Reality And Romance

Chapter 5

The media was in a frenzy. Reporters flocked the mansion from miles around as Libby and Andrew drove towards the Thompson mansion.

They had finally been discovered.
It hadn’t been too bad. It turns out that the manner in which they were caught was advantageous for both of them. Libby had received plenty of media speculation, but avoided the normal negative scrutiny that the new girlfriends of celebrities usually had to put up with and was instead being hailed as a hero. The reporters gave Andrew a similar treatment, one women’s magazine even labeled him New York’s Savior in Spandex. Suddenly, hundreds of articles were distributed, online, in the papers and in magazines, all praising his heroism and how there was more to him than just a pretty face.

Vanessa had reveled in the attention and was quick to incorporate it in the show. The other two brothers were purposefully told to need Andrew’s help all week, lifting heavy items and opening jars primarily. Aaron especially, being younger than Andrew, was told to ‘reveal all’ in the ‘Hot Tub of Truth’. What followed was an entire week of television filled with Aaron’s sob stories about how his brother had always been a hero to him.

Libby had been sent to see Vanessa the day before, to be briefed on what was going to happen now that she had agreed to go on the show. She still hadn’t been entirely happy about having to make an appearance, but Andrew was firm. Now that their relationship had been ‘outed’, the best way of dealing with it was to deal with it head on. If she was going to be famous, then she needed to be in control of it, and the best way for this to happen was to have her appear on the show.

Nonetheless, Libby hadn’t been looking forward to this meeting. After so carefully ignoring and rejecting Vanessa’s advances she had expected that the woman would gloat now that she had finally agreed, and to her mind, had no choice. However, and to her immense surprise instead of catty comments and gloating, the woman had pulled out a chair for her and poured her a glass of wine, before raising a toast. She had wished Libby success with her new found career.

All in all, Vanessa really had been surprisingly amicable about the whole thing. “Dear, I never wanted you to come here against your own will. I wanted you to want to come. I wanted to persuade you it was for the best.”

Libby frowned, “But I thought…”

“Unhappy workers produce poor produce.” Vanessa explained calmly. “That isn’t to say I’m never going to ask you to do anything that you won’t enjoy, but it will always be in your best interests.”

Libby was surprised. She hadn’t disliked Andrew’s mother up till now, but she had certainly been wary of her. However, as Vanessa carefully explained the intricacies of the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of reality television, Libby realized that what she had said was true. Vanessa was looking out for her.

The meeting lasted the best part of an hour, mostly it was on the topic of what topics of conversation were appropriate and how much public affection would be permitted on the camera. It was all relatively straight forward. Once Libby had all the basic rules down, she thanked Vanessa for her time, and went to take her leave.

“Thank you for your time dear, I look forward to seeing you on the show.” Vanessa shook her hand and shot her a genuine smile.
Libby met the handshake with her own smile. “Yea, I appreciate all the help Vanessa,” she said before letting go and walking towards the door.

Before she reached it she stopped. Outside the glass pane she saw Aaron waiting. He looked unhappy.

“Hey, um…Vanessa?” Libby swallowed, she wasn’t entire sure it was her place to interfere. But she liked Aaron, and he just looked so miserable. Libby decided it was worth saying something. Maybe Vanessa would be more receptive to an outside opinion. “You know Aaron really loves McKenzie right?”

Vanessa sighed, “I am well aware of my son’s feelings. I wish…I wish things were different. But that man has badmouthed our show many times to the press. I cannot allow him in this house, I know my sons would say different, but it would make us all look weak. Moreover, the press would be suspicious of some kind of foul play, they might think we set the entire feud in motion for publicity.”

“I’m sure he, uh, has changed his mind…” Libby tried to argue, weakly.

“No, he hasn’t. He still thinks the show is awful. He said he would only force himself to go on for Aaron’s sake. Whatever you might think of me Libby, I have managed mine and my son’s time on this show for ten years. I have prevented numerous scandals, heaven knows I had to with Johnny when he was a teenager, the amount of girls spotted climbing out his bedroom…” She rolled her eyes at the memory. “This show brings us a steady income. Moreover, it brings my boys opportunities, most of our guests are small time models with big name mothers and fathers. This isn’t all about entertainment, if it were, there would be no point. No, the show is more than that. It’s a political tool. It’s leverage. It can get my sons the careers they want, maybe not in the way they would have chosen, but they’ll have a hell of a lot more opportunities than other people as a result of it and I will fight for them to have more.”

Libby sighed, she could see why Aaron was having such a hard time convincing his mother. “I understand that but…McKenzie does make Aaron happy. You’re a businesswoman maybe with some good press….”

“Libby,” Vanessa cut in. “I appreciate your concern for Aaron, but my mind had already been made up.”

*****

With Vanessa’s advice still clear in her mind, Libby mustered all her courage and prepared to go on the show. She wasn’t allowed to enter straight away though, first the cast and crew would do her makeup, hair and clothes, all ready for her grand entrance. Andrew gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as he was hurried to the male dressing room, ensuring her that everything would be fine, and that no matter what they did, he was sure she would still look gorgeous.

The dressing rooms were based in rooms at the side of the mansion. There were a couple of cameras set up in the room, although she had been ensured by Vanessa this would be done in a montage with the ‘before’ and ‘after’ footage. She wouldn’t be required to speak and her words would not be recorded until she was officially on the show.

There were three people who had been sent to get her ready, a hairdresser, a makeup artist and a stylist, who was to dress her.

They did her hair first. After Libby completely refused to let them straighten it (a bad incident in her teens with an iron had put her off the idea forever). They instead put some cream in it to reduce any frizz, giving the ringlets more shine and definition. Following this, they dressed her. They had clearly decided to play the sophisticated working woman up to its full angle, giving her a tight, black pencil skirt and a white blouse, with a waistcoat. The style wasn’t that different from what she’d usually wear, but the fit was sensational. Each fine stitch curved at just the right place, accentuating her curves without clinging to them.
“This suit fits so well,” She marveled as she examined herself in the mirror. She wasn’t sure what was different from her actual suits, but a nicer cut and more expensive fabric had made a big difference. Furthermore, she looked put together, well…tidier than usual. Something she normally couldn’t manage before work. Usually when she dressed herself it was in a rush, with half done makeup and a piece of toast hanging out of her mouth.

The stylist smiled at her. “It’s an Andrew Thompson piece. He designed it for you last week, as soon as he knew you were going on the show.”

Libby beamed, “Andrew designed this for me? He really is talented, isn’t he.”

The stylist nodded in agreement before pulling out another box. This one was gift wrapped, with a large pink bow on the top.

“This is also from Mr Thompson.”

Libby laughed a little, remembering the last time she had received a mysterious package from him. “It’s nothing superhero related, is it?” She joked.

The stylist shook her head. “Open it and see.”