7

chapter 7

Fix Marriage

It's like I'm floating on a cloud. I spent my vacation in our hacienda. Looking forward, maybe Ezekiel can go. My cheeks reddened every time I remembered our last meeting. He devirginized me with his damn finger! His one finger! Damn it! why when I remember that I get excited? I think I'm going crazy.

"Come on Cindy! I can't do that on my own!"

Cindy made me suffer. I am with him on my vacation. This is not the first time we vacationed together. His parents are out of the country.

"You know how aweful my voice is..." he said to me again.

"It's the second voice. I'll sing and play the guitar so your broken voice won't be noticed."

"Ouch! Ouch! It's not a mess!" It's because I'm frank with him. I grinned and hugged him, caressing him.

"Go ahead!" i try

"Alright! When did I say no? Just... Just don't hug me like that! My hair is standing on end!"

"It's your art! I smell so good!"

"Yes, it smells like baby cologne!" he chuckled. "You have a lot of money but you smell baby cologna."

"Excuse me? It smells so good and I bathed in expensive milk!"

We set off to Montenegro Tower. Cindy and I are with dad. Papa is wearing a white polo and black touser, and black slacks. His hair is neat as always. I grinned and finished curling my hair.

"You look good Uncle Jerry!" Cindy praises dad.

"Thank you." Papa is at the door and waiting.

"I'm done!" I said cheerfully and adjusted my baby pink dress.

"My daughter is not my baby anymore." dad listens to me as we go down the stairs.

"I told you yet, I'm not a baby anymore.."

We got into our SUV. Dad was talking to someone on his cell phone while Cindy and I were talking about my plan.

"The guitar is in the backseat! And I'm nervous!"

He grinned at me, "You're really the one who's nervous, aren't you? I'm the one who didn't prepare!"

"You're beautiful," I looked at him. "Just don't enlarge your nostrils while singing, huh?"

I burst out laughing and he tweaked me.

"Ah then? I can't help you, can I?"

"I'm just kidding!" my recovery

Our laughter ended when papa suddenly spoke and faced us from behind.

"Ezekiel's birthday is intimate. It's just us and some of their acquaintances. Zeke's don't like parties.." Papa said. "And please, no more dramas Catalena."

I almost fainted, father warned. I silently nodded and Cindy and I looked at each other.

I was nervous as we entered. The employees we passed looked at us and congratulated dad.

Zeke and I haven't seen each other in two weeks. The last one was in his car and I haven't seen him again. I can't help but sulk but who am I to sulk? Zeke is the type who doesn't care about your feelings so I'll just ignore my sulking.

My baby pink dress is tube type. it's revealing some of my tummies flesh, because it's a fitted crop top with a pair of thigh-length fitted skirts. I like this dress coz' I look like a prim teen ager. The baby pink color suits me! I'm also holding my pink pouch!

When papa's opened the gold door, I almost lost my breath. I just hooked my hand on Cindy's arm.

Only a few are inside. Smooth music from flutes filled my ears. I don't know why but I felt like...the people inside here are intimidating. the bachelors wearing their intimate look matching with clenching jaw. The stubbles in their jaw defined by the dimmed lights. The woman wearing their own styles and signature dresses. I realized that my baby pink dress was nothing compared to their champain and black color dresses. Damn! looks like i'm the only one who colored this place!

I couldn't take my eyes off Zeke who was next to Behati. Behati's perfect brows shot up. I even remembered that he heard what I said at the front desk!

"Happy birthday Ezekiel.." papa greeted and handed over the expensive wine.

"Thanks uncle." it said.

Zeke grinned and took the wine from dad and handed it to the waiter. The waiter placed it on a long table covered with a gray cloth. On top of it are huge gifts and so on.

"You don't have a gift!" Cindy whispered.

"My song is my gift!" I whispered back here.

Cindy shrugged her shoulders and avoided it. I was even more nervous when Zeke's dad greeted us.

"Oh, your pretty daughter is here Jerry.."

"Yeah, it's naughty. She's with her friend."

I smiled and looked at Ezekiel. He frowned and looked at me. We were about to sit down when suddenly he and Behati said goodbye. My heart seems to have fallen because of his ignoring me.

"See? He's so snob and arrogant!!" Cindy hissed.

I shook my head and took my cell phone from the pouch of someone who texted.

"All done ma'am." text from papa's staff who is my accomplice. Of course, I was carried away with affection for this plan of mine.

I looked around when the food was placed in front of us. I caught Ezekiel's older brother looking at me. The darkness in his eyes reminds me of his younger brother. when I shifted my gaze to the person in front of him, I realized it was Savier Montenegro, their long lost cousin. Of course I know the story, Zeke is a great stalker.

I was deep in thought when someone sat in front of me and dad, Cindy by my side. Zeke sat down lazily. his jaw moved and he sipped whatever wine was in front of him. His eyes never leave mine. Even after drinking alcohol, it still stares at me.

I sat up and faked a cough. And he didn't take Behati with him anymore! I think he sent her home?!

"Let's go?" I whispered to Cindy. he ate the cake alone and nodded. It chased further into the water before we said goodbye.

"Well, we're just a comfort room." I say goodbye to dad. He stopped looking and took a deep breath. He put his cellphone inside his pocket.

"Be right back." it said seriously. Cindy and I apologized to the people at the table. I didn't look at Zeke anymore. After coming out, I took my cell phone and texted him.

"I have a surprise. At the fountain in the back." I text here.

"Oh my god! I'm nervous!" I chanted. While Cindy grimaced.

"What am I?" it will come to me. It still blows my mind.

I grinned because of the perfect work done by papa's staff in the foutain area. They set up a mini stage, a microphone and I would sit in the middle. Candles and fairy lights also provided light. It looks romantic. behind the ministage is the banner I made that says "Happy 24th birthday Ezekiel My loves!"

When I looked at my cellphone, he didn't reply. I took a deep breath.

"Let's start!" I said a few minutes passed but he still wasn't there.

"What let's start? who will you sing here? Me?" Cindy laughs but when she sees my tears, she closes her mouth.

"Hey! So many people are stupid in love! Don't cry there! I'll accompany you to your empty heart!"

I have already tipped the staff. I grabbed the guitar and positioned myself on the stage. When I strum the guitar for the first time, the cold of the night hits. I close my eyes and wish....

"I can be tough,

i can be strong

But with you, it's not like that at all.."

Cindy gave me a second voice and coughed more.

"There's a girl that's giving a shit,

Behind this wall, You just walk through it.."

When I opened my eyes, my heart ached because Ezekiel was nowhere to be seen. There are some who stop and look and are curious about my madness.

I close my eyes and wish again...

"And I remember all those crazy things you said,

You left then running through my head,

You're always there, you're everywhere,

But right now I wish you were here.."

I opened my eyes. I almost stopped in my song when I saw Ezekiel right in front of me. Little by little, a smile appeared on my lips. It folded its arms, not minding the people around us watching. His deep sea eyes never leave mine.

"All those crazy things we did,

Didn't think about it just went with it

You're always there, you're everywhere,

But right now I wish you were here,"

How awkward, because I was singing to him with a full smile while he was just looking at me seriously. I want him to see in me the characteristics of a woman that he has not seen in others. That only I can do and no one else can.

"Damn, Damn, Damn,

What I'd do to have you

Here, here, here,

I wish you were here,"

"Damn, damn, damn"

Cindy's seconding of my voice also stopped at last.

"What I'd do to have you

Near, near, near,

I wish you were here..."

I stood up with all my strength and gradually approached Ezekiel.

"I love the way you are,

It's who I am, Don't have to try hard,

We always say, Say like it is

And the truth is that I really miss.."

"And I remember all those crazy things you said,

You left then running through my head,

You're always there, you're everywhere,

But right now I wish you were here.."

"All those crazy things we did,

Didn't think about it just went with it

You're always there, you're everywhere,

But right now I wish you were here,"

I held his suit, I looked up at him as he bent down for me.

"Damn, Damn, Damn,

What I'd do to have you

Here, here, here,

I wish you were here,"

Despite his stubbornness, I smiled,

"Damn, damn, damn,

"What I'd do to have you

Near, near, near,

I wish you were here...".

I stopped singing and looked up at him sweetly.

"Happy birthday!" I congratulate you here. He didn't speak. He just looked at me. His eyes traveled all over me.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered. I grinned even more.

He shook his head and held my hand.

"Let's get inside.." he said coldly.

"But-"

What I was about to say disappeared when I saw the people up close. Papa is watching us intently! beside him is Ezekiel's dad! Savier was also here grinning and whistling as he looked down at Zeke's hand that was already on my waist.

"Fix marriage is not bad, Am I right Jerry?" Don Juanito said. I saw papa blink, not knowing what to say.

"M-my daughter's too young."

"That's right, so Zeke will probably think right that time."

I was nervous about their conversation, dad. We were heading inside the reception hall earlier. I was especially nervous because of Zeke's silence.

"What do you think son?" His father asked.

papa and Ezekiel stared at each other when we stopped for a moment because of that question.

Zeke looked at me darkly.

"That's fine with me,"

I heard what Cindy and dad were saying. I don't know if it's their saliva or what. Me too, I can hardly believe it!