Cocktail parties definitely do not mean ‘Stick it on me’. If only someone told the boys that.

Chapter Text

The second my thoughts consumed me, I knew I was in trouble. My feelings for Kassam were obvious. There was no way I could deny that. How could he leave such a mark on my heart in no time at all? Why was he constantly having my head spin? Normal crushes don’t do that to me. No man ever had. Most importantly, why the fuck couldn’t I tell him what he was doing to me?

“We won a cocktail party!” Marisol cheered as I sauntered back into the room afterward. “Ives! We won!” She gave me a cuddle. I hugged her back slowly. Ever since we arrived at Casa Amor, she was way nicer toward me.

I did my skincare and then applied a new full face of makeup. I blow dried my hair out before slipping into a baby pink bodycon short dress. I was the first one out surprisingly. It was probably because I did a full face everyday since I was twelve. Love that for me.

“Hey, Ivy!” Felix chirped. Had he been waiting outside of the dressing room this entire time? I was definitely going to have to mention it to Priya later. I knew he wasn’t peeping through a locked door. If anything, he was waiting for one of the girls to come out.

“Hi, Felix.” I was nice about it. “Why are you outside of the dressing room?” I raised a brow.

His cheeks flushed a deep red. “Oh! I was just Uh- looking for my water bottle.”

“Please tell me you weren’t spying on us.” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “You know what? I rather not know.” I held my hands up for defense. He was probably waiting for Priya or Lottie.

“I don’t mind telling you what I was doing.” Felix insisted.

“Really, Felix. It’s fine lad. I doubt you were up to anything suspicious.” I turned on my heel and walked down the steps and out the back sliding door.

“Ivy!” Arjun leapt up from the beanbag.

“Hey.” Was all I could say. I didn’t mean for it to come out so hostile but it did. “Sorry. I just had a weird encounter.”

“Felix still outside the dressing room? Graham removed him a solid three times.” Arjun shook his head.

“Got it in one.” I chuckled.

“Of course I did. Can I talk to you about something? It’ll be quick. It’s not me asking where your head is, it's more of telling you where mine is.”

“Lead the way then.” I sighed. Arjun brought me over to the swinging bed. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Hey hey. There’s no rush.” He insisted.

“Look, I’m not interested. In anything.” I shook my head. “You’ve been a great mate to share a bed with and have a chat with. I don’t see it going beyond that, if I’m being honest.”

“I know. You might not be interested now but who knows what could happen?”

“I don’t see anything happening between us.” I gave a small shrug.

“I know you said you weren’t going to switch but hear me out. You and Ibrahim broke up. You don’t have to wait on him. You don’t owe Henrik anything either.” He can’t possibly think this is about Henrik. Or that it was okay to talk shit about Henrik. Ibrahim was a whole story as well.

“Ibrahim and I are a whole different story. I want them both to be happy even if I’m not present. Henrik is my mate. It doesn’t matter to me if he switches or sticks. I want him to find someone he truly can have a connection with. Not everything is about playing the game. That seems to be all any of you think about here.” I crossed my arms.

“That’s just the reality of it. You have no idea what happens when you girls have your backs turned.”

“Oh for fucks sake. Do none of you understand the point I’m trying to make? If you have to question what I’m going to do, it means it’s a no go. It’s really simple. Now, I’m not trying to be rude but if that’s what it takes to make you all understand, that’s what I’ll do. We were cool until you started shoving all of this on me. So not cool.”

“I’m not trying to put thoughts into your head.” Arjun insisted.

“Then why are we all the way over here having a conversation in private?” I waved around. “Why are you trying to lay in on my other boys? My decision isn’t going to-“ I started to say.

“Ivy!” Lottie sang as she came strutting out of the Villa with Kassam in tow.

“What is it, babe?” I turned toward Lottie as Arjun walked off, taking Kassam with him before I could get a word in.

“Nothing in particular.” Lottie shrugged. “What did he want to chat about?”

“He wanted to tell me where his head was at and what not.” I shrugged. “Nothing terribly exciting. I keep telling him I’m not going to switch to him. He’s super persistent, I’ll tell you that much.” I let out a frustrated sigh.

“I understand.” She gave me a knowing look.

“You know I was going to ask you something. If you don’t mind would you possibly want to…..”

“Switch beds? I figured you would ask. Arjun’s been annoying you. I can tell. You're twitching. You dislike super cheeky guys.”

“That’s not true! I love Bobby but Arjun is just not the same kind of humor. Not to mention, I’m a cat person!”

“So you are losing your mind.” She mused. “I called it.”

“It’s driving me mad, Lottie.” I ran my fingers through my hair.

“I know babe, I know.”

“It’s insanity. I feel horrible for even thinking that but this is just too much for me.” I complained. “I can’t take five steps without someone questioning me. It’s so fucking bizarre.”

“Don't worry, babes. Kassam won’t pester you 24/7.”

“You’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for. I really appreciate it.”

“Come on, Ives. You know I have your back. What are best friends for?” She gave me an honest smile before she made her way off to Arjun, Marisol, and Graham.

I knew I would have to tell Kassam before anyone else did. I had a small part of my mind telling me he was going to be annoyed. The other part, swelled with hope. I seized his wrist the first chance I could. “Hey.” He was tense. When his eyes connected with mine, his arm went limp in my hold.

“Hey, Ivy.” It was cool and collected coming from his lips.

“I wanted to let you know that Lottie and I have decided to trade beds, that’s all.”

Kassam’s brows raised at that. “And Felix still isn’t leaving you alone either?”

“Well, yeah that too I suppose.” There wasn’t any point in lying to him.

“Interesting.” He took a small drag of the cigarette.

“I figured this was an unstated fact I’ll have you know.” I gestured to the cigarette. “It fits the dark aesthetic.”

“It’s just a few drags.” Kassam shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t do it often so you can rule it out of your aesthetic mood board.” The corners of his lips fought a smile.

“I’m not your parent, Kassam. I’m hardly your friend.” It was awkward to admit out loud.

“That’s kind of harsh.” He studied me intently.

“Is it? You haven’t shown any real interest in me.” I crossed my arms.

“Fuck, Ivy. What do you expect me to do? Pop out a ring and bring round a horse?” He chuckled darkly.

“That could work.” I tapped my chin playfully. “Have you got any horses?”

“Until then, you’ll just have to believe me.” He pressed the cigarette into the pavement. “Look, I’m not fussed about sharing with you. After all, I’m sure you’ve sprayed down every bed in here too.”

“Laugh all you want but if you had to sleep near a sweaty golfer, a mountain hiker, and a crane operator, you’d be dousing the place with Mademoiselle too!” I huffed.

“You never fail to amuse me.” He laughed. The sound was magical and eerie. It drew me in deeper than I expected. I felt strained keeping those few centimeters between us open. Everything in me wanted to remove it, fast. It was like an electrical charge. I could feel slight physical pain from showing resistance.

“I’m pure entertainment. What can I say?” I shrugged.

“The memes speak for themselves, Ivy.”

“So they are bad?”

“They mean nothing to me now.” Kassam gave a light hearted shrug.

“They don’t?”

“Nah. It’s clear to see exactly who you are.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“I dunno. You’ll have to make that decision on your own.”

“Why do you have to give me these fortune cookie riddles?”

“Fortune cookie riddles? Ivy, be smart enough to understand your own mistakes. That’ll be guidance enough for you in the end.” As I opened my mouth to speak, he cut me off. “This is difficult.”

“What?” My brain fizzed out.

“Having cameras and microphones watching our every move. They’re a real cockblock.” He pushed himself off the wall. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“To bed, you knob. The party is over.” He walked back into the Casa without waiting for me to respond.

“At least wait for me you dickhead.” I called as I went after him. I changed into my silk sleep set and made my way into the room. Why was I always the last one to do anything? I walked into pure darkness. Pain surged up my ankle and leg. “Ow! Fuck!” I groaned, rubbing my ankle.

“Oh by the way, watch out for the end of the bed.” Kassam said as I crawled over the mattress toward the headboard.

“You're such a twat.” I hissed as I layed down on my pillow.

“Ivy.”

“What?” I turned to face him. I could still make out his features in the almost dark sheets.

“You better not snore.” Was all he said.

“I do not snore!” I insisted.

“I forgot you sleep like an absolute pink glitter princess, my apologies.”

“You’re forgiven, for now.” I rolled over to face him. “You can pay off your debt later.”

“Of course, your Majesty.” He rolled his eyes.

“Only took you two days to call me by my proper title.” I tsked.

“I won’t make that mistake again. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“I have no doubt that you won’t.” I could feel his body shaking with slight laughter.

I felt the charge from before crash over me. “Kassam.”

“Hm?” He didn’t open his eyes until he noticed I didn’t respond. “What is it, Ivy?” I didn’t say anything as I stretched my arm across his waist, keeping it secure. His free right hand, tangled itself in my hair gently as he played with the free waves. “I should have known.”

“It’s my favorite.” I said quietly. “Just until I fall asleep. Then you can stop.”

“Sounds like I don’t have much of a choice.” He snorted.

“Not really but that’s what you signed up for.”

“You really are something, Ivy.” The heat from him was making me drowsy. My eyes grew heavy before l let my head sulk against his shoulder.

Lottie’s snoring has me fading in and out of sleep. It was an absolute pain in the ass. How could Gary sleep with that right next to him? I guess I could ask Hope the same question.

“Oh for fucks sake. Shut up.” I hissed semi-loud at the sleeping Lottie. There was no way I was going to get any beauty sleep. I huffed before sliding out of bed. It was rather easy considering Kassam had moved all the way to the right side of the bed.

I fetched myself a small cup of water and stood in the kitchen. “When will it stop?” I almost dropped the glass at the sound of Chelsea behind me. “Sorry babe.” She yawned deeply before getting herself a glass as well. “What a night.”

“I hear you.” I whispered.

“At least you have a hot boy in your bed right?” She sipped slowly.

“Oh boy.” I sighed.

“I told you. He got himself a ticket for the Ivy Express.” Chelsea grinned. “It’s so adorable.”

“Chels I might vom.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh hush. You two are so adorable. I can’t wait until you claim that kiss.” She wiggled her brows. “And him.”

“If I ever do.”

“Ivy.” I turned toward the messy haired blonde. “There is not doubt in my mind that he isn’t absolutely crazy about you.”

“You really think that?”

“I do, babe. Kassam is definitely into you. Plus, I’ll never say no to seeing a happy Ivy. She’s my favorite.” Chelsea pecked my cheek before heading back upstairs, glass in hand.

Me too, Chelsea, me too.