Chapter Eleven

(Song: Tough by Lana Del Rey ft Quavo)

JODI

(A week before Love Isle show)

"Don't tell me you're seriously going to that reality show." My mom asked me when she came into my room.

 I was busy packing up to go the airport. I have to be there in the next one hour, so I wouldn't miss my flight to Fiji. I had told my mom before now that I'd be auditioning for Love Isle, she took it as a joke.

"Mom, I've already been selected as one of its contestants. I have to go."

"Oh really?" My mom stood and shot me a withering look, her arms folded. "After, I had warned you not to."

"Mom, I'm so sorry but this is my only chance..."

"Of what exactly?" She cut me off rudely. "To be named the best journalist in the world, right? Why can't you sit your ass down and mind your damn business!"

I let out a deep breath. "Mom, I understand that you're really pissed, but, please, look at this from my own point of view. There's something very fishy about that show. Quite a good number of contestants from past seasons are either drug addicts, only fan models or end up as nothing. I even heard that two died recently."

"And you want to join them?"

"No, I want to expose the sick operations of the show. I also got info from an insider that Edgar King's son was selected. You know that his family is the reason why we're in this state. I intend of putting the Kings' secrets out in the open as well. We derserve justice." 

"I'm worried about you, Jodi." My mom's face softened.

"I'm very much aware of that, Mom," I went close to kiss her forehead. "I will be fine. Trust me."

"I've already lost Logan. I don't want to lose you too."

"Mom, I keep saying this. Logan is not dead. He's still out there. I feel he doesn't want to come home or look for us."

"How long is this show going on for?"

"Sixty days."

I hope that's enough time to accomplish my greatest feat yet.

                    ***************

(Day of the show)

My first surprise was seeing my estranged brother as the host of the show. 'Wait, why is he not looking shocked to see me? Doesn't he recognize me, or is he just pretending not to know me?' I thought as I walked to take my seat.

The second surprise, though it wasn't supposed to be surprising because I already got the info first hand. Edgar King's son, Brandon was introduced as the last contestant.

As time went on, as the days passed, I first noticed something off about Brandon's behavior. He was always staring at Belle and anytime, she was with Kyle, he becomes visibly annoyed. I have to find out who Belle is to him.

Belle seemed to be the only person I'd love to connect with in the villa. I don't know, she gives off positive vibes. There was something about her best friend, Samantha. She looks like she's hiding something huge from Belle. And why is she always giving side eyes with Brandon? Guess I have a whole lot to dig into.

First day into the villa, everyone was having a normal conversation in the living area, I noticed. My partner, Richard was laughing with Max, then Max stepped outside with a glass on his hand. All of a sudden, we could hear a crashing sound of shattered glasses. Everyone rushed and couldn't make out what had happened. That alone proved my suspicion about the show.

I was happy I was able to smuggle in some tiny cameras, my flashdrive and laptop. While nobody was looking, I tried my best to stick my tiny cameras on strategic places, where possible dramas were likely to take place.

At the end of the first week, we were all asked to assemble in the living area. It was on the agreement that we the contestants would be able to watch previously aired footage. We can give our suggestions on what we don't like and what we expect for the new week.

Most of the scenes on screen were mostly the dramatic parts. There were some audio cuts and jump edits. 

"This was before the main editing though." Someone on the production team said to us. 

None of us neither complained or gave a suggestion after the footage ended. Everyone kind of answered in unison that they had no problem with it, which was worrisome to me. I chose not to ask about the edits and other inconsistencies, because I was doing my own personal investigation.

"Belle, I have something to show you." I said to Belle immediately the production team left.

She gave me a long stare. "Is it about this show?" She said finally.

I simply nodded as I took her to one of the bathrooms which had no camera.

"Oh my..." She gasped when I took down my trousers to bring out my laptop. 

"Shh!" I signalled her to tone it down.

"How did you get it inside here?" She inquired in a loud whisper.

"I sneaked it in."

"Really? Thought we were all searched before coming in here."

"Not everyone though," Thanks to my insider. I owe him a whole lot. "Let's worry about that later." I plugged in my flashdrive into my laptop. I was able to access the cameras on it. I quickly tapped on a video of Carina and Raine having a conversation in the kitchen.

"How much were you paid to stir up drama?" Raine asked. Her eyes were everywhere, as if she was looking out for them.

"About ten thousand. What about you?" This came from Carina.

"Same amount. Do you think it's too early to start something up?" Raine questioned.

"I feel so. Let's take it to next week." She paused for a moment, checking around to be sure they were alone. "That's it, Raine. Goodnight."

I stopped the video.

"No fucking way." Belle covered her mouth after Carina stepped out of the kitchen on the video.

"See, I told you there's something off about this place. If I had my cameras around the day we heard a loud crash outside, we would have actually seen what really happened."

I was scrolling, then my eyes caught a video of Samantha and Brandon together. Just as I was about tapping on it, someone knocked from outside.

"Who's that?" Belle asked.

"It's Carina. Someone is using the other restroom." 

"Can you give us like five minutes?"

"Us? You're two in there."

"Yeah, Jodi needed assistance with her tampon stuff..."

"Ohh, alright. Five minutes then." Carina said as we heard her footsteps retracing.

"Hurry up." Belle whispered to me nervously. I carefully put back my laptop under my sweatshirt before stepping out with Belle. She had her arms around my waist.

"Carina, we are done."

While we walked back to the bedroom, I had something on my mind - What was Samantha and Brandon talking about at that time of the night?