Page 27 of House of Deceit

“You’re right,” Alec says, leaning against the dresser like he did the first time he was here. “I didn’t really pay attention to how my other contestants were feeling on arrival day, so I’m not really sure how to help here.”

“Of course you didn’t notice anyone else’s emotions, you robot.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t compute sarcasm. Please rephrase the statement.” I give him a dead look in response to his horrible robot voice. “Charlie, you are a beautiful, funny woman and you’re paired with me. This is going to be no problem. And I don’t want to make this situation worse, but I’m going to remind you the five thousand dollars you desperately need will not be paid out if you don’t make it to the mansion.”

I stop my pacing and remind myself how much I do not want to be kicked out of my apartment.

“For the money, fine. But I swear if you pick some embarrassing clip of me, I will probably castrate you. And cry.”

“Castrating me would really make my life less fun when I’m not shooting, Charlie.”

I snort. “I’m sure the women of the world would be utterly devastated. I’m ready. Let’s do this,” I tell him.

He stands from the dresser. “That’s my girl,” he says, heading toward the door.

A small flutter at his words starts in my stomach, but the stress quickly runs it over once more. My bags feel like a thousand pounds, making each step require a monumental effort as I leave the room for the last time.

“Before we go, I need your phone,” Alec says, holding out his hand. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”

Reluctantly, I slap it down in his hand and head to meet my awaiting car. Each contestant is loaded into their own black car. There is no mingling before the cameras are rolling. Every moment of our days has been structured so we did not get a glimpse of one another.

An opaque divider is up between me and the driver and the windows in the back are blacked out, so I can’t see where we are going. Every season, a different mansion is turned into the House of Deceit. The only consistency from one season to the next is each location has stunning views, from snowcapped mountains to scenic coastlines.

Minutes tick by and I try to keep track of them, but one dissolves into another as I fight the urge to pick at my nails.

I’m in my favorite green sun dress. A sweetheart neckline cuts low as the bodice hugs me until it flares at my hips to hit mid-thigh. If not for its length, the skirt would be perfect for twirling. One of the few things from my closet that gives me confidence.

The car slows and then comes to a stop. I hear the driver’s door open and I close my eyes, sending up one last prayer.

Sunlight blinds my vision as the car door is opened. The driver holds out his hand for me. Dry, warm skin meets my clammy hand and I want to apologize, but nerves trap my voice. My favorite gold wedges crunch against the rock as I stand from the car. As the door is closed, my mouth drops open. The mansion is gorgeous. A soaring structure of brick with ivy climbing the front. A gravel driveway circles a large stone fountain. Other than the driver, not a soul is around, but Alec prepared me for the solitary arrival. This is the last time I won’t be recorded for the next, hopefully, twelve weeks.

“Good luck,” the kind man says as he makes his way back to the driver’s side.

I stare at the house, taking in the surreal view before me, as he puts the vehicle in drive and departs. When I can no longer hear the car, and I have my nerves somewhat controlled, I make my way up the lane.

The double doors are covered in wrought iron vines and flowers. I push them open and step into the cavernous entryway. I’m sure it’s stunning, but I see nothing besides the tablet on the table before me. Pressing my thumb to the scanner, dots dance around while it analyzes my print. I wait. Green means I’m a regular player for the week. Red, the deceiver. At this moment, I’m not sure which I want to be more.

The screen flashes, and I smile—my body calms. I straighten my spine and walk into the game.

The room is dark. I can’t see any other competitors, but I sense other bodies in the room with me. The chair someone from production guided me to is deep, the edge of the cushion pushing into the back of my knees. The host, Jacob Jacobson’s voice filters over the speakers, welcoming us to House of Deceit.

“The lights will come on in the mansion, and the games will begin in thirty seconds. Who’s going to be the first Head Deceiver? Who will be the first eliminated? Will there be any alliances this season? Let’s see what happens in ten, nine, eight…” The countdown hits zero, bright lights come on, and the game begins.

The blond man across from me is striking as he gives me a smile.

We all sit in a circle in the middle of a large living room. Two L-shaped couches are pushed to the side to make room for our first moments in the mansion. Directly in front of me, I see a hint of cabinets through a wide, arched doorway. To the left are floor to ceiling glass doors leading to the backyard.?

No one makes a move and the awkwardness of the situation starts to settle in. I can feel the weight of all the cameras hiding in the room, watching us. One of the girls, who looks just over the twenty-one-year-old age requirement, is almost vibrating in her chair. Her bubblegum pink dress and pearls around her neck make her look like she’s playing dress up in her mother’s clothes.

“Hi, y’all. My name is Mary Ella. I’m from Alabama and the reigning Miss Pecan Pie. I am so excited to be here with y’all and get to know you! We are all going to be best friends. I can just tell. A little about me: I just graduated from ‘Bama, roll tide! My daddy owns a chain of car dealerships, and I’m the manager there. I’ve tried out for the dating show House of Desire, twice, but I thought this would be more fun!” Her accent is thick but as precious as she is.

Her enthusiasm gets a few chuckles. I smile at her. Being an only child, I don’t personally know how sibling dynamics feel, but something inside me wants to tuck in this little bundle of happiness and protect her from the big, bad world.

I continue to peek at the blond man out of the corner of my eye as we go around the room, introducing ourselves. I try to make mental notes for my journal later and become overwhelmed quickly after the fifth introduction, but a few stick out.?

Cain smiles at the room, the gesture warm and welcoming. He is thin with thick, medium-brown hair. Most people would look over him, but there’s something around the edges of his eyes that puts my hackles up.

Jaxon, a devout Christian, is here to spread the message. Harper, the atheist to his left, scoffs. That will be a fun pairing, I’m sure. Every season seems to have at least two people on opposite sides of belief systems, and it tends to lead to heated interactions.

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