Joshua

I feel good about 133. He’s going to help me make sure Chaeyoung is safe and happy. I told him where he could find me, and gave him the combination number for the building and my room. He seemed quite diligent about it all, so I feel confident about trusting him with all this.

And it’s not like it’s some big secret. I know a lot of people already know that there’s someone I have my eye on. Gossip travels fast, and already there’s a tabloid article questioning my relationship with Chaeyoung. But thankfully, we’ve got a media machine working that drowned out that article before it really made any headlines.

But the contestants are already whispering about her. Someone from the camera crew told me about it. Apparently I looked at her too long when I walked by her this morning.

So much for keeping it low key.

I feel the need to rectify the situation, so I take a deep breath and dive into the sea of simpering hopefuls, planning to talk and flirt with everyone except Chaeyoung. I’ll fixate on someone else, let everyone direct their envy at them instead of Chaeyoung. Yeah, that’s a good plan.

The camera crew follows me, capturing every angle as I walk through the clearing where all the contestants are signing up for their dorms. As soon as I pass, everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at me.

I scan the crowd, looking for a victim. Someone on which everyone else can unleash their stink-eye, and leave my girl alone.

I do spot Chaeyoung as I scan, but I gloss over her like I do everyone else.

My eye lands on a contestant who seems strong enough to take it; a guy. Number 18. He holds himself with confidence, and doesn’t look like the annoying simpering type.

I walk toward him. “Hi.”

“Hello, Mr. Joshua,” he says. He speaks with flair and confidence. “It’s a pleasure to be singled out by you.”

“What’s your name?”

“Everyone calls me Dino,” he says.

I am acutely aware of everyone staring at us, listening to us, and the cameras capturing everything we say. It unnerves me a little, but he doesn’t seem fazed at all. Like he was born to be in front of cameras, like he’s used to it. I figure he’s a kind of performer or singer or dancer or something. I note his toned physique and his expertly done makeup.

“Dino, nice to meet you.”

“So, what made you pick me out among all these beautiful people?” Dino asks.

He’s blunt. I like that, but it intimidates me a little. It feels like he’s wielding the power in this dynamic, but it’s supposed to be the other way around.

But maybe that’s a good thing. I have to pretend to be enchanted by him, like he’s got me on a leash.

“You’re very attractive,” I say. “I like the way you hold yourself, and just felt drawn to you.”

“Is that so?” he says. Is that doubt I detect in his voice. Is he one of those people that would see right through me? Does he know I’m just using him?

He takes a step toward me getting in my personal space. I stiffen, feeling the need to step back, but I hold my ground, pretending to be cool, flustered even.

“I heard a little rumor,” Dino says, leaning in close to my ear. “That Number 41 is the one that has your heart.”

Ah .

“It’s just a rumor,” I say. “I don’t even know who number 41 is.”

He takes hold of my chin, and then turns my head in the direction of Chaeyoung. He points at her.

“Her. You sure you don’t know Number 41?” he asks.

My eyes meet Chaeyoung’s. She is stiff and uncomfortable as everyone looks at her and the cameras point at her.

My Chaeyoung always hated being the center of attention. I know from experience that she’s the kind of person who’d prefer to blend into the background, out of sight and out of mind. I hate that I put her in this situation.

Maybe this whole Wed Game thing was a bad idea after all.

“I know her,” I say. “She used to work at my household. But that’s all she is to me, a maid.”

I catch the hurt in her eye as she looks away. She must know I’m lying right? She must know this is an act to get people off her case?

She turns and begins to walk away. I am so tempted to follow her, kiss her in front of all these cameras, and end this stupid game there and then, but then I see Number 133, the scrawny guy in love with that Saerom chick. He catches my eye, gives me a reassuring look, and follows her.

He’ll explain everything to her. I’ll leave it to him.

Meanwhile, I take a deep breath and act cool. Pretend to be taken with Dino. I flirt with him; I let him touch me. I lead him on, and tell him I look forward to getting to know him.

And then I leave, hoping that everyone gives him the stink eye. That everyone directs their malice at him, not at her.

But just as I am about to return to the staff building, I hear someone scream. I turn toward the source, and see an older man, Number 178, patting down his body and screaming. “Ticks! There are ticks all over me!”