Seasons

Few Hours Left

Anntonia's POV:

"I gave you good enough time. I am expecting you to have already done what I told you to do." Max said, sipping on her coffee. I just continued to fidget my hands under the table, feeling uneasy about her presence early in the morning when I should've been meditating for the coronation later rather than entertaining her.

"Yes." I confidently said. Not a hint of guilt came to me because that is actually a half-fact. I did end something with her last night, and it was the 'just-friends' stage of us.

How about that, Max?

"For real?" Max asked, trying to meet my gaze so that she could read through me if I was telling the truth.

I was holding myself back from grinning. I bit the insides of my cheeks to act normal. I do admit that having Max in this room makes me feel like I am actually betraying Michelle. After last night, it felt like I also vowed that we didn't just seal a deal, but we also became more honest about how we actually see ourselves in one another's eyes.

Me, being the woman she loves, and she made it so clear. So after all of this chaos, I am still calm, knowing that even though there are so many things that try to go our way, Michelle and I will talk about them and they'll turn out to be just as easy to fix.

I am so lucky to have found the most intelligent person who could deal with the fate that I have and the challenges that come with it.

"What? I am asking you." Max said to get my attention. I didn't know I was zoning out.

"I already said yes." I responded, meeting her eyes without giving any reaction.

"How did you do it?"

"I believe I don't have to put the details on the table." I said, somewhat irritated.

"Fine, fine." Max tapped the table. She looks like she's content with what she heard, but I can also sense a hint of suspicion in her gesture, like she's still processing if I was actually telling the truth.

Miss Laos went out of the bathroom, and her eyes automatically landed on Max. I saw how her forehead creased as she mouthed a curse.

"Where do you want to go after coronation?" Max excitedly said, like she already has her plans with her.

"Rest." I answered right away.

"What? That's too boring!" Max scoffed in disbelief.

"It's a need."

"No. We should tr---"

"I will rest, Max." I said as if I had already decided. I want to tell her that her controlling side won't take over now that I am feeling everything.

"Are you turning me down? I only have a few days left here, you got it? You can't just decide like that."

"I am not a sort of tourist guide to keep you company at all times. I do not hold any responsibility to satisfy you." I said. I felt relieved after saying that, to be honest.

"Why are you so brave to talk to me like that?" Max pretended like she's interested to know, but she wasn't great enough to hide the obviousness in her tone that she was offended.

"Max, can you please leave? I still have a lot of preparation to do." I politely ask, losing my energy to even argue with her.

"No. Do that while I am here." Max ordered.

I just shrugged, letting her do whatever she wanted. But my mind works differently today. I stood up and fixed the mess of my chargers and gadgets that were on my bed, and I placed the speaker on the bedside table. I turned it on and connected my phone to it.

I played one of Michelle's favorite songs. I'd like to vibe with something she likes for my early morning jam.

(🎶 - Now Playing: Skyline by Khalid)

I just let the music play along in the background and busied myself with the things I had to prepare. My final gown is already good to go. It was placed in a very secure zip bag so that it wouldn't be ruined or be a subject for sabotage. I also took three sachets of red ginseng for our vitamins. One for me and two for her; I've got to always put her first, just in case she's the one who forgets to take care of herself too.

I already made a list of the things I have to prepare on a piece of sticky note, and I was ticking them off one by one if I already got them done.

"This is boring. I'll leave, Anntonia."

"Okay." I quickly responded without looking at her.

"That's it?" Max said, as if she's demanding more. I just ignored her and stayed focused on choosing the palettes of makeup that I'd suggest be applied to my face when MUBA started to glam us up.

I seriously don't care anymore about what she plans to do, but I heard her footsteps, and every single one of them becomes louder as she gets closer.

I turned around to face her, and she was leaning forward, like she'd wanted to give me a good-bye kiss before she stepped out.

What a creep?

"No." I said, moving my face to the side so that I could avoid her attempt.

"Come on now, Anntonia? Why are you acting like you do not want me?" Max confusedly asked.

"Max, if you plan to leave, then leave. Just this once, let me do what I have to do as a candidate."

Max just scoffed and turned her back as she strided her way out of our room.

"Finally," Miss Laos said, and she zipped her luggage aggressively.

"It's embarrassing. I'm sorry."

"I can't believe you. Why are you letting that woman treat you like that? We must report her!" Miss Laos said with so much anger.

"To whom, then?"

Her face softened and she avoided my gaze. See? Reporting her is not an option. If I just have the chance, then I have already done it since the start. But her connection to the executives just makes this whole thing possible.

It also occurred to me that I could possibly ask President Anne for help because we're both Thai. But after that talk, where I heard Miss O, President Anne, and Max negotiating about something business-related, I already knew that it was hopeless.

"Let's get ready for breakfast?" Miss Laos said, changing the conversation.

I quickly nodded and continued on with what I was doing. I looked around, and I saw how our room was completely organized, just like how it looked when we first arrived here.

Our luggages are also set to go.

Whatever happens tonight, we must go. There's no longer going back in this room.

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A/N:
Grabeng "i'll be right back" iyan. Good for one day haha #marupok 🥲