The beloved one

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!