The villa’s living room buzzed with the usual late-afternoon chaos. Some Islanders sprawled across the outdoor sofas, others loitered near the kitchen, mid-conversation or mid-flirtation. The heat was thick, the energy restless.
Then the phone on the coffee table lit up with that all-too-familiar chime.
Corbin was leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, listening to Ace ramble about something. He wasn’t really paying attention. His gaze kept drifting toward the pool, where the light hit the water in lazy, glittering ripples.
snatching the phone before anyone else could reach it Ooh, text!
The room quieted. Everyone gathered instinctively, crowding around Ace like it was a group huddle before the biggest game of the season.
clearing his throat dramatically “Islanders, please welcome your newest bombshell. #MainCharacterEnergy #SorryNotSorry.”
A beat of silence. Then, the eruption.
grinning, already pacing Nah, nah, nah. I was just starting to feel settled. Why would they do this to me?
laughing from the daybed Relax. You don’t even know what she looks like yet.
I don’t need to know! She’s a bombshell. They don’t send in average people.
The girls exchanged glances. Olandria raised a brow, Chelley crossed her arms, Huda let out a low whistle. Iris just shook her head, smiling but wary.
Corbin stayed where he was, arms still folded, expression unreadable. But his eyes had moved to the villa’s entrance now, fixed on those double doors like the rest of them.
The sound of heels on stone cut through the chatter. Every head turned.
The doors swung open. And Y/N walked in.
The reaction was instant. Conversation died. The music from the speakers suddenly felt too loud, or maybe not loud enough. Nic froze mid-joke, mouth half open. Austin set his drink down slowly, eyes locked. Pepe was already grinning like he’d just won the lottery.
Corbin felt his chest tighten. He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. But he couldn’t look away.