BLIND DATE ( ENGLISH VERSION )

ALEXA’S POV

My makeup artist was applying light makeup on my face because the sportswear segment was almost starting. It was the first segment of the pageant. Ken and I agreed that we would wear a car racing outfit. That is why my makeup artist was trying to make my face fiercer to match the car racing vibes.

” Hi,” I heard someone say behind my back, so I looked at whoever said it through the mirror. I could not help but smile after seeing Ken’s reflection in the mirror. He was holding a bouquet of red roses.

” What brought you here?” I seriously told him, but deep inside, I felt the butterflies in my stomach.

” Just dropping by to personally give these flowers to the love of my life,” He sweetly said, which made me blush.

” Thank you. Simply put it there. You should start preparing yourself already,” I smiled.

” Yeah, I should. If my partner is so pretty, I should match her well,” Ken complimented me. He afterwards laughed, which made me roll my eyes.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

” Got to go,” Ken said and kissed my hair. His sweet gestures added more butterflies to my stomach. He left afterwards. I could not help but smile because of what he did. I admitted that he made me blush and feel love, but I was still at this point where I was still scared to gamble with him.

After some time, my makeup artist finished doing my hair and makeup, so I went to the dressing room to change into my first outfit. I momentarily looked at my reflection before leaving the dressing room. When I went back, the organizer told me that we were about to start, so I started searching for my partner. I did not get hard searching for him. Still, I was disappointed to see him enjoying his time while some candidates gathered around him. I slightly rolled my eyes because of what I was seeing. It seemed like he was so happy when girls surrounded him.

” Ahem!” I faked a cough and raised my eyebrow. The candidates looked at me, so Ken stood up properly. On the other hand, the girls also looked at me while raising their eyebrows. What?!

” We will start in a bit, so the organizer told us to fall in line,” I coldly explained to them. The other girls angrily left. However, there are two contestants walking on my side while whispering.

” What had she thought about herself? She was acting like she was a real girlfriend,” the contestant harshly whispered.

” Psh, she felt like she is too beautiful, gosh,” The other one insultingly whispered and rolled her eyes at me. The way those words were conveyed was like an arrow that was shot towards my heart. They might be right. Why am I acting this way?

” Let’s go,” Ken said while smiling.

I simply looked at him and nodded. We were both quiet while falling in line. When we were still backstage, Ken asked me if I was feeling all right because he said I seemed too quiet. I simply nodded in response to him because I did not have any energy or mood after hearing what the other candidates said about me.

After a while, we started modelling on the stage. I tried hard to neglect what I had heard earlier and confidently smiled and walked with Ken. I was about to take my turn on center stage when my heel got broken. I automatically closed my eyes and prepared myself to be embarrassed in front of the whole campus. However, instead of hearing laughter, I heard excited shouts from the crowd, so I opened my eyes, and then Ken’s eyes and mine met. I looked down and noticed how Ken held my waist. It seemed like he caught me. I looked back at his face.

” Smile, and be confident,” He whispered. I stood up properly and did not show my heel malfunction. I also gave them a sweet smile before turning around. Ken supported me while walking until we reached backstage.

” What happened?” Rhea worriedly asked when we went backstage.

” Get her a new pair of heels,” Ken instructed before he helped me sit down on a chair. Rhea simply nodded before running towards the backstage exit. Ken kneeled down to check my foot.

” I am alright,” I immediately told him.

” Stay still! This is where your sprain was, so I need to check it,” Ken replied in a serious manner while thoroughly checking my foot.

” Ouch!” I exclaimed when Ken pinched my foot near my heel.

” I will bring you to the clinic,” Ken said and stood up.

” No need, I am alright. I can still bare the pain,” I replied. Ken was about to say something when Caleb and Rhea came. While Caleb was carrying a pair of heels, Rhea was holding a bucket. I frowned because of curiosity.

” Here, beshy. That is mine, but auntie was on her way to buy you a new one,” Rhea explained.

” Put your foot here while the next segment is not starting yet,” Caleb instructed and put down the bucket with some ice.

” Thank you, guys,” I genuinely told them after removing my heels and putting my foot on the bucket with ice.

” But what really happened?” Rhea asked in wonder.

” Sabotage,” Caleb, Rhea and I looked at Ken because of what he said.

” That was strong allegation, bro,” Caleb warned him.

” Look at this,” Ken said in a serious manner.

Everyone gasped after seeing my heel. It seemed like it was intentionally cut off until one wrong move would make it broken. That explains why when I turned, the heel got broken.

” Who could do it?” Caleb asked in wonder.

” I am sure Tiffany did that,” Rhea angrily accused.

” We are not sure yet,” I tried to defend Tiffany.

” Who could it be then? She was the only one who hate you and capable of doing this,” Rhea irritably stated.

” I know her. Even if she is a bully, she knew how to play fair and square, especially in this kind of competition,” I explained.

” Princess,” I heard someone call me, which also interrupted what Rhea wanted to say.

” Brother,” I called him after he went closer to me.

” Are you okay?” My brother worriedly asked.

” Yes, you do not have to worry about me,” I politely replied and smiled to assure him I was okay.

” Here! Mom was the one bought that, but you know that she cannot enter here,” My brother explained.

” I know. Thank you, brother,” I sweetly responded.

” Alright, be careful, okay? I have to go now,” My brother remarked. He kissed me on my forehead before leaving backstage.

After a while, Rhea and Caleb also left because the next segment was starting. However, before they left, Ken told them something, but I was not able to hear what he said. We are currently in a waiting line while watching other candidates modelling their swimwear. I chose the Hawaiian style of swim ware rather than wearing one or two-piece. It is because I am more comfortable wearing this. Besides, I was the only one who chose this style, so I will be an attention catcher. After some time, Ken and I started walking on the stage. After the swim ware segment, the emcee began to announce the top 5. Ken was the first for men to enter the top 5, so I was very proud of him. However, there is only one spot for women, but still, my name was not yet called.

” Last but not the least, this lady proves being different is an edge. Her beauty and confidence are unexpected. Yours is the last spot, Ms. Alexandra L. Alcantara, ” the emcee surprisingly announced. The next thing I heard was the loud cheer and claps from the crowd. On the other hand, I could not believe what I heard. I am still stunned even after entering the backstage.

However, I did not have time to celebrate the milestone because I noticed how my evening gown was torn. I felt my physical and mental breakdown and almost fell to the ground. It was such a relief that Ken immediately supported me to stand. However, what can I do now? My evening gown…

TO BE CONTINUED!