Chapter 13
Tiana blinked, hard, and when her eyes snapped open. Enoch was still there, his cool, detached, and undeniably handsome presence as solid as ever.
Her brain did a little backflip. They’d been out of touch for days, and she’d figured Enoch was a no–show. But here he was, dropping a bombshell.
Enoch’s entrance wasn’t just a Tiana special, it blindsided Jocelyn too. Her heart took an unexpected skip at the sight of Enoch’s stunning face. He was the fiancé her family had lined up for her since she was a kid.
True. Enoch had left the Gaston family at the tender age of eight, and they’d been strangers for over ten years. Yet, the engagement lingered.
Truth be told, seeing Enoch all grown up and gorgeous did a number on Jocelyn. He was drop–dead gorgeous, exuding masculinity. But he’d signed on as a bodyguard for the Schneiders.
She was the darling of the entertainment scene now. Not quite the A–lister, but her paychecks dwarfed Enoch’s annual earnings. And he was about as warm as an iceberg–could go a whole day without cracking a word.
She was stumped why he’d show up on a dating show. ‘Did Tristan just invite him for his looks? With Enoch’s personality, he’d never sign up for this.
Suddenly, it hit her. ‘Unless… he’s here for me? Feeling the heat from my flirtation with Simon? Is he all of a sudden insecure and decided to hit the dating circuit to snag me?”
Jocelyn’s eyes
danced with a blend of bewilderment and indecision. She’d come to chase Simon, and if Enoch was dead set on being in the mix, it complicated things. On the bright side, having both guys vying for her attention was a popularity
booster.
Jocelyn cast a glance at Tiana, a glimmer of empathy in her gaze. She’d seen Tiana as a fierce rival, but it seemed Tiana’s allure wasn’t as potent as she’d feared.
Once the three male contestants were all settled in the van, the crew gave them the cue to introduce themselves.
Simon glanced over at Enoch, a smirk playing on his lips. A bodyguard? Really? Tristan’s lost his marbles letting someone like him on the show, he thought to himself.
Gideon, the strong, silent type, looked into the camera with his usual detached gaze, like a still pond. His voice was as flat as his stare when he said, “I’m Gideon Lancaster, male, nineteen, ex–singer,”
JAhhh, he’s too cute!]
[I’m getting all emotional. My little guy’s all grown up and ready to date.]
[I don’t get why Gideon’s fans are so cool with this. He’s only nineteen. Why’s he on a dating show?]
[You don’t get it. Gideon had a rough start, was bullied. If he’s ready to step into the light with a dating show, we’re thrilled for him.]
[Just saying, dating someone who’s as quiet as Gideon might be a lot of work]
[As long as Gideon’s in, we’re all his girlfriends.]
The crew, well aware of Gideon’s reticence, didn’t push him for more. The spotlight then turned to Simon, who sat with an
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elegant case, his legs crossed, confidence oozing from every pore.
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With a slight smile, Simon began, Tim Simon Fletcher, turning twenty–six this year. 1 started in the entertainment industry at ten, did my first movie, and by twenty, I’d won Best Actor. At twenty–four, I retired from acting, a three–time Best Actor winner, to take over the family business. Now, I’m the CEO of Starlight Entertainment.”
Wow, Simon is amazing!]
Retires as a three–time Best Actor and inherits billions–what a life!]
From movie star to a business tycoon, I’m loving this.]
And he’s doing all this to win over the girl who’s mad at him.]
Jocelyn’s one lucky lady!]
Even though it hurts to see him with someone, as long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters.]
I wonder who the third contestant is. With these first two, he’s got some big shoes to fill]
After Simon wrapped up his introduction, the spotlight shifted to Enoch. Tiana, watching the livestream, felt a jumble of excitement and anxiety.
She was curious about how Enoch would present himself. The comment section was abuzz with guesses about the third bachelor’s identity. “What if he just comes out and says he’s a bodyguard? Will people tear him apart?‘ she wondered.
Jocelyn was lost in a daydream about Simon’s introduction, her cheeks tinted with a rosy blush as she envisioned herself as the head of Starlight Entertainment.
When she finally snapped back to reality, she heard Enoch’s self–introduction. Im Enoch Gaston, male, twenty–five, and I’m currently a bodyguard.”
For a moment, Jocelyn was at a loss for words. A wave of embarrassment washed over her. ‘Did Enoch really just lay out his job like that? How could he be so brazen? Simon was a former music sensation, a top–shelf actor, and a billionaire CEO, and here’s Enoch, just a bodyguard. Didn’t he feel the slightest bit out of place?”
She made up her mind to pretend they were strangers when he arrived. It was too mortifying to consider otherwise.
Tiana, on the other hand, found Enoch’s candid introduction amusing. She didn’t see it as embarrassing; instead, it showed his courage.
For a beat, the comment section fell silent. Then it exploded with reactions,
[Wait, did I hear that right?]
A bodyguard? You’ve got to be kidding me.]
[Seriously? After all the hype, the third guy’s just a bodyguard?]
[Tristan, what were you thinking, inviting a bodyguard?]
Maybe the first two guys were too intense, and they needed security?]
Can’t deny it, he’s the hottest bodyguard I’ve ever seen! Quality guy right there.]
[Probably thinks he can use his looks to get with a celebrity.]
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Seems tough but is just some guy trying to get famous off a woman’s fame.J
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[Truth be told, I think he and Tiana would make an adorable pair. Can we just pair them up and keep him away from the others?|
When Tiana spotted the phrase “trying to get famous off a woman’s farme, her brows knitted. She whipped out her phone and fired off a reply.
It takes guts to get famous. He’s got the looks and the charisma and is good in bed. What do you have? A bunch of jealous trolls.]
Once she sent it, she jazzed up her comment with some colorful text, smirking as she did. Her vibrant retort stood out among the sea of comments bashing Enoch’s profession.
The chatter in the comments died down for a beat. Tiana hoped those clueless critics were finally getting it, but then her phone blared. It was Elodie, nearly yelling through the speaker, “Tiana!”
Tiana cringed. “Elodic, what’s with the noise?”
Elodie boomed, “You can comment all you want, but why make it so flashy? Fancy fonts are cool, but maybe use your backup account?”
Tiana’s mind went blank. “I thought I was on my backup. Did it not switch?” She checked her settings. ID: TianaS_Vibes. Panic hit her.
The crowd was abuzz:
[No way, is TianaS_Vibes Tiana? She’s out here sticking up for contestant number three!]
[Tiana the Plotter really can’t turn down a pretty face, even if he’s just a bodyguard.]
[C’mon, Tiana, you’re backing a guy just ‘cause he’s cute? What gives?]
[Tiana’s not just daring, she loves the limelight. She’s the most restless of the three ladies!]
I’m just watching, but honestly, these two would be an adorable pair. Flirty celeb vs. quiet bodyguard]
[Wait, did anyone else catch Tiana saying the guy was good in bed? Has she been there?]
[Something’s fishy here.]
Tristan, always ready to fan the flames, switched the live stream to the studio where Tiana was playfully shaking her head, looking puzzled. He aimed the mic at her. “Tiana, what’s this about the third male guest being good in bed?”
Laughs filled the comments. (Haha, Tristan knows how to stir the pot!
Tiana’s bewildered face is kind of endearing.1
[Tiana’s a pro at getting noticed; she’s the most out there of the female participants!]
Caught off guard by Tristan’s move, Tiana took a breath and responded, “Isn’t he good–looking and charming? I’m only guessing. And I can’t stand when people judge someone for their job! What’s wrong with being a bodyguard? If he’s making an honest living, why put him down?”
She went on, “Whether you’re a singer, an award–winning actor, or a CEO, you’re still regular folks. So why mock the third male guest for being attractive and fit? I won’t stand for that kind of senseless hate!”
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Wow, she really hit the nail on the head. What Tiana said was spot–on“]
[Girl, you tell ‘emid}
I’m starting to see Tiana in a new light. She’s got the looks and the class, and she’s the only one backing up the third guy.]
[Tiana’s just grandstanding, trying to steal the spotlight, such a schemer!]
Hey, Rowan’s fans need to chill. Every time Tiana’s around, they go nuts with their snark. Why don’t you guys focus on Rowan instead of hating?|
[Totally! Rowan’s fans are like a bunch of trolls, it’s pathetic.]
We’re just here for Tiana keeping it real and sticking up for what’s right. If you don’t like it, then hit the road‘]
Elodie was monitoring the online buzz, fully expecting Tiana to be swarmed by negativity. But to her surprise, Tiana was raking in a bunch of new fans, and her chat with Tristan had hit the trending list.
Hashtags like “Tiana has solid values,” “Tiana & Enoch,” “Seducer & Bodyguard,” and “Tianoch is adorable” were popping up everywhere.
Tiana’s Twitter following surged from 500k to 600k, and a fan group for the Tianoch duo was even born.
Jocelyn, on the other hand, couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Tiana’s tactics. ‘Is Tiana out of her mind: Defending her bodyguard like that? Does she really think that’s going to make Enoch take more notice of her? Enoch’s into me, not her If I didn’t have my eye on Simon, I wouldn’t have let Enoch stay around Tiana as her bodyguard in the first place.
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