Malediction

Matilda

I felt a shiver in my spine as I realized this. I ran to its direction, wondering if my ears were tricking me with the sounds they register. The fear had already reached my heart and my heart was already in my throat. It couldn't slow down as I remember what Manunulat had said to my Andrea.

'I'll give you everything you need for this case, just come outside your little cave and show yourself.

He was waiting for her. And wasn't her leaving me the best chance to steal her away? My head felt dizzy with worry.

I reached the spot where the heels stopped and the foot steps were audible moments before. Looking forward, there was no one walking to the party from where I stood. Where was Andrea? Was I too late?

I looked for her around the long hallway to see if I missed her. But no, she wasn't there and there were almost no traces of her, except one. A lone peach colored heel was left on the floor. I picked it up and examined it. It wasn't Andrea's size, so it meant that there was somebody else here. But who was she? And did she heard us? I continued to sense for any sound from the noise-cancelled hallway. There was none but me, catching my breath.

I came back to the party with the lone heel, to the blinding colored lights and noise of hundreds of voice chattering along at the same time with the speaker louder than ever. It was chaotic. My eyes peered through the numerous faces, looking for the only person that stands out in my line of sight. And she did. With her dark wavy long hair and alluring gaze, she seemed to search for someone. Andrea was now verifying every minute intel we received from Sandra, Manunulat and those that we searched ourselves. The financial reports inconsistencies Manunulat gave about Gonzales and Pelaez were spot on.

I felt relieved to see her alright and working as she always did, and slyly at that as this wasn't a place for interview questions. She had probably laid over small talk on matters she needed to discuss with them. To the person she was talking to, it wasn't obvious but it still gets her what she needs. It was the skill I can't replicate as I was too forward. I let her do her work, knowing that if I contradicted again, I'll be slapped once more. I know she only hurt me because I need to not let my emotions overpower me. For an unstable mind like I mine, I really needed her wake-up call.

The heel from the hallway was still with me and Andrea wasn't missing a shoe. Upon holding the heel, I wonder whom it belonged to. These wasn't a club-like party, but a semi-one for the sake of Matilda's age and their high political standing in the society. No one would leave their shoe in an event full of people judging you from head to toe.

The people of the party and I were surprised of the sudden shift of lights and of the volume lowering to a minimally heard degree. All the lights focused on a particular spot in Casa Madrigal. It was the arc of the same hallway I went in too. I and all others opened the way like sea parting into two. The party was officially starting.

The host from the stage started to announce, "Let's all welcome the beautiful charming princess of the Pelaez family and the star of this wonderful creation… Miss Matilda Pelaez!" All cheered as we anticipated Matilda's reveal. Despite her parents' flaws, I was happy they treated the girl this way, even for one time from all the years they lacked attention to her. She was finally being taken care of by her parents as Amanda had personally planned the whole thing and Elo took his time today just to be with his daughter. They had teamed up despite their inner hatred for each other. Matilda won't worry about her family going south in terms of their relationship any sooner.

We all focused on the spotlight, waiting for the celebrant to come in the party. It took some time so Amanda began to talk to her maid by her side. The maid ran to the back after, probably to enter the long hallway from the other end. It should've been Sandra she was ordering to about such things but she was gone. I hoped she was okay.

Sounds of running foot steps came closer to us and we wondered why such a well-mannered woman would run to her own stage in a party made for her. But it wasn't Matilda, it was only the Governor who came up to the arc, without his only daughter.

His panicked expression surprised everyone leading to a chorus of gasps across the entire area. His sweat glistened in the spotlight that focused on him after shoving the red curtain away from his face. Governor Pelaez didn't look like his usual self. From his calm and composed demeanor, he was now a hyperventilating mess of panic and paranoia. Whispers were heard, gradually increasing as he crouched, panting.

"Matilda… Matilda is missing! She has not returned since an hour ago. She couldn't be far. Look for her now!" The governor said in a panicked state. In truth, all of his other guards were already searching outside for the past hour in secret but he couldn't wait any longer. His daughter hasn't returned after changing her clothes to a gown. With who they are, it could lead to devastating consequences if she didn't turned up. Aside from Jerry, they had other competition to deal with especially in the business side of their family.

All of us were alerted and started to move in different organized directions as we were trained a few days ago for this event. I saw Luis take action on this as well, with his face mask still attached to his face. The governor was separated from the spot light by Edward. He was given water and space to breath amidst the people gathering to him.

As I separated from the crowd, I continued to hold the shoe with my free hand, it was a coincidence. Was it hers? I came near Amanda and gave her the shoe. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Tears immediately fell in chains. She was unhinged as well. Matilda wasn't the type to disappoint the people expecting her as being late or running away from a special occasion, especially her own. She had no known person to even influence her in that way. There was something not adding up to the chain of events.

"This is my fault...My child..." Amanda continued to cry in the shadows, surrounded by her maids and I. "Where have you found this?" She asked. For the first time, she sounded like a mother and not an alluring intimidating woman she had always been. "It was at the hallway ma'am, a few meters before the arc." I replied. She mumbled something to herself. And I, who was thinking she was still talking to me, asked, "Pardon, Madam?" She looked into my eyes with sureness on her face. "There is only one person who would do this to us, to torment Elo and distract him or let him withdraw his candidacy for the position…" She stood up and walked across people to find a face she knows too well, her other lover, Jerry Gonzalez.

Upon making eye contact, Amanda had slapped Jerry. "Release my daughter! I know you wanted to murder my husband but how dare you take my only child away? Give her back!" Amanda screamed at the top of her lungs hysterically, without a care in the world of what others might say to her. Everyone went silent. Andrea and Tim took the opportunity to record this, seeing how their phone cameras were already on and balanced to capture the moment.

It was another milestone we didn't need to work hard for.

Jerry couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't say anything in surprise and only stepped back. With the burning eyes of everyone, he left. "Wait! Show me where my daughter is!" She shouted at Jerry before the man rushed to his car, away from such accusations. Amanda, in her neverending tears, had ordered Tim and Edward to follow Jerry. To all, he was now considered a primary suspect.

Before they could leave, a shrilling scream surrounded Casa Madrigal. It was from one of Amanda's maids that she had ordered to go to the other end of the hallway.

Everyone rushed to the room where Andrea and I once were. We had found Matilda.