Paulo’s Seduction

In 4 parts, by RachaelJane. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.

 

By

the time Ellen and I join them, nearly all the contestants are in the

dining area and are already eating at the table. Ellen and I go over to

the side table where the buffet is laid out, and we select some food.

Patrick looks at me as I sit down opposite him, but he doesn't say

anything. After Vincent's revelation earlier about Patrick's feelings

towards me, I'm not certain what to say to Patrick.

"Were

there many contestants in the practice rooms this morning?" I ask

Patrick, more to make him to talk to me than any real interest in the

movements of the other contestants.

"Um;

No. I was alone for most of the time. Paulo joined me for a while, but a

woman called him away. When he returned he looked like a cat who had

fallen into a bowl of cream."

I

immediately realize the importance of what Patrick is saying about

Paulo, but it is Ellen who quizzes Patrick for more details. By the time

he's done, I have no doubt that Sylvie was the woman Patrick saw, and

Paulo was summoned to gather information from me while I was in Effie's

room. A very slick operation, but one which may still end in my favor.

When

we arrived in the Argonaut complex yesterday, Patrick and I gobbled our

food down in case it disappeared before our hunger was satisfied. Both

of us come from poor families where meals can be irregular. Today we eat

at a more leisurely pace. We would have time for a pleasant

conversation if Patrick showed any inclination to talk. He simply eats

in silence, although his eyes rarely leave me. After a while his gawking

starts to annoy me. I'm about to say something rude when Ellen puts her

hand on my arm.

"Perhaps if you stopped rubbing your breasts, Patrick wouldn't stare at them so, Jasmine," whispers Ellen in my ear.

I

drop my hands in a flash and suddenly feel awkward. The tenderness

hasn't quite worn off, and I must have been trying to sooth my breasts

without thinking about what I was doing. From Patrick's reaction he must

have heard Ellen's words and I don't know which of us is the more

embarrassed.

"Er;

Sorry, Patrick," I say. "Ellen and I were trying on some jewelry and

one of the pieces is quite heavy. I didn't mean to make you feel

uncomfortable."

"Um; that's OK. I didn't mean to stare. That's a nice ring, by the way."

I

suddenly realize I've left the emerald ring on my finger. In my haste

to get changed I forgot to take it off and return it to Ellen.

Fortunately Ellen doesn't seem to mind.

"Yes, it's an emerald," I reply. "Ellen has been kind enough to let me borrow it for the television show this afternoon."

"Well you will look a very fine lady when you walk up onto the stage," says Patrick.

"Actually,

I'm not going for the fine lady look. I think the warrior princess

style is more appropriate for me. What do you think?"

"I don't know," replies Patrick. "Harper said that sponsors might be put off from helping us if they think that you are."

"That

will do, Patrick," says Harper, who is sat further down the table, but

listening to our conversation. "Once we have finished lunch, Jasmine and

I will have our discussion about how she should handle herself during

the show."

Harper's

interruption stifles any further conversation, and we finish lunch in

silence. After lunch, Patrick and Ellen leave on different missions. I'm

left alone with Harper.

"So," I begin. "Are you going to tell me what you told Patrick?"

"No,"

replies Harper. "I told Patrick what he needs to know and believe.

Which isn't necessarily the same thing that you need to know and

believe. You and Patrick are very different people when it comes to

handling interviews. Patrick has a natural gift that makes people

instantly like him. You, on the other hand, have a knack of annoying and

confusing people. I know you confuse me. You scowl at people you should

please, and flash your eyelids at people you should avoid. Tell me how

you think you should portray yourself this afternoon."

"I thought your role is to tell me," I reply. "I've no idea. I know I hate trying to read from a script."

"Which

is why I don't think anything we rehearse here is going to help you.

You are at your best when you are being spontaneous. My only advice to

you is to remember that you need to attract potential employers; and you

must."

Harper lists a dozen or so pieces of advice, most which I forget as soon as he has said them.

"Now what?" I ask when Harper has finished his speech.

"You have an hour before you need to get changed for this afternoon's charade," says Harper. "Why don't you go for a walk."

Chapter 12: Sabotage

I

return from my walk a few minutes late to find Harper, Ellen, Patrick,

Vincent, and two other of my room-mates in the middle of what I can only

describe as a crisis meeting. At first I think the crisis is somehow my

fault.

"I told you where I was going," I say before anyone can accuse me of doing a disappearing act.

"Yes,

we know," says Harper. "Ellen wan