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Helene goes out onto the balcony and I help myself to a glass of champagne from one of the tables. The flute is shaking slightly in my hands, I'm full of adrenaline right now.

Saffron comes over to me, leaving Fidel to talk to Lula. Spencer is hovering in the corner, a frown on his face. His hands are gripping his glass tightly.

'What happened?' Saff asks me eagerly, having seen Bain take me outside.

'He said he's going to choose me,' I tell her. 'He's talking to Helene now.'

Saff chuckles evilly. 'Brilliant. I can't wait to see her face. Does that make me a terrible person? Ah, fuck it. I don't care if it does, the girl's a bitch.'

I smirk and take a sip of my champagne to hide my smile.

'Fidel told me he's choosing Lula, obviously,' Saff explains as we watch the room from the back wall. 'I held my tongue from asking what the fuck he's playing at, going in girl's rooms. Did you ask Bain about it?'

I sigh and take a large gulp of my drink.

'I did. But he asked me trust him.' Another sigh. 'Annoyingly, I really do trust him.'

Saff presses her lips together and nods.

'I understand that. There's something about the way Bain looks at you, I don't think he'd lie to you,' she muses, making me smile. 'And I trust Spencer completely, which is scary, considering how short the amount of time is that we've known them.'

'I know! There's something about this weird process though, I feel like it heightens everything,' I agree with her.

'Definitely. Look at how smitten those two are.'

I follow Saff's pointed finger to Ahmed and Florie.

The two of them are sat as close as possible on the loveseat, gazing adoringly into each other's eyes.

A door slamming makes us all jump.

Helene comes storming in off the balcony. Her face is pink and blotchy. The tear streaks on her cheeks glint in the light.

She glares around the room, lets out a loud huff, and marches towards the door. Her heels click loudly on the tiled floor, drawing everyone's attention to her. We were all already looking anyway, but still.

She slams the door on the way out and Spencer subtly excuses himself after her, no doubt trying to be a good host.

'Ugh, thank God for that,' Saff comments. 'Ding dong, the bitch is gone.'

I nudge her and try to give her a reprimanding look, but I end up giggling a little.

I'll confess, that was quite amusing.

Bain comes in from the balcony, clearing his throat when he realises all eyes are on him. He meets my gaze and gives me a knowing smile.

'Go talk to your man, I'll loiter around here,' Saff encourages me.

I hesitate, reluctant to leave her standing alone. Saff slaps my butt.

'Go, will you?' She pushes me forwards.

I stumble a little in my heels, making Bain look over at me. I throw Saff a glare over my shoulder, straighten my shoulders and approach Bain.

'How did it go?' I ask him casually, taking another sip of champagne.

Bain pulls a face.

'Exactly how I thought it would. She's not the classiest of women, I'll be honest,' he comments dryly.

My lips twitch with the temptation to smile at that remark.

Across the room, Florie goes to stand with Saff and Ahmed speaks to Binah. The poor girls bursts into tears the moment she sits down with him, obviously knowing what's coming.

Bain places his hand on my lower back, drawing my attention back to him.

'What happens with Saffron, now?' I ask him. 'She wants to stay for Spencer. Can she, do you think?'

Bain's face turns thoughtful. After a moment, he shrugs.

'I don't see why not.' His eyes travel over to Ahmed, where he is trying to comfort Binah. 'After Binah has gone, we will spend the evening together, as an eight, I guess.'

He turns to me and I catch a glimpse of anxiousness in his eyes, worrying me.

'Tomorrow, it will technically be the last day, but we will invite you to stay on. Everything will be explained then, I swear it.' Bain reaches up and softly tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. 'Just promise me you'll remember to trust me?'

'You're scaring me,' I respond, laughing at the end to try and lighten the suddenly thick tension between us.

Bain's brows furrow and he sighs. 'I'm sorry, that's not my intention. I just need you to trust me, Amity.'

I rub my lips together. 'Okay. I trust you.'

'Good.' Bain nods and then presses a kiss to my forehead, warming my cheeks.

Ahmed leads Binah out of the door. She waves goodbye to me, but turns her back before I can approach her.

Spencer comes back into the room, looking stressed.

'I've just dodged about a billion items of clothing being thrown at me,' he confesses to us when Saff joins Bain and I. 'Helene is throwing a full-blown tantrum in her room.'

Saff rolls her eyes. 'God, she's always so dramatic.'

Bain rubs his hand down his face. 'I tried to let her down as gently as I could, but I think we all knew she wasn't going to take it well.'

'I've currently got two guards helping her pack, they'll make sure she leaves within the hour,' Spencer informs us.

Spencer, Saffron, Florie, Lula and I, go through to the dining room. The table is already set, but the food hasn't been served yet.

The three bachelors remain in the large room. Bain is asking them if Saffron can stay on for Spencer, I believe.

After a few minutes, the men join us in the dining room. Bain looks at me and gives me a nod. I grin at Saff and she grins back.

She gets to stay!

I've realised that, whenever Bain enters a room, his eyes search me out. It's a flattering realisation that makes my heart flutter. He's always looking for me.

It's slightly strange, having only the eight of us. The castle feels a lot bigger and our group a lot smaller, but it's really enjoyable. The conversation flows easily and we bond well as a whole.

I'm glad that Ahmed chose Florie. The two of them share glances across the table and, if I wasn't friends with her, it would probably make me nauseous.

After eating, we all move into the large room again. This time, instead of taking separate seats, we all sit together on adjacent sofas. We sit in our couples.

I lean against Bain's side and appreciate his closeness.

Normally, I'd be conscious of disrespecting the other women, by being all over Bain. Now that I'm the only one left, I can fawn over him as much as I want.

Bain seems to share the same thought, because he puts his arm around my shoulders and holds me close to his body.

He runs his hand up and down my arm as he talks with Fidel, soothing me without even realising it.

It's surreal, knowing that we've 'won' this competition. It feels like yesterday that Saff was messaging me, hounding me into completing the application.

I wish Winnie were here, but hopefully she's living it up on the slopes without us. I'll be sure to ask Bain about seeing her tomorrow.

As the evening goes on, we drink more and more. I get the perfect tipsy buzz and chat away with the girls.

If this is a glimpse at what life is going to be like now, I'm more than up for it.

When it gets really late, Spencer suggests that we call it a night. Bain walks me to the bottom of the stairs.

He runs his fingers down my face and I lean into his touch.

'This is the last night you have to sleep in that bedroom, pisicuță,' he murmurs. 'Tomorrow, you can join me in my room...if you wish.'

Right now, alcohol-fuelled me definitely wishes.

In the morning, I may come to my senses.

'Night, Bain,' I respond softly.

He leans down and kisses me. It's the kind of kiss that leaves your lips throbbing and your thighs clenching. A kiss that makes you want more.

I give him one last, longing look and go upstairs.

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I wake the next morning with a smile on my face.

I can't believe I made it to the last day! Two weeks ago, I arrived at this castle, completely oblivious to what I was getting myself into.

I really hope that we can stay longer. I don't even want to think about what's going to happen if I have to go home.

At breakfast, the four of us sit around the table, excitedly discussing what today might hold.

'I hope they ask us to stay longer,' Lula says and we nod in agreement.

'What about our jobs?' Florie wonders and we all go silent for a moment, considering it.

Well, I don't have a job.

The whole point of Saff making me do this was because I was unemployed, single and stuck in a rut (in her opinion, anyway).

There is no issue for me about staying longer.

Saff shrugs. 'I'll call in sick or something. They don't really care at my work.'

Florie chews on her bottom lip. 'I think I've still got some holiday time that I can use.'

Lula pouts. 'I won't be able to, I'll have to go back.'

Spencer interrupts our discussion. Unlike the other days, where he has stood and told us what is outlined for the day, he sits down and joins us at the table.

'You're going to see the bachelors later, obviously,' he explains to us. 'We thought you could have the morning to pack up your things, as you've been invited to move to their wing, instead. You'll see them at lunch, where you will dining with your man individually.'

Spencer eyes meet Saff's across the table and she blushes. It appears he's been approved to be part of this 'process' now.

After eating, we go back to our rooms to pack. The girls were all so excited about sharing rooms with their guys.

A sensible voice at the back of my mind is telling me that this is too soon, that it's moving too fast, but I ignore it.

How often does a chance like this come around?

How often do you meet guys like Bain?

Almost never.

I promised myself I would embrace this trip and I've done that, there's no reason to stop now. If the other girls are doing it, why shouldn't I? If I feel comfortable, there's nothing wrong with it.

Who's going to judge us? We're in a fucking castle on a Swiss mountain.

I finish packing long before Saff. She never should have brought so many clothes with her, and she went particularly crazy on the shopping spree.

Florie is having a shower, so I decide to go for a walk. It's snowing lightly and it's stunning outside. I take a few photos on my phone, even though there's no service. We were given them back this morning.

I know I'll regret not taking more photos when this is over.

I find myself a path I recognise. There's a hazy memory at the back of my mind. It feels like every time I try to focus on it, it moves a little further out of reach.

I frown and rub my temples, following the gravel pathway through the gardens.

A cottage comes into view and very distant bell rings at the back of my mind. This is familiar in some way, but I don't know why.

Helene comes out of the cottage and I freeze, considering turning back. I really don't want to talk to her, she probably hates me even more and is blaming me for Bain sending her home.

I hesitate and feel a fleeting wash of panic when she notices me.

'Hi! Are you alright?' She asks, smiling in a way that is...friendly?

'Uh, yes,' I reply awkwardly. 'Are you?'

My manners win.

She grins. 'Yes, thank you. Isn't this snow stunning? I've taken so many photos.'

I stare at her like she's grown two heads.

Has she let bygones be bygones? Has she forgiven me for stealing her man?

What is this?

'I'm Helene, by the way,' she says and holds out a gloved hand to me. 'What's your name?'

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