chapter 1

I turned to my parents. They were glaring at me as if I was the biggest disappointment in their lives.

I can not blame them. It's true that I caused a lot of embarrassment to the family even though my fiancee ran away from me. I mean, what Buenaventura main family heir gets abandoned at the altar?

Only me...

"Derek, where else do you know Maya can go?" I asked my bestman. I looked back and remembered again that he hadn't come to church either.

I stared at the floor. I never felt more alone in my life, than now.

"Derek would never betray me!" I repeatedly said to myself. But, I can’t help it. I can no longer resist my suspicion that they are probably together ...

Crap! I felt my skull split into two!

This is literally the worst day of my life! This is my greatest and only failure since I was named the sole heir to the wealth of the Buenaventuras—

—CREAK

The cracking double door caught the attention of everyone inside the church. For a moment the dazzling sunlight struggled to enter outside before it finally lit up the entire space inside the sacred building.

Everyone hushed when the bridal entourage was fully displayed. Even my bored relatives, first stopped to panic about the tragedy that had befallen me.

My heart pounded hard. Looks like Maya has arrived!

But, why is it, Derek isn’t there yet? Why hasn't he come yet?

Did he join the search party without letting me know? Maybe he didn't know that Maya had been found ...

Suddenly the priest stood up and he motioned to the musicians. The choir members immediately went to their seats before the Bridal Chorus played on the giant organ of the castle-like church.

The bridesmaids marched slowly. Earlier my groomsmen came in so, they didn’t have escorts. The principal and secondary sponsors are also inside the church.

The girls were followed by the ring bearer, coin bearer and bible bearer. They were all frustrated, perhaps bored.

The entry of flower girls is even more chaotic. One by one they tantrums in the de-carpet aisle so, their parents picked them up.

I laughed inside. I understand what they are going through.

I, the groom, am bored of waiting here inside! They even afford kids who don’t understand why they are splashed with red petals in the hallway!

Zac, my fiancé's older brother, walked next. Her hair is messy and apparently, she is having a hard time looking happy.

As far as I know, the sister, who is Maya's maid of honor, should be in her place. But, for some reason, this is the standing man of honor.

My forehead furrowed. The number is reportedly absent at this wedding.

I nodded to Zac when he approached me. I wondered for a moment. Usually, the maid, este, man of honor do not greet the groom. But, because maybe, he's the bride's brother, he decided to shake my hand.

Zac stopped in front of me and let out a deep breath. He didn't offer me his hand.

He smiled apologetically and tapped me twice on the shoulder. She sighed again, while looking at my shoes, before she turned and stepped aside from the bridesmaids.

My eyebrows furrowed. I marveled at the strange demeanor and forlorn expression etched on Zac's face.

But, soon, I tore my attention away from him. My bride has been exposed in the distance. It was behind his mother and his gloved palm was anchored to the arm of his father, Mr. Bruce dela Torre. A very beautiful bouquet of red roses was in his other hand.

My wrist was throbbing loudly inside my ear. Deafening shivers dominate my entire system.

I had goosebumps everywhere as I watched my future-wife glide closer to me. My heart clenched in my throat at the sight of her exquisiteness.

She looked tenfold more elegant than usual. Perhaps, this is the effect of her white wedding ballgown and the tulle veil, which reached up to her feet.

Suddenly I was staggered to my feet. I chose Maya's wedding gown so, I knew it wasn't her wedding dress.

Is this it? Is this why she was late to the wedding? Didn't he like the dress I chose so, he looked for something to change?

No ... No ... It's not like that ... Even if Maya changes her gown to buy the highest heels, she won't suddenly grow tall like that! Maya is just as small as her father. But, right now, my bride is towering a good 6-inches above Mr. dela Torre.

My brain is a mess. The guests accompanied the bee-like questions that echoed through my mind.

The closer my bride got to me, the louder the people buzzed. In fact, the surprised visitors even stood, in the back, after they saw him up close.

THIS WOMAN IS NOT MY BRIDE!

Mr. has stopped. dela Torre and the mystery woman across from me. The gentleman shunned I think.

He hugged the woman tightly and called her, “son”. He turned his back on me straight away and went to the side of his trembling wife's seat.

The space between my thick eyebrows furrowed even more. She can't be, ate Shiela, the only other daughter!

I know Maya's sister. It’s not so slender.

"Who are you ..." I whispered to the stooped woman hiding under the thick veil. Remarkably I was only a few inches away from her heeled bulk.

He lifted his face. Unlike the dela Torre, he addressed me directly. He unfolded his covered face and let me stare at him intently. I took a deep breath when I finally recognized her.

I know this woman! I mean, who doesn't? He was a member of the great guests of the dela Torre family. She is internationally famous!

According to Maya, she and Irah grew up together. So, he dragged me to accompany him to watch the shows he starred in.

But, why is she in front of me now, and not Maya? Why was he the one delivered by Mr. dela Torre sa altar?

I turned to my parents for help. Because the bride brought by Mr. is wrong. dela Torre sa'kin.

However, I did not pursue my complaint. They seem to be starstruck by her loveliness, like my entire clan.

"Hi, I'm Irah. Pleased to meet you ... Maya can't come so, I'll take her place," she whispered softly. He neatly wrapped his fingers around my arm and smiled a little. Elegantly sink both dimples on her cheeks. "I know you're confused why I'm here. Let's just say, I'm trying to save our families' reputation. I'll take care of all the complicated 'backstory' so, I'd appreciate it if you'll cooperate , Arthur. "

I was forced to swallow. I remained stunned and speechless until he secretly pulled me over so we could go to the waiting priest.

Other than her asking for “cooperation”, I can think of no other way to save me from this botched wedding’s disgrace. So, I hardened my stomach.

With long strides, I quickly led Irah to the opposite altar. I stood tall beside him, took a deep breath, and leaned over to bring my mouth close to his ear.

"Fine. Let's do this. I'll cooperate as long as we talk after all this commotion," I whispered as he nodded. "And, one more thing ..."

"What?" he whispered back. He let go of my arm and moved his palm around the stems of the bouquet.

"It's not Arthur ... I'm Ruther." I hit.

I also looked around. But, I didn't stop looking at my sea-like fans, carrying signs, across the street.

I was on the lookout for someone. He is a member of the bride's family so, more likely than not, he is also out here and is also wearing a barong with a maroon flower on his left chest.

Destiny did not disappoint me. As I expected, Zac was standing on the stairs and, still looking at my car. His antenna phone was glued to his right ear and he was running downstairs.

My heart was beating like a drum as Zac's distance to the passenger side door of the van narrowed. It was as if my skull was knocked when he lightly tapped the tinted window with his fist.

Zac looked around the van as Al lowered the window. He was shocked for a moment when he saw me but, he quickly turned around after looking at the whole car.

"Z-zac!" my loud call. I moved to the side and almost ran to the front row of the back seat to catch up with him. I barely opened the sliding door.

Zac turned to face me. Her eyes were full of concern. He dialed the phone number again. He let out a deep breath before I looked up and met his eye.

"What's wrong?" my cross-brow question. I squeezed the door handle of the van tightly.

"Maya ..." he began. He scratched his messy hair and he twirled in place.

Maya is one of Zac's younger siblings. They were the children of the couple who adopted me when I was young.

I was so bitten by the lip. It can't be!

I was close to Maya when we were young so, I knew immediately what she did ... Maya ran away and left her groom at the altar!

I sucked on my lower lip and I thought hard. "She's not coming ..." I whispered softly. I worriedly watched Zac's shoulder drop.

A runaway bride. That's the character I played, earlier, in the shooting of the teleserye I'm starring in. Who knew this was happening in real life? I owe the writers an apology for thinking that the story they imagined was very out-of-this-world.

"Tell me more." udyok ko.

Zac briefly massaged his senses. He glanced at his parents quietly arguing at the entrance at the top of the stairs.

My heart broke when I saw the depth of the wrinkles on the foreheads of the couple who became my second parents. I owe these wonderful people the life that I'm living now. If it weren’t for the dela Torre, most likely, I would have been a street thief in the morning and beaten at night. If it weren't for them, my future might have been ruined.

"The bestman is missing too," Zac squeezed in his voice. His tired eyes flickered back at me. "The Buenaventura family, Irah, will be in great shame. I'm worried. What are they going to do to my sister ..."

I thought, a thrill will engulf me the moment Zac says my name again. But, all the anxiety is enveloping my heart now.

I'm worried about Maya, who looks like my sister too. I am also more concerned for Mr. and Mrs. Monterona. They may be able to care for their youngest. The lady still has high blood pressure.

I got back inside the van and quietly drowned in my thoughts. I turned to Krystel who had been dumbfounded and gaping at me.

In the turmoil of Krystel's imagination, she probably got to miss the bride and the best man. Her face was very pale and she was squeezing the white petticoat of the wedding gown next to her.

I ripped off my wine-like skirt and slammed the sliding door of the van shut. I quickly ordered Al to park the car in a secluded corner and secretly thanked him for not spitting out any questions.

"Krystel. Please pass that to me," I ordered when the van stopped. I point to the wedding gown she is holding.

She slowly handed me the wedding dress. The wrinkle went deep between her eyebrows when I quickly reached and opened the zipper of the maroon dress I was wearing.

Krystel's eyes widened when she saw me wearing the white corset. He bumped into the roof of the car when he suddenly stood up.

The van shook.

"What are you doing!" he shouted. He violently stroked the top of her head.

"Quick, help me get dressed!" utos ko. I tied the crinoline tightly around my waist.

"Help with which?" he was afraid to question.

"You'll help me get married!" I untied the strap on my skirt because my corset was still loose.

Krystel stepped back and sat in the farthest corner of the backseat. "Why !?"

I let go of all the ropes I was holding and met my assistant's gaze. Without her help, I wouldn’t have been able to wear the wedding ball gown properly.

"Because I want to reciprocate the kindness of the family that gave me life. They're in trouble! And, I have the necessary tools to help them!"

"In that case, why do you have to? There are a lot of women around — your fans who are willing to do everything for you. Just let them wear that," Krystel suggested. He shook quickly. "You don't know the groom! Besides, you're at the peak of your popularity. You'll lose so much if you continue like that!"

I was silent for a moment. I closed my eyes and forced a spell before refocusing my determined gaze on my assistant.

"It should be me because the Buenaventuras are a prominent family. They won't be satisfied as long as the woman who walks to the altar passes their standard," I said. "She has to be either filthy rich or ridiculously famous so they can keep their mouths shut. And, it's good that I'm one of the second. I also have the skillset to act and make a credible story that the public can accept. I'm a brilliant liar. "

"B-but, miss Irah ... How can I explain this to Madame Joy? How can you break contracts once you sign a marriage contract?" he asked tremblingly. He pats his nail with his thumb.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of all that," I assured her. "So, come on. Help me get ready for my grand wedding!"