“The Boy Who Strips Down” (Part III)

After all of the teams complete their shoots, the house winds down for the night. All of the contestants have had good days, so positivity radiates throughout the house. Matthieu and Harrison once more head off to a secluded corner to spend even more time together.

Matthieu: Harry, I’m so happy that we’ve been spending so much time together. You’re such a bright presence in my life and I’m lucky to have you.

Harrison: Oh, the same goes to you! I’ve never been able to be this comfortable with someone, and it feels incredible.

Matthieu: I don’t want you to think that we’re going too fast, though. I know that it’s been going rather quickly, and I don’t want you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.

Harrison: Thank you. You know… *looks away*

Matthieu: What is it, beautiful?

Harrison: I’ve never really done anything with anyone before…

Matthieu: I want to say I’m surprised, but… I was your first kiss so I kind of guessed you haven’t done those things before. Unless those people were the kind to go for it without even kissing before…

Harrison: N-no! Of course not!

Matthieu: Relax, I was kidding. Come here.

Matthieu: I would never rush you into anything. I’m just happy being able to share all of this with you.

Harrison: I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. You, here in my arms… that’s all I need. I’ve already won this competition, and you’re my prize.

Matthieu: I meant every word I said. He’s such a beautiful soul, and he’s put his heart in my hands. I don’t want to let him down. I’m falling in love with him! *laughs* I’m acting like a boarding school boy with a crush, but I really feel this way. He’s so earnest, it’s refreshing. I can’t help but fall more and more for him!

Meanwhile, Louise is sitting alone, still thinking. She’s been taught to hold back, to not say everything on her mind; to reflect on the effects of her actions and her words. But tonight all she wants to do is throw caution to the wind and reveal her truth. It’s a difficult position to be in, since she knows that she’s not in an environment where things will remain hidden for long, and so she’s hesitant.

Louise: *voiceover* I’ve watched my mom hide her feelings for my entire life. I’ve witnessed my dad walk all over her, doing what he wants and not caring about the effects of his actions, all while she just took it all and never said anything. I don’t want to be a woman that hides how she feels and watches how other people move on with their lives without thinking about what they do to impact others. I want to be honest, I want to be open about my feelings. I want to tell him. I will tell him.

Gabriel: You what? What did you just say?

Louise: I think I like you, Gabriel.

Gabriel: Are you sure? But… you’re like a little sister to me!

Louise: But I’m sick of being seen as a little sister to people! I’m a woman, I have feelings!

Gabriel: Wow… this is a lot to process. I’m married, Louise.

Louise: So you’ve slept with two other women in this house and you’re going to tell me you’re married?

Gabriel: I don’t know what to say. You’ve really blindsided me here.

Louise: You’re right. I’m sorry. Will you think about it, though?

Gabriel: Sure, I will. I can’t promise you’ll like the response, though.

Louise: Well… it was worth a shot. I should have said things differently but I didn’t want to keep this inside any longer. I’ve liked him since I met him but I only really admitted it to myself not too long ago, after he was almost eliminated last week. I don’t want him to go home and not know that he could have me, all of me, if he wants. I’m ready for it.

Everyone goes to bed soon after that, and soon it is the next day. Marjan and Harrison get up bright and early and head out for a run. They haven’t spent much time together, but since they’re the first ones up, they decide to exercise together and get to know each other better.

Harrison: So, Marjan, I don’t really know much about you. Tell me a little about yourself!

Marjan: I mean, what is there to know? I’m simple, I don’t really like overcomplicating things. I say, take things one at a time and life will be sweet as saltwater taffy!

Harrison: Yeah, but where are you from? What do you like to do? Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Marjan: I’m from the Netherlands. It’s a good country, but I’m glad I’ve come here. I lived in Mexico for a little while, you know, Aurora and I lived together there, and then we came here together. I wanted to see the world a bit, I always thought that those globes in school were just fakes, there was no way the world could be that big! But it is, and here I am, fluttering like a butterfly from one country to another!

Harrison: That’s a lovely image! You know, one thing I love about you is that you’re always so cheerful. You’re straightforward but kind, and there’s always a smile on your face. I wish more people were like you!

Marjan: You know what they say: the deepest oceans hold the most colorful fish!

Harrison: I have no idea what that means, but I like it!

Marjan: You see, sweet Harrison… there are some things that you may find out that you wish you didn’t know.

Marjan: I’m actually having a lot of trouble inside, you know. There are things that I’m not supposed to say, but they want to come out. I’m not as simple as I seem, but I can’t quite tell you why. Let’s just say that the eagle perched on its cactus is on the lookout for the snake. The eagle is hungry. The eagle accepts no mistakes because the eagle forgives no mistakes. The snake shall not make a mistake, because if the snake makes a mistake, the snake is baked. Do you understand why I can’t say any more?

Harrison: *voiceover* I have no idea what she’s talking about, to be quite honest. I’m just nodding and pretending that what she’s saying means something but it means absolutely nothing to me. I wonder what she’s trying to express with all of this… she’s completely unreadable…

Marjan: Anyway, yeah. It’s that! You see what I mean?

Harrison: Oh totally! And Marjan… you know that if you need anything, you can call me up, right? I’m here for you if you need something.

Marjan: *shaking herself* What? Oh sure, thanks Harribae, you’re a sweetie. I love you, too. Let’s take a selfie to commemorate our new friendship!

Marjan: Ohhhh, we look beautiful! Thanks for that chat, it was lovely! Should we head back to the house now? I’m sure people will be waiting for us to get back.

Harrison: Sure thing, Marjan. I’ve had a great time!

Marjan: That was a bad move. I almost revealed everything. He won’t be happy.

Producer: Who won’t be happy?

Marjan: *whispering* The eagle. He sees everything.

***

In the afternoon, all of the housemates head to the Fashion District for the meet and greet with their fans, and to promote the K&GI fragrance. What they don’t know is that each of them is being targeted by the paparazzi, and they will each get their picture taken during the day. The fans will then vote for their favorite picture and the winner of this mini-challenge will receive a special prize next week.

When they arrive at the venue, Enca quickly makes herself comfortable and starts posing for the cameraman that’s already there. As the fans start to gather, she poses as if her life depended on it.

No one is surprised that Enca is so at ease hamming it up for the cameras; instead, everyone is happy that she’s there because she’s doing the most out of everyone, which means that the other contestants can take their time getting used to all of the people and cameras lined up there. While they’re promoting the product, not everyone manages to impress; namely, Harrison and Louise seem to mess up what they’re saying, and Jessie doesn’t seem to be taking anything seriously.

Enca continues to pose.

Gabriel and Enzo are doing well at promoting the fragrance, and they get approached by many people asking for their autographs. They want Enzo’s because he’s a famous model, and Gabriel’s because he’s looking super hot and keeps taking the opportunity to take his shirt off and show off the goods. Kyungri and Marjan are both laughing and flirting with their admirers, and everyone is charmed by their attitudes. Matthieu is smiling, not very concerned with the challenge, but happy and open with the people walking up to him and asking him questions about the product.

Some of the fans are straight up stans and they’re making a lot of noise.

Noisy Fan #1: YASSSSS ENCA, SLAY ME MAWMA!!

Noisy Fan #2: I WANT ALL OF THAT LOVE ON MY BODY, QUEEN! PATTY MELT DIDN’T DESERVE YOU!

Noisy Fan #3: SHOW US YOUR PEACH, KIWI KWEEN! YASSS GODDESS!

Kyungri: Ugh, are you hearing this? Some of these fans are doing the absolute most and it’s hurting my sensibilities. Aside from the fact that their choices in idols are just that, choices, their fashion is just… wrong. Wrong, I tell you. Where did they find these fans? I’m just baffled at the kind of people you see out on the streets here in San Myshuno, it’s like some of them walked right out of a randomizer. These are not the fans I want.

As the afternoon wears on, the fans start dwindling and the contestants soon find themselves in an almost deserted courtyard. They’re all happy about how the event went, and they can’t help but to celebrate together. They’ve all started to get along well with each other, and they’re happy that things are going well.

Harrison: Did you have a good time, Matt?

Matthieu: I did, it was pretty fun, but I was mostly looking at you the whole time.

Harrison: Oh, stop it!… Were you really?

Matthieu: Believe it! You were the best looking person in the whole place and I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.

~•~•~•~•~

Tune into Part IV here!