The next day, Erica went to white chillies to submit her form. "I need to use the restroom before I urinate on my body." Erica said she went to one of the cleaners.
"Please where can I find the restroom." The cleaners directed her. Erica used the restroom outside the building but mistakenly locked herself in. She kept on banging on the door but no one heard her because of the commotion outside, reporters and contestants.
Erica was locked in the restroom for hours she tried calling Reema but Reema wasn't picking up she called her aunt she picked up
"Hello aunt I need your help." Rita couldn't hear her because she was blending with the blender.
"Um...Erica I'm busy for now the neighbours really need this food so I'll call you back later come home early." Aunt Rita hung up.
"Darn it! so I'll be locked in here until eternity why isn't reema picking up her phone." Reema was in the karaoke with her co workers they were on a lunch break.
"James go and get the ribbons in the box at the backyard, the delivery men left it there." Edison said.
"Yes brother." James went to the backyard.
Erica was locked in for two hours and she managed to continue banging on the door .
James heard the bangs and he opened the restroom. "Are you okay miss?."
"Thank you so much for opening the door sir or I would've died in there."
"Are you a reporter."
"No I'm a contestant I'm Erica Andrew." James smiled "You have a pretty name I'm James Hadley a worker here."
"Thank you so much sir once again."
"Yes miss Erica and I also wish you success in the competition."
"Thank you." Erica said and left. James continued staring at Erica as she left "She's the prettiest girl I've ever seen, I've met my damsel in distress." He smiled again and took the box to Edison.
On Erica's way home reema called her "sis why did you call me fifteen missed calls."
"Because I needed your help, I was locked up in the restroom of white chillies but anyway someone saved me."
"Okay Since you're okay I'm hanging up."
Erica kept on revising her Mom's recipe book and finishing touches were made as the competition day was fast approaching.
THE DAY BEFORE THE COMPETITION
"Charity day!" Erica shouted. Reema too was ready to go out for charity.
"Where are you two off to." Rita asked .
"Mom we are going for charity to give Erica success in the competition." Reema said.
"I too should also come along so that the blessings on Erica will be double." Rita said.
"No aunt you shouldn't come with us just stay at home and rest I and reema can handle this and we are going to be doing menial jobs as a way of charity."
"Okay you guys should take care of yourselves and come back home early."
"Yes mom." Reema and Erica left. They helped people run errands, trim their flowers, now their lawns as well as sanitation. By the time they were done, they sat on the bench.
"Today was hectic." Erica said
"Yes today I supposed to be at the office."
"Today is Sunday how can you go to the office on a Sunday."
"It is possible especially when you have a lot of work to do and can't leave it for Monday."
"This is already 4pm can you still meet up?"
"No I'll just rest at home and prepare for Monday anyway let's go home we still have chores to do in the house." They both stood up and went home.
TEST DAY OF THE COMPETITION
"Erica where are you come let's pray." Rita said. Erica came, she wore simple clothes and flat can. After praying, "Erica I will accompany you to the place the competition is at I'll go to the office later." Reema said.
"No reema yesterday you told me you had a lot of work to do just go I'll be fine with aunt and it's just a test."
"Okay good luck to you." Reema hugged Erica.
"Okay now it's time to leave." Rita said and they took a taxi to this competition while reema went to work.
When they arrived,people were issuing ID cards to the contestants and Erica was contestant number seven. Erica wore her ID card "Wow it even has your name photo and competition number on it." Rita said.
"Aunt that's why it's an ID card."
An announcement came that the competition is about to start in five minutes, Erica's heart skipped a bit. Rita held her hand "it's okay my dear you don't need to be scared of anything just go in there and show them what you've got."
"Yes aunt." Erica said, Rita gave her a hug as Erica followed the others into the competition hall, the door closed. The audience outside will only watch what is going on inside on TV so will everyone at home watching the cooking contest.
Erica once again lost her confidence and her knees were weak. She looked around, there were reporters,cameraman, contestants ,judges as well as some staffs at of white chillies.
Erica went to her stand and she was waiting for the announcement to come. The judges were all seated as James one of the judges spoke. "Welcome beautiful people and talented cooks to white chillies competition we are going to begin the trial competition in five minutes before then prepare your mind and soul and be ready thank you." James said.
Erica looked at James "That face looks familiar where have I seen him before." She couldn't remember. "Right now I should focus on the competition and not remembering the man's face."
James was looking at everyone just then he spotted Erica and brightened up "My damsel in distress so she is number seven I can't wait to taste her food but for now I can't greet her, later I'll greet her."