Alyssa’s Pov:
We arrived at the venue of the competition in Davao city and wow!
These place is incredible!
The buildings there were tall and magnificent and pretty ladies and boys were seen moving around.
I came out of the car with Mico while the drivers brought our luggages.
I almost kept my mouth open as I looked around in astonishment.
I didn’t even realise the people around were already taking pictures of I and Mico.
Just then, a lady dressed in suit walked up to us, smiling.
“Welcome, sir Mico; miss Alyssa. I hope your trip was pleasant?” She asked genially.
“Yes, ma’am” I replied with a smile but Mico didn’t say anything. He just kept his eyes on his phone.
“Please, come with me, Miss. I’ve been assigned to lead you to the contestants quarters” she said and I turned to Mico.
“Guess I’d have to meet up with you later” I told him.
“Okay, then. Bye” he replied and pecked my cheek and I started following the lady.
I kept looking around in amusement as I walked behind the lady who took me to a tall building.
We walked in and the first place we saw looked more like an office.
I saw a lot of men and women dressed in suits, walking up and down with files.
The whole place was neat and sparkled.
Then the lady led me to an elevator and my eyes beamed.
So, there’s an elevator?
Well obviously.
The buildings were too tall.
We took the elevator and I think we had gotten off at the third floor
We came out and wow!
Jesus! This is paradise!
We had gotten into a large room which seemed like a sitting room and I saw a lot of people over there, mostly ladies.
Oh, my God! Is this were the contestants would be staying?
“And this is the contestants dorm” the pretty lady said to me but I couldn’t even look at her as I just kept admiring the place.
I didn’t realise all the ladies in the room were now staring at me.
“Welcome, miss Alyssa” I heard someone say and I looked and noticed it was a woman in the room.
That was when I could think of paying attention to them.
I cleared my throat and walked in properly.
“Uh… good evening, ma. Good evening, everyone” I said nervously but only the woman and one other man in the room replied to it.
The other ladies just kept quiet.
Oh, my God!
I saw Samantha!
She was sitting with her legs, crossed, staring at me creepily.
Goodness!
I suddenly remembered what she said to me at Mico’s birthday party.
I can’t believe we were now opponents, with how dangerous I’ve heard she was.
“Please do have a seat, miss Alyssa” the woman said and I nodded and budged forward to take a seat.
Three ladies were already at the long couch in the front and I decided to join them.
“Alright, now we’re complete; I’d go straight to what I have to say” the woman continued and cleared her throat.
“It’s a privilege to welcome you all – the 30 different contestants from 30 cities in the Phillipines.
My name is Mrs Emilia Jackson and I’m going to be one of your coordinators.
“As you all might already be informed, there’d be a little welcoming party in the next two hours and there you’ll all introduce and get to know yourselves.
“Now, I know this is a contest and you’ll see yourselves as rivals, but trust me, it doesn’t make you enemies.
You all should work hand in hand and avoid any form of dispute Because, anyone caught in the act will get disqualified.
“The competition would be commencing tomorrow and I’d suggest you all find out time and study because it isn’t going to be as it was in the inter school stage.
If you fail a single question or task, you’re out.
“We have everything you need over here and whenever there’s an announcement, it’d be passed on to you from the announcers in your different rooms”.
She paused and turned to the man bedside her and he started sharing something to us.
It was a key together with a little pinned on it.
Mine was written: A7
“Those are the keys to your rooms and the inscriptions on them are your room numbers.
“Now, if yours starts with an A, it means your room Is that way” she said and pointed to the staircase by the left.
“And if yours starts with a B, it means yours is that way” she said again and pointed to the staircase by the right.
“When it’s time for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we’d all come down and make use of the dining together.
“Now, I’d be giving you some time to check out your rooms, freshen up and get ready for the party.
‘I wish you good luck and pray you enjoy your time here” she concluded with a smile and just few of us replied with a ‘thank you, ma’am’.
Then we all stood up with our bags and startedstarted following the inscriptions on our papers.
Since mine was A7, I took the left star case together with some other contestants and oops! Samantha was among.
We came out to a big passage with many rooms on it and I looked for mine.
I checked the numbers on each door and finally found mine – A7.
Hah!
Thank goodness.
I inserted my key and was about going in when I saw Samantha came up and stood in front of the room opposite mine.
Oh, no.
Don’t tell me.
She brought out her keys and actually opened it.
Whaaat!
Why does her room have to be so close to mine?
She let out a smile and looked at me.
“Hey, Alyssa; so we finally meet again”. she said with a smirk and folded her hands.
“It’s incredible to know you were able to defeat Alexa. No wonder she couldn’t show off her ugly face here.
“And it’s also surprising to know you’ve become Mico’s girlfriend.
I can’t imagine how happy you must be.
“But don’t forget, darling, that nothing good lasts for long”.
A frown suddenly crept into her face as she finally walked into her room.
Gosh!
Why does her room have to be opposite mine?
And what does she mean by all those words she was saying.
Please, I really don’t want any trouble over here.
I opened my room and walked in and a wow escaped my mouth.
It was amazing and looked really perfect.- a big bed, a refrigerator, an Ac, a couch – just comfy.
I can’t believe I’ll be staying here.
I checked out the toilet and bathroom and it was sparkling as well.
Then, I took off my clothes and took a quick shower.
After that, I decided to go look for Mico so we could get ready for the party.
I left the room and took the elevator and got outside.
The whole place was just too beautiful.
I really hope I win the contest and make everyone proud.
I decided to take a brief look around and all the people I came across all smiled and waved at me.
I can’t believe I just became a celebrity.
Some even stopped me and pleaded for a shot together.
I’m really so nervous.
I’ve never been treated this way before.
I kept walking and suddenly came to a beautiful place that looked like a recreational ground.
It had a lot of tress on it and I decided to take a look.
The place was beautiful and looked so natural although, it kind of seemed quiet.
Maybe, I should get out of here.
Just a little further and I saw some people sitting on a wood, smoking.
Huh?
I took a proper look and saw someone familiar.
Wait;
It was Jeremy!
Oh, my!
He was there with three other boys and they were all smoking.
Wait; he smokes?
Oh, God!
I quickly hid behind a tree and took a proper look at them.
Suddenly, I remembered everything he told me and it made me shiver a little.
“But how could he do such a thing?” One of the boys there asked.
“Don’t worry, we’re going to teach him a lesson at the party” the second boy replied furiously.
Huh?
Who were they plotting against at the welcoming party?
Jeremy didn’t say a thing as he just smoked angrily from his cigarette.
He was putting on a white shirt and left all the buttons open, exposing his chest.
Suddenly, he lifted his head and looked towards my direction and my heart skipped.
I was still hiding behind the tree and was hoping it covered me well enough.
But, my anxiety increased when he stood up and took a step closer to where I was.
I gasped and turned around, leaning my back on the tree.
“What’s it, Jer?” I heard one of his friends ask.
“I think there’s someone there” he replied and my heart beat increased.
God, no!