Chapter 2
As for my underwear, I'd tossed it all in its own little zippered pouch—thank god for my obsessive packing habits. That definitely saved me this time.
I shrank my neck, thinking that if my manager ever caught me sneaking snacks, she would totally flip out and chew me alive.
[Isabela really just put on some moisturizer? No way her skin could be that flawless—she's obviously doing it for the cameras.]
[So pretentious! First she's all "I want privacy," and now she's trying to act like some snack-loving foodie?]
[Who brings a suitcase stuffed with snacks to a dating reality show? So fake! Camilla's the real one here!]
Little did I know, just because of that suitcase, I was getting dragged online again. People were tossing around words like "dramatic" and "fake", and I was totally clueless.
Camilla looked visibly annoyed that I hadn't embarrassed myself.
Finally, it was Finlay's turn. His suitcase was just as minimalist, and he grinned as he pulled out several bags of chocolate.
[I didn't know Finlay was into this brand of chocolate? I love it too!]
[LOL, one with a suitcase full of snacks, the other with chocolate—why do I ship them so hard?]
[Girl, don't ship everyone you see! You're just setting yourself up for heartbreak.]
I kept my eyes averted from Finlay—trying not to let him catch me staring. That chocolate he'd pulled out? It was totally my guilty pleasure. Honestly, Finlay didn't even like sweets. So why was he carrying that, if not for me?
The host, bubbling with curiosity, asked, "Finlay, what's up with the two bags of chocolate you've got with you?"
He flashed a bright, sunny smile, his gaze lingering on me for a heartbeat.
"I know someone here has a weakness for chocolate, so I made sure to bring a couple of bags just for her," he said.
Everyone online went absolutely nuts.
[Are Finlay and Camilla secretly into each other? I'm obsessed with this ship right now!]
[No doubt it's Camilla—have you seen the way they look at each other in their series? The chemistry is so thick that you could cut it with a knife! Anyone saying they're just friends is delusional.]
[Camilla stans, stop deluding yourselves! There's a whole lineup of girls on this show, so calm down!]
Camilla fluttered over, putting on her sweetest voice and batting her eyes at the chocolate in his hand. She pretended to be surprised, covering her mouth dramatically.
"Wow, Finlay, you like this chocolate too? No way, I'm obsessed with it!" she squealed.
Finlay just stuffed the chocolate back into his suitcase with a deadpan face, barely glancing at her as he replied, "Oh."
[Is Finlay getting awkward now or what?]
[Seriously, only real couples act like this. If they weren't legit, they'd be all fake and making small talk!]
[Not gonna lie, the person above kind of has a point.]
[Did y'all even notice Isabela's got chocolate in her suitcase too?]
[Who cares? She's just trying to get in on the Camilla x Finlay CP hype!]
After that, nothing much happened, but the trending hashtags were all over my feed. "Camilla and Finlay Same Taste" and "Isabela clout chasing with snacks".
To make filming easier, they put all of us up on the hotel's second floor.
Finlay had on a crisp white shirt and black trousers, standing tall with legs for days and that unmistakable regal vibe. Even hauling his suitcase, he still radiated an air of cool self-restraint that made him seem totally out of reach—the kind of presence that turned heads the instant he walked in.
Camilla was struggling to drag her suitcase, looking all fragile as she shot Finlay a pleading, helpless glance.
"Finlay, can you help me with my suitcase? It's so heavy. I really can't manage it," she said in the sweetest, most vulnerable voice.
Honestly, the way she sounded made it hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for her.
But instead of helping her out, Finlay just walked straight over to me, shutting her down without even hesitating.
"Sorry, I'm helping Isabela first. Ask someone else," he said, totally unfazed.
As he spoke, he reached over and grabbed my suitcase right out of my hands.
Her fans totally lost it and started roasting me online.
[Isabela's shameless! She's already leeching off Camilla's popularity, and now she's trying to steal her man?]
[Can we just stop this already? Isabela, get out of the dating show! You're ruining my ship!]
[What a scheming bitch! She totally saw Camilla struggling with her suitcase, but still had to hog Finlay's attention first!]
Someone online snarked: [What, you think Camilla is some kind of princess? It's not rocket science—people just don't want to help her, and it shows.]
Camilla's stans went off: [Who could possibly not adore Camilla? Isabela's obviously the one stirring up drama here!]
I was completely oblivious to all the online drama, but I just knew the trolls out there were roasting me again.
Trying to dodge more online hate, I wouldn't let go of my suitcase, grinding my teeth as I quietly muttered to Finlay.
"Seriously, Finlay—drop it, okay? I can carry my own bag. You don't have to play hero," I said.
But Finlay wouldn't let go, a playful smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth as he dipped his head toward me—way too close for comfort.
Whenever he pulled that move in the past, it usually meant he was about to try and kiss me. My heart skipped—a little freaked out, I instantly dropped my grip and moved back before he could make another move.
Finlay arched an eyebrow, leaning in so close only I could catch what he said.
"Tonight, I'll sneak some chocolate into your room," he whispered just for me.
I couldn't help but blush. God, he was such a damn heartthrob.
Camilla's face fell as she looked completely deflated, and Wayne Moody couldn't stand seeing her like that—he walked over, sympathy written all over him.
"Here, let me help you out, Camilla," Wayne offered.
Immediately, her eyes shimmered with tears. She ducked her head, sounding heartbreakingly weak. "It's fine... I can do it myself."
Wayne blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Huh? So you can actually manage it yourself, but you still called out for Finlay?"
Camilla's face went scarlet—embarrassment and simmering annoyance all over her. Gritting her teeth, she snatched up her suitcase and stormed off by herself.
The comment section just froze.
[Wayne is honestly the ultimate clueless guy.]
[Poor Camilla! Is everyone out to get her just because she's blowing up right now?]
[I seriously feel so bad for Camilla. She's just being considerate—you'd think somebody would help her out!]
Finlay grabbed both our suitcases and strode straight past Camilla, completely ignoring her.
She bit her lip, trying her best to look like the ultimate damsel in distress.
The other guests all started feeling sorry for her, and a bunch of guys hurried over, eager to be her knight in shining armor. That finally brought a hint of a smile back to her face.
[See? Camilla's still got plenty of fans lining up for her!]
[Ugh, Isabela—being all sneaky just to get in first, but it doesn't matter. Finlay's heart is still with Camilla!]
[Finlay honestly shouldn't have helped Isabela. Look at her, she doesn't even seem happy—who does she think she is, anyway?]
I trudged after Finlay, my head already throbbing from all the drama. We got to pick our own rooms, and he gave some excuse about it being easier to help with my luggage—yeah, right. But guess which room he picked? Yup, the one right next to mine.
Camilla, obviously not willing to let us have any breathing room, immediately grabbed the spot right next to Finlay's. Of course she did.
Finlay rolled my suitcase into my room, and with his back to the cameras, gave me that smoldering, suggestive look—his lips quirking up in a way that always used to mean trouble. Whenever he flashed that grin at me, it was practically a warning: he'd be all over me any second.
My heart leapt in my chest—ugh, I was still so weak against that face. I swallowed, trying to play it cool, just about to shoo him out when he smoothly spun around and left like nothing happened, not even looking back.
Honestly, maybe I was just being ridiculous. Who was I kidding? We were not even together anymore.