"Here, sit here next to me. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask us anything, okay?" Mariana suggested.
"I will... Thank you!" the shy woman thanked them, again and again.
Mariana and Charlotte didn't disturb her, so that she can concentrate on writing on the form.
After a few minutes, the woman finished answering the form.
"Well, let's get to know each other, shall we? My name is Mariana Clemente, an aspiring candidate for this year's Miss Supernational." Mariana decided to break the ice.
"And I'm Charlotte Navarro, another aspiring candidate and I've joined many beauty pageants back in my hometown. How about you? Are you new to the pageantry world?" Charlotte inquired, in a curious manner.
''I'm Mary Beth Sanchez... And yes, I am new to the pageantry world. This is my first-ever competition, if I were selected as one of the top finalists..." Mary Beth smiles at the two girls.
"Charlotte and I are both independent candidates. How about you?" Mariana curiously asks Mary Beth again
"Oh yes, I have a manager. He's just outside, talking to someone over the phone." replied Mary Beth.
"Well, now that we're getting to know each other, I hope we can have a friendly competition. Even though our main goal is to win the crown, I hope we can still be friends together." Charlotte diplomatically stated.
"You're absolutely right, Charlotte. We need to stick together throughout this journey. And don't worry, Mary Beth... Charlotte and I will help you as much as we can." Mariana said with a smile.
"Oh, that would be really great. Thank you once again, Mariana and Charlotte." Mary Beth heaved a sigh of relief.
Their conversation stops in a halt when they suddenly hear a commotion inside the lobby.
The three of them curiously watches a certain woman who is confidently walking inside the main lobby.
They can't help but to notice the woman's strong presence.
All of the girls can't take their eyes off this woman, and Mariana can't help herself but to feel a bit insecure, as this woman is clearly a threat to all of the girls who are all vying for one crown...
''Oh my goodness, she's back!'' Charlotte suddenly gasped, as her eyes widened in shock.
''What do you mean, Charlotte? What do you know about her?" Mariana's curiosity becomes deeper.
"Alright, listen to me carefully, girls. She is none other than Ananda Santander, and she was once a candidate at the same competition two years ago. Many pageant experts were saying that she will get the crown and the title, and she is the strongest woman for Miss Supernational title. And because of her overall strength, many girls started backing out from the competition two years ago..." Charlotte told them what happened two years ago.
"But why is she joining this year, if I may ask?" Mary Beth became curious as well.
"Hmm... I heard from my reliable sources that two years ago, Amanda suddenly decided to back out and she suddenly flew to Germany! No one really knows the reason why. But anyway, we always need to be mentally, physically and emotionally ready for this competition. Amanda Santander is the strongest as of the moment, so we really need to step up!" Charlotte pronounced, while looking determined.
Mariana turned her attention back to Amanda Santander. She really couldn't read her, as she is wearing a poker face. But Charlotte is definitely correct. They need to work double time for them to be able to catch up with Amanda...
She averted her eyes away from Amanda when they suddenly heard some important announcements coming from one of the staff of the said competition.
"To all the applicants of Miss Supernational USA, please proceed inside the auditorium to submit your application, and please get ready for the initial interview." a staff member from the Miss Supernational Organization clearly stated.
''Goodluck to all of us girls.'' Mariana wished Charlotte and Mary Beth the best of luck.
As soon as they entered the auditorium, she immediately saw a long table where the staff of the Miss Supernational Organization were all sitting.
Mariana is very much aware that these people are not the ones who belong to the "inner organization," these are not yet the ones in the ''Inner Core'' but she fully knows that they might be just roaming around, hiding their real identities so that they can secretly observe them.
"Please form a line so that we can give you a cue number. Once you have a number, please take a seat and the staff will call you. Once your number is called, you need to give them your application form and they will ask you some questions. Afterwards, you will need to stand up so that we can measure your height, body and many other things. Did I make myself clear?" the staff instructed them.
Mariana closed her eyes and counted one to ten to calm herself. This is a high-level competition already, so that's why she needs to have a presence of mind.
The three of them were the first ones to be called, and they were given corresponding cue numbers.
"Wow, the National Pageants are really on a different level! The requirements are much stricter, and they are more precised and organized!" Charlotte said, while looking amazed.
"You're right, Charlotte!" Mary Beth nodded in agreement, while looking around the area.
The grand auditorium buzzed with excitement as the prestigious Miss Supernational USA pageant auditions were in full swing. Mariana is secretly observing everything that unfolded before her eyes. The organizers, with stern expressions and sharp eyes, were dead serious about selecting the most deserving candidates to be included in the Top 40 finalists.
Mariana watched as the hopeful contestants paraded across the stage, each one exuding confidence and beauty. The air was filled with anticipation and nerves as the judges scrutinized every detail, from the way they walked to the way they smiled.
Among the sea of contestants, Mariana noticed a few standouts - a radiant redhead with a dazzling smile, a statuesque brunette with impeccable poise, and a shy girl with a quiet elegance that captivated the room. As the auditions progressed, Mariana couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and apprehension.
The tension in the auditorium was palpable as the organizers deliberated, their expressions unreadable...