A Match Made in Heaven

“We should get going,” she said suddenly, refusing to let her emotions screw up the ending of her show.

“Let’s do it!” Clark said excitedly.

“Quiet on the set!” Janelle called as the quiet signs lit up.

The crowd behind her quieted down. She glanced at them. Most of them were women, waiting and eager to see who would be leaving with the handsome bachelor. Most of them continued to whisper to one another as they pointed at Reece. Janelle turned her attention back to the stage.

Clark was taking his place in front of the contestants. He adjusted the black, suit jacket he wore as he held a mic up to his lips. Janelle raised her fingers, he nodded. 3…2…1…

The sign lit up for applause and the studio turned into an uproar of cheers and applause. Clark basked in the attention as he waved to the crowd. His mega-watt smile was wide. When the quiet sign lit up once more and the applause had subsided Clark began.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Match Made in Heaven. This is the day that everyone’s been waiting for. Today, Reece will choose between these two lovely ladies, Patricia and Amber. First, we’ll have three more rounds of questions so our bachelor can get one final chance to get to know them. Ready?”
“Ready!” The contestant’s voices chimed.

The show started off as usual. Reece asked the women questions and they answered in their sultriest or most giggle filled voices. Janelle lost count of how many times she rolled her eyes before Mya elbowed her. The closer they got to the end of the show, the more the tension in the studio became palpable.

“This is it ladies and gentlemen,” Clark said in his deep, mysterious voice as he gazed out into the audience.

Everyone in the audience seemed to be holding their breath. Janelle couldn’t help but feel satisfaction at the fact that they looked so excited. Her show had been a hit. Even if she couldn’t have Reece.

“Reece,” Clark said, turning to the bachelor, “who will you be taking with you today? Patricia or Amber?”

Reece seemed to be contemplating it for a moment. Finally, he stood up from his chair. The man flashed his big smile before he looked at the audience.

“I actually have a confession to make,” the man said, prompting the audience to gasp.

Clark looked at Janelle with an uneasy expression. Janelle signaled him to keep going. Whatever Reece was doing, it would more than likely be astronomical for ratings. Clark turned back to Reece.

“Go ahead, Reece. What’s on your mind?”

“Well, first of all I’d like to say that I really have enjoyed getting to know all of the contestants. You were all interesting and I really liked hearing your stories. However, I haven’t been very honest.” Reece took a deep breath. “First of all, I’m not the owner of an art gallery. I’m actually a wall street investor. A billionaire, really,” he said, running his hand over the back of his head nervously.

Mya glanced at Janelle. Lost, Janelle could only shrug her shoulders. She had no idea what was going on, but she was intrigued. A billionaire. What was he doing on her show?

“I lied because I got tired of women dating me for my money. So, I decided to get on this show and just get to know you ladies, personally. After all of that, I do have to say that I found who I’m meant to be with,” he said with a smile.

“I’m sure our audience would love to know which lady that is?” Clark said with a grin.

Janelle could tell that Clark was soaking in the drama. He loved things like this. However, she had to admit that her heart was beating against her chest wildly. She had no idea what Reece was doing. Everything was out of her control. It was thrilling and new. She was eating it up right along with everyone else.

“Well, Clark,” Reece said with a grin, “she’s really special. She’s smart, funny, awkward and she loves history as much as I do.”

When Reece turned towards her, Janelle felt her mouth fall open. She wanted to ask him what he thought he was doing? Her voice was stuck in her throat though. She couldn’t think beyond staring at him.

“Janelle, I fell for you the first time we talked. I can’t pretend that I don’t want you. That I’m not…in love with you. I want more of those late nights on the couch. More of those deep conversations that never end. I love you. Will you go on a real date with me tonight?”

Janelle could feel her mouth open and close, but no words were escaping. She glanced at Mya and Clark. Both of them seemed to be shocked too, they were no help. The woman glanced back on the stage at Reece. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for that, for anything.

A date. A real date. She let the thought process in her mind. And he loved her. It was much too quick for them to have those kinds of feelings, wasn’t it? Still, Janelle couldn’t deny that she felt something for him as well.

Janelle slipped the headset off. Slowly, she walked up to the stage. The look on the other two women’s faces ranged from disbelief to fury. Janelle could deal with that later, for now she walked up to Reece.

“What do you say?” He said in a low, deep voice.

Janelle nodded slowly. “Okay. A date it is.”

Reece leaned down. His lips brushed against hers lightly before he kissed her so deeply that she could feel her knees go weak. Sighing, she leaned against it, taking in the moment without thinking of anything else. Behind her, she could hear Clark speaking and the roar of the audience. They were clapping, stomping, screaming.

“That’s Match Made in Heaven, ladies and gentlemen. Until next time,” Clark called.

The show was over. Janelle pulled back from Reece, her hands placed on his chest. He looked at her with his deep chocolate eyes and she grinned.

“Dinner, tonight?”

“Yes,” she said slowly. “You have some explaining to do.”

“Quite a bit,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Sounds good,” Janelle could hear Patricia screaming as she stormed around the screen that had separated her and Reece. “I better go deal with the fallout.”

“Sorry,” he said looking sheepish. “Let me help.”

“What the hell is this?” Patricia asked, her hands propped on her hips. “I spent all of this time on this show for him to choose you? This is bullsh*t!”

Amber peeked around the divider as well. She gave a small wave to Reece. The man grinned as he walked over to both of them.

“Let me guess, you’re Amber and you’re Patricia?”

Amber nodded as Patricia stopped in her tracks, staring at Reece. Janelle felt her jealously stir. However, she decided to let Reece take the lead, for now anyway. He should apologize to them anyway.

“Amber,” he said shaking her hand, “you look amazing. I enjoyed your thoughts and ideas. You’re very smart.”

Amber was grinning, a slight pink tint on her cheeks. “Thank you. I’m glad I got to meet you,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m a bit jealous, but I’m glad that you found someone that makes you happy. Good luck you two. This was fun.”