Beauty shook her head and hit her playfully.
"We are here to explore the cultural aspect; we need this environment."
Ferdinand's voice distracted them.
"Kathy, if you'd prefer a hotel, you're welcome to book one... but it may mean you're no longer interested in working with us."
Kathy's face flushed with frustration.
"If the company's bankrupt, just let us know! Don't force us to stay in some village in Puerto Rico; my skin is worth too much to risk getting bitten by some forest-crawling animals," she scoffed.
Mrs. Lola Cruz, who'd been watching the exchange, stepped forward with a friendly smile to ease the tension.
"Ay, mi querida, please don't be so quick to judge. I know it may not look like your fancy hotel, pero aquí tienes paz, and a bit of Puerto Rican corazón," she said, blending her Spanish and English effortlessly.
"And it's completely safe for your beautiful skin; trust me. However, I can't guarantee that outside the house, if you are going for a photoshoot, you can always wear a repellent cream for the insects, etc."
Kathy crossed her arms, glancing away.
"Fine," she muttered, though not without a last dramatic sigh. "I'll give it a chance."
Ferd turned back to Mrs Lola Cruz, putting on his best professional smile.
"We appreciate your hospitality, Ma'am, and don't worry; the rooms are more than enough."
Lola Cruz smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"Such a gentleman! I hope you all enjoy your stay. The kitchen staff is preparing delicious meals, so make yourself at home. Mi casa, su casa."
The moment she left, Kathy rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Doesn't she know not everyone is Spanish?" she muttered.
"Alright, everyone, pick your roommates!" Ferdinand announced.
The male staff members quickly paired up, leaving Bruno as the only unpaired man.
"I guess I need a female roommate," Bruno shrugged.
Ferd replied, "That would be... Beauty!"
"What?!" Kathy and Beauty both chorused, then glanced at each other.
"May I ask why you chose Beauty to be his roommate?"
Kathy snapped at her ex-boyfriend Ferdinand, with her hands on her hips.
"Because I am the manager?" he replied with a prideful smirk.
Bruno smiled at himself,it was planned out.
Beauty turned to her best friend, Jessi.
"Well, that's not fair; I choose Jessi."
"If she chooses Jessi, then the rest of us can choose who is going to be Mr. Bruno's roommate, right?"
A young female model pointed out.
"Nope... not me and you Beauty" Jessi said to her friend and walked to Bruno.
"Mr. Bruno, would you mind if I stay with you?" she asked, batting her lashes as other girls quickly joined her.
She knew what she was doing!
Beauty yelled in her head at her friend's betrayal.
"Bruno's coming with me. He's obviously not comfortable rooming with just anyone," Kathy announced.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Jessi snapped back.
The male members watched the women fight over Bruno awkwardly.
Bruno held up his hands, trying to maintain the peace.
"Alright, alright ladies please. Since everyone here seems so interested, let's make this simple. I'll just room with someone who doesn't want to be with me. Right, Mr. Manager?"
"Exactly... so it's obviously fa.. Ms Hills...Beauty Hills".
Jessi went back and whispered to Beauty, "You're one lucky girl; you can thank me later."
"Lucky?"
Beauty hissed back, flustered.
"I'm crazy about Bruno! I don't think anyone here is as crazy about him as I am!"
Her bold confession made the room go silent.
Realizing everyone was staring, Beauty quickly rushed to Bruno and grabbing his shirt collar, faking desperation.
"Bruno, please, let me be with you too! See?"
Her theatrics were meant to be playful, but the shocked faces around her told a different story.
Bruno raised a brow, clearly amusement.
He leaned down, whispered "Your face is bright red, Beauty. You almost make me believe this is real. You want me this much?"
Beauty awkwardly let go of his collar.
Ferd cleared his throat and announced, "Well then, it's settled. Dismiss. May, you will share a room with me."
"Yes, sir," May, his assistant, replied, trying not to blush as she ran after him.
Others carried their luggage into their rooms.
"Wait, why can't Bruno and the manager share a room?" Kathy snapped, but no one seemed to be paying attention to her.
The only ones left outside are , Beauty, Jessi, and Bruno.
As the models began settling into their rooms, Beauty glared at Bruno, who only offered her a mischievous grin.
Beauty crossed her arms, grumbling under her breath.
"This is going to be one long trip."
"Great, I am stuck with that annoying bitch," Jessi muttered as she walked to the room.
She was paired with Kathy since they were the last two models remaining.
"Hey, if you come in, lock the door and make sure to shower!"
Kathy shouted from inside.
"Bitch, there's going to be only a crazy lady in this room, and I rule!" Jessi snapped back.
Since the rooms were opposite eachother, she looked back, and found Beauty was standing in front of their room door.
Bruno was already inside.
She looked helpless.
"Jessi... help... please," she mouthed.
"Want to switch places?" Jessi asked, trying not to laugh.
"Yes!" Beauty snapped readily.
"Don't step a foot in here, Jessi!"
Bruno's voice thundered from inside the room.
He was listening to them!
"I guess someone would kill to have you inside the room with him. I am out of here."
Jessie laughed.
She walked back to Beauty, then whispered, "If I were you, I would make use of this opportunity to fix things up, give it a chance"
She winked and got into their room.
"I said close the door, stupid!" Kathy yelled.
"One more word, and I will have my hands printed on your face, slut!" Jessi replied.
Beauty closed her eyes in despair.
How will I survive this? How can I be in the same room with him? This is horrifying to my self-control! Exciting! But still not a good idea.