Chapter One: Blinded

Part 1

　　"Ash! Can you hear me? Ash! Wake up!" I heard a woman's voice hoarse and shouting in panic.

　　I feel her caress my long hair and holding me in her arms. "P-Please, Ash. I-I'm sorry. Wake up!"

　　I open my eyes and I hear whispers of people encircling me. They're all staring at me with worried, confused faces. The tiled floor felt cold under my legs, almost sending me chills. It's a bit uncomfortable. I gasp and facepalm in my head. How can this happen again? Will I faint at random places 'til I'm old and grey?

　　*START OF FLASHBACK*

　　"Good day, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the blind date show! Where you find your one true?" Steve announced with glee.

　　"Love!" the audience shouted in response. They clapped happily. The background music was loud while light blue, pink, and purple lights dance in the stage.

　　What am I doing here again? I tried to remind myself that I'm here for a reason and that's to salvage my singing career.

　　"We have a very, very special guest. He's the most sought after bachelor and a top celebrity. He won more than a hundred acting awards both here in the States and internationally throughout his nine years in the industry. He's our tall and handsome debonair, Tony Green!" Steve sounds more enthusiastic than ever.

　　Tony gave a nonchalant smile and waved at the crowd as he entered the stage. He shook hands with Steve.

　　Uh-oh. TONY GREEN?! I'm in big trouble. Manager Kim did not tell me that I'm playing here to date Tony Green. Are you kidding me? The playboy, easy-go-lucky, mean, badass Green? No way, not me! No! No!

　　"Nooooooo!" I shouted. My voice echoed in the studio. This is one of those shameful moments when you unknowingly, abruptly uttered something from your mind and you regret it immediately after you say it. How impulsive can I get?!

　　"Oh, is there anything wrong, Contestant number 3?" Steve asked immediately with a worried look on his face.

　　I fidgeted. "T-there's a cock-, cock-, I mean, a c-cockroach i-inside my booth." Stupid, stupid, stupid! How can you say cock in this situation? Now I look like a pervert.

　　The audience laughs heartily at my response.

　　"That's gross!" Steve remarked and signaled to the show's staff, "Grace, kindly check booth number 3 and have that roach removed."

　　Grace looks pale and disgusted as she approaches my booth.

　　"N-no, it's fine. It left, I mean, it flew away." I answered. Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!

　　Tony smirked. He looks entertained. Wow, what a beautiful sight he is!

　　I slap my forehead. Don't fall for him!

　　"Alrighty. If that's the case, let's start the show. Beautiful ladies, introduce yourselves first." Steve came back to his original stoked self.

　　"Hi, Tony! You can call me Sexy Angel. I've got everything a man could wish for. You'll have no dull moments when you're with me." the girl inside the first booth introduced herself with a flirty, high-pitched tone, almost sounding like a firetruck's siren. No kidding.

　　"Hello there, Tony! I'm Lovely Dream Girl. I'm smart, pretty, and fun to be with. I'll make you a satisfied man at the end of the day." She sounds sweet and sincere.

　　"Hi, Mr. Green! M-my name is..uh..hmmm... Miss Happy. I love music." Seems like I'm nervous. Is there a bee on my throat? Note to self: I'm here for Mom and Grandma.

　　Tony laughs cheerily.

　　Just wow. Did he just laugh at me? What's so funny? What a stuck-up jerk!

　　"Now that we're done with our introductions. Let's start with Round 1! Ready, ladies?"

　　"Yes!" We said in unison.

　　"Tony?" Steve stared at him.

　　"Yeah." He smiled revealing his perfect set of teeth.

　　The girls went wild.

　　My heart skipped a beat. Damn!

　　I examine him from head to toe and he looks so darn sexy in those ripped jeans, a gray polo shirt that hugs his torso, and a navy cap on his head. He's like 6 feet and 7 inches tall. I stared at his face and I'm drawn to those light blue eyes that glistened like stars. Any lady will be lost in that.

　　"First question. Where do you think is the best romantic getaway?" Asked Steve.

　　He has short, brown wavy hair, perfectly thick eyebrows, and long, dark eyelashes. His skin is tan and he looks so manly, as an alpha male...

　　"For me, that will be at the beach. We'll sit by the bonfire along the shore, beside a small tent. We'll eat marshmallows and sweetly talk to each other." Sexy Angel said with a seductive smile.

　　And of course, I wouldn't miss those two cute, deep dimples that show even if he doesn't smile and just talk. His naturally red lips that you want to kiss so badly...

　　She explains, "You got yourself into this mess. This is the only way for you to save your descending career. You passed out during your concert and it made a big buzz. You fanned the fire by losing consciousness tonight. Your fans are rapidly leaving you, not believe you anymore. I have to handle a lot of declined projects and canceled endorsements, too. You know I always got your back so trust me in this, okay?"

　　She continues, "For 13 years, we've been supporting you. We gave you all the help and counseling you need but all failed. You have to help yourself, too. I'm not telling you to date him for real, okay? It's just that dating him can help cover up your failures, just for now. Until we find a more permanent solution, I expect you to cooperate."

　　I take in and let out a long, loud breath. I can't argue anymore.

　　I place my hand under my chin and nod.

　　She relaxes and got back to her old self. That's a relief. Sometimes I wonder if she has some anger management issues or something else 'cause her mood changes in a snap. Oh well, I just think we need to visit my shrink together.

　　I laugh to myself but feel miserable soon after. Will I survive 7 days with that guy? It'll not be that bad, right?

　　"Your luggage is ready. I've got everything packed up for you. Your passport is at right side pocket of your handbag. I really have to go, you know how President Rogers is." She takes her Louis Vuitton handbag and put a bright red Mac lipstick on her lips.

　　Yes, she really is the Starlight Entertainment's Big Boss' wife.

　　We hear a loud knock at the door.

　　"It must be Tony. I asked him to take you to the airport. Enjoy, okay?" She winks and kisses my cheek as I gape at her.

　　Just great. I need to take a breather. Please.

　　Manager Kim opens the door quickly and I see a tall man, around 6 feet 3 inches.

　　He's smiling from ear to ear and looks dashing. I bite my lip and feel myself blush. So cute. The boy next door, just my style.

　　He has blonde hair, dark green eyes, and a chiseled jaw. His skin is porcelain white and he's got a well-defined body.

　　He holds out his hand, "Hi, I'm Greg Mckinley, Tony's assistant."

　　Manager Kim shakes his hands and I copy her, too. I stare at him, his face is perfect and it seems like he's also got a nice personality.

　　Oh yes, I remember he's the talk of the town because he's friendly and jolly, the exact opposite of his boss.

　　Maybe, just maybe, this trip might be fun.

　　"Nice meeting you, Greg. I'm Ash." I didn't realize that I was shaking his hands for quite a while now.

　　I hear someone clearing his throat from behind Greg. It's Tony.

　　I let go of his hands feeling a bit awkward.

　　In a baritone voice, he says, "We need to go, we'll be late. Our flight is at 10:30."

　　I look at him from head to toe. He's now changed to a white shirt and white denim shorts.

　　It's plain but he looks so sexy in it. His big shoulders and strong chest shows underneath. And looks like he's got abs but I'm not sure. Did I just check him out?

　　"Like what you see?" He smirks teasingly.

　　I raise an eyebrow while rolling my eyes, "You wish, Mr. Green."

　　Greg enters the room and takes my bags with herm. While Manager Kim is talking to Tony, I storm out of the dressing room.