An innocent boat ride

The car took you to the docks, not the original one you came from but one close to the villa. You and Jenna got out and were directed to a small yacht docked on the left. The captain, Francesco, shakes your hands as you board and kisses Jenna’s hand and helps her get in. The yacht, named the Endless Love, was a bit bigger than a school bus. Only one member of the camera crew came with you and Jenna on the date, capturing everything with one camera, due to the cramped nature of the boat.

Francesco set sail, and the boat cruised towards the bright azure blue of the Mediterranean seas. Jenna was on deck holding onto a railing and looking out into the horizon. Joining her, you stand next to her waiting for her to say something first.

“Sorry for picking you out on this date,” Jenna says. “I had no one else I wanted to go with.”

Jenna was wearing a low-cut yellow sundress that went a bit past her knees.

“Don’t apologize. It’s beautiful out here,” You say staring out into the sea.

“How are things between you and Paige,” Jenna asks.

“Great. Wonderful actually. Except for the fact that she does get jealous a lot but in a place like this, that’s to be expected really when you are constantly paired up with other beautiful women like we are right now,” You say, the words carelessly coming out of your mouth.

“I’m happy for you,” Jenna says remorsefully. “Again… I’m sorry that I picked you for this date and probably made things weird with Paige for you, but I wanted to spend one last time with you before I go.”

“Go? Where exactly are you going?” You ask, though, from the Revelation Video, it was apparent what she meant.

“When we get back to the Villa, I’m going to go. I already have my bags packed,”

“Like leave the show and island completely?” You ask.

Jenna nods, a tear trickled down her cheeks, and she rubs at it, trying to hold it back.

“I don’t want you to think it’s your fault or anything,” Jenna said, “T-there’s just nothing back there for me.”

“Jenna… maybe there’s nothing now, but a guy could come tomorrow and for all you know he could be the one. He could be the perfect guy for you.”

“I found the one, and that didn’t work out. I didn’t make a move while I had the chance,” Jenna sobs.

“There are way better guys for you a girl like you than me,” You say. “Jenna, I’m not a good person. I cheat sometimes at life, I’m negative constantly, I’m only above average in looks, I have a lousy job. You’re going to find an amazing guy.”

“I hope so... That’s why I’m leaving. I don’t think I can be able to move on from you if I don’t go now,” Jenna laments, now her tears pouring down her face. Her mouth was trembling and she was trying to look away from you.

You cupped her face and held her there and rubbed at her tears with your thumbs. The AMA was amplifying these feelings she had for you, so they must amplifying her distress that comes with it as well.

“Matt… If I picked you at the recoupling earlier would things have turned out different?” Jenna sniffles. “Would it be Paige who was crying now instead of me?”

“Don’t think like that,” You comfort her. “I don’t know what would have happened, but I care about you and Paige both. I just… I just can’t hurt you both, and I want you both to be happy.”

“Then let me go, please,” Jenna said, letting out a **** sound. “I’ll go home, and I’ll be sad for a while. Then I’ll watch this show and root for you, and I’ll move on… Let me go.”

Words couldn’t form in your mouth. You had no idea how to handle this situation and what words you could say to comfort the crying girl in front of you. She was right. There was no reason for her to stay just so you could juggle a relationship with her and Paige. As long as Jenna was here, it meant the producers would try to use her to drive a wedge between your relationship with Paige. As long as Jenna was here she would have to watch your relationship with Paige unfold in front of her with the AMA still taking effect on her. Maybe it was for the best.

You left her there, wiping her tears with the back of her arm, and came back with a handkerchief you found in the cabin and handed it to her. “If you want to go and think it’s better for you in the long run, I won’t stop you. But… I will miss you.”

You hold her hands and stroked it with yours. The two of you share a look, the same one you did on the balcony before you grazed each other’s lips. She nods and turns away. A message appears in your vision.

Would you like a helping hand?

You check your phone while Jenna blows her nose and click no.

I’m not going to do your bidding. I won’t finish the mission.

It popped up again.

Would you like a helping hand?

NO

Would you like a helping hand?

NO NO NO!

Would you like a helping hand?

After clicking no again, you resisted the urge to chuck the phone far into the water. Before you could, something caught your eye. Grey storm clouds were on the horizon, and the yacht halted to a sudden stop.