Chapter Three: Seeing Him Again

(Song: Bellyache by Billie Eilish)

BELLE

I stood in front of my open closet, staring blankly at the carefully hanged clothes before me. This was the moment I most dreaded - packing and arranging.

"Have you packed your bikinis?" Samantha asked as she zipped up her bag. "Voila! Finished before you."

My room was scattered with different sets of clothes. Did I forget to say? Yay! I got selected as one of the contestants for Love Isle. Samantha as well got selected. We were expected to be at the airport within two hours.

"Bikinis?" I gave her a questioning look.

"Yeah. The show is happening on an island in Fiji. Pack all your sexy bikinis, girl. Don't forget your sunscreens as well." Samantha pointed at them on the table. "There were be men around, you know. Fine, sexy, hot-blooded males." She winked.

"What's that for? I told you I'm not going there for love." I rolled my eyes. The one I thought I had vanished into thin air.

"I know, baby. You know you would get paired up with a man for the next sixty days."

"Yeah, that's not a problem, if I would even last till day sixty. I only agreed to this because you asked me to and I also need to clear my head." I threw in some sunscreens into my box.

"Are you girls, ready yet? I need to drop you both at the airport before going to work." Dillon's voice sounded from the living room.

"Your sister..."

"Yes, we are." I zipped up my bag, glaring at Samantha. I had packed a mix of casual and dressy outfits as well as bikinis and some dinner gowns for the show's more glamorous events.

Dillon took us to the airport, and before going back to work, he said his parting words to me.

"I don't know whatever this you're going to..." He started.

"It's a reality TV dating show, Dillon." Samantha muttered.

"Yeah, that, I keep forgetting. Reality TV can be crazy, and those producers will stop at nothing to get drama. You need to be careful not to lose your guard."

I nodded, my eyes locked on his. "I know, Dillon. I'll be fine. Morever, I'm not going there to find love. It's only fun and games for me."

"That's absolutely fine. And don't forget, you're going to be living with a bunch of strangers in a confined space..."

"It's a villa." Samantha interrupted, making me laugh.

"Whatever, Samantha. Villa, confined space - same thing." He sighed, then continued his advice. "Emotions would be high and it's going to get intense there. I want you to stay true to yourself and don't let anyone define your worth." He said, his voice filled with love.

"Thank you, Dillon. I will always remember that " I smiled, feeling grateful.

When last was Dillon this emotional with words? Only God knows.

He pulled me into a hug. "Whatever happens on that island, know that I will always be here for you."

As we hugged, the airport announcer's voice sounded on the loudspeakers, calling for the next flight which was mine and Samantha's.

"It's okay, now. She won't be gone forever." Samantha tapped on Dillon's shoulder. "It's just sixty days."

I pulled away, smiling at him. "I will miss you, Dillon."

"I will miss you too. Take care of yourself. You also, Sam!" He waved as Samantha and I made our way past the airport gate.

I hope I was ready for whatever that would happen in the next sixty days.

***************

For the next one week before the main show, I stayed alone in a room without my phone, just like the other contestants. A night to the introduction day, one of the show organizers informed me that I would be introduced as the first contestant.

"Oh wow." I don't know if I should feel excited or nervous.

"Here, take your tag and microphone. Welcome to Love Isle." He gave the items to me.

"Thank you."

My name was boldly written on the tag. I let out a deep breath. 'It's tomorrow, Belle. You can do this.'

Finally, the D-day was here. Two hours to the said time, I kicked off with my preparations.

Not in the mood to search for what to wear, I picked up the first dinner gown my hand could reach. Luckily, it was one of my most beautiful gowns. But there was something about it. It was the exact one I wore on my twenty fourth birthday, the same day Brandon asked me to be his wife.

Maybe I should find another gown. I don't want to have thoughts about him. On another thought, I was like fuck it, I'm so over Brandon, then I put it on. I wore my hair in loose waves, applied not so heavy makeup. I put on my necklace and earrings. I was wearing my left stiletto heel when I heard a knock on the door.

"Miss Cooper, you're up in five minutes."

"Damn! Five minutes." I muttered. I was about walking out of the door when I suddenly remembered my tag and microphone. "Shit! Shit!" I took few steps to the table where they were, to pick them.

The man at the door who had called me earlier was speechless when I came out of my room.

'Why is he looking lost?' I wondered.

I waved my hand over his face to draw his attention. "Hello."

"Uhm... Yes. Three minutes remaining."

"Alright."

"You're putting on your microphone and name tag right?"

"Yes." I pointed at where I had put both of them.

I could hear the booming voice of the host from where I stood.

"It's your host again, Logan Ward. Welcome to the eleventh season of Love Isle. As usual, we have ten singletons from all walks of life. They will be living together in this luxurious villa, hoping to find their perfect match."

'Not me.' I shook my head. No love. No relationships.

"As they get to know themselves, there will be challenges, surprises and loads of drama facing them. But the real question here is will they find love?"

I let out a deep breath. "Come on. My feet are aching." I muttered.

"Let's meet our contestants."

'Ahh! Finally!' I tried to calm myself. This was my moment.

"First up, we have twenty four year old entrepreneur from California, Belle Cooper. She's Cooper Holdings' heiress. I smell money here."

The large, sleek doors in front of me slid open. I thought it was supposed to be a stage with audience, but it was the villa itself, the swimming pool area to be precise.

As I stepped into the villa, my eyes got wide in awe. The pictures Samantha had shown me before didn't do justice to what I was currently seeing.

The host stood in the middle of two couches facing each other. The large pool of water was at the back.

"So stunning." The voice of the host brought me back to reality. "This one is different. From her introductory video, she said she's not here for love. She's only here for some fun time." He shrugged. "Well, we will see to that."

I smiled at him. "Hi Logan."

"Hey Belle. Take your seat." He pointed at the couch on the left.

I slowly sat down with a smile on my face. I had mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness.

The next contestant was Sam. Gosh! She was beautiful as hell. When she saw I was the one sitting, she increased her pace, despite the fact she was on heels. I hope she doesn't fall and embarrass herself.

"Hey Sam. You look hot!" My voice barely audible.

"You look tastier." She grinned.

"This place is so awesome, Sam." I whispered in her ears as she sat down beside me.

"I told you." She held my hand tightly. "I'm super nervous, Belle."

"I am too, Sam."

The host, Logan called in three extra females. They all looked gorgeous.

It was time for the men. He called in the first one.

'Okay, he's not that bad.' I thought. He had those muscles and abs. But why was he shirtless though?

The second and third looked so much like the first in body stature.

There was something about the fourth. His piercing green eyes was visibly clear through his glasses. He was handsome, no doubt. I could not believe I felt a flutter in my stomach when he flashed a smile. I would definitely avoid this one.

If I was to pair up with a man, I have to go with someone I was least attracted to. Let's wait for the last one.

"The last contestant for the night." Logan announced.

"At last." I murmured. Samantha quietly excused herself to get water.

"I know you guys aren't ready for him. He is one of the most eligible bachelors. He is super duper rich. Billionaire CEO to King Corporations."

My head spun up. 'No, it cannot be Brandon. This is Fiji, not the US.'

"Let's welcome Brandon King!"

My mind was racing, my palms were getting sweaty as I fixed my eyes on the doors.

I was still in denial. 'No, there are a thousand and one Brandon Kings across the world. It can't be..."

It was him.

I thought I could hear the ambulance sirens from a distance. I hoped they were coming to take me because at that moment, my heart stopped beating.