CONTINUATION...
The event auditorium started to fill up, some people were already in their seats. But before the event started, Lisa and the rest went to Ella's dressing room to greet her.
"Are you ready princess?". Lisa asked her daughter who was busy preparing. Jennie hired a big and well-known stylist just for her daughter. She hired a professional make up artist, a pageant mentor, and a voice coach led by her and her squads with Jisoo and Jeongyeon joining them while Lisa was the one who taught her daughter to dance with the help of Seulgi and Ryujin. The clothes that Ella will wear are of course from their own company, Chanel. Shoes from Celine and jewelry from Bulgari.
"I'm a bit nervous but I think I can manage". Ella answered her dada
Lisa gave her a reassuring smile, "I'm sure you do. If you feel nervous just look at us, okay?". Lisa advised her the latter nodded her head in understanding. "Thank you, dada". Ella hugs her tightly.
" You're always welcome, princess."
"And thank you as well to all of you, Tatas and Mama. For never failing to remind me that I will do good in this event. I won't gonna promise that I will win but I will try my best to make you all proud". Ella said sincerely which caused tears in everyone.
"You've already made us proud, baby. We love you." Jennie reassures her daughter before pulling her for a hug.
"For us, you're already the winner, noona. You will always be our winner". Leo told her noona causing the latter to form tears at the corner of her eyes.
"And you will always be beautiful in our eyes," Liam added and joined Leo and her mama to hug Ella.
"Group hug!". Jisoo exclaimed and everyone joined to hug the three, however, Jennie glared at Nayeon because the one she was hugging is Lisa and not them so she pulled her wife away from her.
Before they left Ella, Lisa, and her top squad immediately signaled Kris to come and give Ella good luck. At first, Kris was hesitant because she was afraid that her friend might ignore her and continue to avoid her, but Lisa reassured her that her daughter won't push her away.
" H-hi." Kris shyly greeted her.
Ella was surprised to see her but she quickly compose herself and face her best friend, "Hey". Ella greeted back.
"Just came to say good luck?". Kris said unsure.
Ella raised her brow, "You're unsure".
" No no, I mean good luck to you. I'm sure you'll win this---- Why did you bribe the judges?". Ella cut her off and Kris hastily shook her head.
"Of course not, why would I do that? I just know you'll win this because there was never in a day you stop practicing just to prepare for this day." Kris told her. Ella looked at her intently making the former's heart to sped drastically.
They were silent for about a minute before Ella breaks the silence.
Ella chuckles, "I'm just kidding. I was just teasing you since you look so tense. Are you alright?". Ella asked her and there was a hint of worry in her voice.
" I, I'm okay. I just don't know how to talk to you." Kris said in a low tone.
Ella tilted her head, "Why?".
" B-because...you kept avoiding me for the past weeks. Every time I tried to approach you, you will quickly turn away and went to join Maisie and... and sometimes Kang hoon." Kris said sadly as she continue to look at the floor avoiding Ella's gaze.
Ella felt guilt for what she did, she knew she shouldn't do that but that's her only way to figure out what she truly feels and what she truly wants.
"I'm sorry, I just had to do that for me to figure out what I want," Ella replied earning a confused look from Kris.
"What?"
Ella smiled at her and step forward toward Kris. When she was now standing closer, Ella locked her gaze on her, "I am not sure if our feelings our mutual but I'd rather tell you this now than end up being the same as Dada and Tata Chaeng love story". Ella stated making Kris's heart speed frantically since she knew the love story of Lisa and Chaeyoung.
" W-what about them?". Kris stammered as she can't calm her heart right at the moment.
"I'm sorry for avoiding you for the past weeks, Kris. I just want to figure out myself, I want to know what exactly what I want but after realizing everything, I guess my heart knows exactly what she wants". Ella's gaze never falters on her best friend.
Ella closed her eyes and heaved a deep sigh before returning her gaze to Kris and held her hands which made the latter's heart almost explode because of too much nervousness.
"Kris..."
"Y-yes?"
"Thank you for being my best friend, I genuinely enjoyed spending my time with you. We had similar tastes, interests, and values. You were there when I needed help with homework and stuck by me through mental breakdowns and moments of weakness. I’ve never met anybody like you. You're able to handle me, which I applaud you for. You’re there for me and that's what made me put all my trust in you. You hold my hand when I need someone to keep me up".
"I try to distance myself from you because I don’t want to lose the friendship that we had and to guard my heart against possible heartache for my unrequited love," Ella says making Kris's eyes to be widened.
"U-unrequited love?".
"I know it’s not right, and it's not fair, that it would feel awkward when I tell you this but I just can’t help to say it. I was struggling to keep my feelings by constantly reminding myself that you are my best friend, but I want us to be more than that..."
"I like you, Kris. Not just being my best friend but I like you more than just a friend". Ella finally said that made Kris's heart beat louder that she couldn't hear her surrounding.
Kris doesn't know what to do and what to react to, she didn't expect that Ella feels the same towards her but what she didn't expect is that Ella would confess her feelings first. She's about to tell her what she feels at the moment she enters the room but turns out it was Ella who confesses to her.
"Please say something, Kris". Ella looked at her, she was nervous because Kris isn't responding to her confession.
Did I scare her? Did I make her uncomfortable? Will she ignore me after telling her the truth? - Ella said in the back of her mind.
She heaved a sigh, "I get it... I'm sorry for scaring you. Please just forget about what I've said". Ella sadly says. She's trying her best not to cry. She is ready to turn away when suddenly a hand held her.
"After confessing that you like me you'll just turn your back on me? That's bad, El". Kris chuckled not averting her gaze from Ella.
"What?". Ella tilted her head in confusion.
"I'm sorry if I didn't react right away, it's just that I was surprised that you also feel the same".
"Feel the same? Y-you mean----- Yes, Ella. It's not unrequited love because the feelings are mutual. I like you too-no scratch that, I love you, Ella. I'm secretly in love with you. Just like you, I tried to ignore my feelings cause I don't want to ruin our friendship but as time goes by, every time I look at you my heart hurts for not telling you how much I love you so I asked Tata's advice". Kris told her.
"Y-you do?".
Kris nodded her head, " Yes, and the Whatta Tops squads". She chuckled.
"They gave me advice and I made a promise that I will tell you how I feel at the right time and I guess the time has finally come. I have to be honest with you for my own sanity. I love you, Ella, and I won't rush things between us since we are still young. I just want to let you know how I truly feel. I will wait for you when the right time comes when we both feel that we are finally ready to enter the relationship. For now, I will do everything to make you feel that you are special, that you are more than just a friend." Kris confessed and Ella could no longer hold back her tears and let them stream down her face. She hugs Kris tight after reassuring her love for her. She's happy that she did the right thing and confess to her.
"But how about Jade?". Ella suddenly pulled away from the hug.
"What about her?"
"You're always with her"
"To be honest, she knew my feelings for you and she was just helping me to confess but since I'm a coward at that time, I didn't listen to her. She was actually teasing me when I'm with her. She's bad, Ella". Kris pouted making Ella to chuckled.
"I guess you deserved that".
"How about you? Why are you with Kang hoon all the time?"
"Cause I'm mad at you cause you're always with Jade so in return, I joined Kang hoon during lunch break to see your reaction". Ella laughed at her.
" You're bad"
"I know"
"I missed you," Ella told her and hug Kris.
"And I always miss you, El". Kris responds and hugs her tight.
Little did they know that the Whatta tops squad and the Bikini Bottoms were behind the door and were listening to them the whole time with a satisfied smile creeping onto their faces.
The bottoms heard the tops sniffing, "Why are you all crying?". Jennie asked them. Lisa faced her wife and buried her face in the crook of her neck, " I can't believe my princess is a grown-up woman now and just confessed to the woman she likes, I-I'm not ready honey huhu".
"Same here babe/love/honey". The other tops did the same and buried their faces in their wife's necks.
"Aigoo you're such a crybaby". Jennie caressed her wife's cheek soothing her big baby.
--------
The event started and candidates started to be called, the Whatta Tops squads looked at each other indicating to be ready once Ella's name will be called out.
"Our next candidate is Ella Mckenzie Manoban". The MC calls her name and as soon as she was called out, Lisa and her squad together with their kids quickly stood up from their seats causing their wives to look at them confusedly.
"What's going on?". Jennie asked them but the tops ignored her and proceeded in front of the stage and pulled a huge banner. Seulgi and Ryujin pulled the end of the banner from each side while Jisoo and Jeongyeon were on the other side and Lisa was in the middle. Together, they raised the banner that has written "We believe in you even when you have trouble believing in yourself. We are proud of you!".
Beside them, their kids with Kris that are holding a cardboard with a message:
LEO: Just want you to know that you are
LIAM: Amazing
ECHO: Strong
SERA: Talented
BRIANNA: Beautiful
JIANNA: Smart
YERIN: And not alone
KRIS: We love you
The monitor showed what was written in their hands and everyone couldn't help but be touched by how supportive the Manobans and their closest friends were. As Ella read it tears formed in the corner of her eyes. She's indeed lucky for having such a wonderful and supportive family like them.
Jennie also can't help but shed tears, she's so proud that everyone loves Ella. She's lucky that after all these years Lisa still never failed to make them feel how much she loves and values her family.
"Good evening everyone, I'm Ella Mckenzie Kim-Manoban and I believe in saying overthinking can ruin you, so don't think about me. Thank you". Everyone was stunned after hearing Ella's introduction.
"Woahhhh". The tops were still taken aback and then turn their gaze at Jennie including her wife, Lisa.
"It's you who taught her that, right?". Irene told Jennie.
"Nah, I don't need to teach her that. She knew what she was doing". Jennie replied with a satisfied smile plastered on her face.
The next category, Talent.
Kris will be singing Happier by Olivia Rodrigo and of course as she sings, the bottoms were singing along with her since it was them who taught her. The tops squad was looking ridiculously at their wives cause they are louder than Ella.
Oh, I hope you're happy
But not like how you were with me
I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go
So find someone great, but don't find no one better
I hope you're happy, but don't be happier
" Who the fuck hurt them?". Jisoo asked in disbelief.
After singing a heartfelt song, the Whatta Tops squad immediately stood up from their seats and went on stage which made everyone especially their wives looked in confusion.
" Yah where are you all going?". Jennie asked them and that's where they noticed that their clothes were now different from the clothes they wear earlier. They are all wearing the same outfits.
"Don't tell me they are----". Irene didn't finish her sentence when the Tops stood behind Ella on stage and when the music starts their mouth went agape realizing they are actually Ella's backup dancers.
"So this is the reason why they are always busy because they are practicing a dance with Ella?". Chaeyoung's said in awe.
"Wow, I-I can't believe it". Nayeon was still shocked but she was actually drooling when her eyes landed on her wife and Lisa as they were doing a twerk dance.
Jennie on the other hand was turned on seeing how her wife danced gracefully and twerked to the song "Money"
The kids with Kris, Maisie, and Kang hoon also rush toward in front of the stage and cheered them as they also dance to the song.
MY MONEY MOVES, MONEY, I CHOOSE
CELINE, MY SHOES, WALKING ON YOU
MY MONEY RULES
MY MONEY MOVES, MONEY, I CHOOSE
WATCH HOW MY WONS AND YENS AND DOLLARS BE DROPPING ON YOU, YOU, YOU
DUN, DA, LA, LA, DUN-DUN, DUN, DA-LA-LA, DUN-DUN
DUN, DA, LA, LA, DUN-DUN, DROPPING ON YOU
DUN, DA, LA, LA, DUN-DUN, DUN, DA-LA-LA, DUN-DUN
DUN, DA, LA, LA, DUN-DUN, DROPPING ON YOU
The kids and the other students sing along to the song as they were enjoying Ella and the Whatta Tops squads number.
(Just imagine that Lisa is Ella and behind her are the Whatta Tops with the other backup dancers)
For the evening gown, instead of Ella wearing a gown, she chose to be different from the other contestants. She wears a sophisticated Chanel black wool jumpsuit (sorry Celine hiramin muna ni Chanel yung damit mo haha), she wears a flowing black dress featuring a Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori necklace with Serpenti Viper bracelets pair of sleek and strappy black heels.
Everyone was in awe of how beautiful Ella wearing and she became stand out among others.
(Ella's fit)
Here comes the Q&A, and only three contestants were left which are, Ella, Jade, and Lara. The three will receive the same questions from the judges and just like in the other contest, the two won't hear the question unless it was their turn.
The first one was called is Lara Park.
"Do you think men and women should have equal rights? Do you think one gender or the other should be given preference?". The judge asked.
"Everyone knows that the battle of the Sexes has been going on since the beginning of time and it's only recently that women have been considered equal in the eyes of men. I am a total believer in equal rights for women, but we must keep the balance and maintain men's equal rights as well." Lara ended which receives applause from the crowd.
The next one was called is Jade.
"Do you think men and women should have equal rights? Do you think one gender or the other should be given preference?".
"I think women and men should have the same rights. Both should be treated the same. People shouldn't be judged on their sex or race, all should be evaluated equally on their skills and talents. Women do stay home and watch the children but that doesn't mean they can't go out and make a living for themselves. Men have a little more over women, but women should still have an equal chance at anything a guy could do." Jade ended with a smile.
And when it was now Ella's turn, she receives loud applause from her family.
"You ready?". The host asked.
"Yes, I'm ready". Ella smiled before they turn to the judge.
"Do you think men and women should have equal rights? Do you think one gender or the other should be given preference?". The judge asked her.
Ella looked to where her family at and stared at them one by one. They gestured to her that she can do it, take a deep breath and focus on the question. Jennie gave her a thumbs up indicating that she'll be okay and when she turn her gaze to her Dada, she receives a reassuring smile from her.
Lisa mouthed her, "I'm proud of you". Ella smiled widely and nodded her head at her before she return her attention to the judge.
"I believe that God made us all equal; therefore, we are all equal in every way possible, including our intelligence. Men and women should be treated equally although many believe that this is not so. People have been taught to value their place in society even when they are placed underneath someone else. Gender equality allows both men and women to do and have opportunities like each other. Men and women should have equal rights; times are changing and although most still have the idea that women are inferior to men it is not true. Women are capable of getting an education, good jobs, and working outside of the house. Just like men, women can accomplish these goals. They can get a higher education if they are willing to work for them. It would not be fair for a woman who has a higher education to get a job lower in status than that of a man and people who work hard to get a higher education than others should be rewarded with jobs that are worthy of them. Whether a female or a male neither should get a preference it is wrong to believe that a woman should stay at home while a man goes to work. Gender equality is a barrier that one has to fight through to see the light ahead and get further in life." Loud applause was received from the crowd after Ella Manoban ended her answer.
"And the Miss Dulwich 2022 is...."
"Ella!"
Everyone cheered and applauded right after Ella was announced as the winner, the young Manoban couldn't help but become emotional as all of their hard work has paid off. She looked at her family and she saw how proud and how happy they are for her.
-----
HAPPY ONE YEAR OF LALISA! PROUD OF ALL YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS!
NEXT CHAPTER, EPILOGUE. FINAL NA ✌✋