The Beach House
1143 Words
After a 2 hour delay, we finally boarded a plane. We were going to land in St. Petersburg, FL and headed north to a private beach resort near Crystal River. We were briefed on the location while we were waiting to board. They told us we would be in a secluded small beach house just Chris and I. The producers, staff, and potential lovers would be staying at a resort nearby. Our beach house would have cameras in every room except the bathrooms and they would even be outside. They wanted to keep us separate from the rest of the cast to keep our meetings controlled. They didn't want us getting extra time with any of the potential lovers or running into each other off camera. Makes sense. Keep it awkward on camera.
Chris sat next to me as promised on the plane. I took the aisle seat and he took the window seat.
"I have no idea what they packed for me." I said to Chris.
"Always worried about those clothes," Chris teased.
"I need to look good on camera," I snapped back.
"They told me they would provide a wardrobe when we arrived. I'm guessing they didn't pack much for you." Chris told me.
"Well, as long as they have good taste, I can live with that. How are you feeling?" I asked.
"I'm a little nervous. I'm ready to settle down with the right person. I want kids someday and I'm not getting any younger." Chris said.
"I didn't know you wanted kids. I think you'd be a great father. You're good at taking care of everyone. I'm just hoping that you meet a nice girl to take care of you!" I said.
He looked over at me. "I think I will."
"Is this flight over yet? At least it quit raining. I can't stand flying!" I said.
"You're doing great." Chris encouraged me.
"Thanks bestie!" I responded.
"Bestie? I think I like that." Chris said with a smile.
"Hey, you started the whole bestie thing. Saying you needed me on this show with you." I replied.
"Yeah, but you found a lot more pros and wanted to go. Didn't you?" he asked.
"Of course, I mean who could say no to a free 10 week vacation?" I joked.
Actually, he didn't know it, but he was the only reason I was there. I didn't want to see him get hurt again. He was someone I felt I needed to protect. Even more so now. He seemed very hopeful he would find love and settle down and have kids.
The producers and camera men came over to us and got some footage of us on the plane going to our destination. Then they left us alone to get some footage of the scenery out the window of the plane. I looked out the window on the other side of Chris. He was working away on his laptop.
At some point during the flight, I fell asleep. To be more specific, I fell asleep on Chris's shoulder. He nudged me to wake me.
"Stacey, we landed," he said, softly.
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I was so tired. I didn't snore did I? I asked.
"It's really okay. Maybe you snored a little." He laughed.
"I did not!" I said.
"No you didn't. You slept perfectly in the least embarrassing way ever. Feel better?" he teased me.
"I feel better we landed safely. Let's go see what they have in store for us next." I replied.
After we got through the airport, we were both put in the back of the same SUV this time to head to the beach house. This time they didn't ask us any questions but they did have the camera man in the front seat recording us. It was so awkward, neither of us really spoke. They told us to get used to trying to ignore the cameras. The beach house was about half an hour from the airport, so luckily we got there pretty quickly.
There was a long driveway through some trees that led up to the beach house. It was late but it was still light outside. The sun was nearing setting. You could see it behind the beach house ready to disappear into the Gulf of Mexico. It was beautiful. We got out of the SUV and were admiring the view when Josh came up behind us.
"This will be your home away from home. We have it all set up for you inside. I know it's been a crazy day but we really wanted to get this thing started quickly. The network loved the idea and jumped the gun pretty fast on this one. We needed to act fast. Let's go check out the inside." Josh informed us.
We followed him inside. It was a 3 bedroom house. It wasn't very big. There was a pretty purple room for me with a view of the Gulf and a green room for Josh at the other end of the house. The third bedroom also had a nice view of the gulf. It had two desks pushed up against each other and chairs at opposite ends. The window with the view would be at our sides. There was a printer, a scanner, a fax and a box of office supplies. It looked like we had everything we needed to work remotely. A in the home office.
"This is perfect," I told Josh.
"Everything you need?" He asked.
"It'll do in a pinch," Chris joked.
"There is a car outside, keys are by the door. The fridge is fully stocked. The house manager will be in every other day to clean and can get you anything you need. There are cameras in every room except for the bathrooms. Tomorrow will be a day for you to get settled in and then Sunday we will start doing interviews with the two of you to start promoting." Josh informed us.
Josh left us alone in the house. Well, kind of alone. I didn't notice it when we came in but there were cameras on the ceiling in the corner of the rooms. Chris and I ate sandwiches they had prepared for us and headed to our separate rooms. My closet was fully stocked with clothes. I also had a dresser in my room, stocked with clothes. This was going to be alright.
I found an itinerary on the night stand in my room. On Monday and Tuesday we were doing interviews. They would be airing those to promote the show. On Wednesday we were filming the first show. The introduction of the potentials is what it said. This was going so fast. In just a few days, we were meeting our potential person. Just a few days... I let that sink in...
- Writer
