"Oh, alright." Ivy stood up, placing one arm around Kate's waist to steady her, while her other hand gently held Kate's wrist.
Kate's body stiffened slightly. "What are you holding me for?"
Ivy: "Weren't you asking for support?"
Kate's expression was hard to read. "Never mind."
Ivy: "You don't want me to?"
Kate: "Hold me if you wish."
Ivy muttered inwardly, "What does she mean by 'hold if you wish'?"
Watching them go upstairs, Sophia commented, "Is Kate such a diva? Decides not to film and insists on needing help up the stairs."
Annie: "The director doesn't mind, so what's it to you?"
Sophia: "Now it's just the two of us left. Do you think this will look good on camera?"
Annie: "Why wouldn't it? Ever heard of 'beauty reigns supreme'? Though of course, I mean myself."
Sophia huffed in irritation.
The director wiped his forehead, relieved they hadn't started filming yet. Fortunately, it was a dating show; as long as the interactions with the male guests were harmonious, all was well.
Once in the room, Ivy asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Kate: "You were shaking."
Ivy: "Huh?"
Kate: "You were trembling downstairs."
"Oh… right," Ivy stammered.
Kate extended her arm, showing Ivy her wrist.
Ivy looked confused.
Kate: "There's still sweat from your palm here."
Ivy immediately hid her hand behind her back, rubbing it on her jeans. Does she have to be so blunt?
Kate: "What's bothering you?" she asked for the second time.
Ivy's eyes darted around. "So you're not feeling unwell?"
Kate: "You're deflecting."
Ivy: "…" Did she have to call her out so directly?
"Forget it," Kate said. "Rest."
"Huh?" Ivy was bewildered. "But we haven't started filming."
Kate: "Didn't you say you were anemic? You're not in any condition to film."
Ivy tried to protest, but the words died in her throat as Kate gently pushed her down onto the bed.
"I've read the script. Two female guests are enough for the first part; there's no need for extra camera time for you. Rest a bit before coming back down," Kate said.
"Alright…" Ivy lay there, motionless, hands clasped across her chest as if in prayer.
Thankfully, Kate didn't linger, leaving once she saw Ivy settled.
With a sigh of relief, Ivy mumbled, "It's like she's a teacher or something…"
In the living room, the other two guests, Annie and Sophia, exchanged numbers with Kate.
Sophia, watching Ivy holding her phone but not moving, teased her, "Little Ivy, feeling too shy to ask?"
Ivy shook her head uncertainly. "I think I already have… Miss Stone's contact." She had added her years ago during a competition, but they had never exchanged a single message.
"So, you two knew each other before?" Sophia asked, a bit surprised.
"Not really." Ivy scratched her head, recalling how Kate had once helped her in the practice room.
Kate looked at Ivy, "I wouldn't call it 'knowing.' I've yet to receive any holiday greetings from you."
Ivy blinked innocently. "If I had messaged you, would you have replied?"
Kate's expression was almost unreadable, as if the question wasn't worth answering.
Sophia burst into laughter. "Ivy, you're full of surprises! I thought this show would be humorless without someone like you."
Annie scoffed, "You think everyone finds the same things funny as you do?"
Sophia: "I enjoy myself, and that's all that matters."
Seeing the two start to bicker, Ivy interjected sweetly, "Sisters, what's today's schedule?"
Annie relaxed, "After breakfast, we'll likely go out with the guys. The show needs those romantic sparks, after all!"
Sophia rolled her eyes with a slight smirk, "You think any of the guys would be into you?"
Annie snorted, "I made breakfast; you can do the dishes."
Ivy quickly offered, "I'll help!"
Kate watched Ivy eagerly follow Sophia, her brows knitting together ever so slightly.
To increase interaction, the crew arranged for all the guests to travel in one large bus.
Kate and another top-tier guest, Leon Collins, were seated in the last row to ensure clear camera angles, with the others choosing seats freely. Inevitably, Sophia and Annie both laid claim to the same seat, each pushing at the other's arm, until they sat down simultaneously.
The crew, observing their bickering over a seat, exchanged knowing looks.
Annie frowned, "I'm a year older than you. Ever heard of respect for elders?"
Sophia: "I debuted first; drop the age card."
Annie: "The cameras are rolling. Let's not look petty."
Sophia: "Exactly, so move."
Annie: "Why should I?"
"Fine, sit together. I don't mind, though with your backside—" Sophia hissed. "Don't pinch me!"
Seeing them at a standoff, Ivy offered, "Would you like my seat? The angle's good for your left side."
"Oh, I wouldn't dare steal your seat!" Annie's tone turned sweet. "You stay put and ignore certain people."
"Certain people? I hope the viewers see your true colors," Sophia snapped.
Annie stood, causing Sophia, who had leaned slightly, to lose her balance and nearly topple over.
"Have your scene alone if you want; I won't play along," Annie said, moving to another seat beside Lucas Grey.
Sophia scoffed, "If you'd just asked nicely, I'd have let you sit. But you had to turn it into a power play."
Ignoring her, Annie lowered her sunglasses, blocking Sophia from view.
Watching their spat, Ivy put down her hand sheepishly. She felt like an obedient child in comparison.
At that moment, two male guests, Ethan Grant and Matthew Quinn, arrived and took seats beside Ivy and Sophia.
Kate glanced briefly at Ivy's direction, then donned her sunglasses, shutting off the world with her quiet, composed presence.
As the bus reached its destination, the group was taken aback.
"Seriously?" Sophia asked in disbelief. "They're this cheap? Team building on the first day, and it's just the park?"
"It's the middle of nowhere! I used to run here when I was broke," Ethan chimed in. "Who'd pick this for a date?"
A crew member chimed in, "Patience, everyone. You're here on a mission! The upcoming go-kart race will determine your eligibility for one-on-one dates, giving you a chance to earn some private time with your chosen partner!"
"Alright," Ethan said. "I know this track well; I'm pretty good."
Kate, who had been silent all this while, spoke up, "Let's race."
Ethan looked thrilled. "Really?"
Without another word, Kate led the way.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Ethan eagerly followed, "Wait up, Kate!"
Annie, observing the scene, muttered, "This should be interesting."
Ivy thought to herself, "Kate has a competitive streak? If she wins, I wonder whom she'd choose to date."
For her, it was obvious Kate would come in first.