MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO HAVE A DADDY.

Chapter 19.

Three hours already passed, I am now busy with the last cake. The pressure is so high because luckily, I am still competing with the other three bakers. Napili ako sa una at pangalawa, that doesn't mean that Ryle advanced it.

We are free to bake a cake we want in a limited time.

Matatagalan ako kung magarang cake ang gagawin ko. I chose to bake a sugar-free chocolate fruit cake.

I almost ran out of strawberries but fortunately, there are still supplies.

Hinihintay ko na lang ang cake na matapos mabake at habang nakatayo lang, lumingon ako sa mga kasama ko. May isa nang tapos at isa naman na ang naglalagay ng toppings habang nagmi-mix pa lang ang isa.

Nadako nang aksidente ang mata ko sa babaeng naghihintay din kagaya ko.

"You shouldn't be worried about not winning because we know that you are connected to the CEO, what a cheat." sarkastikong tumawa ito kahit halata namang naiinis.

Nagulat ako du'n. Buti na lang at hindi na kami pinapanood sa stage.

"Kaya nga, I have noticed that they've been smiling to each other even they can't tell that they're actually don't know the right direction of each other. Bakit pa tayo nandito? You wanted us to get humiliated, do you?" saad ng tapos na.

I swallowed hard, not able to reply.

"You can't even defend yourself so that only means one thing, we are right." sali din ng isa.

So they're against me, huh? My teeth clenched as well as my hands.

Anxiety's attacking me.

"Mukhang hindi lang simpleng koneksyon meron sa CEO, e. Boyfriend pa ata. May balak atang kaawaan tayo kapag hindi tayo nanalo. Tsk, tsk."

"She's taking the advantage."

"I should have known it from the first place so I won't be here today."

"What a bitch."

My head was about to burst and shout at them when a group of men interrupted us.

Sila ang judges together with the hosts. Nakita ko agad si Ryle na nasa harap mismo, I turned my back to wipe my tears.

"So we'll be here to observe, part of the contest is observing the bakers. Don't mind us and focus. Good luck again, ladies!"

Nakayuko na ako nang humarap sa kanila para sumang-ayon. Naglalagay na ako ng toppings nang mahagip ng gilid ng mata ko ang pigura ni Ryle na tumayo. Ayokong tumingin sa kaniya dahil nahalata niya ang mga akto ko, hindi na ako makangiti.

Maybe they're right. Maybe I am still here not because of my cakes but because of Ryle. I hate to admit but I don't want things to turn that way. Ayokong isipin na ganu'n ang ginagawa ni Ryle, ayokong isipin na wala siyang tiwala sa akin o hindi niya pinapaniwalaan ang kaya ko. Alam kong malabo niyang gawin iyon pero paano kung tama sila? Ayoko ng ganu'n.

I am done when I excused myself to go to the restroom. Hindi ko naman na gagalawin ang cake kaya nakapunta ako sa restroom. Ni hindi nga ako sigurado kung okay lang ang cake na binake ko dahil nawala ako sa focus.

Tumingin ako sa salamin, nakipagtitigan sa sarili. Hindi ba ako magaling para dumepende sa diretsahang panalo? I never planned to win by asking Ryle's help. I don't even know that he's the CEO. And in fact, my goal isn't winning at all.

Nagpaulit-ulit ang mga salita nila sa isip ko at doon na nagsimulang umagos ang mga luhang napigilan ko kanina. This is the first time that I got those reactions from the others. My self-esteem just went down. I don't even know if I can still show up in front of them.