#michael creech

“So, what’s your big news?”

Harlow took a slightly bigger sip of her wine than she’d intended and grinned at Michael across the table.

“Well, I uh…  I got a call today from the museum in Selvadorada and they asked me to go back and help to retrieve some artefacts from one of the older temples. Something about changes in the structural integrity of the temple? Anyway, they say it’s urgent and it’s a paid expedition, but it would be two weeks minimum.”

He tried to hide it, but she caught the look of concern as it flashed across his face.

“It’s only two weeks! And you could come with me?”

“I can’t take so much time off so soon, I need to show that I’m committed to the company. But I can tell you’ve already made up your mind, so I’m not going to hold you back.”

“You know I love you, right?”

“Yeah, baby, I know.”

“What have you got there? I thought we were finally finished.”

The last week had been dedicated to unpacking their belongings and they were finally down to the box at Harlow’s feet.

“You can relax, Michael, these are just keepsakes.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at the relieved look of Michael’s face as he sunk into the couch beside her.

“Keepsakes, huh? Mementos from the spectacular relationship you’ve had so far with the love of your life?”

“Oh, definitely. Just in case you ever leave me I can use them to hex you and bring you back to me.”

“Hex me? That I’d love to see.” Michael laughed and lay back on the couch, placing his tired feet in Harlow’s lap. “Seriously, though, what’s so special about these keepsakes? That box looks like it might fall apart.”

“Yeah, it’s almost as old as you are.” She laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear, “It’s mostly old friendship bracelets and photos, just stuff from my childhood. A few old diaries, too.”

“So, a bunch of old notebooks covered in ‘Mrs Zac Efron’?”

“Well, it’d be more like ‘Mrs. Keanu Reeves’ but you get a gold star for trying.”

“I guess you’ve always gone for the older guys then.”

Harlow just laughed and leaned her head back against the couch. It had been a long day trying to get the last boxes unpacked before Michael started his new job.

Day One – Welcome Home – Candid [1/2]

I didn’t have much time to work out what I was going to do next, because while I was working through the introductions Kyler had gone upstairs to grill fruit and somehow managed to set the entire barbecue on fire.

I went up to see what was going on but panicked with the others when I saw the flames and joined the mad dash to safety.

Luckily for all of us, Martin was quick to extinguish the flames with a little help from Warren. I think Kyler felt bad about the situation, either that or he thought Martin and Warren made him look bad. This adventure is off to a heck of a wild beginning.

Day Four – Elimination – Round Two [2/3]

Michael seemed so happy as he walked out to the garden that he was almost bouncing with every step. I was so glad I had good news for him, I’d hate to bring down such a great mood. He was so happy, in fact, that he pulled me into possibly the most enthusiastic hug of my life.

Warren was up next, and he seemed to be in the same cheery mood as Michael. I handed him the rose and he told me he was flattered that I felt he was worth keeping around. I joked that I needed to keep him close in case there’s another fire and he laughed with me before heading back inside.

Day Seventeen – Vacation – Selvadorada with Michael [2/3]

While we dried off, we went to the marketplace for supplies for our venture into the jungle later and spent a surprisingly long time sitting together on a bench by the communal garden. He’s so easy to be around and I am really falling.

We ventured into the jungle, but we didn’t go too far, just to be on the safe side. Even just the edges are amazingly beautiful. Michael seemed to think so too, when he stopped looking at me and enjoyed the view instead.

Day 5 – House Party – Candid

When I woke up, I was happy it was a day of getting to know the guys and not turning one away. I could hear them up pottering around the house and when I got up to join the – instead of finding attractive guys without shirts like I usually do – I found a fire in the kitchen.

I don’t know who started this one even if I did see Kyler on his way out and as I looked around at the boys in a total state of panic I realised that in spite of Warren and Martin’s earlier heroics no one was jumping in to tackle these flames.

I guess if you need something done sometimes you need to do it yourself lest the entire kitchen burn down in the meantime. But everyone’s safe and sound and there’s a party on the horizon.

|| @lotusplum My money’s on this being Kyler’s handiwork. He’s lucky he’s cute. ||

Day Two – Group Date – Candid [1/3]

Today was the group date and, after the adrenaline of the fire situation and the hours I spent laying in bed trying to remember everything everyone had talked about, I decided to take my merry band of misfits out to what’s supposed to be the ‘main hot spot’ of Windenburg - Discothèque Pan Europa.

When I told a few of the guys at breakfast, they didn’t seem to be totally against the idea. I was hoping it would be a good chance for everyone to loosen up a little. It did seem like they could use some more sleep, though. Jason had the right idea staying in bed late until the morning.

But then again, if early mornings in Windenburg mean seeing these guys walking around the house sans-shirt… Well, I’ve always been a morning person.

Day Nineteen – Final Decision [3/3]

And then, it was my turn to be relieved when he told me he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I know I was supposed to end this challenge with a proposal, but that can wait. 

Just knowing that he wants to be with me is enough for now.

|| Thank you so, so much everybody for your support with my playthrough of the Bachelorette Challenge! I had so much fun playing this and I hope you guys enjoyed it just as much!  I hope you stick around for Harlow’s next adventure, with a possible gameplay interlude before we get into her story. ||