V: Let the Show Begin

DEENA'S POV

Like I said, fate can be cruel sometimes because what do you mean I'm joining a show with two of my exes?!

"You look great, Dee. You haven't changed a bit."

Ethan's words reached my ear and I turned back to look at him with a small smile etching on my face. My eyes observed the face of my first love and my first boyfriend at the age of eighteen. And I don't know if I'm hallucinating, but the way he looked at me didn't change one bit.

"You don't look so bad yourself." I responded with an approved nod while trailing my eyes down his body.

Ethan might be my ex-boyfriend, but unlike Trenton, our separation wasn't a bitter one. He didn't cheat on me like my ex-husband did. Ethan had to leave the city because of his parents, and Arizona is too far from New Jersey.

We decided to break up after six months of dating because we knew long distance relationships don't work, but we remained friends until we stopped communicating with each other eventually.

My eyes shifted to the beautiful brunette beside him, and I didn't want to assume, but I wasn't blind not to notice the resemblance between us.

And I guess she noticed it as well because she looked hurt, and I felt bad for her.

"Oh, this is Allyson, Dee. She's my ex-girlfriend and she joined the show with me." Ethan introduced the woman, who appeared as though she wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Hi, Allyson. It's nice to meet you. I'm an old friend of Ethan." I introduced myself warmly to break the ice between us.

She lightly shook my hand, her hand barely passing mine. "Yeah, I heard a lot about you."

We barely knew each other but I can already tell that she doesn't like me, but to be frank, I wouldn't like me either if I was in her position.

I felt a presence beside me before a voice whispered in my ear, "It seems like you forgot where you are, Deena. Look around you, people are staring at you."

I glanced around and sure enough, some of the participants and staff were watching us. Before I could think of a way to escape the situation, Trenton was already holding my waist and pulling me closer to him, making me send him a look.

"Who are your friends?" He asked casually and I did not miss how Ethan looked at the hand on my waist and back to Trenton's face.

"This is Ethan, an old friend of mine, and his ex-girlfriend, Allyson."

The two men accepted each other's hands, intimidating one another with their aura. Thankfully, the situation was interrupted by the other couples arriving and the party started.

"See you inside, Ethan, Allyson." I nodded at them and did not wait for their response before yanking Trent back to our table.

"For someone desperate to win, you sure like throwing yourself at anyone you know." Trenton sarcastically mumbled behind me and I threw him a glare.

"He was a good friend, and I don't think you should care who I throw myself with, Mr. Outlaw."

"You dragged me here against my will. In my book, that tells me that I should care." He threw back and I just rolled my eyes and sat.

"Too bad being loyal isn't in your book."

The audacity of this man to act like a jealous husband when he fucked a woman behind my back.

The premiere started and the cameras were rolling, so I maintained a smile on my face. Once again, everyone was introduced and we had to introduce ourselves one by one.

I clapped when Ethan took the mic and wow, he had a really big glow up. He was a little scrawny when we were dating, but he had a body that everyone would go gaga for.

"The name is Ethan Kingston and I am the owner of END Network..." He started and I gasped a little, his next words passing my ears. END Network as in Shine Network's rival? Wow!

But it actually made sense. He told me he would be taking up journalism and I know Ethan is also from a middle-class family so it isn't impossible. I suddenly felt a sense of pride for him. That he was able to reach the dream he's been telling me about.

Because it was only a short introduction, Trenton's turn arrived and I clapped slowly, scowling inside. Trent strode to the stage with confident steps and he exudes such an intimidating aura. He screamed 'wealth' and 'power'. He has always been, and that's why half of our relationship, I was questioning myself if I was right for him.

Perfect. That word is what I used to describe him as, but after what he did, my perspective of him completely changed, and he's nothing but an egoistic jerk in my eyes now.

When it was my turn, I introduced myself as an aspiring artist with a big dream. I told them what they needed to know about me and the introduction ended after me.

So far, there are ten couples joining Ex-Factor. Trenton and I, Ethan and Allyson, Mark and Patty, Sam and Leticia, Ryan and Vicky, Allan and Macy, Gabriel and Tori, Vincent and Kate, Zyke and Natasha and last but not the least, Paul and Alice.

Five ex-married couples and five ex-couples are fighting for three million.

We started eating lunch and we were ushered behind the curtain. We were paired and fell in line so our entrance can be recorded. We were briefed once more and we were reminded that our actions and words will be recorded, but they will edit out scenes that are unnecessary.

"Please enter, Deena and Trenton." A staff member instructed us and they opened the curtain so we could enter.

The house we'll be staying in was a modern house with glass walls. It had a minimalist interior with a really spacious living room. From the inside, I can see a large garden, pool and gazebo outside. The other couples boldly looked around and even inspected the house.

One thing is for sure, they did not really hold back. They went all out with this show and it shows.

After looking around, I picked up one out of the many small fancy envelopes from the center table.

"Ex-couples, you are not allowed to sleep in one room. Sleeping quarters for women and men are separated. The lights will be out at ten and no one is allowed to leave their room after that." I read out loud and everyone gathered around me, picking up the other notes.

"There will be a total of three stages with five games each. Out of all the ten couples here, only one couple will win the grand prize, and couples will be eliminated by losing a game or voted out." Alice, a chef and ex-wife of Paul.

"Each game will be revealed the day before the game to prevent anyone from cheating. Ex-couples, we will test your trust for each other, knowledge and strength." Sam, Leticia's ex-boyfriend read while flipping the paper.

"Each game has a reward for the winning couple and punishment for losing couples."

"Everyone, please treat this place as your own house. Choose who among you will do the cooking and cleaning. Work together and try to get along."

"Cellphones or any communications to the outside world are not allowed. Should you want to leave, you must inform us and give us a valid reason."

"We are looking forward to seeing who will win the game and reunite with their Ex!"

Audience's Space:



@YouNeverWalkAlone: This is going to be so great! I'm so excited!

@YellowSponge: Something tells me this show is gonna be scandalous.

@Parque: Idk about you guys. I'm a big fan of shows like this and I can't wait for the drama!

@IAmTheDrama: Lol. Bedtime at 10? Let the adults be adults!