Enigma

18

Just a party.

But everyone knows AMORA DE FONTA is never just a party.

It’s where the King chooses.

It’s where alliances are formed.

And sometimes… where people disappear—they said, I have gather my research, and saw some findings that, everyone can't control their hormones, that makes it chaotic.

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Lola Miena stood up slowly. “Magpahinga na kayo. Mahaba pa ang araw bukas. At mas mahaba ang gabi sa makalawa.”

Her words lingered in the air like a warning. Then she walk past the two of us, and I just look at her back as she walk away... And disappear.

---

Later that night, I found myself standing again on the balcony of my room. I remember the quadrangle I think it looked peaceful under the moonlight — empty, quiet, harmless.

But in two days, it will be filled with music, laughter, and secrets.

My hand trembled again.

Why do I feel like this celebration isn’t meant to unite people…

But to reveal something?

And why do I feel like—

“Hindi ka pa natutulog.”

I turned sharply.

Phoenix was standing in the shadows, half-hidden by darkness. I didn’t even hear him approach. But I already know, I always know that he is always there, hidden, no one knows...

“You’re attending?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He stepped closer, the moonlight finally revealing his face — calm, unreadable.

"Why should I?" As I figured out, we are just only just being together for a short period if time but I already know what he will answer me, will be the world shake, knowing their king is only gooffy for me.

“Why should I?” he repeated...

His voice was low, almost blending with the quiet hum of the mansion at night. I look at the clock, it is already past mid night, my eyebrow pitch as I realized what time it is, it is already twelve thirty, and the moon sti shine as bright that it made him more untouchable as ever...

We were standing in the hallway outside my room. The chandeliers were dimmed, casting soft gold light over the marble floor. The house felt too big at night — every corner holding a secret.

“You’re the reason they’re gathering,” I said, keeping my voice steady. And I also made my part of it, I sweat for your occasion... “AMORA DE FONTA revolves around you.” I said instead my inner thoughts because it doesn't sound good... Haha

A faint smile touched his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s what they want everyone to think.” there is sad a traggic thing in his voice, because I also feels it...

The air between us felt heavier than the walls around us.

I folded my arms, trying to calm the tremble in my fingers. “People say it turns chaotic. That once the music starts, no one can control themselves. Emotions heighten. Instincts take over.” I said calmly, my anxiety starting to kick in, but I controlled it, I am a man after all.

“I know,” he replied calmly. “That’s the point.”

The chandelier light flickered slightly — or maybe it was just my imagination.

“They call it tradition,” he continued, leaning against the wall across from me. “But it’s really a test. Strip people of control. See who they become.” he added, that makes me overthink it thoroughly.

My chest tightened.

“And if you attend?” I asked, without looking at him, because I he is not doing the same...

His gaze lifted to mine slowly, and I was shock, because I feel something different.

“If I attend, I won’t just be watching,” he said. “I’ll be part of it.” he ended his sentence as if a concervatism thing...

Silence stretched.

The mansion was quiet — Lola Miena already in her room, the staff asleep, the hallways echoing only our breathing are heard.

“You’re afraid,” he said softly. I look at him, I met his eyes with full of something dark, but understandable.

I laughed weakly. “Of course I am.” I reply

“Not of the party,” he corrected.

He stepped closer — not touching, but close enough that I could feel the warmth of him.

“You’re afraid of what it will reveal.”

My heartbeat stuttered.

He wasn’t wrong.

Because what if the chaos doesn’t just show alliances and instincts?

What if it exposes feelings we’ve both been pretending aren’t there?

“If you don’t attend,” I whispered, “they’ll question you.”

“They always do.”

His voice wasn’t bitter. Just tired.

“And if I attend,” he added quietly, “the world will see something they shouldn’t.”

I frowned. “What?”

His eyes softened — just slightly.

“That I’m not as untouchable as they think.”

The words lingered between us.

We’ve only known each other for a short time, but I already understand his pauses, the way his jaw tightens when he’s holding something back, the way his voice lowers when it’s only me listening.

The mansion suddenly felt smaller.

The party feels closer.

And for the first time, I realized—

Maybe AMORA DE FONTA isn’t dangerous because people lose control.

Maybe it’s dangerous because some of us don’t want to.

“This party,” he said quietly, “was never about finding a mate.”

The wind blew harder.

“Then what is it about?” I whispered.

Phoenix finally looked at me — directly, intensely — like he was measuring whether I could handle the truth.

“It’s about choosing who will survive the next year.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Somewhere inside the mansion, a clock chimed midnight.

And suddenly, I wasn’t excited for the party anymore.

I was terrified.