The First Look, Again

The air in the contract signing room crackles with anticipation and nervous energy. One by one, elegant, poised women take their seats, each a contender for the coveted Miss Universe Philippines crown. You, Yllana, sit among them, your heart a mix of determination and anxiety. The organizer calls for silence as the signing begins, but a sudden shift in the room’s energy draws all eyes to the entrance.
Whispers erupt as she walks in – Ahtisa. Draped in white, radiating that same quiet confidence. Confusion ripples through the room; she was the reigning queen, wasn't she just a guest? But then, the papers are handed out, and you see it – she receives the same contract. She's competing again.
Your stomach drops. A wave of emotions washes over you – anger, confusion, but also, unexpectedly, relief. After years of silence, she's here. And with just one look from those familiar eyes, everything you thought you had buried resurfaces.
