What Happens In Turin, Stays In Turin

💙 Turquoise Carpet, Red Emotions ❤

The sun rose above Turin and it was a new day at Eurovision Song Contest - one day closer to the semi final.

On today's schedule was the famous Turquoise Carpet. An event where all the contestants are required to show up, greet the fans, parade their flags and answer the questions for various media crews. This is one of the busiest days at ESC, since it's very draining to interact with so many people in a short amount of time.

Each delegation got ready before the big event. And the they started walking down the carpet - one by one, as the host introduced each one of them.

''And now we have - Serbia!'' The host announces as the audience bursts into cheering, clapping and shouting for Konstrakta and her crew. As the host describes this year's Serbian representative, she walks down the carpet, through the crowd, greeting them along the way. ''You still look tense, still not over Sweden incident?'' Kosta whispers. ''I just really don't want to run into her again, that's all.'' She keeps on a smile on her face, while greeting the public. ''Well, then we're going drinking after this. It's good for the nerves.'' Ana shakes her head ''She's not affecting my nerves, she's just.. annoying.'' She pauses.. ''And she owes me my coffee.'' Kosta shrugs ''Well, you're annoying for not wanting to go drinking..'' rolls his eyes, puts his glasses on. ''We're in Italy! Turin! You can get another coffee, basically anywhere.'' Ana laughs to herself. ''Matter of fact, I'll go grab you a coffee right this moment if you promise to calm down and enjoy the moment?'' Ana looks around, shrugs and nods ''Okay, deal.'' As she was about to say something.. ''Mocha Latte with 2 spoons of sugar. I know I know.''  He raises his eyebrows awaiting approval. Ana smiles ''You know me well..''  Kosta winks and goes towards the catering table, getting into the line. Ana turns to the carpet paparazzo section, straightening her dress and then walking in front of them, ready to pose for the cameras. 

There are a lot of people gathered around. A lot of fans, a lot of cameramen, but also a lot of contestants and delegations, all of them waiting their turn to take the pic on the carpet. 

''Cornelia, you see her?'' Laura, Cornelia's manager points to Konstrakta posing for the cameras. Cornelia looks at the black haired woman, dressed in all white, looking a bit intimidating, but very.. royal. She seems somehow familar, but doesn't ring any bells. Where does she know her from.. ''Yeah?'' Cornelia whispers while keeping her gaze at Ana ''Ana Djuric.'' Laura points. ''She is your main competition in the semi-final, apparently. The one washing her hands on stage. Could you believe it?'' Laura laughs to herself, as if trying to mock the woman, but Cornelia just stares at Ana, checking her out, observing her movements. Taking in her strong presence, elegant posture and charisma from a far. Ana finishes with paparazzi and walks forward, to a corner, looking around and waiting for Kosta to come back. Cornelia notices this and suddenly decides to approach her. She heads there on a single whim. ''Cornelia!'' Laura's smile vanishes when she realizes where Cornelia is going. She shouts through whisper, clenching her teeth, trying to stop her, but too late. 

''Hey there. I don't believe we've met yet.'' Ana turns around and her eyes meet a young, shorter woman, with piercing blue eyes and very dark makeup. She stares at her face while the woman is trying to untangle her hands underneath the big, fluffy, black dress with a lot of see through parts. Ana suddenly flinches, realizing it's her. Sweden. Oh no, not her. Why her?! She steps back, her heart is in her throat, she can feel her pulse rising.  She's keeping the poker face while unsure weather she should even greet her or not. 

Cornelia finally stretches her hand ''I'm Cornelia!'' and looks up at Ana with a slight smile, raising her eyebrows, while expecting Ana to greet her back. She looks around, trying to find Kosta, or anyone who could get her out of this situation, but they aren't around. 

Ana looks at Cornelia's hand and sighs. She shakes it and then looks directly into her eyes ''Yeah, we haven't. I'm Konstrakta.'' With a cold, reserved, annoyed tone. Cornelia suddenly looks confused for a moment  ''Oh, but isn't your name.. Ana?'' Without hesitation Ana responds ''Yes. But that's usually what my friends call me.'' Ana smirks, thinking she put her in her place. 

Cornelia picks up on this attitude and is taken a back. Everybody usually enjoys her presence, but not Ana it seems. Her expression suddenly changes ''So, then Ana it is.'' She bites back, tilts her head, tightens the grip on Ana's hand while not breaking the eye contact for a single second. Now Ana is taken a back, stunned, unable to formulate a response. She just stares back and scoffs. Why is this Cornelia so assertive? She's so annoying. Ana squints her eyes trying to figure her out. But as she was about to say something, she gets interrupted. 'Ok Cornelia, come with me, you need to give the interview.''  Laura grabs her shoulder ''Immediately.'' Laura whispers through her teeth and gives Ana a fake smile.  ''I'm coming.'' Cornelia says, while still holding the eye contact. ''Later then, Ana.'' (https://youtu.be/vnLAa6_hB9A?t=22 starts playing) She smirks and emphasizes the word Ana, as if she knew it will get her annoyed, so she does it on purpose before going into the crowd.

As the woman walks away and greets the interviewers, Ana looks at her, completely stunned, frustrated and annoyed. She feels like she lost this round to Cornelia. How could she lose an argument to such a person. But she was so taken a back by her presence. Ah. She was so annoyingly bold and all over the place, such a mess. The literal opposite of her. She'll get her next time.

''I'm gone for a moment, and you're so tense it's off the charts.'' Kosta comes to her, giving her coffee and trying to figure out what happened now. He follows Ana's gaze and sees that she's staring at Cornelia ''Oh shit. Don't tell me it's Sweden, again''  he looks worried. Ana can't seem to take her eyes off of her ''I think I'll take you up on that drinking offer. '' She sighs and turns to him ''Since we're in Turin, right?'' Kosta smiles and pushes her with his elbow. As they are walking away, his smile dies down as he keeps an eye on Cornelia, and then back at Ana, sensing this is potentially going to be a troublesome week and that he needs to make sure Ana stays calm and stresses as little as possible.  

The two of them meet with the rest of the delegation and then start giving interviews to the media before going back to the hotel.