Chapter 1: The fall

Isang napakagandang babae ang nakatayo sa harap ng salamin sa kaniyang pribadong silid.

Maraming bestida ang inihanda para sa kaniya ng mga tagapaglingkod, but she had chosen the midnight-blue gown herself, a bold color, beautiful and elegant. Isinuot niya ang pares ng safir na hikaw sa kaniyang tainga, kalmado ang repleksiyon niya, kahit maraming bumabagabag sa kaniyang isip.

Ang charity gala na dadaluhan niya ay hindi lang basta simpleng pagtitipon. It was about power, about appearances. At higit sa lahat, it's about survival in a world where influence could kill faster than a blade

Sa may pintuan naman, ay naghihintay ang kanyang ina. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” ani nito, mahina ang boses.

Ngumiti si Amariz, ngunit ito’y Isang pilit. “I need to, mom. Tonight isn’t just about me. It’s about being seen. About reminding them that we Sullivan are powerful.”

Kumunot naman ang noo ng kaniyang ina, alam nito na ayaw talaga ng anak na pumunta. But she said nothing more as Amariz swept past her, perfume trailing like smoke, determination hidden beneath grace.

Sa mga oras na iyon ay nagsimula na ang pagdiriwang, Ang grand hall ay naging napakaganda at elegante. Puno ng mga nag kikinangang chandelier.

Ang mga waiters ay tahimik na nag lalakad dala ang mamahaling champagne. At ang mga musikero ay nag simula naring tumugtog ng magagandang awitin

The guests began to arrive in jeweled gowns and tailored suits, ang kanilang tawanan ay umaalingawngaw, hinde mawari kung ang kanilang mga ngiti ay totoo o Isang maskara lang.

“She is thinner now, not like last year she looks healthier. no doubt.” a woman said

"they say, she disappeared for a month, I think she was sick." tanong ng isa

“No, no. I heard she ran away with some lover and only just returned." chismis ng isa

“who is she?” nagtatakang tanong naman Isang babae

“That’s Amariz Sullivan… she always knows how to make an entrance.” komento naman ng isa

Ramdam niya ang mga matang nakatingin sa kaniya, every stare slicing her with curiosity, envy, or hunger. Still, Amariz walked through the marble floor with the poise of a queen, her gown sweeping like dark water behind her.

“Amariz, darling, you look breathtaking tonight,” salubong na bati sa kaniya ng Isang ginang

“Breathtaking indeed,” a politician added, his gaze lingering a moment too long. Amariz gave him a polite nod and drifted away, her poise shielding her from their barbs.

Yet in the sea of glittering masks, one gaze burned hotter than the rest.

Sa paanan ng hagdan nakatayo ang isang lalaki, si Magnus.

He was dressed in black and gold, his presence was magnetic, his smile is the perfect example of charm. He greeted others easily, pero ang tingin niya’y nakatuon lang kay Amariz. Para sa lahat, mukha itong paghanga. Pero para kay Amariz, ito’y parang unos na paparating.

“Lady Amariz,” he said smoothly, bowing slightly as though the room itself bent with him. “The gala is brighter for your arrival.”

She tilted her chin, offering a polite smile that never touched her eyes. “Then perhaps you’ve been standing too close to the chandeliers, Magnus.”

Umiling si Magnus, at natawa ng bahagya, madilim, at walang bahid ng pagkailang. Inilahad niya ang isang baso ng champagne. “To beauty, then. And to a night worth remembering.”

Tinanggap naman ito ni Amariz , ang mga daliri niya’y dumampi sa malamig na baso. Saglit siyang nagdalawang isip, may kakaiba sa paraan ng tingin na ibinibigay ni Magnus. Ngunit pinag sawalang bahala Niya na lamang ito, inangat niya ang baso at uminom.

Lumakas ang tugtugin. Nagsimula na ang gala sa tunay nitong anyo.

Moments later, dizziness struck. like waves breaking against fragile stone, Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya, nanikip ang paghinga, at nanlabo ang paningin. Ang mga tao ay parang naging mga aninong gumagalaw. Panic clawed at her chest.

She steadied herself against a nearby pillar, forcing a polite smile as another guest approached.

“Are you all right, dear?” a matronly woman asked, her brow furrowed.

“Yes,” Amariz lied, her voice faint. Inaangat niya ang kaniyang kamay at nag kunwaring inaayus ang buhok. “Just a little warm in here.”

But the heat clawed at her skin. Her heart pounded, erratic and wild. Her breaths came shallow, as though the room had turned to smoke. She had to get out.

Mabilis siyang dumaan sa mga tao, ang tunog ng takong niya’y nilamon ng musika. Bawat hakbang ay mas bumibigat, bawat mukha’y mas lumalabo, hanggang sa bumukas ang malalaking pinto at sinalubong siya ng malamig na hangin ng rooftop.

Through the haze, she caught sight of two figures locked in a violent struggle near the edge of the rooftop. A woman’s scream pierced the night, sharp and chilling.

“No—stop!” Amariz cried, rushing forward despite her unsteady steps.

Her hands reached out, desperadong paghiwalayin ang dalawa. Ngunit sa tindi ng pag ka hilong nararamdaman niya, hindi na niya alam kung ano ang nahawakan, o kung ano ang nagawa niya. Sa kaniyang malabong paningin, ang mga kamay niya mismo ang nagtulak sa babae.

At isang malakas na sigaw ang narinig sa kalagitnaan ng gabi.

“Sh*t! “ She cussed

Silence crashed over the rooftop, heavier than the night itself. Amariz stood frozen, breath shallow, staring into the void where the woman had vanished.

Then, from the shadows, the remaining figure turned. A woman’s lips curved into a cruel smile before she slipped away into the darkness, leaving Amariz alone.

Footsteps thundered behind her. The rooftop doors burst open. Guests poured in, gasping at the sight before them.

At ang tanging nakita nila ay si Amariz, gulat, nanginginig, at nakatayo sa gilid kung saan nahulog ang babae.

“She pushed her!” sigaw ng isang babae, puno ng takot.

Napasinghap si amariz, she's shaking her head violently. “No—I didn’t—I was trying to—”

But her voice cracked, weak, unconvincing. Even to her own ears, it sounded like guilt.

“She’s lying!” sigaw ng isa pa, sabay turo sa kaniya. “I saw it, she pushed her right over the edge!”

“Murderer!”

“Her hands, they’re still outstretched, like she did it!”

“She was jealous, she wanted her gone!”

“God, look at her, still standing there like nothing happened!”

Nanlumo si Amariz, nanghina ang tuhod. Her palms burned as if the weight of the woman’s fall lingered there. For one terrifying instant, she could no longer separate memory from reality, had she pushed her? Had the drugged haze betrayed her into believing it?

“No…” mahina niyang bulong, luha’y dumaloy sa kaniyang mukha. “I didn’t mean—”

Pero hindi na nakinig ang lahat. Ang mga sigaw ng bintang ay lumamon sa kaniya, mas malakas, mas malupit. At pati siya, unti unti na ring nagdududa sa sarili.

What if she really had done it?