Invisible Strings

Chapter 1

1 month later.

I had always liked the rain. Today more so than than any other time. I sit and stare outside as the rain pelts off the window pane of the cafe I used to work at just a month ago. Albert Morrison the producer of the show, the same man who asked me to be a part of his famous reality show is sitting right in front of me with papers in his hands that I am about to sign any other moment.

"Miss Garcia as we have already discussed through the multiple mails sent back and forth I hope that we stand at the same footing."

"Just one question Mr. Morrison."

I had seen the show. Each episode of every season. They have had five so far.

When I had told my sister about this development she initially refused to believe, thinking this of like my many other pranks that I pulled on her. After much convincing, the first thing she said to me was

"You remember Victoria Lyod?"

"Sure I do." One of the contestants in the debut season was Victoria Lyod. She was intelligent and attractive. She was skilled at managing the presentation and the games whilst simultaneously winning over the crowd. Betting on her became popular as the show gained popularity. They had a feeling she would win, but one misplaced emotional outburst made everyone turn against her. She was a cherished part of the cast until being abruptly transformed into a cunning villain with hidden agendas and a deceptive nature.

Her reaction; however, in my humble view, was completely justified, and I would place more of the blame on the way the episode was edited—it appeared as if the producers intended her to be perceived as a villain. Following the show, the public did, in fact, acknowledge that she was not a villain. It was just the way the people saw her. According to rumours, she had a bad history with someone on the crew, so they deliberately began to edit her poorly and gave her the vibe of being Voldemort's sister (though not in a literal sense).

"Then you know where I am going with this right?" She asked.

"I know, but this is my only chance. Trust me, I would not do anything to ruboff anyone there the wrong way. I would just go there, try to have some screentime so that people start to recognise me and then maybe just maybe try to win the show."

"You know it is a love show right? You have to find a partner there and that to quickly so that you dont get left out. That would lead to you being eliminated pretty early on."

"I know I just hope I would find one guy there worth teaming up with. I am not going there to actually find love."

My sister has not raised anymore questions after that which was quite surprising but a welcomed surprise nonethless. With her agreement the only thing left to do was to sign the agreement and get it started.

"Yes please ask."

"You know I was just wondering, really, I don't have to afraid of being evil edited right?"

I smiled as brigtly and nonchalantaly as I could. I don't want to look nervous or doubtful or anything to him.

"Well don't worry about that miss Maya, I hope I can call you that?" When I nodded he continued "We don't really do that" liar "And even if we did you don't have to worry about that we would not it to you."

He gave me a reassuring nod or it seemed so but it did not assure me not even one bit.

"Well now that we have addressed all the questions let me give you these documents. Just sign it and then you will be offically part of the main cast."

Part of the main cast.

It was a standard contract that state what I can and can't say about the show. They also cover my payment per episode and other rules and regulations. Basic.

"Sure."

After I was done signing. There wasn't much else to discuss. But then he said something which almost had me regretting the whole thing. Almost.

"The first episode is generally the introduction where each of the contestant introduces themselves to the audience and interacts for the first time on the camera."

"However before that, this time we have decided to host a welcome party for the cast members. This will be everyone's first actual introduction. You would recieve the invitation in a day or so."

He then smiled for the first time today.

Wow! It must be his idea, he sure looks proud of it.

"Well then I will be there." I said with a conviction I did not feel.

____________________________________________________________

Surely two days later I recieved the much dreaded invitation to the party.

'Bring back the 2000's baby ' sat at the middle of the card. It was pretty, I would give it that. It had the perfect mix of pinks, blues, purples, greens and oranges with the theme written on with shiny golden color. My name printed just below it with same golden color. Whoever designed that deserves a raise. The creative team is sure going all out this season.

One thing that all people who identify as belonging to this gender have in common, if you go ask a woman, is that we never have anything to wear. This unites us all together, somehow, universally. The party is in two days, and I still have no idea what to do. All I want to do is curl up underneath a blanket and stay there eternally.

Here is something about me, I hate parties because I hate socialising. I have attended my fair share of this monstrasity that people call casual get togethers for the purpose of getting to know each other and forming bonds and enjoyment. As if. The music is always f*****g deafening, people are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder, and the small talk feels so exhausting that it makes me want to crawl out of my skin and just run away. So in simple words I loathe these socual gatherings. But, I have no choice so I am going to be a good girl and do what is necessary for me. However, I STILL DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR.

It is the day of the party and I am freaking out. The production team were kind enough to send me a dress to wear for the party which I think they must have sent to each member. It would have saved me so much trouble if they had just mentioned somewhere that we would be recieving dresses fo the party. Anyhow the dress is so pretty I actually screamed when I saw it. It is a purple mini dress with a bodycon silhouettes in a luxe satin fabric.It perfectly fit my curves and the purple color poped against my fair skin. Paired it with sequined bolero jacket that adds a touch of glamour without hiding the dress. With this I wore my trusted black stilletos some statement jewellery which was gifted by my very dear sister (I love you) and finally a small matching metallic clutch to finish the look. I kept my makeup minimal with a basic black eyeliner and just a hint of blush. Though I did go all out with the gloss. Make those lips shine baby.

When I was all done and ready to leave the earlier excitement of getting ready slowly died down and I was again filled with the dread. But I had no time to think anymore, the car is here and I am going to conquere this s**t. Let's go.