Max stood in the kitchen, her eyes shifting between Astra and Amigas, who were both sweating nervously. She raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
"N-nothing!" Amigas stammered, quickly looking away.
Max narrowed her eyes. "Then why are you both sweating like you've run a marathon?"
Astra let out a nervous chuckle. "It's just... really hot tonight. Right, Amigas?"
"Y-yeah! Super hot!" Amigas nodded quickly.
Max sighed and decided not to push further. "Fine. Is dinner ready?"
Amigas cleared his throat. "Almost. You can wait in the dining room if you want."
After a few minutes, the three of them sat around the dining table, eating in silence. Sebastian was absent. Max glanced at Astra. "Where's my father?"
Astra hesitated before answering. "He went to a friend's house for dinner."
Max scoffed. "Of course."
After dinner, Max stood on the balcony, staring up at the sky. The stars twinkled brightly, but all she could think about was her father. "Why does he hate me so much?" she muttered.
Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She checked the caller ID. It was Jack. A small smile appeared on her lips as she picked up. "Hey, idiot."
"Why do you sound so down?" Jack's voice was laced with concern.
Max frowned. "How do you always know?"
"Because I'm your best friend. Now, spill."
She sighed. "It's just my father again. Same old story."
"Did he say something to you? Did he hurt you?" Jack's tone sharpened.
Max chuckled. "Relax, I can handle myself."
"Still, if he ever goes too far, you know I'll be there, right?"
Max smiled softly. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Jack."
They talked for a while before hanging up. The next morning, Astra, Max, and Amigas spent the day together. They went to an amusement park, watched a movie, and even tried street food. By the evening, they returned home for dinner. This time, Sebastian was present, making the atmosphere tense.
Sebastian broke the silence. "I have something to discuss."
Amigas and Astra turned their attention to him, but Max continued eating as if she hadn't heard him.
Sebastian placed a photo on the table in front of Max. "This is Joe, my friend's son."
Max barely spared the photo a glance before looking at Sebastian with cold eyes. "And?"
"He's a perfect match for you."
Astra gasped. "Uncle, you can't be serious! You're forcing Max into marriage?"
Max clenched her jaw. "So, you're really trying to get rid of me, huh? Am I that much of a burden to you?"
Sebastian didn't hesitate. "Yes."
A bitter laugh escaped Max's lips. "Is there anything about me that you actually like?"
Sebastian's expression remained cold. "Nothing. You are just a mistake, the result of a one-night stand."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Astra covered her mouth in shock, while Amigas stared at Sebastian as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
Max swallowed down the lump in her throat and forced a smirk. "If I'm such a mistake, then why didn't you just kill me when I was born?"
Sebastian ignored her words. "Are you going to marry Joe or not?"
Max slammed her spoon down on the table. "Not in a million years."
Without another word, she stood up and stormed out of the house. Astra started to follow, but Sebastian grabbed her wrist. "Let her go."
Amigas sat there in shock. The hatred between father and daughter was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Max wandered the streets, fuming. She walked into a bar and ordered drink after drink, trying to drown out her emotions. Hours later, she stumbled out, drunk and frustrated. As she walked aimlessly through the empty streets, an old woman suddenly appeared in her path.
"Child, you seem troubled," the woman said in a raspy voice.
Max groaned. "You have no idea."
The old woman held out a ring. "This ring grants a single wish. But be careful with what you ask for."
Max blinked at the ring, then burst into laughter. "A wish? Alright, fine! I wish I were a boy. Let's see if your magic is real."
The woman's eyes twinkled. "So be it."
Max felt a sudden wave of exhaustion crash over her, and the world faded to black.
The next morning, she woke up in her room, her head pounding. She groaned and sat up, rubbing her face. But something felt... off. Her hands looked slightly bigger. Her arms were more muscular.
Confused, she stood up and walked to the mirror.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The reflection staring back at her was not hers. It was a young man, with short messy hair and sharp features.
Max touched her face, heart pounding.
"What the hell?!"
To be continue...