Chapter 5
Transcript of Tara M’s video diary: Day 2
Lordy, what a day! This is going to be an epic three weeks.
Okay, so this morning I woke up late to the sound of the phone beside my bed ringing.
‘What?’ I growled into the receiver, my head throbbing.
‘Good morning, Miss Tara!’ An assistant chirped merrily down the line at me. ‘It’s ten-thirty and this is your wake-up call. The first challenge begins in ninety minutes on the beach, and I’m sure you’d like to eat breakfast first!’
‘You are way too perky for this time in the morning,’ I said, rolling over and slamming the phone down. Stretching under the soft cotton sheets, I enjoyed the feeling of just being horizontal for one more minute. From my bed, I could see the glowing blue ocean, and birds called melodically to each other in the trees around me.
A knock at the door disturbed my morning for the second time. ‘Makeup!’ someone called, the way people normally say, ‘Housekeeping!’
Unenthusiastically, I planted my feet on the cool bamboo floor and padded over to let the team in.
Half an hour later, wardrobe had me kitted out in a silver one-piece, with barely enough material to cover half my butt cheeks. A white kaftan threaded with silver gave me a little more coverage, but since it was see-through, my nipples were clearly visible through both layers of fabric.
The hair lady sprayed my high ponytail one last time, and twisted the blonde ends to make them curl prettily. ‘Beautiful,’ someone sighed.
‘Thanks, guys.’ I tried to be gracious—it was their job to make me look do-able. And really, what girl doesn’t like new clothes and having someone else deal with their hair?
I stepped out into the tropical morning and breathed deeply. The palms high above my head waved happily at me, the dappled light falling on my fair skin. As I started out for the bungalow, I finally allowed myself to process what I’d learned the night before.
The rules state I have to sleep with someone before I leave. I need the million bucks, ergo, I will have to do it. I think. I don’t know. But I don’t have to decide now — I’ll make up my mind later. I’ll meet everyone first and see if there’s anyone I definitely wouldn’t want to sleep with. Besides, I can’t get into my fantasy cabin anyway unless I win a key.
I hadn’t actually planned on participating fiercely in any of the challenges. But if I needed a key to even have the choice about going through with things, I had to give it my all. Game on, then.
The bungalow appeared around the bend, transformed from the party den it had been last night to its more laid-back state. A single camera crew filmed a couple of contestants chatting and eating at the long tables, but I had eyes only for the breakfast buffet. My stomach leaped; I hadn’t eaten much yesterday and breakfast is my favourite meal of the day.
Rushing straight for the plates, I loaded up with bacon, hash browns, English muffins and grilled tomatoes. I stuck a raspberry Danish in my mouth so it didn’t absorb any savoury flavours and turned to find a seat.
‘Travelling light this morning, are we?’ Chris, looking effortlessly hot in a fitted sleeveless shirt and black board shorts, stared down at my laden plate. He completely blocked my way, and with my mouth full of pastry I couldn’t even respond with an insult of my own.
I settled for rolling my eyes and pushing past him, careful not to touch him. If I did use up one of my strikes, it wouldn’t be because of breakfast. Breakfast is the most amazing meal of the day and shouldn’t be responsible for anything bad. Except maybe making my pants tighter.
Chris breathed in my ear as I passed. ‘You know, there’s this weird thing that happens to your skin whenever you get near me.’ He indicated the goose bumps on my arm I hadn’t even noticed had sprung up. ‘You should get that checked out.’
Giving up, I spat my Danish onto my plate. ‘Unlike your wardrobe department, mine seem to think that swimsuits are appropriate for every occasion, and it’s cool today, so don’t flatter yourself, please.’
‘I don’t even have to touch you to make your body react,’ he went on, ignoring my comment completely. His pupils grew larger, the black circles a contrast to the icy blue of his irises. ‘Imagine what will happen when I put my hands all over you.’
Lucky my fingers were gripping the plate tightly, because they started trembling almost immediately. Dammit body! Get yourself together! The thought of Chris’ wide, tanned hands on me sent shockwaves rippling all over my skin.
Pretending that my body wasn’t calling to his like a needy fan-girl, I tossed my hair. ‘Bring it on, sunshine. You don’t scare me.’
He laughed loudly as I stomped off on trembly legs. He moved over to the drinks station, and I tried to put him out of my mind. That man will not spoil my brekky, dammit!
Sinking gratefully into a seat across from two other contestants, I tried to put Douche-face out of my mind as I said, ‘Hi, guys. I’m Tara.’
Turning to me with bright smiles, the two identical faces introduced themselves in glorious Swiss accents.
‘Halloo! I’m Lars!’
‘And I’m Loris! We are happy to meet you!’
Both guys had pure white hair and honey-coloured skin; they looked like an ad for mineral water or apricot facial scrub or something equally as wholesome. The similarity between them was almost scary.
‘Clearly, you’re twins,’ I said. ‘But who’s older?’
‘Me!’ said Lars, on the left. ‘By almost two hours!’
‘But I am the smarter brother, don’t make a mistake!’ Loris grinned and I smiled back. Their enthusiasm and adorable accents made them downright gorgeous. If I landed in a fantasy cabin with either brother, I wouldn’t complain.
‘That must be cool, being here together.’
Sounding only a little like Chef from the Muppets, Loris said, ‘You are here with someone also?’
‘What? No, just me.’
‘Oh, sorry,’ said Lars. ‘We see Chris and he is always looking at you. He stares at you right now. You are both from Australia, ja?’
‘Ja, I mean, yes. I mean, yes, we’re both from Australia, but no, we’re not together.’ The brothers had flustered me. Now they’d mentioned it, I could actually feel Chris watching me, his gaze like an invisible tether between us. Trying to shake it off, I asked, ‘Have you guys ever been to Australia?’
Their eyes lit up. ‘Not yet, but we would be loving to go. When we win our money, we want to go around the world, then set up our own IT company.’
‘IT? What field?’ I peppered them with enough questions to keep them talking while I scoffed down my breakfast. They were both equally lovely and fun to look at, but I was glad I didn’t feel any romantic twitches for them: how on earth could I choose between them?
‘We are going to get ready for the first challenge,’ said Lars as I finished up. ‘We will see you there, ja?’
‘Ja. Thanks guys.’
They strolled off as I scraped the last of my hash browns up with my fork. Sudden tingles shot down my left side. Chris was the cause, leaning over me and placing a tea beside my plate, then disappearing before I could react.
It was an Earl Grey. Opposite urges clashed within me. Part of me loved the fact he’d remembered my favourite tea, the other half of me wanted to knock it over. I was grateful he’d brought me a drink and annoyed he presumed I would want him too.
But the smell of the bergamot drew my hands to the cup and I raised it to my lips, breathing it in before taking a long swallow. Mmmm …
‘I’d fucking slit somebody’s throat for a decent cappuccino,’ said a bitchy voice from behind me. I turned to see a gorgeous Japanese girl sneering at the buffet. ‘And for fuck’s sake, where is the carb-free option? If I have to spend the next three fucking weeks in a swimsuit, I don’t want to look like I’m fucking pregnant.’
I stared in wonder as her tiny heart-shaped mouth dropped obscenities with casual disdain. Her black hair shone in the morning light, swinging around her tan bikini top. She plonked down across from me and said, ‘I’m Clara. Who the fuck are you?’
Well, she managed one sentence without saying fuck, even if it was only two words. ‘I’m Tara, I’m—’
‘Oh my god, I don’t even fucking care.’ She flapped a hand at me, her fake nails sharpened to a point, like talons. ‘Do you know when this fucking thing gets underway?’
I shook my head, a grin spreading across my face at her insane attitude. She’ll make terrific TV—even if they do have to bleep every second word. ‘I think we’ve got about half an hour.’
‘Fuck me. It’s bad enough I’m stuck on this fucking island with my ex-fiancé and no quality java, now I’m here early? Clara doesn’t do fucking early!’
‘Your fiancé? Really?’ I could only imagine the poor guy this pocket dynamo had left broken in her wake.
‘Ex!’ she yelled, her face in fury. ‘My fucking ex! He’s got tons of fucking money, he’s just here to get in my way.’
‘That sucks,’ I said, actually sympathising with her problem. ‘I’ve got a similar issue with a guy here.’
‘You do?’ Clara’s eyes locked on me suspiciously.
‘Yeah. What’s your ex’s name?’
‘Toshi. We broke up a fucking year ago and now he’s here! Just when things are going my fucking way. This show is my big break—I’m actually a singer.’
‘That’s cool.’
‘I’m the next Katy fucking Perry, bitch. Do you want to hear me sing?’
I watched horrified as she prepared to burst into song. I love Pitch Perfect , but it was a little early for one-on-one a capella. Thinking fast, I said, ‘That would be great—do you have an album?’
She stopped in her tracks and said, ‘Of course. I’ll fucking lend it to you.’
‘Great. So, where are you from? You sound American.’
‘I grew up in the US,’ she said, tossing her shiny mane over her shoulder. ‘But my fucking family moved back to Japan when I was nineteen. I figured it would be easier to become a huge pop star there than in America, so I followed them.’
‘And that’s where you met Toshi?’
‘Yeah. Fucker broke my fucking heart.’
I tilted my head in disbelief. It was hard to believe anyone would have the courage to dump this girl. ‘Why? What happened?’
‘Oh, fuck knows. He was totally fucking threatened by me wanting a fucking career and chasing my dreams and living big.’ She was talking it up, but I could see the hurt of the break-up still showing in the cracks of her facade. ‘I just wasn’t fucking traditional enough. The worst part was, I really fucking loved him.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Fucking whatever. I’m over it. I just don’t understand why he’s here! It’s like he wants to fucking torment me.’
‘I know how that feels. Have you seen him this morning?’
‘No, not yet—wait, fuck, here he comes. I’m out of here.’
She pushed away from the table and exited the bungalow in a whirlwind of glossy hair and indignation. I watched as she gave the finger to an elegant Japanese man on his way in.
‘Kako, please—’
‘It’s Clara now, fucker.’
‘Clara—’
‘Fuck you,’ she called, prancing away.
I watched as Toshi’s shoulders rounded over, his jet-black hair falling forward over his face in sadness. Sympathy panged through me and I couldn’t help myself. Walking over, I spoke to the poor guy. ‘You really love her, don’t you?’
He looked up, surprise in his deep eyes. ‘ Hai. Yes, very much.’
‘Hang in there, mate. I think she still loves you too.’
Relief broke over his face in a wave. ‘Do you think? I hope so. I followed her here, just to show her I do support her dreams, but she is so angry.’
‘She’s hurt. It’s easier to be angry when your pride is bruised.’
‘I understand.’ He inclined his head slightly at me in gratitude. ‘I hope in three weeks, I can win her back.’
A question struck me. ‘So, will you still enter the fantasy cabin? If you’re in love, wouldn’t that be weird?’
A devious grin pulled at his lips, and I wondered if Toshi was a bit deeper and darker than I’d given him credit for. ‘I believe in winning. I will play that way. I hope it will be Kako—Clara —who waits inside for me, but even if it’s not, I will fulfil my obligations to the game. Otherwise, I will deprive my cabin mate of their chance to win also.’
It was weirdly honourable, in its own way. I hadn’t thought of what would happen to the other person if I didn’t go into the cabin—of course, they would miss out. Suddenly, the stakes were raised again.
Looking at Toshi as he wandered away to the buffet, I observed him from a sexual standpoint. He was incredibly intriguing, with his slender fingers and gallant ways. Yeah, I could go there.
So, out of the ten guys, I could live with myself if I got teamed up with the twins or Toshi. About Chris, I couldn’t say. The thought of being naked with him was beyond arousing. It also made me feel like I’d be selling my soul.
Oh, what about Henry? I’d totally forgotten about the Englishman. How did I do that?
Groaning, another memory surfaced. He’d invited me for breakfast and I’d missed it. I needed to find Henry and apologise.
I left the bungalow by the beach stairs, and found a small group of contestants gathering on the sand near the stage. Wardrobe had issued me flat sandals for the day, with white ribbons that crisscrossed their way up my calves and tied off at the knee. They made it easy to walk on the soft sand as I plodded over to the others.
‘Tara! Hullo!’ Henry immediately spun in my direction, his coffee-coloured eyes widening as he took me in. ‘Wow! You look brilliant!’
I felt a blush in my cheeks from his compliment. The fact that it was delivered in such cultured tones only made it more appealing. ‘Thanks! I’m so sorry I missed breakfast. You didn’t wait for me, did you?’
‘Uh … no, no, not at all,’ he said, lying terribly. I felt horrible. I just knew that he’d sat alone at a table, waiting like a gentleman.
‘Well, we’re here now. What kind of madness do you think they have cooked up for our first game?’ I wondered out loud.
‘I have no idea. But if we need a partner, can I be yours?’ Henry rubbed his neck nervously, clearly feeling the pressure of rejection.
Luckily, I had no intention of knocking him back. ‘Sure! I’d love that.’
‘Really? Really! That would be wonderful, just really tops.’
His relief and exuberance made my morning. Where I’m from, sexy Englishmen don’t normally beseech me to partner up. Although, I did get felt up by a drunk backpacker in the city once, but I think he was from Scotland …
We chatted about the weather and our rooms and how we’d slept, while the other contestants picked their way through the soft sand to stand by us. With the tropical sun beating down pleasantly and the ocean crashing behind us, it was starting to feel like a holiday.
Miles stepping up onto the canopied stage ended all that.
‘All right contestants,’ he called, as the camera crews zoomed in. ‘The first keys are up for grabs! Who’s ready to play?’