“The Girl Who Makes A Move” (Part I)

Season 2: Episode 8

Previously, on K&GI: Louise confessed to Gabriel that she’s into him, but received a dishearting response. Enzo got paid a quick visit by his husband, and was revitalized as a result. Matthieu and Harrison continued to develop their relationship, and Enca was happy to cheer them on. Marjan revealed more and more (and at the same time nothing at all) about her back story, and the housemates were left as confused as ever. The contestants were divided into teams Sexy, Classy, and Cool for a challenge which saw them planning out ad campaigns for a new K&GI fragrance and attending a meet and greet with their fans. After some debate, Team Sexy pulled out all the stops and won the challenge. Even though Gabriel was called first and Kyungri led their team to the win, it was Marjan who won the mini challenge as well, and she received immunity and the right to super nominate one person to be up for elimination in the next episode. Team Cool were surprisingly considered the worst, and two of their members were put in the Bottom 3. Even though Jessie seemed to be coasting too much and ready for elimination, Enca saved her by pulling out the biggest surprise of the week. Even though she was enthusiastic and performed well at the challenge, she was sick of feeling her efforts go underappreciated and shocked everyone by quitting the competition at the elimination ceremony. Eight contestants remain; who will be sent packing next?

Louise: I want to say that I’m not upset that I was up for elimination for the first time last week, but honestly it really sucks. The feeling you get when you’re standing there, waiting to be called… it’s not nice. I’m ecstatic that I survived, for sure… *sigh* I’m just sad. Plus, I made such a fool of myself last week with Gabriel! I can’t even look at him right now…

Even though she’s upset, Louise soon joins her housemates on the deck, where Marjan has been tasked to deliver some news to everyone.

Harrison: So, what is it?

Kyungri: Yeah, what’s so important? Is it a message from ajmkv?

Marjan: Well…  I don’t know how to say this…

Matthieu: Out with it! Don’t keep us waiting!

Marjan: Well… I found out what my prize is for winning the mini challenge last week… and…

Louise: And what?

Marjan: …well… I get to choose whoever I want to be up for elimination this week…

Enzo: OK, we all knew this already… but anyway, who thought this was a good idea? She’s probably going to nominate the microwave oven or something…

Marjan: Oh, and we’re all going on a trip somewhere, so ajmkv told me to tell you to pack your bags or something. Something about palm trees and a volcano—

Gabriel: Are you being serious or is this just another of your weird rants?

Enzo: Overseas? Like an actual trip?

Marjan: You know, it’s rude to interrupt people. Thanks. And yes, it’s a trip and we’re leaving in like an hour so make sure you pack everything you need! ajmkv sends a big kiss by the way.

Marjan: Sooo ajmkv called me on the phone and said we’re going on a big trip! I’m so excited, I’m like a firework on a dark evening, bursting into a million colors unseen by any pupils since the beginning of time! I’m sooooo ready for the thrilling destination we have in store, I can’t even wait! I’m confused, though. Is ajmkv ever going to actually appear in person and announce things anymore?… Where did he go?

***

Soon after, all the housemates have packed up their cutest beachy outfits and are on their way to the destination, which is a tropical getaway in some place that they don’t even know since the production team didn’t exactly say. They don’t care, though, since they’re thrilled to be leaving the house after seven weeks and going someplace new. After traveling for what feels like many hours but also mere minutes, the eight contestants reach their destination and are soon settled into their villa. Night has fallen, but that doesn’t stop them from going out and gathering around a bonfire, where they talk about the competition so far. They’re all happy, and the conversation flows easily.

Enzo: Isn’t this nice?

Harrison: Yeah, it’s really cool to be here with all of you!

Kyungri: What’s even better is that Charlee isn’t here to spoil everything! *everyone laughs*

Kyungri: Don’t get me wrong, I acknowledged the other contestants’ existence, but this is the correct Top 8. We’ve got everyone who’s a real contender here.

Harrison: That’s really sweet, Kyungri, thanks!

Matthieu: You didn’t think Enca was a contender? And Charlee?

Kyungri: Pff, Charlee fizzled out after she was obliterated by Manon’s epic takedown, and Enca’s “peach” was rotting at the bottom of the basket. They were never going to last that long! They weren’t in this to win!

Louise: I mean, we’ve all done pretty well! No one who’s been called first has left yet, and those of us who haven’t been called first*shady cough* are pretty firm fan favorites so it will be interesting to see how this goes!

Marjan: I have never been called first, so does that make me a fan favorite? I love favorites!

Enzo: You may be a fan favorite but I’m the only person that has yet to be in the bottom, so I got all y’all in that area, nah?

Gabriel: Well, I hope you realize that streak is ending this week! Your time is coming, Ennie boy!

Enzo: *scowls* Well, Gabby boy, we shall have to see about that.

Gabriel: I’m just messing with you! …Or am I?

Enzo: Shut up!

Jessie: If those two were single, they’d be all over each other. *laughs* They bicker like grumpy old church ladies at a charity luncheon! I don’t think Enzo would ever leave his husband, but he sure does take everything Gabriel says so seriously, and I sometimes wonder if there is something beyond simple rivalry there… but oh well, some things aren’t meant to be!

Taking advantage of the moonlight and the warm weather, all the housemates change into their swimsuits and jump into the pool or lounge around. People play around and everyone is having fun with each other—even Enzo and Gabriel—as a balmy breeze gently sways the palm trees.

While Matthieu gives Harrison rides around the pool and receives kisses as payment, and Gabriel and Enzo splash each other with increasing force, the girls lie down close by, chatting about what they think the upcoming challenge will be.

Marjan: It has to be a photo challenge. I’ve decided that I’m always going to look ready for a photo, you never know when the paparazzi of the world are going to pop by! *poses*

Louise: I’m pretty sure that mini challenge was a one-off, you know…

Jessie: Hey now, don’t put her down! I think it’s good that she’s focused on winning.

Kyungri: Excuse me, but I’M the one who’s focused on winning, and I’ll be the only one doing that at the end of this season, so…

Louise: *rolls her eyes but laughs* Girl, please! You’re unbearable.

Some time passes, and Louise can’t help sneaking glances at Gabriel while everyone else continues having fun. She feels embarrassed about her confession last week, and she doesn’t know how to act in front of him. Gabriel notices this soon enough, and calls her over to the side of the pool for a chat.

Gabriel: What’s going on, Lou? You’ve been weird around me.

Louise: I… I feel dumb about what I told you last week.

Gabriel: About you being into me, you mean? Please don’t worry about that!

Louise: Of course I worry! You don’t know what it’s like for me, admitting something like that.

Gabriel: Nothing has to change between us. I still care for you, a lot, and I won’t drop you just like that.

Louise: So your mind is made up, then?

Gabriel: I just don’t see how it would work out between us…

Louise: Well, that’s that, I guess. It was worth a shot.

Louise: I’m not feeling too hot. I don’t date so I don’t know how these things work. I just thought if I was honest and told him how I feel… well, there’s nothing I can do but move on. Falling for a married guy, that’s a classic. Going for someone who’s already with someone else… I am my dad after all… *sniffles*

***

The next morning, after a long and restful night, the contestants prepare for their day. They have a challenge coming up but don’t know what it’s about, so they all try to enjoy the nice weather and relax before what they’re sure will be another mess of a challenge. Kyungri feels generous, so she makes breakfast for everyone. She’s in a great mood, humming to herself as she cooks. She’s proud of her challenge win last week, and is confident that since she’s the first person to win multiple challenges, she’s finally hitting her stride.

Kyungri: *voiceover* I love this. It’s a great feeling, knowing that I’m well on my way to winning this. And this villa we’re staying in? THIS is the type of luxury that I deserve! It’s so chic. Like me! *giggles*

Jessie comes in soon after, and helps Kyungri out with some of the cooking prep. She makes a comment about people getting overconfident after they win, not remembering that Kyungri won last week, and quickly regrets it when Kyungri gives her a withering look.

Kyungri: Overconfident? You mean, just naturally confident at a normal level while everyone else is underconfident?

Jessie: *gulps* I mean, you just have to be careful! You don’t want to expect you’ll do an excellent job just because you’ve been succeeding! But really, I didn’t mean anything by it, I’m sure you’ll do a great job!

Kyungri: You can bank on that, just you wait!

Jessie: I know Kyungri isn’t a one-dimensional person because she’s shown she’s so much more than that, but gosh. She’s a bit much this week and I’m not vibing with that. Maybe she’s actually insecure and is overcompensating? Who knows! I’m just going to avoid her for a while.

Meanwhile, Gabriel is restless, walking around the house while he thinks about what he said last night to Louise. He knows that he can’t give her what she wants, but he still feels bad about it. On top of that, his rivalry with Enzo has started to escalate once more, and he’s unsure of how to approach that. He’s not a bad guy, but sometimes he feels like he comes off as one, and he hates the feeling. He continues to pace for a while, thinking about what he can do to make things better with his two housemates.

In another part of the house, Matthieu is also lost in his thoughts.

Matthieu: *voiceover* It’s been great having Harrison here. I’ve never felt so drawn to someone and it’s a beautiful feeling. But maybe it’s going too fast? I don’t want it to be super intense only to have it fizzle out as soon as one of us gets eliminated. I’m concerned that the stress of going home could be negative. I’m really into this guy, so I don’t want there to be any setbacks.

Harrison enters the room, almost as if summoned by Matthieu’s thoughts, and sits down next to him. He puts his hands on Matthieu’s shoulders and starts to rub.

Harrison: Are you OK? You seemed a little quiet at breakfast.

Matthieu: I’m good! Promise.

Harrison: If you’re sure…

Matthieu: Please don’t worry about it, chéri, I’m just kind of lost in my thoughts today. They’re good thoughts, though, so no worries!

Harrison: I just want to make sure that you’re happy! We’re in this beautiful place together… I’m so happy to be here with you!

Matthieu: I love being here with you, too. There’s nothing quite like taking a nice trip with your love, isn’t there?

Harrison: *blushes* Your… love?

Matthieu: You better believe it!

Harrison: The butterflies in my stomach are going crazy. YOU’RE crazy! You could have anyone and you chose me…

Matthieu: And it was a magnificent choice.

Harrison: I say this all the time, but… wow. I’m just so… astounded that a guy like that would be into me. I want to say that I love him, but I’m not sure if it’s too early for that. I do love him, though…

Elsewhere, Jessie, Louise, and Enzo all get into the pool together. Jessie and Louise have re-kindled their strong bond, and the two have been spending a lot of time developing a strong friendship with Enzo as they genuinely enjoy each other’s company and feel like they want similar things from the competition. They splash around, laughing and chatting under the sun.

Louise: You know, it’s a real shame that Enca isn’t here anymore. Can you imagine what it would be like if she was surrounded by all these pools?

Enzo: She would be insisting with production to have a challenge lounging by the pool or something, that’s for sure!

Jessie: Why do I feel like it’s become too easy to pick on Enca?… Would you agree that Enca jokes are… low hanging fruit? *giggles*

Louise: Oh, shut up! *laughs as she splashes Jessie* Only if they’re the juiciest!

Unbeknownst to these three, someone is watching them through the window that looks straight into the pool.

Marjan: *voiceover* A peculiar sensation took over me as I stared at those floating bodies in the window. I smiled, letting myself get lost in the tangle of limbs. It was almost as if I was floating along with them, laughing and splashing in glee, when in reality I’m a spectator. I’m here with them but not really here, and no one knows I’m here. I’m a secret, in secret, holding secrets, IT’S ALL SECRET. I… I… I don’t know how much longer I can take. I want to be a body, floating out there with the other bodies, but I can’t. The eagle will swoop in. I’m a snake, and snakes get eaten.

~•~•~•~•~

Tune into Part II here!