Wishing I could turn back the clock... where everything is fine.

Isa-isa nang nagdadatingan ang mga tao sa engrandeng pagdiriwang na pinaanyayahan ng pamilya Levantine. Idinaos ito mula sa isang tanyag na house manor o lugar na maihahalintulad sa isang mala-palasyong hacienda na pagmamay-ari din ng nasabing pamilyang ito. The Manor has a middle-ages and Norman-era design with contemporary touches.

Habang kaswal na naglalakad si Harika sa malawak na Great Hall ay agad na napansin ng kanyang mga mata ang maningning at naglalakihang mga aranya na nakasabit sa mataas na ceiling. Kumikinang ito na tila ba isang malaking diyamante habang natatabunan ng suot niyang maskara ang kalahati ng kanyang mukha. A mask with yellow-gold feather accentuated on it. She'd grown accustomed to gazing up at shimmering chandeliers—like crystals dangling overhead, which gave her a sense of fulfillment, a twinkle in her eyes, and a smile on her face. Nakasuot din ang mga panauhin ng maskara para sa tema ng pagdiriwang na idinadaos noong gabing iyon. It was Congressman Levantine's retirement celebration in a traditional masquerade theme.

Sa paglalakad niya ay suot-suot pa rin niya ang nakagawiang pageant smile at kinagisnang graceful movement sa mga taong nakakasalubong at kanyang nakakasalamuha. Kapansin-pansin ding pinapalakpakan siya ng mga panauhin kasabay ng pagkislap ng mga camera sa paligid niya. Her wide smile flashing greetings to everyone in attendance. Natatanaw niya rin mula sa kahabaan ng Great Hall ang mga mamahaling muwebles at masasarap na pagkain na niluto pa ng pinakatanyag na master chef mula sa syudad ng Bellmoral na dumayo ng Windercoln para sa selebrasyong iyon. Kilala ito sa pagluluto ng mga putaheng pasok sa panlasa ng mga mayayaman at taong may pangalan o matataas ang katungkulan sa buong syudad.

The party's theme was flawless and memorable throughout. The visitors were pretty happy and having a good time as they moved around the Manor, taking in its expansive halls, varied studio rooms, delectable cuisines, and the staff's professional handling of everything. It appeared to be the year's most memorable private event already.

Kasunod niyon ay may iilang pangunahing panauhin ang sumasalubong kay Harika at nagbibigay ng magagandang mensahe para sa kanyang Lolo Dad na magpahanggang-ngayon ay nagpapahinga sa ospital.

"Best wishes for the congressman's quick recovery!"

"May a good and healthy life surround him and hasten his recovery."

Masiyahing ngiti ang itinugon ni Harika sa mga ito, ngunit sa loob-loob niya ay tila may lungkot na bumabalot sa kanyang puso marahil ay dinadaos nila ang pagdiriwang na iyon para sa congressman, ngunit wala naman ito mismo sa Manor kasama siya.

Harika walked around aimlessly. Masks covering attendees were dressed to the nines with their own personal styles and famous names attached. Gabaldon, Abellanosa, Montecillo, Cañete, Vanhook, and Fortich... name it all! Iilan lamang sa mga malalaking pangalang ito ay kilala na mula sa syudad ng Windercoln. These names rose to prominence as a result of their well-known enterprises, relationships, political aspirations, and philosophies.

A minute dragged on, Harika came to a halt when someone obstructed her path. A tall man wearing a freshly pressed suit stood in front of her.

"You must be Harika Levantine," maginoo nitong wika.

Natigilan siya nang ilahad ng lalaking ito ang palad nito. Tumango si Harika, naamoy niya ang halimuyak na hindi pamilyar sa kanya at tahimik na pinag-aralan ang lalaking ito.

"I'm Genesis Montecillo... from the Montecillo clan," pagpapakilala nito nang may maamong ngiti sa mga labi.

Genesis took off his light silver mask.

Nag-angat nang tingin si Harika rito. Tumambad agad sa kanya ang kakisigan nito. Lumantad ang maisang kulay ng buhok nito na tumatabing sa parteng noo. Matangos ang ilong, tatak ng isang Montecillo ang hitsura, maganda ang tindig at pormal ang pagkakabati sa kanya. Additionally, he is dressed in a nice and opulent suit with a black patchwork bow tie sewn into his collar to make him appear more refined and respectable.

Kinamayan ito ni Harika at pilit na ngumiti. If Genesis were to be compared to anyone, he would be more like an action star.

Genesis pinched his brows and continued the small talk, "I'm the youngest heir of the family. Anyway, how's Congressman Levantine?"

At last, Harika took off her mask covering her face and met his eyes directly. She remarked nonchalantly with a faltering smile on her face, "He's well now."

The congressman's health was doing great, she believed. Mukhang naka-recover na ito mula sa aksidenteng nangyari noong nakaraang buwan.

Genesis responded with such enthusiasm, "That's excellent to hear and hoping him a speedy recovery," he eyed her evening gown, "by the way, you looked great in that dress."

Uncomfortably looking his way, Harika gave him a modest smile. Ayaw na ayaw niya kapag pinupuri siya palagi, lalo na sa mga taong ngayon niya lang nakilala ng personal. She thanked him anyway, "you looked good too," and returned the compliment.

Harika was really stunning, no doubt about it. She was dressed in a lengthy black ballgown. Her beautiful high neck kivary gold lace cape, which was long and see-through but didn't expose too much of her skin and her make-up was looked so natural on her. She gave off a killer evening party vibe with her waterfall braided hair—she had waves in her hair that were loosely curled. She had the appearance of a princess from the royal house. She is defined by the accessories she is wearing as being elegant; diamonds, pearls, and gold. Isa siyang Levantine, hindi lang basta yaman ang mayroon siya, kung 'di pati kung paano niya mismo dinadala ang mga sinusuot niya. Particularly for this occasion, she carries herself with sophistication.

Nagsimula nang tumugtog ang orchestra sa kabilang bahagi ng hall. Mahina at banayad lang iyon, mahinahon, subalit nakapagbibigay ng napakagandang atmospheric feeling ang tunog na nililikha nito mula sa mga panauhin. Piano and violin play a calm instrumental melody that was relaxing to the ears.

Ilang saglit lang matapos ang maikling pag-uusap nina Harika at Genesis ay halos napuno na ng mga panauhin ang Great Hall, saka na siya nagpatuloy na maglibot-libot.

She noticed Joaquin Ishida was standing alone at the next countertop

"Waki..." she muttered his name. And then Harika went there.

She can still see how at ease he is. There was still something about this man's aura she couldn't be able to describe, yet. Tila ba palaging mayroong liwanag na nanggagaling mula sa likod ng presensya nito.

Tahimik lang si Waki roon habang hawak ang champagne glass at suot ang puting maskara nito. Simpleng itim na suit lang ang suot nito, subalit malakas pa rin ang dating dahil sa porma at pagdadala nito ng damit. A classy, contemporary appearance that maintains his tidy appearance. His jet-black hair was styled in a side part with a traditional and timeless comb-over that was ideal for the current celebration. Tiyak, maraming babae na naman ang pinagtitinginan ito.

Lumingon si Waki sa gawi niya at tinanggal ang maskara. Tumambad kay Harika ang singkit na mga mata nito. His iris were really dark, and it was something she didn't want to fall into.

Habang kapuwa nila pinagmamasdan ang babaeng nakaupo sa wheelchair na nakikipag-usap sa ilang mga bisita 'di kalayuan, Harika struck up a discussion, "Well, I suppose Tita Melanie was having a lovely time talking to her amigas."

Waki quickly set his glass down on the table and slid his hands into his pockets. "I had a difficult time convincing her to participate in this celebration, because she isn't used to being in this type of environment, and she doesn't want her friends and colleagues to see her in that kind of situation. Iniisip niyang palagi siyang kinaaawaan."

Hindi sumang-ayon si Harika sa naobserbahan ni Waki sa ina. "Look at her, she seems to be enjoying their company a lot. Parang at home na at home pa rin siya sa malalaking okasyon tulad nito."

Tumango si Waki. "That's right. It's possible that she will use this as a breather and that it will strengthen her confidence to consider things through."

Later, as their talk continued, Harika and Waki both caught a glimpse of the symphony performing nearby. Both of them like listening to a good classic music, especially instrumental and vintage pieces.

When a slow waltz was finally played by the orchestra... people were gathered in the center, slow dancing in the hall while holding their partners. Maraming nag-aya kay Harika na magsayaw, pinagbigyan niya ang ilan. Hindi siya makatatanggi sa mga ito lalo pa't kakilala niya ang iba.
Genesis danced her as well and some of the young male guests that took her hand for a dance too. She danced Waki longer than the others. She felt much comfortable with him.

"Pinopormahan ka ba no'ng lalaking 'yon?" tanong ni Waki habang marahan silang nagsasayaw kasabay ng banayad na musika na nagmumula sa orchestra.

Lumingon si Harika at sinundan kung sino ang tinutukoy ni Waki. Then she noticed Genesis staring at her—probably to the both of them.

"Sino? Si Genesis?"

"Yup. That Montecillo guy. He's the youngest member of the clan that I've never met." Palihim na sinisiyasat maigi ni Waki si Genesis.

"He is. Although I've heard a little about him, yet this is the first time I've actually met him. Baka siya ang representative ng mga Montecillo since wala silang ibang kasamang kamag-anak na nagpunta."

Pinagmamasdan lang ni Waki si Genesis na nakatunghay sa mahinahong pagsasayaw nilang dalawa. From a distance, Genesis appeared to be watching their motions as he circled a champagne glass in his hand.

Harika later experienced a sudden feeling of sadness in her heart as the party continued. Recently, she had been experiencing a sense of being incomplete. Hindi niya magawang magdiwang kung siya lang ang Levantine na naroroon sa Manor. Hindi niya man lang magawang maisayaw ang Lolo Dad niya. Kung naroroon lang sana ito sa kanyang tabi, tiyak hindi ganoon ang lungkot na nararamdaman niya ngayon.

Nang matapos ang sayawan ay muling nanumbalik ang mga panauhin sa pakikipag-usap sa isa't isa. Mas lalong nadagdagan ang inis ni Harika nang masulyapan niya ang dalawang babaeng nakasuot din ng mamahaling evening gowns. Naroroon ito sa gitnang bahagi ng Great Hall habang kinakausap ang mga panauhing pandangal. Bahagya pa siyang inismiran ng isa sa babaeng iyon na nakatingin sa kanya. It was Venus—her cousin, alongside with her mother—her Aunt Lymareva. Ang mag-inang Sullivan.

Naglakad na siya palayo sa mag-inang iyon bago pa tuluyang masira ang buong gabi niya. She stepped away from the crowd and went upstairs. She enters the Solar, a Manor chamber used for sleeping or private sitting. She is turning the lampshade on in the dim light while leaving the lights off. It was a bedroom instrumental pop sound that Harika played in a vinyl player on a nearby side table as soon as she pulled an old record out of the drawer. Sa ibabaw ng kaparehas na mesa, napansin niya rin doon ang pamilyar na paper crane na palagi niyang napupulot kung saan. Napalinga-linga siya saka dinampot niya iyon at naglakad. Agad niyang dinama ang tunog na nagmumula sa record player, na tila nakasakay siya sa isang kotse at nakikinig ng tutugin sa radyo. Bahagya pa siyang naglakad patungo sa malaking bintana na para bang isang pinto at lumabas sa balkonahe.

Harika is playing the paper crane in her hand while gazing out the balcony. She cherished her time alone, especially when she was depressed or uneasy around others. Patuloy lang na tumutugtog ang record na pinagagaan ang pakiramdam niya. Nakatunghay lang siya sa liwanag ng buwan. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin, sapat lang para sa oras ng gabi.

Ilang saglit lang ay nagbaba siya nang tingin mula sa front lawn ng Manor. Maliwanag doon at malinaw niyang natatanaw ang ganda niyon dahil sa mga lamppost mula sa daan at ilang garden lamps sa paligid. Fantastic vista from the balcony of the Manor. She appeared to be gazing out of an open window like looking at a painting. Mabilis na sumilay ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi habang lumalanghap ng hangin mula roon. Relief filled her sigh. The kind of scenery she has always desired was this one. Lalo na't nawala siya sa mood na makipag-usap sa mga panauhin ngayon. She had a sudden melancholy since she missed her Lolo Dad so much, because of the sound lingering nearby and the feeling she was currently experiencing, her lids felt heavy and she wished she could take a cozy nap... not until she noticed a man in a suit standing beneath the glow of the lamppost and glaring directly at her.

She was standing at the balcony and the man ominously watching everything she does.

Harika's eyes expanded a little. A lump that had grown in her throat was swallowed. Even her breath was held. It was the wolf-masked man. She was so afraid that she was unable to run away or even walk on her feet; she was just made sinister by it. She has seen that man in her nightmares, on the streets, in her school from that time forward, as well as right now. She continued to receive infrequent appearance from him. Natatakot siya sa t'wing nakikita niya ang misteryosong taong ito, because he would occasionally appear as a spooky silhouette beneath her eyes.

The only thing about this man that stays the same no matter how many times she sees him in person is the wolf mask covering his whole head. Iyong maskara ng lobo pa rin ang palatandaan upang makilala niya ito.

"Harika, time for your speech."

Bahagya siyang nagulat nang may magsalita sa kanyang likuran. Lumingon si Harika at nakita ang isang lalaking staff na kasama sa nag-organize ng selebrasyong iyon. She immediately buried her hands in her chest. Malakas ang kabog sa dibdib niya.

Nang muli siyang sumulyap sa lalaking nakamaskara ng lobo sa wide lawn ng Manor ay wala na ito. He disappeared as he always does and left her wondering.

She quickly went downstairs. Dala-dala pa rin niya ang takot na namuo kanina. Naglakad siya patungo sa gitnang bahagi ng Great Hall, tumungtong sa center platform habang nakapalibot na ang mga bisita upang pakinggan ang magiging speech niya sa gabing iyon. It's for the Levantine's and behalf of the congressman.

Pinagmasdan niya ang mga tao sa paligid at napansin niya si Waki na naglalakad papasok ng Manor na galing mula sa labas, suot-suot ang puting maskara nito. She is unable to concentrate on her speech because the man in the wolf-mask is haunting her, negatively agitating her emotions.

She took the mic and cleared her throat before opening her speech. "Good evening to the lovely attendance, and I appreciate each and every one of you for being here tonight. I'd like—"

Palinga-linga si Harika sa paligid. Napuputol-putol ang pagsasalita niya dahil sa lalaking nakamasid sa kanya kanina. Nababahala siya. Hindi niya mawari kung bakit ganoon na lang ang naidulot sa kanya nitong kaba. Kahit noon pa ito nagpapakita sa kanya, hindi niya nagawang masanay. She seemed fidgety.

Naghihintay lang ang mga panauhin sa kanyang speech. Kahit itago niya, kapansin-pansin pa ring hindi mapakali si Harika sa harap ng mga ito.

"I just wanted to, uh, say thank you so much to everyone who came to this event..."

Harika raised an eye to the enormous chandelier above her. It's moving and producing a glass-cracked noise... and something doesn't seem right.

Nababahala na rin ang mga tao hindi lang dahil kay Harika, dahil na rin sa aranya sa ibabaw niya na tila babagsak ano mang oras.

She then gathered herself and resumed speaking with assurance. Ngunit muling nagpakita ang lalaking may maskara ng lobo mula sa hanay ng mga panauhing nakikinig sa kanya. Abot-abot na lang ang naging kaba sa dibdib niya.

Bago pa matapos ang pagsasalita niya ay bigla na lang nahulog ang chandelier diretso sa kinatatayuan niya. Nagsigawan ang mga tao sa paligid.

Tumingala si Harika. Nakatunghay lang sa maningning na aranyang iyon. Feeling as though time has frozen and the world was moving slowly. Mabagal itong unti-unting bumabagsak sa kanya. Bawat segundo ay mahalaga sa pagkakataong iyon. Up until she noticed the man wearing a wolf-mask shielding her from it and appearing to do so at any costs.

Harika gave him a frightened hug. The mysterious man masked in wolf covered his arms around her. She became completely blinded by the intense brightness in her face as everything in her sight became dazzling.

Panandalian siyang nabulag dahil sa pagkasilaw roon.

Someone set her up for a fall, placed her in the wrong light, and most likely staged the entire incident.

The last person Harika ever saw before her eyesight went completely black was the man wearing a wolf-mask... and then she passed out.