CHAPTER XXXI: Laurels of Mine

"Girl, are you ready?!" Solar wiggled my arm repeatedly.

"Do you think the event will disappear if I say I'm not?" I asked.

"In the face of a huge showcase, you're still being sarcastic?" She frowned.

"Good thing they won't hear me talk then."

She gave me a blank look and gave up.

After Gwenne talked me through what needs to happen, I was showered with 'good luck' from the people who dolled me up.

Solar also waved goodbye to me after wishing me the best and told me she would be sitting right up front with Haru.

Ross was still nowhere to be found but I'm guessing he's on the stage already like he promised he would.

Although, he did send me a text earlier.

'I'll be waiting in the place where you shine best. Break a leg! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧'

That was kinda cute.

I was not exactly nervous but I'm not entirely anticipating this either.

Surveying the scene, the decoration of the auditoriums was aesthetically pleasing.

The design of the stage was made like a large letter "D" and the women were tasked to walk the stage's curved platform, allowing better contestant impact and appreciation.

The women representatives were lined up based on their department's randomly chosen number.

Since I am from the architecture department, I would be one of the few women who'll walk in last.

Gwenne even justified this order to be incredibly favorable because I would be the final woman to grace the runway, therefore, garnering most of the audience's attention.

All that fuss and here I am, merely wanting to get this over with.

After thinking that, the awaited event started.

Lights danced across the auditorium.

Music blared in every corner of this gigantic hall.

Cheers boomed, voices clashing against one another.

The walls were vibrating with their exhilaration.

Then, I finally heard him.

"Good day, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Accademia Promuovere's Runway Showcase entitled 'Visions of my Dreams!'"

Ross's voice echoed, further hyping up the crowds of raging support.

"Are you ready to meet the beautiful and charming ladies that'll walk here tonight?!" The girl co-host called out.

Simply standing here at the back, the answers of agreement could clearly be heard from miles away.

They began to introduce the judges that'll determine the winner for this contest. After that, they elaborated the meaning behind this event's purpose.

And without any more delay, the show eventually took its course.

Girls slowly dissipated from the lengthy line. Roars and applause became increasingly louder by the minute.

One particular part of this contest was to have intermissions for every ten girls. The only struggle is that Gwenne kept on coming back to check on my makeup, my hair, and my outfit during those specific time slots.

The only object that brought me joy every time she came to me was the cool water bottle she had.

Being here backstage, surrounded by all the nervous chattering, was annoyingly making the temperature rise.

Time passed and there were only two women left, the one from the business administration department and I.

I could tell how nervous she was because her trembling and fidgeting was all that I could see.

When she was called out, she even jumped in surprise.

Watching her walk with jiggly legs slightly made me pity her.

Readying myself, I grabbed the additional prop Gwenne gave me earlier and stood closer to the entrance.

Upon seeing the cue of one of the staff, I straightened my posture and strengthened my resolve and waited for my turn to be announced.

"Of course, last but absolutely not the least, let's witness the woman of the architecture department!"

Taking a deep breath, I put on my game face and strutted towards the shining spotlights.

Once I made it onto the center of the platform, the room turned silent.

When the woman before me left the stage, I confidently sauntered the runway for everyone to see.

While walking, I elegantly grabbed the thin cape Gwenne made me wear and sent it flying in the air, making the people gasp upon the revelation of my outfit.

I stopped at the center of the curve and tilted my head up high.

Seeing the spotlight rotate towards where I stood, I dashingly raised my circular, golden scepter, directly making it come in contact with the source of light.

The audience couldn't believe the sparkling light coming from the orb as its glitters added a seemingly slight glow to my overall outfit.

I slowly let one of my legs out and gave a relaxing observation of the people in my view.

Haru and Solar were both clapping eagerly for me. On the other side, Gwenne and the girls from the archi department smiled widely as I flaunted their works.

I couldn't help but smirk upon seeing his reaction, though.

Ross stood near the stage with slightly widened eyes. Looks like he really didn't expect my appearance for today.

This made me a tiny bit glad for doing this.

After roaming my eyes around, I started to prepare for the necessary center rotation, which was something I should have avoided.

Because I saw him.

When I faced the front again, I gave the judges one last fierce gaze before I left them impressed for what they had witnessed.

Walking down the last bits of the platform, the crowd started to go into a frenzy. People kept on shouting and demanding who I was.

While their screams echoed, the only thing that wandered in my mind was the structure of one of the people in the audience.

I took a discreet glance in the crowd and saw that he was still there with a distinguishable proud yet sad expression on his face.

When our eyes met, I hurriedly moved my gaze away and finished the runway.

Stepping into the backstage, I let out a breath of relief.

It was finally over yet my heart couldn't stop throbbing as my mind carved his silhouette deeply inside my memory.

What is he doing here?!

I fanned myself as I tried to find a chair for me to sit on.

"He shouldn't be here. Fuck!" I clasped my face but not rough enough for the makeup to smudge.

I tried to ease the sudden ache in my head and stood up just as I heard them signal for the final presentation and awarding for the contest.

We haven't even stepped outside but the hollers for every contestant can be heard.

The significant difference was that my department was conspicuous.

Some of the women were staring at me, wondering who I was and how I attracted so much attention.

Well, it's not something I can really determine.

And I'm not in the right state of mind to really pay mind to their judgements.

I was sincerely hoping he wouldn't be there anymore.

That's all I want.

We were brought out and stationed in our respective place on the stage and patiently waited for the proclamation of the winner.

It was rather deafening to the point you couldn't even hear the hosts' words.

I let my eyes travel the sea of people, trying to familiarize myself with his figure, but I wasn't able to spot him.

What came into my line of sight, however, was the glint in Ross' eyes.

He gave me a hidden thumbs up and mouthed, "You did great."

I gave him an arrogant shrug which he laughed at.

We quietly stood in my spot as the envelope was being given to Ross' co-host.

"Ooh! It is indeed the time to announce our winners. Let us first welcome up front, our second runner up…the chemical engineering department!"

A lady dressed in a green gown stepped forward and claimed her prize.

"Now, for the first runner up, let us give an astounding round of applause for…the mass communication department!" Ross' voice made the woman, standing three individuals away from me, shriek.

She hurriedly went to get her prize, almost tripping in the process. This made the crowd laugh.

"Finally, ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to know who our crowned lady will be?!"

The auditorium shook with the audience's rapid answers.

Suddenly, drum rolls blasted from the speakers, adding greatly to the suspense of the anticipated.

"Don't worry, I won't let you guys wait any longer because our new crowned queen is…

…from the tourism department!"

The woman from the back was shocked after hearing what Ross' co-host uttered.

Other women gave way for her to pass, but what stood out the most was the silence that surrounded the entirety of this space.

Questions of doubt began to float as the winner was crowned and provided with her flowers.

Not because she was the one who won, but because someone's department wasn't mentioned at all.

That department being mine.

Some of the other contestants were also causing a ruckus around me.

When the murmuring didn't stop, the Ross finally took the initiative to stop them.

"Okay, lads, calm down! We are not yet finished!"

This made the roaring people shut their mouths.

Ross cleared his throat, "We will still be announcing one more award for tonight's event. Can anyone guess it?"

The room once again was filled with voices.

The co-host smiled and continued, "Of course, we have the popular People's Choice trophy and you all couldn't guess it wrong! Let us give her a huge cheer from none other than the architecture department!"

The crowd gave a standing ovation and clapped enthusiastically as that was announced with Solar and Haru leading them.

I was confused at first but I still managed to strut towards the center of the stage and receive the trophy and the bouquet of flowers.

Once Ross was done placing the flowers in my arms, he leaned in secretly, "Congratulations. Meet me in the garden?"

After that, he beamed and sent me a gentle wink without even waiting for my answer.

The event ended with numerous surprises but I couldn't really say that all went for the worse.

My heart is still bound with worry but it yearns humbly for what will be found in the moonlit garden.