love is in the water

After Mass

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the villa. Lena and Rob nestled together on the daybed, the soft rustling of palm leaves providing a soothing backdrop to their intimate conversation.

Lena shifted slightly, her gaze locked onto Rob's. "I didn't think I could miss someone so much," she admitted, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "Casa Amor felt like a lifetime."

Rob nodded, his expression serious. "I thought I'd made a mistake when I saw the new girls. But then all I could think about was you." He took her hand, their fingers intertwining. "It just confirmed how much you mean to me."

Lena's heart raced as she squeezed his hand tighter. "I felt the same way. I wanted to explore what was there, but it was always you in the back of my mind."

Rob smiled softly, the tension between them melting away. "I'm glad we found our way back. I can't imagine being with anyone else."

Just then, a loud laugh erupted from the main area of the villa, pulling them from their moment. They turned to see the other Islanders joking and playfully arguing over the next challenge.

"Looks like they're planning something," Lena said, glancing back at Rob with a teasing grin. "Do you think they'll let us off easy after the Casa Amor drama?"

"Not a chance," Rob replied, chuckling. "But I'm ready for anything as long as you're by my side."

The duo stood up, their fingers still linked, and joined the group. The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement and playful banter. But as the challenges unfolded—trust exercises, tug-of-war, and heart-pounding relay races—Lena felt a new resolve within her.

"Let's make a pact," she whispered to Rob during a break, their foreheads nearly touching. "No more hiding how we feel. Whatever comes next, we face it together."

Rob's eyes sparkled with determination. "Deal. I'm all in."

As they rejoined the group, Lena felt lighter. The challenges ahead might be tough, but with Rob by her side, she was ready to take on anything  because love, she realized, was worth fighting for.

"Lena," he said, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "I've been thinking a lot during Casa Amor, and I need to tell you something."

Lena's heart raced, anticipation building within her. "What is it?"

"I love you," he confessed, his eyes locking onto hers. "I love you, and I want to make this official. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Time seemed to stand still. Lena's breath caught in her throat, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. She felt warmth flood through her, a mix of joy and relief. "I love you too, Rob," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course, I'll be your girlfriend."

A wide smile broke across Rob's face, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. The world around them faded as they held each other, both knowing they had crossed a significant threshold in their relationship.

As they pulled back, laughter erupted from the group, but in that moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the villa. Rob brushed a strand of hair behind Lena's ear, his eyes sparkling with affection.