Episode 33 Celeste
I barely took three steps into camp from playing my relic at The Summit when Ollie pulls me aside for a confessional interview. They mutter something about raw footage creates fan favorites. Meanwhile, my nervous system is shot.
I’m led into the dark corner of the beach where the hum from camera lights cuts through the night. I sink down to the sand and adjust my wrap headband. I wrap my arms around my knees, motionless as I stare directly into the lens. This interview is the last thing I care about at the moment.
Ollie motions a circle with their finger from behind the camera, kindly helping me along. “Saffron accused your partner, Paya, of having close connections to the producers in front of everyone. What went through your mind when you heard that at The Summit?”
My heart throbs as reality sinks in. Saffron wasn’t the only one who got blindsided today. I open my mouth to address strategy, but something else comes out instead.
“She lied to me. Again.” I sneer at the camera lens.
“This is why I didn’t tell anyone about the relic in the first place.
Because how can I trust anyone on this island?
I know I kept secrets too, but—” I hang my head, squeezing my eyes shut.
“How can we be together?” I huff. “Work together? Not after we—”
Thankfully, I halt my words. I snap back to the present moment, acutely aware that my “private” confessional will be aired on national TV for millions to see.
I dismiss the rest of the sentence, force a smile and talk about the relic and being in the final four.
Once finished with my confessional, I thank Ollie with a firm nod, hoping they don’t ask any further questions.
The stars don’t have their usual vibrancy on the way back to camp. The entire island is dull and hot, making me question my decision to come. I rejoin the others by the fire. Arlie is comforting Beya and Beya is comforting Cluck. Or perhaps it’s the other way around.
We sit in silence for several minutes. This is the most I’ve seen Beya not speak. By the look in everyone’s eyes, I’m sure they are just as exhausted as I am.
“You made the right decision.” Beya finally speaks. “This game is more challenging than I ever thought it would be.”
“Me too.” I know she would’ve done the same thing if it were Arlie.
There’s still so much Beya hasn’t a clue about though.
I don’t regret flipping my vote to Saffron at the last minute because of how she treated Paya, leading to her going home.
I need to win the next immunity challenge more than ever.
Playing my relic bought me another day, moving me one step closer to The Final Summit, but Paya’s situation already leaves her chances at winning Sole Champion substantially weaker.
I glance over, tracing Paya’s silhouette against the shore where we used to hide away for our afternoon beach dates. In less than a week, we leave this island. There’s no pretending things will magically go back to how they used to be.
“You should go to her.” Beya says as if to read my mind and flashes a tired grin when I stand to leave.
When I approach Paya, her shoulders are hunched and when she looks up, our gaze locks for a moment before I can form words.
“Hey.” I slide down next to her, looking at the heart we drew in the sand the other day, our initials still etched inside it. “We should talk.”
“Yeah…” She trails off, then pauses, unable to make contact. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Did production tell you to get close to me?” I blurt out of all the things swirling in my mind. “Was making me look like a fool on national television part of whatever your purpose on the show is?”
The color drains from her cheeks as she shakes her head back and forth like a windshield wiper.
“Oh god no. Celeste, no, please. My contract was signed before I saw you for the first time on Day One. I didn’t choose this to target you.
” She pauses. I can tell she’s choosing her words carefully.
“I wish I could say more, I swear. I literally can’t. ”
“You don’t need to tell me.” I look into her eyes and feel her sincerity, appreciating the way the moonlight makes her skin glow. Silence hangs between us before I drop my gaze toward the ground, and whisper, “I knew. Or I think I did.”
Panic tightens at the corners of her eyes, her jaw dropping slightly. “You did? How? Since when?”
“When Saffron confronted you at camp, I put the pieces together.” I trace circles in the sand with a twig, remembering how Paya had rambled the way she always does when she’s nervous.
My heart had stopped the moment the weird inconsistencies finally clicked.
The way the camera crews vanished whenever we were alone.
The fact that she spent twice as long at confessionals as anyone else.
My favorite foods appearing randomly at the villa.
Details I never mentioned to anyone during my time on the island except to Paya.
After spilling my evidence, she sits there. “Did I ever tell you how much I love your brain?” She smiles toward the sand, seemingly impressed. A minute later, she lets out an exhausted chuckle. “I can’t believe I went on a reality TV show of all things to try to get back into acting.”
I give her a look. “You mean, you wanted to go through this?” I motion around us. “I’m pretty sure I eat like a caveman now.”
She lets out a muffled giggle behind her hands covering her face.
“I spent years telling myself that being an assistant was enough, that a steady nine to five paycheck would make me happy. But every time I turn on a movie or we prep a celebrity for a shoot at work, I’m reminded of a life I was too cowardly to fight for.
Grandma GG called in a favor for a once in a lifetime opportunity to get my foot back inside the industry.
” Her voice goes soft. “I don’t want to let her down. ”
I think for a moment. Paya has lied. More than once. We both have. For what’s at stake, I’ll do whatever it takes to win. Can I really fault her for the same?
I face the ocean. “We both signed up to compete on The Final Summit. Agreements were signed. NDAs. What role production gave you is ultimately none of my business.” That response makes sense on paper, but my heart is still catching up.
Truth is, I can’t afford to worry about if she’s a show plant.
“I care about what we’re doing right now.
Because I cannot—” I squeeze my eyes shut and try to swallow the lump forming in my throat, but failing.
My voice cracks with emotion. “You don’t understand, Paya. I can’t lose. I just can’t.”
Concerned, she places a gentle hand on my forearm. I don’t move away. How did my life turn upside down in less than two months? Embarrassment washes over me as I speak the truth.
I clear my throat. “Ashford Magazine is projected to miss payroll by the end of the year.” My stomach churns.
Saying the words out loud hits me like I’m reading the email for the first time all over again.
“I’m afraid to let so many good people down.
I’m playing to win. Hundreds of employees’ jobs are at stake if I don’t. ”
Paya studies my face for answers I don’t have.
“I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you,” I murmur. “But I did. I played my relic for both of us. I mean that.”
She doesn’t pull away. Instead, her grip tightens on my forearm, her thumb tracing a soothing circle against my skin until the tension in my shoulders finally drops. “Ashford Magazine isn’t going anywhere. I truly believe that.”
“And here I was thinking you wanted to be my assistant forever,” I say, attempting to lighten the mood. I was never that good with talking about emotions for long.
She gives me a teasing grin. “I planned to quit eventually.” Then she starts rambling again.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love you, but you need to figure out how to delegate better.
Which I guess that comes down to trust, which I’m certain you already know.
Seriously though, what am I? Assistant number seven?
I know Ashford Magazine is your baby, but if you keep this up, you’re going to burn out.
And don’t get me started on how you refuse to eat a proper lunch. ”
Silence.
“So, you love me?”
“That’s all you heard from that entire conversation?
” She meets my lopsided grin, then she scoots closer, eyes full of adoration.
“And, yes. I love you.” She reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers.
“I mean, don’t get me wrong, initially, you were my hot older boss with a nice ass, but while on this island, I’ve fallen madly, stupidly in love with you, Celeste Ashford. ”
The butterflies in my stomach flutter uncontrollably. I lean in, hooking a finger underneath her chin to lift, and press our lips together for a soft kiss. “I love you, too.”
We exhale, feeling the air finally clear between us. Confessing about my failing business was the last thing I planned to do, even to Paya, however I’m glad I finally told someone.
A thought crosses my mind. I eye her suspiciously. “Was the villa you?”
She laughs. “Only the cake and candy bars. I’m completely jealous that you won a villa on Sapphire Isle. Even if it is a timeshare.”
“Maybe if you’re nice to me, I might let you come.”
She bites her bottom lip. “I hope you don’t just mean the villa.”
I shake my head with a chuckle, recalling our steamy moments on the island. “Definitely not.”
We share a laugh and drift into a comfortable silence until my mind returns to the competition and my reason for playing. I don’t have all the answers and I still need to finish the game. I’m not finishing without a fight.
“I’m still competing,” I add in a tone that lets her know I’m playing to win. “Just in case you think I’m going to go easy on you.”
“Don’t worry about me, I plan to beat you like I did at Sandbag Showdown.”
I cackle. She really does take me by surprise sometimes.
“I know there’s four players left. But—” Paya smiles up at me. “It’s me and you.”
I pull her into my arms and release a satisfied sigh when she nestles into me. I plant a tender kiss on her forehead, letting myself believe the words. “And always will be.”