Perfect Match

Episode 02

A.C. Meyer

Translation by: Renata Morais

Synopsis

Perfect Match, the reality show that will find the right girl, to date to Jonas Lopes, the prince of the soap operas, is on the air! Five candidates will compete for the heart and attention of the beloved actor.

In the second episode of Perfect Match, you will meet, cheer, love and, maybe, and even hate the choose one. They will need to do everything they can to win Jonas and captivate the public, using their weapons - be it charisma or foul play. 

But is impossible to resist the call of love. Even if its gets two people - who shouldn’t be together, and yet cannot let go - into trouble. 

Prepare your hearts, the popcorn and the public. In this game, only one girl can win All that remains to be seen if he will be the right guy...

 We cheer for, cheer against, eliminate, save… we fall in love with those we just met!

Pedro Bial

ONE

Nath's heart felt like it was going to come out of his mouth. Still holdin the phone to her ear and holdind her breath, she stared srolling, while reading the collumn AGORA FALEI (I SPOKE) (I SPOKE) by Bel Dias.

- Meet the ten selected to the realiy show Perfect Match - he read in a low voice, hearing a groan on the other end of the line.

Before he lost his nerve, he kept scanning the screen as he read the names in alphabetical order. Alana, Brigite, Dora, Fabiana, Giselle, Helyanne, Monike, Nayara, Nathalia e Thays.

- Whore That. Fuck. - She swore, causing Duda to shudder on the other end of the line. — Nathalia Venturini. She reread her name aloud, not believing this was actually happening. "I'm going to kill you, Duda," she threatened angrily, while his sister tried to calm her down saying that there would still be a second list.

- They are going to release a second list, Nath Only five girls will enter.

- What if my name is on this damn list? What I'll do? - |She started pacing back and forth, twirling a lock of hair around her fingers, something she used to do when she was nervous. - Oh my God. Who’s going take care of my store?

- I’ll take care, little sister.

— You crazy, you don't know the difference between Sonic and Super Mario! How will you take care of the store?

She went into the kitchen and picked up the paper bag the delivery man had left with the Chinese food he'd ordered that night. She brought the bag to her mouth and kept breathing in and out of it, trying to contain her panic.

- Calm down, Nath. Everything will be alrigth. We don’t even know if you will be one of the chosen ones. - Duda knew that this was not a good time to try to convince her that this could be a good thing. Nath had to let her mind drop and then start looking the options. It was always like this. When something happened, she freaked out a little and after, she tought more about the situation, she would be able to find alternatives.

Nath heard a click on the phone as he continued to blow into the bag, and then his brother-in-law's thick voice sounded on the other end of the line.

- Sister, it’s me, Leandro - he spoke, calling her in the way he used to call her whenever he wanted to make her feel better. He was a good man, honorable and very affectionate with the whole family, especially with her. “Stop walking around the kitchen. She stopped, leaning against the center island bench, the bag still in her mouth. — I know you're nervous and that Duda crossed the line a little this time...

She pulled her mouth away from the bag just enough to protest.

- A little? She has gone completely crazy! And I don't even have all that money in savings to pay the fine!

Leandro snorted, but continued to speak.

- You know what I like most about you, Nath?

— My Street Fight skill? she asked, referring to the game they used to play together on weekends.

– Also But, mostly, your courage and friendship. Even when your sister has the worst ideas in the world, you do your best not to disappoint her. Even if the cost of doing so is high.

- I’m staying in a house, with cameras filming me all the time, Leandro!

- I know.

- What If I talk nonsense? Or make a mistake? My God, what if people think I'm an idiot? She went back to blowing on the paper bag intensely.

- You're a smart girl, you talk well, you're smart, you won't do anything stupid. And you'll have the public in the palm of your hand.

- Pff - she let out a muffled moan, but he didn't let her interrupt him.

- I'm not just lip service to this, Nath. I know. People will love you, just like we love you. And you'll come out of this with a hefty sum in your pocket.

- You think?

- I’m sure.

She slowly lowered the paper bag, feeling a little better. They were silent for a few moments, until she heard her sister talking excitedly on the extension.

— And with Jonas Lopes' ring on his finger!

Nath took the paper bag back to his mouth and started blowing again.

- Duda - Leandro protested and his wife stared at him, not knowing what he had said wrong. But from the look on her husband's eyes, she knew she was in trouble.

***

The morning after the list was leaked, Bruno was checking social media and gossip sites. Quickly, the curious internet users located the information about each possible participant. The TV show had not even premiered and there were already some organized supporters on Twitter, which showed that this was the best idea he had ever had. Very few media touched on the subject Jonas womanizer, preferring to stamp the star of soap operas with the question: who will be the perfect match for the handsome guy? They were reaching the final stretch of pre-production and the show would premiere very soon.

A knock on her office door drew her attention away from her computer screen.

- You may come in - he said loudly. The door opened and Jonas walked in with a wide smile. — Ready?

- Sure! I have ten girls at my disposal! He laughed and sat down on the plush sofa in the living room, crossing his legs and feeling as comfortable as he always did when he came here. - You promised me that I could choose the girls and you didn't let me participate in the selection. The actor frowned and Bruno laughed.

— We needed to meet some prerequisites, but Ellen left the final choice to me. Do you want to give your opinon?

- Sure!

He got up and crossed the room, going around Bruno's desk and settling into the chair he'd picked up on the way. As they waited for the screen to open, they heard a soft knock on the door and Melissa entered.

- Hi, boss…ah, you're here - She rolled her eyes at the sight of Jonas.

- Pretty girl, you're going to see me a lot as the cameras follow my every step," Jonas said, smiling at her and winking in a charming way that seemed more to irritate her than to amuse her.

- Not if I can help it,' she snapped, but before Jonas had a chance to speak, Bruno interrupted them.

- Hey, stop both of you. The moment is important!

- What are you guys doing? - she asked with a raised eyebrow and her arms crossed.

- We will choose the five finalists. The girls who will compete - Bruno replied and Mel smiled. She knew how excited the boss was about the TV show.

— Bruno, are they going to participate in tests? Jonas asked, his expression intent, watching Melissa glare at him. - They could compete! What do you think of a wet t-shirt contest and jello wrestling?

Bruno laughed and Mel rolled her eyes, muttering asshole to Jonas. He winked back at her.

- We want to find your love, asshole, not the next casual fuck you're taking home,- the manager replied and Jonas chuckled, pleased to have the redhead angry. She looked like a little rocket about to explode whenever he was around. - Pull up a chair, Mel, - Bruno called. - Come help us choose.

The girl took the chair and sat on the other side of the chief, trying to stay as far away as possible from the Tasmanian devil known as the prince. It was more like Prince of Darkness, if anyone asked her.

With a few clicks on the screen, Bruno opened the computer program that had the candidates' file. Selecting the first one in the list with a click, the photo of the young woman appeared next to her personal information.

NAME: Alana Lima

AGE: 22 years old

PROFESSION: Muse Fitness

— I wonder what a fitness muse does? - Mel asked innocently.

- Post butt weightlifting pictures on Instagram, - Jonas said with a laugh and she grimaced.

- Stop being ridiculous! Bruno elbowed the actor, who laughed. He turned to Mel. - She's a kind of digital influencer. Companies in the fitness segment hire these girls to promote their products, participate in contests and fairs in the segment.

- Um... - Mel muttered, watching the chubby girl smiling in the photo.

- This one stays, - Jonas said.

- Serious? Mel asked, looking at him and then back at the photo, trying to understand that strange combination between the soap opera guy and the big girl.

- It's fine by me. Mel? Anything against? Bruno asked and the girl shook her head quickly.

- No, off course not. He's the one who has to know who he's attracted to... - She spoke in a low tone and went back to looking at the screen, feeling Jonas's eyes on her.

- Right. Bruno clicked the approved button and went on to the next one. A photo of a green-eyed redhead named Brigite came up.

- Failed, - Jonas said at the same time as Mel, obviously for different reasons. While Mel worried that the girl was a journalist and had enough skill to spark another scandal out of Jonas, he didn't even want to think about the possibility of living with another redhead besides the short one that irritated him.

The two looked at each other in surprise at the coincidence, but Bruno didn't even look away from the computer screen and went on to the next one. Dora Lis, a young physiotherapist, failed, as well as Fabiana, a country singer — which made Jonas remember her ex who sang the same rhythm — and Giselle, a youtuber.

- Four flunks at once… we're going to run out of options,' Bruno grumbled and clicked on the next photo.

NAME: Helyanne Souza

AGE: 23 years old

PROFESSION: Pitaia woman, funk dancer and singer.

My God, what's a pitaia? Mel asked, frowning, as Bruno Googled the name.

- It's a fruit, - he said, as the three of them stared at an exotic pink and green fruit, the inside of which looked like ice cream flakes. He returned to the girl's profile and shared the screen with the photo of her and the fruit, noting the similarities. Like the vast majority of “fruit women”, Helyanne was fit, had large breasts thanks to silicone, a large butt and her skin was artificially tanned. But what caught the attention of the three is that, in the photo that the girl sent, she was wearing a lycra jumpsuit the exact color of the pitaia they were seeing in the picture.

- Is she dressed as a pitaia? - Mel asked, cocking her head to the side, trying to understand.

Bruno did a Google search for the girl's name and they noticed that either she was wearing pink clothes with green details, like the fruit's skin, or in black and white, like the inside - which made her look like a curvy dalmatian When Mel mentioned it, Jonas laughed so hard, tears welled up in his eyes, as did Bruno, and she thought, in that moment, that he looked like a boy laughing like that…very different from the naughty stud he used to be.

The businessman found a video of the girl on You Tube and decided to click to watch it. Even though he had already seen the material she had submitted to the program, the curiosity to find out what she singing.

It was an amateur video, probably recorded with the cell phone, by the camera shake. With a funk beat in the background, they saw the brunette with long dark hair wiggling up and down to the floor, wearing the outfit that made her look like a big ice cream sundae.

It goes down and up

Roll over and come

You’ll go craz

And break with the pitaia woman

They didn't know which was worse: the lack of rhythm to sing or the talent to dance.

- My God, the body of work is terrible - Mel said and the two boys burst into laughter as the music continued playing in the background.

Jonas wiped away a tear that was streaming down his face from laughing so hard.

- Inside or outside? Bruno asked, still laughing.

Inside - Mel replied and Jonas arched a brow at her. - A fruity woman so…exotic will make a lot of fun entertainment for the show - she said and he winked at her, nodding.

Bruno turned to him, who nodded.

Inside - Jonas replied, laughing and shaking his head. He didn't know if the show would work, but it looked like it would be fun.

The next candidate, Monike, was dropped as soon as Jonas found out she was a police officer.

- Does she decide to hold me in contempt if I make any jokes with her? - he said to Bruno, jokingly.

- Or when you catch all the contestants saying they're unique? - Mel muttered, unable to control her fierce tongue.

Jonas arched his eyebrow, and before he could open his mouth, Bruno dismissed the girl and moved on to the next.

NAME: Nayara Mendes

AGE: 21 years old

PROFESSION: Actress

- What jobs did she do? - Jonas asked and Bruno turned to Google again. Clicking on the girl's portfolio, they saw that she had only done a few small roles. Then Bruno found a video of an audition for the role of a play. It was a short video, about three minutes. Despite this, they could see that the girl was talented.

- I like the idea of having an actress on the show. - Bruno looked at Mel meaningfully. — Who knows, maybe she’ll go straight from reality to soap operas? - Mel nodded in agreement, as she looked at the photo of the beautiful black woman with curly hair, already thinking that she could indicate her for a test. Sandoval Assis, famous soap opera director, was looking for a woman exactly like her for the role of a production he was working on.

- Or we can play our own love interest on the show - Jonas said and Mel huffed, getting up to go to the mini-bar on the other side of the room for a bottle of mineral water. She needed to calm down. She couldn't understand why Jonas was irritating her more than usual lately.

As she opened the bottle and poured the water into a glass cup on the counter, the actor watched her closely. If she didn't work behind the camera, she'd be a great candidate for the show, even if she did drive him crazy.

- Well, Nayara is approved, let's go to the next one - Bruno said, taking the two of them out of their thoughts. As the data for the next candidate opened, Mel returned to the seat beside him, feeling calmer. She must have had PMT. Surely that was it, she thought to herself.

NAME: Nathalia Venturini

AGE: 23 years old

PROFESSION: Busineswoman

Bruno frowned when the photo of the beautiful brunette appeared on the screen, while Jonas smiled and Mel nodded.

- She is great! - the young woman said, causing Bruno to shake his head.

— Yes, Bruno! Jonas agreed with Mel.

- Her interview was very nice. She is funny, smart and beautiful. She's the typical ordinary girl, with a nerdy way that viewers will love.

- She's not the type of girl to be on shows like that, Mel - he said, trying to convince them otherwise. — The others are more used to the celebrity life. She, as you said yourself, is an ordinary girl. You will end up getting hurt.

- She's a hottie, Bruno. And signed up for the program. The public, as said Mel, will love her.

Despite his displeasure, the businessman clicked the approved button, even though something inside him said that it was a bad choice, even though he didn't know why. Before he changed his mind, he moved on to the next one.

NAME: Thays Villar

AGE: 19 years old

PROFESSION: Miss Young Beauty.

The three of them widened their eyes when they saw the girl's picture. With long blonde hair that fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, big green eyes and huge eyelashes, wearing a delicate pink dress with a white sash with the inscription Miss Young Beauty, the girl was charming. All the other girls were beautiful, But Thays had a unique beauty, those that only seemed to exist in beauty contests If there was one thing that the public loved, besides an ordinary girl, it was the delicate miss from the countryside. The three agreed that she, despite being very young, was perfect for reality, and ended the selection.

The moment Bruno clicked the finish button, his cell phone rang and Ellen's name appeared on the display.

Bruno, honey - she said when he took the call. — I just saw your chosen ones. I love it. I couldn’t have chosen better

- Were you watching while I chose? - he asked, amused, getting up and walking across the room.

- Sure. Anxiety wouldn't let me wait - she replied, laughing. - I'll release the team to summon the girls. The house is already ready, waiting for them.

- Are they going to stay at a hotel before they go there?

- Yes, but only for two days, to start getting into the confinement mood. - Ellen laughed. - It's happening, my boy! We will be on the air very soon! - She said goodbye to him and then hung up.

Jonas got up, getting ready to go home. Like the participants, he would also need to go home and pack his things. He hated to think he would be out of his own house, but he was grateful that the show was taped, which would allow him a few moments off from the public eye to see his family.

I'll pack my things, folks. Anything, call me, Bruno.

- Ok - Bruno agreed and Jonas left, leaving him and the assistant.

She put a lock hair behind her ear and asked curiously.

- Don't you think we shouldn't have let Jonas participate in that selection?"

- Why not? he asked, curious.

- I don't know... it seemed a little cheating to me, you know? - She said and lowered her head. - It's like I'm skipping a step and meeting the girls ahead of time.

Bruno laughed and sat back down beside the assistant. Mel was very competent and he trusted her with his eyes closed. And because she is so, so trustworthy, she ends up becoming a little innocent for that world of television.

- Considering that the show will be edited and will favor the public favorite… well, nobody needs to know, right? She nodded and he laughed. - You know he won't really have a relationship with any of them, don't you? he asked and she lifted her head, eyes wide, staring at him.

- No?

- Do you really think that bastard Jonas is going to settle down with someone? - They both laughed. - If any of them win him over, it will be a miracle, but we can't count on that. Besides, the contract he signed doesn't require him to have a relationship with the girls.

- The Geek girls has a chance - she said, looking thoughtful.

- You think? Bruno questioned, arching an eyebrow.

- She's pretty, she's fun, she plays video games and she loves those things you boys love. - She laughed. - But really, all the girls are very pretty. I think he could have any of them.

- Good - he said, standing up. — let's hope he stays out of trouble.

She laughed

- That's it, boss!

TWO

The next few days were crazy, both for the contestants, who had to be packed in a hurry and confined to a luxury hotel in Barra da Tijuca for three days before entering the program, and for the production team, who were rushing with the preparations for the show's premiere, which would be taped and aired at the network's prime time three times a week. The five young women had to go through doctor's visits and tests so that the production could be assured that they were all in good health, after all, they could not risk putting someone on who suffered some kind of illness and had to deal with a medical emergency.

Just before they were taken to the mansion where they would stay for the duration of the program, the participants received a quick visit from Bruno, who took them a confidentiality agreement to sign, something common for those participating in reality shows.

He had already talked to four of the five girls, leaving Nathalia last. As he made his way down the hallway of the floor where she was staying, he chuckled to himself as he thought of the young women he had met. They would be perfect for the reality, as they were very different from each other and very peculiar. In the last hour he had learned all about beauty pageants, found out how many calories were in the chocolate bar he was eating, watched the effort of a young actress to show him that she was great at acting in dramas, and learned the words to the new funk of the pitaiafia woman. Who had sung and danced for him, as if she were performing on a stage, even though he said there was no need and that he had already watched one of her unique videos. In fact, he had no doubt that she would be the entertainment of the show, with her colorful clothes, her funny manner, and the mindless songs she sang.

Still smiling, he knocked softly on the door. Quickly, the young woman opened and he found himself face to face with the beautiful girl who had caught his attention earlier, but who was now, more than ever, totally unreachable to him. Not that he was thinking of having anything with her, he thought to himself.

- Hello - she said as she opened the door and smiled shyly when she saw him. Unlike their first meeting, at the initial interview, when he was wearing a smart suit, Bruno was in faded jeans, sneakers, and a long-sleeved black knit shirt with rolled-up sleeves, but equally breathtaking. If she wasn't on a show where she was supposed to get a boyfriend, this would be the kind of man who would make her rethink her decision to stay single.

- Hi - he replied with a smile when he saw her. She noticed that his eyes were of such a clear blue hue, like two seawater stones. - I'm Bruno, I'm part of the production of Perfect Match.

- I remember you from the interview, Bruno, - she said, and he nodded in satisfaction. - Do you want to come in? - she asked, undecided as to what she should do, after all, she had received express orders from Paçoca, the production trainee, not to leave the room under any circumstances.

Bruno nodded and she made room for him to enter. He looked around, seeing a replica of the four other rooms he had been in before. The young woman indicated an armchair for him to sit in and she settled down on the bed, crossing both legs on the mattress in lotus position and hugging a pillow. He watched her carefully: her dark hair was tied up in a loose bun on top of her head, fastened with a colored pencil. She was wearing tortoiseshell glasses - which made him think she was sexy, since he had a thing for women with glasses - as well as a white T-shirt with a neckline that showed off one of her shoulders and black knit pants, which looked comfortable and really were. Bruno noticed that she wore very little make-up, unlike the other four girls he had visited, but this did not make her any less beautiful. In fact, her simplicity caught his attention in a positive way.

- Are you well settled in? - Bruno asked her, just as he had asked all the other girls.

- Yes, the room is great - she answered softly.

- Good. The view from here is beautiful - he said, looking at the huge window that took up the wall of the room, overlooking the sea.

She nodded with a smile, but her usual shyness about strangers - and about the handsome men who caught her eye - caused her to keep quiet, not knowing exactly what to say. He turned his light blue eyes on her.

- Well, Nathalia, I brought...

She interrupted him, her voice so low he wondered if she was imagining it.

- Nath

- What?

- Nath - she repeated, clearing her throat. - Only my father calls me Nathalia. Still, when I'm in trouble. - She laughed, relaxing as she heard his laughter.

- OK, Nath. Would you prefer that we refer to you that way on the show? - She nodded her head in agreement. She already felt too nervous about being on TV, and it would be better to be surrounded by things that would make her feel more at ease, like the diminutive of her name. He picked up the notebook he carried with him and made a note. Then he looked at her again. - I have brought the confidentiality agreement for you to sign, and I have come to give you some information about the next steps. I imagine you are anxious to know what is going to happen.

She smiled and tucked an escaped lock of hair behind her ear, her movements watched by him.

- I certainly am - she said, anxiously. - I've never done anything on TV, so I'm a little nervous - she admitted.

He leaned forward in his chair, assuming a more comfortable position.

- I can just imagine. But you don't have to be nervous about anything. The TV show will be recorded and edited, not live. Then, in case something happens, it is possible to fix it. - He smiled. - You just have to worry about being yourself.

She shrugged her shoulders.

- I don't know if being myself is interesting to the public. - She laughed. - I'm a very ordinary girl. I can't dance, sing, parade, or anything else that most of the girls who were in the selection can do.

- But that is exactly what makes you interesting. Being an ordinary girl, who won't work hard to get a job on TV as a sub-celebrity will be her big advantage. - He winked at her. - Besides, I'm sure that the public will feel represented by someone like you... a girl who works, who struggles in life, who has a great sense of family, and who is in search of the great love. - He stared at her as he spoke, his eyes never leaving hers. Nath felt as if his eyes were touching her skin, in a gentle caress... which was absolutely inappropriate, since she was there to get to know the soap opera actor better.

- I'm not looking for the great love - she said. - I don't even know if I want to fall in love.

He chuckled and looked away, touching the envelope he had brought, pulling out the term paper from inside for her to sign.

- Who can say when love will come? - he asked, shrugging his shoulders. - Besides, you have something your... opponents don't have - he continued, wondering if he was talking too much.

- Which is?

- You are real. Anyone who looks at you sees someone who does not wear masks or fake gimmicks that would make you into someone different.

- Or a plastic doll. - She laughed.

- Exactly! - He smiled at her, amused, and then spoke about the document. - Well, this is a confidentiality agreement. It's standard in reality TV and basically says that you can't divulge anything about the production of the show, or give interviews of more than thirty seconds to competing broadcasters for a period of three months, except when the production authorizes it.

She arched her eyebrow, taking the paper he held out to her.

- And why would I want to give an interview to anyone? Who would be interested in me? I am just the owner of a game store, who is surrounded by teenagers most of the day.

He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other as he waited for her to read the document.

- You have no idea how interesting you are... - he murmured, and she raised her eyes from the paper. Their eyes locked on each other and she felt her heart race. Was he flirting with her? It had been so long since I had been out with anyone that I thought I had lost the practice in the conquest game. Which would be bad for her during the reality, she thought, since most of the women would play hard to win. Even though the only thing she wanted to win was the money in the end. She could make some money and invest in her own business.

As if he realized that flirting with her was a very bad idea, Bruno got up, went to the fridge, got a Coke, and went to the large window, which reminded him of his apartment: it had an equally breathtaking view. He took a sip from the can and ran his hand over the dark waves, trying to get his thoughts in order. This girl had something that took him off course... and that was very unusual. He was not a loner, quite the opposite. Single, handsome, and working in the arts - althoughl behind the scenes - he had the chance to meet many beautiful and interesting girls, who accepted well the fact that he had no interest in a long-term relationship. Besides, he never - never even - got involved with women who had any relation to Jonas. They had been friends for too long to compete for a woman's attention. Bruno knew that the fact that Jonas was an actor made him more interesting in the eyes of women in general, and their friendship was very important for him to put desire above their relationship.

While Bruno drank his soda and looked at the view, Nath focused on the paper in front of her, reading it carefully. He was right, the document, in general terms, determined that she could not disclose details about the reality, and stipulated a deadline by which she could grant interviews to other stations and media outlets that did not belong to the group. She found it very curious that they release interviews of no more than thirty seconds and wondered how she would be able to answer any question while she was counting the seconds. This TV world was too complicated for her.

Picking up the pen that was on the bedside table, she signed her name on the paper in a firm, curvilinear handwriting. Then Bruno turned around and she held out the paper to him, who put it in the envelope along with the others.

- Is there anything that is essential to have in the house for you? - he asked.

- And can I make demands? - She laughed and he nodded softly.

- As long as it's something I can take care of...our team wants you to feel comfortable in the house where you will be staying for a month

She sighed, thinking about the promise her brother-in-law made to her to take care of her store while she would be away. He managed to negotiate a vacation with the pharmaceutical lab where he worked during this period, and committed to taking care of his baby, as she referred to her business, keeping the events that were scheduled, so as not to let his young clients down.

- Well, I'm a person of simple tastes... but if I can have a video game and some cool games, I'll be happy.

He laughed.

- That is the easiest request I have received today.

- Really?

- Yes. The list ranges from goat milk baths to a nutritious drink from Senegal. I didn't even know that Senegal produced this kind of thing.

They both laughed.

- Well, I'll let you get some rest, Nath. - Her nickname seemed to glide across his tongue like melted chocolate. - You will stay at the hotel until tomorrow and then you will be taken to The Mansion, the house where you will stay during reality.

- Any tips for a TV newcomer? - she asked, feeling anxious.

- As I said before, be yourself and forget about the cameras. The public likes to see the truth on video. - He winked at her and reached for the doorknob, opening the door. - I'm sure they will love you.

She nodded, silently, as he waved goodbye, and closed the door. Nath threw herself on the bed with a long sigh and hugged the pillow. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into, but she hoped that everything would be okay.

THREE

Everyone wants to find a love

Tha one who will get your feet off the ground

Take you to the stars

Fly to infinity

Hand in hand with you

The path is more beautifiul

Everyone wants to find a love

Even a prince or hero

Come to be my perfect match

I want to find my happy end

With you

When the opening music of the reality show Perfect Match started playing, the entire production team of the show huddled in a makeshift editing room in the mansion they had rented for the show. The contestants were in their rooms and would not be watching the show, but Jonas settled in next to Bruno, and the rest of the team, to watch the premiere, which had been taped throughout the previous day.

The opening showed each of the participants - with their names written in bright letters, in alphabetical order - who had been filmed and photographed, both for the call, and for the materials that would be distributed to the press. When the last girl was shown, the image of Jonas filled the screen, causing him to squirm in his chair. He hated to see himself on video and rarely watched anything he did. It was too self-critical to watch on TV and not be able to change what I didn't think was good. Although most people thought he was very confident in himself, like most artists, he hid a fragility underneath the character he decided to play in his daily life: that of the young, successful and cool actor, sure of himself and his talent. And this is how he was sure that he was excellent at what he had chosen as his profession. No one ever realized what he was hiding.

Wearing a blue long-sleeved rolled-up shirt and dark jeans, Richard Alves, TVShow's entertainment journalist, appeared on screen to introduce the program.

- Hello, hello, everybody! I am Richard Alves and you are going to follow with me the journey of a man beloved by crowds, in search of his Perfect Match! - He smiled broadly at the screen and continued speaking. - During the next four weeks we will meet Alana, Hellyanne, Nay, Nath and Thays! The five contestants to be the perfect couple of the star Jonas Lopes, the prince of the soap operas!

While the team was excited about Richard's video debut and performance, Bruno grabbed his cell phone and started monitoring the repercussion on the social networks.

@tatinha_br: The contestants were handpicked. Each one more beautiful than the other. I'd rather not opine on my favorite for now. #PerfectMatch

@gugatinho: #JonasLopes is a lucky guy. In my life there is not one of these girls who are participating in the #PerfectMatch reality show

@manodoceu: WHAT a HINO this opening song, referring to the prince of the soap operas! The #PerfectMatch has just started and it has already begun!

@acaboujessica: Jonas, let them go and be with me! #PerfectMatch

Smiling, Bruno looked away from his cell phone and back to the screen. At this point, Richard had just done the introduction, explaining the dynamics of the show, where the public would vote via SMS or on the show's website to eliminate one of the girls starting Wednesday, ending Friday at 9pm. The result would be announced live, where the one with the most votes would be eliminated from the mansion, this being the only live entry in the program.

Richard showed the mansion, which was located in a prime area of the city and overlooked the sea. With ten rooms, a library, living, dining and games rooms, as well as a gym, spa and pool, the place was big enough to accommodate the participants and the production team, who would do the recording and editing there.

After introducing the entire mansion, Richard called the commercial break. The team was euphoric and talked to each other. Suddenly, Ellen opened the door to the room from the editing bay, with a huge smile on her face and her eyes shining, as she swung the cell phone that was in her hand.

- People, we are first in the ratings! First place! - she said, excited, and the team celebrated. Bruno and Jonas shook hands, smiling, happy with the news. This was a big step in getting his career back on track, and the young actor hoped it would work out.

As Ellen congratulated Jonas, Bruno shifted his eyes again to his cell phone. The blue of his irises looking even clearer as he lifted his head.

- We are first on Trending Topics!

Suddenly a bottle of champagne appeared, glasses were distributed, and everyone toasted. It was a great start for a TV Show that had everything to be a success.

The next block was taped. Richard was in the living room of the mansion, accompanied by Jonas, where they would meet the candidates.

- So, Jonas - the television host began, smiling. - What are you looking forward to?

Jonas, who was sitting unconcernedly in the comfortable armchair with one leg crossed over the other, ran his fingers through his dark hair. He smiled in a way that took his fans' breath away and spoke:

- I'm very anxious, Richard. I hope to meet the right girl here for me. And I believe that the public will help me to make the right choice.

The public cheered at home at the chance to help their idol find his perfect match. The amount of messages on social networks was growing by the second, showing virtually the success of the program.

- Well, then, let's meet each of the girls who will be participating in our Perfect Match! - Richard exclaimed, getting up and heading for the stairs leading to the bedrooms on the second floor, close to where they were sitting. - Let's welcome our first participant. She is from Rio Grande do Sul, is twenty-two years old, and is a fitness muse. The girl works out six hours a day!

- Will she have time for me? - Jonas asked, making a face like a dog that fell off the move. Anyone who looked at him would be sure that he was really interested in finding the right girl.

- Let's find out about it now, Jonas! You can come, Alana!

The young woman with very dark hair, dyed a shade of black that reached her waist came down the stairs smiling. She wore a tight, very short white dress, contrasting with her tanned skin. Her shapes sculpted from many hours of working out stood out in the little dress, making Jonas think that her siliconized breasts and large buttocks looked like they were about to burst out of the dress. On her feet, the very high heeled sandal made her gain an extra six inches, making her almost his size.

Richard led her to Jonas's side, who greeted her with two kisses on the cheek. She stood between the two, and the television host turned to the camera.

- Before we start, let's take a look at Alana's clip. - He called VT and was shown images of her day to day life, participating in bodybuilding events and, mainly, working out. After the twenty second video, he turned to her. - So, Alana, we see that you work out a lot. Do you think you would have time to date Jonas, if you’re the public's choice?

She smiled and turned her eyes to him. Even though she was not really his type, he could not deny that she was a very beautiful woman. The young woman's brown eyes sparkled as she came face to face with the famous actor.

- But, bah, of course. Besides, he might get a workout buddy. - She smiled and squinted, raising her right hand to squeeze the muscles that were hidden under the boy's shirt. - I know he likes it too, after all, these muscles didn't just appear here - she said and blinked.

The two men smiled and Jonas led her to one of the couches. As she settled in, the actor returned to his position and Richard to the edge of the stairs, calling the next girl.

- Our next contestant is quite... quirky - he said, facing the camera with an arched eyebrow. - Born in Rio de Janeiro, Hellyanne - or Helly, as she prefers to be called - Richard said, pronouncing her name as something like Rélai. -, is twenty-three years old and on stage is known as the pítaia woamn - he introduced stretching the words and the girl appeared.

Jonas's eyes widened when he saw the woman who once had dark hair, now very blond, with long hair that reached her waist, just like Alana's. But unlike the fitness muse, whose hair was natural, Helly sported platinum blonde mega hair. She wore a long-sleeved shock pink lycra jumpsuit in luminous green and sky-high sandals. The pitaia woman came down the stairs to the sound of the program's music, sensualizing herself with the stair railing, as if she were dancing to the funk that he and Bruno had learned about from her video on the Internet. She was a character.

As she reached the last step, she smiled at Richard and accepted the hand he offered, and was led to Jonas's side, barely giving the boy a chance to introduce himself. She hugged him excitedly and gave him a kiss on the lips, taking him by surprise. Before she had a chance to get more excited about the actor, Richard called her VT, which showed some of her routine at funk dances and at home, where she rehearsed.

- Helly - Richard began, causing the girl to smile widely for the cameras. -Do you think that your bounce will help you win the heart of our leading man and our viewers?

- I believe so, Richard. Thank God, I love to dance funk and I am sure that Jonas will be a wonderful partner.

The actor nodded, smiling, too stunned by the exuberance of the fruit woman who had been chosen by Mel, making him think that the redhead had put him in a very unusual situation when she chose that figure for the program. He took her to the sofa, repeating the same dynamic he had done with the previous participant, while Richard returned to the stairs.

- Our next participant is Nayara - the young black girl with curly hair appeared smiling. She wore a green dress and low-heeled sandals. She was a very beautiful and simple girl. - She is an actress, twenty-one years old, from São Paulo.

Finally someone who looks normal, Jonas muttered to himself, as the girl came down.

- Nayara, do you think the fact that you are an actress and have a common career with Jonas, can this be a point in your favor? After all, I'm sure that if you were a couple, you wouldn't be jealous of the technical kissing scenes in the soap operas! - Richard asked after the girl's VT, which showed some scenes of her in the theater, rehearsing a play.

Jonas and the girl laughed, but she agreed.

- Ah, man, I believe so. It's nice to be with someone who has the same interests as you.

- Of course - he said, and led her to where the other two girls were.

When he returned to his position, he looked up and the sight of the honey-eyed brunette stole his breath. He had forgotten how beautiful she was, ever since he saw her in the elevator on the day of the interview. The girl nibbled her lip as she looked up the stairs as if wondering if she would be able to go down all those steps without tripping, making him smile.

- Our fourth participant is Nathalia, Nath to her friends. She is twenty-three years old, from Rio de Janeiro, and an entrepreneur. Nath is the owner of a charming store geared towards the geek public and loves video games.

Nath smiled, slid her hand through her hair, and went down the steps, counting from one to ten very slowly, to contain her anxiety. She congratulated herself for choosing the silver sneaker to wear with the black dress. She was not sure she would be able to walk down the steps wearing shoes as high as the other girls, when she was used to wearing tennis shoes in her everyday life.

- Do you like to play video games, Jonas? - the host asked, when she reached the last step. She raised her eyes to the actor, who smiled, winked at her and replied.

- I like it very much.

Her VT was shown and, at the end, Ricardo turned to her.

- Nayara said earlier that it was nice to be with someone who has the same tastes. I wonder if you have other things in common with Jonas, Nath?

The man blinked at her, laughing.

She laughed and joined in the fun.

- Maybe... my clients often say that I have similar tastes to theirs. Considering that they are fourteen-year-old boys and every man is still a boy, I believe so.

Jonas let out a laugh and held out his hand to her. As they made their way to the sofa, he murmured.

- It will be very interesting to see you deal with the boy I am... and the man - he blinked and she widened her eyes softly, letting him see the little