Emancipating The Love (On-going)

Prologue

Third Person

"Let's welcome our new Mayor, Mayora Leayla Arwell Galvez!" Applauds of adornment roared as the deafening sound of cheer and elegance blended like music of fulfillment, a melody of success harmonizing in celebration.

The lights danced in a graceful rhythm to the live orchestra, almost as if moving with awareness to the formality of the event.

There was something different with the air that day, the wind didn't blow in its typical Philippine humidity, it carried a different warmth in it, like a welcoming embrace of another path's beginning—one that comes with the giddy flutter in the chest and twist in the stomach upon finally standing at the destination that was once just a reverie.

Lea's eyes sparkled in undeniable delight and overwhelmed gratitude at the sight of the backyard of her 3-story mansion breathing alive in festivity; a mark of a major milestone in her life—her dreams; her own, initiated dreams, the ones she had fought tooth and claw for, finally coming to life.

At that moment, it felt as if everything she had sacrificed weighed a little lighter—she stood in adept composure, chin high as a proof of worthiness of all sacrifices, proud of what she has become and what she had achieved. She wanted to prove that all hardship, everything she had lost and needed to let go during the tedious process of reaching her dreams, didn't go in vain.

At least, for that moment, it felt like that. Because deep inside, she knew there is one forfeit that will always ache, and remembering its reality will make everything bleed like time couldn't heal it—well, no amount of time really could remedy a soul whose part is missing.

But for now, she will seize the moment and make sure that when time comes, the wounds of her biggest downfall will turn to scars that lives on to tell the battle she had been through, the battle that determined a life they deserve, one she has finally won.

Lea inhaled as she straightened her back, polishing her poise with a subtle yet evident smile, a way to fleetingly clear her mind. Glasses clinked like chimes gleefully announcing her arrival, the venue fell into a lull hum of murmurs until it silenced upon her appearance as if her presence commanded stillness, one that called attention out of humility—her natural and definite charm that had captivated not only the eyes, but also the hearts of the people.

She roamed her head like someone taking it all in, letting it slowly settle into her system, mentally taking note of the view. Her heart felt full upon seeing the small smile on their faces, authentic and true. Their eyes pinned on her, glimmering with  wordless admiration as they watched her silhouette cast a shadow that felt light.

Her ears rang in overstimulation—not out of irritability, but because of the faint echo of their quiet awe that embraced her too warmly, she finally felt in place, like she was finally where she was meant to be. It made her heart flutter in pride, that surging feeling of quiet ecstasy for an accomplishment she strived so hard to have.

Each step down towards the stage carried a sensation she was deprived of as a child—the warmth of belonging, the sense of familiarity; the power to finally have control of her own life, not be dictated of her own words, not overruled of her own decisions, not directed of her own ambitions.

As cameras shuttered sharp, blinding lights—each flash flickered memories back to the cruelty of her journey; the roughness of her path that had shaken every ground that almost crumbled her into surrender. But she remained resolute, and now, she's reeking the fruit of her endurance. And she could boldly say, she's worthy of what kind of life she's living in.

No one has the right to question her position, her life status, her accomplishments. There were no connections that stringed her life; no family name that carried her through her journey, because the moment she turned her back to them was the moment she lost her rights to carry the power her surname held.