Chapter 9
The participants waited in anticipation, standing under the scorching sun, for the three winners to say who they wanted to go on a date with.
Jasmine came first, with Fabiola second and Natalia came third.
"The person I would like to go on a date with is, Sean" Jasmine dropped.
Naturally, the three men she was curious about were Harry, Braxton and Sean, but Harry didn't seem like he wanted to speak to her earlier, while Sean was very expressive. Braxton on the other hand, wasn't someone she wanted to deal with right now, it will take time to even talk to him.
Jasmine didn't notice Harry's sunken expression after saying Sean's name. He bit his lips and looked away, he wasn't going with her even this time.
Sean, on the other hand, looked hysterical, he was just crying last night and finally got a chance to be with her.
Everyone's attention turned to Fabiola after Jasmine made her choice. In their minds, they already knew who she was going to pick.
"The person I would like to go on a date with is… Mason"
There were immediate hoots of joy from Natalia and Sean but Fabiola on the other hand felt off. It didn't feel right anymore or maybe, it never was right. Her eyes swept past the men and she saw Mason grinning at her.
Horrifying enough, was Braxton, who stood beside him and was staring straight at her soul. She couldn't help but think of what he thought of her?
Well, there wasn't much she could do now. Besides, he chose another too, why was he giving her the jealous boyfriend stare?
The netizens were in an uproar. Though, half of them expected Fabiola to actually choose Mason but it was all a speculation, they thought she would be so obsessed with calling Braxton's name even after she told Mason last night that she was going with him to paradise.
"I think… Fabiola isn't all that bad. She stuck with the man who showed interest in her, I'm a bit swooned"
"Is like she is executing her revenge because Braxton didn't choose her"
Replying to the second comment: "Lol, this isn't about reveng, did you see Braxton's face, it's kinda weird, is he mad?"
Natalia looked at the two girls and their men. She was happy for them but right now she didn't have an idea who to pick.
The two men she had interest in right from Day one was Braxton and Gavin but she hadn't really talked to either of them that much. Braxton hadn't even looked at her once while Gavin was someone she couldn't comprehend.
"The person I will like to go on a date with, is Gavin" she broke the news, glancing at him, he seemed surprised.
Well, yesterday when Jasmine got back and she ask her how they date went, Jasmine said it was fine and she couldn't miss the wild smile on her face.
She was also excited to get to know who he was.
****
Dylan was so mad when he recovered from seeing Fabiola and even more mad when he saw Zabrina alongside the remaining men in the show when the winners were about to go for their dates.
He picked up his phone swiftly to dial the number of a reporter.
"Dylan? To what do I owe this call? It's been so long you reach out to…"
"I didn't call for pleasantries, I want you to release an article about a contestant that's currently in Single's blaze, make it seem like she bypassed medical protocols"
"What are you saying, Dylan?" The reporter asked, confused. Dylan had never asked for this kind of assignment before.
"I'm saying I want you to expose Fabiola Thomas for being HIV positive and still being in the show, I'm sure that will shake the internet up"
"What? That's not possible for me to do. There's no way a show could bypass that and put it's contestants in harm's way, no one will believe that"
"Everyone will believe it if you are the one who put the article out" Dylan said and there was silence in the other end, before Dylan ended the call, he knew the other person would have gotten the memo. He texted alongside "I want it l, today!"
****
Actually, it was't so bad for the remaining contestants in the show, except for Braxton though, he felt a pang in his chest while he was talking to Zabrina. He kept trying not to think about why Fabiola didn't pick him.
It was weird that he cared about that, it was weird he wasn't listening anymore.
He thought she said she wanted his attention?
"Hey Braxton" a female voice stopped him from his thoughts and he looked up to see Raya and Harry "You don't mind if we switch up? I will like to talk with Zabrina" raya added with a grin.
"Okay" he found himself saying quickly as he stood up and she sat beside Zabrina.
"Hey man" Harry stretched his hands towards him for a shake. They hadn't really spoken to each other much. They proceeded to sit in a bench far off, they could still see the two girls talking about whatnot.
For a long time, they just enjoyed the breeze passing through their skins. There was absolutely no words between them, until Harry broke the silence "Do you think love can actually be found here? It's just Day three and it's been a lot for me"
Braxton sighed, as he stretched his legs and rested them on a stone platform "5% of people who actually have been in the show ended up married"
"That's not a good consolation Braxton, they are also divorced too" Harry chuckled.
"Well, I just wanted you to know that it's not impossible, I'm sure one of the couple was really in love with each other" Braxton said reminiscing on him and Fabiola.
"I don't really think I know how love works or maybe I have no idea how a girl's mind works. I thought Jasmine and i were getting along so well on the first day, but Sean seems to know how to talk to her. I badly wanted to tell her that I also wanted her time but I didn't want to put her under any pressure"
Braxton folded his hands and stared at the ocean "if you don't show it, she will never know, or she will assume you are not interested, you need to let her know"
"But I just didn't want her to go through any pressure"
"I know you probably want the best for her but it's better to try than not do anything at all. So, you don't continue regretting never trying, for you to even see if you have a chance. You can be selfish this once and even forward, who knows, you might even get into her head that way"
Harry nodded understanding, resolving. He was going to show it starting from now, if that would make Jasmine look at him.
Braxton on the other hand thought about how his own words reflected his life. He suddenly remembered how he pursued Fabiola. Did he regret that time they spent? Actually... no…
****
The secret garden the date was being held was hidden behind three doors for each couple. Decorated with roses and rain lilies, a swing each and candlelit paths. It felt magical for Natalia.
"Brown looks good on you" Natalia stated when she couldn't bear the silence anymore since they entered the garden and told each other to enjoy their food.
She was trying to enjoy the chocolate covered strawberries. It was obvious this was a bad idea, it felt like she had forced him here.
"Thank you" he said eating a pastel macarons absent-mindedly and she nodded with a smile.
"I'm sorry Natalia, I'm just out of it" he added, snapping out of his reverie to look at her.
"It's okay" she sipped the iced hibiscus tea she normally wouldn't try.
"Really? Thank goodness you understand, I didn't think you would. I really like Jasmine and we had a good time yesterday but I'm surprised she didn't pick me today even when she knows we are good together" he was staring at his spoon that he used for a cheesecake when he finished and Natalia swallowed.
She meant she was fine of him zoning out on their date but here he was talking about another woman "sorry about that" she found herself saying.
"Yes, she owes me a big apology" he stated and she couldn't miss how arrogant he looked right now. "I'm sorry for talking about her once again"
Gavin took a good look at her, she was beautiful. A different kind of beauty than Jasmine though but she was still beautiful but it didn't change the fact that he wasn't interested in her and so they ate in silence for the remaining hours but he knew she had gotten the memo.
Besides, he was a bit angry at her and Fabiola. He was sure they were the ones who made Jasmine change her mind. They were confusing her. He would make sure they never try such again…