Queen of Cuisine (1)

Year 1945.

"Ladies and gentlemen, and to all bredren... The final moment of truth has surmounted. A truce has been reached, and a champion has been crowned. Fret no more as your unquenchable thirst will be sated!" affirmed the anchor on the main stage, Mr. Robert Green, one of the crew authorities for the event.

He was wearing a costly tailored maroon suit, coupled with his oval-shaped face, a black hat over the head, and holding a golden card where the name of the winner had been written.

"And the Queen of Cuisine goes to..." there was an intentional pause in his tone of voice before he opened the card and ran his brown predatory eyes through the heavenly inscribed names inside it. In an instant, his jaw went languid in shock not because he was exasperated but because the name was unexpected.

"Goes to Sirena Calantha... Yes! She was the winning champion for over three consecutive years, and this made her fourth year—the matriarch of extraordinary culinary flavors and spices. The Genius of Kitchen Kreative will be embedded in the hall of fame." he announced. 

Hearing the anticipated name, an audible gasp went through the crowd before the audience leaped to their feet and gave a standing ovation as they broke into thunderous applauses. The glee on their faces was so genuine. 

A few seconds passed. 

Moderately, with a loud creak, the door burst open violently and a strong gust of wind pursued. On either side of the high-priced banquet hall, the imposing curtains flapped about like small flags, hammered mercilessly by the wind, threatening to tear from their fasteners. It seemed as though a migrant was invading their territory.

Hardly any delay, a sharp click-clacking sound of heels tapped against the tiled floor and caused the audience to whip their heads towards the door, increasing the volume of their cheers. The heels maintained a rhythmic clicking that continued to fill the hall, and the bearer glided down towards the stage with elegance.

As the spotlight fell on the Said persona, silence scattered, and the crowd was washed in awe. 

Sirena Calantha, purportedly known as the 'Creator of Kreative Kitchen' and the 'Fashionista of the Year.' There was no surprise that she had lived up to everyone's expectations with her flattering dress for the night.

Crafted from a tender chiffon fabric, Sirena's fit was mind-blowing. The dress boasted a neutral color of gray and white that called into mind 'formality' and 'aesthetics'. The blouse featured an off-shoulder neckline, revealing a hint of her fair, slender collarbone and shoulders, slightly revealing the bulge of her full breasts beneath. At the same time, the intricately embroidered bodice was adorned with shimmering beads and sequins that glinted like stars in a moonlight sky. 

On the contrary, the fabric of the skirt was polished and luxurious. It smoothly and effortlessly draped over her figure, accentuating the curves of her round hips and slim thighs. This alluring effect was further enhanced by the slim silver belt that cinched her waist, complementing her hourglass figure. The skirt was not only stylish but also elegant in a regal style that matched perfectly with her short, curly, brunette hair and her simple accessories that did not sparkle much.

Although her appearance was like an office worker, Sirena killed the look. Aside from her talent, her physique was also one of the many factors to her popularity. She had never dignified another color other than the neutral ones which was a tradition passed down in the Calantha family.

The Calantha family, the prodigy of inventions, is one of the most prestigious families in Spain. They were the founders of mobile cars and the importation of ships which was orchestrated throughout the world. The mastermind behind the curtains, Matriarch Daria Calantha, had single-handedly carried out all these actions without the company of anyone. She was like a femme fatale and that had ruined the lives of her children, Sirena being the first and lasting victim.

Sirena was the firstborn child, a product of hard work. Because of this, her mother, Daria, made sure to groom her with an iron hand, leaving no room for affection or emotional attachment to anyone. This upbringing led to the maturation of a sociopathic personality within Sirena. For years, she worked as a puppet under the military rule of her ingenious mother. In the end, once she reached the right age, Sirena took it upon herself to build and debut her own company.

'Kreative Kitchen'

All through those years of hardship, the twenty-six-year-old woman gained the name 'Queen of Cuisine.' for her splendid talent in creative cooking. Her talent for cooking, and the in-depth message behind, had sparked the world, and once again she was unbeatable. Competing against more than a thousand chefs worldwide, she won the "Queen of Cuisine" title for the fourth consecutive year on the annual award cooking show. And her hard work paid off immensely - she was honored with a place in the renowned Hall of Fame, deemed a popular memorial building.

---

Each year, at the end of the event ceremony, an after-party is often made courtesy of the award-winning champion. However, Sirena never attended these parties due to her unsociable nature. Furthermore, she harbored a deep distaste for people who attempted to curry favor with her, viewing them as insincere and unworthy of her attention. Only she knew they were adders in the form of flesh.

Yet tonight seemed different. 

"It's a great honor having to finally meet you again, Miss Calantha. Congratulations on the big win tonight! Born to be Queen! Of course." glorified Gabriel Bogey, one of the four sons of the politician running for power, Mr. Rein Bogey. 

Gabriel was a womanizer in the country and everyone, even the animals, knew about his wayward and shameless behavior. The man was the same age as the woman he had been invested in for years and tried his best to court. He was once the fiancé of the same woman, but because he was allegedly framed for having an affair with another on the day of their engagement, the alliance was called off. 

As Sirena was engaged in a deep conversation with her secretary, she was interrupted by the man's proclamation. She swiftly turned her head from the secretary to the man and fixated her cold, lifeless gaze upon him, a frown of displeasure appearing on her face, one that implied her vanity. Without further ado, she cast a brief glance back at her secretary before leaning in, to whisper something into the latter's ear.

"Are you ignoring me, Sirena?" Gabriel asked testily, his eyes ablaze with anger. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth as Sirena seemed to act as though he was invisible, even though he was standing intimately close to her. "Don't forget that you were nothing without me. What are you without the touch of a man? Tell me," He spoke with such extent that his words reverberated across the room, carrying far enough for anyone within earshot to catch every syllable. His voice thundered like a searing wave. Those nearby couldn't help but stop and take notice, drawn in by the commanding force of his spiteful words.

The man's hazel eyes had an animalistic glare, and his lips set into a dark, depraved smirk. Running a hand through his hair, he paused and groaned inwardly, feeling like a wreck, and that worsened when Sirena gave her response.

"Mr. Bogey, mind the tone of your words. You wouldn't want your tarnished reputation to escalate further, would you? Especially considering the significance of the upcoming elections for the Bogey Association. Rest assured, your insignificant behavior tonight will not go unnoticed, and an opportunity might arise because of it. Do not create a scene you will regret," Sirena exhaled sharply, her voice calm and soothing like the breath of spring. However, behind her sweet words, there was an undeniable meaning that caused Gabriel's temples to crease and his jaws to tick fervently.

He felt insulted.

In a fit of rage, he spat. "Then, do you dare to tell everyone about the child you killed?"

"Mr. Bogey!!" Lady Chloe, Sirena's trusted secretary, exclaimed in shock. She had been lurking in the shadows, listening to their conversation, but had refrained from interfering as Sirena detested interruptions. However, when she heard the man's words, she froze. Gossiping onlookers were now surrounding them, emitting flashes of light. Lady Chloe immediately shielded Sirena from their poisonous mouths, "Stop spouting lies, Mr. Bogey," she hissed, facing the aggravated man.

Gabriel raised his left eyebrow and lowered his gaze to look at the secretary. He scoffed and downed the remainder of his whiskey that had been with him since the beginning of the event. He scoffed once again and let out a grudging laugh. He turned around to face the swarming crowds, eagerly ready for a storytelling session. The crowd called themselves devoted fans, but when faced with negative backstories about their idols, they transformed into serpents.

"Mr. Bogey!" Lady Chloe frowned and attempted to pull the man back, but he was too heavy, or more like, determined. "You're drunk. This isn't going to end well," she appealed to him with her gaze, urging him not to speak any further. However, Gabriel was overwhelmed by his rage, fueled by Sirena's ignorance and loathsome pride. He smirked cruelly and looked out at the flashing lights before him.

"You heard correctly! Sirena Calantha was with a child, and she mercilessly murdered the poor thing for fame."

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