SimLit Legacy Stories by Sharon

It shouldn’t have come as any surprise that Laban was there to greet me in the morning when I awoke and came down. It was fast becoming a routine for us, a routine I found I rather enjoyed.

I guess I was feeling a little homesick and missing my bestie, and Laban lent me a good listening ear.

As Laban and I talked, Declan came out to grab a few rays. I guess he was trying to be inconspicuous, but it didn’t quite work. I noticed he sat in the deck chair closest to us. With all this attention I’ve been getting over the weeks, it was going to take some adjustment getting back to my real life once I went home.

Declan was trying to be subtle, but subtlety was definitely not on Pierce’s agenda. He came right over and unceremoniously hugged me. I was taken aback a little, but I really didn’t mind the hug. I guess he figured he’d better make a move or something since I’d been spending so much time with Laban.

Declan is one to never be outdone. He got right up from his chair and turned on the charm. Once again, I was hugged, this time by a shirtless guy. Declan’s chest felt warm and strong against my own, and I felt his heart beating against mine. It had been a very, very long time since I’d been hugged so intimately by a man, and it felt so good.

Another thing I was becoming very accustomed to was being massaged by Laban. Oh, Mama! That man has the hands of an angel. Regardless of who the winner ended up being, I was going to make it my personal mission to hire Laban as my personal masseuse. I never thought of myself as having an addictive personality, but Laban’s technique in rubbing me down was changing that.

Pierce didn’t look happy as he came over. I was getting the odd sensation that Pierce was checking up on me at every turn. He always seemed to crop up while I was spending time with Laban. I realize I’m supposed to make myself available to all the guys who want to spend time with me, and that is fine. I have done that and will continue to do so, but Pierce’s attention, as of late, had notes of possessiveness and jealousy. It made me feel a little uneasy, and I started to think about what life would be like hooked up with Pierce. I don’t mind being looked after and tended to since I like being treated like a lady. What I don’t like is someone keeping tabs on me all the time and governing who I was to keep company with. Perhaps I was reading too much into it and sure hoped that was the case. I’d just have to see what happened from here on out.

After Pierce left, Declan and Eli came over for a chat. The tension eased, and I was glad to see Eli and Declan chatting it up. So far, the guys seemed to get on well for the most part, which was nice.

Laban came over to talk to Declan and me while Eli hung off to the side. Funny, but Eli has been rather distant since this last elimination. Maybe this whole thing is getting to him. I sure know the feeling. Uncertainty is a huge factor in this crazy roller coaster ride, and it can get the better of you at times. I could understand someone cracking under this kind of pressure.

A little while later, I headed to the buffet table to grab something to eat, and Laban was right there. As I turned to look at him, my breath caught in my throat. I think I must have caught him at a totally unguarded moment because there was no mistaking the way he was looking at me. There was such warmth and tenderness in his eyes, and the way he said my name made me almost weep. This was the way Tyrone looks at Lenora and how Doug looks at Christie. Oh, dear Calista! This man was in love with me.

Butterflies flapped around in my stomach, and I had a hard time getting my dinner down. Until today, I was still very unsettled as to where my heart was leading me. Now, I was feeling a very strong, compelling pull and it was both thrilling and rather frightening. I didn’t want to make a rash decision and live to regret it later. I had to listen to my heart but I still needed to keep my head in the game.

I had a big decision to make in a couple hours. Tonight was another elimination, and they were getting harder and harder each time. Pierce sought me out and asked me to come outside to talk.

“You’re the kind of girl a guy would be proud to take home with him to meet his folks,” Pierce said.

I smiled my thanks but didn’t say anything.

“I care about you, Ileah. Maybe I’m in love with you. I’d like to explore that with you,” he said.

“I know you care. But Pierce, isn’t that why we’re here? To explore the possibility of love?” I asked, confused a little.

“I know, but this seems so…I don’t know…weird, I suppose. We’re all competing for your affection as if you’re some prized hog at the State Fair or something,” he said.

I couldn’t keep back an unladylike snort. “Well, I’ve never been compared to a hog before,” I said. Then, I sobered. “You know, Pierce, this is what we agreed to when we all signed on for this. It’s a crazy way to try to kindle a relationship but it does work for some people. Do you regret coming on the show…or meeting me?”

“No, of course not,” Pierce said quickly. “I guess maybe I’m feeling a little…um…territorial. I wish I could have you all to myself but I know I have to play by the rules. I’m not a graceful loser, and I’ll put up a hell of a fight. I promise I’m not some octopus or anything, but all’s fair in love and war.”

I smiled. “I’m glad you told me this, Pierce. You’re a wonderful man, and I do care for you. Whatever happens, please know that, okay?”

“I know,” Pierce sighed. “The farther into it we get, the harder it is.”

“Yeah,” I said on a sigh.

Pierce gave me a kiss on the cheek and then left me. I enjoyed the balmy air for a few minutes and then went inside.

I guess it was my night for emotional encounters and hearing true confessions. Laban asked me for a dance as a slow song came on the radio. He pulled me close and looked down at me with that same soft look he had at the buffet table.

“I love you, Ileah,” he said simply.

I was silent for a time, not knowing what to say. I looked up into his face and whispered, “I know.”

“I guess I was pretty obvious earlier,” he replied.

“Yeah,” I said.

“It’s not in my nature to hide how I feel. I’m sorry if this puts you in a difficult spot, but I’d rather you know. It’s time I played my hand,” he said.

“Honesty is good, Laban. I’d want that in a relationship. Without honesty, there can be no trust. I’m glad you told me,” I said.

He let me go as soon as the song was over. Dazedly, I headed to the date room to make my final decision.

A piece of my heart shattered when I delivered the news to Eli. Funnily enough, he was more stoic than I was. A tear rolled down my cheek when I said that he had to leave. Eli, however, nodded in understanding and smiled a sad little smile. He gave me a friendly hug and wiped away the tear on my cheek. “It was a pleasure, Ileah. May the gods smile on you all your life.”

As I’d said before, Eli is such a sweet man and I will miss him terribly.

Author’s Note – As you can see, a new leader has emerged. Another trip to the massage table, the hours of talking, and the dancing zinged Laban’s relationship level right on up. Pierce was making his presence known but it wasn’t enough for him to keep his lead. Eli didn’t interact with her very much, and that reflected in his score. Ileah’s heart wasn’t the only one that hurt when he had to leave.

Some fun facts – In the beginning, Ileah started rolling some wants for Declan. Over time, she rolled a couple for Eli and some for Laban in the last part. This part, she and Laban rolled a number of wants for each other. Funnily enough, Pierce remained in the lead until this part but Ileah never rolled any wants for him at all. It just goes to show that you never know what can happen during these crazy challenges.