Arie Luyendyk Jr. may have survived last week’s installment of “Meet the Parents: Bachelor edition,” but coming face-to-face with a girlfriend’s ex on Monday night’s episode is something new entirely.
Following his romantic one-on-one date with Becca in Peru, the couple retreat to the Fantasy Suite, a tent in the desert, to spend the night. After enjoying a morning of cuddling under the South American sun, the pair head back to their living quarters, where her ex-boyfriend, Ross, is waiting for Arie.
“My initial reaction was just confusion,” Arie says of Ross’ surprise arrival.
Sitting across from Arie, Ross makes it known he is in Peru to win back his long lost love.
“I know the show ends in a proposal and for as long as I thought about her, that’s my proposal to give her,” Ross tells Arie. “She’s the love of my life, I want to marry her. She’s the only thing on my mind the past year.”
After professing his love for Becca less than 24 hours ago, an annoyed Arie wants to know why Ross has chosen to act now, a year after the breakup.
“The whole thing makes me angry and upset,” Arie seethes. “He’s obviously on a mission and I do feel like, someone who you dated for seven years does have an influence, and if Becca were to leave I would be crushed.”
With a bouquet of flowers in hand, Ross knocks on Becca’s door, ready to make his move.
“I’m going to say what I need to say,” Ross begins. “I know that we had our ups and downs and plenty of setbacks, but you’ve been on my mind, every day this past year, and we’ve parted our ways, we both decided that. Nobody compares to you.”
Despite the small talk, Becca makes it clear the past is the past.
“I don’t want to go back to that,” Becca says. “I still wish you the best, but it ended.”
After a disappointed Ross departs, Becca confers with Arie about the shocking visitor.
“We had such a good night and morning, I just don’t want it to be tainted in any way,” Becca says.
With a rose ceremony looming, Arie needs to know if Ross will forever be in the back of Becca’s mind.
“He was such a big part of your life, I just want you to feel certain,” Arie says.
“He’s been an issue as far a letting go, maybe this is a problem I would have to face in the future. The timing couldn’t be any worse,” he continues.
Approaching the rose ceremony, however, Arie determines his relationship with Becca is strong enough to withstand a surprise curveball, ultimately sending Kendall home.
“I always have so much fun with you,” Arie tells Kendall. “I’ve been thinking about us and I just don’t know, I don’t think we can get there.”
With Becca and Lauren set to meet Arie’s family next week, this bachelor is inching closer towards an engagement.