★ DANIEL'S POV

As Damien suggested, we all gathered at the living room. And I have no idea why, but even Edward joined us later. I guess, even though he won't accept it, he is indeed scared after what happened last night. And to be honest, anyone would be.

Well we were discussing as to what the competition would be.

"I just hope it won't be something disgusting. Because if it is, then I am sure gonna lose." Anna said and everyone started laughing.

"Yaa, and it should not be something related to insects. I am really scared of them." Jess said.

"Ohh, don't worry, I would be there for you." Damien said joking, but I think everyone took it in the wrong way, because everyone started doing, 'Aww, that's so sweet.'

"What, I was joking." Damien said.

"I understood it brother." I said giving him a guy hug.

"Just shut up you too, I am being serious here. I really hate and fear insects, then be it any." Jess said.

"Then back out. No one's forcing you here." Edward said.

"I don't get it man, why you need to be so rude to everyone all the time. And she is just being frank. And everyone has their own fear." Dylan said, a little agitated.

"Cool down man, he won't get it anyways, let him be." I told him.

"Well what do you think will be the first competition about ?" I asked Edward.

"Any challenge is okay for me. I am sure I would win any challenge they give us. And I suggest you people to not try hard, because in the end you are gonna lose." He said and started laughing.

"Whatever." I said, and made my way towards Damien, Anna and Caroline, and Jess followed me.

So after spending the remaining time chatting with each other, and of course, Edward was alone, I mean, no one can talk with him without getting irritated, we made our way to the garden.

When we reached the garden, we saw that two guys were already shooting us, and some 3 to 4 guys, were coming out of a small hut, I guess they must have prepared it for today. But the weird thing was that, they were wearing gloves on their hand.

"Why are they wearing gloves ?" Anna asked to no one in particular.

"I have no idea. But I just hope it's nothing related to insects." Jess said, fear clear in her voice.

"I am sorry to say this, but I guess, it is related to insects only." I said pointing towards the two girls and two boys who were approaching us with some jars and gloves.

"Crap ! I think I should back out. I get freaked out seeing insects." Jess started panicking.

So I pulled her in my arms, and tried my best to calm her down. She was trying to free herself from my arms, but I tightened my hold on her, and after sometime, she stopped her struggle and calmed down, and hugged me.

"Hey, it's gonna be alright, Ok. I will be there with you. You don't have to worry. Winning is not a necessity. Just try to complete the task. Okay ?" I told  her, to which she only nodded and then tightened her arms around me.

"Thank you." I heard Jess say after some 30 seconds and then she left her hold on me and looked into my eyes.

And this was the first time I noticed how beautiful she looked. Her small and oval face, her wide, almond shaped brown eyes, high cheekbones and a squared off jaw, softly narrowing into a proportionate chin. Her average size lips, perhaps a bit more full than an average person.

"You are beautiful." I said unknowingly, and as these words left my mouth, she blushed, making her look more beautiful.

"Uhhh, if your staring session is over, then I guess I should start telling you people about the challenge." I heard someone say, and as we realized that this voice was Miss M's we instantly composed ourselves and apologized.

"Good. So in this challenge, you have to wear these gloves and take these jars, and enter that small hut. Then collect the cockroaches from the hut. And as I ring this bell, the challenge will be over. And you can take as many jars as you want." Miss M told us the challenge and my eyes went towards Jess, whose face went completely pale.

"And, I will now tell you the best part about this competition. The winner, I mean the ultimate winner, will receive, 100 million dollars. And there will be chance for the quitters to win something too. The first quitter will get 30 million dollars, the second one will get 20 million dollars, and the third quitter will get 10 million dollars. So if at any moment, you feel that you can't continue to play, then, you can simply say, 'I deprive myself, of the chance to win 100 million dollars. And I quit.' And you will receive your money, and will be given a tab to take you home." Miss M told us.

And everyone started chatting about this new information, we just received.

"Wow, that's so amazing. I mean, quitting is not exactly equal to losing in this game. That's really unique." Mia said.

"Yeah, but, if you lose, I mean if you are eliminated from the competition at the end of the week, then, you won't win anything, and no cab for you." Miss M continued, smirking.

"Now, with that said, as I ring this bell, the challenge begins. So all the best to all. But before I ring the bell, anyone here wants to quit ?" Miss M asked.

And I saw Jess was fighting herself to not quit, so I whispered in her ears, 'You will do fine. You don't exactly have to win. Just try to play, but don't quit. I want you here with me. Please Jess, don't quit. At least for me.'

And as I said this, her eyes met mine, and it was like her brown eyes were hypnotising me. And she nodded slightly, still unsure with her decision, but her nod was enough to bring a wide smile on my face. And I pulled her towards me, and placed a kiss on her forehead and told her that she would do fine.

"So no one's up to quit. Then I guess we should begin the challenge."
Miss M said, and rang the bell.

__________________________________

So firstly, I am really sorry for the late update. And I hope that you people are still reading the book.

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