Prologue

"Now Mal, people are calling you the best schemer because of your book. What can you say about that?" Mahinang natawa naman si Mal sa pabirong tanong na iyon ng host sa kaniya.

Hindi rin nakalagpas sa kaniyang pandinig ang pagsigaw ng isang lalaki mula sa audience ng salitang 'legend'. Dahilan para mamuo ang tawanan sa loob ng studio.

Sinundan naman ito ng kwelang pagsagot ng host. "Shush! Quiet. The legend will speak!"

Seryoso na sambit ng host at umakto na parang nag-aabang sa kaniyang sasabihin. Natawa na lamang si Mal sa mga nangyayari.

She is now a guest in a famous late-night talk show in New York. Though this is not her first time, she still can't believe na aabot sa talk show at tv guesting ang kasikatan ng libro niya.

"Well, I guess being called the greatest schemer is not bad so I just let them calling me that." Nakangiti niyang sagot.

"Do you predict this? Is this part of your plan? People calling you a legend and the greatest schemer?" Seryosong tanong ng host kay Mal. Muli naman siyang natawa, pangalawang beses na ni Mal mag-guest sa talkshow na ito at namamangha parin siya sa galing magpatawa ng host.

"Well Jimmy, to be honest, while writing my book I already know that you will ask me about that and I also know that the book I'm writing 9 years ago will have a movie adaptation. That's how I work Jim. I always know." Birong sagot ni Mal.

Namangha naman ang host at pinalakpakan siya pati na rin ang mga audience ay nagsipalakpakan. Wala naman nagawa si Mal kundi ang matawa.

"I knew it! She already planned this! And we're all part of her plan! Ladies and gentlemen, please don't trust this lady." "She already knows everything" Pabulong na dagdag ng host.

Mas lalo namang natawa si Mal. "But, Jim. Honestly, I don't know. Until now I still can't believe that my book will become this famous! Nine years ago I'm just typing my book on my Ipad but now I see it everywhere and people are reading it! It happened so fast and my book is now translated into 7 languages."

"Well, your book deserves recognition. It was insane! And now you have this announcement that made all this book lovers crazy mad."

Mal smiled and nodded. This was the reason why she is here. Because of this announcement.

"Yes, my book will have a movie adaptation." Matapos niyang sabihin yun ay nagsigawan ang mga tao habang pumapalakpak.

"Can you tell us the details? Who will act on this? Who will direct?"

"For now, I can't tell any details." The people say aww. Spoiling their hype on the future movie but still they are excited kahit na wala pang sinabi si Mal kung sino ang gaganap at magpoproduce ng movie.

"Before that Mal, we gathered questions from your fans here and you're going to answer some of them. So here's the first question." Bumunot ang host ng isang tanong.

"Oh, this is a tough one." He commented and read the question. "For a short time, your book become a success after Joe gives a great review about it. But now, my question is. Before your success, what is your greatest downfall?" After the host finished he look at Mal and smiled.

"That question is from Cassandra Wales, thank you." He added.

"Wow, thank you, Cassandra, for that tough question." Mal commented and looked at Cassandra that is now standing on the audience.

Ngumiti si Mal at inisip mabuti kung ano ang isasagot. But she doesn't have to think. The moment she heard the question alam na niya ang sagot. Her biggest downfall is her success and she can't say that because it was too personal. It was too ironic na ang greatest downfall niya ay ang pagiging successful niya.

Pero wala naman siya magagawa, she have choices. And it just happened that her choice has a collateral damage. That choice also made her dreams come true. Isang bagay na hindi niya inaasahan na mangyayari sa kaniya.

"We can still wait for your answer. We have a lot of time." Biro ng host.

Mal forced a smile, trying not to show the question ruined her mood.

"Well, I don't think I experienced my greatest downfall yet. Because I came from being a simple person then I came up with being a bestselling author. I originally came from the bottom and I climbed up to the top so maybe my greatest downfall is, if one day all of a sudden people won't buy my book again. And people won't recognize it, so they need to burn all the printed copies. That would be my downfall." Sagot ni Mal.

"That will never happen don't worry. Your book will be passed down from generation to generation because everyone needs to read it. Even the kids are enjoying your book! And also they will enjoy it more if the movie comes." Sabi ng host.

Mal smiled and nodded as the show continues. But deep down on her, that question made her think about her real greatest downfall and only few people know it. At sigurado siya kung mapapanood nila ang interview na ito ay malalaman nilang nagsisinungaling lang si Mal. Because Mal already experienced her greatest downfall and it will forever haunt her.

But not all downfall means you lost. It's just a choice and losing will never be Mal's choice.