Seasons

Teaming Up

Michelle's POV:

"Not to make you overthink, but how can you afford to see your girl being with somebody else?" Fabienne asked. We're now close to finishing the rehearsal today. We're just waiting for the staff to wrap it up and release the announcement.

"I am not a hundred percent at peace, if that's what you're asking, but I am assured. The only thing that bothers me is her safety," I confessed, as Max has been following Anntonia wherever she goes.

Just like earlier when we were on stage, I attempted to go near her because I saw her struggling with the freezing temperature of the arena, but I saw how intense Max stares at us. She's not just being possessive of Anntonia; she's also looking at me like she's warning me.

"Why is she here? Is she a sponsor? A judge? A shareholder? Why is she receiving too much of a privilege and special treatment from the organization? What if the other candidates noticed, and they would badmouth Anntonia?" Fabienne commented. I was triggered when she pulled out that statement. It came to mind that it is possible that Anntonia will probably be suspected to have connections, and they might perceive this maliciously.

"I don't have any idea. We're in the same circle of friends, but I know nothing about her affiliations with Miss Universe."

"Gosh. It's not just Anntonia; it will also put you in a bad light because, one search away, and they will know that you and that woman are friends. They might assume things about you too." Fabienne said, not being able to hide the stress in her voice.

"I hope they don't. Anntonia and I came here to play fair, and anything about Max is out of our control." I weakly said, starting to realize how complicated this situation is.

"No offense. This wouldn't be this complicated if your great friend didn't come here in the first place. First, she's stopping the two of you from being normally happy. Second, she might possibly bring the two of you to a scandal."

"I assume she still treasures our friendship to not go that low."

"Michelle, didn't she do worse? There's no more room for a matter of friendship if the latter treats you like you're nothing."

Fabienne's words hit me. It's like a slap of reality that I was dodging only because I do hope for a little chance that Max and I would go back to being genuinely friends.

I do hate her for being so completely different. Like all she worries about is keeping what she thinks is hers all by herself, and everyone that goes her way is her enemy. She's being insensitive and problematic every time she lets her anger take over her whole being.

She thought that I took her best friend away from her. I sometimes think that she probably hated me for having the chance to be close to Anntonia.

But never once in my life regretted that I made friends with Anntonia and eventually loved her in those years of being away from her, even though I was constantly convincing myself that it's nothing, and I only see her as a friend, despite the actual truth that I have fallen already.

It's just unfair that she despises me, and I am clueless about her exact reason why. I can only assume things.

"Max and I used to be so close," I sadly said, reminiscing the moments that we would attend the same modeling event and photoshoot alongside with Rhian.

"It's giving Elsa and Anna," Fabienne joked, trying to lift up the mood. I just chuckled at her and focused on watching the technical team as they get busier.

My eyes landed on Anntonia, who was drinking Fiji water. Max was behind her, typing something on the phone. Anntonia closed the bottle, and not that I am surprised, her eyes met mine too.