Tough & Classy

Prologue

Prologue: "It wasn't love at first sight exactly, but it was familiarity. Something like oh, hello, it's you. It's going to be you."

This party is so boring! Ugh! This makes me wanna go back to the US more! I thought while looking at some rich couples dancing in the middle of the dance floor. The head of the Imperial clan, Don Camilo Imperial, threw a lavish party for the anniversary of the Imperial empire. As expected, a lot of people came. I rolled my eyes. Of course, who wouldn't want to be associated with our family? 

"Hija, why don't you socialize?" 

"Oh please, mom." My mother just shook her head. "When are we going back to the States?"

"After a month."

"What?"

"We've only been here for a week. Hindi mo pa nga nakakasama masyado ang mga pinsan mo. Saka ang mga tito at tita mo."

"It's so boring here!"

Naiinis na tumayo na ako. "Where are you going, young lady?"

"Outside. Maybe I'd see something more interesting."

I was about to go to the garden when I spotted the twins, Clyde and Clint. My forehead creased. Where are they going? Palabas na sila ng hotel. I had a feeling that they were up to something fun thus, I followed them outside. 

"Where do you guys, think you're going?" I asked as they were about to get inside their car.

Clyde muttered a curse. On the other hand, his twin brother, Clint, just gave me a blank look. Nakangising lumapit ako sa kanila. 

"Tatakas kayo no?"

"Just go back inside, Claire," Clyde said.

Among my cousins, I am closest to Clyde. Clint is also nice, but he's just so quiet and 'supaldo' most of the time. "No. I'm coming with the two of you."

"What? You can't! They're gonna look for you."

"They're gonna look for the two of you, as well. Nevertheless, it doesn't seem to stop you from going."

I crossed my arms, and raised my chin to show them that I wouldn't let them go without me. Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Clint clacked his tongue and got inside the passenger seat without a word. Nakangising sumakay na ako sa likod.

My eyes roamed around the big house which was pretty crowded. People were dancing and drinking. Sa labas ay dinig na dinig ang tugtog mula dito sa loob. I wondered if the neighbors wouldn't complain about the loud music. This party is the total opposite of the formal party at the hotel, and I like this one better.

"Claire, you remember what I told you in the car?" Clyde said.

I almost rolled my eyes. "I remember, kuya Clyde." I rarely call him kuya. 

"Just making sure," he said with a smirk.

He gave me a lot of do's and don'ts such as I shouldn't accept drinks from anyone. No dancing with guys unless he can trust the guy. Meaning, I can only dance with his close friends, and the list goes on. I just shook my head as we went to the rooftop. 

"Clyde! Clint!"

"Xander."

"Kanina ko pa kayo hinihintay. Whoa. Who is this gorgeous lady here?" he said, looking at me with a big grin on his face, and extended his hand. "Hi! I'm Xander."