The next morning began with a jingle so cheery it felt like an insult. Lena did not sleep well as the girls were far too chipper for 7:30 a.m. Their cheerful chatter made her headache, but she endured it with a tight smile.
Then came the chime over the loudspeaker, followed by the voice of the show's ever-sunny host.
"Good morning, housemates!"
The booming voice of the host echoed through the living room speakers, bright and energetic. A few housemates, still groggy from the night before, looked up from their mugs of coffee.
"Again, Welcome to Love Unseen."
Music played briefly—upbeat, romantic, with just a hint of dramatic flair.
"Last night was full of fun, flirtation, and maybe a few secret sparks…" the host teased. A few people laughed, while others exchanged quick glances.
"But today marks the beginning of the real challenge. The next eight weeks will test not only your hearts, but your patience, your timing…"
A beat.
"…and yes—your cleaning skills."
That got a collective groan and a few laughs.
Angela raised an eyebrow. "Wait, cleaning?"
Jayden leaned back on the couch. "I knew there was a catch."
The group gathered in the central living room, still in sleepwear, blinking at the giant screen lighting up in front of them.
"Let's break down the game!" the host continued, upbeat as ever.
THE RULES OF LOVE UNSEEN
1. Duration: The show runs for eight weeks, each week filled with challenges and chances to bond.
2. Weekly Challenge: Every week, a challenge will determine one winner from either the men or women (alternating weekly). The winner will get to choose one person for a private date off-site.
3. House Rules:
No sleeping until lights-out (10:30 p.m.)
No private rooms unless granted through a challenge.
No phones, no outside contact.
Respect assigned chores.
4.The Chore Chart:
Each week, the group will rotate cleaning duties. Contestants must maintain their assigned zones, or risk losing challenge privileges.
5. Secret Confessionals:
Everyone can go to confession room and have their daily video diary moment. Secrets, regrets, and romances—record it all.
6. The Final Choice:
At the end of the two months, contestants will vote whether they want to pursue a relationship outside the house with someone here—or walk away.
There was a beat of silence after the screen went dark.
"That's... intense," muttered Marcus who already seemed too comfortable with shirtless mornings. Marcus is the most build man inside. He must train himself well in the gym.
"Marcus is very masculine huh," said Ruby. "At least it's fair, we can pick, they can also pick."
Lena nodded vaguely, but her attention slid sideways. Jason was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He hadn't said a word about what she shared last night in the truth or dare game.
No one seemed to suspect a thing. Not with Ruby that being delusional of seeing that Jason is looking at her.
She should have felt relieved.
Instead, the distance was unbearable.
He's pretending too well, she thought.
The host voice returned, this time softer, teasing.
"And now, for your first challenge… ladies, this week is yours."
Groans and nervous laughter filled the room.
"Head to the garden. You'll compete in a physical and mental obstacle called The Heart Run. The winner earns the first one-on-one date of the season—with any man she chooses. That means, boys... be nice."
--
Later that afternoon, in the garden...
The "Heart Run" wasn't a casual jog. It was a full-blown obstacle course designed to test balance, speed, memory, and a bit of strategy. The girls were sweating before the third station, and the cameras zoomed in on every stumble and grin.
Lena didn't plan to win…
But she did.
Somehow—likely from years of stress-fueled gym sessions and suppressed rage—she blew past the final memory match station in record time.
"LENA!" The host announced, clapping wildly as the others cheered. "You win our very first private date!"
Lena forced a smile and looked at the group.
She could feel his eyes on her. She didn't look at him.
Pick anyone else.
Anyone but not him.
Lena's heart thudded in her chest as she glanced at the line of men standing before her. All of them trying not to look too eager. Except Jason. Of course. He stood at the far end, arms folded, his face carved from stone.
She wouldn't pick him. Not after everything. Not after the way he hadn't so much as flinched when she entered the house the night before. She'd spent months trying to feel okay again. Months convincing herself she'd moved on.
This show—this stupid show—was supposed to prove it.
So when the host asked the fated question, "Lena, who would you like to take on your date?"
She already had the answer on her tongue.
Jayden?
Marcus?
Jordan?
Nathan—
She hesitated. Just a moment. A blink.
Then, against every nerve in her body, her lips moved on instinct.
"I choose…" she said. A beat passed. "Nathan."
There was a collective pause.
Nathan blinked, stunned. "Wait—me?"
He pushed his glasses up and looked around, then pointed to himself in disbelief. His brown eyes were wide and uncertain, like someone who had walked into a party meant for someone else.
Lena gave him a soft smile, one she didn't entirely feel. "Yeah. You."
The host clapped her hands. "Adorable! Well then, get ready lovebirds—we'll send a car for your outing in an hour!"
The group broke into polite applause. Ruby gave Lena a knowing nudge with her elbow. Jayden smiled a little too brightly. Someone muttered, "Didn't see that coming."
Lena didn't respond. She wasn't listening anymore.
Her gaze flicked toward Jason, betraying her just once.
He hadn't moved. His jaw was still tight. Eyes unreadable. He didn't shift his weight or tilt his head. Didn't give her a single twitch of reaction.
But she knew him.
She knew what silence could mean with him. How it used to wrap around their arguments like a chokehold —and how that silence had felt worse than yelling.
So this blankness now? It wasn't calm. It was cold.
And it cut her deeper than any outburst would've.
Good, she told herself again.
Let him feel it.
Let him wonder.
Let him try to guess if she still cared.
She turned and walked toward Nathan, who was already waiting near the steps to the changing area, shifting from foot to foot.
"Uh—just to be sure," he said with a shy laugh when she reached him. "You meant me, right?"
She smiled. A real one this time, soft at the corners. "Yes, Nathan. I meant you."
His face flushed a little, and he nodded, ducking his head as they walked toward the villa. "I just… I'm glad. I didn't think anyone would pick me first."
Lena glanced sideways at him. "Why not?"
He shrugged. "I'm not exactly the usual reality show type. Not loud enough. Not… six-pack-y enough."
She laughed gently. "Yeah, well, maybe that's a good thing."
Behind them, she could feel the weight of a stare burning into her shoulder blades. She didn't turn around. She didn't need to.
Good, Lena thought, walking off with Nathan. Let him feel it.
Let him know she didn't need him anymore.
What you shared last night was all about the past.
Even if maybe, it wasn't true.