Chapter 15
"I... used to be an actress but now I'm in-between jobs"
Braxton did a good way of nodding his head like he never knew she was an actress, or maybe, the in-between jobs surprised him.
"What about you?"
"I majorly work in the entertainment industry"
"Oh… That's nice"
He was still modeling as she had thought. She sized him up again and nodded her head, he was well in shape for it.
"Age?" He asked.
They knew each other's ages but the viewers must be waiting for them to ask, thinking they don't.
"27"
"28" Braxton said, almost quickly and she nodded.
They continued eating again and she wondered what else they were supposed to ask. The viewers must find them awkward.
"The kind of woman I'm looking for is someone who is patient…" Braxton started talking, making her look at him and he was crossing a fork and a knife. "Kind, supportive, someone who will always be by my side no matter what"
Those last words were meant for her. She could definitely feel his eyes emphasizing.
"I guess we are similar then. I want a kind, gentle, loving man, who will never leave my side too"
"Oh, really?" His tone was laced with sarcasm as he continued eating again.
"I just have PTSD, you know. I mean, my ex left me when I was at my lowest. I don't plan to meet somebody like that anymore because unfortunately, I don't have the good heart for two-faced people. It's either you want in or out, I don't like people who aren't straightforward about it"
Fabiola smiled hearing his emphasis "She left you? Did you ever find out why? Did you ever find her?"
Her questions made him stop eating and he faced her again "I didn't"
"Maybe a circumstance made her not tell you, maybe she looked for you too, maybe she…"
"Too many Maybes" Braxton shook his head with a sarcastic smile and Fabiola sat up, leaning forward
"Or maybe… she still loves you"
"Guys! This girl called Fabiola is crazy! What is she trying to do?"
"But why do you all always want to calculate her movements? She was only saying his Ex might still be In love with him"
Some netizens were already talking about the scene but back in the show, Braxton was looking at Fabiola with an unreadable expression.
Does that mean she was still in love with him? He shooked his head "Well, someone who truly loves you, won't ever leave you, would they?"
"Circumstances can make them t…"
"I don't want to talk about it anymore," he stated.
"Okay…" Fabiola resulted.
They thereafter ate in silence and went to bed. Braxton slept in the living room while she slept in the bedroom.
She could still see him from the bedroom, he was all clustered up and looked like he was thinking. She was thinking about how to get out of here and scream for not getting through.
The next day, it was Day five and netizens were still talking.
"After yesterday's night, I'm convinced this two will never have any chemistry whatsoever"
"Cannon event, but I'm glad it's over now. I felt awkward on their behalf"
"I was waiting for the kiss actually"
"leave my girl alone!"
The last comment came from Averie, the governor's daughter who participated in the third season. Fabiola was her fave of the season because she could see that just like her, people hated her existence.
Averie was laying on the pre-op bed, barely listening to the nurse as she immersed herself in Single's blaze.
The door startled the nurse and she watched the Plastic surgeon, Resident doctor and their newest Intern walk in.
"I'm done checking her vitals Doctor" the nurse explained and left the room.
Averie still didn't spare her new occupants a glance and she didn't also notice the Resident doctor and Surgeon leaving.
"Miss Averie, I will have to take your chart" amist watching, she heard a sonorous male voice say and she looked up from her phone in curiosity.
He was wearing dark nerdy glasses, he had a lean frame, dark curly hair and she noticed his brown eyes but… she couldn't help staring at him because he kept looking familiar.
"Have we met before?" Averie sat up and faced him and it made him jolt back in confusion.
He adjusted his glasses to look at her very well. "I don't think so"
He just started his internship today and his first rotation was in the Plastic surgery department.
Immediately he got to the hospital, they were told about how the Governor's daughter was going to be coming, so they had to be on their best behavior.
He didn't know that she was actually coming to do a Brazilian Butt Lift.
"You look way familiar, too familiar" she said again, with a hand on her chin in thought "Are you the Doctor who's performing the surgery?"
She watched him shake his head negatively. He was so cute. "Are you sure we haven't met before? Like in a club? Or a hotel? Or like… had a one night stand?"
He coughed in embarrassment "I don't think so"
"Really? Because you look exactly like my type" Averie said with a wink and he blinked, stuttering "I… just started today"
"Doesn't matter, we can go home after" Averie was twirling her hair now.
He looked at the door, hoping someone will come save him. Why did the nurse and surgeons have to leave him here?
"Miss Averie what you are doing is not adequate, we can't be doing that in an hospital"
Averie found it funny that he looked like a serious teacher right now. She was just flirting but he took it seriously.
She looked at him curiously, most doctors or interns would have flirted with her back. It made her more interested in him than the surgery she wanted to have."Do you have a girlfriend?"
He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and continued with her chart in silence and after he was done, he told her "The surgeon will come in shortly"
He thought she had given up, but she jumped at him the next minute, which made him stare at her in surprise. What was wrong with this woman?
"What's your name?"
"Fabian. Now will you please leave my arm?"
"Tell the nurse I'm cancelling my surgery. I want to be with you instead" Averie placed her head on his arm like a supporting wife.
"What?" Fabian shrieked in horror.
****
The drive back was as quiet as they came. The only difference was that, Fabiola was calmer than yesterday, because she realized Braxton wasn't going to kiss her. She didn't know if she should be happy or sad about it, though.
When the driver dropped them in Blaze, they immediately went to their tents.
She didn't see any girl in the tent. Maybe Zabrina was with Gavin and the rest of the girls weren't back yet.
Fabiola came out later to clean her shoes and when she raised her head, she saw Jasmine coming down from a car. She was holding hands with Harry and their smiles were stretching. Natalia and Sean were also coming down from a car not too far off.
"Fabiola!" Jasmine yelled, dragging Harry with her.
"Hi Fabiola" Harry said when they got to her.
"Hey, how was it?" Fabiola asked with a smile and Jasmine looked at Harry then back to her.
"We are together!"
"Wow. I'm really happy for you"
"Thank you" Jasmine beamed.
"And where is Braxton?" Harry asked, looking around.
"Oh, he went inside," she answered.
"Harry dear, I will come meet you later, see ya" Jasmine gave him a peck and he blushed, walking away.
"What about you? Are you really okay?" Jasmine asked with a worried expression and Fabiola chuckled.
"I'm fine jasmine"
"What are you guys talking about?" Natalia asked by the time she got to where they were standing. Jasmine saw Sean entering the boys tent already.
"I feel bad for Sean" she dropped with a sigh.
"Don't worry, he is not mad. We talked about it yesterday and I tried to explain it to him" Natalia assured.
"Really?" Jasmine asked hopefully
"Yes, really. Now what were you guys talking about?" Natalia asked again as they started moving into their tent and Fabiola started telling them how Braxton acted last night– still distant.
"Contestants, welcome back from Paradise. Today marks the semi-final day before you make your final decisions tomorrow. We hope you let love lead. From today, you are permitted to discuss your ages and occupations. Congratulations on making it to the semi-final"
"Ugh! Can't believe it's semi-finale day" Jasmine shrugged, putting her hands on her head dramatically and Natalia laughed, saying "at least, you got to meet prince charming"
Their voices faded as Fabiola was in her own thoughts. She was finally going home tomorrow and she had mixed feelings about it. She is going to miss this a bit. It was like an escape from her life too.
She thought of Braxton. That's the only person she doesn't want to leave. How is she going to make him listen to her?
And then, it hit her! She is going to try everything tomorrow, everything! After all, she's an implant!