Bet Me Up

Chapter One

Paula leaned back in her chair, casually taking a sip from her cup. She glanced up as the door swung open, revealing a slightly out-of-breath Ryan. She glanced at her watch and waved him over. “I’m impressed.”

He eyed her suspiciously for a moment before breaking out into a smile. “I surprise myself sometimes.” Beat. “Now pay up.”

Paula giggled and reached for her purse, rummaging through the contents.

Simon strolled in just in time to see Paula hand Ryan a hundred dollar bill. “Well well well...” he sang out, heading over to the judge’s table. “Quit you’re day job there, Seacrest?” He plucked the bill from Paula’s grasp, running it between his index and thumb. “I mean, I know you enjoy whoring yourself out - how else could you have landed this job - but what would you expect out of Miss Abdul here? Hoping she’d give you a guest cameo in one of her fab videos?” He turned towards his petite companion, offering her a smirk. “And you - breaking my heart like that...you know I would have offered you more pleasure than Seacrest here, all for free.” He reached over and pecked at her lips playfully, grinning as he watched her pretend to rub off his ‘cooties’ from her mouth.

Ryan stood up and snatched the money from Simon’s hand. “First, I do believe this is mine, and second, shut up.” He threw Simon a friendly yet rivalry grin and headed towards the door.

Paula rolled her eyes and swivelled towards her best-friend. “I made a friendly bet with Ryan that he wouldn’t be able to get ready in less than his regular eight hours.”

“And how did beauty-boy do?”

Paula looked at her watch, cocking her head to the side. “Seven hours and forty-eight minutes.”

“And you paid him.” Simon shook his head, letting out a little laugh.

“Yeah, well, he –did– finish in less than eight hours...”

“Amateurs.” He muttered under his breath as Randy walked in, ready to start the auditions.

***

Auditions were finally finished, and Simon remained behind the judges desk putting his papers in order. Sure he pretended not to care on screen, but deep down, he was very devoted to his company. He would often take his work home; reviewing contestant pictures, resumes and video feedback. As he finished organizing his work into a folder, he headed towards the dressing rooms. He spotted Paula and Ryan chatting it up.

“Ladies.” He smirked, walking by.

Silence.

He turned and saw both of them watching him, before they broke out into a fit of giggles. He slowly stalked back towards them. “What’s so funny that has both of you gabbling like a couple of geese, hmm? Something on my face?”

Paula placed a hand on his shoulder, throwing Ryan a cryptic smile. “No no...just a stupid joke that Ryan told me.” She dismissed the moment with a wave of her hand, smiling as Ryan bid them goodnight. “What are you doing tonight, Si?”

He raised his eyebrow, pondering any hidden intentions. Holding up his folder, he tapped it with his index finger. “Take out and yawns.” He dead panned.

“Well...how about I join you - y’know, to help you sift through.” She saw suspicion in his chocolate eyes, and stuttered a bit. “I’m lonely...just want some company. Besides, I want to do some reviewing too, so I might as well kill two birds with one stone, well not kill really because I don’t do the whole animal cruelty thing, though I still eat meat –”

“– you’re babbling.” He interrupted her, opening his dressing room door. There was a comfortable silent moment before he casually agreed to a little soirée. His back to her, he smiled secretly, a hidden grin that revealed his true feelings for his petite partner. “So, seven o’clock then?”

She watched him, lust blatant in her eyes though often masked by fear of rejection. “Seven.”

He turned on his heel, his eyes meeting hers as he distinctly filtered in the husk in her voice. “What are you planning, Abdul...?” He murmured, his eyes brimming with a carnality she had not witnessed before.

She offered no answer but merely flashed him a knee-weakening smile. Blowing him a kiss, she closed the door behind her and headed towards the parking-lot, giving Ryan a ‘thumb’s up’ along the way.

–TBC–