Page 119 of House of Deceit

“Yeah, just taking a second to appreciate the view,” I tell him, smiling at the mansion. A drop of rain hits my nose.

He takes my garment bag from me before offering his arm. Linked, we reverse the journey we took the last time we were here and walk into the entryway. The first day I walked in, nerves gripped me so tightly. I was afraid of this house and everything that could happen inside. But I shouldn’t have been. This was where my life started. Where I learned to be unapologetic with the risks I take. To trust myself.

On the entryway table is a card. I pick it up and immediately recognize Alec’s handwriting.

“I’m going to go put this in the kitchen. See you in a bit.” Parker leans down to kiss my cheek and walks off with my bag containing my outfit change for the premier as I open the card.

On thick, cream card stock, Alec wrote out his common phrase over the announcement system.

Price, to the interview room.

I carry the card with me as I move through the different hallways. The last time I was with Alec in the interview room was the worst moment of my life, but I know that’s not the case this time. Alec and I worked through the hurt he caused with the choice he made, but in the end, I understood. With the options he was given, I would have done the same thing.

The glow of candlelight meets me as I open the doors. The smell of warmth and vanilla permeates the room. Standing next to his normal chair, Alec dons a tuxedo. It clings to his form and enhances his beauty. He’s always been one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen, and he still takes my breath away every day.

The camera that was in the room with us every time we met is there now, the red light bright in the dim room.

“Price, it’s time for your final interview,” he says. “Take your seat.”

I feel slightly underdressed in my favorite sun dress compared to his tux, but the gown I have for tonight will complement him well. The chair is comfortable. Welcome. A reminder.

“Where did the camera come from?” I ask, since he told me the house was stripped down after shooting so it'd be ready for the next show.

“Sheila. As a favor. Now, Charlie Price, how do you feel your life has been since you won season ten of House of Deceit?” he asks in his patent wrangler, now director, voice.

“I would say it has been very blessed. The best years I’ve ever had.”

“Do you regret anything from your time on the show?”

“Not spending as much time with some of the contestants as I should have. I’ve become extremely close with a few since leaving the mansion that I didn’t really connect with, like Jayden, during our time here.” He rests his ankle on the opposite knee, crossing his arms. I’m taken back to our first interview where we ended up yelling at each other. His hair is a little longer now and I can read every line of his face, but he is still the same stern, intimidating man.

“Is it true you fell in love while you were on the show?”

I smile. “I did, yes.”

“Do you still love them now?”

“I do.”

The line of questioning makes butterflies begin to take off in my stomach, but I wait to see where he’s trying to lead me.

“What would you say if that person said their life would never be complete without you?”

I look at him for a long second. “I’d say the feeling is, and always has been, mutual.”

He stands from the chair and gets down on one knee in front of me, taking my hand in his. The butterflies fully swarm as tears gather in my eyes.

“Charlie, my life was missing something. Love and companionship and laughter. Someplace I could be me, and I found that with you in this room. Our last time in here was horrible and I wanted to replace that memory with another. You are the light of my life. I can’t breathe without you. I want it to be you and me forever. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears stream down my face as I say, without hesitation, "Yes! Of course!”

He takes a box out of his jacket pocket and opens it. The ring is a beautiful sapphire, and he slides it on my left ring finger before snatching me up in a hug. As he spins me around, the laugh that comes out of me is pure happiness.

“Best interview ever,” I say as I press a hard kiss to his waiting lips.

“As much as I want to kiss you all night long, and I definitely will later, you need to go get ready for the premiere,” he says, shooing me from the interview room so he can clean up. “Go find Parker. I’ll see you soon.” With a final kiss, I leave.

I make my way through the house, memories popping up as I move around. Keith acting out his favorite movies and all of us laughing and heckling him. Dinners in the dining room where Ava inevitably ended up crying from something someone said. Molly and I playing pranks on people who were napping.

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