DESTINY - PORDEE AU

Prologue

PHILIPPINES

The crowd kept their cool as they wait for their uncrowned queen outside the NAIA Terminal. The Philippines' Miss Universe candidate has just come from Mexico City as their activities post- pageant has ended.

Almost all of the pageant fans are holding mini Philippine flags and banners with her face on it.

Meanwhile, the most anticipated person at the airport has a gloom expression shown on her face. Tired? More like exhausted from everything that had happened the past few days.

Nontheless she wasn't disappointed about the fact that she did not take home the crown, but instead, she was disappointed because she has to go home.

She shook her thoughts off and showed off her signature smile as she approach the crowd waiting for her.

"Hello Philippines, I'm back!"

Cheers roared as she thanked her supporters. She did not expect to see this kind of crowd on her homecoming. Indeed she was very grateful for their support even if her journey ended as one of the Top 10 finalists.

"PORDEE!"

"PORDEE!"

"PORDEE!"

She couldn't stop herself from smiling when they started shouting that familiar name.

If ony she could voice out how she truly misses the woman she shares the name with.

Her team stayed there for about 30 minutes before leaving to eat dinner at a nearby restaurant. Despite her health condition, her mom insisted to fetch her along with Rhian and Sam, two of her close friends.

Rhian couldn't help but notice Michelle's forced smiles. They were sitting beside each other on the car so she took the opportunity to ask if she' not feeling alright.

"I'm fine Rhi, just exhausted."

Looking at her BFF, she was not convinced but decided to let it go for now. They are housemates, she'll just ask her after she is well-rested.

...

THAILAND

"P' Ann, they're ready for you." Her PA called for her.

She was invited to appear at a morning talk show to talk about the just concluded Miss Universe Pageant.

"Please welcome Anntonia Porsild, Miss Universe Thailand 2023 and now the Miss Universe 2023 1st Runner Up!" The talkshow host introduced her with enthusiasm.

"Sawasdee ka!" She entered the room as she did the 'wai' greeting.

The host asked her how she was and how she's feeling now that she's back in Thailand.

"Well Khun, I'm happy mow that I'm home but I also feel a bit sad because I was one step closer to my dream of winning Miss Universe."

He nodded in understanding, "Crown or not, you captivated our hearts and you made us all proud." He reassured her of her achievements.

"I kept tabs on social media about the happenings in MU and I think I'm not the only one who had their heart jump in joy." He wiggled his brows and the crowd knew what he was implying.

"Aside from Miss Nicaragua's MU title, Pordee earned a lot of attention. So how did you and Miss Philippines create this kind of bond?"

The audience screamed in teasing cheers when the question was raised. Ann couldn't help but blush.

"It was actually unexpected because we were all busy in the beginning of our journey. It was during the start of rehearsals when we actually interacted and since then we clicked as she understood my humour and my sarcasm. She's really a calm and a warm person and I actually like her presence beside me."

The crowd couldn't help but tease her of her choice of words.

She suddenly had the urge to talk to Michelle but it had to wait. Girl, she misses her already.