When evening ca, the screening of the house contestants’ film comnced.
The main hall had been transford into a private theater, complete with velvet curtains, surround sound, and mood lighting.
The contestants filed in, still half-tired from the night shoot, but buzzing with nervous excitent.
As the lights dimd and the screen flickered to life, the room fell into complete silence.
For the next hour and a half, no one said a word.
The film was a masterpiece in motion—surprisingly emotional, visually striking, and layered with tension, drama, and intimacy.
The chemistry between the characters, especially between Ross and Cara, sizzled on screen.
There were laughs, gasps, and monts that left people holding their breath.
And when the screen finally faded to black and the credits began to roll, the silence lingered—charged, heavy.
Everyone was waiting for the verdict.
***
Then ca the slow clap inside a private room in the house.
One man stood at the front. A tall, imposing figure in a black turtleneck and tailored blazer.
His greying hair and piercing eyes gave him an air of authority—and with good reason.
He was none other than the director that the house boss invited, a world-renowned director whose na alone could turn a script into gold.
He had created films that had shattered box office records and earned critical acclaim across the globe.
"I’ve never seen anything like this," the director said, his voice echoing through the hall.
"This piece isn’t just good—it’s ready. If you asked , I’d say this could go into limited release tomorrow and still outperform half of what’s in cinemas right now."
The director turned, facing the house boss with a mixture of awe and suspicion. "Who edited this film?"
"Big D," the house boss replied with a proud smirk.
The director’s eyes narrowed. "Big D? That’s his na?"
"That’s what he goes by in the house."
The director folded his arms. "Soone with that kind of talent... and charm... and presence on screen? This man is not an amateur. Not by a long shot. So who is he—really?"
The house boss exhaled slowly, hesitating. "Believe , I want to tell you. I really do. But I’m bound by contract. All I can say is... Big D isn’t just so contestant. He’s a giant outside this house. A man with reach and power."
"A ghost in the industry, huh?" Elijah said softly, almost to himself. "That explains it. That raw confidence. The vision. The way he handled both sides of the cara... this wasn’t a first-tir."
He turned back toward the screen, deep in thought.
"Well, when the day cos that he’s ready to take off that mask... tell him I want a eting. One-on-one. No caras. No filters. Just the two of us talking film."
"I’ll pass that along," the house boss said, grinning.
The house boss then announced that the house contestants had successfully completed the weekly quest.
The buzz in the room turned electric.
Contestants whispered to one another, so congratulating Ross in hushed tones, others casting envious glances his way.
Cara sat still in her seat, heart thundering in her chest.
Her cheeks were flushed, not just from the praise, but from mories of what they’d fild.
Corey was stone-faced, staring straight ahead. He hadn’t clapped. He hadn’t moved.
But the tightness in his jaw revealed everything.
After a few monts, soone stood up, clapping enthusiastically.
"Well done, everyone! We made sothing special!"
The energy broke into cheers and laughter. Everyone began to rise, stretch, and chatter.
Ross, who had remained silent through the praise, finally stood up and walked over to Cara.
She looked up at him, and for a mont, it was hard to tell whether she was looking at him as her co-star... or sothing more.
"You did amazing," Ross said quietly.
"You carried the whole film," Cara replied, though her eyes lingered on his lips for a second too long.
He smiled. "Maybe. But I couldn’t have done it without you."
From a few seats away, Corey’s fists clenched.
The house contestants received their weekly budget as always, accompanied by the announcent of the newest nominations.
Unsurprisingly, Ross and Lily were among the three housemates on the chopping block again.
Whispers circled the house. So said Ross was too dominant, others thought he was playing the ga too well.
But when eviction night arrived one week later, he survived yet again—saved by the public for the third week in a row.
Instead, a quieter girl, one who had barely made a splash in the house, was sent ho.
The following day, a new weekly task was rolled out—a physically demanding and emotionally testing endurance challenge that required teams to work closely together over several days.
The pressure was on, but amid the hustle and strategy, Cara stood out—not for her performance, but for her lack of focus.
She smiled, she laughed, and she did her part—but anyone paying attention could see she was distant.
Her mind was sowhere else. Or rather... with soone else.
Ross.
She found herself watching him when she thought no one would notice.
The way he talked with the others. The way he led.
The way he teased and challenged people, never apologizing for his confidence.
At first, she’d thought he was just another cocky player in the house.
But now... now she realized he was more than that.
To her, he had beco soone she couldn’t stop thinking about—especially after what happened during their movie shoot.
That night, after the lights dimd and the house was ant to rest, Cara quietly approached Corey.
He was sitting by himself in the backyard, legs stretched out, staring blankly at the stars.
She hesitated, clutching the sleeves of her sweater, her steps slow and hesitant.
"Corey," she said gently.
He turned his head. His eyes were tired. "Yeah?"
She sat beside him, silence stretching between them for a few long monts.
The cool breeze rustled the leaves of the small tree nearby.
"I need to be honest with you," she finally said, voice barely above a whisper.
"I don’t want to lie or lead you on anymore."
He looked at her sharply. "What do you an?"
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