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Nikki Gogan was the first Bachelorette to receive a rose, followed by Alex Nation.
After being eliminated, a devastated Olena thanked Richie for the experience.
“It was a great pleasure meeting you and having to go through this crazy ride I was glad that you were there by my side. I really hope one of those two girls is someone you’ll be loving for the rest of your life,” Olena said.
“I’ve certainly seen some incredible glimpses of what an amazing relationship and future would look like with you. But at this stage, glimpses just aren’t enough. I really need to follow my heart,” Richie explained to the make-up artist.
“Saying goodbye to Olena wasn’t that difficult,” a defiant Richie admitted. “I came on this wild ride to find love and I now know I’m going to find it!”
On Wednesday night’s episode, Richie was reunited with all three girls in Bali for an intense round of single dates as he becomes one step closer to making his final decision.
On Olena: “I’ve been incredibly intrigued by her”
They might have been surfing in one of the most picturesque settings in Bali but Olena and Richie’s date was seriously marred.
Throughout their surfing date, the pair clashed over Olena and her parents’ concerns about Richie living in Perth.
“I really do like him but my parents had a lot of concerns about the relationship and how it’s going to work. My family’s opinion is very important to me,” Sydney-based Olena said.
“They’re kind of concerned with the situation that I’m in, and that I’m in Sydney and you’re in Perth. She [my mum] doesn’t want to see my heart getting broken. My mum doesn’t want me to move out of Sydney,” she explained to Richie.
While Richie was open to long distance, Olena wasn’t as keen.
“I see that as a huge mess for me. It’s travelling back and forwards for a relationship. Is that going to last?”
Reflecting on the Ukrainian stunner Richie mused, “I love how she constantly surprises me but I’m never quite sure how she feels about me, which I do find intriguing.”
She intrigued him all season but Olena’s inability to open up ultimately frustrated Richie.
“How Olena actually feels about me has always been a bit of a mystery but I’m so attracted to her I’m worried it’s blinding me from the bigger picture.”
After a deep discussion about their future, Richie realised they were hitting some pretty big road blocks.
“She’s just not opening up to me. There’s patience and frustration. And it’s starting to lean more towards the frustration.”
“You are living in a fairytale. This is real s–t. Being realistic about the relationship, not about you, you’re a great guy. At the end of the day, I’m thinking is it too much of a hassle for us to have a relationship,’ Olena remarked.
WATCH: Olena’s journey on The Bachelor. Post continues after the video…
On Alex: “I can see a real future with her”
Earlier in the show, Richie caught up with Alex for a romantic drive around Ubud.
“Now that I’m here in Bali, I think I do have a great chance,” Alex confessed.
The pair debriefed on their home visit and the single mother revealed Richie won the seal of approval from her loved ones.
“My mum loves you, she thought you were wonderful! They adored you,” Alex explained.
Alex and Richie’s chemistry has been electric since day one.
During their date, they had a had a heart-to-heart about the prospect of Richie becoming part of her and her son’s life.
“I’ve never dated a woman with a child before. For me, that is the great unknown,” the WA local confessed.
But despite the challenges their future may hold, Richie is open to making it work. “The more time I spend with Alex, the more I can see a future with her.”
“Richie and I have something that’s quite electric,” Alex agreed.
WATCH: Alex’s journey on The Bachelor. Post continues…
On Nikki: “We’re such a good fit!”
Adventure and fun has always underpinned the dynamic for Richie and Nikki and for their solo date, Richie decided to take her on a flying contraption that zoomed across the water.
“She’s incredible. Every time I see her, my heart just melts,” the 31-year-old gushed of the blonde beauty.
“We’re such a good fit. I can picture a future with Nikki that’s full of happiness,” Richie beamed.
Richie says he can picture a bright future with Nikki.
And the feeling is certainly mutual with Nikki admitting Richie is the man of her dreams.
“Richie is the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I couldn’t have in my deepest imagination even dreamt of him!”
After meeting Nikki’s family, Richie was excited by how well he got on with them.
“I think about what a relationship would be like with you. I feel like we fit together so well, I could just slot into the family [at] Christmas time,” he explained to Nikki.
Find out who wins Richie’s heart on tomorrow night’s grand finale episode at 7:30pm on Channel Ten!
