The annoying tears were ready to fall out, this time not out of sadness but joy.

The happy tears were itching to let go yet she controlled herself as she raised her head high with confidence.

She did not expect to be standing on the finale of masterchef, neither did any other contestant. Seems like, they have always underestimated her. Only 1 round to go, and she will be finally out.

With a trophy, fingers crossed.

This round can determine her position in the world. She could come out as a chef who will be known by the world or just a runner up, who no one cares about. It was all up to her at the moment. She didn't want to let her emotions get the best out of her, it was now or never. The moment of truth.

She is going to put all of her into the dishes that she is going to create.

The other two contestant were also very deserving to be in top three. They are good at cooking, but right now; Winnie wanted to believe that she is better than them. It might sound arrogant or egotistic but that's the sentence which will help her to succeed. Overcoming so many things in life, she has come to a moral that neglecting yourself and believing others can do better than you is not very optimistic. It is something that pushes your ownself down. Surely, don't want bad for others but do not treat yourself worst. That what she has been doing her whole life, and look how it always landed her. But no more, no one can take advantage of her naivety.

When it was time for the relatives to enter, Winnie gulped in. She never had a thought about it. She doesn't have any relative, who might they have called for her? Perhaps no one. How embarrassing would that be, in the national television, that no one came from her side of family. In her defence, she has no family. Not much of her fault, is it? Somehow, she could imagine people sitting infront of screen while watching the final round of masterchef and judging through her having no relatives, making comments and having a good laugh about it. Shut up, we don't care about them, Winnie. A voice in her head said, boosting her confidence. 'Yes I don't care about them. This time it is about me, not what people will think of me. It is all about me.' She closed her eyes and breathed out.

"Winnie, did you think, you'll make it to the finale of masterchef?" Asked Joe.

Overwhelmed with everything, she hesitated to reply. "Honestly, no." She released a breath. "But there is a reason why I am standing here, I might not be that bad in the kitchen after all." She let a little chuckle out.

"What do you think, your parents must be proud of how far you have come?"

Parents. The touchy topic itself is too dense for her. Not suitable to talk about now. But she has to reply something, with a courage she spoke.

"Indeed, very proud. I could feel it. They are looking over me, with a smile on their faces, unable to comprehend how their little girl is standing in such a big competition; just a few steps away from the masterchef title."

"I am sure they are, young lady.

We might have a little guest for you who was very eager to join us here."

"Winnie," A little voice echoed the big hall.

She found the very person who has the power in her to ease everyone's worry. The sweet little smile on her face, warmed Winnie's heart.

But how is she here?

Looking behind her, she found no one.

Taking little steps, the little girl ran towards Winnie and hugged her legs. Winnie picked her up and she instantly pecked her cheeks. "We are in TV." Made a comment.

"I miss you." She pouted.

"I have missed you too, Oakley." Winnie replied back, kissing her forehead.

"You win, please."

It was a final round, and she can't explain in words how glad she is for Chris to send little Oakley here for the support. Even though Oakley is a little baby, her mere presence is enough to push Winnie beyond her boundaries. She has to win. Not only for herself but for the child that was pleading her.

"We are going to win." She commented, pinching Oakley's nose, making her smile widen.

Oakley was asked to join all the other guest in the balcony area. She was super sad, that she could not sit on the counter of the kitchen and watch Winnie cook. She was also not delighted with the fact that she won't be having a taste of what Winnie is about to cook. And she cannot protest for otherwise as she has made promises to her Daddy and Damien that she won't show her tantrums in the show and she will let Winnie do the cooking silent.

'God, help me.' Winnie silently prayed as the time tackled.

"Please take your positions for the masterchef finale." Gordon Ramsey said.

'I will be America's next masterchef.' She muttered to herself, stepping inside the small kitchen counter.

"Miley, Winnie and Jacob, you have two hours to make the most amazing appetiser, a stunning entree and the most extraordinary dessert.

And all this on line a 1 million dollar and the title of America's next masterchef with the glorious trophy."

Her heart was beating faster. 'I can do it.' She murmured to herself.

"Three dishes, two hours and one winner.

The time starts.......now."

For appetiser, she was going to bake sweet potatoes, top it with a poached egg, avocado sauce and whipped cream. She has never tried making it before, but it was something she has been wanting to try. Now she also wonders, why is she taking such a risk and make something that has never been tasted before. She is not even sure if the ingredients will go along with each other. But she wasn't going to remain in her comfort zone and prepare something that she has already prepared before. She is not standing in finale for nothing.

"So, Winnie what are you making for the appetiser?" One of the judge came to ask.

"I...I-" She shuttered, as she is not sure what to call this dish. She has invented it by her own mind.

"I am going to bake sweet potato, with poached egg, avocado sauce and whipped cream."

"Are you sure the taste will blend together?" The judge asked, raising his eyebrows at her.

"I hope so." Winnie gave him a nervous smile.

She prepared the whipped cream on her own, she didn't want to use the cream provided in the pantry.

Whipped cream is always good but not fresh.

If she doesn't use the fresh cream by fresh milk, there is a chance, her dish might be turned down. She doesn't want to take any risk.

Cream. Check.

Sweet potatoes in the oven. Check.

Avocado sauce in the process. Check.

Only eggs are due.

Ten minutes to go.

She took a spoon to taste avocado sauce and when it set her taste buds, she put it aside. She took out the sweet potatoes that were now ready. And she hurried to make a poached egg. To her luck, all the three egg came out perfect and she decided to put them over. She seasoned the plates with salt and pepper. The visual look of her appetiser was mouth watering, she crosses her fingers and hopes, it is as tasty as it appears to be.

Soon, three waiters came and along with the contestant took the dishes to the judges, who were sitting inside on the tables, ready to dig in for some food.

The judges first tasted Miley's appetizer meanwhile Winnie stood, praying for herself and not listening to a single comment they passed to Miley.

When they were finished, it was now Winnie's turn. She took small, hesitated steps and put her plates in front of the judges one by one. Her surrounding were suffocating her, she stood in all horror. Now she was regretting, creating a dish in the finale of masterchef.

"This looks heavenly." Commented Christona Tosi, giving Winnie a beautiful smile.

"Thank you, Miss."

"Let's see if the appearance is just an appearance or the taste is as good. Shall we?"

The three judges tasted the dishes all together, Winnie tried to look at all the three faces together and carefully noticing there expression which gave away no answers.

"This is unbelievably delicious." First comment was made by Gordon Ramsey.

Winnie smiled, and looked at Christina Tosi for her view on the appetiser.

"For me, this particularly lack some seasoning but great job at the sauce, it is delicious, the egg yolk just add up to the taste. Not to forget the clever idea of whipped cream was surely a bonus on the plate. Well done, Winnie."

It was now Joe's turn and Winnie took a look at him, he was quite not done eating his appetizer.

"I don't know about them but the egg is a bit undercooked for me.

However the dish is excellent. A pinch of more salt on the egg would do. Overall great performance."

...

And to the next round, they entered.

All three of them were nervous, but very ambitious. They knew what they were aiming for; and they were aiming for the masterchef title.

For the entrèe, she was going to make a hot spicy prawn and cream soup with melted cheese on top along with garlic bread.

She fried the prawns in the egg dip, she wanted to give the prawn a good taste. As it is going to be the star of the dish. The garlic bread were in the oven, puffing up, already ready.

When the soup was done, she put the cheese on top and microwaved it for five minutes until she was sure the cheese was melted. Then she decorated the cheese with coriander.

The other two were making a classic dish as well. It made her a little nervous. Of course, no one is going to give up without trying their best.

"Winnie, looks like your little guest is having a little nap there." Gordon Ramsey commented as everyone stared at the little Oakley who had her head against the pole as she slept with mouth wide opened. The little kid was already tired. Soon a person came, whom Winnie recognised as Oakley's babysitter from the first time they met. She picked her up and took her away.

When the time was up, she looked around at the other dishes and she couldn't agree more that they looked delicious. Especially the creamy pasta made by Jacob. Looking at her owns, it was also very appetising.

With the help of waiters, they took their plates inside once again where chefs were sitting ready to have a taste of the food.

Just like previously, Miley took her plates first and heard amazing comments by the chef. This time Winnie paid attention to it and it made her more nervous because judging through the comments, her plate was the perfection.

Biting her lips, she slowly gave judges their plates one by one. And stood infront as she waited for them to eat and make a comment.

A sudden cough was heard in the room by Christina Tosi and a glass of water was given to her which she gulped down immediately.

Was it that bad? A thought lingered Winnie's mind. Her eyes started to get moisturise. Standing there, tapping her foot on the floor; she waited for Christina Tosi to come back to normality and finally speak a word.

Without making a comment, she grabbed another bite of the food but this time she didn't choke. "One word to describe the dish; flavourful."

"And I apologised for earlier, I choked a bit." Relaxed Winnie.

"The cheese along with the hot soup is absolutely fantastic. Though garlic bread is lacking some seasoning. Overall, amazing job." Winnie nodded at Gordon Ramsey's comment.

"The incredible taste of the prawn is going along with the creamy soup.

If I was you, I'd very proud of myself. Great job, Winnie." A heart warming comment by Joe Bastianich, made her smile bright.

"Thank you, sir."

...

It was a dessert time now. She could say she is a pro at making desserts but not to get too arrogant, desserts can be easily ruined as well. One mistake and you're doomed.

She is going to make a chocolate lava cheese cake to go with pistachio ice cream, that she is going to make by herself. Wondering how will she able to make an ice cream in less than 1 hour. That's why she has to better start on ice cream fast.

Grabbing all the ingredient from the pantry. She hurried her ways into make the ice cream. She has grabbed the unshelled salted pistachio, she grabbed a cup of sugar and a cup of milk to grind all together.

It took her almost 15 minutes to prepare the ice cream.

"Are you sure you want to make an ice cream, Winnie. Considering in mind, you have to at least refrigerate it for minimum of 1 hour and you only have 45 minutes left." Commented Joe, coming to her counter, making her doubt her choice of dessert for a moment.

It will be fine, Winnie. Don't be distracted.

It was now time for the cake. She grabbed the ingredients and whisked through the chocolate. "Save some for me, Winnie." A voice said from the balcony.

Winnie looked up to see Oakley, who was done with her little nap. And was jumping here and there out of excitement.

"I'll make you some later, Oakley." Winnie replied to Oakley in a promising tone.

"We love you, Winnie." Spoke Oakley. She was specifically told to tell this to Winnie by Damien.

Winnie smiled. This recipe better should work. She can't wait to prepare it for Oakley, after she is done with the masterchef world.

She put her cake in the oven, and ran towards the refrigerator to have a peek on the ice cream. It was still not solid yet. She gulped and ran back to her counter. Only fifteen minutes left and the ice cream looks like, it requires more time.

When the cake was prepared, she decorated it in the three plates and about before sixty seconds left of the round, she ran to the refrigerator for the ice cream. She wasn't looking where she was going, she hissed loudly as her forehead made contact with the floor, tripping over the stairs.

Embarrassing!

All the cameras focused on her. She stood back and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She could hear some chuckles.

"Boo boo, Winnie. I kiss boo boo later when you win." The innocent sentence was enough to push her back on her heels. She stood up and while 30 seconds left, she got her ice cream.

It was still not solid but she had no choice. She scooped three spoons per plate. As she managed the last scoop, the time was already up.

"Hands in the air." She took a deep breath. It's done now.

Just like in the other rounds, they took their plates inside where chefs were sitting, ready to bite in the heavenly desserts.

Winnie waited for Miley's turn to be over. With her fingers crossed, she hoped for it be over soon. The ice cream was melting and they already took ten minutes in tasting her dessert and making comments.

When it was finally her turn, she peaked on her plates; and it was a mess due to the ice cream melting.

"Not the most clever idea to make an ice cream in less than one hour." Gordon Ramsey said in a disappointing voice.

Joe took a spoon and took a peace of ice cream which was melted and threw it on the plate, giving her the disappointing eyes.

One bite, another bite and then another. No one made a comment. After taking the fourth bite, Gordon Ramsey finally spoke, "I didn't expect it to taste this delicious." Was that a mock or was it really delicious? Confused, she stood still, nervous and anxious.

"Somehow the melted icecream goes along with the cake." Christina Tosi said in disbelief, taking another bite.

"From the looks of this dish, honestly, I wouldn't even waste my two dollars on it but after having three bites, I could say, it is the masterchef quality and I would most definitely spend 100 dollars on it."

Relaxed with the comment, but yet her heart was still beating the fastest.

They were dismissed and were asked to step out as the chefs discuss about the result.

After a good few minutes the chefs were back. The glorious trophy was held by Gordon Ramsey, who looked excited to announce the result.

Everyone stood there, nervous and dreaded in suspense.

This was it.

Her masterchef journey was finished.

This is one of the most important event of her life. Her dream was about to come true.

"I would like the three of you to come switch the place with us. You have earned your place on this stage." Gordon Ramsey spoke.

All three contestants walked on the stage, with a smile.

"It was truly a very tough decision to make, but as you know there can only be one winner.

One of you is about to receive a million dollar, the opportunity to publish your very own cook book and the most phenomenal trophy.

And one of you will be able to call yourself a true masterchef."

Her eyes were closed as she patiently waiting for the announcement, praying to God for herself.

"The winner of masterchef....

Congratulations goes to

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Winnie Smith."

Hiii,

I know an update after a long while.

I acc wrote this chapter long time ago but just couldn't update 😵.

Anyway, now that her masterchef journey is over. What do you think will happen. They can finally meet.

Did you expect her to win.

Peace ✌🏼.