The warm glow of the villa’s interior was inviting as the cast gathered in the spacious living room. The production crew had just finished announcing the groups, splitting the nine participants into trios. Predictably, Daisy, Veronica, and Clara ended up together-a grouping that was met with no small amount of relief by the three women.
“Well, isn’t this perfect?” Veronica said, stretching her arms above her head. “I knew they couldn’t resist keeping the most interesting people together.”
Clara giggled. “I think they just knew we’d get along. Imagine if we got stuck with Marcus.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Veronica said with a dramatic shudder. “I saw him arguing with Adrian earlier about who got the bigger room. Can you imagine living next to that?”
Daisy smiled softly as she watched the two interact. Their friendship was blossoming quickly, and she couldn’t deny that their energy was infectious.
“Ladies,” one of the producers interrupted, a clipboard in hand, “just a quick note: your rooms are all in the east wing, down the hall from each other. Make yourselves comfortable for the evening, but don’t wander too far. We have the bonfire scheduled for later, and we’ll need everyone on set.”
“Got it,” Veronica replied with a mock salute before turning to her friends. “Shall we check out our luxurious quarters?”
—
The trio walked down the villa’s marble-floored hallway, their chatter bouncing off the walls.
Veronica was the first to push open her door, letting out an exaggerated gasp. “Oh, this is divine! Look at this bed! And the view-Clara, come look at this view!”
Clara hurried over, peering out the large window that overlooked the sparkling ocean. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed, her eyes wide.
Daisy opened her own door and smiled. Her room was equally stunning, with elegant decor and a balcony that offered a perfect view of the sunset. She set her suitcase down and took a moment to appreciate the peace and quiet.
“Do you think they’ll let us stay here forever?” Clara asked, poking her head into Daisy’s room.
“Not likely,” Daisy replied with a chuckle. “But it’s nice while it lasts.”
“Come on, let’s see yours!” Veronica called to Clara, already halfway down the hall.
The youngest of the trio hurried after her, leaving Daisy a moment to herself. She stepped out onto her balcony, the cool ocean breeze brushing against her skin. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax, forgetting about the cameras, the show, and the lurking dangers.
But the moment was fleeting. She knew better than anyone that peace was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
—
The villa’s outdoor space was transformed into a picturesque bonfire setup, complete with cozy seating and strings of fairy lights. The entire cast was present, their laughter and chatter blending with the sound of the waves.
Veronica, Clara, and Daisy found a spot near the fire, the warmth of the flames warding off the evening chill.
“This feels surreal,” Clara said, pulling her knees to her chest. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Get used to it, kid,” Veronica said, handing her a cup of hot cocoa. “We’re in for a wild ride.”
The producer clapped his hands to gather everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone! Tonight is about bonding and fun. Tomorrow, the real challenges begin, but for now, enjoy yourselves. Oh, and don’t forget-we’re live.”
The group chuckled, some waving at the hidden cameras that dotted the area.
“Speaking of which,” Adrian, one of the male cast members, said with a grin, “what do you think the audience is saying about us right now?”
“Oh, you don’t want to know,” Veronica replied with a smirk. “The internet is ruthless.”
“Let’s find out,” Marcus said, pulling out his phone.
As he scrolled through the live comments, he began reading them aloud.
“‘Marcus is definitely going to cause drama.’ Well, they’re not wrong,” he said with a laugh.
“‘Clara is adorable, protect her at all costs.’ Aww, you have fans already,” he teased, causing Clara to blush.
“‘Veronica is giving main character energy.’ Obviously,” Veronica said, flipping her hair.
Marcus continued reading, and when he reached comments about Daisy, she braced herself.
“‘Daisy is too quiet. Is she hiding something?'”
“‘She’s so elegant, I want to know more about her!'”
Daisy smiled politely, though she felt a twinge of discomfort. She wasn’t used to being scrutinized like this outside of her roles.
“Alright, that’s enough,” Veronica said, snatching the phone away. “Let’s play a game or something.”
“Truth or dare?” Adrian suggested.
“No way,” Veronica said. “That always ends in disaster. How about we guess what tomorrow’s task will be?”
The group quickly agreed, and the guesses ranged from scavenger hunts to physical challenges to scripted drama setups.
“Whatever it is, I hope it’s something fun,” Clara said. “And not too dangerous.”
Daisy’s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly masked it. She couldn’t shake the feeling that danger was closer than any of them realized.
—
As the night wore on, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. The cast shared stories, jokes, and even a few songs, their voices blending harmoniously with the crackling of the fire.
For Daisy, it was a rare moment of normalcy. Surrounded by friends and laughter, she allowed herself to believe-if only for a moment-that everything would be okay.
But as she glanced at the cameras, she couldn’t ignore the feeling that someone, somewhere, was watching.
And she knew that the peace wouldn’t last.