Noel decided to ask Isabella why is winning the competition so important to her?
"Why is the competition so important to you?" Noel asked her. Isabella looked at her for a long time.
Isabella was silent for a moment, trying to find the right words.
"Because...I need money," she said quietly.
Noel looked surprised. She hadn't expected that answer.
"Plus with four kids on the way I would need a lot of money," Isabella said she thought about it and she shook her head getting a new place to stay and raising four kids single handed will be hard but she will do it for her four children's.
Noel looked at Isabella, her expression turning serious.
"Don't worry about money," she said firmly.
"You won't have to do this alone."
She put a hand on Isabella's shoulder again, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I'll be here for you."
"Thank you Noel I'll never forget that but still I have no excuse to make my children suffer for what happened to me. I want my little ones to be happy and be surrounded by love," Isabella replied but she couldn't do that in America she just didn't want to be remembered by everyone who mistreated her.
Noel listened to Isabella's words, her heart aching for the girl. She could see the pain and determination in her eyes.
She placed a gentle hand on Isabella's shoulder.
"You don't have to do this alone," she said softly.
"I'll be here for you and the babies."
The five days later Isabella has passed the first around of the competition with flying colors. Tomorrow Saturday is the big competition she felt so worn out she let out a yawn. Within five days Noel has taken her shopping and also showed her around Noel on the other hand decided to take Isabella as her goddaughter which Isabella tried to refuse but gave up since Noel didn't give up.
Isabella was exhausted. She had spent the past five days putting all her effort into the competition and it had taken a toll on her body. She sat down on the bed in her room and let out a long sigh.
Noel walked into the room, carrying some shopping bags in her hands.
"You want shopping again?"
"For my future grand nieces and nephews! I bought so much baby things!" Noel said.
Isabella couldn't help but chuckle at Noel's enthusiasm. She was touched by how much effort she was putting into preparing for the babies.
"You're spoiling them already," she teased.
"Spoiling them? Oh honey those are necessities! Onesies, diapers, pacifiers, bottles… And lots of soft toys."
"My gosh Auntie Noel, I worry for my little babies," Isabella said she shook her head she couldn't help but smile.
Noel chuckled at Isabella's comment. She knew that she was being over the top with all the baby supplies, but she couldn't help it. She was so excited about becoming an auntie for the first time.
"Oh please," Noel said dismissively.
"They're going to be spoiled rotten by the time they arrive."
Isabella shook her head in amusement. She knew that Noel was being a bit extravagant, but she couldn't deny that it was endearing.
"You're going to be a terrible god auntie," she teased.
"Terrible god auntie? Don't say that! I'll be the best aunt ever!" Noel said after she was done she walked out of Isabella room who went back to sleep.
Isabella chuckled to herself as she watched Noel leave the room. She knew that her godmother was going to be a handful, but she couldn't help but feel grateful for her support and generosity.
Saturday morning the big day arrived. They were four finalist and only one would be the winner so this a big deal and this time this competition is broadcast. Isabella had her face mask so no one knew who she was really the only name on her name tag was Isa that's it. The other also looked ready Jean Pierre was also there was he looked at Isabella he was honestly impressed by this girl being able to make it to the final. She isn't even a famous baker. There was a woman who looked at Isabella with disgust and the other guy who looked at the other three.
"Already the competition will start and you all must use a fruit which is…."
Isabella listened intently as the host announced the mystery ingredient for today's competition. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, excitement and nervousness mixing together.
"Today's secret ingredient is..."
The host paused dramatically before continuing.
"Apples!"
"Alright I'm going to give you two hours and a half to create your masterpieces and show us who deserves the title of Best Pastry Chef and bake for the Queen of England 894 birthday."
Isabella nodded, her mind already racing with ideas for her masterpiece. She knew she had to create something that would blow the judges away.
She started gathering ingredients and supplies, carefully measuring out each one. Her hands moved with precision and confidence as she began to work.
Isabella started mixing up her ingredients together the camera to her. The scar that Isabella she had on her left side was a butterfly it was unique birthmark but it didn't bother Isabella. Her lips formed a frown no one could see her frown since she wore a mask but she nodded her head it wasn't because she was nervous no it's more like she wanted to sleep.
Isabella worked diligently, her hands moving with practiced ease as she mixed and shaped the dough. She carefully arranged the apples on top of each tart, making sure they were perfectly aligned.
The cameras continued to follow her every move, capturing her focused expression and skilled technique.
As the minutes ticked by, Isabella became more and more focused on her creation. She carefully piped delicate designs onto each tart using a small piping bag filled with royal icing. The other finalists were working hard too they all felt they would in. Isabella and Jean Pierre were the calmest in this competition.
As the competition continued, Isabella felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as she looked at her creation. She had poured her heart and soul into this dish, determined to make it perfect.
She glanced around at the other finalists, noticing that they were all working hard on their own creations. Some were clearly stressed while others seemed confident.
"I must Isa is making something interesting," a chef judge Sia said as she nodded her head.
"But we all know who Jean Pierre honestly I remember when he shocked the world when he was twenty was years old one hundred years ago he became an outstanding pastries chief," a differ chief judge Zion said after all he was a big fan of Jean Pierre.
"Mmm these two will be interesting one is new while the other has been known for 100 years," another chef judge said Justin said.
Isabella continued to work, unaware of the judges' whispers and comments. She was too focused on her own creation, carefully adding the final touches to each tart.
The cameras followed her every move as she arranged them on a platter, creating a visually stunning display.
Finally the time had come to present their dishes to the judges. Isabella stood confidently beside her tarts, holding the platter steady.
The judges approached her station, their eyes widening in awe at the sight of her tarts.
"These look incredible," Sia said as she examined them closely.
Zion nodded in agreement.
"They're perfectly shaped and arranged."
Justin picked up one of the tarts and took a bite, his eyes closing blissfully.
Isabella couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and pride as the judges praised her creation. She had put so much effort into it and seeing them react positively made all the hard work worth it.
The cameras continued to film, capturing every moment of this pivotal moment in the competition.
Jean Pierre went next he showed his dishes and his dishes were delicious but Isabella's dishes looked better and tasted better Jean Pierre's dishes were just slightly sweet.
Isabella watched as Jean-Pierre presented his dishes to the judges. She had to admit, they looked beautiful and smelled delicious.
But when she tasted them herself, she couldn't help but notice that they were slightly too sweet. It was almost cloying.
The judges seemed to notice the same thing, their expressions showing a hint of disappointment.
Sia took a bite and wrinkled her nose slightly.
"A bit too sweet for my taste."
Zion nodded in agreement.
"I agree. It's almost overpowering."
Now there was only one person left Isabella's biggest rival Sara. She hated Isabella from the first time they came to the competition and how Princess Tracy passed her without trying her pastries. Sara scuffed out as she bumped into Isabella and whispered 'fatty'.