When life gives you choices, take them and beat the crap out of them.

That's what I did.

Did I ever imagine I'll be presenting my dish to Gordon Ramsay, Joey Bastianich and Christina Tosi?

In America's Next Masterchef.

Really unbelievable for me.

Sweats were dropping my forehead like no tomorrow. Nervous and overwhelmed, the only words to describe the situation.

I have only 15 minutes to prepare a dish infront of them.

While they stared me hard, giving me all anxiety, I took out the veggies and chicken I fried earlier. Putting the sauce over the pan I added rice and mixed them all together.

1 min left and my Paella was all ready.

I looked at my competitor, his dish was well prepared. He turned towards me giving me a smirk, glaring towards my food and making a face as if really disgusted.

Alright dude.

3....2....1

And the time was over.

We were asked to present our dishes to the greatest people ever.

My hands were shivering, I was about to fiant.

Jack stood beside me but he looked all confident.

"How will you describe your dish, Winnie." Said Christina.

"I made spanish paella. Back when my father was alive this was his favourite dish." And no I didn't cry.

I'm strong now.

They took a bite of my dish without giving much expression.

They went to Jack's and tasted his also without showing any expression.

"Good bye!" Muttered Jack to me.

Someone is definitely over confident.

They discussed the result in small whispers, not audible giving me full on anxiety. I don't want to insulted and leave here not even making it out of auditions. It will destroy my ego that I I towards making food.

"Well young woman and man, we have decided on who to choose to compete further in America's next masterchef." Said Gordon Ramsay.

My heart was beating very fast.

"As you both did amazing job it was very hard to choose."

"The congratulations goes to Jack Williams.

Come here, young man.

Get your apron and ace this chef world."

It was like earth was taken away from me. I felt myself shaking terribly.

I'm out.

Only at the beginning.

Does that mean I never cooked good?

I was so confident with my cooking.

All went down in just 1 day.

I gave Jack a smile, thanked the chefs and proceeded to leave.

"But we are not done." Said Joe.

"We liked both dishes very equally.

Come and get your apron, Winnie.

Congratulations."

I ran towards the apron, confused if what I heard was true, cause if it was not than it's embarrassing.

Joe came with my apron and I hugged all three of them.

I wish dad was here, standing in the crowd with eyes full of tears and proud of me.

....

"Ah, Oakley stop jumping." Chris moaned as Oakley jumped on the couch.

Since Winnie has been gone, Damien asked Chris to stay at his. Home feels strange without her, the feeling of emptiness is too strong to escape and he can't bear it alone. He has decided to give her sometime but everyday without her is killing him each second.

He doesn't want to waste anymore time without her. They are supposed to be, one day or another. So wasting time without each other is futile.

With Oakley and Chris being here, it's better. Oakley is always making noise and Chris, he is still not fully healed.

So it's the best he stays here and Damien takes care of them.

After all, Chris took the bullet aimed for him.

Damien hasn't yet apologised to him about his ignorant behaviour from past few years. He feels guilty and sad as his sister wouldn't be much happier either knowing how he has treated Chris until now. He should have given him a chance, he should have listened to his side of the story but he chose to end their friendship. For what? For nothing.

He has realised all these years he has just have been torturing himself. Being rude, mean and cold towards people hasn't done him no benefit.

He thought he was building a wall to protect himself but all in vain.

"She's never out of energy." Chris complained, rubbing his forehead.

Damien smiled towards Oakley as stepped towards her, holding her small self up; he whispered to her ears about getting an ice cream to which she squealed and told him; he is the best. He let her go out of his arms to get her shoes.

"Damien, thank you for taking care of us."

"No problem. It's my responsibility, isn't it." Saying the later sentence to himself. But Chris did hear him.

"When are you getting her back?"

"I don't know." He shrugged.

"She's the one for you, Damien. I wouldn't suggest letting her go." Chris commented.

"Letting her go. That's not even an option. Every minute I'm going insane, totally insane, Chris." Damien hissed in frustration.

"But where is she?" That one question he was trying to avoid.

He is subconsciously aware of the truth that she is with Xander but just doesn't want to admit it.

"I don't know." He shrugged, sighing.

"She's with that Xander guy, isn't she?" Chris who could read his bestfriend figured.

His fist tightened and jaw clenched. Chris was pushing it and he didn't want a fight with him right now, or well never.

"Let's go." Came Okaley, saving Damien from misery of replying.