Chapter 5

The cameras adjusted their focus. Don gestured toward the VIP couch.

"Let's start with a quick Q&A," Don said. "Guests, feel free to ask our observers anything."

Bria practically jumped out of her seat. "Guillermo, Jasmine, your relationship is literally goals. How did you know you were the one for each other?"

Guillermo flashed his signature smile. He looked at Jasmine with sickening devotion.

"When you meet the right person, everything else just fades away," Guillermo lied flawlessly. "We met at a charity gala, and I just knew."

Kayla sat in the corner. Her stomach churned.

She took another sip of her espresso to wash down the disgust. She looked at Guillermo like he was a bug under a microscope.

Jasmine soaked in the attention. She turned her head and caught Kayla's cold stare.

Jasmine's smile turned sharp. "What about you, Kayla? You've been quiet. What's your take on true love?"

The room went dead silent. The cameras pivoted to Kayla.

It was a trap. Jasmine wanted her to say something stupid or cynical to get dragged by the internet.

Kayla set her mug down on the glass table. The ceramic made a sharp clink.

She looked directly into Jasmine's eyes.

"I think love is about loyalty," Kayla said. Her voice was low and steady. "I have zero tolerance for people who use their partners for leverage, and then betray them when someone richer comes along."

Guillermo's left eye twitched.

His hand, resting on Jasmine's knee, jerked slightly. He quickly looked away from Kayla, staring hard at the floor.

Jasmine didn't notice his panic. She just rolled her eyes. "Wow. So deep."

Don cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Moving on! It's time to select your bedrooms."

Don explained the rules. There were two-person rooms. They would draw blind boxes from the garden. If two people wanted the same room, they played rock-paper-scissors for it.

The cast walked out the glass doors to the backyard.

Several wooden boxes sat on a table.

Jasmine pulled Bria aside. She whispered in her ear, glancing at Kayla.

Bria nodded eagerly. She walked over to the other girls, whispering the plan to isolate Kayla and force her into the basement room.

Kayla stood back. She watched them scheme. She looked at the floor plan taped to the wall.

Thalia, a veteran actress in her forties, stood near the edge of the patio. She yawned, looking incredibly bored by the high school drama.

Don signaled the start.

Jasmine stepped up first. She grabbed the box for the master suite.

Bria rushed up and grabbed the box for the room right next to it.

The other guests quickly grabbed their boxes.

Only two boxes were left. The standard double room, and the basement room without windows.

Thalia walked up and casually picked up the box for the standard double room.

Kayla stepped forward to grab the same box.

"Wait," Jasmine interrupted loudly. She stepped in front of Kayla. "Bria actually wanted that room. I'm going to play for her."

It was a blatant power move to force Kayla into the basement.

Kayla let out a short, cold laugh. She stepped right up to Jasmine, invading her personal space.

She held out her right hand, her eyes locked onto Jasmine's.

Jasmine smirked. She pumped her fist three times and threw a Rock.

Kayla's eyes hardened. She threw Paper.

Her flat palm slammed down, completely covering Jasmine's clenched fist.

Jasmine stared at their hands. The smug smile slid off her face, leaving her pale and furious.

Kayla didn't say a word. She turned her back on Jasmine and walked over to Thalia.

"Looks like we're roommates," Kayla said.

Thalia chuckled. "Looks like it."