Once upon a time I was very happy when I came home from school. Well... at that time the only classical-style mansion down the street from where I came home was still very cozy. There was Mama who would hug me right at the gate, Papa who would hold me and kiss me when I got home from work, and Mike who was the butler who always smiled and obeyed all of my strange orders. It was all so much fun without a single person trying to ruin it.

I don't think our family had any shortcomings. All the material needs of all the residents of the house can be fulfilled very well by Papa who is the highest leader of one of the largest gold mining companies in my city.

In social life? Of course, we care a lot about others. My family is the main donor of many charitable foundations. In fact, we also have a few that Mama runs herself.

I think everyone who was around me at that time was a good person, they always smiled kindly when I passed by. Even those I'd never met before did the same. Isn't that a sign that this world is only filled with goodness and happiness? Isn't that smile also a sign that they like me?

Perfect, right? There wasn't the slightest flaw in the family that eventually made me grow into an Allena who was also perfect in every way. Of course, everything went peacefully, without any significant problems occurring.

The total change happened about two weeks ago, precisely during my twenty-second birthday party. At first everything went normally, even the usual lavish party was also held by inviting tons of important guests and the surrounding community.

Until finally the strange incident happened. Right in the middle of the night when everyone was enjoying the party, suddenly a strange red light filled the whole room which made the atmosphere hot like burning. Slowly all the light shifted around me, then a few moments later it just disappeared as if it was absorbed by my body leaving an incredible pain.

''Allena! Are you okay? Mama approached me who was already sitting on the floor, Mama's face looked very worried, tears were already flowing freely down her smooth cheeks.

''Allena is fine, you don't have to worry,'' I replied trying to calm her down, then reached out to wipe away her tears.

''Allena, stop it!''

I was surprised to hear Papa's shout, the hand that had almost touched Mama's face immediately stopped.

''Allena, please forgive Papa. From now on you... can't touch Mama or anyone else, because it will be very dangerous for them.''

What did Papa say? Why can't I touch Mama anymore? Is it dangerous? How dangerous? Haven't I been doing it all along? And everything was fine.

''Why is Papa suddenly talking like that to our daughter?" asked Mama, who first asked about Papa's suddenly strange behavior.

Papa was silent for a while, a worried look on his face. ''Didn't you see the symbol? The curse really happened,'' he said later in a heavy voice.

Mama looked very surprised to hear Papa's answer, and I was too. Afterwards, the kind woman who had given birth to me immediately asked to show my two wrists, it turned out that there were indeed two strange red symbols burning there.

When I saw the symbol, Mama's tears flowed again, even this time Mama sobbed to see me. This was the first time I saw that hard flowing from the corner of the eyes of this good woman I loved the most, I wanted to hug her as usual to calm her down, but all of that I forgot when Mama suddenly moved away from me and rushed into Papa's arms.

All the people who witnessed the strange incident earlier immediately gathered around me, their faces looked very worried, it must be because they saw me in pain from the red light. Ah, they are all very kind and care about me.

''It turns out that the curse really happened.''

''Look at her wrist, the symbol has appeared.''

''Stay away from him, or you will be harmed.''

I could vaguely hear strange words coming from the mouths of these people who were so nice to me. What did they really mean? Then, why is no one helping me now? Or maybe ask me if I'm okay? Why were they all busy with that strange conversation while looking at me with equally strange gazes? I really didn't understand the situation.

It's still vivid in my memory that night that the party that was supposed to be a happy moment like before ended just like that. I hadn't even had time to blow out the candles and cut the cake when Papa asked all the invited guests to go home, after asking them to keep what he had seen a secret.

Yes, everything changed completely since that night, my perfect life suddenly changed without me knowing the cause right on the night I got older. Everything was so strange, people who used to be very friendly suddenly turned cold and seemed scared when they saw me.

What's wrong? Why have they all suddenly changed? Where did that friendly smile go? Is it because of... the symbol? What's with the symbol? Is it a curse symbol? But why? What wrong have I done?

''Pa, I don't think Mama can continue to ignore our daughter like this. Poor Allena, she must be very confused right now.''

I was standing at the door of Papa's study intending to welcome him back from out of town when I heard Mama's words. Both of my parents were much busier now since the incident, I hadn't even been able to see them since my birthday party two weeks ago.

''Papa didn't want to do this to our daughter either, but we have no choice now. The symbol has appeared, which means Xavier meant it.''

Degh! My heart beats faster when I hear every word Papa says, especially when Papa mentions Xavier's name. Isn't Xavier the...

''Isn't there anything we can do for our daughter, Pa?''

This time Mama's voice sounded heavy, I'm sure tears must have fallen from her eyes again by now. Looks like I am too.

After a while there was no answer to the question Mama asked earlier, not even a single sentence that I could hear from behind this door. What's going on? Why is Papa silent? Is there really nothing that can be done to restore my normal life?