Page 52 of House of Deceit

“I don’t know if you were told, but our wranglers are pushing clips of us together, making it seem like there’s something here,” I say, feeling a little silly. He flirts with me, calls me beautiful, but in light of the new information, I don’t know what to make of all of it.

“I know. Frank told me. He wanted to make sure I was good with it before he aired it. I should have talked to you, I’m sorry I didn’t.”

His huge hand takes up half of my thigh where he places it. I set mine on top, wrapping my fingers around his.

“I wouldn’t want to be tied to anyone else in this house, but…” I trail off.

“Charlie,” he turns his entire body toward me, crossing his legs. I match his position. “You’re the first woman I have been attracted to since I met Brittany, but I’m not so delusional to believe I can offer you anything of substance. At least not right now.”

His candor is refreshing and I find myself smiling.

“That’s very flattering. For the record, you’re gorgeous. I’m just going to get that out there, but we could help each other.”

“I’m listening.”

“What if we lean into this a bit, now with both parties knowing about it, and we play it up. Alec, my wrangler—”

“I remember,” he says, his voice a little angry, not forgiving him for hurting my feelings earlier in the game.

“Right, so he says the audience is eating it up and we are more likely to continue moving forward if people are interested in us. As a couple.” I look at him and decide to lay all of my cards on the table. “My financial situation back home is not ideal.” I twist my frizzy red hair into a low knot, getting it off my neck. “I’m hoping to make it long enough brands will want to work with me when I get out of here so I can have some income while I look for a new job.”

“That's a really good plan. I’m in. Should we kiss on it?” he asks with a smirk.

I stick my hand out. “What about a shake?”

And just like that, I’ve made my first alliance of the game.

“You’ll receive your last paycheck next week. Alec has your flight information if it’s not already in your email,” Sheila says to the brand-new wrangler crying in her office. “You’ve not been fired, this isn’t a big deal. Your contestant is just going home and we don’t need extra people here.”

Normally, I would make the arrangements for the ousted wrangler without a meeting, but Sheila tries to make it a little more personal for the newer ones.

“Your flight is in a few hours. There’s an appointment set for you tomorrow morning at nine at the main Cost Communications building. They’ll let you know what show you’ll be going to assist on next,” I tell the girl.

Her name didn’t stick in my head as her contestant, Harper, was relatively low maintenance as far as production was concerned.

The tears have me mentally adding her to the list of wranglers who will not be invited back in the future.

After she’s been dismissed, I take her seat.

“Charlie is the deceiver this week. Please make sure to notify her,” Sheila tells me.

I make a note in my phone and start thinking of the various tricks she can play on the others.

“I’ll make sure to do that.”

She finishes typing and then focuses on me fully.

“I’ve been notified some of our episodes are ranking low in the ratings. Lower than we would expect at this time. Communicate to the other wranglers to make sure they are putting forward their most compelling clips. There seems to be less drama this season than normal and the audience is picking up on that. It’s not to leave this room, but we are going to throw something big at them next week.”

I nod, making more notes in my phone.

“Anything in particular?” I ask.

“We are still kicking around some ideas. How’s your contestant doing?”

“Charlie and Parker have agreed to play up the romance aspect of their relationship. I have a feeling that is really going to help ratings.”

When Charlie told me about their agreement, I knew it would be great for the show, but a part of me just wanted to tie her to the interview chair and not let Parker near her.

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