POV: Maria
Two months later.
The school session had ended, exams were over, and everyone was talking about holidays, parties, and travel plans. But Maria wasn't thinking about any of that.
Every morning before sunrise, she woke up, tied her sneakers, and went jogging down her street. The air was always cold, the road still quiet, and the only sound was the rhythm of her heavy breathing and the thud of her feet against the ground.
She ran, she sweated, she skipped breakfast, she worked out until her muscles ached — all because she wanted to see a difference.
But there was none.
No matter how hard she tried, the mirror showed her the same reflection: the same soft cheeks, the same round body, the same curves that everyone made fun of.
"Why?" she whispered one morning, staring at her reflection in frustration. "Why won't my body change? I'm trying so hard!"
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her reflection. She turned away, sinking onto her bed, hugging her knees tightly as sobs escaped her throat. Every night felt the same — crying herself to sleep, begging silently to be someone else, someone beautiful.
She had a beautiful face — smooth, clear skin, soft lips — but her weight overshadowed everything. In her mind, beauty meant being slim, being adored, being seen.
Her phone suddenly buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Becky.
📩 Becky: "Hey, girl! Guess what? I'm traveling tomorrow to the villa to see my mom."
Maria's eyes widened. She quickly typed back.
📩 Maria: "Can I come with you? Please, Becky. I need to get out of this house. Please take me with you."
It didn't take long before Becky replied with a laughing emoji.
📩 Becky: "You really want to come? I'll talk to Mom and see what she says."
Maria jumped from her bed, rushing to her mother's room. "Mom, Becky's going to her villa tomorrow. Can I please go with her?" she pleaded. "Please, Mom, just for a while."
Mrs. Sarah looked at her daughter's tired, hopeful eyes and sighed. "You really want to go that badly?"
Maria nodded eagerly. "Yes, Mom. Please."
After a moment of thought, her mother smiled faintly. "Alright. But promise me you'll behave and call me every day."
Maria squealed softly, hugging her mother tightly. "Thank you, Mom! I promise!"
The next morning, she packed her bag, heart light with excitement. For once, she felt like she could breathe again — maybe this trip would help her relax, maybe even forget all her worries for a little while.
When they arrived at Becky's villa, it was peaceful — the kind of place surrounded by tall trees, fresh air, and quiet roads. For two days, everything was calm. The girls laughed, cooked, listened to music, and strolled through the small town nearby.
Then, on the third day, Becky was sitting on the balcony scrolling through her phone when she began telling Maria a random story.
"You know," Becky said casually, "I once heard about some herbalist woman around this region. People used to say she could change anyone's looks — make you fairer, slimmer, prettier… anything you wanted. It was kind of creepy though."
Maria froze. "Wait, what?"
Becky blinked. "Yeah. It was just a rumour though. I don't even know if she's still around. It was years ago."
Maria's heart started racing. "Do you know where she lives?"
Becky laughed awkwardly. "No! And even if I did, come on, Maria, you don't actually believe that stuff, do you? They said she uses herbs and charms or whatever — that's not safe."
Maria wasn't listening anymore. Her mind was spinning, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and desperation.
"Change anyone's looks…" she whispered, almost to herself. "Becky, what if it's true? What if she can really do it?"
Becky frowned. "Maria, stop. Don't even think about it. It's just a rumour."
But Maria's eyes were already filled with determination. "I've tried everything. Nothing works. Maybe this is my only chance."
Becky groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Girl, you're crazy. Even if she exists, who knows what kind of person she is? These herbalist stories never end well."
"I don't care," Maria said firmly. "I'll find her. I need to."
Becky stared at her best friend, seeing the raw desperation in her eyes, and for the first time, she didn't know what to say.
"Maria…" she whispered softly. "You're beautiful already. You don't need magic."
But Maria shook her head, looking out toward the quiet, distant hills beyond the villa. "No, Becky. I need change. I'm tired of being invisible."
That night, long after Becky fell asleep, Maria lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The thought of the herbalist woman echoed in her mind over and over.
She didn't know if it was superstition, madness, or fate — but one thing was certain.
She would find that woman.
No matter what it took.
The next morning, Maria couldn't shake the thought of the herbalist woman from her mind. It was as if a small voice inside her kept whispering, Go find her. She's real. She can help you.
Becky wasn't thrilled about the idea, but Maria wouldn't stop talking about it.
"Maria, please," Becky begged as they packed a few things into their bags. "We don't even know if she exists. We've been walking around asking strangers and getting nowhere."
"I don't care," Maria said stubbornly. "Someone out there knows. I can feel it."
They started their search that afternoon. The sun was already beginning to dip when they reached the edge of Becky's villa town. They asked old women selling fruits, palm wine tappers, and even a few hunters if they'd heard about a woman who could change people's looks.
Most people shook their heads, some laughed, and others gave strange, knowing glances but refused to speak.
Hours passed. The girls were tired, dusty, and hungry, but Maria's determination burned stronger with every rejection.
Then finally, an elderly woman sitting by a dusty roadside whispered, "You're looking for her, aren't you?"
Maria froze. "Who?"
The woman's eyes darted around cautiously before she continued. "The one who makes beauty… for a price. She's not in this village. You'll have to go further — past the river, through the next villa. But be careful, child. The road to her place isn't safe. It's… dark."
Becky's face paled. "Dark? Like what kind of dark?"
The old woman just smiled faintly, showing worn teeth. "You'll see."
That night, they rested a little, then set out early the next morning with bottled water, snacks, and a flashlight just in case. The road was long, winding through rough terrain and small villages.
By the time they reached the second villa, the sun was sinking low again. They stopped at a small shop to ask for directions, and a man there said, "Oh, the woman you're talking about… her house isn't in this villa either. It's inside the forest. Deep inside. But no one goes there anymore."
Becky's heart raced. "A forest? Maria, please, let's stop. I'm serious. This is getting creepy."
But Maria was too focused, her eyes glowing with fierce hope. "I didn't come this far to stop now, Becky. If she's in that forest, I'll find her."
The road grew rougher and darker as they entered the thick woods. Trees towered overhead, their branches twisting like fingers in the fading light. The deeper they went, the quieter it became—no birds, no wind, just the crunch of their footsteps on the dry leaves.
Becky clutched Maria's arm tightly. "Maria, I don't like this place. It's too quiet."
Maria's voice trembled slightly but she didn't stop walking. "It's okay. We'll be fine. Just a little further."
The path grew darker, the trees thicker. At one point, they had to use their flashlight to see. Every rustle made Becky jump, but Maria pressed on, determined, heart pounding.
And then—suddenly—the darkness ended.
They stepped out of the thick forest, blinking in disbelief. Before them stood a stunning mansion, shining softly in the golden light that filtered through the last rays of sunset.
It looked completely out of place — grand gates, white walls, sparkling windows, and a garden that glowed faintly, as if dusted with magic. The air smelled of expensive perfume and fresh flowers.
Becky gasped. "This… this can't be real."
Maria's heart raced with excitement and fear. "It's her. It has to be."
Gathering every ounce of courage, she walked up to the mansion's massive door and knocked.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after what felt like forever, the door creaked open.
Standing there was a tall, breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Her skin was fair and smooth like porcelain. Her hair shimmered in waves down her back, and her gown sparkled with silver embroidery. Even her shoes and jewelry looked like they belonged to royalty.
Becky gasped under her breath.
The woman's voice was calm, melodic, but carried something unsettling beneath its sweetness. "What brings two young girls this far into my forest?"
Maria's knees nearly gave way. "A-are you the woman who can… who can change people's looks?"
The woman tilted her head, smiling faintly. "I might be. That depends on who's asking."
Maria swallowed hard, then fell to her knees before the woman, tears brimming in her eyes. "Please," she begged. "I'm tired of being like this. I want to change my body, my face, everything! I want to be beautiful — more beautiful than anyone else in the world. Even more beautiful than you."
Becky's eyes widened in shock. "Maria! Stop!"
But the woman only chuckled softly. The sound was smooth… but sent a chill through both girls.
"My, my," the woman said, bending slightly to look at Maria's face. "Such honesty. Such desperation."
Maria nodded rapidly, her voice trembling. "Please… I'll do anything. Anything you ask. Just help me."
The woman's eyes glimmered dangerously. "Anything, you say?"
Maria hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Yes. Anything."
The woman smiled slowly — a smile that was beautiful… and frightening. "Be careful what you promise, child," she said softly. "Beauty always has a price."