From: Gourmet Adventures Contest
October 1st, 7:30 AM
To: Maria Tomas
Subject: Congratulations!
Congratulations Maria,
We've selected your account "Rialoves2cook" to advance to round two! You've brought your flavour, so don't hold back now. This round is divided into themes: Amazing appetizers, Better-than-your-Mama's Soups and Salads, Sweet Treats, Mouth-watering Mains, and Tastes of the World. Within the next 3-5 days, you'll receive a box of ingredients from our sponsors. To move to round three, you must use each item at least once throughout the month. You will also be judged on your ability to cultivate and engage with an audience, your creativity, and the uniqueness of your posts.
Best of luck,
The Gourmet Adventures Team
***
Maria hopped out of bed, rubbed her eyes, and brought her phone into the kitchen where her mom was getting ready for work. Camilla furrowed her brow.
"What's wrong, Ria?"
Maria extended the device to her mom. "Does this say what I think it does?"
"Diyos ko! You did it." Camilla crushed her in a hug. "My daughter, the chef! You should ask about the prize money."
Biting her lip, Maria nodded. The relatives they'd approached to borrow money apologetically admitted between summer vacations and back-to-school shopping they could use loans too.
"I looked yesterday. They mail out a cheque."
"All that work and that's how they treat you. Don't worry, the Lord will see that your plan works."
"I'm not sick or dying, ma."
"Come, come, I have a backup idea." Camilla led her into the family room to the computer desk. She logged into her bank account then muttered, "Humanda ka, Rodrigo."
"What's wrong?"
"He moved the money I wanted to give you. Can Music Boy repay you?"
Maria winced at the thought of asking him. He'd probably make her life difficult if he didn't outright ignore her. They hadn't spoken since the concert unless Will's scathing accusations on her social media accounts about sabotaging their band counted. With their history, she expected he'd care she was leaving for a year, but she was worthless compared to Kelsey.
"No."
"What about his mother? It's her son's fault you need to go to Thailand."
Maria's stomach flipped. There was no need to involve Kathy in Maria's mess, and there was no telling what stories Adrian had told her about what Maria had done to him and how he suffered. "I couldn't do that."
"You should consider it, iha. There aren't many options left."
***
Rialoves2cook: For my final Amazing Appetizer, I bring you bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. They're simple, but an instant crowd-pleaser in my pork-loving household. They're often devoured before I can have seconds of the juicy, crispy, sweet and salty delight. I've borrowed the recipe from a friend who has helped make my fresh start a reality. In a week, I'm moving to the continent where one of this recipe's ingredients originates. I'll be including hints in my dishes every day. Post your guesses below, and I'll give a shout-out to you clever folks who figure it out. Can't wait to share this surprise with you!
#familyrecipe #AmazingAppetizer #ReadyJetGo #secretdestination #adventurehereIcome
posted: October 6th, 5:00 pm
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General FictionWhen her first love falls apart, a Filipina-Canadian foodie is devastated. To salvage their relationship, Maria joins a social-media cooking contest despite her family's advice to move on. Her efforts draw him back until he reveals his loyalty to hi...
