"Geisenburg sent you a thank you card, you should probably send him a fruit basket," they're words from Pen that Oliver can hardly pay attention to the next morning from his seat in the blacked-out Range Rover.
The only thing that's bringing relief from his hangover (hey the legal drinking age in Australia is 18) is coming from how dramatic Ava was when he sent her ass home last night.
"Just wait until my subscribers hear about this in my best looks for heartbreak post-Oliver Henderson!" She had screamed before storming out.
Turns out, there wasn't a mix-up of secret boxes, Ava had just blatantly lied about her secret, thank God for secret cameras and microphones (surprise surprise; but he's not sure how his secret hasn't come out at this rate).
"Are you listening to me, Oliver?" Pen asks.
Oliver sighs, leaning his seat back while they cruise down the road.
"So like those fancy cheeses you all have here, or are we thinking good ol' fashioned fruit?" He asks.
Pen raises an eyebrow, obviously very annoyed. "Could you take something other than your career seriously for like five minutes?"
"Fine," Oliver says. "We'll have the fruit basket delivered by a drone or something. That screams billionaire extra-ness right?"
That gets Pen to smile. "Only if the drone is also dropping a hundred dollar bills for him to wipe his ass with."
They both chuckle at that one.
It's nice, as frustrated and hungover as he is, to have some more time away from the set; even if it's with the one woman who won't let him stop working (not that he has much else in the States). It's always been this way really, he works himself to death, and then Pen takes him somewhere he can turn his brain off and act like a real person (for as much as that's worth).
Today he's donning one of his favorite disguises: black sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a cheesy fake beard and wig Pen bought from Spirit Halloween (he had specifically requested those additions). They're driving to Santa Monica Pier, one of his favorite beach spots in the state if he's being honest. If there's a place to clear his head and forget his man-sized problems it's there.
"Things going OK with that Shayne guy on set?" Pen finally asks, shattering any illusion of a calm day. "I've seen him around and seen you both talking. Things staying pretty professional since the whole contract mess?"
Oliver wants to remind her that the contract mess was her idea and to tell her that she is partially responsible for things imploding between them right now. He also knows that doing that would ruin his fun day away.
"Oh yeah," he finally says. "Things are peachy. Just another production assistant on the set of my most-watched live show. I mean, have you seen our ratings; we're crushing 'The Bachelor', take that, Arnold Palmer."
Oliver's learned something about Pen that he just exploited. Even if he lies to her, if he tells her at least half of what she wants to hear it's smooth sailing. He just has to get her mind tied up enough to go with it.
He sets a mental stopwatch and counts; three, two, and one.
"Game-changing, you have yourself a hit kiddo," she says, victory spreading across his face as he presses his cheek to the warm glass.
"This is going to take your career to the next level, everyone is talking about Oliver Henderson."
And he knows that to be the most fact of them all, people can't stop talking about him (and it's exhausting). Just on Twitter in the last hour alone, his name has been trending along with the show, final four ladies, and Ava's meltdown.
He remembers a few comments that come to mind as the drive carries on:
@RealityTVFanatic: Can't believe Ava got the boot! Drama queen alert! #Unfiltered #TeamOliver
@RomanticDreamer: Did anyone catch Oliver's disguise as he was leaving the mansion? Hilariously bad! #Unfiltered #DisguiseFail
@BeachBabe25: Where in the world is Oliver Henderson going today? I need to be there ASAP! #Unfiltered #OliverSpotting
@ComedyFanatic: Did anyone catch the videos of Oliver on Zuckerberg's yacht? Homebody is living his best life! #Unfiltered #HangoverRemedies
@DramaLlama: Oliver's love life is a rollercoaster, but Homeboy seemed stressedddd in that episode. Behind-the-scenes drama? #Unfiltered #LoveTriangle
***
As they arrive at Santa Monica Pier, the bright colors and lively atmosphere surround them. Oliver takes a deep breath, feeling the salty ocean breeze and the joyous laughter of people enjoying their day.
"Ah, Pen, this is just what I needed," he says, his voice filled with relief.
Pen smiles, her eyes sparkling. "I knew this would be the perfect escape for you. Let's have some fun and forget about the chaos for a while."
Oliver nods, his disguise barely concealing his identity. He looks like a clichéd tourist attempting to blend in, but in reality, he's drawing even more attention with his ridiculous appearance.
As they walk along the pier, Oliver can't help but notice the occasional double-takes and whispers from people who recognize him. He chuckles to himself, realizing that his disguise is not fooling anyone.
"Looks like the jig is up," Pen teases, nudging him playfully.
Oliver shrugs, embracing the absurdity of the situation. "I guess I'm not as incognito as I thought. But hey, it's all part of the experience, right?"
They stroll along, enjoying the various attractions and the lively atmosphere. Oliver tries his best to avoid fans who approach him for photos or autographs, but his disguise fails to deter them.
"Oliver! Can I get a selfie?"
"Oliver, I'm your biggest fan!"
He obliges, reluctantly posing for photos while Pen captures the moments on her phone. The comedy of the situation is not lost on him, and he can't help but laugh at the absurdity of his attempt to blend in.
At one point, they come across a fortune teller's booth. Oliver hesitates for a moment, then decides to give it a try.
"Why not?" he says, throwing Pen a wink.
The fortune teller, a woman with colorful scarves and bangles, looks at Oliver and Pen, a knowing smile on her face. She motions for Oliver to sit across from her, and he does so with a playful grin.
As she begins to read his fortune, Oliver can't help but play along, answering her questions with exaggerated gestures and nods. Pen watches with amusement, her laughter blending with the sounds of the bustling pier.
"Ah, Oliver Henderson," the fortune teller says, her voice filled with mystery. "Your journey will continue to be filled with twists and turns. But fear not, for a certain someone's laughter will be your constant companion. Embrace the chaos, and drink a little caffeine, it will lead you to unexpected joy when the light shines too bright."
Oliver chuckles, finding solace in the fortune teller's words. "Well, if laughter is the name of the game, then I guess I'm winning," he says, flashing a grin.
They continue their adventure, trying out various games and attractions, Oliver's disguise still failing to fool anyone. Yet, despite the attention, he finds himself enjoying the carefree moments, the laughter, and the joy that surrounds him.
After a round of goofy bumper cars and a failed attempt at winning a stuffed animal at a carnival game, Oliver and Pen find themselves sitting on a bench overlooking the sparkling ocean.
"You know, Pen," Oliver says, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "I appreciate you always being there for me. It's like you can see through all the chaos and remind me to just be myself."
Pen looks at him, her eyes filled with warmth. "You don't have to thank me, Oliver. You're basically my kid at this point. Can't think of a client whose messes I have to clean up as much as yours."
Oliver chuckles. "I'll take that as a compliment I guess."
A silence settles between them as the sound of crashing waves fills the air. Oliver fidgets with his fake beard, contemplating whether to share his thoughts with Pen. It's a sensitive topic, one that he usually avoids, but he trusts her enough to open up.
"You know, I haven't talked to my parents in a while," Oliver admits, his voice tinged with sadness. "It's complicated, you know? Our relationship has always been strained, and I thought fame and success would bring us closer. But it's only driven us further apart."
Pen places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Family can be complicated kiddo, it's hard. But you have to remember that it's not your fault. You're doing the best you can, and sometimes that's all we can do."
Oliver nods, a mixture of gratitude and sorrow in his eyes. "I just wish things were different, you know? I wish I could have a normal relationship with them, with anyone. This life, this path there's no normal here."
Pen squeezes his shoulder gently. "No, there's not, but you're not alone, Oliver. You just have to stay focused on the prize. Who needs all of that love when you can be a star?"
Oliver tries to force a smile, but it wavers and falls flat. "What if I want both?"
They sit in silence for a while longer, taking in the beauty of the ocean and the joyous sounds of people enjoying their day at the pier.
"From the sounds of that fortune teller, hell kiddo, maybe you can," she says.
She pats him on the leg before getting up from the bench and heading back towards a sea of parked cars.
"Time to get back to reality kiddo," she says. "I'll be in the car. We've got a fruit basket to track down."
Oliver watches Pen's retreating figure, her words lingering in the air. He takes a moment to reflect on their conversation, the raw honesty that passed between them. A part of him feels a renewed sense of hope, a glimmer of possibility that maybe, just maybe, he can find a balance between his career and personal life.
With a sigh, Oliver rises from the bench and heads back to the car. As he approaches, he notices a young fan standing nearby, wearing a vibrant rainbow shirt that catches his attention. The fan's eyes light up as they recognize him, but there's a sense of genuine admiration and respect in their gaze.
"Oliver Henderson!" the fan exclaims, a wide smile spreading across their face. "I can't believe I'm meeting you here. You inspire me so much."
Oliver can't help but be drawn in by the fan's infectious enthusiasm. He walks closer and extends his hand, shaking theirs warmly. "Thank you, that means a lot to me. What's your name?"
The fan introduces themselves as Alex, their voice filled with excitement. "I've been following your journey on the show, and it's been incredible to see how you handle everything with such grace and humor. You remind me that it's okay to be myself, even when things get tough."
Oliver's heart warms at Alex's words. It's moments like these that make all the chaos and craziness worthwhile. "I'm glad to hear that, Alex. We all have our struggles, but embracing who we are is the key to finding happiness."
Alex nods, a hint of vulnerability in their eyes. "I've been dealing with a lot of pressure lately, trying to figure out my path. But seeing you navigate through the challenges gives me hope."
Oliver sits down on a nearby bench, inviting Alex to join him. "I know how overwhelming it can be to feel like you're constantly under scrutiny. But remember, you have the power to shape your destiny. Don't let the expectations of others define who you are."
Alex's face lights up with gratitude. "Thank you, Oliver. I needed to hear that. It's amazing to see someone like you, who has achieved so much, remain down-to-earth and genuine."
Oliver chuckles, a genuine twinkle in his eyes. "Believe me, I'm far from perfect. I make mistakes and have my doubts. But at the end of the day, it's about staying true to yourself and finding joy in the little things."
Alex listens intently, their gaze fixed on Oliver. After a moment of silence, they gather the courage to ask a question that has been on their mind.
"Oliver, can I ask you something personal?" Alex says, their voice filled with curiosity.
Oliver's eyebrows furrow slightly, unsure of what to expect. "Of course, go ahead."
Alex takes a deep breath, their eyes searching for the right words. "I've seen you dating women on the show, and it's great to see you exploring those connections. But I was wondering... have you ever liked someone you couldn't be with? And if you did, how did you tell them?"
Oliver's mind races, his thoughts immediately drifting to Shayne. He takes a moment to gather the right words, realizing that this is an opportunity, to be honest with a fan who looks up to him (but also realizing how harmful this could be to his career if it gets out).
"Yeah, I've had experiences where I've felt attracted to someone I can't be with," Oliver admits, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's something that's still taking some time to fully understand and accept about myself. When it comes to telling someone, it's a deeply personal and individual journey. It can be scary, but it's important to find a time and a place where you feel comfortable being open and honest with the person you like."
Alex nods, a mix of relief and intrigue evident in their expression. "Thank you for sharing that with me. It means a lot to know that even someone like you, with all the fame and attention can deal with that."
Oliver smiles warmly, grateful for the opportunity to connect with Alex on a deeper level. "You're not alone, Alex. Just be true to yourself, the rest will work itself out."
Alex's eyes light up. "Thank you, Oliver. I needed to hear that. You've inspired me in more ways than one."
Oliver reaches out and squeezes Alex's hand, offering a reassuring gesture. "I'm glad to hear that."
They sit together for a while longer, engaged in a heartfelt conversation that transcends the fame and glamour of Oliver's world. It's a moment of connection and understanding, reminding both Oliver and Alex of the power of openness and acceptance.
As they part ways, Oliver watches Alex walk away, their rainbow shirt fading into the crowd.
With a sense of fulfillment, Oliver makes his way back to the Range Rover where Pen is waiting, holding a bag that presumably contains the fruit basket they set out to find (he doesn't want to think about how much money she paid to get it here so quickly).
"Finally! I was starting to think you got lost in the crowd," Pen says, a playful grin on her face. "But seriously, what took you so long?"
Oliver shrugs. "Oh, you know me, Pen. I can't resist stopping to chat with fans. Alex and I had a really great conversation."
Pen raises an eyebrow, curiosity is evident in her expression. "Alex, huh? What did you guys talk about?"
Oliver plops down in the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt. "Just life stuff, you know? They were asking about relationships, and I gave them some advice."
Pen starts the car and glances at Oliver, her curiosity growing. "And what advice did you give them?"
Oliver smirks, enjoying the suspense. "Just about the importance of being open and honest with yourself and with the person you like, whenever the time feels right."
Pen's eyes widen slightly, a mix of surprise and concern on her face. "Hopefully it was about when the time is right with one of the beautiful ladies left on your amazing high-rated show."
Oliver slumps into the seat, throwing his disguise in the back seat, but keeping the sunglasses.
"Oh yeah definitely," Oliver lies through his teeth. "They were a big Sophia fan, totally think we're going to ride off into the sunset and have like eight kids."
Pen sighs and throws the car in drive. "Smart ass."