The girls walked into the lounge. The producers had transformed it into a Techno club. When Rafi saw Rian walk in wearing low-cut ripped denim jeans and a jade crop top that stopped just under her breasts, his mouth dropped open. He didn’t understand it, really. Rafi had seen her in swim-wear, but something about her outfit was just hotter somehow. He wasn’t sure if it was how her stomach was obviously defined but soft or how the jeans cupped her ass perfectly.

“Damn, Rian looks amazing, ” Bill said to Rafi. Rafi could only nod in agreement. Once Big T showed up, the party was on. Everyone was on the dance floor, showing off their best moves.

The music cut off suddenly, and an old school ring tone came over the speakers. Big T picked up his phone. “Islanders, it’s time for Lily and Rafi to decide who they want to couple up with. Lily is going first.”

Lily stepped forward, looking nervous. “I knew when I came here what Islander I was interested in. And even as I spent more time with him, I felt even stronger that way.” She looked over at Harry longingly. “But when I asked if he would be willing to couple up, he told me he was staying with his partner. So I had to make another choice. The boy I want to couple up with is … Nicky.”

Rian didn’t even process the shock. She immediately went to Elladine’s side, pulling her into a hug as tears spilled down Elladine’s cheeks. “I’m sorry, Elladine.” Nicky walked over to Elladine and kissed her on the cheek before walking over to Lily.

Tim’s phone went off again. “Rafi, it’s your turn.”

“Read the room, man!” Seb snarled as the rest of the islanders surrounded Elladine.

“I don’t make the rules,” Big T said regretfully. “Rafi, we need your decision.”

Rafi sighed and looked straight at Rian. “Like Lily, I came here with one person on my mind. Unlike Lily, I didn’t have a second option.” He looked over at Nicky, “Um, no offense.” Nicky nodded and gave Rafi a wry smile. “No, I put my eggs all in one basket… and it seems that gamble paid off as when I asked this person if she’d be interested in me picking her… she said yes. So tonight, the person I want to couple up with is Rian.”

Seb mouthed, “whoa,” and gave Rian a thumbs up.

Harry’s face dropped. “No… did that really just happen?”

Rian looked at him. “It did, babes. It was obvious to me and everyone else here you and Lily fancy each other. I told you I would not stand in the way.” The other islanders nodded.

“You told him that?” Lily asked.

Rafi came over to put his arm around Rian. “I did,” Rian answered.

“Alright, Harry, mate, you’re now single,” Big T said.

“Nope,“ Harry said, cutting off anything else Big T was going to say. “I’m leaving. Rian, I thought we had something special.”

He started to walk away. Rian stepped forward and called out. “And that is why you will never reach your ambitions.” Harry turned around to look at her furiously. “You told me yourself. When things get too hard, you drop them. That is exactly what you are doing here. You didn’t want to stay coupled with me because you fancy me. I’ve become somewhat popular, and you want to feed your ambitions through me. We might be in this house cut off from the outside, but we hear the things other people say. I heard you and Lily in the lounge this morning.”

Lily gasped and went pale.

Rian ignored it and continued glaring at Harry. “You don’t get to play the victim here. If you want to win so badly, why don’t you take a chance with her and see if you can do it on your own merit, instead of waiting to couple up with someone you really didn’t fancy that much. You should consider yourself lucky she forgives you for lying.”

Harry’s shoulders sagged as the weight of Rian’s words hit him. He studied the floor for several minutes before striding angrily over to Rian. Rafi pulled Rian closer. Harry sighed, “You’re right. Rian, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t bear the thought of losing. I need to make this right.” He took a deep breath and walked up to Elladine. “Look, this is my own selfish fault. But would you couple up with me as friends until we get it figured out?”

“As long as I don’t have to hide my feelings for Nicky. I’m okay with it,” Elladine said, wiping away the last of her tears and giving Harry a small smile.

Lily walked over to Rian. “I treated you terribly, and I’m sorry.”

“I know,” Rian said, “and I also know that you were lied to. Apology accepted.” She reached over and tugged Lily into a hug. The girl stiffened in shock for a moment before hugging Rian back.

Big T smiled. “Now, we need to get this party back on track!”

Soon the islanders were dancing. Rafi took Rian’s hand, “Will the prettiest girl in the villa dance with me?”

Rian smiled. “I would love to.”

Rafi led her out to the dance floor. “You look so damn good in that outfit. It should be criminal.” Surprisingly, instead of just wrapping his hands around her waist and shuffling his feet. He placed one hand in hers and the other on the small of her back. Rian followed his lead.

Rafi looked at her roguishly, “Do you always follow someone’s lead?”

Rian smiled, “not always. I’m adaptable. I can lead as well. But you aren’t talking about dancing, are you?”

“Maybe, maybe not.” He teased. “I admit I usually take the lead on things, but I might be willing to try something new.”

Big T walked over to them. “Hey, I wanted to offer you some time in the VIP booth if you want it.”

“The VIP Booth?” Rian asked.

“Well, you might know it as the hideaway. For tonight though, it’s the VIP Booth.” He explained.

“Yea, let’s go.” Rian smiled.