After the Masquerade Ball
The world reacted quickly.
Loki Vargas’ death became one of the most talked-about cases of the year.
What had once been an elegant student celebration in Lisbon became global news:
«Filipino student dies at mysterious masquerade ball.»
«Accident or planned murder?»
«Vargas family remains silent.»
But the police were clear in their initial report:
accident.
Although none of those who really looked closely… believed it.
Forty days later
Another death occurred in the Vargas family.
Line Vargas, principal of De La Salle-Saint Benilde College, was found dead in her office.
The official report ruled it a suicide.
But Louise, Luis, and Ressell Vargas Monteverde did not accept that version.
Too many chances.
Too quiet.
Too many pieces are missing.
And the worst part is the inescapable feeling:
Someone is erasing those who know too much.
In the Vargas mansion, the atmosphere is unbearable.
The lights remain off even during the day.
Louise does not come out of her room.
She holds a photo of Loki as if she could still give it back.
—What did you discover before you died…?— she whispers as she cries.
In another room, Luis Vargas Morales watches the rain fall on the window.
He is no longer the same.
His brother’s death has completely changed him.
Now, he only has two things on his mind:
justice and revenge.
Lisbon, Central Hospital
The machines begin to hum loudly.
The doctors look at each other, in disbelief.
Susana Fernández Medina opens her eyes.
—Can you hear me?— a nurse asks.
Susana was struggling to breathe.
Fragments of memories hit her: masks, screams, a gunshot… and Loki falling in front of a figure wearing a red mask.
Her body trembled.
—They… they’re going to kill me…—They tried to calm her down.
But Susana had made up her mind.
That life was over.
From that moment on, she was gone.
And a new identity was born:
«Sara Medina.»
Pereira, Colombia
Ten days later.
Rain fell softly on the streets.
Bella Isabel Chávez Reyes, 16 years old, was walking with headphones on.
She didn’t walk like others; she watched; she examined; she read her surroundings like a system full of patterns.
Cameras, glances, movements… lies.
Everything had a pattern.
Then she saw it.
Across the street, a wounded man running.
Behind him, a figure dressed in black.
A gunshot.
—BANG!—The body fell.
Scream.
Chaos. but Bella didn’t move, she just watched.
She memorized every detail the killer fled on a black motorcycle.
And something ignited inside her.
Lisbon.
The masquerade ball.
Loki.
That night, at home, Bella looked at old photos with her mother, Josefina Chávez.
In one of them, Loki smiled.
Bella looked up.
«Mom…
Loki was at a dance the night before he died.»
Silence was too long, too heavy, too painful, Josefina’s past.
Her adoptive husband, Andrew Reyes, had died four years earlier in an accident that was never fully explained. but Bella doesn’t know the whole truth.
Because Detective Christian «Cris» Reyes is not only Andrew’s cousin.
He is also her biological father.
And Josefina has been the only one carrying that secret for many years.
Bella’s phone vibrated.
Unknown number one video call she hesitated… and answered the screen went dark an ugly voice broke the silence:
«Loki left a secret letter.»
Bella felt cold.
—Who are you?
—If you want the truth… go to Manila.—
The call ended.
Ten days later Bella’s life was no longer the same.
Josefina decided to move to the Philippines to start over.
With the help of her godmother, Linda Villanova, and her husband, Detective Jeremiah Jones, the plan was put into action.
Jeremiah, an old friend of Christian Reyes, knew a lot about the case.
And they all agreed on one thing:
To find out who killed Loki Vargas.
Manila, Philippines
The campus was huge.
Full of voices, footsteps, and a normal life that Bella didn’t feel was hers.
—Could we have talked yesterday, I asked you to come and speak in English and Talago only?— Linda hugged Bella’s shoulder as Jeremiah quickly called her i Josefina.
—¿Excuse me, I know that I’m very ready to become someone else to me.
Just English, learn more.
About it starts alone.
Actually, when will I become another person for the first time?
— As usual, Bella Isabel Chávez Reyes is ready, she considers it dramatic to play the perfect girlfriend in the novel, but she can’t feel anything right now, her relationship with Loki is not going well.
It doesn’t matter to me, I will still follow the rules of the game, but you killed Bella, you are another victim of the game, zero since she came to live with us so that justice could be happy and fair for her friend.
That’s my girl, As you always say, they will decide which side to join.
Our child will be reborn; he is now part of the family.
We smiled silently as another strange story began, which repeated itself with Bella She is smart, analytical, brave, and passionate about criminology.
She wanted to discover the whole truth behind the murders that took place while she was at the international airport.
For the first time, she used a new identity:
Jessica Jones.
— I’m becoming a different person now.
This is the first time you’ve called me Jessica Jones, Vilma.
I’ll stay.
Someday I’ll use my true identity.
I need justice for myself, Loki.— She breathed on me
She wanted to disappear.
She tried not to draw attention to herself and risked getting involved in the chaos. but fate didn’t ask.
As she walked down the main hallway, she bumped into someone.
Books fell to the floor, unexpectedly quiet.
A tall young man with a serious expression and glasses helped her to her feet.
—You should be careful where you’re going —he said calmly.
Bella looked at him.
And for the first time, their worlds collided.
Ressell Vargas Monteverde.
Loki’s cousin.
An expert in criminology.
And unbeknownst to him… someone who would change his life forever.
At the end of the hallway, Luis Vargas Morales silently watched the scene.
And from the second floor… a camera clicked.
Someone was taking pictures because the game had already started and Bella had just entered.