Bedmate With My Bully

~Tessa~

"What do you mean I can't swap rooms?" I slammed the pamphlet on the receptionist's desk.

"It's the rules, Miss. I'm sure you read the rule book," she replied.

Rude.

"Please... isn't there a way to squeeze in somewhere else? Anywhere but where he is?" I hissed, glaring at the annoyingly perfect face sitting across the reception area.

How did I even land here? My so-called "perfect one-month break."

"Miss, please return to your seat. There are others behind you," she said.

I leaned closer, motioning for her with my hand, headset tight around my neck. "Did my brother tip you off?"

She blinked, then smiled briefly. "I assure you, the pairing wasn't anyone's interference. Totally random. Besides...you've got a nice pair" She winked at that bastard...and yep, he smirked.

"You just don't get it, do you?" I ground out.

"I do. Perfectly, Miss. And I'm sure you'll get it too. Why not just give it a chance? If it doesn't work out... by the end of the week, you might get to swap partners."

My eyes lit up. "Wait... I can do that?"

"Yes... but under certain condi..."

"Ssssh," I cut her off. "It's fine. I can endure a week." I smiled, she nodded.

And I made my way to the far end of the window, backing him up.

Away from his nonsense.

Well, I'm Tessa Morris, I turned twenty a month ago. Fresh out of my... fifth breakup.

Wait. Hold up, make it seven.

The one before this last one was a twin.. And yeah, I didn't realize I'd been making out with both.

Ewww.

Anyway, I'm my parents' favorite and only...daughter.

Dad died three years ago in a plane crash. Mom's running a coffee shop now.

She keeps saying she's "living her best life" after quitting journalism. I know she's just keeping Dad's dream alive.

I've got two brothers. One's on his honeymoon, the other... technically just ruined my life.

How? He somehow hooked me up here with Axel Roth. A demi-god disguised as a human, the one I've hated all my life.

Don't ask why.

And guess what? Axel coincidentally got on this show too. And my amazing brother Steven... refused to answer his call.

Classic.

One month of hell I'm definitely gonna regret.

"You must have stalking syndrome," a voice whispered in my ear...soft, warm, and annoyingly familiar.

I flinched. "Quit breathing in my face."

Hands shoved in his pockets. "If it isn't... Little Miss Pink Booger," he smirked.

"Asshole. Don't fucking call me that," I hissed, glancing around in case anyone was eavesdropping.

"Why? It's cute. Suits your little squishy face." He pinched my cheeks.

I yanked his hands away. "Back off. Why are you here, huh?"

"To be with you," he winked, smirking sharply.

I swallowed, boiling.

"Don't get too excited. Came to catch a fling or two... have a nice time," he said.

"Pause." I waved my hand. "Why am I even talking to you? Can you just leave?" I snapped.

"Why? Did it hurt that I didn't come here for you?" he asked, tilting his head, smug as ever.

I scoffed. "Why would it? It's not like there's anything connecting us."

"You're right. Except..." His eyes glinted. "I haven't seen you in a year... An... And..."

"Shut it. Just leave, or fine, I'll change seats." I stood, glaring.

"I'll just tag along, roomie." He smirked.

I brushed past him like an angry bird. If I ever said I hated someone before, I take it back...because whatever I feel toward him?

It's worse.

Much worse.

"Alright, participants... Welcome to Love Locked: One Month to Win.. Love or Lose!" the producer's voice boomed over the speakers.

The room went quiet.

I blinked at the bright lights, the cameras, and the production staff who all looked like they'd been kept awake with caffeine and threats.

My heart thumped, not from excitement, but from the fact that I was actually doing this.

A reality show. Me. Here.

Great choices, Tessa. Amazing.

The producer clapped once. "Let's run through the instructions. You all know the basics...paired rooms, zero outside contact, and everything happening under constant surveillance."

I already felt my teeth grit.

"You'll have challenges, dates, mini competitions, and at the end of the week... potential swaps, if necessary."

Potential?

Everyone murmured, some nervous, some faking confidence for the cameras already recording.

I caught the eye of a girl with curly black hair just ahead of me, she smiled weakly. I returned it, then focused straight ahead again.

I felt Axel's presence before I even realized it. Of course.

He was sitting beside me now, his lap almost brushing with mine.. but I flinched, shifting slightly.

I glanced around at the other participants.

Twelve girls, twelve boys. Twenty-four people. All ready to fling their dignity straight into the cameras.

"And remember," the producer added, grinning like they were about to watch the best show of the century, "you'll all gather back in the main lounge in three hours. For introductions and that's when the real fun begins."

"Until then, you'll be escorted to your rooms... blindfolded." He echoed, before the speaker got turned off.

A staff member started passing black blindfolds around.

Someone groaned, someone else asked if this was necessary.

I just rolled my eyes.

The blindfold was soft satin, but the second I tied it around my head, the world disappeared into darkness.

Footsteps shuffled, people whispered.

A guy laughed somewhere behind me.

And then..

That voice, deep and smooth.

"Well, this should be fun...shorty"

My stomach dropped.

I clenched my fists, don't respond...don't encourage him.

Pretend he isn't breathing the same air.

A hand brushed mine as the staff guided us forward.

Electricity shot up my arm, and I snatched my hand away instantly.

"I'm not trying to touch you," he said with a low chuckle. "Relax."

The nerve.

We began walking, one by one, guided by staff. I tried counting steps, tried focusing on the sound of the air-conditioning, the distant chatter, anything to calm myself.

But all I could think about was the fact that this idiot is my roommate.

My heart thudded painfully.

The walk felt endless until finally, someone tapped my shoulder gently. "Room 208," a staff member said. "You can remove your blindfolds now."

My fingers trembled a little as I pulled it off.

The hallway was modern, soft lights glowing beneath the wall edges.

Cameras tucked into corners, doors numbered in gold plates.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

And froze..

You've got to be kidding me...one bed?

(⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡(⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡(⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡(⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡