The morning sun cast its golden hues across the expansive garden, and I decided to embark on a solitary walk amid the vibrant blooms and dew-kissed petals. As I strolled along the winding paths, the garden whispered tales of possibilities.

Anticipating the serenity of the garden, I was surprised to encounter Zoey amidst the morning stillness. I would have expected to possibly see Luna. Her presence seemed unexpected yet strangely fitting as if the garden had destined our paths to intersect.

Zoey's expression held a mixture of surprise and, oddly, pleasure at the sight of me. "Amelia," she greeted, a genuine smile gracing her features. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Returning the smile, I reciprocated the unexpected encounter. "I could say the same. Mind if I join you?"

Zoey nodded, her gaze a mix of curiosity and anticipation. As we found a quiet spot beneath the shade of a blossoming tree, the unspoken undercurrent of recent events lingered.

"Look," Zoey began, looking at me with her green eyes, her words carrying a tinge of sincerity. "I've been wondering if you're upset about me and Mia. I know it was a bit... unexpected."

The question hung in the air, and I responded with honesty. "I wouldn't say upset. It felt a little weird, but I get that this is bound to happen. We're all here, and attraction is inevitable."

Zoey's shoulders relaxed, a subtle relief coursing through her. "I appreciate your honesty, Amelia. I want you to know that I'm here to get to know you more. That's why we're all here, right?"

The simplicity of Zoey's statement resonated with the essence of our shared journey. I nodded in agreement, recognizing the universality of our quest for connection within the confines of the mansion.

As our conversation unfolded, Zoey offered a glimpse into her past, a narrative woven with the complexities of relationships. "My history with relationships has been pretty rocky," she admitted, her gaze tracing the distant horizon. "I'm hoping this show helps me navigate through all of that and find something real."

I left the garden that morning hoping to get to know Zoey more- especially her past with relationships.

The announcement from Callie echoed through the halls, a simple yet charged challenge that would lay bare the dynamics of attraction among the contestants. A kissing competition – an exploration of chemistry in its purest form.

As the tension mounted, I exchanged a quick glance with Perry, our shared secret lingering in the unspoken connection between us. The mansion's inhabitants gathered, anticipation in the air as Callie outlined the challenge.

"Physical attraction is an important aspect of any relationship," Callie explained, her words hanging in the air. "So, we're going to have a little kissing competition. Amelia, you'll have the opportunity to kiss each of the contestants."

The room buzzed with a mix of excitement and nervous energy as the contestants took their positions. First up was Casey, a competitive former student-athlete. As our lips met, a surprising warmth filled the exchange. Casey was a good kisser, and as we pulled away, a shared smile lingered between us.

"That was really nice," she said, softly.

Serena, with her vibrant energy, was next. Her enthusiasm was palpable as she pulled me in by the waist, her lips soft and tasting like vanilla. The connection between us, ignited by the kiss, left a lingering warmth in its wake.

Luna, the gentle free spirit, followed. A nervous energy danced in her eyes as our lips met in a soft, delicate kiss. Luna's affectionate stroke of my cheek left an imprint, a testament to the uniqueness of each connection forged.

Then came Perry, hesitancy clouding her features. A knowing look passed between us, and as our lips met, the hesitation melted away. The ease with which Perry kissed me spoke of a connection that transcended the surface, and once again, fireworks ignited in my mind.

I hope no one notices that we have done this before.

Zoey, with her confident demeanor, proved to be a good kisser as well. Her playful nibble on the bottom of my lower lip added a spark of intrigue to the exchange. Each kiss unveiled a new layer of chemistry.

The finale came in the form of Mia, her firey passion evident from the moment our lips met. The kiss was hot, intense, and passionate. Mia's tongue slipped into my mouth, and she lightly moaned.

"Just imagine all of the other things I can do with my tongue," Mia murmured to me- and I felt my face heat up.

As the aftermath of the kissing competition lingered in the air, a subtle shift in the dynamics became apparent. My gaze flickered toward Perry, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. The charged atmosphere of the room revealed more than just the taste of different kisses; it unraveled the intricate tapestry of emotions within the mansion.

Perry's expression, once hesitant and unsure, now carried a trace of something else – a flicker of jealousy that danced in the depths of her eyes. The unspoken connection we shared seemed to stir beneath the surface.

A glance exchanged, a silent question lingering in the air – had the kissing competition unearthed a layer of vulnerability that Perry hadn't anticipated? As Mia's passionate kiss lingered in the room's collective memory, I couldn't ignore the subtle tension that tinged the atmosphere.

"Was that all?" Zoey asked, "Is Amelia going to pick the best kisser out of all of us?"

"Of course she is," Callie smiled, "Amelia- who was the best kisser out of everyone?"

I hesitated before I spoke, "Honestly, every kiss was great in its own way. None of you were bad kissers at all."

"Neither were you," Mia said, with a wink.

"I'm going to have to say, Perry," I said, locking eyes with her, "I really enjoyed that kiss."

Perry gave me a small smile and said, "So did I."

Flushed from the intensity of the kissing competition, I retreated to the bedroom, the air charged with the lingering energy of shared moments. The mansion, with its luxurious trappings, provided a temporary respite as I grappled with the complexities of forming connections in the surreal world of "Hearts Aligned."

As the day transitioned into night, the allure of the poolside drew me in once again. The moonlit waters held a promise of serenity, and I ventured out, the anticipation of a clandestine meeting again.

To my surprise, Perry awaited me by the pool, her toes dipped into the water. A grin illuminated her features as our eyes met, and a sense of warmth enveloped the space between us.

"Hey," Perry greeted, the gratitude evident in her voice. "Thanks for choosing me as the winner of the challenge."

"I meant it. I enjoyed our kiss the most," I said back.

"Even more than Mia's?" Perry asked, a glimpse of insecurity.

"Yes, I promise," I said to Perry, "Mia's kiss was passionate...but it wasn't you."

The genuine joy in Perry's expression mirrored the unspoken connection we shared.

A confession hung on the precipice, the words teetering between unspoken desires and the constraints of the mansion's reality. "I think about you all the time," I admitted, the truth slipping out like a secret unveiled.

Perry's eyes held a mixture of surprise and understanding. "I wish we could just run away together," she confessed.

As our lips met in another electric kiss, the moon bore witness to the unfolding chapters of Perry and I. The poolside became a clandestine haven where confessions lingered in the night air, and the depth of our connection continued to unravel.

On the way back to my room, the serenity of the moment shattered when I crossed paths with Caroline Matthews in one of the producer rooms. The door was ajar, and her harsh look pierced through the air. A subtle reminder that the mansion's luxurious façade concealed not just shared connections but also the watchful eyes of those producing "Hearts Aligned."

Is Caroline concerned about my and Perry's poolside meetings?

I almost don't care if she is.