THE BACHELOR - Who Will Reuben Choose?

Round 6 - The Masquerade Ball - Ivy

"Gorgeous Ivy, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?"
"Why, of course," I said, taking Reuben's hand.
"You look absolutely breath-taking," he said, dipping me as we danced.
"You're not so bad yourself," I said playfully.

https://i.postimg.cc/jqMTPQqG/Dance1.png

The few glasses of wine I'd had, had given me the touch of confidence I needed considering the other girls were all watching us dance. Highly unlike me, I got onto my tiptoes and kissed him suddenly, and passionately in front of everyone. He seemed rather surprised, which was my whole idea.
"Where did that come from?" he asked, laughing.
"Come with me upstairs. Let's maybe have a minute to ourselves," I said.

https://i.postimg.cc/BvBks4Xd/Dance2.png

"What's going on Ivy? You seem a tiny bit different," he asked.
"Oh, I didn't think you would notice," I said, grabbing his hand across the table, stroking it gently.
Reuben seemed confused, and it wasn't the reaction I was expecting. I thought this is what he wanted.
"I thought you wanted a girl who was a little less innocent, so I thought we could maybe hook up here, while everyone is downstairs," I said bravely. He could tell I was being sarcastic.
"What on Earth are you going on about, Ivy?" he asked, pulling his hand away.
"Oh please, I saw your response to the producer. I'm soooo innocent. I know nothing about life, or love, or men. No way I would go to the fantasy room with you hey?"
"Yes, but you are innocent," he said.
"You think you know me after a few dates? You have no idea. My parents raised me not to sleep around, which is why I didn't go with you to the fantasy room. But you know what, I won't be another notch on your belt, and you should respect that, not make me seem like a total prude!"
I pushed my chair back and ran downstairs, out the front door.

https://i.postimg.cc/kgxhFqFB/Dance3.png

Reuben came running after me, and I wasn't sure I actually wanted him to. I was about to lose it, and that was not something I wanted to do.

"Ivy, please stop," he begged, the door closing behind him, drowning out the music from inside.
I spun around toward him, the most furious I had been in ages.
"NO! REUBEN! PLEASE just give me a break! YOU are living this lovely little life with a bunch of girls all over you, each of us vying for your attention. Life must be SOOOO difficult for you! Then you sit there judging each of us, without knowing any of us properly yet."
"That is not how I see it. It's difficult for me as well, Ivy. I didn't think I would fall for even one person, let alone have feelings for everyone here. And I am not judging you, I think you saw that comment out of context," he replied.

https://i.postimg.cc/rs0fdkwy/Fight2.png

"How can you actually have feelings for each and every one of us. Seems a bit extreme to me! And out of context or not, you still said it!" I yelled, exhausted.
"It's not that simple. I have invested time in everyone here as well," he sighed, "Please can we just walk away from the front door and go talk around the corner. I can feel everyone's eyes on us."

https://i.postimg.cc/MGskVzq1/Fight1.png

We walked around the building to the back, giving me a minute to cool down. I wrapped my arms around him, sighing.

"Sorry" we said simultaneously.
"Me first," I said, "I know it isn't easy for you either. This whole thing is actually so bizarre. So, I take it back saying those things about it being great for you. You're not the type of guy to mess around, you're a gentleman, I know this. So, I'm sorry."
"And I'm sorry as well. I'm not trying to come off as judging you, or any of the other girls for that matter. I didn't mean that you were too innocent for me. I meant it in general, and not as an insult. It's actually a beautiful quality to have. It isn't something I come across very often, if at all. And I want to get to know you, every part of you."

https://i.postimg.cc/FKH89w3z/makeup2.png

He kissed my cheek, and I smiled, leaning in to him.

"Friends?" He teased.
"Friends!" I teased back.
"Well, not exactly friends," he said with a wink, before kissing me.
"May I have another dance Mr Church?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.
"Oh yes! It'll be the best 'I'm-sorry' dance ever!" he said, grabbing my hand and leading me back inside.

https://i.postimg.cc/gcCCvSFt/Makeup.png

Producer Question 1: I know this is a TV show, but honestly, that 'tiff' was personal for me. It's my real life I am playing with here for the world to see. And what happened was not for TV, it was for our relationship to possibly grow further - Which I hope it did. But I was relieved with the way the night ended. I hadn't been so upset for such a long time, but my feelings, mixed with the wine got in the way if I was being honest with myself. He's a good guy, and I know in my heart he has feelings for me, and would never intentionally hurt me. What I want in a relationship is someone who can say sorry when they're wrong, and so can I, and then we both move on.

Producer Question 2: It's so difficult! Not one girl doesn't have feelings for him by now, so anyone not chosen at the end is going to be heartbroken. The pressure of having your heart on the line for someone who might not choose you is a difficult thing to have to deal with. So, yes, the pressure definitely is getting to me.