Five minutes was up just then Edison joined the competition, he sat in the middle, he was so handsome all the girls admired him and wished he could speak to them, while Erica just looked at him.
Edison now spoke "contestants, the box right in front of you open it." They did so and Edison continued "it contains some ingredients, using these ingredients, think of a dish that has all these ingredients, adding no one and subtracting no one".
"This will be difficult ". Erica thought. "You have just forty five minutes to prepare the dish and your time starts now".
The clock began ticking and Everyone was busy.Erica just stood staring at the ingredients, her brain was thinking of what to prepare. She wore a watch so she could also time herself. Edison's attention went over to Erica who was still staring at the ingredients. As the head judge Edison went to Erica "miss why haven't you started, are you scared of the ingredients?." "No Sir, I'm still thinking." "Thinking?when your time will soon be up!". Erica looked down. "If you knew you couldn't do this why did you bother applying or do you want to publicly humiliate yourself on national Tv?". "No sir". "Then start working with your hands already".
James was looking at Erica and trying to give her sign as to the name of the dish they were preparing but Erica wasn't looking . It was 35 minutes remaining, finally she remembered. "Why didn't you think of it, bird brain". Erica started preparing her meal. Edison looked at her again, there was something in Erica that kept on attracting him but his attitude won't let him speak politely to her.He suddenly took interest in Erica and was determined to give her a taste of his humiliation. He went back to his seat. James looked at him "brother amongst all, my favourite contestant is number seven, she's very pretty and talented, I'm betting on her that she will win the competition".
"You have so much confidence in her well Let's see." "Brother what should we bet it on, your new car?". "Okay my new car, bet accepted.
Edison stood up and want to Erica again and she had gone far. "What are you preparing miss." "Tomato stew and chicken with rice".
"Is that the name of the food that came to your mind? because that's not what you were asked to prepare". Erica became dumbfounded. "And why are you boiling the Tomato instead of frying". "So that when I fry it, it'll be easier." "Okay". Edison took the Tomato and poured it on the floor. Everyone's attention went to them and Erica was shocked, she looked at Edison in awe.
"Why did he pour the tomatoes away now she would have to start afresh". James thought.
"Don't worry miss you will get another Tomatoes". Edison signalled kelly his secretary to get another fresh tomatoes for Erica and he went back to his seat.
Erica continued starting at Edison. Edison took the microphone. "Contestant Number Seven your time is going, you haven't prepared anything for us, you have only 30 minutes left. "Brother why did you do this to her ". James asked. "I'm only trying to win the bet". Edison said. "Now you've hurt her feelings". Erica started again "I wonder why that judge is mean to me but gives others good compliments.
This time around Erica steamed the tomatoes while frying it and also the chicken she steam fried it, the rice was already on the pressure cooker. Ten minutes left and Erica hadn't gone too far and others were rounding up their cooking. Erica Decided to increase the heat of the gas cooker. She was hurrying and as she was cooking she was tidying up her area.
Five minutes remaining others were dishing their food out on a plate while Erica was still cooking. Aunt Rita was watching the TV with her heart on her hands "oh God please help Erica."
Erica was finally done she served her food in a plate and the countdown began. "Ten, nine, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero, hands up!" Judge Elena said.
All the contestants brought their hands up.
It was tasting time, every contestant stood behind they prepared.
Edison tasted Erica's food last and the taste of her food made his taste buds rejoice her food was amazing he hid the joy on his face .
James too loved Erica's food and gave her thumbs up, lady Elena gave her a nine, James gave her a ten while Edison gave her six, she scoffed at Edison. She got Twenty-five over Thirty marks. This means she was going to be part of the main competition, she was very happy and so was Rita.
Some people were excited and only ten people remaining to join the main competition. " contestants, our next competition will be on a Wednesday, take care and make sure you come prepared,. James said to everyone dispersed. Now on the Tv appeared their scores, Erica smiled as she saw her score "Twenty five over Thirty marks, not bad kudos to you Erica". She said to herself. Edison was just watching her, as she turned to go James called her "miss Erica." Erica turned to him. "Do you remember me?". James asked. "No I don't". "I saved you from being locked up in the restroom". "Oh sir
James, I remember you are even a Judge."
"Yes I was picked to be a judge and miss Erica your cooking was nice, it was the tastiest of all that's why I gave you a ten." Erica smiled at him. "Thank you".
"Now I have more confidence in you." They walked to the outside "Don't get discouraged if Judge Edison Hadley picks on you instead show him that you're stronger, in every. Competition he looks for a contestant to pick on and unfortunately you're the one this season". "Yes sir, I'll never let him bring me down no matter what".