Beyond The Universe

Chapter 2

Anntonia's POV:

At the first day of rehearsal in El Salvador, me and Michelle didn't get the opportunity to really talk in person. We just keep crossing paths but just missing each other. And I always make fun about it like she doesn't want to talk to me or maybe don't like me. Hahaha..

But then I got the chance to talk to her when I find a seat besides her where her bag was there.

And I asked, "Can I sit here?".

She replied "Yeah, sure" and she lifted the bag and sit beside her.

And after that we just kind of hit it off and we took pictures together. And that's the beginning of our bonding together althrough out the pageant.

When nervousness attacks me it's like there are so many butterflies in my stomache and I am very uneasy on what should I do. I am so glad and grateful to Michelle because she knows how to calm me and she is always in my side as my support system. She is very caring and loving person with her great beauty in and outside.

All the delegates are comfortable with her especially her simple jokes and laugh because she really knows how to communicate and how impress the beauties around her. And sometimes I can't stop myself feeling jealous when Michelle gives them nice treatment. I should not fee something like this because I have a boyfriend but there is something on Michelle that you can easily feel comfort, safety and easy to love.

Her presence makes me alive and feels like home with so much love and care from her. Everytime she's near and I heard her deep voice makes my knees feel weak and makes my heart beats fast. The positive impact that she gave me when we face is each other has a very big difference when I'm with Irfan. She always remind me to be the best version of myself during rehearsals and the competition.

As days go by, the feelings that I have towards Michelle seems that I have fallen for her because I'm always longing for her presence. Every after our rehearsals, we spent more time in each others room either mine or her room. We have our chitchats and sometimes it goes to serious talks. And always end with hug and forehead kiss by her which I'm already comfortable with. Sometimes our roommates will tease us because of the sweet moments we shared to each other.

I don't want to ignore and end this kind of relationship that me and Michelle have. I know deeply there is something more from me that I'm sure about it and that is "I love her" and that will remain secret for now because I don't want to ruin our friendship and I have a boyfriend. And I can't read her mind if she feels the same for me. I'm the one who gives us endearment the "dadee" and "mommy" thing because it just feel right to call each other like that. We use to it if weare having conversation. I think she feels ok with that because what I've heard from her that Rhian, her bestfriend, calls her "honey" and Michelle calls her "wifey".

I sometimes envy Rhian because when they have Facetime with Michelle they are like couple asking how is each other and anything else about there whereabouts. But Michelle told me that are bestfriends since pandemic time and they live in one house. Their friendship is so amazing. And I admire it from Michelle and believe to what she said to me about them.

"You are so beautiful as always Anntonia and you claim this crown" said by her supervisor who is looking at her and wondering what I'm thinking after the conversation we have by Michelle.

"Thank you so much! You did great for making me beautiful". replied by Anntonia.

The floor director calls our attention now that we must be ready now because the awaiting final show will start now. And I already stood up and go to the T group delegates. Same as Michelle went to her P group as I saw from behind them.

So the final competition begins now...

The crowd gets wild seeing the beautiful and unique ladies for the Miss Universe 2023 pageant. Cheering for their candidates and for their country. The stage full of lights and the judges are all ready in front to give their scores and results for top 10.

Luckily, Miss Philippines and Miss Thailand are in the top 10. They will surely wear and display their evening gowns to be part in the top 5. While the ladies change their outfit fast and quickly. The crowd gets more wild and noisy because of the great intense happening on the stage.

Who will be part of the top 5? That's the question that everybody has different answers with it. Now the ladies return to the stage with their evening gowns. They look all the stunning and the beauty of each gown they represented are so very seductive to the eyes of the audience and even the judges.

Then, the top 5 was announced gladly Miss Thailand, Anntonia, take the slot and sadly Miss Philippines, Michelle didn't make it....Everything happens so fast.

Something was wrong with the declaration of the top 5 candidates because there was this first post in Miss Universe page that one of the top 5 was Miss Philippines and not Miss Thailand but it was deleted after a couple of minutes and change it. That Miss Thailand is one of the top 5 candidates. The fans are arguing, angry and questionning the mistake and technicalities happens during the important announcement in the pageant especially most Filipino fans are very active in social media and saw what happens. And telling the pageant was a cooking show because of the post and "Steve Harvey effect" repeats itself.

The top 5 chosen candidates was not aware of what is happening including Anntonia. The show goes on until Miss Nicaragua crowned as the Miss Universe 2023 and 1st Runner Up is Miss Thailand.