The Last Dance

Chapter 2 - Just a cousin?

"I'll escort you to your room. Can you even stand straight?" He fixed his hair before he stood to escort me, but I refused. I need to see my friends' drivers before I go to my room.

He removed his coat and put it around my shoulder. He might have noticed my revealing dress. Am I still not attractive in your eyes, Marco?

I tried to remove it, but he covered me with coat again and this time, his hands remained in my shoulder. He gave me a pissed off look. The alcohol made my body feel hot all over. Or maybe because he's so near me now?

"I can take care of myself. Your coat is suffocating me, Marco."

When his eyes went down to my lips and down to my chest, my jaw dropped. It didn't stop there because he scanned my whole body as if he was trying to find fault.

"You worked hard to build your body; I know well, Alisha. But you are revealing too much skin. Have you been roaming around with that..." I cut him off.

"I feel confident with my body, so don't even try to give me a lecture." I pouted. It becomes awkward when he didn't show any reaction. I was about to reach for my glass to drink another shot, but he took the glass away. His jaw moved to show me that he's seriously mad.

"Alright. Then I also presume that you received the compliments of men a while ago. Isn't that enough? You're making me feel uncomfortable. I am not used to see you that way." Is he affected? I bite my lower lip with the unwanted affection that is arising again.

"Why?" I asked. He kept the eye contact with me, and I find him so handsome. Damn him for making me feel so much for him.

"What why?"

"Why are you uncomfortable? What if I start wearing clothes like this more often?" I challenged him. I felt the gaze of his friends. That's my least concern now. Marco's reaction is precious. I know that smile. He's angry, but somehow I love it.

"That doesn't suit you. I prefer your usual self, Alisha." Alright, I lost. What am I supposed to do when he says that he wants the normal me. He's not swayed by this sexy look, or maybe he just doesn't want to get swayed by me at all. Fine for now.

"I don't want a brother like you. You can't even tell me how beautiful I am." I whispered as I reached for a glass of water in the table. His eyes followed my hand making sure that I am not going to get a glass of alcohol.

I looked at him, patiently waiting for the time when he finally says that I am beautiful too. All the women he dated were so much more matured than me, but I have sexier curves than them.

We were just staring at each other for a long time when someone called my name.

"Alisha, your friends' drivers are waiting at the parking lot. I'll go with them, so you can rest in your room." I tried to stand but I felt dizzy again. Marco supported me, but I heard him snored angrily. I might as well enjoy the attention he;s giving me now.

"Thank you so much, Symond." My cousin's eyes landed on the hands of Marco around my shoulder. I didn't pay much attention to his reaction because I felt like throwing up. In the end, Symond escorted my friends to the parking lot while I said thank you and goodbye to my cousins who are still enjoying the night. Marco escorted me to my room, and I had to bear with his lecture again.

"You seem like you had a really happy birthday. The next time you get drunk, I don't know what I'll do, Alisha. Rest and don't you dare get out of this room. I will lock the door, so please don't make anything stupid. If you need anything, call me." He removed my heels, and even I tried to push him, he won't stop from what he's doing.

"Just want to say thank you." I whispered.

"You should be. Next time, I won't be as good as I am tonight." That was all I can remember before falling asleep.

It's Monday morning, and mom is in my room to prepare the things that I will be needing for this afternoon's audition for the representative of College of Business in the Mr. and Ms. Stallion UNIVERSITY 2019. I really have no issue joining the audition, but it's her expectation that is making me nervous. What if I don't get chosen?

'I will be watching the audition, so I will probably be in your school at around 3 in the afternoon. No need to see me in the lobby because I know the way to the Fontanilla hall." I rolled my eyes. She seems more excited than I am. Being unica hija has its consequences afterall.

"But text me if you get lost, mom. I know you have connections inside, and the guard will surely let you in even you don't have the car's sticker." This is just an audition, but she's going all out.

"There's no need for that. Your make up artists will be at the dressing room by 12 noon. If anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to call me, Alisha. I want everything to be perfect." My jaw dropped. How am I supposed to breath later if she's giving me that pressure?

We had breakfast together because dad, by that time, is already in the airport to catch his flight to US. No one's beside her to tell her to slow down.

"There's really no need for the make up artist. My friends can do my..." She cut me off.

"I am just giving you the best while I can, Alisha. Don't be pressured with what I am doing because you will surely do good. I will be proud of you regardless of the outcome." I smiled with what she said. Here she goes again. It feels like the weight in my shoulder becomes a little lighter.

"Are you serious, mom? It's okay if I don't win?" She always wants me to be a model like her in her youth that's why she invests so much, so I can maintain a smooth glowing skin and hair. Also, she makes sure that she goes with me to see my dermatologist every month.

"All you need in that pageant is experience, hija. I thought a lot about allowing you to join in that small competition, but in the end I realized that it's not that bad. Afterall, Stallion is one of the most prestigious schools in town. Regarding your question about winning or losing... well, you will still be great in my eyes no matter what you do." She said it in a civil way. I can't even answer that. She's giving me pressure and assurance that everything will be alright. How can she give me both of those feelings at once?

"I'll do my best, mom. But please don't get your hopes too high. I am doing this for you, so I will really strive to be my best. I love you." She smiled and put a slice of ham on my plate. I guess her being strict on my diet is finally over because my debut celebration is over! I thought I was never going to taste nice foods again.

In the morning, I took my 3 classes in my block section. Faye and Bleian are my classmates in all subjects for that semester, so it won't be too hard for me to get by everyday?

"Are you sure it's okay for you to have that shake? Won't you feel bloated for this afternoon's competition?" I took a tea this morning, so I feel just alright. I missed taking sweet foods.

"Camille will represent the College of Engineering." My eyes immediately went to Bleian after what she said. Did I hear that right?

"Have you confirmed that?" My blood suddenly curdled with that idea. Of all beauties in Engineering department, why does it have to be her? And why does it have to be this year?

"Yes. The dean especially chose her and according to her friends, the exact words of dean were 'there's no more qualified than you for that position'. I am amazed by her connections, Alisha! You really have to win this time. You have to represent our college!" I don't want to think that it's Marco who worked behind it. The owner is his uncle. Kid Fontanilla, the owner's youngest son is his cousin.

"Something smells fishy." Faye commented.

I don't want to hear their ideas about it. That will just ruin my day. Maybe she's really chosen by their dean because of her figures. I admit that she's really beautiful afterall. I hate her, but I will admit that she is really beautiful.

The students loiter around the campus that afternoon. Different colleges are holding the audition for the representative of Mr. and Ms. Stallion University for this year. Along with those busy events is the freshmen orientation and club enlistment.

Like what mom said, the make up artists who are also her friends have been waiting for me in the dressing room of Fotanilla Hall since 12 in the afternoon. They have prepared everything that I will be needing. The girl instructed me to change into polo shirt, so I can remove it easily later when I have to change into my dress.

While she was doing my make up, I saw the reflection of someone in the mirror. He walks to my direction.

"Hey! What are you doing here, Symond?" I asked and I faced his direction. The make up artist has to stop what she's doing at the moment.

"To support my cousin. Is everything fine?" He asked as he roamed his eyes around.

"Yes, everything's going smooth. Mom will be in the audience, so you can sit with her." He nodded and pulled a chair to sit beside me. He's my favorite cousin, and the closest one because we almost grew together. Although he's adopted, Villaflor never made him feel left out. He gets everything hr wants and needs, and he's treated more special than most of my cousins because he's an only child.

"You're surprisingly not busy today." He's having his thesis this term, so we don't have much time to spend together lately.

"I make time for you. We can settle this the easier way, Alisha. I know two of the judges." He developed the mentality that he can buy anything in this world with his money. That's what we are always arguing about. I want to work hard to get something while he always wants to get things the easy way.

"That will be unfair for other contestants who are also putting much effort for this competition. Don't you trust me?" I have doubts in myself too, but at least cheating is not among my options. I would rather accept defeat than win with guilty heart.

"That's just you. I wish you luck, Alisha. I know well that you can." He smiled and crossed his arms on his chest while staring at my reflection in the mirror. I truly got handsome and famous brothers. First is him and second is Marco. next time, I wish God would rather give me a hot boyfriend than another brother.

Mom called me 30 minutes before the competition starts. She asks if I feel alright, and if I need her help in the backstage. I want her to enjoy the show, so I denied any help from her. She has given me enough help for the preparation.

My heart was racing in both excitement and fear. College of Business has the most number of students among all the colleges in Stallion University. I was instructed to never get distracted by the crowd's reaction. I have to keep going and be aware not to make fool of myself.

From where I am standing at the backstage, I can see the big crowd who are excited for the event. This is my first time to join in this kind of competition. When I was in college, I used to compete for the quiz bee and other academic tournaments outside the country. As a former varsity player, I am used to attention of many people, but standing in front of people who are expecting me to be both beautiful and witty brought some kind of strange fear.

When my eyes went to the people who are sitting in front, I saw mom and beside her is Marco. My heart can't stop from thumping hard. He's here! Can I really do this? I should not feel intimidated. I don't want to disappoint him.

"Your popularity among boys will earn you advantages, Alisha. Don't be so nervous." Faye tried to make me calm while we are waiting for our turn in introducing ourselves. Other candidates are looking fiercely to me because they know that I am just a first year student. I don't care about them. I am here to make my mom proud.