one wasn’t even over yet, and here she was about to bring four more men into the competition—only to know that three would have to be sent home almost immediately.

Avery seemed to sense her unease. “Are you alright?”

Kayla shook her head, staring at the pictures. “No. Let’s not do this. It’s not fair to them.”

Avery tilted her head. “Why not? You already got Daniel’s approval.”

“I know,” Kayla sighed, “but I don’t want to do a triple elimination in the first week. Besides, Laura told me you only have the house for fourteen weeks.”

Her eyes lingered on the photos of Byakuya, Volt, Ban, and Spike. She frowned, feeling a heaviness settle over her.

“It’s okay,” Avery said gently. “We can work around this.”

“But where would they even stay? There’s only one extra bed left.”

Avery bit her lip, clearly searching for an answer. Her gaze drifted to the hall, where Terry happened to be passing by.

“Terry,” Avery called out, “can you come in here for a minute?”

The shaman’s hopeful tone made Kayla’s stomach flutter with a strange mix of relief and apprehension. Maybe there was still a way to figure this out.

Terry strolled into the lounge, glancing between them. “What’s up?”

Avery spoke first. “Kayla’s having second thoughts about awakening the next set of bachelors. She’s worried about the time frame and the lack of space. We were hoping you might have some ideas.”

Terry waved a hand dismissively. “First off, don’t stress about the timeline. We actually rent the house month to month. Whatever the casting director told you is just a guideline. Things change all the time.”

She gave Kayla a reassuring smile. “As for space—easy fix. We could convert the attic into another bedroom.”

Kayla blinked. “There’s an attic?”

Terry nodded. “Yeah. It’s got a little door in the ceiling on the second floor—between your room and Room B. You’d need a ladder to get up there. We haven’t used it for anything, but it’s actually pretty spacious.”

Avery’s brow furrowed. “It’ll get pretty hot up there, though.”

Terry shrugged. “True, but honestly, most of their time will be spent in the common areas anyway. The bedroom’s just for sleeping—and maybe a bit of sulking when they’re not picked,” she added with a playful grin.

Kayla hesitated. “But… will it even be furnished in time?”

The showrunner laughed, waving off her concern. “You worry too much. There’s an IKEA just a few blocks away. We’ll send some interns to grab beds, dressers—whatever we need. They’ll have it all set up in no time.”

A wave of relief washed over Kayla. She turned to Avery with a small, grateful smile. “Alright. I feel a lot better now. Let’s start the ritual.”

~

Just like before, the awakening ritual left Kayla completely drained. Avery carefully scooped her up and carried her toward her bedroom so she could rest.

The bachelors were all gathered in the living room, clustered around Terry, Daniel, and Frances, who stood front and center. Behind them were four unfamiliar faces—new arrivals that immediately drew every eye in the room.

To the far left stood a young man who couldn’t have been older than eighteen, with shoulder-length blond hair and a crisp prep school uniform. His arms were folded, expression unreadable, an icy calm radiating off him.

Next to him was a striking figure with long, flowing white hair, dressed in an extravagant outfit that seemed to shimmer with arcs of electricity. He stood with effortless elegance, like a noble from another world.

Beside him stood a man with slicked-back blond hair, leather-clad from head to toe in a black trench coat, t-shirt, and jeans. He had a wild edge, like Billy Idol walked straight out of a rock video.

And finally, on the far right, stood a muscular man with spiky blue hair. He wore a red leather jacket open to reveal his bare torso and abs, with matching tight red pants.

Gladio raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. “Who are those guys?”

Terry flashed a bright smile. “These are your new competitors! I know it’s late, with week one nearly over, but we wanted to raise the stakes a bit.”

Daniel stepped forward and gestured to the man in red leather. “Everyone, this is Ban from Seven Deadly Sins.”

Ban smirked, hands sliding into his pockets. “Pleasure to meet you all.” His eyes twinkled with mischief, already sizing up the room.

Daniel moved his hand next to the blond man in the leather trench coat. “This is Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

Spike tilted his head with a lazy grin. “How’s it going?”

Daniel’s hand shifted to the tall, white-haired man. “And this is… uh—sorry, remind me. I know you’re from Date Everything.”

The man let out a soft laugh, elegant and unbothered. “No worries at all. I’m Volt.”

Daniel nodded appreciatively, then gestured to the young man in the prep school uniform. “And finally, the man in glasses is Byakuya from Danganronpa.”

Byakuya didn’t bother with an introduction. He simply fixed the group with a cold, disdainful stare that seemed to weigh and dismiss them all at once.

Diamond watched him with an amused smirk. Easy competition. Byakuya already looked like he regretted ever stepping into the mansion.

Childe clicked his tongue. “Is it a bit late to bring in more competition?”

Valtor nodded. “The rose ceremony is only a few days away.”

“We know this is all pretty last-minute, but it’s to boost ratings. We’re aiming to make this season of Future Husband bigger and wilder than ever.” Daniel explained.

Terry chimed in with an enthusiastic grin. “Here’s how it’s going to work: once Kayla wakes up, we’ll squeeze in quick introductions with the new bachelors. Tomorrow, she’ll get some one-on-one time with each of them before revealing who she’s taking on her next round of dates. We’re also extending the lease on the mansion—just to give these new faces a fair shot at love.”

Around the room, the bachelors exchanged hushed murmurs. Some looked openly annoyed, clearly viewing the newcomers as extra competition they hadn’t asked for. Others seemed utterly indifferent, leaning back with casual shrugs. A few, though—watched with intrigued smiles, clearly entertained by the new twist. Things were about to get interesting.

Notes:

I recently got into Dagonrompa and Date Everything. And my action figures of Ban and Spike have been staring at me for months, as if they were begging to be in this story. I didn't want to go the Ascension route and rewrite everything, sooo.....sorry!

Notes:

Can someone beta this for me? Thanks!