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KABANATA 1: TROUBLE

Everyone was busy, looking fancy and dazzling. The colors were aesthetic and is screaming for perfection. The evening gowns, the lights, the chandelier above, and the cream walls with gold frames became an attraction. The tan brown doors and gates were wide open.

Luxurious cars confidently entered and parked in front of our big mansion.

The smiles of each faces are brightly seen, but the roaring sharp lights of the dark sky keeps on flashing. No stars, no moon, just the tenebrous night which I hated the most. It is about to rain and the event haven't started yet.

"Happy 20th birthday, Evan." I softly greeted my elder brother. "Please accept my simple gift," I slowly gave him a small box wrapped with blue metallic foil and silver ribbon, it's his favorite color, "I'm sorry, I didn't have enough time to buy you an expensive gift so I... uhm, just made it myself."

He smiled and pat my head, "Thank you, Damsel. I really appreciate your gift," he gave me a warm hug and kissed my forehead, "Wear your gown, my Belle, the party is about to start. I'll see you downstairs." He smiled and left without opening my gift.

I sighed, may bago ba? Sa tuwing may ibibigay akong bagay na yari sa aking sariling paghihirap, hindi ko alam kung tinatapunan man lamang ba nila iyon ng oras upang buksan o tingnan.

I stared at my yellow gown, I should be happy. Ngayong gabi ay makikilala na ako ng maraming tao. Hindi ko man kaarawan ngayon, ipakikilala naman ako sa harap ng mga pinakamatagumpay na tao sa industriya.

I am a Beau Monde, my parents are successful Judges from Hall of Justice and my two older brothers are taking a course of law. I was a secret child, hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan nilang itagong may anak silang babae. Ngunit ngayong disi-siyete na ako'y ipakikilala na ako sa madla, sa mismong kaarawan ng panganay kong kapatid na si Evan at ngayon ang nakatakdang araw na iyon.

Happy moments seemed to pass in a bliss while the aftershock sadness stays for a long time.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko, parang hindi tama, parang may mali. Is it my gown? Or the evening itself?

"Belle Damsel Beau Monde, you are asked by your parents." A servant walked in my room, "Let me help you with that, Princess, they're waiting so you must hurry."

I smiled in front of my mirror while watching the servant arrange my hair and gown. Marahan kong isinuot ang aking damit at napahanga habang pinagmasdan ang salamin.

We don't own kingdom, we aren't monarchs but they treat me well like a Princess.

"So, this is how I look like wearing colors?" I smiled. I used to wear white dress only, this is actually my first time to try a gown with color. "How do I look, Elvie?"

"Gorgeous, my Princess." She answered and combed my wavy tan long hair. "Wala ka bang balak pagupitan ang iyong buhok?"

"Wala."

"It looks gorgeous on you anyway."

"What are they doing?"

"Hmm?"

I sighed, "My Mom and Dad, what are they doing? What are they up to? What's going on? I don't understand why they have to do this. Bakit kailangan nila akong itago sa loob ng labing-pitong taon, pagkatapos ay ipapakilala bago ako mag labing-walong taon?"

"You'll be eighteen next month, right?"

"Yes," I frustratedly sighed and frowned, "I'm not feeling well, this evening is so damn terrifying."

She suddenly look worried, I could see her forehead and wrinkles curved, "I'm sure, hindi naman umaatake ang nyctophobia mo, 'no hija?"

Umiling ako, "Nah, it's just that... nevermind, everything is going to be okay."

"You're done, pumunta ka na sa ibaba, naghihintay na sila sa'yo doon."

Ngumiti ako kay Elvie at maingat na naglakad palabas ng aking silid, iniiwasang matapilok dahil sa suot kong stilettoes.

I became the center of attraction as I slowly walked down the stairs towards my family. Ang lahat ng naroroon ay natahimik, nahinto sa kanilang ginagawa at manghang nakamasid sa akin. Kaya naman ganoon na lamang ang aking pag-iingat na huwag matumba dahil hindi talaga ako sanay sa ganitong suot, lalo pa't naka heels ako.

"Our Princess is here," my father, Mr. Bernice Beau Monde, announced as I reached their place, "Everyone, since you already knew my sons, let me introduce to you the princess of Beau Monde's. Introducing my lovely daughter, Belle Damsel Beau Monde."

Iyon na yata ang pinaka pormal ngunit pinakamalakas na palakpakan na narinig ko. Ngumiti ako sa maraming tao at kumaway, may mga lumapit sa aming mayayamang tao at nakipagkamay.

"At last, we have met the entire Beau Monde. Your family is indeed, gorgeous, Sire."

"I couldn't believe this, your daughter is gorgeous!"

My mom burst in laughter, "Well, you should believe now. She's my daughter, naturally beautiful."

"Yes, I know Madam Cassandra, noong kabataan mo'y ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa ating campus no'n. Kaya nga nabighani itong si Honorable Judge 'eh,"

Napangiti ako. This is fun after all. Umalis ako sa harapan ng aking mga magulang matapos makipagkamay sa ibang bisita at lumapit sa dalawa kong kapatid.

"Mukhang ikaw iyong may birthday 'ah," ani Ethan, the second born, "You look gorgeous, little sister."

I smiled, "Hindi nga ako sanay 'eh, I think I should change my gown now. I want to wear this on my debut, I really have to change now-"

"No, you're gonna wear red." Evan said.

Ethan didn't agree, "No, pink. She's a girl, bro."

"Doesn't mean she's obliged to wear pink."

"Still, I insist. It looks pure and innocent just like her, Pink suits her."

"Nah, red. She's glamorous and her aura is strong so."

I cracked a laugh to stop the both of them, "Sorry, I'm wearing yellow. I'm gonna wear this again," I waved my gown and posed after I spin myself for a second, "I'm Belle, remember?"

Evan laughed and patted my head, "Okay fine. Saka mo na isipin ang birthday mo, ako muna ha. Ako muna." He winked.

I rolled my eyes and smirked, "Go get yourselves a date, enjoy the night. I'll just change my gown, I'm not comfortable tho."

"With the gown?"

I sighed and answered honestly, "With the night, Evan."

My brothers raised their eyebrows, "Nyctophobia?" Ethan asked.

Umiling ako, "I swear, No. Enjoy, please, I'll be back!"

I waved my hands and immediately take a step upstairs. Sa gitna ng hagdan ay may humarang sa aking isang lalaki, mabilis akong napaatras dahil sa kakaibang pakiramdam. He doesn't seem to be a visitor, but I don't want to be rude and ruin the night either so I politely smiled and asked him, "W-what do you need?"

"Are you... a Beau Monde?"

Nangunot ang aking noo at dahan-dahang tumango, "Yes, who are you?"

He laughed, "Oh, I'm a friend of your father!"

Napabuntong hininga ako at ngumiti, "Feel free, mister. Good evening." Yumuko ako at muling humakbang paakyat nang hindi nililingon ang ground floor.

Mabilis akong nagpalit ng damit at nagsuot ng puting bistida. It's 2 inches above the knee, pabalon ito ngunit hindi gaano, sakto lamang at malayang isinasabay ng hangin ang manipis nitong laces.

I looked for my phone to capture the moment ngunit hindi ko iyon nakita. Binuksan ko ang kung ano-anong pwedeng mabuksan mahanap lang ang cellphone ko ngunit hindi ako nagtagumpay.

"Where the heck?" I suddenly bumped my mirror and it loudly broke as it fell to the florid floor, "Omygosh!"

Ganoon na lamang katindi ang pagtambol ng aking puso dahil sa gulat. Bakit pakiramdam ko'y nagsisimula na ang kanina pang ikinakatakot ko? I was about to step back when I saw a drawer at the back of my mirror. It looks a design, a carved heart shape golden sculpture. Sa unang tingin ay hindi mahahalatang drawer iyon. Ngunit nang aking lapitan ay nakumpirma kong lalagyan nga iyon ng kung ano. Maingat itong nakasara, ngunit ang susi nito ay nakalagay lang din naman sa ibabaw niyon. I tried opening it but I failed, mukhang hindi iyon ang totoong susi. Naroon lang iyon, panglito, dahil ang totoong susi ay wala roon. Tingin ko'y hindi susi ang paraan upang mabuksan iyon, and the thing to open that drawer is none of my business.

Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at lumabas ng aking kwarto upang magtawag ng servant o butler na maglilinis. Ngunit hindi pa ako tuluyang nakahakbang palabas ng pinto ay nakarinig ako ng malalakas na sigawan at putok ng baril, kasabay niyon ay ang pagpatay ng ilaw.

"Damn!" I yelled and fell off the floor. Mabilis ang aking paghinga, malakas ang pagkabog ng aking puso, ito na ba ang ikinakatakot ko?

Ang aking takot ay umakyat sa aking sistema at tuluyan akong nilamon. I'm always scared of the dark, simula bata hanggang ngayon ay hindi naalis sa akin ang abnormal na pagkatakot sa dilim. This felt like a dejavu, may dahilan kung bakit ako nagkaphobia sa dilim, at ang dahilan niyon ay tila nauulit na namang muli.

Mas nakakatakot nga lang ngayon dahil mag-isa ako.

I heard another gunshot again, matapos ang isang putok ay malakas at sunud-sunod na putok ng baril ang umalingawngaw sa loob ng aming mansion. Naghalo ang ingay ng mga tao at sasakyan na pilit umiiwas sa gulo. Ang takot ko ay mas lalong lumala, ngunit sinikap kong tumayo upang hanapin ang aking pamilya.

Nanginginig akong humakbang palabas ng aking silid, ngunit bago pa ako tuluyang nakalabas ay tumalsik ako pabalik sa loob.

I heard the door closed, and I know, right at that moment, I am not alone. Someone is with me. Someone has walked in, trouble.