SWNOVELS Chapter 28
The following week, the pre-pageant competitions for Mr. and Ms. Business School has started. First is the photo shoot for the promotional tarpaulin of the pageant, which will also be the basis for Most Photogenic. Then, the Casual Wear and Casual Interview. The result for those three will be the basis on who will make it to the top 5 who will continue on the pageant night.
Angel is always there to support Bryan. She is present in all the competition he does especially since he's doing that for her. And because of this, Angel became more and more attached with Bryan. She wasn't able to stop herself from falling in love with him.
Thursday morning when the promotional tarpaulin for the pageant was hung in front of the Business School. There were fourteen candidates in total, composed of seven girls and seven boys. Angel is looking at the tarpaulin when Bryan approached her.
'I'm really good looking," he said.
Angel looked at him as her heart started beating triple time.
'Not bad, huh?" Bryan asked as he examined the tarpaulin. 'I can say I can keep up with my co-contestants when it comes to good looks."
Angel looked at the tarpaulin again. Actually, Bryan is one of the most handsome candidates in the pageant, if not the most handsome. If that will be the basis, he can definitely win the contest.
'Richard wanted to back out when he found out that Nick Jacinto is also joining the pageant." Nicholas Jacinto is Richard's cousin. His mother is the sister of Richard's father. Nick is the candidate of Operations Management Society. 'Good thing he didn't."
'He felt guilty." Bryan smiled. 'He said he and Alex are the real reason why we're going through all these, so he said he should not complain."
'That's very nice of him."
Bryan turned to face her. 'I'm also nice!"
His childishness made Angel giggle.
"For the first time, there's something that Bryan de Vera can't do."
'I'm glad that we were not classmates in PE class. At least you haven't witnessed the humiliation I've had during our dance lessons."
Angel laughed at what he said, which stopped when Gina came and joined them.
'Bryan!" Gina held onto Bryan's waist, and Bryan was obviously surprised when she kissed him on the cheeks. 'I guess you've seen our pictures. I'm gorgeous, right? For sure I'll win the Most Photogenic award."
Angel looked back at the tarpaulin as she started to get annoyed. In fact, Kim's picture is far more superior to Gina's. Kim's pose is simple but her face is very attractive. She's glad that Bryan picked her to be their representative. She will definitely win when it comes to beauty. She just needs to perform well during the pageant night.
"I can't wait to receive the crown and sash on the pageant night. And for sure the two of us will be Mr. and Ms. Business School," Gina told Bryan who is just being quiet but managed to wince at what she said.
Gina finally acknowledged Angel. "Oh Angel, how is your sister?"
Angel might be too annoyed that she let herself retaliate. 'She's fine. Do you have a message for her?"
'No, I don't," Gina answered. 'Actually, I'm more concerned about you. I know you're depressed because your sister had a boyfriend before you."
"Gina..." And that was the first time that Bryan spoke since Gina arrived.
'Why? Is it wrong to be concerned with my fellow student? Especially that she's my classmate in some subjects. She's also my ex-classmate during high school. That's also why I don't complain even if you always eat lunch with her. I know it's just because of the upcoming pageant, right? But after that, you will go back to eating your lunch alone." Then Gina looked at Angel sternly.
'Ooops!' Angel felt quite alarmed. She felt like reciprocating Gina's remarks, but she's worried they might end up in the Dean's office and her parents would surely know about it. That would only worsen her image with her parents. "Gina, please..." Bryan asked.
And with that, Angel's suspicion about Gina and Bryan's relationship seemed to have been confirmed. Bryan's statement about them not having a relationship is not true, and Angel felt more annoyed. She needs to get out of there before she completely lost her control and lash out at Gina.
Fortunately, she saw an acquaintance who also seems to want to talk to her as well. Actually, she was the one who approached her first.
'Ate Angel!" Jasmin Ignacio called. She's a first year student and is the younger sister of their neighbor Joshua Ignacio.
'Jas!" She was secretly thankful of Jas's sudden appearance.
'Can I talk to you?" Jasmin asked shyly.
'Yes! Actually, I really wanted to talk to you. Let's go to the canteen?"
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Angel did not wait for Jasmin's answer. She said her goodbyes as Bryan and Gina, then grabbed Jasmin's hand dragging her to the school cafeteria.
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Because they are grounded, Angel is not sure if their parents will allow them to watch Mr. & Ms. Business School. The pageant will start at five thirty in the afternoon, and it will surely end at night. Even though she's with Alex, she's is not sure if her parents will allow her to come. She needs to, because not only does she needs to support Bryan, she is also the person-in-charge of JPIA on that contest. She also needs to cover the event as the representative of The Echo.
So she thought of talking to the parents that night to formally ask their permission. She is willing to be watched by their driver if that is what they want. She's ready to do whatever condition they like, as long as they allow her to go to the pageant.
They were having dinner quietly when Angel brought up the issue. She looked at Alex who also know about her plans. The younger sister nodded as if giving her a boost. She took a deep breath to relive her nerves a litte.
'Uhm... Mom, Dad... Next week, we will be having our Business Week. At the EVP of JPIA, I need to be there all the time to support our members. Then, I also need to cover the events for The Echo..."
The parents just continued eating and did not react. Angel looked at Alex, who gave her an encouraging look.
'There might be times when I need to stay out late. Some competitions starts late in the afternoon, or at night, like the singing contest."
'I heard that Jasmin will join the contest," Alice said.
"Yes Mom." Angel is glad that their mother talked to her. 'She will represent JPIA."
'We can also watch, Mom," Alex said. 'So that we can hear Jasmin sing."
'That's a good idea," Alice said. "We will see."
Angel somehow felt motivated with Alice's statement. But the singing contest is not really what she needs to attend. So she gathered all her courage and ignored the fast beating of her heart. 'Mom, I also need to go to Mr. and Ms. Business School. I'm the main in-charge for JPIA on that contest."
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'Okay," Alice said.
'You'll allow me to go, Mom?" Angel could not believe her mother immediately permitted her.
Then, she suddenly thought her father might not approve. Her eyes were diverted to him.
"Yes," Alice said. "We'll go together, with your dad."
"Huh?" Angel looked back at Alice.
'We were invited by Elvie to judge the pageant."
Angel felt like the world stopped turning. Her mind suddenly went blank.
'You'll judge the competition, Mom?" Alex asked.
'Me and your dad," Alice answered. 'Is there a problem with that?"
'N-No. Nothing..."
Alex and Angel looked at each other.
'We'll all go together," Alice said before she continued eating.
The two sisters looked at each other again. Angel's problem might have been solved, but another worse problem has appeared. Their parents will judge the pageant, and Bryan is the representative of JPIA. She suddenly remembered what Hannah said about the Business Week.
'Mr. & Ms. Business School - we have to win the crown."
Angel winced at the memory. She hopes Hannah will not get mad at Bryan is her wish will not be fulfilled.