LIFE IS LIKE A WHIRLWIND (Clan Series 1)

PROLOGUE

Francia

The blazing sun hit my fair skin as I walk out from the airport.

Reporters are flocking outside waiting for my arrival. Mabuti at may bodyguard ako na pinadala ni papa dahil inaasahan na niya ito.

I walk confidently not minding the questions of some reporters and media. Gosh, dinagdagan nila ang init ng araw sa nakakasilaw na mga camera.

Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang Pilipinas. Ang mainit na araw sa panghapong oras ay ganun pa din. The polluted air, oh how I miss this kind of feeling.

It's been 6 years since I left and continue my career in France. After that ay palipat lipat ako ng bansa dahil sa mga events and fashion show na kailangan ko puntahan.

I am proudly wanna say na isa na akong fashion designer ng luxury brand na pagmamay-ari ko rin.

Yes. I built my own clothing line na ang main designs ay for teens. Ang mga uso ngayon na mga damit ay halos gawa at design ko.

Ipinatayo ko yun while working as a model for three years. May ipon na rin naman kasi ako sa mga oras na 'yun. I want an investment na alam kong tatagal. Kaya in a span of three years ay nakapagpatayo ako from my hardwork.

If my life here in the Philippines is smooth, my life there in France is kind of rough. Pahirapan sa pagpasok bilang modelo. Yes, I have connections but I didn't use that.

I don't want to depend again.

I don't want to be called as a "socialite ill-mannered brat."

That is why I built my own connection.

Sa pamamagitan nun ay nakakarecover na rin ako from the past. You can say I'm happy but some part of me is longing for something or someone.

Ayoko nang umasa. The last time I did broke me into pieces.

It makes me as a whirlwind na paikot ikot lang at handang tumibag.

I fought many luxury brand at nagtagumpay ako. I'm now at the top, starting again.

...

"Drop by at Happy Plates. Nagugutom na ko."

"Akala ko ba ay kumain ka sa eroplano kanina, Elle?" ani Rhian, ang personal assistant ko.

"Hindi ko nagustuhan ang pagkain nila kanina at wala akong gana. I miss Filipino food as well." Explain ko sa kanya.

"Kung sabagay, minsan nalang tayo makakain nun sa ibang bansa. Wala naman kasi halos na nagtitinda." Sabat nya.

Pagkarating sa restaurant ay naupo kami sa may window seat for two people. Kami lang naman kasi ni Rhian ang kakain at katatapos lang daw nung driver at ang bodyguard naman ay nagbabantay sa may labas.

I ordered rice, adobo and some gulay dish. I look around and complimented their interior design.

A theme of green, orange and off white. Colors that can attract people's attention. I noticed na marami ang customer nila. Halos punuan, mabuti at may bakanteng lamesa pagdating namin dito.

The owner of the restaurant is a family friend. Ang heir ata nung mga Vuesta. I heard na dedicated sa kanyang asawa ang restaurant na ito.

The food just arrived and it divert my thought. Nakakatakam ang pagkain dahil sa plating at mukhang masarap.

"I might come back here again, Rhian! The food is great." Sabi ko kay Rhian, trying to make conversation.

"Yes, I agree with you. I might hire their chef for our party next week."

Oh yeah! May fashion show nga pala next week dahil irarampa na ang mga summer designs ko.

May screening bukas sa mga models. Of course, I'm one of the judge dahil gusto ko makita kung worth it ba na sila ang magrampa.

I'm kind of nervous dahil first time namin magheld ng show dito sa Pilipinas. One of the reason kung bakit umuwi ako.

Our rating here in the Philippines is good. Maraming teens, showbusiness socialite ang bumibili sa shop namin dito.

IllCia ang pangalan ng clothing line ko. "Ill" came from my name Vanille and "Cia" from my surname, Francia.

We finished our food and pay. Tatayo na sana ako nang makita ko siya. I stunned. Memories came back to me at gusto ko nang sumigaw.

Our gaze met, just like 6 years ago, the same old eyes of the man I can't even look at. Gusto ko nang sumigaw at umiyak sa mga memoryang sunod sunod bumalik sa isipan ko.

But I am more than that, bumalik ako na bago at handa. Hindi ko hahayaan na ako ulit ang matalo.

Shocked past through his eyes but it immediately fade. He's with some businessman.

Walang lingon-lingon ko syang nilagpasan. With my black long straight hair na nakaipit sa magkabilang tenga ko, A black tube top, red slacks, and a white coat with black and red design, I think maayos naman ang sarili ko sa muling pagkikita namin.

Wait, why am I even checking myself? I just want to be presentable and not so girly unlike from the past. Yeah right, ganun nga.

Or so more than that.

...

Note:  Hi! This is the Prologue of LILAW and comment down below sa mga nais niyo sabihin.

Vanille is pronounced as [Vanil]
Francia is pronounced as [Fran-Sha]
IllCia is pronounced as [il-sha]