The Devil's Muse (English)

“Are you ready for the next chapter of your life, Sunny?” my hairdresser asked with a smile. In front of the vanity table, I stared at myself. The other stylists were also here to do my hair and prepare my outfit for the upcoming party. I was only wearing a camisole now, my hair flowing freely. I examined my own eyes, which people often said were like Mommy’s. They said that’s why it was easy to say we looked so much alike. My mother is of Russian descent. I was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, but even though I didn’t grow up there and stayed here in the Philippines, they still followed some of the traditions. Daddy is of Filipino descent. I think he’s quite an influential person here. This is also where I truly grew up and learned. They shaped my eyebrows just right, thick enough, and added curled eyelashes. “Your face is so innocent, Sunny. You’re like an angel, oh! No wonder Don Valdemor is strict with you, as well as your mommy when she was still alive. You’re such a beautiful child!” the stylist who was fixing my hair said with a smile. “They’re just afraid that many will court you right away. You know, they’ll be the ones who will have a hard time,” the makeup artist added, also looking at my reflection in the mirror while applying the base colors on my face. I smiled and laughed softly. I also glanced at the array of cosmetics lined up in front of me. It’s my eighteenth birthday today. I can put on makeup like this, but only occasionally. Usually for special occasions, or when my friend Alina invites me to do makeup. I don’t have my own. I barely have trendy clothes. When Mommy was still alive, she was strict about this. She was raised in a traditional family, a little old-school. Even our mansion looks like it has been left behind by time and modernization. “It’s your debut. Maybe you’ll meet your first suitor at your party!” “Dad is strict,” I simply said while looking at the lip gloss and taking it out. The hairdresser winced a little at my answer, probably thinking that in our status, it’s normal for Daddy to be that strict. “But you probably want a boyfriend, right? You’re eighteen! Sometimes, they just call it puppy love! Do you have someone you like?” I bit my lip and paused for a moment, looking at the makeup. My eyes lifted to the mirror and seemed to be avoiding something. Oh, it’s because I lied. The truth is, I already have a boyfriend. But my friends think he’s just courting me. It’s a mutual understanding, but I’ve already secretly said yes to him, and only the two of us know. Later at the party, he’s also planning to formally tell Daddy that he’ll court me, even though the truth is, we’re already together. I don’t have a problem with it, and I also want him to be my boyfriend, so I think it’s okay. I smiled a bit, which the stylist fixing my hair noticed. “Looks like Sunny has someone she likes! She’s smiling!” They were teasing me, asking who the lucky guy is. I didn’t want to say it because if I did, Daddy might find out and forbid me from seeing Isandro. Well, I do like this guy. He’s kind with a pleasing personality. He always smiles. He’s also friendly and charismatic with girls. He’s sweet and gentle. We go to the same private high-profile university. I was homeschooled during elementary and for part of high school, so I was very new when I entered the university. Isandro was one of my classmates who helped me get along with the others. And he’s really nice! We immediately became friends. “Will he be at the party? If so, you need to be very beautiful today. Is he your last dance?” they asked curiously. I was already embarrassed, but at the same time, I felt happy that they are interested to know the guy behind my smiles. It’s amusing because if Daddy finds out that Isandro is already my boyfriend before I even introduce him, there might be a gun pointed at his head. Oh, there were many boys who tried. They courted me, sometimes even visited the mansion, but because Daddy is too scary, nothing really worked. I’m just surprised because they’re fine, then suddenly they disappear when I introduce them to Daddy. It turns out, he scares them! At first, they’re like brave princes, then just one .45 caliber glance from Daddy, they suddenly turn pale and almost run away, saying... “I’m sorry, Sunny! I-I’m not ready to be in a relationship yet. We’re too young for this!” They had different reasons. If they’re not busy with the family business, they’re going abroad, or they realized they’re too young to have a girlfriend. I can’t do anything either. I didn’t want to get mad at Daddy, but some of the incidents really made me cry and hate him at some point. But now, it’s different with Isandro. I want Daddy to accept him. I like him... and I hope he’s the one who can soften Dad’s attitude of scaring everyone away. “Yes, he’s my last dance.” “Wow... is that a secret we’re keeping from Don Valdemor?” they asked with a laugh and seemed excited. I smiled and nodded. “But later at the party, he might introduce himself to Daddy...” “Oh, good luck to him! And your daddy really has a fearsome reputation with your suitors, Sunny,” the hairstylist commented. “Hope he doesn’t run away when he faces your daddy and your men with big muscles!” the makeup artist said with a laugh and was thrilled with Daddy’s henchmen. I’m nervous about how Isandro will talk to Daddy, but I have high hopes that he won’t be scared like the other suitors. He already knows Daddy’s attitude, and he himself said he won’t back down! My hair and makeup were finished, and everything was ready. I’m wearing a red ball gown. It’s so big that it almost takes up the space where I’ll stand. It sparkled with glitter, exposing my shoulders, and the dark red color made my skin look even paler. I remembered when we talked one time. “Daddy, this is what I chose to wear for my 18th birthday party,” I said, showing him on the iPad which gown I picked out of ten choices. I had a hard time choosing because there were so many options, but I liked this gown that’s like Belle’s in Beauty and the Beast. Only that it’s deadly red! “Since when did you like this bloody hell of a color, princess?” Daddy asked in disgust at my choice. I pouted and sat at the breakfast table. “That’s what I want, Daddy... enough of being the villain, please?” I said sweetly. The maids immediately served my plate. “Thank you...” Daddy sighed sharply. “Oh, what can I do? Suit yourself, princess. If that’s what you want, then so be it.” “Thanks, Dad! You’re the best!” I exclaimed and was happy because he agreed. I thought he would object again! “And when you dance with those bastards, all our men will be watching. If anyone dares to touch you in the wrong way, their hands will be gone, and I’m warning you now, my dear. Don’t beg me to let those bastards go,” Daddy said strictly. He was serious, and I knew he wasn’t joking. The dancers were chosen well, so I knew there wouldn’t be any such incidents. Now, the day itself has arrived. I’m wearing my red ball gown and about to make my way down the stairs, where all the guests are waiting for the birthday celebrant to come down. I feel a little nervous, but I’m more focused on the conversation between Isandro and my father. I really hope he won’t be scared anymore... “Happy birthday, Sunniva! Enjoy your party!” the staff said as they helped me get ready. I smiled at them and gave them a kiss on the cheek. They went down first to let me make my grand entrance.I can already hear the guests downstairs. I bit my lip a little and took a deep breath. I stayed calm, and as I walked down the stairs, the MC announced, I couldn’t help but look around. And it was... magical. A wave of guests greeted me. Their gazes were amazed as they looked up at the stairs I was walking down, following my every step down wearing the elegant gown and with my hair neatly pinned up. Applause filled the air, their eyes brimming with awe. I was nervous again, but a gentle smile formed on my lips. Especially when I found some of my few real friends, and most of all, Isandro. I felt like a real princess as I went down because of all the eyes watching, the grand designs, and the floor where rose petals were scattered. The whole place looked very enchanting. “Everyone, this is my one and only daughter, my princess, Sunniva Valdemorovna Fedorova...” My father introduced me with pride. Everyone was smiling, including Daddy’s known and respected guests for my party. “Wow... you have a very beautiful daughter, Valdemor,” a businessman, twice my age, I think, said with a grin, staring at me. “Happy birthday, Sunniva...” I smiled and thanked him politely. I also greeted and talked to many others, so their names just passed through my mind. During the eighteen roses, if they weren’t schoolmates or classmates, they were the children of Daddy’s friends who danced with me. They were also kind, but I really couldn’t remember any of them. They just danced with me. Some of them were probably trembling with their knees and couldn’t look at me. Some of them almost tripped several times out of fear. No one stood out to me among those who danced. It’s okay. Isandro is my last dance. I smiled at everyone. Even though I was tired, my smile never faded. And even though I was looking around with a little concern, my expression stayed calm. Isandro was close, but I still hadn’t seen him. I couldn’t help but glance at my two friends, Alina and Vina, and it seemed like they were thinking the same thing as they looked around. There was a moment of silence when Isandro was called for the last dance, but he wasn’t there. I was already sitting and waiting. I couldn’t lift my eyes to the crowd. I felt the roughness in my throat! Not just because of the nervousness that I might be embarrassed in front of everyone, but also because I didn’t know why Isandro wasn’t there yet? The MC gave him a few more moments. I tried to look at the guests again, who seemed to be noticing that the last dance wasn’t there yet. I also saw Daddy’s expression. Some of the guests are all looking at me, and I can’t help but glance around. I don’t know why, as I sat on the sofa, I had a different feeling around me. There was something unsettling about it, like a magnet waiting to draw you near. I don’t know what made me look around the whole place, including the upper part of the interior balcony. Just in time, Isandro suddenly arrived. He was trying to make his way through the guests to get to my place! “Oh, sh*t, Niv! Sorry, I lost my freaking way! This mansion of yours is confusing,” he said, and he was probably sweating from hurrying. He probably heard he’s being called already! I just smiled even though I was losing momentum. Something seemed to pull my attention around the room, and I couldn’t tell exactly where. “It’s okay, Sandro. It’s really confusing here,” I said because the house was really huge. We even have a large double-level interior balcony facing the grand staircase. “Shall we dance?” he asked, searching for my eyes. He also fixed his hair and faced me. I nodded, but I was a little out of it. I was holding the red roses I received, but something in the air felt magical. I felt unsettled! I smiled at Isandro. He took my hand, and the music started. Everyone’s ready to watch us with this slow dancing. “You’re so beautiful, Niv...” He blinked a few times, his gaze lingering on me with admiration. I looked back into his eyes. “Thank you, Isandro... you look so good, too...” I complimented. He’s tall, has fair skin, and pretty hazel eyes. His hair is also a bit blond, and because of his friendly smile, he looks even kinder, and you know he’s playful. His father is of Italian descent. Isandro Di Angelo is probably one of the most handsome men of my age. We started dancing. I was smiling and directing my attention to him despite the feeling of being pulled around. I don’t know why. It just felt like that. “I’m sure your dad will like me... nothing will stop us. We’ll see each other whenever we want,” he said softly, and his smile was also gentle as he danced with me slowly. For a moment, I felt like a true princess. The prince was in front of me, and he was dancing with me. I smiled and nodded at him. “Yes...” I said, swallowing hard, not letting fear of Daddy’s reaction take over. Isandro and I remained with our eyes locked as he danced with me. He spinned me and our eyes met again. With the lights focused on us, he was all I could see. “You’re really beautiful, Sunny...” he whispered again. I smiled and thanked him. Our hands were still holding each other. He spun me again, but as I faced him and before our hands could hold each other again, the lights suddenly went out all around, causing our dance to automatically stop because the music also disappeared! I froze. My lips parted. There was a sudden commotion around, and in the dark, Isandro also suddenly disappeared! Some guests gasped, others seemed to panic, running in every direction while I was left in the middle. “Sunny!” Daddy shouted, which just mixed with the shouts of the guests. I looked for Isandro in the dark, but it was impossible. He just suddenly disappeared, as if someone had taken him! I looked around as the lights flickered back on. The surroundings were so dark, and I was the only one in the light. My eyes widened, my throat tightening, as I scanned the room and caught sight of the upper balcony. I was sure there was someone standing there right in front of me. I caught a glimpse of a... man’s figure. The large window behind him was the only source of light from the bright moon outside. I was the only one who could see him clearly, especially since I was the only one in the middle, and the guests at my party were in chaos! I tried to shake off the unease, but the lights went out again. I turned to look around. “I-Isandro?” I asked nervously. But before I could move again, a pair of hands covered my mouth. I gasped and struggled, but they were too strong. Fear immediately dawned on me. I tried to fight and pull myself free. My scream was muffled. I realized I was being dragged out of my own party! There were more than just two people holding me now. There was force in their grip to take me out. I tried to resist, but the chemicals I had inhaled made me dizzy and weak. Tears ran down my cheeks, powerless against their hold. I don’t know why they weren’t even having a hard time with what I was wearing. It told me that maybe… maybe this was planned. They knew what to do! “Let me go—hmm!” I tried to remove the cover on my mouth, but they were really strong. Just when I thought they were about to drag me out onto the portico, they suddenly stopped. It was pitch black outside. I don’t know what happened, but they immediately stopped dragging me! I almost collapsed to my knees, holding my own neck and trying to catch my breath while tears streamed down my eyes. Everything seemed to sway around me. My vision blurred as I struggled to catch my breath. I just heard them asking who it was, and then a deep, cold voice spoke. “Let her go, or I’ll f*****g blow your skulls open.” The voice was sharp, dangerously calm. A cold shudder washed over me. My eyebrows met, and with my blurry eyes and tears flowing, I tried to lift my gaze to see him. He stood against the moonlight, and I could barely make out any details of his face. All I saw was his tall, dark, lethal silhouette. The men who had grabbed me froze. I almost dropped to my knees, realizing I had inhaled something that made me dizzy. “Don’t make me repeat myself.” Before I could completely lose consciousness, those men let me go. They ran retreating like cowards. The man remained in front of me. Tall and dangerous, he loomed before me. I looked at the gun he was holding, aimed at the man who had grabbed me earlier. He wore a dark suit that hugged his frame. Black leather shoes gleamed faintly in the shadows. He stood tall and still, yet his presence alone sent those men fleeing and made my blood run cold. Before I could even slip into unconsciousness, I felt his gaze on me. I tried to lift my gaze, and I didn’t know if our eyes met. He was just watching me as though he were a beast savoring the moment he found his prey. “Krasivaya…” he whispers raspily, a hint of a smile in his voice lingering in the darkness. W-Who is he?