Embarking on the island felt like stepping into a paradise painted by a mischievous artist. The enchanting trees, draped with an aura of secrecy, seemed to playfully cast their shady spells on anyone who dared to enter their realm. And oh, the sand! It was like the island was holding onto a secret treasure – the softest, most luxurious sand that hugged the shoreline like a long-lost lover.
In this idyllic setting stood the island, like a proud monarch claiming its throne as the 'Hidden Boracay of the North.' It wore its title with an air of mystery, inviting us to unravel its secrets.
As our feet touched the shore, Rayden, ever the gentleman, arose from his seat and offered his assistance. But there was mischief glinting in his eyes, a hint of playfulness that made me wonder what he had in mind. With an amused grin, he extended his hands to help me disembark, his unspoken challenge dancing in the air.
Waiting on the island were four locals, their friendly waves suggesting that we were old acquaintances. It was as if they had been faithfully following our journey through the dating show, and their familiarity left me feeling both amused and slightly uneasy.
Given my less-than-steady sea legs, Rayden's offer of assistance was indeed a blessing. I gingerly stepped down from the boat, my hand clasping his for support. But then, a wicked idea took root in my mind. As Rayden began to descend, I deliberately let go of his hand, causing him to lose his balance in a comical stumble. One of the staff members couldn't help but let out a surprised yelp as Rayden's footing betrayed him, sending him tumbling back onto the boat. With a splash, he ended up in the water, cushioned by the soft sand beneath the waves.
A victorious snicker escaped my lips as I reveled in my small victory. Score one for me, courtesy of my mischievous scheme.
Amusement sparkled in my eyes as I observed Rayden's attempts to regain his composure in his waterlogged state. But, alas, my laughter was short-lived as Rayden seized the moment to perform a dramatic reveal. With a flourish, he peeled off his wet shirt, unveiling a canvas of chiseled muscles and sculpted lines that demanded attention. My eyes unwittingly followed the trail of fine hair that disappeared beneath the waistband of his shorts. Just as I was about to shake myself out of my trance, his gaze met mine, a challenge dancing in his eyes, and I couldn't help but feel a case of heebie-jeebies creeping in.
"You like it, Sid?" he inquired, a cheeky grin waltzing on his lips. "Did you set up a whole water show just for a sneak peek?"
"Total pervert," I shot back, my eyes doing a marathon eye-roll as I sprinted towards the Lovestruck-themed cottages. No chance I was looking back; the mental image of his soggy escapade was vivid enough.
The symphony of hustle and bustle serenaded me upon reaching the cottage. A pair of female crew members and a duo of local assistants orchestrated a dinner setup. They eyed us like they had binge-watched every episode of our rom-com journey.
Julie, one of the crew members, whisked me into the cottage, where a camera crew and the director eagerly awaited. Apparently, it was time for an impromptu scripted interview. She presented a white beach dress boasting a scoop neck, dipped hem, and tassel trim. Boho flats followed suit.
"You're the missing piece, Miss Sidney. This beach dress will turn you into a goddess!" Julie chirped, her excitement infectious as she displayed a monsoon petal hair clip.
I inhaled deeply before responding, "Give me a cool twenty. Just need to do a quick freshen-up so Rayden doesn't regret his decision." My grin was stretched, but sincerity wasn't invited. The scripted sequences had pushed the sweet narrative between Rayden and me beyond its limits, and my patience was fraying.
Slipping into the beach dress and adorning the monsoon hair clip on my left ear, I stole a final glance in the mirror. Julie's voice brought me back to Earth, the call time reminder was perfectly timed.
Arriving on set, Director Kiel Reynes was in the middle of his last-minute directives, irritation dripping off him like sweat on a sauna wall. "Let's keep it simple, Direk! The natural way," Rayden suggested, a hero attempting to shield me from the director's tempestuous waves.
"Natural? Well, who knows, he might end up swimming with the fishies again." The director's sarcasm was met with gales of laughter from the crew.
After the director's briefing, Rayden's suggestion of an impromptu scene won out for our sunset dinner date. The location was only a few meters away from the cottage. As the director signaled for the "take," I didn't waste any time. The sea breeze caught my hair and dress as I walked towards Rayden, and an electric fan was positioned to make it look like I was floating.
Rayden was seated at the dining table, his back to me as he awaited my arrival. As he turned around and our eyes met, it felt like the world around us disappeared. His smile reached his eyes, and I felt my cheeks heat up as I returned his gaze.
Stepping closer, he echoed my movement, his smile unwavering. It felt like willingly walking into a beautiful trap as I closed the distance between us. His gaze remained locked with mine, an unspoken connection that spoke volumes. With a graceful gesture, he extended his hand, and I accepted, allowing him to guide me to a seat. Our hands lingered, a gentle touch that seemed to hold more than just fingers.
A controlled chuckle escaped him as he presented the first course, a dish of creamy cheesy chicken penne pasta. The twinkle in his eyes seemed to suggest an inside joke, a shared secret between us.
"I thought this was meant to be a rustic camping escapade. What's with the extravagant setup?" I playfully inquired.
"Blame it on the production. I was envisioning a genuine camping experience too. But, you know how TV works; they spin things for the sake of ratings," he replied, a trace of disappointment hiding in his voice. Yet, his smile remained, tugging at his lips like an old friend.
"Twisted, isn't it?" I retorted with a teasing grin, feeling the frustration rise once more. The scripted drama was becoming stifling, like trying to breathe in an overperfumed room.
"Okay, it's time to feed Rayden, Sidney!" the director's voice rang out, breaking the moment. "Action!"
Feed him? Ah, yes! It dawned on me that it was my turn to flip the script, to make Rayden squirm with amusement. The pasta on my fork spun like a playful dance, and I approached him with an impish grin. A strategically placed fan stirred my hair and dress, adding an enchanting touch. Rayden sat across from me, waiting, anticipation glinting in his eyes.
Contemplating how to make it appear natural, I presented the fork to his lips. I offered a bite, but as he chewed, I nudged more pasta onto his fork. Surprise flickered in his eyes, his brow furrowing as he gracefully wrestled with the oversized mouthful. A staff member couldn't contain their laughter at his comical predicament.
Unable to stifle my own amusement, I let out a delicate laugh. The joy of the moment grew as he wrestled with the pasta. "Such a sweet tableau, don't you think, Rayden? Go ahead, conquer it all. Ratings are at stake!"
He couldn't respond with his mouth full, but the light in his eyes told its own story— a blend of amusement and mock annoyance. Once he managed to swallow, he offered his playful retort, "Fear not, Miss Pencer. The sweetness will find its way to your palate too." His mischievous grin added a layer of intrigue to his words.
His last remark left me pleasantly flustered. What was he plotting? I needed to be ready for whatever was to come.