I still remembers how I gained and lose everything in just a snap all of the things I've tried so hard to keep.
It also resulted in losing my freedom.
If only I knew.. what kind of person you were underneath those smile...
"Happy Birthday, Zaria." Iarkial smiled kindly and handed me a box. I unwrapped it in front of him.
An anklet?
I beamed the moment I saw the gift, "Thank you, Iarkial!"
He laughed and tried to ruffle my hair but stopped, "I almost destroy your hairstyle..." Iarkial faked a cough, "Let me dance with you later."
"Felisha might get angry later."
He just held my hand holding the gift, "Don't worry it'll be fine."
I thought then how kind and reliable he was. Just like a brother.
My 18th birthday were made up people I don't even know. It's a business socialization in disguise of debut party.
But still, I was happy even a little bit.
"Oh my.. that person is Miss Trovis, right? How elegant."
"I heard she took up a business course, then would she inherit the family business?"
"Maybe.. but, the board weren't approving of her. You know, about the—ack!"
The women who were gossiping spotted me, I just smiled and walk past them.
People just loved to talk about nonsensical things.
I walked around, talked to anyone randomly, drink alcohols and just watched everyone buzzed around from here and there until someone called me over.
"The President is calling for you, Miss."
I put down the champagne I'm holding, "Okay." I walked again towards the man at the center. My father after all these years, mysteriously still had a face of a man in his late 20's.
Doesn't he get older at all? It's not even normal.
Beside that father of mine is Felisha and the twins, Iarkial who was just watching me and Ilzien that's glaring on me.
They really looked like a real family.
I went to his side and I can still feel the tension between us. All of us tried to be unbothered about it regardless.
My father gripped the mic and smiled to the crowd, "Today marked the age of adulthood for my daughter, Zaria. I thank all of you for coming to this special occasion of my dearest daughter." He raised a glass of his champagne.
Dearest? You liar.
"Let's toast." I heard the clinks of glasses and we all did the same. It's my birthday yet I didn't even have a say about it. I really want to leave now.
"Also, I have an important announcement." Surprised, I stared at my father with a curious and shocked face.
Announcement? I didn't hear anything about this.
He signaled towards someone and a man who looked like in his late 40's came forward with a guy that looks like his child.
I have a bad feeling about this…
"This is Elliot Fritz, my friend's son." The man he referred to as a friend nodded. His son stood beside me. "From today onwards, our relationship will not just be of that friends but rather, in-laws?, perhaps?"
What? What are you talking about?
"My daughter, Zaria Triel Trovis will be engaged to Elliot from now on. I hope you all will support it from the bottom of your hearts."
I heard murmurs and congratulations from everyone around me. Felisha and her daughter snickered and muttered sarcastic congratulations.
The guy beside me held out his hand as if escorting me. "Miss, if you may? You shouldn't let a man's hand on air you know?" His words made my blood boiled to the max.
I gulped. It was an act of trying to calm myself who's eyes is darkening from rage I'm feeling. I can't see anything anymore that I've felt something from within breaking and snapping.
"It's really an honor to be of in-laws with you, Mr. Trovis."
I slapped the guy's hand away. My anger can't be hold back anymore that I marched towards my father who's talking with that friend of his and held his collar.
"You!" I shouted, "What do you think you're doing?!"
His eyes that used to be hazy and blank rounded as I gripped his collar tightly.
"Za..ria?"
People tried to shook me off from him. My father's hands tried to grasp my wrists holding his collar, however I shake it off every time.
"Calm down, Zaria!" For some reason, his voice today were mixed with.. worry?
I ignored it. Hah! After all this time I'm going to hope for some care from him? He even tried to engaged me with someone laughable!
"It"s Dad, Zari! Take off your hands for a bit!"
Dad? You can't be serious. Is this how a father should be behaving? Marrying their daughter to just anyone?!
Maids and waiters held me and tried to separate me with him but I held on. This man really made me lose the last ounce of respect I had for him!
"Miss please stop!"
"Miss let go of him!"
"Zaria, you rude wench!"
Shouts and pleas echoed around me like bees buzzing around. The stress and anger piled up that unconsciously I did something that pushed them all away.
"Can't you see.. fucking let go!" I whisked my hand they're holding and I felt a warm energy stored at the back of my hand!
"Ah!"
"Madame!"
"It hurts!"
"Help me!"
A wave of intense energy and aura surged all throughout the crowd that when I came to my senses, I can't see anyone standing!
Slowly, I looked back at them whose on the floor, squirming in pain including Felisha. I stepped back without a single thought the moment I saw what I did.
"Hmp!"
Horrified, my eyes shook from fear and my hands automatically went to my mouth. I can't believe this.. what is this?!
Vines protruded from the once carpeted floor. It became soiled and muddy that people's dress and tuxedos were stained.
The vines reached up to the ceiling, thorns pricked the people nearby and flowers emitting poison with them started to bloom naturally.
And a red lily, on the center of the hall, right in front of Felisha stood and bloomed. It glows and a strange haze poured out.
Vines gripped and tangled at the guests. Shouts erupted in pain and people bloodied from the thorns collapsed one by one.
There were guests, maids, and waiters that started to vomit after inhaling some pollen from nearby flowers that just bloomed.
"Ah… what is this?.." I let go of my father that seems shock too. I looked around, terrified.
As I began analyzing what just happened, something in my hand shone. At the back of my right hand, a symbol glowed.
It was a lily wrapped around by vines with thorns. Similar to the strange things enveloping the whole area right now.
D-Did I.. caused this?
No way. There's no way! I hold unto my dress, trying to find any support however a hand was able to grasped my wrist first.
It was my father.
He had also a terrified look on his face. Although the difference is that it wasn't directed at me.
"Run.." He murmured. I wasn't able to hear it clearly as it's too obscured, added the fact that the shouts were piercing my ears.
"W-What?"
At that time, he stared at my eyes in a different way from his usual icy look and shouted, "Leave, you monster!"
Tears started to form in my eyes the moment he shouted and pushed me away. I almost stumbled but I held my ground.
I didn't know what to do. There's a strange phenomenon happening, people are wounded, and my father's chasing me out calling me a monster.
"You! Leave now! You're not my daughter from now on!" My father shouted again. I felt every fiber of my heart shattered at his words.
I'm gonna admit that he really angered me this time, but hearing those words from him is different.
"What are you waiting for? Leave and don't come back!"
"Zaria! Don't, heuk.. wait!" I heard Iarkial's shouts from afar who was still helping Felisha.
And still, I remained staring at my father whose eyes return to the usual blank and hazy eyes.
At the strange things I can't comprehend, and as the fear reached the top of my head. The only person I was able to call out was him. Although, I knew this person who looked at me with eyes different than before, wants me gone.
"Daddy.." I gasped for air and wiped the tears off my face. I took of every ounce of hesitation in my mind and ran away from the venue of my debut as fast as I can.
With that, my birthday became one of the most terrifying moments of my life.