Chapter 2
I clenched my fists, rage surging inside me.
For the gig money, I swallowed my anger.
"Thanks, Lynsey," I muttered.
I gave her a smile so forced, it was almost worse than crying.
John was frantically waving at me from across the room, signaling for me to stand in the corner.
I obediently moved to the farthest edge.
Just then, Alex walked in.
The whole room went dead silent.
He didn't spare anyone a glance, heading straight for center stage.
As he walked past me, his steps faltered for a moment.
I held my breath, wishing I could melt into the wall.
Lynsey hurried over, her smile radiant and full of charm.
"Alex, you're here! Let's stand together," she chirped, reaching for his arm.
She tried to slip her arm through his, eager to get close.
I smirked.
Alex was a total germaphobe. She was basically begging to be rejected.
Sure enough, Alex shifted away, his eyes cold as ice.
"No need," he replied.
Lynsey's hand hung awkwardly in the air, her face drained of color.
But she bounced back instantly, pulling her hand away with a loud, careless laugh.
"Alex, still playing the cold, mysterious type, huh? That's so cool," she teased.
Then she turned and glared at me, her eyes full of malice.
"Kathy, what's with you standing all the way over there? Anyone would think you're contagious!" she sneered.
Alex's gaze shot over to me in a flash.
He looked at me like I was nothing but a corpse in his eyes.
The stream went live.
Comments poured in like a tidal wave. I didn't have to check to know they were tearing me apart.
[How did someone as irrelevant as Kathy end up on a dating show? Are the producers out of their minds?]
[I'm only here for Alex. Can we blur out Kathy already?]
[Lynsey is so straightforward. I love how she's not putting on an act!]
John grabbed the megaphone and announced the rules.
He said, "First round: cooking in teams. Boys and girls pair up. Less work when you team up with the opposite sex.
"We'll draw lots to decide the teams."
I was silently praying in my head not to get paired with Alex.
Honestly, even being paired with the sleazy has-been singer would be way better than ending up with Alex.
My hand was trembling as I reached into the lot box.
I pulled it out. It was a red ball.
John shouted through the megaphone, "Who got the red ball?"
The whole room went dead silent.
A few seconds later, a long hand went up. In his grip was a vivid red ball.
It was Alex, of course.
My vision went black. I almost passed out right there.
Lynsey's face turned dark at once.
She clutched her blue ball and shot me a venomous glare.
"John, this isn't fair!" Lynsey shouted. "Kathy can't cook. If she's paired with Alex, he will starve."
She turned to Alex, her voice all sweet and flirty.
"Alex, why don't we swap? I'm a fantastic cook. I'll spoil you rotten, promise," she said, batting her lashes.
Chat was blowing up with cheers.
[Exactly. Lynsey and Alex should be a team. Get out of here, Kathy!]
[Kathy's such a loser. Bet she only knows how to order takeout. Don't let her ruin Alex's meal.]
John glanced at Alex, looking a bit conflicted.
After all, Lynsey had serious backing behind her, and Alex was the main attraction of the whole show.
I quickly went along with it, eager to bail out.
"Yeah, I'm terrible in the kitchen. Alex has stomach problems. He better not risk teaming up with me," I said.
I shot Alex a look, my eyes practically screaming, "please, just let me off the hook."
Alex shot me a casual, almost dismissive glance.
There was a trace of nonchalant mockery in his eyes.
"No need," he replied.
He lazily tossed the red ball up and caught it, looking completely unfazed.
"I like my food awful, actually," he drawled.
Everyone, including me, was stunned.
Lynsey's smile froze completely.
She looked at Alex, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Alex, you're joking, right?" she blurted out.
Alex didn't spare her a glance. He walked straight over to me.
"Let's go, partner," he said.
He stopped right in front of me, leaning in just enough so only I could hear.
"Push me away one more time, and you won't be getting any sleep tonight," he murmured.
My legs went weak and I almost dropped to my knees.
Had he completely lost it?!
*****
Soon, inside the kitchen, the cameras were rolling.
The place was so cramped, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
I shrank into the farthest corner, scrubbing vegetables, wishing I could turn invisible.
Alex stood at the counter, unhurriedly rolling up his sleeves, showing off those toned, powerful forearms.
"Kathy," Alex suddenly called out.
Startled, I jerked, water splashing all over me.
"Here!" I called out.
"Come here," he ordered.