The night pulsed with the vibrant rhythm of music, the air thick with laughter and conversation. Francine, Mikayla, and Narina were at the heart of the celebration, surrounded by friends and admirers at Francine's latest award party. The recognition she'd received as the Artist of the Year was a milestone, and the crowd buzzed with excitement for the woman of the hour.
Francine grabbed the microphone, her smile shining brightly as she addressed the crowd.
"Thank you all for being here tonight! This party's my way of giving back, of showing gratitude for all your support. Without you, none of this would be possible. So, let's make tonight unforgettable... LET'S START THE PARTY!"
The crowd cheered, and the music swelled, carrying the energy higher. The group danced and laughed, the night spiraling into its peak of celebration.
Francine motioned to her best friends, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Hey, come with me! I know a quiet spot up on the roof where we can get away from all this chaos."
Mikayla and Narina exchanged knowing looks, their laughter merging with the sounds of the party as they followed her up to the rooftop terrace. The cool night air kissed their skin, and the city skyline stretched endlessly before them.
"Ugh, thank goodness. I was suffocating down there," Mikayla groaned, stretching out as she inhaled the fresh air.
"I know, right? The noise and the heat, let's enjoy some peace. I'll grab the wine," Francine said, turning to head back toward the rooftop door.
"That's what I'm talking about! Wine all the way!" Narina added, plopping down on the floor.
Francine returned with a bottle of wine and three glasses. They settled on the floor of the terrace, basking in the quiet contrast to the party below.
"Alright, tell me how's work been treating you, Mikayla?" Narina asked.
"It's been crazy. Deadlines, clients, the usual. It's like the work never ends. But honestly, without you two, I'd probably lose my mind," Mikayla replied.
"I swear, if I have to deal with one more arrogant colleague, I might snap," Narina added. "But hey, on the bright side, I scored those concert tickets for next week. Who's in for some headbanging?"
"Count me in!" Francine said, grinning. "Sometimes, you need to break free from the madness. Speaking of which, did I ever tell you about the time I set my hair on fire in science class?"
"Oh god, not again. We're lucky you didn't burn the school down," Mikayla laughed.
"Seriously, Francine, I wonder how you've survived all these years," Narina chuckled.
"Hey, a little chaos never hurt anyone. It's called living on the edge!" Francine said with a wink.
"Maybe, but next time, let's avoid setting things on fire, yeah?" Mikayla teased.
"Agreed. My heart can't take any more of your crazy stunts," Narina added.
Their laughter echoed across the night, blending with the distant hum of the city. Just as they were about to relax further, Mikayla turned to Francine, her face furrowed with curiosity.
"By the way, is Chia coming? I haven't seen her all night."
"Oh, she'll be here. She's always late, you know that. But she's on her way now. Save some wine for her!" Francine replied.
The three shared a laugh as the party continued to pulse below. Francine glanced at her phone as it rang, startling them slightly.
"It's Chia! Hold on."
She picked up the phone, her voice rising over the music.
"Chia! Where are you?"
Chia's voice crackled through the line, muffled by the background noise.
"I'm almost there! Save me some wine, yeah?"
"We miss you! Hurry up!" Francine said, smiling.
Ending the call, Francine grinned, slipping her phone back into her pocket.
"Chia's on her way. We can't start without her."
The three resumed their conversations, dancing lightly under the starry sky, lost in the warmth of their friendship.
Francine tried sitting on the edge of the roof so that she can get a view of what her party is going smoothly.
Narina shouts "HEY! Francine dont sit there youre drunk you might-"
But then, the unthinkable happened. A gust of wind blew across the rooftop, catching them off guard. Francine stumbled, her footing slipping dangerously close to the edge.
"Francine, hold on!" Narina shouted.
"Don't fall! We've got you!" Mikayla cries as she ran towards francine.
They reached out to grab her, but the wind howled, stronger than before. Francine teetered dangerously over the edge, the world spinning around her.
"I can't... hold on!" Francine gasped.
"Just a little longer!" Narina shouted.
The wind howled louder, and with a heart-stopping slip, Francine's foot slid completely off the edge. Mikayla and Narina lunged for her, but it was too late. The wind tore them from the rooftop, their bodies tossed into the void.
Time seemed to freeze as they fell, the world around them spinning. The fall was broken by awnings and scaffolding below, but their senses blacked out before they could even process it.
Some time's Later...
When Francine's eyes fluttered open, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar bed, soft and plush beneath her. The morning light filtered gently through the lace curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. She blinked, disoriented, and a strange sense of calm washed over her.
Where am I? What happened? This room... it's so... small. Wait. I remember falling, and then... everything went dark. But that fall felt soft... could I... have survived?
She slowly pushed herself up, her eyes scanning the room in confusion.
Her gaze landed on the walls, rich tapestries adorned them, and the room was filled with the kind of opulence she'd only seen in books. This was no ordinary room. She was inside a mansion.
No way... this feels like the Cordelia estate from that book I read "The Hero is Finally Mine."
As the days passed, Francine slowly adjusted to her new reality. She was living in a world that seemed all too familiar, this wasn't just some strange coincidence. The Cordelia family... the setting... it was all from the novel.
Her new parents, Duke Alexander and Duchess Eleanor Cordelia, showered her with affection. Their love for her was evident in every word and gesture, making her feel welcomed despite the strange circumstances.
"My sweet Eufelilya, you are a blessing to us. Look at those beautiful sapphire eyes, just like mine," Eleanor said, beaming at her.
"She looks just like you, Eleanor. Our little Eufelilya is the light of our home," Duke Alexander added with a proud smile.
The love in their words felt genuine, but deep down, Francine knew the truth. She wasn't just another child... She was the villainess of this story.
They love me... but I'm not just a child. I'm Eufelilya, the villainess. How can I change my fate in this story?
As she grew, the weight of her reality pressed down on her. At the age of five, she realized how closely her life mirrored the novel's tragic plot. One evening, as she sat reading the book once again, she couldn't help but feel disillusioned by the ending.
This ending... it's too unfair. After everything, after all the sacrifice, this is how it ends?
She slammed the book shut, frustration bubbling within her.
I can't let this be my fate. I was reborn for a reason, There's no way I'm going to let this story play out the way it's written.
Despite her doubts, she found comfort in the love of her family. Her siblings, Clarenz, Estiana, and Selene, brought a sense of warmth to the estate, filling the halls with laughter and joy.
Maybe, just maybe, with their support, I can change my fate.
With newfound determination, Francine vowed to rewrite her story. She wasn't going to be a passive character in this world. She would carve her own path.