CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4: Showing Off

Artemis,

“Is it mandatory to wear this?” I asked the lady who entered my room, it’s the day after the day yesterday and I was able to get a comfortable rest.

“Yes, the Mayans strictly wants you to wear that.” She said. I don’t know if it’s just me but this lady right here is a bit rude. She looks at me from head to toe as if she’s judging me. I just looked away and stared on the direction of the dress.

“The Mayans are waiting in the balcony, follow after you wore that dress.” She said, I didn’t even try to look at her. I just let her go away and disappear.

I walked to the dress, I touched it using my right palm, the ends of my fingers felt the soft texture of the cloth used to make this dress. It has hand sawn designs, multiple flowers and veins and leaves. Somehow it made me appreciate it more and woke up my adrenaline rush, lying inside my body.

I took a deep breath before finally deciding to try it on. I removed my upper apparel leaving only this white, thin shirt serving as my undergarment. I removed the dress from the mannequin who wore it first before me.

I slowly went under of it and slipped myself out on the upper opening of the dress. Surprisingly, it fits. It gave justice to my curves that’s why I am smiling in front of this huge mirror.

I gazed trough this mirror and into the table near my bed. I saw golden hairpins so I approached the table and picked one up. Then before returning in front of the mirror, I catch a glimpsed of a corset inside the cabinet that has glass panels.

I approached it, opened it and then finally getting the corset. After finally standing in front of the mirror again, I placed the corset first, since I have a chair beside me, I put the hair clip on top of it. 

“Too tight!” I groaned but before I was able to take it off, I saw my reflection and my well defined hourglass body shape. “But it looks good.” I turned side way and it’s really good! 

I love it!

I took a deep breath and path my tummy. “I can do this, a rib for a day of perfect beauty.” I uttered as I slowly picked up the hair clip.

I only made my hair simple, I separated three groups of hair, one on the middle and one on each side. I shaped them like the letter U and clipped the ends at the back of my head. I brushed my hair to straighten it more.

“Why is it only now that I have tried this look?!” I asked myself as I stare at the mirror, admiring my own beauty.

I shrugged my shoulders did a little turn before finally walking out the door but before stepping almost ten steps, I stopped as I remembered that I didn’t drown myself with perfume. So I ran back to my room and grabbed a bottle of perfume.

It is then I took notice of the jewelry box.

I frowned because I felt disappointed of myself that I almost went out without these stuffs.

I immediately grabbed a pearl necklace and a pair of pearl earrings. I looked at myself on the mirror once again and my looks doubled. I now look a highly respected queen of the lands, a smile stripped trough my red lips as I leave the room once again.

I walked down the empty corridors as I approach the balcony. I was enjoying little walk when someone decided to mess my mood.

“Going to balcony?” he asked, I frowned before turning to him. He was wearing a cloth made for a prince, it has this beautiful water design and a bling of gold, scattered all over his outfit that allowed his red hair, curly, to stood up. 

His white skin brightened as the sun rays reached us. He looks good for a farmer boy.

“Yes.” I answered, my brows met each other after seeing him almost fell on the ground but luckily he supported his weight using the wall beside him.

“I almost, I almost didn’t recognize you.” He said, stuttering. I just stood here, didn’t say any words and watch him control himself. After that, I decided to turn my back on him and continued my stroll, I can’t wait all day for him.

“W-wait!” he stuttered again, I stopped and after a few second heard a footstep, coming near to me. “I think we should go together.” He said after standing beside me, on my left arm. I looked at him in the eyes, mine’s settled but his is in panic. 

I smirked and finally walking again.

As we approach the balcony, crowds started to scream as a familiar voice echoes. She’s delivering a speech again using her high pitched voice that doesn’t fail to irritate me.

“Finally, the last couple from Edge Six has arrived!” she announces as we walk passed the opened door. Surprisingly, this balcony is very wide so it managed to accommodate us all. I looked to my left and saw the other participants standing on a different balcony.

“They must’ve tried each other before coming.” She said and looked at us, she looks gross!

The crowd started whistling and laughing. So I just shook my head in disbelief, making jokes like that!

“Let’s start over! Everyone, welcome our new set of Liars that will be competing on Date a Liar this year!”

Crowd cheered and screamed, looking at their number made me feel dizzy, if my guess is right, they’re from the neighboring Edges.

“Starting from edge one up to edge fifteen!” She screamed and everyone screamed. Then I noticed that everyone is waving their hands so I looked at mine and decided to copy them. I threw a big smile as I wave my right hand back and forth.

I need to leave an unforgettable memory to them so that when I needed advice, they could help me. Town people are capable of helping every participant that they want. They are the one who will remind us not to fall in love.

Giving us advice such as how beautiful life we could have outside the Micro Society and never to experience such game again.

That’s one of the privileges of winning the game, once you won, you will be remembered as a warrior who defies emotion in order to reach the dream.

I waved and waved and waved until my hands feels like breaking. Then suddenly I laughed as the camera pans towards my face but it didn’t ruined my image because when it’s my time to focus I made sure that the rays of my beautiful aura reach each and everyone of them.

I looked at the camera as if I was flirting with it. I showed my necklace and my earrings. I gave them my most beautiful smile and uttered the word.

“I love you.” 

After that, everyone on the crowd went nuts so I laughed, showing them a very cheerful side of mine. They all screamed and whistled as if they want to get my attention. I winked, that’s right people of Maharlika, fall in love with me!

After the camera passed by me, I looked into my company and they all looked whipped. “I’ll die for you!” a man said. “I can be gay for you!” a lady said so I just laughed but Elio who’s been standing on my side looks like his angry.

“You’re mine, only mine.” He said and pulled me from my waist near to his face. I gulped and pushed him away.

That’s hot.

No it isn’t!

My body shriveled as I look back to the crowd. I maintained my distance to Elio and rested my palms on the veranda as I stare down to the crowd. My hearing became foggy as I can’t comprehend what the annoying lady has been saying.

I just stood here, forcing a smile. I can’t back out now, I’ve already started!

If to show off is what will save me, I will do everything to stand up among the others. I don’t want to be stuck on myself thought during the game.

I need their opinion, their advice!