Love Rhombus

Part 2: Introductions

"Okay ladies, once you've finished your interview, go get changed into swimwear. We'll start filming before dusk." The producer, who's name I learned was Karen, started calling names and sending girls off to different interview locations. We were supposed to give some background about ourselves and share why we were looking for love. None of the contestants seemed to know who our suitor was, let alone that there were actually three of them. 

I physically recoiled at the thought of prancing around in a bathing suit on international television. While I knew that the show had already been picked up by a US network, I was silently hoping it was a less popular cable network. 

Taking a mental inventory of the clothes I had packed, I realized I had only brought along two dresses that would work in a semi-formal situation. Hopefully that wouldn't be an issue. I was ill prepared for being a contestant. Thankfully, it would only be for a short period of time. 

I was looking forward to working on a TV set. I enjoyed reality television, but shows like 'Love After Lockup' and '90 Day Fiance' were more my speed. 

During my interview, I gave what I thought were standard dating show answers. That I had been looking for love, but had been unsuccessful thus far, and I was ready now to accept love into my heart. Blah, blah, blah. It would be fine for a soundbite for a, hopefully, forgettable contestant headed for early elimination. 

I left the cabana where the interview was filmed, and made my way back to the main villa. I would be rooming with five other girls in a bedroom on the second floor. 

Taking in the scenery, I didn't notice the other person on the path until I made impact with the ground. 

"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" I scrambled to my feet and offered the man my hand. 

He took it and I helped pull him up. "Looks like we're falling for each other already." He flashed me a smile, his dimples even more adorable in person. 

"Oh wow, that's really cheesy." I laughed and playfully rolled my eyes. "You should be ashamed." 

He chuckled, "Yeah, sorry about that. It was pretty cringy, right?" 

"It was pretty bad." I couldn't help but return his smile. 

"I'm Namjoon." 

"Kara." 

We stood there for a few seconds just awkwardly smiling at each other like idiots. 

"I should get going. We're supposed to start filming soon." Namjoon passed his hand through his hair before shooting me another smile. "It was nice bumping into you, Kara." He gave me a wink before continuing on his way. 

I had to wait a minute for my heart rate to return to normal before continuing on to the villa. This was going to be difficult. My inner fangirl was trying her hardest to make an appearance, but I was determined to suppress those urges and remain professional. 

RM spoke to me, and winked at me, and I touched him! Oh my gosh!

I mentally slapped myself. Damnit, Kara! Breath! He's just a normal person like anyone else. 

Once I regained my composure, I hurried to the villa to change. 

The bedroom was empty. I had been among the last of the interviewees, so the other women must have already changed and headed outside. 

I found my suitcase and located my most attractive swimsuit; a navy blue one-piece with a white, pink, and green floral print. I topped it with a short, white sarong that had a bit of fringe around the bottom. After quickly touching up my makeup, I headed outside to join the others. 

The backyard of the villa was breathtaking. 

The large wooden deck lined with lounge chairs gave way to a teal tiled swimming pool that was nearly the same color as the ocean beyond. The swath of green grass separated the pool from the white sand beach. There was a pier not far down the beach to the left that sported a small cabana and a few different watercraft. 

This place was definitely paradise. 

The other women were mulling about, cocktails in hand. I noted that only one other woman donned a one-piece swimsuit. 

Karen, the producer, waved me over to where she was standing next to an outdoor bar. 

"Kara, take this and mingle." She handed me a bright blue cocktail with a pineapple wedge sitting on the rim. "We're going to get a few shots of the ladies before we introduce the suitors." 

I did as I was told and made small talk with some of the women. Most of them were rather outgoing and eager to offer up their story while making sure to angle their good side to the camera. 

We didn't have to wait long before a smarmy-looking man in a suit stepped out of the house and asked, "Are you having a good time, ladies?" 

We erupted into cheers, as expected. Some of the other women had been hitting the bar a little too hard, and were past the point of social lubrication. 

"Are you ready to meet your suitors?" 

More whoops and hollers followed. 

"Here they are," the smarmy host said before stepping aside. 

The large folding doors leading into the living room of the villa opened automatically, and the curtains were drawn back dramatically to reveal the suitors. 

The three rappers of BTS.