IV: Ex-Boyfriend and Ex-Husband

DEENA'S POV

"When can I go home, Deena? I feel fine. I just fainted because I was worried about you. That's all. There's no need to confine me here any longer. What about the bill?" Mom asked me the moment I stepped in her room that day. 

It has been a week since she fainted and the show will be happening tomorrow. Daniel and I agreed on telling her today before I enter the house and I'd be there for a whole month or maybe less if I get eliminated. 

I reached for the hand that raised me and gently rubbed her knuckles. "You can't go home yet, Mom. You need to undergo some therapy and treatment," I swallowed and my eyes shifted to my older brother who nodded in encouragement. "Mom, y-you have cancer." 

I bit my bottom lip hard to prevent myself from crying. I didn't want to appear weak in front of her because what she needs is our support. 

I saw how her face fell, but she still forced a smile. 

"I don't want to be a burden to you both. I already failed to give you a better life. You suffered because of me, and I don't want to..." Mom choked on a sob and I quickly wrapped her in a hug and Daniel joined us. 

"You will never be a burden to us, Mom. You raised us on your own while you were mourning Dad's death. You're the strongest person we know." I murmured with my own tears falling down my face. 

"It's our turn to return it, Ma. We'll get through this together." Dan mumbled while rubbing our backs. 

"B-But the treatment would be too expensive, how will we afford it?" She asked the moment we pulled away from each other. 

"I saved up some money and it should be enough for the first treatment, Mom," I smiled at her and licked my lips. "I joined a reality show and if I win, I would be getting more than enough for you to complete the treatment and for us to start over." 

I told her everything about the show 'Ex-Factor', and how I needed to be away from her for a while, but Dan assured me that he will take care of her while I'm gone. Mom was worried and she obviously disliked the idea of me interacting with Trent, but I assured her that it would only be for the show and that I will never get back with him.

"I will do my best to win for you, Mom. I will do my best to keep you here with us." 

When evening came, I needed to say goodbye because I still needed to prepare for the show. The show will start tomorrow at noon and I have a lot to prepare, including myself.

*

Just like what we agreed on, I arrived at the company with my two pieces of luggage. I packed enough for a whole month. Yes, I am that optimistic that we will win and I just need Trenton to cooperate. 

When I reached his office, I could hear him and Sandra bantering inside and they stopped when Rose announced my arrival. 

When she saw me, Sandra pushed Trent aside and approached me with a pitiful look on her face. "Deena, why does it have to be my boyfriend? Don't you have another ex? Please, I didn't agree to this. I'm sure you know where I'm coming from."

I scoffed at the audacity of this woman to question me and even mock me for what she did. 

"What are you so afraid of, Sandra? Are you afraid of your own ghost?" I asked sarcastically and I was about to say more, but Trent beat me to it. 

"I already told you I'm doing this for the company. I have friends that will also join the show and this is the industry's biggest collaboration, Sandra. I would be doing this for work and nothing more." Trenton pressed, emphasizing some words that shouldn't sting anymore, but they did. 

The tension in the air was so thick that it's suffocating. Thankfully, we were interrupted by a staff member telling us to prepare for the red carpet and I immediately followed her, not wanting to stay longer with the toxic couple.

My things were taken from me along with Trenton's. I was glammed up for the red carpet and I wore my own gown. I avoided looking in Trent's way although I could feel his gaze on me. 

Once we're done, we were asked to get in the car that will take us to the house we'll be staying at, and where the red carpet will take place. Trenton and I were silent the whole ride, but I could hear his phone ringing non-stop. 

God, just how obsessed is she with him? 

If there is an award for being the biggest clown of the year, I'm sure I will win. Not long ago, I found out my husband is cheating on me. He divorced me and now we're about to  join a show where we will rekindle our relationship? What a joke, but I guess fate could really be cruel sometimes. 

When we arrived, Trenton was the first to get off and I was a little surprised to see him reaching out a hand to support me, but when I saw cameras flashing behind him, I plastered a practiced smile on my face and accepted his hand. 

"Everyone, Shine Network's CEO, Trenton Outlaw, and his ex-wife, Deena Wellington, have arrived to grace us with their presence! The divorced couple would be joining Ex-Factor! The couple has recently ended their marriage after three years, but will they rekindle their relationship and be together again? Hmm, I'm sure everyone is excited to know! Let's welcome them!" The host introduced us and I prevented myself from cringing at his words. 

Trent and I took the center stage and posed for the photographers. 

"Please stand closer." 

"Mr. Outlaw, please wrap your hand around her waist." 

"Please look at each other and smile." 

Although I was uncomfortable, as an actress, I already know how showbizness works. In this field, there is no such thing as 'comfortability'. 

We did what they instructed us to and I tried my best not to show how much the man in front of me hurt me, and that I was only forced to do this. I brought this upon myself, so I have to swallow my complaints. 

My eyes widened when Trent pulled me closer by my waist and the cameras went wild. I blinked up at him while staring at his piercing blue eyes and I didn't like the way my heart skipped a beat.

His eyes moved lower to my lips and I licked mine in the process, but before he could get any funny idea, I pushed away from him and exited the carpet because the next couple had arrived. 

We were escorted inside where we'll share lunch before we enter the house. The couples entered one by one and I smiled at them and we were introduced to each other. Some of them are ex-boyfriends and ex-married couples like us. 

"Are you sure you won't beg for me to go back to you after this?" Trenton asked me with a smug look on his face and I looked at him in distaste. 

"Dream on. I'm lucky enough to save myself from you. I won't make the same mistake twice." 

I rolled my eyes at him and looked at the entrance and my eyes lit up when I saw a familiar face. 

"Ethan?" I called uncertainly because I wasn't sure it was him. 

The man looked up and a wide smile crossed his lips. "Deena? Is that you?" 

"It's really you! Oh, I haven't seen you in a long time!" I gasped and stood up to hug him and he returned it warmly. "You'll be joining, too?" 

"Yes," Ethan confirmed and I suddenly remembered where I was. 

I turned back to where Trent, my ex-husband who had a hard look on his face, was sitting, and looked back to my first boyfriend I haven't seen in so long.