Embers of Love (Isla de Vista Series #5)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Ice Princess

"Hello, Miss Dela Cuesta! Kanino po ang sinusuot ninyo ngayon?" agresibong salubong ng mga reporter sa akin.

"Kayo po ang personal na inimbitahan sa pamilya Dela Cuesta, ano po ang masasabi ninyo?"

"Maaasahan ba natin na tatakbo ka rin ngayon halalan, Miss Cresia?"

"Hindi raw po dumalo sa bachelorette party ng kapatid ninyong si Riley Dela Cuesta. Ano po ang dahilan? Kaugnay po na ito sa isyu ng susunod na maging Gobernador?"

"Nagseselos po ang mga kapatid ninyo, Miss? Isang tanong lang po, Miss!"

The security guards remained vigilant, tracing my steps to prevent reporters from going through as I was passing by.

"Ma'am Nieve will check your overall tomorrow, Miss Cresia. I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I believe you can't have anything tonight." mahinang paalala ni Alexa, she's assigned to be my personal informant.

Patuloy kaming naglalakad paakyat ng hagdanan at bumukas naman agad ang malalaking pinto patungo sa nakahanda na selebrasyon.

It's pictures here and pictures there. A soft music is playing in the background along with the little noises of different conversations.

"Cresia,"

I dropped a curtsy at Governor Diaz and his wife Mrs. Diaz together with other politicians like Mayor Romualdez, Senator Juvic Santamaria, Spokesperson Gastador, and their wives.

"Good evening," pormal kong bati.

"Where is Nieve and Emilio?"

"Hindi sila pupunta ngayon, Cresia?"

"My father needed to attend a conference, Ma'am, accompanied by my mother. They extend their regards to all of you,"

"It's so good to have you in the circle, Cresia."

"Your sisters are here, right? I believe I saw Diana around." si Mrs. Santamaria.

"They are here, Ma'am."

"Uhm, excuse me po, Mayora is looking for Miss Cresia." singit ni Alexa.

"Alright."

"Bye, Cresia!"

I dropped another curtsy before following Alexa's lead.

"Such a graceful lady..."

"I like her for my son."

"Oh, tell Nieve about it. For sure, she's looking forward to wed her trophy child. Your son is a great candidate, Ansel."

"Beat me to it. I'm sure every mother is lining up."

"Uh-huh. That's Lucretia Dela Cuesta. The youngest."

"Not adopted?"

"Pure. Adopted ka d'yan."

"I mean, she's too elegant, like a moving stone queen. Her parents aren't like that."

"Oh, tell me about it. Kahit kapatid niya, they're very different."

Gossips are everywhere. Stereotypes are everywhere. People are everywhere. Whispers are everywhere. Eyes are everywhere. One of the things to kill time and make the conversation fun is gossiping. Typical human.

Just like the theme of the birthday celebration which is old money, all the guests are dressed like ones in the vintage films.

Our shopper gave me a white tweed white jacket top with a matching fitted tweed skirt that gave a bit of layering at the bottom. Big buttons are lining up from my chest to the second half of my skirt. These small pearls around my neck gave an old Filipina vibe with the addition of a side hat.