Winnie stood between the top seven contestants, she couldn't help but feel proud. Satisfied at how far she has came and enthusiastic of what future beholds.

In today's round, they were to prepare a dish that a model in a daily basis would eat but to be presented in a five star restaurant quality. Quite complicated that they have to make a dish keeping in mind, based on a model, who absolutely will eat something according to their fitness. They have to be in a perfect figure all the time. The plate has to be worth more than just few dollars.

Winnie was going to make Quinoa stuffed peppers along with creamy roasted Cauliflower soup. She has no idea what a model would like to eat on daily basis. Although she have had an experience of living and cooking for one. But he was never on those strict diets. She remembers, Melissa, his fiance, another model; she loved eating grass and wouldn't even bare a look on something that has too many carbs.

This is a theme based challenge, and the dishes are going to be approved by a model, whether they would eat those dishes or not, considering their fitness in mind.

As the time started, she ran all the way to the pantry to gather her ingredients.

Today, she was extremely nervous. Her hands were shaking and trembling, maybe it is due to remembering her past associates in the present.

Once she prepared the quinoa, she stuffed it in the peppers, which she cut earlier. On the other hand, her Cauliflower soup was taking longer.

She put the stuffed peppers inside the oven to bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile she stirred the soup so it wouldn't burn. Taking a spoon to taste the soup, she figured out it was lacking the seasoning. She made a mental note to put a pinch of salt and pepper once she pours it out in a bowl.

Two minutes to go, she slowly took out the peppers and they smelled heavenly. She just wanted to dig in and savour the food in her mouth, but she knows better than that. The food is prepared for the chefs.

"And to judge the round, we have called America's top model; Damien Knight."

Her heart froze. She wasn't really paying attention to them but hearing that particular name, made her shiver. She crossed her fingers and hoped she misheard. Looking up to see as the gate opened and stepped in, none other than, her very own heartbreaker; Damien Knight. Surprisingly, not dressed in a suit but a shirt and pants.

Any style on him, just looks sexy and hot.

Still very much handsome and beautiful, clean and freshly shaved; those blue eyes were sparkling. His eyes roamed around the surrounding until they contacted hers. A firm eye contact was held between the two. He had a warm smile on his face and she was quivering out of anxiety. She stood still, eyeing him as he hugged and shook hands with all of the judges.

And he didn't stop there. He came forward and gave a handshake to each contestant. Winnie anxiously waited for her turn. Every other person in the room seemed to be on the cloud nine. All of the girls drooling over his looks, desperately introducing themselves to him. Winnie also felt a ping of jealousy but over looked it.

When it was her turn, and he came forward. She could smell his intoxicating fragrance. She is ashamed to acknowledge that she missed it. His manly scent along with the strong cologne, is heavenly.

As he extended his hand towards her, she came back to the earth. Remembering all the torture he has inflicted on her up to date. Why did he appear here, just to degrade her more. Was he going to be the one judging the round? So many questions in her mind. And she felt the feeling of betrayal in her heart. Can he not leave her alone for once.

But she has to maintain her tranquility.

She put her hand forward, and gave him a firm shake. Conveying him with her eyes, that she is over her past. And he has no power in this world of hers.

"'Winnie Smith." Just like everyone else, she introduced herself. The skin to skin contact brought back all the feelings she once had for him, butterflies in her stomach and tingly sensations in her heart.

She tried to break the handshake, but he didn't let her hand go. It was for about five seconds, she tried again but failed.

She gave him the eyes, that we are in public and he has to let her hand go before someone notices anything. He was doing the big mistake, if he ruins this show for her than she might not be able to forgive him ever.

It seemed like he came back to reality and did let her hand go but not before drawing circles on her palm and touching every fingers of her.

She had goosebumps all over her body and he smirked at the effect he still has on her. This means, he still has a chance.

Greeting and handshaking everyone, he walked back to the chefs. There, he was asked to check everyone's dish and select the best three. Winnie was shook at the sudden power he was given, of course he was not going to select her. He cannot leave such an opportunity of distracting her, putting torture on her. She was disappointed, all the hard work today will go in vain.

She supposes that there should be a fair result.

When it was his time to announce the three best dishes, Winnie rolled her eyes and didn't bother eye contacting him. She didn't want to show him that she is going to be hurt for her name not being called out. If he has the fair result than it is fine with her. Not that she ever comes in top three anyways. But today she had a thought that she might be able to win the mystery box.

Seems like Damien Knight has to ruin everything for her.

"So the first dish that I think deserves in the top three is......."

She clapped as the person stepped forward and took his dish to the chefs.

Damien announced the second name, and her heart clenched again.

Why did he come here, just why?

"And the third person would be Winnie Smith."

Winnie just stood there emotionless and in deep thoughts. She didn't know she was called out. It was until the boy next to her counter called her out several time, breaking her from her zone. She looked around at everyone and made sure it was her name in the top three.

Walking towards the chef, not making any eye contact with the heartbreaker standing there. She took deep breaths. Now she feels like, she didn't deserve to be here. What was Damien trying to do? What game was he playing. Maybe he wanted to choose her with top three so he could laugh later that she couldn't win from the other two people. He just wants to show the world, how incompetent she is.

Tears welled in her eyes, she looked at the other two dishes and there was no way she was going to win this challenge. Why does he do this to her all the time.

"It is time to say good bye to our guest." Gordon Ramsey announced.

She relaxed a bit. Thanks to God for saving her the humiliation. As long as they are not going to eat infront of him, she is ok with it.

Everyone murmured good bye to him except her, he was hurt. All the while, his eyes were on her, waiting for a response but she ignored him like a plague. Not even had the decency to bid him good bye but he deserved it. And all the worst coming his way.

Maybe it wasn't the best to visit her in the show. It didn't go how it was planned. He thought she would be glad of his visit but she looked anything but delighted. She was very annoyed and anxious. Perhaps he has disturbed her mentally by visiting her. What if she can't do any more rounds due to this? He wondered, cursing himself while stepping out of the masterchef kitchen. Damn, Xander. For giving such a bad idea.

As the judges one by one, had a taste of all the three plates. They made their decision, Winnie nervously stood. At this point, she doesn't want to win this round. She feels like there were people who deserved to be in her place and she was selected unfairly. She doesn't want Damien to be the reason she wins the mystery box in the masterchef. Surely, she is eager to win. Not like this though.

"The winner of the Mystery box challenge is Winnie Smith." She gulped down. Dreaded silence. Everyone expected her to jump out of happiness yet sweat formed on her forehead as she took in the information.

She is not aware of what grounds did Damien select her on the top three. Maybe she does deserve or perhaps not. When finally in life, she wanted to do something on her own without the help of her father or Damien, or any one else. She was winning a round on her own. She doesn't see the point of being called a winner of this round, Damien has helped her through it, intentionally or unintentionally. She had to accomplish it throughougly by herself.

She cannot take it. She cannot take the credit of something which was fed to her in a spoon. Gathering all her courage, she spoke out, "I want to participate in the next round without using any given advantage." She denied. The power that she was about to be given must have been something every contestant would strike for. And the fact, that she didn't really have to participate on the next elimination round as she was already saved. Her conscience wouldn't let her have an unfair win.

"Are you sure, young lady? Next round might not be the easiest."

'Don't you dare!' A little voice in the back of her said, not wanting to deny such an opportunity. Her inner self wasn't satisfied by what her ego was making her do. It is just to prove Damien, that she is capable of doing everything on her own. And she is not 'incompetent' as he used to call her.

There is a chance she can be out of the doors in the next round, it is like; she, by herself is pushing her luck, knocking hell's door instead of just taking the key to heaven. Deep in her heart, she is aware of what can be the outcome, and if she goes out in this challenge then her heart will only blame Damien for it.

He better pray for her to win this next round.

She parted her lips to speak, 'No, don't!' 'Just grab the opportunity,' 'No', 'No'. Blocking all the voices from her head "I am sure." She uttered out.

So they met🥳

Do yall think Damien's visit will have a positive impact on Winnie? Or perhaps led to her failure in the masterchef. Is she going to stay strong?

How about she should have just taken that win and be saved. We don't know maybe she gets out in the elimination round 💁🏻‍♀️? All blames will go to Damien.😅

Not to forget it was all Xander's idea.

Peace. ✌🏼