Mastermind

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, the universe spun its magic, and by cosmic chance, we ended up in the same spot at the same tick of the clock.

Sisi sat in the bustling departure lounge of Heathrow Airport, her gaze fixed on the digital departure board, which displayed a constantly changing array of flight information. She watched the numbers and letters shift and transform as flights arrived and departed, passengers hurriedly making their way to their gates. To the casual observer, she appeared like any other traveler, lost in thought amidst the transient chaos of the airport. But her mind was far from the conventional pre-flight jitters. Sisi, with her wavy raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders and a furrowed brow, was lost in the depths of quantum physics. The concepts of destiny, determinism, and the uncertainty principle swirled in her mind like an intricate dance of subatomic particles. As she contemplated the enigmatic world of quantum mechanics, she couldn't help but feel that everything was preordained. That every twist and turn of her life was part of a cosmic blueprint laid out long before she was even born. Every moment, every decision, every heartbreak, all orchestrated by an unseen hand. She found herself caught at the crossroads of science and metaphysics, wrestling with the idea that perhaps free will was an illusion and that the universe had a plan for her.

Her gaze shifted from the departure board to the crowds of people passing by. Couples saying hurried goodbyes, families embarking on adventures, and solo travelers like her, each carrying their own stories. In that sea of faces, she felt utterly alone. She couldn't shake the pain that had haunted her for months, the heartbreak she'd endured, and the agony that had torn her world apart.

"Why did you plan this for me?" she whispered, addressing the invisible architect of her fate. "Why did you let him break my heart?" The creator, if such a being existed, remained silent. Sisi couldn't decide if she despised or pitied this celestial entity who seemed to hold the strings of her existence. She yearned for answers, but the airport was full of noise and motion, making it impossible for her to hear the universe's response.

In the midst of her inner turmoil, a voice came over the loudspeaker, announcing the departure of her flight. She rose from her seat, her quantum contemplations left behind, at least for the moment. With each step toward the gate, she felt herself moving further into the unknown, guided by forces she couldn't comprehend. As she boarded the plane, she wondered if she was just a pawn in a grand cosmic game or if there was still a chance to carve her own destiny, regardless of the creator's intentions.

10:48 pm Manila International Airport

After 13 hours and 5 minutes of travel time, Sisi arrived in Manila, but she was overwhelmed by the chaotic scene at the airport in the Philippines. The loud voices, the crowd pushing in every direction, and the overwhelming presence of security guards left her disoriented.

"DUWAAAAYYT AYLABYOUUU!" Shouted by a random girl from the crowd.

"I can't even understand the name she just shouted, but whoever that person is, curse you, I hope you trip into someone else." she murmured to herself.

She couldn't help but wonder what had drawn such a massive gathering. As she attempted to navigate her way through the sea of people, a collision sent her stumbling forward. Sisi regained her balance and, with an air of irritation, glanced at the person who had bumped into her. She couldn't see his face clearly as he was covered by a black baseball cap and a mask. However, the familiar scent of Soleil Blanc filled her senses. It was the distinctive fragrance her brother, Tyler, always wore.

"What the f--" she muttered under her breath, nearly cursing in her surprise. She took a step back, avoiding another collision, and regarded the man with a mix of annoyance and curiosity.