Chapter 5: A turn of Event

Rita could hardly sit still as she scrolled through the new messages on her phone. The past few days had been a rollercoaster—no responses from the Sunshine Pageantry team, strange rumors online, and a lingering knot of worry that refused to ease. Yet, this morning, her inbox lit up with a single, concise reply:

"Dear Rita,

We apologize for the delay. Please submit your talent video, along with a final processing fee of GHC 300, to confirm your participation. We're excited for your journey with Sunshine Pageantry!

—Sunshine Pageantry Team

Her heart sank. Another fee? Her parents had warned her not to spend more until she was absolutely sure of the pageant's legitimacy. Her mind whirled with questions: Why wouldn't they mention this fee earlier? What if the rumors online were true?

A Family Discussion

That afternoon, Rita mustered the courage to bring it up at dinner. The Mensah family sat around a steaming pot of rice and stew, the aroma normally comforting—but tonight, it only made Rita more anxious

"Mom, Dad," she began, setting her phone on the table. "The pageant people finally replied."

Mrs. Mensah dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. "And? "They want another fee—three hundred more cedis," Rita said quietly.

Her father's eyebrows shot up. "Again? Are they even explaining why?"

Rita shook her head. "Just called it a 'final processing fee.' But that's on top of the registration I already paid. I'm…starting to think maybe it isn't right."

Silence fell. Then Kwame, usually quick with a teasing remark, spoke up seriously. "Told you to be careful. Are you gonna pay it?"

Rita exhaled, frustration swirling with guilt. "I don't know. If I don't pay, I might lose my spot. But if this is a scam.

Her mother placed a gentle hand on Rita's. "Sweetheart, your safety and peace of mind matter more than any pageant. Don't send them another cent until you're certain.

Seeking a Second Opinion

Late that night, she found herself on a video call with her best friends, Pamela, Faith, and Deborah. The overhead light cast a soft glow on Rita's tired face as she recounted the latest twist.

"Three hundred more cedis? That's ridiculous," Deborah huffed. "You've already paid five hundred."

Pamela's eyes flickered with concern. "Did you try calling them? Or is there a number you can reach?"

Rita nodded. "I did, but it goes straight to voicemail. And their Instagram account only responds with vague messages."

Faith crossed her arms, her expression resolute. "Rita, it's time we dig deeper. Let's do some serious research—like a real investigation. Maybe we can find someone who entered last year."

The idea ignited a small spark of hope in Rita's chest. "I'll do it. I just need to know the truth."

A Possible Lead

Early the next morning, Rita stumbled on a social media profile of a young woman named Eunice who claimed she'd been a contestant in Sunshine Pageantry the previous year. Eunice had posted a single, cryptic warning: "I wish I'd known better before signing up."

Heart pounding, Rita sent Eunice a direct message:

"Hi, Eunice. I'm Rita. I'm part of Sunshine Pageantry 2025. I saw your post—can we talk about your experience?"

She waited, uncertain if Eunice would reply. Each passing minute felt like an eternity. Then, a small ping announced a new message:

"Hey, Rita. Sure, I can talk. But be careful who's reading your messages. This pageant isn't what it seems.

Rita's stomach twisted. There it was—another warning, as direct as it could be.

A Shaky Resolve

That evening, Rita paced her bedroom, phone in hand. She had two choices: pay the extra fee and pray everything turned out fine, or dig deeper, possibly risking her spot in the competition. Her dreams of a crown and a shining stage clashed with the harsh reality that she might be caught in a well-crafted scam.

Steeling herself, she typed a response to Eunice: "Please, I need details. What exactly happened to you?"

Before she could second-guess herself, she hit send. The screen glowed back, silent and waiting, much like her future in the pageant. Whatever Eunice said, Rita knew she couldn't ignore the truth any longer .