Seeing Is Believing

by Jill Ferraro

  Brielle wasn’t returning his texts. She’d told him she was excited to see him earlier but there was radio silence ever since. Hopefully, she was busy primping or taking care of wedding things, not just dreading having to go on her date with ‘Carl’.

  After an hour or so had passed, Mark finally entered the room. Seth thought he looked nervous but he’d be nervous too with Abigail breathing down his neck all day, every day.

  “Can we go now?”

  Mark shook his head. “We have another hour. But you and I need to talk.”

  Seth grunted. “About what?”

  “Brielle. She had an amazing time with Asher.”

  “Screw that guy.”

  Mark rubbed his temples. “Can you stop? This could be a serious problem. For both of us. I need you to make sure you’re on your best behavior later when you see her.”

  “Of course I will be. She won’t be able to resist me.”

  “Honestly, she tried to resist you.”

  Seth was confused. “What do you mean?”

  “She just called Abigail. She wanted to cancel her date with Carl.”

  Seth felt anger bubble up inside of him. How could she want to cancel her date? She loved Carl. They had talked about their future together. Why would she just want to abandon that?

  Mark held up his hands, clearly, he noticed that Seth was visibly upset. “Listen, don’t get upset about it. There’s still a chance for you, you just have to ace the date this afternoon.”

  Obviously that was Seth’s plan. Mark was growing more irritating by the second. Seth didn’t feel like he had to do anything out of the ordinary to get Brielle back. Just reminding her of everything they once had would be enough. He was sure of it.

  Seth unclenched his fist. “I’m not upset. I’ll ace the date.”

  “Good. That means being a gentleman, not getting upset when she, inevitably, reacts poorly to you being there, trying to make her comfortable. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mark, I understand. I know how to calm her down.”

  “I hope you do. Because you’re going to need to do everything in your power to keep her on your good side.”

  Mark got up and left the room, leaving Seth alone with his thoughts. He pulled out his note and reread it for the fourth time that day. And then, his mind began to wander.

  How would he explain this to his family if she didn’t choose him? What would he say to his friends? Seth tried not to ruminate on that possible disaster but it was hard to push out of his mind. Maybe he’d been too cocky. He hoped that wasn’t the case. Seth had to get what he wanted, he just had to win the show and bring his prize home.

  The hour dragged on slowly and Seth was itching to get to the rooftop. Abigail finally appeared in the doorway.

  “Ready?”

  “Yup.”

  Seth followed her to the elevator. They waited for the car in silence.

  “Brielle will be up there already, waiting for you. She’ll be about 10-20 feet away from the elevator.”

  “Ok. Do I just walk up to her or…?”

  “Follow her lead. Don’t spook her.”

  The elevator arrived and the doors opened slowly. Abigail entered first, then Seth. She hit the button to the rooftop. The doors closed. The elevator began moving.

  Abigail looked at him before the doors opened. “Don’t screw this up.”

  He heard the familiar chime indicating they had arrived at the rooftop. The doors opened. Brielle was standing in front of him, smiling widely.

  The next thing he heard was the shattering of her champagne glass.

  Chapter Five

  Brielle

  Brielle: You knew?

  Asher: I can explain. I’m so sorry.

  ◆◆◆

  Brielle couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move or speak. She was frozen in place, staring at the man who got off the elevator.

  She had expectations about Carl, how he would look, how he would act, why he was hot and cold throughout the process. She made up stories in her mind about who he was and what his life was like before coming here. But now that he stepped off the elevator, everything estranged and confusing that had happened in the previous week suddenly became clear.

  It was Seth, her ex-boyfriend who she tried so hard to leave behind. She had dreamed of marrying him for so long and thought she had finally moved on by coming on the show. She’d found two men to love, to possibly spend the rest of her life with. And now her strong connection to Carl suddenly made sense.

  “Hey, Brielle.” He began walking towards her. Her heart jumped into her chest. She wanted to scream.

  “Don’t...don’t come any closer. Stay there.” Brielle held her hands up. She didn’t want to burst into tears. Her face was devoid of color and her voice was shaking.

  He lowered his voice. “Can’t we talk, babe?”

  Slowly, the feeling came back into Brielle’s body. She looked around, frantically. “No. No, we can’t.” Her eyes found Mark, who was lurking in the corner taking in the scene unfolding before his eyes. “Let me off the roof, now.”

  Mark stood up and walked towards her. “Can’t you just hear him out?”

  “Hear him out? No way. No. Let me off the roof.”

  “Brielle, I’m sorry I went about it this way. But can you just hear me out?”

  She walked around Seth to the elevator and glared at Mark who was now blocking the elevator button. She continued to walk straight at him until moved out the way. If she wasn’t so distraught, she’d be proud of the fear she seemed to have instilled in him.

  Brielle pushed the button to leave. “No. I won’t just hear you out. This is sick, Seth, even for you.”

  The elevator had made it down to the lobby and its assent to the roof was slow. Seth continued talking but Brielle tried to block him out. Finally, she heard the familiar chime and the doors opened.

  “Asher knew. He knew almost this whole time.”

  Brielle stopped in her tracks. Asher knew who Carl really was? Why hadn’t he said anything? Every other guy she’d seen in the past few days had tried to warn her. But Asher, the man who she wanted as her husband, didn’t say anything?

  “What do you mean, he knew?” Brielle turned around slowly.

  “I accidentally told them who I was. I was getting pissed, you know, because you’re my girl. And they were all talking about being with you. It just came out.”

  She turned to Mark. “Why is he here?”

  “Abigail thought maybe it would be a good idea for you two to get back together?” Mark backed away from her. Of course, this was Abigail’s idea.

  Seth chimed in. “They reached out to me. I never would have known about this but they reached out. And I couldn’t let you go, not without a fight.”

  Brielle tried to process everything she was learning. The entire show was a set up to humiliate her. She knew Abigail and Mark were terrible people but this was next level. She had no idea they were capable of this type of emotional trauma and manipulation.

  “I...I can’t deal with this.” She hit the down button once again and the doors opened.

  “Wait! Before you go…” Seth jogged over to her and pulled a note out of his pocket. “Take this. It’s for you. And Brielle, I love you. I will be waiting for you tomorrow. I hope you’re waiting for me too.”

  She was too overwhelmed to respond. The elevator doors closed and she stood there in shock for a moment before hitting the button to her floor. Then Brielle burst into tears.

  Once safely in the apartment with the door bolted, she threw herself on the couch and continued to cry. The phone on the wall ran numerous times but Brielle ignored it. She ignored Mark’s frequent knocking as well.

  How could she not have known? Not only did she feel betrayed, she felt incredibly stupid. It was so like Seth to pull something like this, a last-ditch attempt to win her back. She should have known something was off, Carl knew all the right questions to ask and all the right buttons to push to drive her craz
y and keep her coming back for more. She was too naive, of course, it was Seth talking to her all this time.

  She fingered the note he gave her, wondering if she should even read it. She didn’t owe him anything and yet, she knew she’d regret not ever giving it a shot. Brielle carefully unfolded the note.

  Brielle,

  I’m sorry for not being 100% honest with you. I just know we’re meant to be together and this was the only way for me to ensure that we were. You always wanted to marry me, right? This is your chance. I know we have our problems but all couples fight. The only thing that matters is that you’re here with me now, you chose me again, and you’ll always love me. You’re made for me, neither of us is going to do any better.

  I hope you decide to still marry me. I will be so hurt if you don’t. You owe us another shot, Brielle. We have so much history, it’s silly to throw it all away over a few silly mistakes. The past is the past, just focus on our future now.

  -Seth

  She reread it four times, her tears slowly stopping. She took a deep breath and folded the note back up. Brielle had never received a note from Seth before, not a card nor a love letter, so she knew it was a big step for him to even write it.

  Brielle sat back on the couch. She was angry and confused. Earlier that day, she knew exactly which man she was going to marry. There was no doubt in her mind that Asher was the guy for her. But now, knowing he lied to her, was he any better than Seth? And what if Seth was right, what if they were destined to be together?

  Despite being so happy hours before, Brielle saw her happily ever after slipping right through her fingertips. And she didn’t know what to do next to get it back.

  Chapter Six

  Asher

  Asher: Please tell me what you’re thinking.

  Brielle: I need some space.

  ◆◆◆

  Asher heard the door slam from his bedroom and knew Seth’s date with Brielle hadn’t gone well. It couldn’t have lasted more than 20 minutes, Asher assumed Brielle did not take kindly to Seth’s mind games.

  He thought he’d have more time to get up and grab his lunch before Seth came back. Asher’s stomach growled. He made his way to the kitchen as quietly as possible, hoping to avoid Seth.

  He hadn’t been quiet enough. “Have you packed yet?”

  “Yes. Either way, I’m leaving tomorrow.” Asher grabbed a takeout box from the counter, he could smell the salami sandwich through the box and tried to walk back to his room. Seth blocked his path.

  “How’s it feel to be leaving alone?”

  Asher was trying his best to remain calm. “I guess you can let me know tomorrow.”

  Seth clenched his fists but forced a laugh. “Sure. Whatever.”

  “Can you move, please? I need to eat.”

  “Need your strength to handle your big disappointment tomorrow?”

  “Sure. Whatever, Seth. Now move.”

  They stared at each other for a long time. Asher wasn’t going to start a fight, but he also wasn’t going to back down. Seth had been a bully to every man vying for Brielle’s affection and to Brielle herself. Someone needed to put him in his place.

  “What a whiner.” Fortunately for both men, Seth moved out of the way and Asher soon found himself in the safety of his own room once again.

  He ate his sandwich and pulled out his device. Brielle was upset with him, as she should be. He knew she’d be upset. He was upset with himself. But he didn’t know how to remedy the situation.

  Asher had been apologizing to her and explaining what happened since Seth had returned. He had been so sure that they were meant to be after returning from their date earlier that day and now his faith in their love was dwindling. He didn’t want to give up but he also didn’t see himself waiting for her at the end of the aisle the next day. If she sent him home, he’d understand.

  And now she said she needed space. He wanted desperately to keep messaging her, to try to reason with her, but he also didn’t want to push her over the edge. Instead, he stared at the wall and tried to block out his thoughts for the remainder of the afternoon.

  There was a knock at his bedroom door and Asher jolted awake. He looked at the clock and realized he’d been asleep for over an hour. Frantically, he checked his device but found he had no missed messages.

  “Who is it?”

  “Stacey? I’m the wedding planner.”

  Asher jumped up and unlocked the door. “Come in. Sorry about that. Seth is uh...difficult to live with.”

  “Seth?”

  “Ah, you haven’t been brought up to speed yet.”

  Asher had Stacey sit down on the bed and explained what had happened since he’d arrived one week prior. Stacey’s face fell when he had finished his story.

  “How’s Brielle?” Asher could tell they had formed a strong bond planning the wedding that week by the urgency with which she asked the question.

  “Um...not good? She won’t talk to me.”

  “I don’t blame her.”

  “What was I supposed to do!?” Asher threw his hands up.

  “I get it, I really do. You’re in a tough spot and the wretched people running this show manipulated you all. But she’s hurt. Give her space.”

  “And what if she calls off the wedding?” Asher’s eyes filled with tears at the thought.

  “Then you have to honor her wishes.” They sat there in silence for a few moments before Stacey stood up. “We have a rehearsal to attend. If she doesn’t cancel, you don’t want to be caught looking like a fool on your wedding day.”

  Asher’s eyes lit up. “Will Brielle be there?”

  “No. I’m taking her later. Just you.”

  His heart fell a bit but he put his shoes on and followed Stacey to the lobby. It had been rearranged to feature an aisle, podium, and a few chairs to represent friends and family.

  “Now, obviously this is not where you’ll get married. Tomorrow morning we will shuttle you to an undisclosed location where you will get ready and film your final scenes. You will do a first look with Brielle and find out if you’re getting married later on that day.”

  “That’s harsh.”

  “That’s what you signed up for.” Stacey seemed irritated. She was very protective over Brielle and he wasn’t going to upset her by pushing the matter further.

  “Of course. So what do you need me to remember?”

  They ran through the ceremony completely from beginning to end. Asher tried to be as attentive as possible, he hoped his eagerness would soften Stacey and she would send that message back to Brielle.

  Asher tried to remain steady but felt himself growing emotional during the run-through. Stacey and Brielle had planned a beautiful ceremony and picturing himself at the end of the aisle waiting for her made him both nervous and excited. His heart was full of love and for a brief moment, he’d forgotten the mess they were in.

  “Stacey, what do I do?”

  “You stand there and repeat the lines.”

  Asher laughed. “No. I mean what do I do? About Brielle?”

  Stacey sighed. “I don’t know, Asher. I know that she’s in love with you. I know that she’s a wonderful person. But I’ve spent enough time with her to know she has a breaking point and she may have reached it. This mess isn’t what she signed up for.”

  “I understand.”

  “Give her some space and try to reach out again this evening. The only thing left to do after that is hope your love is strong enough to overcome this.”

  “Thanks, Stacey. Could you give me a minute?”

  She nodded and left Asher at the end of the makeshift aisle. He closed his eyes and imagined Brielle walking towards him, all dressed in white. She was beautiful, her smile stretched from ear to ear. It was the happiest day of their lives, a dream he didn’t know he had until he met her that morning.

  He just hoped it would become a reality.

  Chapter Seven

  Brielle

  Seth: ken u talk 2 me pls ?

/>   Seth: i luv u

  Seth: u no we r ment 2 b 2gether

  ◆◆◆

  Brielle’s device was vibrating every 30 seconds or so, filling up with messages from Seth. She wasn’t sure why he kept trying, she wasn’t messaging him back. She needed space to make her final decision and hearing from him over and over again wasn’t helping.

  Asher, on the other hand, was respecting her wishes. He hadn’t bothered her that afternoon and the break from having to respond to him was helpful in clearing her head. Brielle was so torn. She felt betrayed by everyone, not just Asher and Seth. And now she had to decide if she was able to look past that and still get married. In less than 24 hours. To say she was overwhelmed was an understatement.

  If her connection with Asher hadn’t been so amazing earlier that day, she would have left already. But her heart was keeping her here, despite her brain screaming at her to leave. He could be the one, the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with. How could she walk away from that?

  But then there was Seth. Seth, her first love, her first everything. She would always love him, even though he was terrible for her. Brielle had done her best to push him out of her brain that week but he still popped in occasionally. Of course, now she knew why. Despite the evil scheme hatched by Abigail and Mark, at least with Seth she knew what she was getting. Maybe he was right, maybe they were meant to be. But was this the way to make that a reality? Tricking her on national television?

  Brielle didn’t have time to answer the question because Stacey knocked on the door. It seemed like so long ago that they were sitting in her room, getting ready for her date with Asher. Now, it was time to rehearse for a wedding she didn’t even know would happen.