Invisible Strings

Chapter 2

The music thrummed through the floorboards, a pulsing beat that vibrated in the chest. Big lights twinkled overhead, casting a warm glow on the bobbing heads and unfamiliar laughing faces. The room was a kaleidoscope of color and people sported outfits in every shade imaginable. The air buzzed with conversation, snippets flying back and forth. But I was in the corner, tucked beneath a droopy peace lily, trying to make myself invisible. One might wonder how I ended up here.

One hour earlier when I arrived at the event, I had found that almost everyone was already there seated at a round sofa exactly at the centre of the large area. It was a penthouse suite which shimmered like a jewel box against the city skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the twinkling cityscape, a million tiny lights mirroring the glittering chandelier suspended from the high, vaulted ceiling. Plush white carpets stretched beneath sleek, modern furniture arranged in conversation nooks, each one bathed in the soft glow of strategically placed lamps.

As I started to make my way towards the sofa, I made eye contact with a guy who was already sitting there. He had a glass in his hand, probably champagne. As he saw me he started to make his way towards me, everyone else was busy in a conversation I was soon going to be a part of.

"Hi you must be Maya right?" He extended his hand.

"Yes, hi." I took his hand and finally gave him a good look. His eyes were very dark brown, almost black, with a hint of warmth like a strong cup of espresso. A light dusting of freckles danced across his nose, adding a touch of boyish charm. A hint of a smile played on his lips, crinkling the corners of his eyes with warmth. Overall he gave a welcoming vibe, nothing alarming about him.

"I am Peter. Peter Lynch." His smile widened which made his eyes smaller. He was definitely cute. "Hi Peter nice to meet you." "Well we were all waiting for you. You are the last to arrive. Let's go I think there is something important that is going to be announced." I was a little embarressed to know that I wast late and that the they all had to wait. "I am sorry." I offered him an apologetic smile and made my way towards the gathering along with him.

Mr Albert was also there. Along with a whole buch of people I have never met in my life. "Now that everyone is here let us start. I am Frank Cliff and I am the director of the show. Right here with me is Miss Stephanie Laurel she is the screenwriter of this show. We have gathered here today so that you all can get to know each other before the shooting starts. Miss Laurel will now brief you about how the shooting schedule is going to be like." Stephanie stood up from the corner chair she was sitting on started speaking.

"Well the first and the foremost thing the shooting is going to last for eight weeks in total that is if you don't get eliminated before that. Every week there will be an elimination round based on different criterias. Remember the most important thing for you all to do is to make sure the audience doesn't forget that you exist on the show. For that do whatever you have to. If you are a silent spectator then you will be the first to leave since you can very well do that outside of the show, become an audience, we don't need you here." Damn she was harsh. She continued, "Audience will only stay and root for you when you entertain them and show yourselves to them. If the past seasons are any evidence then it is of the fact that the more drama and spice there is the more successful the show is going to be and we, want that. So I hope you guys are ready for that. Today we will do a simple introduction. Introduce yourselves form alliances of not friendships so that when next week the shooting finally starts we have something to begin with. So who will go first?"

Everyone present there exchanged curious glasses, unwilling to offer themselves as the first to go.

"Well" I saw a girl stand up. She was pretty maybe a little younger than me. Her face is round with soft features. Her hair fall in straight silky sheets. But the most striking features is her eyes, they are brigth green which somehow adds a touch of magic to her. "I am Amara Young and I have just completed my bacherelors in filmmaking. I hope to gain a good experience and memories from here." She smiled and then took her place. I already loved her confidence. Then the girl sitting beside me stood up and introduced herself.

"Hi I am Bridgit Stone and I am a full time content creator and freelance video editor. I decided to come to this show in order to have some exposure and maybe to find love."

One by one everyone started telling about themselves. There was Peter Flynch who I had already met. He was working in his father's law firm and suprisingly he was actually older than me. Then there was Joe Synder who was an aspiring writer. Flynn Mart who was a business administration graduate, Blake Hunter who was a graduate in psychology. Finally the last person to introduce himself was Dev Mahalotra. He was a 3rd generation emigrant but somehow he looked kinda familiar. Then it was revealed not by him but by Bridgit sitting beside me, "You know he represented out country in the world championships last year?" "What?" I asked confused. "You don't know him? He is a swimmer and a great one at that. My brother is big into sports so I am upto date about everything sports related. He created quite a buzz last year when he qualified the finals of the man category and won the silver medal. People expect him to get a medal at Olympics next year." "Wow" I said amused, I never would have guessed. I did not live under a rock but I wasn't really into sports so I missed this. "I think he is so handsome." Bridgit continued "I am gonna go and talk to him."

Well she got right to work. Good for her. Forming connections is an integral part of this show. I also should talk to someone but who? I looked around, there were total of eight contestants. Four boys and four girls, even distribution so clearly no one will be left out in the beginning. I decided to talk to Peter. He was nowhere in sight so I got up to find him.

I found him by the open terrace like area he was talking on the phone with someone. I decided to walk away but then I heard something which made me stop. "Yes babe I will be there by midnight." Babe? Does he have a gilfriend? "I know but this is really important for me to do otherwise I will forever be stuck working with my father."

"You know listening to other people's conversation is a bad habit." I jumped. I could feel the heartbeat in my throat, my hand over my heart. I dared to turn around. f**k.

Dev Mahalotra was standing right in from of me. Close. Too close that I can smell his perfume it was a crisp citrus, like sunlight sparkling on freshly cut lemon rind. But then, a deeper note emerged, weaving itself through the citrus like smoke curling through a window. It was the earthy scent of sandalwood, as smooth and rich as aged leather. Perhaps a hint of something a touch peppery, a whisper of cardamom, lingered at the edges. The overall effect wasn't overwhelming, but undeniably intriguing.

I looked up and was met with his eyes. His eyes were a pale gray, like wispy smoke curling from a dying fire, holding a hint of melancholy. His build was mascular but not too muscular, how you would expect a swimmer's body to be.

"I was not listening to anything."

"Sure." He did not believe me. Think anything. Fast.

"I was just searching for washroom."

"You know you could make a more believable lie."

"I am not lying."

"Suit youreself. But I could just go and tell Peter what you were doing. He would not appreciate that. Then you can forget about your chance of ever pairing with him."

This is getting annoying now. I said, "What's with you? Why do you care about wether I was eavesdropping or not."

"I am a man of morals you see." Bullshit.

"Do you smoke?" I asked suddenly. What was I doing?

"What?"

DO YOU SMOKE?"

"Sometimes." He looked puzzled.

"And what about drinking?"

"Sometimes yeah why do you ask?"

"Then Mr. Dev I don't think you are man of any strong morals." I smiled up at him. He was tall like really tall.

"What you just said made no sense."

"Sure it didn't." I have to take control of this situation. I took a step forward and jabbed my finger onto his chest and said calmly, "Don't try to meddle yourself into something you are not a part of."

He was clearly surprised by the sudden contact. "You are really interesting." He almost smiled. "But whatever you were trying to do did not work. I could still go and tell him."

I wanted to shout out of frustration. God this is going awful. My chance with one guy was already ruined and that one guy was trying to ruin it with other guy was well. Then I would have only two guys left. But I was not going to admit to him.

"Fine! Go ahead and do whatever you want. And I don't know about allies but you just made an enemy."

I stormed off without giving him a chance to speak again. I found an empty corner and decided to sit there and try to camouflage into the surrounding.

God what was I going to do now?