Chapter 18 Ripley #2
Her face lights up. ‘First off, I don’t think he named himself that. Some of those letters were clearly copy-cats …’
‘You need to check out this museum,’ Kahoa says to Melika. The two have been deep in conversation since the cameras shut off. It’s almost like they forgot the rest of us were here. ‘They have this amazing display of clothes from the turn of the century to the present.’
If I didn’t know better, I might think they have a little something going on.
I tried to explain to Melika and Nathan plenty of times that they should jump on the no-love train with me, but they didn’t seem interested.
And while this little flirty thing probably isn’t a good idea, given our current circumstances – I know Melika won’t do anything to risk the show.
I nudge Nathan with my elbow, nodding toward Melika. He wiggles both eyebrows to signal his agreement with my assessment.
‘Do we have to be heartbreaks and tell them to chill?’ Nathan whispers in my ear.
I’m about to say, let’s give them the night, when yelling from the second floor drags all our attention upwards.
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ The girl is screaming and sounds pissed.
Maya and Kahoa exchange glances. ‘That’s Riya,’ Maya says.
‘Just admit it.’ The other voice is loud, but calmer.
‘Desiree,’ Kahoa adds. The four of them share an apartment. ‘I knew it was only a matter of time before those two finally exploded.’
Before I know what I’m doing I’m bounding up the stairs, the others clattering behind me. In front of their door, Riya is wide-legged, hands clenched into fists, while Desiree’s arms are folded across her chest, a satisfied smile on her face.
‘What is going on?’ I raise my hands and step between them.
Anger flushes Riya’s face, highlighted by the fluorescent bulb overhead. ‘What’s going on, is that she is trying to ruin the show.’ She jabs a finger at Desiree.
Desiree looks aghast. ‘I’m not trying to ruin anything. I just wanted the truth to be told.’ Her voice is steady, and her acting skills must be on full display because I can’t read any other emotions.
‘You are such a liar,’ Riya huffs. ‘You’ve always been like this, ever since we were kids.’
I glance at the others still huddled by the stairs. Nathan is the only one who looks like he wishes he had a bucket of popcorn. He did always love a reality TV drama moment. Luckily, there aren’t any cameras in sight. But if I don’t keep the yelling down, one might show up.
‘Wait, you two know each other?’ I keep my voice level. It was bound to happen, but none acted like they did.
Riya takes a deep breath, pushing her hair behind her ears. ‘Yeah, we went to dance class together and she never got over the fact that I was always the lead. So, now she’s trying to get me kicked off the show.’
I muster all the authority of being a Ripley and turn to Desiree. ‘Explain.’
Desiree offers a knowing smile. ‘Riya has a secret boyfriend. I caught her talking to him on her contraband phone.’
Oh crap.
‘Riya, is that true?’ I ask.
Riya stares at me, mouth gaping wide, glancing around like the others might offer her assistance. ‘What? No, of course not. It wasn’t allowed.’
‘Then show her your phone.’ Desiree stokes the fire. ‘I’ve seen him all over social media. Did you think that no one would notice you deleted those pictures?’
‘I did have a boyfriend.’ Riya’s talking faster now. ‘But we broke up before I came on the show. Nothing is going on with us. Nothing. I swear.’
I don’t necessarily want to believe Desiree over Riya, but I have to ask the question. ‘Do you have a phone?’ The girls can use their phones occasionally, but they’re locked up with production otherwise.
Riya bites her lip. ‘I didn’t know about it. He must’ve slipped it into my bag because he was jealous. And then he kept calling and texting, so I had to answer it. That’s it. Desiree is trying to blackmail me into leaving, or she said she was going to release it to the media.’
This getting out would be disastrous. The investor may not mind because it will get viewers to watch all the drama, but Mom will be upset.
She wants this to be meaningful, and to show that her app can lead you to love, not that they’re harboring cheaters.
Plus, I can’t imagine that would be a good look for the FTG brand either.
‘Desiree, you can’t blackmail her. And you definitely can’t release it to the press. It would be really bad for the show.’ Somehow, I don’t think Desiree runs on logic.
‘I don’t care about the show. I care about integrity.’ Desiree isn’t as good an actress as she thinks. She’s here for herself, which is why she’s always asking for extra time, and now she thinks this info will get her more publicity. She’s not wrong. But I can’t let that happen.
‘Desiree, as a member of production –’ I stand to my full height – ‘I will take care of this. And remember, the contract you signed said that you weren’t allowed to talk to the media. I’d hate to have you removed from the show.’
‘But she –’
I cut her off. ‘I will take care of Riya. Now, go inside.’
Desiree looks like she wants to argue but just gives Riya a sneering glare before stomping into the apartment.
‘I’d like to talk to Riya alone,’ I tell the others.
Once they’ve gone their own ways, I turn to Riya, holding out my hand. ‘Give me the phone.’
‘Are you going to kick me off the show?’
There were rules in the contract saying they weren’t allowed to be dating anyone else right now. But kicking Riya out would have the same effect Desiree wants.
‘I’ll keep this between you and me. But you need to be careful.’ Desiree doesn’t seem the type to just back down. She’ll lick her chops and return with a new agenda.
Riya pulls the phone from her pocket and hands it to me. ‘Thanks, Ripley. I owe you one.’
‘You don’t owe me anything. But you do owe it to Garrick to give him a real chance. He doesn’t deserve to be played.’
That’s another reason I don’t want this to get out – true or not. I know that he’s not here to find the love of his life, but even the brightest stars would be a bit dimmed knowing they were being lied to.