She won the Crown

Chapter 74

(She won the Crown)

Ariel’s POV

“You will pay for this Ariel, I will make sure I deal with you” I heard her muttered before leaving the restroom completely. Well, that’s her business, it’s so good to be among people that can put her in her place, so if she thinks because she is the daughter of one of the richest billionaires, thinking she will intimidate me with the power she has, then she is joking.

I was being afraid of her when I came newly, I couldn’t do anything to her when she tried to bully me then in school. But right now, things are different. Even if I’m just new in the band, I won’t bow to her being the leader, even if she wins this year’s crown contest. F**k you Sophia, you don’t deserve that position, I scoff.

“Are you going home now ma’am, or you want me to take you somewhere else” Victor asked. I sigh briefly thinking about what he just asked. Do I really wanna go home now, or I should just drop by to see Mia. Her apartment is not far from here; the last time we saw was a day after the contest. Ever since then, we have been busy with our new jobs, and trust me when I say that I really get jealous whenever I see her shoot photos; they look amazing.

“I don’t feel like going home now, whereas it’s not late; take me to Mia’s apartment. It is just down the street.” I pointed out, giving him the address

“Ok ma’am” Victor muttered and took a U-turn down the other street.

I arrive Mia’s apartment and was welcomed by a maid, she directed me to Mia’s room after recognizing who I am. Well, I didn’t give her a formal introduction and being that I’m new to the house should make her think that I am a stranger, but she welcomed me like she has been expecting me.

It later became dawn on me that she might have watched the live contest and recognize me as the winner. Phew, it’s so hard believing that I am now a celebrity, like seriously, everyone will know me; not just in Cape Town, but outside the country. I can’t imagine the look on Kabria’s face when she sees my video performance. She will be beyond shock, and that’s’ if it has gotten so far to Africa.

Too bad, I didn’t think of knocking before entering the room, and the sight I caught got me off balance. I shouldn’t be shock though, but this…phew..is weird. Jack was clearly feeding on Mia’s lips like his life depends on it, as she reciprocated in the same pace. Thank God that aren’t naked, I don’t know what would have happened, cos, right now, they are beyond shock seeing me standing at the door

“Harrg” Mia gasps, as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She hasn’t told me about her relationship with Jack getting to the level of being on the bed, making out…geez…we have a lot to talk about. It became dawn on me that I should have ran out immediately I got in and perhaps apologize, but my legs got stuck to the ground and I could feel my cheeks widen as the result of the way I was smiling sheepishly like a fool…damn you Ariel

“Opps…I’m sorry I barged in that way, I should have knock….”

“You are already in Ariel…arghh” Jack groan, lifting his body of Mia’s as she chuckles, jabbing his shoulder. Her cheeks were still red as she makes her way towards me

“Hi sweetie…” She called pulling me into a hug as I embrace her back. Gosh, we have just been perhaps two weeks apart and it felt like months, no doubt, I’m really fond of her, and have I said that she is my only friend around here.

“Hurghh…the hug is enough, don’t suffocate her Mia, and you promised not to call anyone sweetie except me, now you are breaking the promise” Jack spoke from behind as Mia busted into laughter releasing me

“Damn, I missed you so much…how are you coping with work” Mia asked, totally ignoring Jack who made his way to the couch

“Work is hectic, and yours….hi jack” I greeted with a smile. He rolled his eyes

“Now you remember that I’m also in the room, too bad you cut my heavenly moment” he whined

“You have had enough Jack…and whereas I wasn’t planning on giving it to you today, so don’t expect anything, because Ariel might not leave until tomorrow..and back to you Ariel…work is hell hectic. Thanks to Jack who is working close to me, it makes things a bit easier; being that he always makes me smile at his silly jokes even when I seem stressed out to look into the camera” Mia stated

Jack grinned, he seems happy to hear that his jokes and moment with her has been making the job less stressful for her

‘Don’t smile too much, I ain’t done yet” Mia snapped as he frowns. I couldn’t stop the laugh from coming out of my mouth, this two are just fun to watch.

“Your coming here is a surprise; you didn’t call to tell me that you are coming”

“Yea, I didn’t plan on coming here today though, I wanted it to be the day I will be free and we will both go on our friendly girly date and so on…but I just felt like coming since I will have nothing doing when I get home from the contest.” I replied as she gasps, covering her mouth

“Oh…my…gawd…damn…is it today..i-I mean the crown contest”

I nodded. She looked at Jack who shrugged

“Do you know about it” She asked him

“I’m as surprised as you..i- ermm actually forgot”

“Oh my…I’m really sorry Ariel…I was supposed to be there, trust me I forgot. Though, we both had a shoot this morning in a certain company, which lasted into the afternoon, but we could have still made it. Such a pity I wasn’t there” She pouted, as o let out a slight chuckle

“It’s ok, you both have jobs to do, so I’m not bothered and whereas, the second or should I say last performance is coming up next tomorrow. Will you be free?”

“We are gonna be free for the next four days, yea we are taking a break , I mean, I can’t kill myself, all because I wanna be a model, damn..” She cursed

“Ouch….my bad…I haven’t offered you anything… Jack you couldn’t even be a gentleman today, getting us something to drinks huhnn” Mia scoffs getting up to go out

“I will be right back” She winked and left, leaving me to face Jack who was also staring at me. I gave him a questioning look

“Oh…yea…we are officially dating..i don’t know if she has mentioned something about it to you..but…that’s the truth.” He stated. I nodded

“Oh….”

“Yea…

“Just don’t break her heart…you know she is my friend”

“Yea…trust me, I love Mia so much, I won’t think of doing that” He chuckled. But I still kept a serious face, and it made him kind of uneasy. He might be thinking he had done something wrong by laughing

“Because if you do….i’m gonna kick you in your ass” I threatened as his eyes popped out

“Ouch…and that’s gonna hurt”

“Yes..real bad…yunno, Africans got really hard kicks…more like an ostrich kick, and you know what that means” I wriggled my brow. He clamps his hands together before nodding, gulping down his saliva, I think. I smiled inwardly, well a playboy once, could still be a playboy. Mia had told me about him being one during her school days, and threatening him a little might just help put fare in his mind whenever he thinks of changing to the bad boy. I can’t let anything like heartbreak happen to a nice fellow like Mia, damn..no.

~~~~~

Crown Contest

Sophia face held a smile as the crowd made jittery noise, saying either of the names of their favourite artist. But having a close look at her, one will know that the smile isn’t a genuine one but fake. She seems to be boiling within, as she stares at Ariel who was giving out her best smile, as the judges praises her for her job well done. Ariel just finished her performance, and even she wouldn’t doubt the fact that Ariel sang more like an angel, staring the crowd to be filled with ecstasy as they scream her name from their lips. Banners with the inscription of Ariel and her pictures filled the whole auditorium as the crowd seems to be in her support.

They seem to love Ariel more than her, within just a space of time that she started performing. Her anger grew more when the judges made it obvious that Ariel had done a great job. She wasn’t expecting such amazing performance from her; else she would have done more than just singing her usual way. She would have put in her secret stage performing skills that Ariel would know nothing about.

In dancing, singing and stage management, she is better than Ariel, but all she knew and hopes for was that she will win the contest being that Ariel is still new in the game. But right now, her hopes are fading away, as her heart is giving way to fear, but since the result hasn’t been announced, then there is still chance to hope for the best. She ended her thought with a smirk and looked forward.

“Wow…that was dope….i’m looking forward to see more performance from you Ariel, you killed that song..or am I mistaken” Justin Bieber, one of the famous artist asked his fellow judges as they nodded in affirmation

“Sure..” Megan the stallion replied with a smile

“Ok…so…let’s ask this to the audience before making our final decision. So who do you all thinks deserves the crown for this year’s band contest” he stated, and before he could complete his statement. The name A.R.I.E.L filled the air, as she covered her mouth in amazement. She wasn’t expecting to have so much fans just in the few space of time.

“Wow…that’s huge” Bieber whispered to his colleagues but his voice still sounded in the microphone

 Sophia and Ariel still stood where they were supposed to stand as their hearts beats almost rapidly, each waiting to hear who they will make the winner. But one thing Ariel knows is that they wouldn’t wanna go against the crowd, as it was being said that the crowd will make their choice, and if it’s in line with the Judge’s decision then they will grant the crown to the winner. Ariel sighs softly looking at the crown where it was placed. Theo and Nicki sat side by side, while Axel sat just opposite the crown. He is the one to wear it on the winners head as a sign of leadership. It is made from pure gold as the little diamond stones on it glitters in the light.

“And the winner is….” The voice jolted Ariel out of her mesmerizing thought

“Hmmm…the winner is Soph…Ariel….” He shouted as shouts of glee filled the whole auditorium. Lots of balloons where thrown into the air as the fire workers made sure that they gave a wonderful sight in the sky, displaying Ariel’s name. They seem to have planned it before her name was called. Ariel’s eyes were already moist as tears of joy were threatening to fall. The judges applaud her with smile on their faces and in a standing ovation, same with the audience.

Axel walked up to her with the crown in his hands as she bows her head a little to receive it after being worn a pendant. He gently laid it on her head and gave her a reassuring smile, which was actually contagious. She found herself smiling back, and giving him a hug, well not just because she wants to, but because she needed a shoulder to let down her tears. The joy is incomparable, she doesn’t deserve this but she got it. Her dreams are coming true real fast and she prays that nothing stops it from completing.

 “Hey…now is not the time to cry” He noted, patting her back as she sniffs in

“I just can’t help it…thank you” She stated and breaks the hug before facing the crowd. Her eyes met Mia and Jack where they were seated among the top invited guest and Mia blew her kisses while Jack gave her one of his numerous winks making her laugh out, as the tears fade off.

Everyone was busy congratulating her and didn’t even pay attention to Sophia. She felt like the ground should open and swallow her. She hasn’t experience this kind of shame in her entire music journey and life itself. Even her friends, Nina and Emma were busy congratulating Ariel, not giving her a glance. Her hatred for Ariel suddenly increased to 5G, and it will take the better part of her if she doesn’t do anything about it. And the worst part is that, a duo concert will be coming up in two weeks time which means that Ariel being the new leader will have to travel out of the country with Axel, to perform together.

“Hmmm..let’s see about that” She thought evilly as her eyes wander to where Michael stood. Too bad, he won the contest again this year, which mean he will continue to be the Triple boy’s leader until the next crown contest. They had theirs yesterday, and she had clearly bragged to him saying she will win it too, but this is shit. She noticed him still staring at her, with a smirk on his face. But the next thing she saw pulled her off balance. It was a flash drive; he was holding it up for her to see

“Wait a minute, I think I recognize that flash” She gasps as he walks away into the crowd