La Douleur Exquise: Imee Marcos

Epilogue

Like the usual, Imee spent her early morning in her daughter's room, tinkering, sipping her morning tea and talking about the things she did the day before.

It has been almost seven years since she passed, and yet, Eloise's room remains untouched and was left as is.

"Tita, good morning!" A group of familiar voices greet as they enter the room.

It was Eloise's set of friends - Avery and Gabrielle, holding a bouquet of pink, freshly bloomed peonies.

"Good morning, napa-aga naman yata kayo," Imee remarks as she smilingly stared at the group, thinking of the what ifs and what could've beens if her daughter was alive.

"We just wanted to be the first to visit you today, tita," Gabbie replied as she leaned in, to beso Imee.

She's in her business casual attire, she pursued the Ateneo Law School shortly after she graduated college in California. Kaya she's now, waiting and reviewing for the Philippine BAR exams.

"Eloise mentioned before that peonies are your lucky flowers, tita," Avery smiled as he gently handed it to her.

"Oh, thank you, ladies!" she thanks as she smelled the bouquet.

"Oy and Avery, you're back home pala! Since when?" Imee curiously inquires.

Avery continued her education in Boston wherein she topped as a Magna Cum Laude, of which led her to teach Marine Biology at Boston University shortly after her graduation in 2019, it has been years since she went back home.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Tita Imee, Eloise would be so proud that you continued her living legacy, she'd be thrilled if she knows she's got a biography for everyone to read," Avery then replied, stirring in a pool of bittersweet emotions.

"It's my job, Avery." she smilingly responded.

The three women catched up about their lives, which was then interrupted when someone knocked on the door.

"I'm sorry, I'm late.." Lorenzo apologizes as he entered the room, he handed out several boxes of red velvet cookies.

"Naunahan na naman ng galing abroad," Avery teased as she sarcastically stared at her nails.

"Sorry tita, I had to do extra hours in the hospital kasi, pinaghahandaan ko kasi ang residency next year," he explained while he took Imee's hand to 'mano'.

"Nakakapangilabot tita noh, who would've known magp-proceed 'to ng medicine! Lakas ng tama kay Eloise eh," Gabbie joked, Lorenzo just smiled.

"She'll be so happy nandidito kayong lahat," Imee then remarks.

They then proceeded to talk and share voices about the late lady who remains close to their hearts for an hour or so, then, the three eventually had to leave for a few errands they needed to do before a very important event starts in the mid-afternoon.

The Marcoses gathered at Imee's residence for lunch and shared their fondness for Korean BBQ before they all get ready for the book launch.

Imee then dressed up, wearing a deep blue modified a-line filipiniana gown with exquisite details, one of the last gowns designed by Irene's close friend, and Eloise's favorite Filipino designer - the late Pepito Albert. Her hair was then neatly tucked to the sides, while her warm make up highlights her natural beauty.