We Don’t Want To Put In

Stephanie pulled out her phone. She dialled some numbers on it, and it rang a few times before the person on the other end picked up.

“Ah, Stephanie, I have been expecting your call.”

I instantly recognised the voice on the other end of the line. It was the South Australian Premier, our major funder for Solstice.

“Thank you for your patience, Premier. I have placed you on speakerphone, and I have Blake here with me.” She replied to him.

“Excellent, just the person I was hoping to speak to. Blake, why am I seeing you flirting with the competition instead of practising and winning?”

“I have been practising. I am taking it seriously.”

“If you are serious, why am I being flooded by photos of you and another contestant flirting?”

“Marco is my boyfriend.”

“This isn’t some funded trip for you to hold hands and make out with some guy.”

“He’s not some guy,” before I could declare him my boyfriend again, the Premier interjected.

“Exactly, he’s not just some guy, he’s your competition.”

“So?”

“So, you better not forget that the South Australian Government, my government, is invested in your performance. We put a lot up to see you win. Don’t forget you are only performing because we are footing the bill.”

“And I am truly grateful for that.”

“Well you can express your gratitude by ceasing any romantic or sexual relationships with fellow contestants.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“No! You are there for one reason and one reason only. To win.”

I wanted to complain and let him know I thought it was ridiculous. But instead, I just swallowed my pride. I couldn’t say anything about it. They were footing the bill. I couldn’t afford not to listen.

Stephanie had remained silent during this back-and-forth, perhaps to avoid being dragged into one side or the other. Unfortunately, she was accountable and responsible for handling this. Finally, she decided to speak up.

“Premier, I think Blake’s got it.”

“He better.” The Premier ominously added.

The line went dead.

Stephanie sighed as she collapsed further in her chair. “He’s as cheery as ever.”

I’m glad Stephanie also found him to be as much of a wanker as I thought he was. But we both couldn’t openly say that because it was true that his government was covering the costs.

“What he said... he can’t be serious, right?” I tried to protest to her.

“I’m afraid so.” She sighed and leaned back on her chair, staring blankly up at the ceiling. “And it’s not just him. The Feds also called.”

“The Feds? What do they want?”

“Pretty much the same.”

“Why do they get a say? They aren’t paying for us.”

“Technically, they are; they fund the SCS.”

I forgot about the network’s funding arrangement. Although I was fixated on the South Australian government, most of the funding was probably coming from the Federal Government.

“So what, they can just say, we don’t like something, and you are forced to change it?”

“Pretty much, they said they would cut funding to the network if we don’t take things seriously.” Stephanie looked exhausted. I always saw her as a hindrance who just complained about things. But seeing her like this, hearing the Premier’s and the federal government’s threats, I couldn’t help but pity her slightly.

“Blake, I don’t care that you like Marco. I get it.”

“Thanks.”

“Sadly, the way things stand, you just can’t be with him. As long as he is a representative of another country and you ours, you can never be together. Not while the contest is on.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. I didn’t see why my relationship was such a big deal, but everyone else was acting like it would be the end of the world for the two of us to be together.

“To satisfy the government, I’m going to have to implement some new rules.”

“What rules?”

She pulled out a blank notepad and began scribbling down notes.

“Basically, you are no longer permitted to be alone with Marco at any time.”

“That’s bullshit, I’m an adult, you can’t treat me this way. I could just walk out now. What would you do then?”

This made Stephanie stand up; her somewhat annoyed mood turned to actual anger.

“You walk, and we are on a plane back to Australia tomorrow. No Solstice, debt to the government you’ll have to pay back, and a lot of people out of jobs.”

It’s true walking wasn’t an option, nor did I want to pull the nuclear option.

“Then what if I just choose to ignore it?”

“We can pull it on our end. Same consequences.”

“Great, so basically, my love life is controlled by you now.”

“Sorry, but these are the new rules.”

I muttered some profanities under my breath. At the same time, Stephanie also calmed down.

“Look, we will just try to keep you separated as much as possible. We will keep a healthy professional relationship during the contest. Got it?”

“We’re both contestants. How are we going to follow that when we have rehearsals, performances, press tours and such?”

“If you are with many other acts, it’s fine. As I said, I don’t care if it doesn’t damage your image or is related to official Solstice events. I just can’t have you two alone.”

“Great,” I added sarcastically.

“I know it sucks, but I just need you to tone down the private aspect. At least until after the contest is complete. Got it?” She asked, smiling.

She said she knew it sucked, but I don’t think she did. How could she? It wasn’t like she wasn’t allowed to love for the contest. A pain twinged in my heart. Seven years, I had longed to see Marco again, and now we were reunited; it seemed everything wanted to keep us apart.

“I do, but why can’t I be with the one I love?” I asked.

Stephanie sighed.

“You signed that away when you agreed to represent Australia.”

─── ༻ ☼ ༺ ───

End of Chapter 24