The Last Dance

Chapter 9- Title is not everything

Camille showcased confidence even her name was last one called in the elimination round. I am so thankful to be part of the top 4. I could not wish for more. In the same light, I am so proud of Leysam for qualifying the final round too. I can't help but hug him tight in the backstage. It was the same moment when his friends approached him. Marco's presence made me comfortable. He smiled at me, and in a really serious face, he congratulated me.

"You have to treat me in my favorite ice cream parlor if I win." He pouted and put his hands inside his pocket. He acted like he was thinking about my proposal. How bad.

"Seeing how you turn the men upside down a while ago made me so mad, Alisha. And what is that back hug, Ley---" He stopped when he could not see Leysam anywhere. They already went to his dressing room. I can't hide a smile when he looked at me giving that pissed off look.

"Does Leysam have a girlfriend?" His forehead furrowed, and he laughed sardonically as if he can't believe that question.

"Why do you ask?" He can be more prickly than Camille.

"I just want to know why you're getting mad now, Marco. I consider the option that your friend, Leysam, could have a girlfriend who will get mad with what we did a while ago." He locked our eyes; he wanted to tell me that he is so mad right at that moment.

"I will find him one soon, so he can't touch you like that. Totally looks awful in my eyes, Alisha." He is literally glaring at me while saying that. He is playing the overprotective brother again.

"Alisha! We will retouch your make up." My make up artist came running to me. They were so proud of me for being the most beautiful face tonight. That earns them good exposure as well. I can't wait to finish this night and finally tell them how grateful I am for having my back all this time.

"Enough with talking about Leysam. He's not interested with me. Do you have plans after this? Dad reserved a restaurant for us. I can tell him if you want to join..." He did not let me finish my sentence.

"I have to go somewhere later. I bumped into your dad a while ago, and he asked me to come. Symond will be there too. I don't want him to get awkward by my presence, so I would rather not go. I also heard my father will be there. Wow." I see. The animosity between them has not yet been settled.

"Alright." When he says no, it's no. Is he going to celebrate with Camille instead? I don't want to think about it.

I hydrated myself and they retouched my make up. After the short break, the top 4 finalists for Ms. Stallion University went up on the stage. Camille was the first to answer the question. She exudes confidence although her answer was a little off. Or maybe it is just my opinion because the judges look satisfied with her answer.

I am the last to answer. I keep praying that the question that I will pick does not require personal stand towards a controversial social issue. I don't want to put a taint in my name.

"If you were to win in this competition, what is your priority advocacy for the school?" That sounds easy, but I hesitated at first. My coaches asked me that question once because they expected that it will be one of the questions. Having future goals is one of the component for Ms. and Mr. Stallion University.

My answer is to promote the UN SDG in our school. I came to know the sustainable development goals because one of my cousins is an advocate of UNDP in the Philippines. Stallion University can contribute to the development that this organization is aiming for 2030. The school for elite can regain its popularity not just for being the school of rich, but also the institution that upholds future goals for the future generation. I discuss the importance of balance in development and preservation.

When I said thank you to end my answer, I felt like crying because the heavy feeling, pressure, and doubt in self have finally come to end. More than any title, I have proven to myself how much I can go.

The loud cheering of crowd was enough for me. If the judges are not amazed by my answer then I won't be greedy of the title. As long as it is a fair fight, I won't ask for anything more.

When the time for the announcement of the winners came, I thought I was going to collapse in so much tense. This is nothing compared to the nervousness I felt during the defense of our final capstone in Senior High. The 3rd runner up is from the College of Pharmacy. I can't even clap because my hands were shaking. If only someone was there to tell me that it is alright to calm then I won't palpitate this much. The 3rd runner up for men was from the College of Sciences.

When the 2nd runner up was announced, my knees trembled as I did not hear my name. She was from the College of Arts. I looked at Leysam Montealto who manages to look so confident while standing and facing the big crowd. Did he take some pills? How come he looks alright at this moment? He looked at me, and he smiled. Those dimples look so good on him.

Now, only Camille and I were left in the stage. She looked at me, and I faced her. She gave that sarcastic smile as she raised her brow.

The loud cheering of audience brought back the butterfly in my stomach. Am I ready to lose to Camille? I know I have given my best for this competition. But why us her smile pissing me off? I can't even hear what the hosts are saying because all my attention is with Camille.

"I underestimated you when I thought that you won't go this far, Alisha. Congratulations, but the queen must get the crown no matter what. All thanks to Marco for crowning me on my last year in this university." I am having difficulty digesting what she said when I heard her name called. The people rejoiced as Camille made her walk to the middle of the stage.

I watched her back as she received the bouquet of flowers. The crown of Ms. Stallion University was put on her head, and the high officials of school shake hands with her. Marco crowned her? What did she mean by that?

One of the hosts escorted me to the front. I was given the sash for the 1st runner up and a bouquet of flowers. I tried to smile, but the hollow feeling inside me is eating me up at that moment. Why did she mention Marco?

Meanwhile, Leysam Montealto was crowned as Mr. Stallion University 2019. Through the lights that were directed to the stage, I saw the banner of our college when Leysam received his crown. I clapped despite my confusion and anger in what Camille said.

He looked at me and mouthed congratulations. Of course, the publication is after the Mr. and Ms. Stallion University. Flashes of camera in the stage almost blinded me. This is great. This is a one-in-a-lifetime experience. And being second does not feel so disappointing because I gave my best in every practice and in my final answer.

Before I could get out of the stage, Leysam asked somebody to take pictures of us. It has been a month since we started this journey together. And I can't imagine doing it with another partner.

"Thank you for taking care of me for a month. Congratulations, Leysam. I am so proud of you." I can't believe myself tearing in front of him.

With a smile, he wiped my tears and hugged me tight.

"You are still my Ms. Stallion University, Alisha. In my eyes, you were the most beautiful and the greatest. Congratulations." My tears can't stop when he hugged me tighter.

He escorted me to the dressing room, and he told my coaches to take care of me before he went back to his dressing room. I felt the pain in my legs when I sat in front of the mirror.

"I keep hearing people's comments that you deserve the title. Anyway, your answer is superb! If one day, you have decided to be a professional model, please don't hesitate to give us a call. That industry needs more of woman like you; someone with substance." They hugged me and gave me tissue to dry my tears.

The ladies in my dressing room congratulated me, and I felt ashamed when they asked for pictures with me because my make up was a mess after crying.

That was only for a short moment because the moment Camille entered in that dressing room, people's attention was diverted to her. Everyone congratulated her, praised her and asked for her picture. I want to congratulate her, but that will not mean anything to her at all.

My make up artist removed my make up before he applied a light one. They were invited in the dinner with my parents.

"Congratulations, Alisha. Second is not bad." Camille's voice wanted to imply something.

"With all those special awards she bragged, it was really not bad at all, Camille." Faye answered for me. I looked at her to tell her not to start a fight here. People will have the wrong idea if they find out that there's a conflict between us. They might think I can't accept losing to her.

Camille went to me and crossed her arms on her chest looking so confident with that crown on her head.

"You can have all the special awards, and no one will remember you the next year. People remember only the best, the real winner, the title holder." She walked closer to me.

"Stop that, b***h. Title is not everything in this industry. You can be on the top, and still receive no respect from the rest of the people who claim to admire you. Learn to be humble, so you won't look so hungry for the title. You can ask the professional mentors around, and none of them wants you for the sash you are wearing." Her jaw dropped when Hensy claimed that without a pause.

For a moment, she was stunned and could not say anything.

"Winners don't care about what others say. It was Marco who gave me this crown." She smirked leaving everyone in that room in awe.

"And you, Alisha. He doesn't care about your feelings at all because if he did, he wouldn't bribe the judges to let me win. It's because he was afraid to lose me that he's willing to lose you by doing this." The moment it sank down to me, I can't help but stood and walk away from there.

How dare he? Is he really dumb for this girl? How could he do this to me when he knows how important this first competition is for me? I was there for him all his life, but he's willing to forfeit my competition for this woman? He knows how much I prepared for this pageant. I got bruises and all, but he decided to give the title to Camille?