Few days later, I was sleeping on one of the most comfortable beds I've ever laid upon. Mom was beside me, busy watching some cooking show on the flat screen television which was the size of four standard-size tvs. I couldn't help but indulge myself into this whole new room I was into. Today would be the last time I would ever see mom and everyone else, before I completely enter inside that stupid dating show.

"Honey, are you alright?" I heard my mom ask beside me.

I turned to her and nodded. "I'm just a bit nervous, mom."

"Nervous about what? You've never been nervous before, dear." Mom pointed out, which was true. I didn't even know why I suddenly felt butterflies clumping inside my stomach.

"You're right mom. I guess I'm just worrying about whether I will get along with the people inside," I confessed.

Mom tapped my shoulder. "You'll be fine, dear. Remember to just be yourself. Make me proud, alright?"

"I will, mom," I said, smiling.

"Have you talked to Sab and Jasper before we came here?" mom asked.

"I tried contacting them but they weren't answering back. I felt guilty that Sab didn't make it. She should be the one here, not me."

"Everything happens for a reason, dear. Remember that," mom told me.

I nodded.

****

The night had finally come. I looked at myself in the mirror for the last time after being pampered by a hair stylist and make-up artist. My long hair was tied up in its usual ponytail which I insisted. I was wearing my comfortable clothes which mom suggested: simple lousy shirt, tight jeans, and Chucks.

"Are you sure you're not underdressed dear?" The hair stylist, Mira asked me.

I shook my head. "I feel perfectly-dressed this way. Thank you."

She nodded.

"Okay Ms. Gomez, the car's ready downstairs. Wear this eyemask and lapel mic on," a staff told me, handing me a black eyemask and the mic.

I put both of them on diligently, then gripped the hand of the staff who was guiding my way out. I felt dizzy walking with blind eyes. I almost wanted to take it off of me but I controlled myself not to. After what seemed to be a decade, I finally reached the car. I was guessing, since I could feel the air conditioner and the smell of the air freshener hit my nose. 

As the car started to move, the butterflies in my stomach started twirling around that I wanted to puke. I felt like I was Katniss Everdeen being thrown out in the arena. Luckily, we weren't tributes killing each other for survival, but it did seem to be that way in a sense.

I didn't realize that I dozed off along the way, not until someone nudged me on the side. "Ms. Gomez, we're here now." I heard a staff calling me.

I steadied myself and held the staff's hand again to guide me out. I felt rocks from underneath and for a second, the thought of me being thrown out into the arena emerged again. But after a while, the ground became less rocky, like I was walking into a grassy path. I could also hear running water not too far away from where I was standing. Were we really in a forest now?

After a while, the staff stopped walking, dropping my hand. I was left alone now in the middle of nowhere. I had the urge to take off the eyemask again, but then, I heard a voice coming from somewhere not too far. "Take off your masks."

And when I did, my eyes had to adjust to the bright lights flashing infront and the big cameras staring back at me. I was surprised to see that I was standing last in line along with the other girls who got in the show. We were all standing in one line just in front of a huge and classy fountain, which I usually see in movies. That explains the running water!

"Cameras rolling!" Someone called out from the crew. "In 3... 2... 1..."

"Good evening, ladies and lords! Welcome to the first ever dating show in the planet, The Perfect Match!" The MC, whom I recognized to be a famous host in the name of Victoria, said in ecstasy, while dramatically looking at the camera. "We have our lovely ladies right here tonight. You must be wondering where are the gorgeous men? I know you're all very excited to see them, but we can't reveal them yet."

Oh dear! I face-palmed myself. This was one hella, crappy, reality slash dating show. I wasn't even paying attention to the MC now. I glanced at the girls beside me. I was the only one wearing simple clothes. They were all dressed up extravagantly, I must say. I was about to face the cameras infront again when suddenly, my eyes caught a familiar figure standing in line behind the MC. "Sab?" I blurted out.

The girl beside me turned and glared at me. She was about five inches taller than me (most probably the effect of the heels she's wearing). I creased my brows at her and so she turned away.

Suddenly, I was surprised to see the fifteen guys all marching their way towards our direction in one line, each holding a rose in their hand. Oh boy! I was in a state of mental breakdown when suddenly, another familiar figure caught my eye. "Jasper?"

The girl beside me shot me another look. Before I could even react to her, the MC spoke again, "Okay so since this is all your first night, we'll have to ask these gorgeous men to pick out each their ladies here by giving her a rose. If in case one lady receives 1 or more roses, she'll need to pick out just one guy to spend time with for tonight."

I caught Jasper looking at me and smiling. Well at least I wouldn't have to deal with awkward conversations with some strangers here. I was a bit relieved and at the same time, still confused. Did he sign up for this thing too?

My thoughts got interrupted when the guys started talking with the girls. I was just standing there with arms crossed over my chest when I saw Jasper coming over. "Hey!" He spoke.

"So, Mr. Lee, you didn't tell me you're here," I told him.

"We're not supposed to tell anyone, right?" he said with a smile.

"But you even said this was 'absurd'," I quoted in the air.

"Do you really think I signed up for this? Of course my dear sister has her own evil plans," he said, glancing at Sab who has about three guys already talking to her.

"Why don't you go to your sister and shove those guys away?"

"We're not supposed to tell anyone we're siblings. It's kinda like a mission which they gave us... well at least for tonight... so we also need to pretend that we don't know each other," he said in a low voice. Then, he faked a cough. "So, Chastity, right?"

I raised a brow at him. "Seriously? You're gonna do that?"

He nodded, handing me the rose. "Will you be my partner for the night?"

"Oh for Pete's sake!" I muttered.

Jasper chuckled. "Just at least pretend, will you? See? I'm the only guy who chose you. You should be grateful that I am here."

"Yeah right. Like I care if there's anyone who chooses me."

"Oh come on, Chas," he said. "Smile for the camera."

I gritted my teeth. "Like this?"

He laughed. "I'm sure you're going to be a hit."

"Great," I said in sarcasm.

****

When everyone finally settled with their own matches, they finally led us to the huge villa located behind us. I didn't even notice it at first because I was too busy battling with my own thoughts. The cameras already stopped filming us as soon as we entered. Okay, so I thought wrong. There were cameras in every corner of the villa.

"This is so lame. Are there even cameras inside the bathrooms?" I asked Jasper who was still beside me.

"Maybe?"

I was astounded to see the interior of the villa. It was fully furnished with its modern design. The living room had three huge couches, one flatscreen tv at the center and a grand piano on the corner; the kitchen had a long bar counter, complete with all the utensils hanging on one side; and there was a huge staircase at the middle, leading to our rooms I presume. It was my first time to see such house – I mean – villa.

"Okay so everyone, since it's our first night, why don't we get to know each other first here?" A girl spoke, catching the attention of everyone.

"I'm too tired for that. Can we just go to our rooms?" Someone complained, which was followed by the groans of others.

Jasper and I looked at each other. "Guess we're heading to our rooms now," he said and I nodded.

We both ascended the stairs and went to our respective rooms which were assigned to us. As I entered, I saw five beds inside and each one of my roommates already settled on their respective beds. "Oh hi. There's the last one for you." A tanned girl with fake lashes told me, pointing at the small bunk of bed on the very last corner of the room.

"Thanks," I said, walking my way towards my bed.

I quickly lay down since I was too tired after all that happened. I wanted to sleep already but the girls inside the room kept on chatting with each other that I couldn't fall asleep. I even put my earplugs already but their voices still penetrated my ears.

When I couldn't stand it any longer, I rose up from bed, ignoring the looks the girls were giving me inside the room. I went downstairs and saw that there were few still hanging out in the living room. I decided to go to the kitchen to drink some water, when someone suddenly spoke from behind me. "Hi! I'm Nicole. You are?"

I turned around and saw this pretty girl handing her hand out to me. I was dumbfounded at first, seeing how gorgeous she was. "Uh... Just Chas." I shook her hand.

"Chas? That must be a short for something, am I right?" She asked, flipping her long blonde locks on one side.

I nodded. "Yeah. Chastity."

"Cool! Anyway, you're lucky with your partner tonight. He's kinda cute."

I creased my brows. "Who? Jasper?"

"Jasper? That's his name?"

Oh right! No one was supposed to know that we know each other. "Yeah."

"I guess he found you interesting since you're not like the other girls. If you know what I mean."

Yeah. Exactly. I was not like other girls. "I guess so."

"Are you gonna check out the pool?" She asked, out of the blue.

I raised my brows. "Hmm?" 

"The pool... on the backyard." She pointed out, leaning closer to my ear. "Tip of advice, don't! A devil is lurking over there. I'm going back to my room now. Good night!"

"Oh-kay!" I said with a confused look as I watched her go up the stairs.

Despite her warning, I marched my way towards the backyard and saw the huge swimming pool situated in the middle. When I stepped out, I quickly noticed someone sitting at the edge of the pool, at the far end from where I was standing. So that must be the DEVIL she's talking about. 

ooOOoo

A/N: Okay so they're inside the villa now... and the 3 bestfriends got in. Whoop! Whoop! And yeah sorry I had to cut the last part but don't worry the 2nd part is here. Turn to the next chap :)

Thank you to everyone reading this and if you're a new reader, let me know your presence by commenting "Present!" haha or if you're an incle say, "I love Winner!" XD

Anyway, sorry for this lame note. Go read the next part now...

~XOXO