POV: Maria
Inside the mansion, everything glowed softly — walls lined with gold, shelves filled with jars of glowing herbs, strange oils, and perfumes that smelled like heaven. The air itself felt enchanted.
The woman walked gracefully, her long gown sweeping across the marble floor. "My name," she said, her voice smooth and melodic, "is Madam Zarina. Some call me a herbalist, others call me a miracle worker. But what I really do is… create perfection."
Maria followed her every movement with awe. Becky, on the other hand, stood frozen near the door, glancing around nervously.
Zarina turned toward Maria. "So, child… tell me. What do you wish to change?"
Maria took a shaky breath. "Everything," she whispered. "I want to be tall, with long legs. I want my face to be soft and beautiful — perfect skin, bright eyes, pink lips. I want curves in the right places, not fat everywhere. I want to look like… like someone Bryan could fall for."
Zarina smiled faintly. "Ah, love," she said softly. "The greatest illusion of all."
Becky touched Maria's shoulder. "Maria, please think about this. We don't even know what she'll do."
But Maria shook her head firmly. "I've already thought about it. This is what I want."
Zarina nodded slowly. "Very well. The process won't be painful, but it will demand your trust."
She walked toward a crystal table and poured two glasses of shimmering red wine. The liquid glowed faintly under the light.
"Drink," she said. "This will prepare your body for the transformation."
Maria took the cup without hesitation. Becky hesitated for a moment, but when Zarina looked at her sharply, she nervously took the second cup.
The wine was sweet, almost too sweet, and warm as it slid down their throats.
Moments later, the room began to spin.
"Becky… I feel… dizzy," Maria murmured.
Zarina smiled gently. "Rest now. When you wake… your old self will be gone."
Maria tried to speak again, but everything went black.
---
They slept for three days.
Madam Zarina stayed close, chanting quietly, mixing glowing herbs in golden bowls. She touched Maria's forehead gently, whispering spells that shimmered through the air. As she worked, her eyes glowed faintly — a deep, dangerous gold.
When the final mixture was ready, she poured it into a small crystal bottle filled with glowing blue liquid — the antidote.
"This," she murmured to herself, "will keep her beauty alive. But only if she drinks it once at the end of every month."
---
On the morning of the third day, Maria stirred. Her fingers twitched, her eyes fluttered open.
She gasped.
Her hands — smaller, softer, delicate. Her skin — pale and glowing like fresh milk. Her reflection in the nearby mirror made her heart skip.
"W-what…" she whispered, sitting up slowly.
She touched her face — smooth, flawless. Her lips were full and pink. Her eyes sparkled like honey. Her body… she looked down and froze.
Gone was the heavy frame she had hated for years. In its place was a slender, curved shape — perfect hips, flat stomach, graceful height.
"Is this… me?" she whispered, trembling.
Zarina smiled from across the room. "It's you, child. The version you dreamed of."
Tears of joy filled Maria's eyes. She stood, almost dizzy with disbelief, and rushed to the woman, hugging her tightly. "Thank you! Oh my God, thank you! I can't believe this is real!"
Her laughter echoed through the room — soft, innocent, overwhelmed.
The sound stirred Becky awake. She blinked groggily, sitting up, her eyes widening as she saw the girl standing before her.
"M-Maria?" Becky stammered.
Maria turned, her smile radiant. "It's me, Becky."
Becky's mouth fell open. "No way… oh my God, Maria, you're… you're beautiful!"
They both hugged tightly, spinning with joy. Becky laughed, still in shock. "You look like a barbie doll! This doesn't even look fake — you're glowing!"
Maria beamed, her heart bursting with happiness. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged — like she could finally face the world without shame.
But their celebration didn't last long.
Zarina's voice interrupted softly, calm but serious. "Maria."
Maria turned to her, still smiling. "Yes?"
The woman held up a small crystal bottle filled with glowing blue liquid. "You must drink this once at the end of every month. It's an antidote. It will keep your beauty alive, keep your body and face exactly as they are now. Forget to take it… and you will face the consequences."
Maria's smile faded slightly. "Consequences?"
Zarina's eyes glimmered faintly. "Let's just say beauty borrowed must always be maintained."
Before Maria could ask more, the woman's body shimmered — fading slowly like mist until she completely vanished into thin air.
Becky screamed softly, clutching Maria's arm. "What the hell just happened?! She—she disappeared!"
Maria's heart raced, but she quickly grabbed her bag, clutching the small bottle tightly. "Let's just go, Becky. Please."
Without looking back, the girls rushed out of the mansion, through the quiet glowing garden, and back into the dark forest. The trees seemed to whisper as they passed, and the once beautiful air now felt cold and strange.
They didn't stop running until they saw daylight again — until the forest was far behind them.
Maria stopped to catch her breath, her heart pounding. She turned to Becky with trembling hands and whispered, "It's okay now. I got what I wanted."
But deep inside her chest, a strange, uneasy feeling lingered — one she couldn't explain.
The journey back home felt lighter than air. The road looked brighter, the trees greener, the breeze softer against Maria's new skin. Everything felt new — even the way people looked at her. Strangers stared. Drivers slowed their cars. Vendors smiled politely. For the first time in her life, Maria wasn't invisible.
She was noticed.
By the time they got back to Becky's villa, both girls were still laughing about everything that had happened.
Becky collapsed onto the couch, shaking her head in disbelief. "Maria, I still can't believe this! The way you looked before… and now? Girl, you're giving goddess energy!"
Maria laughed, touching her smooth, fair skin. "I told you it was worth it, Becky. Can you imagine Bryan's face when he sees me?"
Becky smirked. "Oh, I can! He and his dogs are going to faint."
They both burst into laughter, unable to stop. Maria spun in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection. Her long silky hair bounced as she moved, her new curves accentuated her slim waist, and her pink lips glowed softly even without makeup.
But amidst all the laughter, Maria carefully reached into her bag and pulled out the small blue crystal bottle Madam Zarina had given her. The glowing liquid shimmered faintly under the light.
Becky's smile faded slightly as she stared at it. "You still have that thing?"
Maria nodded, her voice quiet. "Yes. The antidote. I have to drink it at the end of every month. She said it keeps the beauty alive."
Becky frowned, uneasy. "That woman gives me chills, Maria. I still think all of this feels… wrong."
Maria glanced at her reflection again and smiled softly. "Wrong or not, it worked. And I'm not losing this. Ever."
She walked to her wardrobe, moved aside a stack of clothes, and carefully hid the bottle deep inside a small box, locking it with a key. "No one will ever find it," she said. "Not even Mom."
Becky sighed but didn't argue. Deep down, she was happy for her best friend — but something about that warning Madam Zarina gave them wouldn't leave her mind.
---
Weeks passed quickly.
The two friends spent the rest of their holiday together at the villa, eating, shopping, laughing, and enjoying every minute of Maria's newfound confidence. Everywhere they went, eyes followed them — but it was always Maria who stole the attention.
Sometimes, Becky would catch her staring at herself in the mirror too long, smiling dreamily at her reflection, whispering, "Now I'm perfect."
When it was finally time to return home, Maria was both excited and nervous. She couldn't wait to see her mother's reaction — or to return to school and show everyone the new her.
As soon as she walked into the house, Mrs. Sarah gasped, her eyes wide with shock and wonder.
"Maria…?" she whispered.
Maria smiled shyly. "Hi, Mom."
Mrs. Sarah's hand trembled slightly as she touched her daughter's cheek. "Oh my goodness… Maria, your skin! Your body! You look… amazing! What happened?"
Maria laughed softly, pretending to blush. "I guess all that early morning workout finally worked, Mom."
Mrs. Sarah beamed with pride. "I knew it! All those months of effort paid off. You see, my baby? Hard work always brings results!"
Maria hugged her tightly, tears threatening to spill — not from guilt, but from the overwhelming feeling of relief. "Yes, Mom. Hard work," she whispered.
From that day, the secret stayed between Maria and Becky. Not even Mrs. Sarah — loving, trusting, proud Mrs. Sarah — knew that her daughter's new beauty wasn't from workouts or diet, but from something darker.
As the days passed, Maria would sometimes open her wardrobe, check on the glowing bottle, and smile. It was her treasure. Her key to perfection.
She never imagined that one day, that same bottle would become her curse.