Summary: The producers get suspicious of Riley’s relationship with Drake, and Riley get’s some unexpected visitors at the Beaumont estate.
“Kat, are you seriously telling me you let Liam and Riley have time alone….off camera…on the group date.”
“I did what I had to do, Jo. Liam wasn’t going to re-film the horse scene if I didn’t give him that in return. Even if I had convinced him to let cameras in, it would have probably been much more reserved than whatever went on without them. It’s not like they were going to fuck on camera.”
“Okay, fine. I suppose we already have enough Riley for the episode anyway.”
“And don’t forget Olivia’s date. We got that awkward kiss on camera.” Kat reminded Jo. “This episode will get killer ratings.”
“Yeah, that didn’t go well, but we could really make it look worse with the editing. Good call. So what’s on the agenda for the next show?”
Before Kat could answer, Danny, one of the film editors walked up.
“Danny!” Jo greeted, “Tell me you are interrupting our meeting because you found some good footage from the palace cameras.”
“Well I did find something. Not sure if it’s usable or not.” Danny pulled a couple of clips on the screen in front of Jo and Kat.
“Riley and her bodyguard?” Kat questioned as the first clip began. “I don’t see how this is relevant to the show.”
“There’s a couple of things.” Danny pointed to the corner of the screen. “See the timestamp?” That’s two hours later than everyone else got back from the horseback riding date. I don’t know where they went, but that car didn’t bring them right back to the palace. And then watch what happens here.“
Kat and Jo watched the scene unfold.
“What the hell was that?” Jo exclaimed. “They have even more chemistry than Liam and Riley have together.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing Jo.” Kat tried to smooth things over. “They were probably just overly flirty because they went out and had a bit to much to drink. See how he just pats her on the shoulder? Just a friendly night out.”
“Bullshit. They clearly want to bang each other. Looks like he just has more self control than she does.” Jo played the second clip and they watched Drake pin Riley up against the door. “Fuck, my panties are wet just from watching this and they didn’t even do anything…yet. We need to do something about this. Thank you Danny, you can go now.”
“What do you propose we do? I don’t think asking Liam to reassign Drake would be wise, even though it would be the best way to keep them apart,” Kat reasoned.
“No we don’t have to be that drastic. At least not yet. There is no filming for the next couple days due to Liam’s obligations. Why don’t we send Riley to the Beaumont estate with Maxwell and Bertrand? It will get her away from Drake, and maybe she’ll get a sense of how much they need her to stick around for the money.”
“That’s actually a really good idea, Jo. She’ll probably just think we are being nice bending the rules to let her get some brotherly bonding time in.”
“Okay, that’s settled. Liam should be here in a few minutes to discuss the next dates.”
Five minutes later, Liam walked in. “Good morning Jo, Kat.”
“Liam, that was quite a performance on the group date,” Jo said with a grin.
“Please don’t remind me. I’m starting to wonder if this was all a mistake. Change my mind and tell me I can finally have a one on one date with Riley this week?” Liam pleaded .
“About that…We can see things are going great with her, and we think the audience will see it too…” Kat paused trying to word it in a way Liam would accept, “I know you understand we need to keep the show entertaining for all the reasons we have previously discussed. It can’t be all Riley all the time. Jo and I decided this one on one should be with one of women you are pretty sure you are going to cut this week.”
Liam’s expression hardened. “Why on earth would I do that? I wouldn’t want to lead someone on, and waste time I could have spent with someone I might actually have a future with.”
“Think about it this way,” Kat responded, “with some good one on one time you will be able to tell for certain if the woman is not for you. And if she isn’t, you have the option you had on the other one on one dates to send her home at any time. You won’t have to keep her around until the next rose ceremony.”
Liam shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it, but you always manage to get me to give in. So what does the date entail?”
“You will spend the day shopping at the Cordonian Marketplace and end with a dinner cruise.”
“Fine. I’ll choose Catherine.”
~~~~~
“So this is our house? It’s gorgeous.” Riley looked around and took everything in. The green expanse of the country setting, the classic stone exterior with grape vines climbing the walls, and the welcoming outdoor living space, complete with fireplace, that was nicer than any indoor living space she had ever had.
“Correction, as heir to the Beaumont estate, it is technically my home. But I’m not cruel. Maxwell still lives here with me…and I suppose, when this is all over, if you need somewhere to stay, you are welcome here as well.”
“Aww Bertarand!” Riley wrapped her arms around Bertrand and he was again hesitant to return her embrace. “I keep telling you Betrand that I’m a hugger, and you need to get use to it.”
Maxwell Laughed. “Hey, I’m blown away by the amount of affection he is already showing you. But you know I’m up for hugs any time. Maxwell squeezed her tightly and didn’t let go.
“Thanks Maxwell, but I can’t breathe,” Riley gasped, and he let her go. “So what’s on the agenda for the next two days? More rigorous training?”
“Actually,” Maxwell replied, “I talked Betrand into giving you a break. We know that Hana will be helping you out with the training. We can just hang out, get to know each other, and have fun. Well Bertrand doesn’t know how to have fun anymore, but he’ll do his best.”
“Maxwell!”
“What? I just speak the truth. Ever since you’ve been burdened with our financial difficulties, you are all business.”
Oh, that’s right. The Beamount’s really do need the money from the show, Riley thought. She hadn’t been thinking about the money piece of things because she was genuinely interested in Liam. She guessed it was another reason not to worry about Drake and just be there for Liam. All things being equal, she would have a hard time choosing between Drake and Liam, but she really didn’t have a choice to make, did she? Drake was a loyal friend and wasn’t going to come between her and Liam despite how he felt. And although the Beamount’s money problems were not her issue, she did want to help them if she could, and being with Liam would hardly be a sacrifice. Now she just had to figure out how to get over knowing that Drake reciprocated her feelings. Maybe this time away with her brothers would help.
“How about a tour?” Riley said, trying to change the subject.
“Maxwell, why don’t you help Riley take her things to her room and then show her around. I have some phone calls to make.”
“Oh, I make an excellent tour guide!” Maxwell picked up Riley’s suitcase. “Follow me.”
Maxwell gave Riley the grand tour interspersed with some Beaumont family history. The house wasn’t as grand as the palace, but it was charming, and was still a mansion by Riley’s standards. She wondered what it would have been like if she had known Bathelemy was her father. Would she have spent summers here with Maxwell and Bertrand? Would she have become a completely different person than she is today?
They finished the tour back outside where they had started. Maxwell and Riley sat down on the patio furniture. “Maxwell, I want to know about our father. Tell me all about him.”
Maxwell’s ever present smile faded slightly. “I wish I had lots of happy memories to share with you, but he wasn’t the most affectionate father. He had high expectations. He was very hard working, but that also meant that even as children, he expected us to act grown up and responsible all the time. Bertrand was nowhere near as uptight back then as he is now, but he was still always the mature responsible one. He was my father’s protege. He was the heir, and I was the spare, as they say. Father found it much easier to relate to Bertrand, but I was much closer to our mother. Barthelemy was a good Duke and a good provider, but loving and caring aren’t high on the list of words I would use to describe him. I’m sorry I can’t just tell you he was the best dad ever.”
“This might sound bad Maxwell, but its almost easier to hear that he wasn’t the best father. It feels like I missed out on less…but I still wish I would have had a chance to see that for myself. And I so wish that I didn’t miss out on all the years of knowing you and Bertrand. No matter what your dad thought Maxwell, you are pretty great. You have welcomed me without question. You are kind and passionate and have so many great qualities. It’s too bad our father couldn’t see you for all that you were.”
“Riley, I feel like you really get me. You do kind of remind me of my mother. Barthelemy must have had a type, because you had to have gotten your personality from your mother. You are opposite of our father in all the best ways.”
“Thanks, Maxwell. Okay, enough about Barthelemy. Let’s get to the having fun part.”
Maxwell decided to order pizza to make Riley feel at more at home. She tried to pretend to be offended that he would assumed she would have such simple American tastes, but he was right. Not that she didn’t enjoy fine cuisine, but nothing could beat pizza as a comfort food. They ate too much, drank beer and wine, and stayed up way too late watching movies. Bertrand even joined them for awhile.
Riley had her best night’s sleep since she had come to Cordonia. Betrand was busy much of the day, but Maxwell showed her around the grounds more, went through old photo albums with her, and showed her how to make a traditional Cordonian seafood dish for lunch. Maxwell surprised her by bringing in a massage therapist in the afternoon to help Riley relax and unwind. It truly was a perfect day. Maxwell was just about to start cooking dinner when the doorbell rang.
“Hmm, I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who would be here at this time of the evening unannounced?” Maxwell inquired as he opened the door. “Liam! What are you doing here?”
Riley came running around the corner. “Liam? Is something wrong?”
“Not at all, Riley. I’m sorry I didn’t call ahead of time, Maxwell, but I had to keep this under wraps. I’m not supposed to be here, but I really wanted to see Riley. I hope neither of you mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind Liam. I’m always happy to see you, but Maxwell was just about to make dinner for–”
Maxwell interjected before Riley could finish. “How about I make dinner for the two of you? It could be like a date.”
Riley didn’t want to cancel her plans with Maxwell, but it was hard to say no to alone time with Liam. He’d come all this way just to be with her and risked getting in trouble by breaching his contract. “If you are sure you don’t mind Maxwell.”
“No, not at all! I’m happy to do it. Go sit and have a drink, and I’ll let you know when dinner is ready. Chef Maxwell will take care of you.”
Riley and Liam settled in in the living room, catching up on the past couple days. Not much time had passed and the doorbell rang again.
“Seriously? Who could this be now?” Riley heard Maxwell say as he went to the door. “Drake, buddy! Uh oh, did you come looking for Liam? Come on in, he’s right here.”