Le Coup de Foudre Love at First Sight

"Okay girls,that's a wrap up for today.Please have a good and long beauty rest,restore your energy and be at your best tomorrow night for the Final Coronation,okay?" Madame Estelle said to all the 51 girls who's all standing onstage.

Madame Estelle is the Stage Director and Choreographer for Miss Fleur de Blue beauty contest,and it's one of the prestigious beauty contest in the country.

Claire took a deep breath as took off her stilettos and she gave a quick massage on her legs.She's one of the contestants of Fleur de Blue contest and she's candidate number 38. They've been doing a lot of promotions,training,rehearsals,charity balls,and television interviews and finally,they are going to end their journey tomorrow.

She has mixed emotions has the coronation night draws near.She feeling anxious,excited and somehow relieved because it's going to be over soon.However,she not really into winning the crown.Being in this competition is more of like a responsibility since it's been a tradition in the Mitchell family to join this pageant. It all started with her great great great grandmother,who won the beauty title and the crown back in 1945. Then,the crown was won again by a Mitchell woman back in 1970's and that was her mother's cousin. Then they won again in 1980's,and now she's about to try to win the crown...

"You looked so dead tired,sweetie."

Claire's thoughts suddenly stopped in a halt when she heard that familiar sarcastic tone.She almost rolled her eyes heavenward when she saw Rosie,who was standing infront of her.She was looking at her as if she already won the crown and she's a runner-up.

Rosie has been her competitor in almost everything. From their academic performance at the University,being pretty and popular with guys and girls and now,taking home the crown. Anyway,she doesn't really compete with her and she doesn't give a damn if she wins in everything but Rosie always gets into her nerves so that's why she wanted to get back at her.

As for the crown...It was more of a responsibility and her last promise to her grandmother.

Claire stood up and looked at Rosie straight into her eyes.

"Thank you for your concern,but I don't need it,honey. But hey,I didn't know you were carrying two bags."

Rosie looked at her in utter confusion.

"Bags? What the hell are you talking about?"

Claire gave her a fake smile as she puts the stilettos back into her feet.

"I'm talking about your dark eyebags,Claire. And you're welcome."

Even if she already turned her back from Claire,she knows that the girl was fuming. She won this round. She walked out from the hall like a winner.

She was finally at the parking lot.She was almost limping because her shoes were killing her. As soon as she was inside her car,she removed her shoes again and threw it at the back. She heaved a sigh of relief as she steps into her comfy sandals.

"I just want to go home and take a warm shower and go to bed." she said to herself as she drove her car home.

*******************

Claire switched off the blowdryer after she was done.She stood up and jumped into her bed.She just needs to put on some lotion and she'll hit the sack because she needs to wake up early tomorrow.Their call time is at 10 in the morning,so that they can prepare for the live show in the evening.

She was about to get her lotion from her nighstand when she suddenly saw her grandmother's picture frame.She smiled as she gets frame.

"Nana,I'm going to compete for Miss Fleur de Bleu just like what you did seventy five years ago.And I hope I can win the crown for you." she whispered.

Her Nana Clara was the best grandma in the whole wide world.She used to tell her a lot of stories about how she won the Miss Fleur de Blue back in 1945,and how she met a lot of people and enjoyed her reign as a Queen.Nana also said that the title also gave her a chance to meet her future husband (which is her Grandpa) at the last month of her reign.

As what Nana said it was "Le Coup de Foudre" which means "Love at first sight." Her grandpa was a French gentleman who was a tailor,Nana has been his muse for so many years.

Nana passed away just 24 hours after Grandpa died because of a cardiovascular disease.Her Nana was healthy,and she died because of an old age. She knows that they're still very much inlove and happy in heaven.

She stopped reminiscing when she heard soft knocks from her door.

Who could it be at this hour? she thought.

"Come in!"

She saw her mother by the door and she was holding a big box.She quickly came in and laid the mystery box on her bed.

"I'm glad you're still awake,dear.But don't worry,I just need to give this to you and I'll be out."

She curiously looked at the box.

"What's inside the box,Mom?"

"Open it."

Claire quickly opened the box and she saw one vintage gown.

"This is one of the most glamorous gown I've ever seen! Who's gown is this? And who made it?" she gasped in amazement.

"It was made by Diego dela Serna. This gown made him famous overnight as soon as your grandma wore it at the coronation night of Miss Fleur de Bleu."

"No way! This is from the great Diego dela Serna? He made this in 1945? Mom,this gown is worth million of dollars if we're going to sell it!" Claire excitedly said.

"If your Nana's alive,you'll get a spanking from her. This is her prized possession and she didn't even think of selling this!" reprimanded her mother.

"Oppss,sorry Nana." Claire apologized,while looking guilty.

"Anyway,you are the very first Mitchell woman who's going to wear this gown after your Nana.We all wanted to wear this,but Nana always gets angry. She would say "Claire is the only one who's going to wear this." And well,I can see why. You have this uncanny resemblance to our Nana,and it feels like you traveled from 1945 to the year 2020!" said her mother.

"This is extremely beautiful,Mom! This gown best represents Hollywood glam.We don't need to make any adjustments,and I'm going to look perfect at the evening gown competition." Claire said it all in one breath.

"I'm sure your Nana's happy up there.And I'm so glad and relieved that I was able to get it from the drycleaners on time."

Claire happily hugged her mother tight.

"Oh,I appreciate what you did,Mom.I won't be nervous and scared tomorrow because all of you and Nana's gonna be with me."

"Of course,darling. We'll be with you all the way.Win or lose,you're still our Queen." her mother reassured her.

"I know,Mom. I know."

After a few minutes,they released each other from their embrace and smilingly looked at each other.

"Well,you need to get your beauty sleep now. I'll just put this gown on your luggage so everything's ready for tomorrow." her mother suggested.

"Okay."

After her mother walked out from her room,she suddenly felt sleepy so that's why she decided to hit the sack. She whispered a little prayer,and she finally fell into a deep and peaceful sleep...

********************

"Girls, two minutes before the evening gown competition starts!" the Assistant Director announced,as she quickly dropped by backstage.Then she went out again.

The Top Five candidates are standing by the door that leads towards the main stage. They just waiting for the staff to give them a go signal before they can strut their stuff on stage. They need to make a good impression and show their X factor to be chosen as the Top Three candidates,and finally, from there,the judges will choose who's going to be the second runner-up, third runner up and the new Miss Fleur de Bleu 2020.

Cecile closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself.

"I know that you're here with me,Nana. Let's enjoy the stage and let's accept whatever outcome may come our way." she silently prayed.

"Okay,Cee. Go onstage now. Goodluck!" one of the staff instructed,as she gave her as gentle push.

Cecile lets out her famous million-dollar smile as she stepped onstage. But she almost lost her balance when all of the lights suddenly went out. She can't see anything because the stage suddenly went pitch-black,and she panicked a little bit. Maybe there was a problem with the electricity... What really scares her the most is everyone was silent.She can't hear the audience and it creeps her out...

She was about to call someone for help when the lights suddenly came back.She closed her eyes at first,then she slowly opened it again,waiting for her eyesight to adjust to the bright lights...

"Let's all welcome the candidate number 8,Miss Celine Dawson!"

"What?Why are they calling my Nana's maiden name? And why does the host sounds weird?" she asked to herself.

She finally opened her eyes,and her jaw almost fell halfway to the floor when she saw the audience...