The Diamonds

Episode Sixteen

LOCATION: DIAMONDS MANSION.

The maids took the bags up to Eva's room and the guys got up to welcome her.

"Our Cinderella…" Daniel teased Eva who chuckled weakly.

"I am glad you won this round." Andrew cooed and Eva smiled.

"Thanks."

"I am happy our votes and shares weren't in vain too." Jerad grinned and Eva pulled on a crumpled look.

Huh?

She stared at them confused.

"Yeah Eva. Since you got into Diamond High,we have been sharing posts related to you and that was a great push for people to have voted for you." Daniel explained and winked at Eva.

"Are you being serious?" She asked stunned and they only smiled at her.

No wonder!.

Of course it had to be them.

There was no chance that she would have been able to pull that much number of people.

She's never engaged actively in social media,no picture uploads, nothing.

Just viewing other people's content so it was definitely thanks to them that she won that round.

“Thanks a lot guys!" Eva beamed and they chuckled.

"There's no problem."

Eva glanced around.

"Um…where's Miguel?" She asked, trying not to sound odd.

"He stepped out. But he'll be back soon." Jerad notified.

Oh!...

" Okay.”she nodded gently.

"Come on Eva, you need to freshen up" Andrew urged and held Eva's hand as they headed up to her room.

****

Eva laid on her bed in deep thoughts.

How on earth did she get so popular in less than a month?

Well,the answer was obvious but still,was she really that .. likeable?

Wow?

She sighed deeply adjusting on the bed to her more comfort..

The next quest was by Friday…..a music quest.

Eva gently sat up on her bed.

Hmm ..

She had practiced so hard to sing Cheap Thrills by Sia for some reasons, which part of it was based on the fact that she would be singing it on a Friday and she needed to boost the fun to a greater level.

Eva smiled widely and flopped back on the bed.

Cheap Thrills…. and Scars To Your Beautiful

She just couldn't wait.

***

LOCATION: CRYSTALS MANSION

"This is super annoying! Who the hell is Eva that she is getting such higher votes than I!” Cassandra rasped.

" Ugh!" She groaned.

"Honestly…Cassandra..she was on fire…and oops…while voting,my thumb accidentally clicked on Eva's icon." Ruby notified and Cassandra froze, staring hard at her.

WTF!?

"Me too Cassie. I am so sorry." Cassandra heard Dayne and Tess chorus and she scoffed, batting her lashes.

"You girls voted for Eva!?" Cassandra yelled and it seemed as if the volume of her voice shook the building and they winced.

"Jeez! This is totally crazy!"

“Completely crazy! I was out there fighting to win and you three really had to throw me under the bus!?" She screamed feeling so upset but they didn't say anything but watched her quietly.

" Fvck! “ Cassandra scoffed and stormed up the stairs to her room.

**. **. **

#Nextday….

Eva alighted the jeep and headed straight for class.

Gosh!

She really overslept and now she was super late.

Thankfully,there was no student around along the hallways to pester her.

She's had enough of it for a week if she must say.

Eva hurriedly got into her class after greeting the teacher who was in already.

He only gave her a gentle smile and she hurried straight to her seat, nodding and or smiling continuously at her classmates who called on her.

Once seated,she quickly took out her art pad and began to jot.

***

#Recess….

***

Eva and Mary occupied their regular spot at the cafeteria and began to eat.

Eva had fried plantains and eggs to eat.

"We will have some students at music class to play the instruments for your rehearsal and performance tomorrow so eat quickly." Mary said.

"Alright." Eva sighed in response.

Honestly,she just couldn't wait for the contest to be over.

****

#8pm…

****

"I am not gonna miss Eva singing for anything in the world." Dainel said and Eva blushed badly at the confession.

"Are you coming, Miguel?" Andrew asked and Eva glanced at Miguel who drank from his glass of juice nonchalantly.

"I am busy." He gave a short cold reply to Eva's utmost disappointment.

Who was she kidding?

Of course he wouldn't come.

Eva sighed slowly and carried on with her meal.

****

LOCATION: DIAMOND HIGH.

12PM

****

Mary helped Eva in arranging her hair bow and uniform before they both headed to the auditorium.

Students were already trooping in endlessly.

Eva could bet that this stage was going to be tough as Cassandra was a born singer.

But she….she has never really dwelled in singing although she loves music a lot.

After they all settled down, Mrs Xavier called out the contestants to sit at the front row specially reserved for them and they complied.

"And now…we call upon…Miss Shaw to give us her display!." Mrs Xavier announced and the audience clapped cheering as she got on stage.

"Erm…hi…my name is Nathalie Shaw and I am here to sing a song." She said and paused.

Soon,a melodious intro came up and students began screaming in excitement.

🎶 Right now I'm in a state of mind….I wanna be like all the time…. ain't got no tears left to cry….so I'm picking it up.. picking it up….🎶

Wow!

Eva was awestruck.

Nathalie was a whole vibe with her amazing voice which had students vibing along immediately.

Despite how thrilling her session was going,it unfortunately had to come to an end and students were screaming and chanting her name as the hall went wild with excitement.

Up next was Miss Rick and Eva had to admit that it was 99.9% horrible!

She had so many keys off and switching notes all the time was enough to make the ears bleed.

Miss Len had an even more crazy vibe than Nathalie till it was finally Cassandra's turn.

"Hey famz!" She hailed with a wide grin and there was a deafening ovation.

Of course,she was an idol.

She had fansss.

"So this song is specially addressed to all my haters and the type of people who don't know exactly how to act.” Cassandra addressed and Eva sensed that she was throwing shades.

She then began to vibe with Miss Popular aka Pearl Aladama's popular hit titled Haters….

Hmm …

It was quite uncomfortable to watch but Eva just had to beat till the long 3 minutes was over.

When it finally got to Eva's turn,she suddenly became nervous.

She wasn't sure she could do this anymore.

Every one who had come up the stage either did so well or flopped.

What if she messes this up?

A loud ear piercing ovation erupted the moment she got on stage and she waited patiently for it to die down, giving the students the chance to express their excitement to the fullest.

"Um…good afternoon my fellow Diamonds." She began and there were even more hearty cheers.

"Today….I am gonna sing a song."

“Although it might be a little too popular or not. Maybe worse,I might mess it up but I hope you enjoy it." Eva concluded softly.

"We love you Eva!"

They screamed and Eva smiled as Cassandra scoffed, watching.

An intro that had a whole new vibe caused a shift in the atmosphere.

Eva had decided to leave cheap thrills for last and pick something else instead of scars to your beautiful.

It was more of a last minute arrangement before the event started.

And like a hot knife going through butter, Eva's voice resonated throughout the auditorium.

🎶This night .no ah don wanna talk about her…this night ah really wanna face your heart…cause ah can see it in your face your heart is breakin'.... heart is breakin'.. no ..,🎶

🎶This night no ah don' wanna hear her name…tonight no ah don' wanna play her games cause ah ,ah really wanna be the one to take you…one to take home….🎶

🎶 Fed up of being the shoulder you cry on Ah wanna be the shoulder you cry on….🎶

**

The Diamonds walked into the auditorium and they heard a voice that had the most serenity singing only to realize that it belonged to Eva!

Andrew was glad that Miguel had agreed to come with them and somehow…. her voice seemed to get him because he sure didn't shift his eyes from Eva

***

🎶…Ah wanna be the one that you lean on….evry' day…evry'night…I'd be fine…I'd be fine if you mind…🎶

On and on…Eva sang and she could feel so different within her as she high a higher note like the original singer did and it then dawned on her that she was a pure high soprano singer.

As she kept singing and living the music while owning the stage,she saw them.

The diamonds and there was Miguel, seated like rock, watching her.

That sight alone made her heart skip a beat nearly distorting her composure but she kept it firm, carrying on and not looking away from Miguel as she kept singing and dancing.

🎶..If I get my way I'mma take care of you I can take her place let me get my way, ooh…🎶

Eva's eyes didn't move from his and she could see a muscle twitch in his face when she sang that line.

🎶…If you let me try Just one night, I can prove I can take her place Let me get my way Oooh…🎶

She couldn't tell what was going on in his head.

Why he didn't even break the gaze they held.

Why she was enjoying this so much.

But she didn't care.

At the end of her song,Eva gained an ovation and that was when she looked away from him smiling at the rest.

Wow!

That was thrilling.

The guys actually watched her sing!

Andrew and the other two gave her a thumbs up while Miguel now had his head buried in his phone.

Eva got off the stage and the next round of singing also went on well.

Eva's Cheap Thrills got almost everyone dancing except Miguel and Cassandra.

***

"At the end of this quest…we shall be having our winners and total count for this level.”

" Now…everyone watching us live and presently here in the auditorium…repeat the same voting process as the last time. You have two minutes to vote.” The man taking the procedures announced.

" Annddddd ... .Start!" He said sharply and it was a quick race that started.

Eva glanced at Cassandra who stared back at her spitefully.

Hmm..

Eva tore her gaze to where the Diamonds sat and she saw Miguel pick up his pad beneath the seat.

Wait…what!?

Was he really going to vote!?

Eva could barely believe her eyes and somehow,she wished he would vote for her.

Not like just one number mattered but the person who would be doing it?

Goodness.

She'd legit have a permanent smile on for the next one month if he actually votes for her.

Then ..he clicked.

"STOP!"

Huh?...

'Was it two minutes already?' Eva thought, looking away from Miguel.

"Please…put on display the total votes from this hall and Instagram." The man requested and it took quite a while before the screen started reading the votes.

One by one, from the least to highest.

***

"Miss Shaw…. 1500 votes…"

"Miss Rick…603 votes.."

"Miss Len…2000 votes.."

"Miss Cassandra…19,897 votes…"

"And Miss Bieber…20,200 votes!"

He announced and there was a clapping ovation.

Eva was super amazed.

She was just a few numbers higher than Cassandra.

"At the end of this level…Miss Shaw had the total of 6,700 votes…Miss Rick.. total of 3,278 votes…Miss Len…total of 9,170 votes…. Miss Cassandra…total of 1,906,475 votes…and finally…Miss Bieber! Total of 2,999,097 votes!" He concluded and the ovation was deafening.

"The winner and top ranker of this level is Miss Bieber leading with two million,nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, and ninety seven votes!" He added and a deafening round of cheers followed.

Cassandra scoffed in disbelief.

What the fvck!?

She literally ruled the music world of kpop and now some b!tch was about stealing it from her!?

"Moving over to the next level are: Miss Shaw…Miss Len…Miss Cassandra and Miss Bieber. Thank you all for being a wonderful part of this level. So far, we all had fun. I'll call on Mrs Xavier to take over…"

She soon came up and took the mic.

"Over to the next round. This is going to be a very exciting and fun filled level where our various darling contestants will be pairing up with a guy each from the famous Korean Boy Band…The Diamonds!" She announced and Eva felt her heart leap in surprise.

Say what now!?

The students screamed in joy and excitement.

"Yeah yeah…I know this is the first in history…. and y'all gonna loveeee it." Mrs Xavier chuckled.

The Diamonds got off their seats and joined the remaining contestants on stage.

Eva gulped nervously.

It seemed to her like they'd been informed about it beforehand or maybe, at the last minute because they never mentioned it and Miguel, who didn't want to come before suddenly showed up?

Hmm.

"In this round…our dearest girls would be picked by a boy depending on a paper selection. Before we go over that,let me unwrap the next level." She announced and the screen revealed it, gaining loud cheers.

LEVEL 3 QUESTS [SEMI FINALE]

•QUIZZICAL QUEST 📘🖋️

•COOKING QUEST 👩🏼‍🍳🧑🏼‍🍳🍴🍝🍴

Eva immediately got goose bumps.

Cooking?

Oh no!

No friggin way!

She doesn't even know how to properly prepare a cereal now cooking!?

"Now over to our selection." Mrs Xavier came up with a box and asked the boys to pick a paper and it took Miguel a very long time to pick.

He was made to take the first draw then the rest followed.

"Now…come on…open it." Mrs Xavier urged and they began to unfold as Eva felt her heart race while she watched them.

She was cool with any of them except Miguel.

For anyone, it would be thrilling to be by his side but she didn't want that.

Not when he was awfully cold towards her.

Another paper was inside what they have been unfolding.

That was a really good tactic used by the head of the contest.

Everyone was kept in huge suspense as they kept unfolding five papers and finally had the name.

Andrew had Miss Shaw’s name on the paper he had.

Well .. it was ok with him.

He just hoped Miguel had picked who he wanted.

"I have Miss Shaw." Andrew announced lifting the paper and the girl shrieked happily,scurrying to his side as Eva only smiled and Cassandra scoffed.

"I have Miss Cassandra." Daniel announced and Eva could clearly see the visible shock and frown on Cassandra's face as she moved to his side.

“The fvck?" Cassandra cur$ed under her breath and stomped to his side.

It was just Eva and Miss Len left.

Eva gulped heavily as Jerad opened his paper again.

'Please be me! Please be me!' Eva wished in her heart.

"I have Miss…" He paused, creating even more suspense.

Gosh!

Eva was slowly losing her breath.

. "I have…."

“ Miss Len…" Jerad announced and there was a unified loud gasp that went across the hall.

Miguel scoffed and lifted his paper.

"I have Miss Bieber." He announced like he was being forced into doing what he was engaging in.

At that declaration ,Eva felt her legs wobble..

How?

The least person she wanted was the person who picked her!?

The entire atmosphere changed somehow.

There was visible shock and surprise.

Many expected fate to pair Cassandra and Miguel because of how close they were but it had other plans.

Cassandra was boiling in fury.

'No! No way! It can't be!' She screamed in her head, glaring at Eva.

She shouldn't be paired with Miguel just like that!.

She suspected foul play.

Eva dragged her suddenly heavy legs and stood beside Miguel and she gulped heavily.

"Now …that's settled. You all shall complete this contest with your various partners.”

" That's a wrap for level two and an opening for level 3. Thank you." Mrs Xavier concluded and headed out.

Gosh!

Eva felt so tired with all that was happening.

She was so tied to cold Miguel for a long time!

"Congratulations Cinderella." Daniel cooed and shook her hand as he got to her side.

"I really don't want your partner to come k!ll me else I would have hugged you." He teased and she gasped in shock glancing at Miguel who only stared at them expressionlessly before turning around and walking away.

Goodness!

**

Eva bade the guys goodbye as they got into their cars and rode off.

She exhaled deeply.

She had a weird feeling deep within her at that moment that she couldn't comprehend.

“Focus Eva." She muttered and headed to her class.

*****

#Saturday….

Eva had a cool morning bath and settled for a yellow baggy top and jean skirt stopping above her knee.

She brushed her long hair for such a long time .

It was Saturday…finally!.

A day of rest but she really had to read.

The contest had her so occupied.

She heard a knock on her room door.

"Come in." She replied and the laundry maid walked in.

"Hey!" Eva hailed.

"Good morning ma'am." She bowed and headed to take Eva's used clothes.

"Come on.. you should at least try to be casual with me. This mansion gets really boring sometimes" Eva groaned and she sighed.

"I wish I could Miss but I am really busy. I plead to leave." She bowed and left.

Hm..

Eva exited the room and headed for the stairs and met Jerad halfway down.

"Finally! I thought you weren't coming down to eat." He chuckled and Eva giggled.

"I got busy "

They both headed back to the dinning area and got seated ..

Gosh!.

She was getting so so close to Miguel now…althrough the contest and at the table.

Hm….

She really needed great help staying far from him.

"So…Eva ..how prepared are you for the quiz?" Daniel asked and Eva shrugged.

"Not so prepared. I am really tired." Eva sighed.

"We understand Eva. You need to rest a little. How about skipping school on Monday?" Andrew suggested.

"I need to attend classes." Eva replied in shock.

"No problem then. You can also meet Daniel to coach you properly for the quiz. He is good at it." Jerad suggested and she glanced at Daniel who winked at her.

****

Eva walked into the kitchen.

"Hey Yoo Na!" She hailed and the maid looked up from cleaning the counter.

"Good morning Miss Eva." She bowed and Eva chuckled.

"Um…can I ask for a favor?" Eva requested.

"Okay." Yoo Na gave in.

"So um…I have a cooking competition in a few days and I am so bad at cooking. Could you please teach me." Eva pleaded and Yoo Na's eyes gleamed with happiness.

. "It would be my pleasure!" She gave in and Eva gasped.

"Thanks so much! When do we start?" Eva asked.

"Now…" Yoo Na replied.

*****

Eva's eyes felt all hot and watery.

Gosh!.

The onion she was working on was really k!llin' her!

Ugh!

Suddenly,she felt the knife cut her finger flesh and she screamed in pain.

"Oh my Miss! I am so sorry."

"Come on…let me help " Yoo Na exclaimed and led Eva to the tap as she cried both from the pain and the onion essence stinging her eyes.

Eva sniffed in tears and pains.

"Jeez! The cut is so deep. Let me get the first aid box." Yoo Na said and Eva nodded as she hurried away.

**

#later…..

**

"I never knew you haven't handled a knife before." Yoo Na sighed and Eva shrugged in pain.

The cut was hurting her a lot.

Yoo Na later taught Eva how to make spaghetti and meatballs which was a huge success.

Yoo Na also taught her how to make pig stew.

Well ... .at that point…Eva knew she was a set for the contest.

It was a great thing that she didn't waste her Saturday.

She couldn't risk burning down Diamond High because she doesn't know how to cook.

Hehe ..

𝓣𝓑𝓒