Competing for a Title

Five - Welcome Contestants

I awoke to the sound of my alarm blaring. I slammed my hand down on the phone getting ready to pick it up when something stabbed me. I jumped up with a scream because what the f**k. When I looked there was a ring sitting on my phone. I picked up the ring and looked at it. It was engraved with their family crest. Why would this be in here? It wasn't here last night before I went to bed.

My alarm went off again. As I went to reach for it to turn it off again I noticed a piece of paper with highlights of gold. When I picked the paper up I noticed that the gold highlights were the family crest yet again. I opened the note up and read it:

That you for your interest in the competition. This ring signifies your acceptance. Very few have been chosen and only those with this ring are allowed access to the mansion. Welcome and enjoy your stay.

"Oh no! Oh no!" I say out loud to no one. He invited me to become his bride. Why the f**k would he do that after I expressed to him that I didn't want anything to do with the competition. After he and I both felt as though those competing were doing it for all the wrong reasons. I trusted him. How could he do this to me? I have to find out what this is all about.

I placed the ring and letter in the drawer of the side table. I have to get dressed and head to the kitchen. I'll have to figure this out later. I don't want to be late though on my first morning. As I make my way to the kitchen I am stopped by a guard.

"Hey! No one is supposed to be down here"

I pulled out my badge, "I am part of the kitchen staff. We have to prepare for breakfast."

"My apologies ma'am. Go right ahead," he said after checking my badge for proof.

When I arrived at the kitchen we got to work immediately. They choose a great staff because the entire process was seamless. We got everything set up and prepared way ahead of schedule. As I was sitting off to the side an unfamiliar woman walked up to me, "I need you to come with me."

"Uh ok," I said completely confused, and just did as I was told. They seem to run a tight ship around here so I didn't want to start any trouble. She took me to a room filled with about ten ladies.

"Wait, what is this? Why is everyone wearing white dresses?"

"And who might you be?" one of the ladies in a white dress came up to me and asked. She was an inch or two taller than me. She had long brown wavy hair that was pulled onto one shoulder. Her makeup up was done to the tee. She was quite beautiful. His dress looked to be an elegant wedding gown. It had a bow in the front and a floral pattern throughout.

"Hi, I'm Ashley Jones"

"Ashley Jones? Haven't heard from you before. What family do you come from?

Seeing where this is headed I shifted on one foot," I'm guessing that these are all of the contestants of that competition. But don't worry who I am and where I come from is none of your business. I'm not here for that."

"Oh good because I was told there were only supposed to be ten finalists and all ten of us are already here."

Well little did she know I was invited and was indeed supposed to be here. Only I was personally invited by Alex himself. I have no idea how to get in touch with him but when I do I cant wait to curse his ass out. Listening to this snooty uptight b***h trying to belittle me and put me down is yet another reason for me not to be in this competition.

"Well, one thing I don't owe you an explanation. You're not running the show!"

"As long as you stay out of my way you won't have anything to worry about"

Just then a lady walked up in a suede blue dress," Carmella are you behaving yourself with the over contestants?"

"Why of course. I just came over to say hello. But then I noticed she didn't have a ring and must be the help."

"Well, I would advise you to go and make sure your makeup is straight before my brother comes,"

"Her brother?" I thought to myself. So this must be Alexander's sister. I didn't even know he had a sister. After all this time how is that one important fact that I should have known and didn't?

"My makeup? What! Oh my God what's wrong with my makeup?" she said as she ran off to go check her makeup in the mirror.

Amelia turned to me and said "oh you must be the last-minute contestant that mysteriously was entered into this contest. You must be something special to my brother to end up in this competition unannounced and at the last minute."

"No, I think there's been some kind of mistake. I don't think I belong here. I don't know who entered me in this competition but I didn't apply so I think I'll be going", I told her while turning around to walk away.

"Not so fast," Amelia said grabbing me by the shoulders and turning me back around. "I have it on good authority that you do belong here and you have been well anticipated. "

Just then there was an announcement he made by a big burly guy which I would assume was also a guard "ladies! ladies! May I have your attention, please? We are starting one of the rounds for the competition if. If you ladies could please follow me this way.", he said walking out of the door.

Just then all of the ladies began following him wearing their beautiful white dresses. I kind of lagged on purpose hoping that they will lose me. I didn't want to be in this competition. I didn't apply for a reason. Who could have done this and why? The fact that Alex's sister knows that I was supposed to be here tells me that he's the one that entered me in this damn competition. I'm getting mad every time I think about it. Because why would he even enter me in this competition when I said that I didn't want to be here.

"Yeah, I don't think I could do this. This isn't for me"

"Yes you can do this and you will do this Ashley you are made for this"

"I'm not even properly dressed. All the girls are wearing all white dresses. They are all beautiful. Look at what I'm wearing. Hair, makeup, clothing, nothing is even done. How can I go out there and compete like this."

"Trust me wearing white dresses doesn't make or break the competition. They are doing that of their own free will. It just makes all of them look like they've come out of a magazine and not themselves. You're going out there as is and it shows your true self. And that's what will win this competition."

"This isn't my crowd. I have not a clue as to what to do."

"Just stay calm. Don't freak out of let any of the other women get to you. Smile and be you. What's the worst that could happen."

Everyone was taken into a room where we were lined u in a single line. Looking down the line at all the other girls in the beautiful dress I feel out of place. I just know I stick out like a sore thumb. Just then the door opens.

Amelia walked in followed by her parents. This makes me fold my arms. I can see them walking towards me and I'm so embarrassed.

"Do you know her?", asked his father.

"Um no. I don't know her. I was just going to say hello to all the contestants.", she said nervously.

His mother looked at her with disdain, "I don't remember coming across her entry. I certainly wouldn't approve of someone that couldn't even properly dress for an elegant event.

"Well let's not dwell on that now sweetheart. She's here and if she doesn't make the cut then she doesn't. Same with any other lady here," said his father.

"I still would have liked details as such worked out beforehand. Well just finish this conversation in private."