O Silent Night (Isla de Vista Series #1)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Disturb

I threw myself in a black side ruched knot body dress layered with a white trench coat. I kept my hair untied and added my a gold necklace as a jewelry. Hindi ako palaging nag-make up, natural lang ang aking mukha at nilagyan ko ng konting lipstick.

Just because they're gonna sell me off tonight it doesn't mean I have to feel less anyhow. I snickered, staring at myself in the mirror when I remember what Dad said last morning.

Kumatok ang kasambahay hudyay na kailangan na naming umalis. Alas singko pa lang, atat talaga silang mawala ako sa litrato. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago lumabas ng kwarto.

"Amber..." Dad blurted out when he saw me descending the stairs.

On the living room couch, Daisy and her mother scoffed silently at me. I gave them a cold shoulder and turn to my father who is somehow staring at me in awe.

"Y-You look just like her..."

"Dave, let's go." agad na singgit ni Tita Rebecca.

I rolled my eyes at her. Kahit kailan, ang hilig niyang pumapel sa tuwing naiisip ni Daddy si Mommy. She's a great actress and a pretender kaya palaging nag-aaway kami ni Daddy. He is blinded by her whims. He couldn't see she is just marrying him for this money.

Dad seated beside our driver. Binuksan ni Mardy ang pintuan para sa akin at nauna na sanang pumasok si Daisy ngunit humarang ako at naunang pumasok. She glared at me.

"Miss Daisy..." minuwestra ni Mardy ang second seat ng Fortuner.

Suminghap siya. "No. I don't want to seat there."

"Ayaw ni Miss Amber na may katabi sa inuupuan niya." pormal na tugon ni Mardy.

Nakasuot ako ng sunglasses kaya hindi halata na nakatingin ako ng pagilid sa reaksyon ni Daisy. She is fuming mad but her mother whispered something into her ear. Padabog siyang umupo sa aking likuran at ganoon din ang Ina niya.

Tahimik ang biyahe patungo sa Vista Hotels. A staff informed us that the other family we're meeting is already in the top restaurant. Nasa huli ako. Magkatabing naglalakad si Daddy at Tita Rebecca at kasunod naman si Daisy.

"Good evening, Architect..." a uniformed waiter greeted.

"Good evening. Buenavista reservations,"

"Yes, Sir. This way please..." anito. "Mr. Eros Buenavista booked the whole place,"

Malawak ang restaurant na pinasukan namin. Tatlong staff lang ang nakita ko sa loob na tahimik na ginagawa ang trabaho nila.

Deep down, kinakabahan ako. Pero desidido na ako. Kasi kahit aayawan ko ang kasal na ito, gagawin ni Dad ang lahat para mapa-Oo ako sa gusto niyang ito. He loves his business so much to the point where my rights was invalidated.

"Mr. Buenavista," natutuwang bati ni Daddy.

Tumayo ang lalaking tinawag niya. He is around the same age as Dad and they shook their hands. With him, standing beside, is a gorgeous and formal woman which I conclude that it's his wife.

"Andresa," bati ni Tita Rebecca.

The woman smiled but I can sense that she is not fully friendly with Tita Rebecca.

"Hi, Rebecca," malamyos ang boses nito.

"Oh, this is Amber Paige Valencia," Tita Rebecca proudly pushed me.

Daisy smirked at me.

"Hi, hija. I am Andresa Buenavista," she smiled and offered a big smile at me.

Magaan ang pakikitungo niya sa akin. She's not hostile like the greet she gave to my stepmother. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at inabot ang kamay niyang nilahad.