Blinding light spilled down on me as I walked hesitantly out onto the stage. My steps short and uncertain.

The roar of the audience was overwhelming, the deafening hum of applause and cheers.

The host struts over, a spring in his step. He wraps a clammy hand around my shoulder, up close I can see the makeup caked on his face.

His lips moved but I couldn’t hear him over the crowd and the sound and the buzzing in my ear.

“W-what..?” I asked, my voice high and crackly.

He laughs in my face, the audience joins in on cue.

“Stage fright dear? How cute! Wellcome to Married for a Month!” He pushes me forward, leading me towards the middle of the stage.

“You’ve all heard of love at first sight! But how about married at first glance! One women, four men, the audience votes on who they’ll marry! Will they find love? Or will it end in…annulment!”

His overly cheerful smile spilt across his face as he yells. The audience cheers and hollers.

“Bring on the lucky men!”

The game show music starts, and the lights go dim. The host leans in my ear. “Remember, you’re getting number three. Be expressive, surprised, excited and hopeful.”

I swallowed down a nervous lump in my throat.

I can do this, I can do this. Hundred thousand dollars, that’s what I’m doing this for. Although the chance at love isn’t that bad is it.

The lights flash back on, revealing three numbered curtains.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Here are our four lucky stars! Number one, Joseph! Number two Aiden! Number 3 **$&#*! **Number** **4** **Wyatt! Let’s get voting!”

I paused as the audience once again roared with noise. What the hell was number three? The host’s voice sounded like he’d swallowed his tongue as he said his name. Nobody seemed to notice or care.

The lights turned dim again, count down music started as everyone “voted” on little tablets.

My leg bounced as I waited. Sweat began to bead down my face, the air felt suffocating.

“The results are in! You the audience voted on who this bachelorette will marry for a month to find love! Let’s see who the lucky man will be!”

Spot lights gleamed around the room, teasing everyone as they got closer and closer. Until they all simultaneously peered on curtain number three.

“Contestant number three **$&#*! **Reveal yourself!”

The audience erupted in applause and cheers as the curtain was slowly drawn back. I once more seemed to be the only one to notice the name. And as I sucked in a gasp as I saw my future spouse, they all still cheered.

My soon to be husband was a mass of tentacles.