chapter 2

We had been standing opposite the priest's desk for a few minutes. The ceremony has not yet begun. So, I peeked at my “groom”.

He stood up straight with his mouth shut. He was half a ruler away from me. He doesn't look at me. His eyes were glued straight to the altar.

This man has no idea how relieved I was when I saw that he wasn't a balding, stomach-out, middle-aged man. I also take care of an image.

I know I decided to help the dela Torre. But, I also don't want my fans to think I'm a gold-digger. God knows how hard I worked to achieve what I achieved. I don’t have to marry the old rich man just to rise in life!

I decided to have a good look at him. And, the more I looked, the more I got bewildered why Maya ran after him.

I mean, look at his side profile! He has the shape of the face that some people are trained to sculpt by venerable sculptors.

His nose was pierced with a sharp tip. His deep-set eyes swirl in irresistible dark mystery. The angle of his jaw seemed to split protractor. Her prominent cheekbones are also not begging for attention.

I was distracted by the arrow-shaped lips of his. I was worried for a moment. Why on earth is he nibbling his lips? Isn't he afraid that his mouth might be injured which is already so bright red?

Suddenly my face tapped on the altar when I remembered the kiss as part of the wedding. It was as if an elephant had touched my chest. I squeezed the bouquet I was holding tightly. I even tasted a kiss from some of my leading men, then, but, later, I'll share my first non-professional kiss, with him.

And, honestly, he looked better than some of them ...

"Can you come with me?" request of the priest. His open palm pointed to the back edge of the altar.

The old man did not wait for our answer. He went to the vestry first.

I noticed that Father's hand was tightly handcuffed to Zac's arm. He also drags it into the secret room.

My heart pounded for Zac. He looked extremely distraught especially since he was alone shouldering the chaos taking place here.

I hope the gentlemen and ladies help him. He's not just Maya's relative, here, eh ...

Ever since we confronted the groom at the altar, Zac had been trying to explain our 'situation' to the priest. But, based on the whispers of the two, which occasionally reached my ears, Father is refusing to officiate 'our' matrimony.

"Tara ..." Ar whispered softly — What's his name again? He gently pushed the bottom of my back.

I quietly followed Zac and the priest into the vestry. Next to me was the frowning groom.

I'm 5'9 "tall and have heels of three inches. Yet, for some reason, it seems like Groom's nightly hair still has a little more top than mine.

That's rare! Usually, only foreigners pass me every time I wear heels. For example, even though I was leading the shooting, earlier ... I had to put my feet under the gown so that she could just trim my height.

"What shall we say?" Groom suddenly whispered. He tightly wrapped both lapels of his expensive tuxedo. His gold watch shone.

My shoulders rose slightly when my arm touched his. His arm felt like a fleshy boulder, under his long sleeve.

"Like I said, I'm going to think of a backstory. I'm a professional. Just trust me," I whispered back. I met him in the eye. "Just nod at whatever I have to say. Don't say a thing."

Groom nodded obediently. He smiled a little before he motioned for me to enter the vestry first.

I cautiously entered the cramped room. I stood in the middle and faced Father.

The priest sat on the side of the alb and chasuble hanger. A few meters to his right, Zac was standing.

Attached to the roof behind them were two large cabinets. The parish records peeked out of some drawers.

Quietly standing in the corner of the room was a stool chair. The groom picked it up and placed it behind me.

Hmm ... This man looks like a gentleman, so I was surprised. If her appearance, age, or state in life is not the problem, what is it that Maya has left her?

"I called you here to resolve some problems," the priest began. He microphoneed one hand before sneezing loudly. "Jesus' first miracle took place at a wedding in Cana in Galilee where He turned water into wine. That's where pre-Cana is based, one of the steps for wedding preparation."

"Yes, Father." my answer. As discussed, Groom remained tight-lipped.

"Before a couple's marriage can be approved, at least six months of intensive preparation is required. The two will first go through the initial meeting, prenuptial investigation and pre-Cana," the priest continued. He looked around at Groom and me before he looked at me again. "The purpose of the prenuptial investigation is to explain that the marriage is voluntary, permanent and exclusive. It is also open to having a child. As proof of consent to the premise of the marriage, the bride and groom must submit a notarized document."

Groom immediately nodded. But, I did not say a word. My unmoved appearance remained with the old priest. But, my palms secretly grew cold.

I was simply horrified! Why would I sign like that ?! I don't want a child!

Pregnancy is just a hindrance to my dazzling future! I'm still at the top of my career so, I don't want to lose my luster!

The priest looked up at Groom. "You two must have complete proof of baptism, communion, and confirmation. You have no problem. But ..." his eyes moved to me. "We don't have the documents of your sacraments, Irah. Affidavits would have been possible but, there is no time for that. Also, we have not had the opportunity to investigate whether you have been married or not. The name was not mentioned either. you've been on banns for the past three weeks. "

I was quietly bored. The hassle of getting married!

Why do so many etchos have to be done? No one mentioned that the researcher of the wedding scene of the teleserye I starred in was like this, ah!

Anyway, I remained silent first. I need more information before I can make a credible storyline.

Information is key!

After a moment of silence, the priest sighed. She removed her mirror and wiped it on her white chasuble.

"There is still pre-Cana so that you can be ready for your upcoming marriage ... In pre-Cana, a dedicated priest will guide you about what the Bible teaches about marriage. It will also talk about what is currently and possible you will face problems including financial issues, problems with in-laws or anything that may be an obstacle to your honesty and performance of your role to each other, "he said. He put on his glasses again and gave me another look. "And, if necessary, the church will help you find a licensed psychologist to discuss any issues that need to be resolved before you move on ... There are many other topics to be discussed in pre-Cana. All of that, important. All of that, no. you went through. "

I secretly swallowed Father’s statements. Suddenly the full weight of the responsibility associated with marriage that I suddenly placed upon myself slung over my shoulders.

I turned to Zac who could hardly stop at the weirdness. He stared at the floor with all his heart.

I shifted my attention to Groom. He patted his lower lip again.

Father is right. It is important to prepare for the wedding especially if it is a lifetime commitment.

But will I have a peaceful life if the whole family that shook me is ruined? Will I still have a face to face ladies and gentlemen if I let them watch the Buenaventuras take revenge on Zac and Maya for this mess? Will I be quiet if I voluntarily turn my back on Groom even though I know I am his only hope for redemption from this humiliating scandal?

No! Not as long as I know that I could've done something!

From the first day I dived into the field of performing arts, I thought only of my own interests. But, now, I will use my talent for the benefit of the people I care about — plus Groom.

It's time to showcase the skills of an international actress!

"Have you ever been in love, Father?" my question cracked in deafening silence. I looked straight into the priest's round mirror.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "W-what are you talking about? I'm a priest—"

"—I didn't mean to disrespect, Father. I just asked," I replied calmly. I sat down on the stool Groom had offered, earlier, and laid the bouquet on my lap. "Before you swore an oath of celibacy, did you fall in love?"

The priest was silent for a moment. The wrinkles on his forehead were deep wrinkles. His iris looked hazy. He seemed to dive into the memories he had buried deep in oblivion.

Good!

Father stared at me over his mirrors. He nodded slightly.

"That's good," I nodded. "Now, I'm comfortable that you will be open -minded about my situation with Ar—"

Groom lightly kicked the foot of my chair. "—Ruther!" he hissed quietly.

"—U-T-H-E-R, Ruther ..." I excused.

My heart galloped wildly in my chest. I squeezed the bouquet I was holding. I hope I'm not dressed yet!

The priest took a deep breath. "But, hija—"

"—We love each other. All we want is for our love to be right in the eyes of God ..." I groaned sadly.

I immediately felt deep guilt. But, I quickly discarded what in my mind. Heavy grains of tears quickly clung to my lower lashes. I bent down so that, in case my tears fell, my make-up wouldn’t spread.

Father was upset when my tears fell without touching my cheeks. Her appearance softened quickly.

As he should!

I tightly circled my free gloved fist and shook my whole body. I suddenly dropped my shoulders.

Gr — Ruther's eyes widened as his body moved spontaneously. He just noticed that his palms were tightly wrapped around both my shoulders.

Psh ... Of course, he did!

I looked up at Ruther with wet eyes. "Thank you, darling." I smiled a little at him.

Ruther flinched slightly when I gently squeezed his hand. He blinked twice.

I focused my eyes on his protruding handkerchief. I didn’t look away from the red cloth in Ruther’s breast pocket until he was forced to pull it out.

Good!

"You're really sweet, Ruther," was my first proper call to Groom's name. I put my hand out of the veil to accept his handkerchief. I looked straight into the man's eyes as I sucked my tears on the edge of the handkerchief. "I love you." I lied without batting an eyelid.

Ruther's one knee gave out slightly. He stumbled a bit before he stood up straight again. He immediately averted his eyes. His ears were the color of sunset, before a raging tropical storm.

"Aww ... You're so adorable, Ruther!" I giggle truthfully. I glared at Ruther and ran a caress over his graceful arm. "Don't be shy, honey. Only Fathers are here, eh ..."

Zac sneezed so, he caught my attention. I released Ruther immediately but, I did not show that I was ashamed of what I was doing in front of him.

I have to do this ...

"Father, is there really no other way?" I will ask. I returned my worried gaze to the priest. "This is really the only way I can think of to continue our dream marriage ..."

Father leaned in front of me. "What, you mean, hija?"

"I mean ... That's true ..." I bit my lip in response. I stared at my bouquet for a moment before I looked up at the priest again. "I begged Maya to accompany Ruther to pre-Cana. Isn't it, sweetheart?" I pulled on the groom's sleeve.

Ruther looked at me with an eyebrow. His eyes were wide with fear and confusion. But, he nodded slowly, as discussed. He bit his lower lip hard before he cast a series of spells.

What a lousy actor ...

"Father, I know how important pre-Cana is to you. I also know that it is a requirement for the church to approve the marriage. But, in my state, now, it is impossible for me to attend the seminar without being crowded by the paparazzi. I just don't want to. pong can bother the other couples in attendance, "I figured. I shook my head before sadly bowing. "I can give up my left and right projects just to get ready for our wedding. But ...," I took a deep breath and met Father again with tearful eyes. "I don't want the quality of other couples' experience to go down."

The priest sighed. He touched the wrinkles on her forehead.

"I'm happy, hija, and you're thinking of the welfare of others. But, in doing so, you've sacrificed your chance to get to know each other better," he looked around at the groom and me. "As I said before, marriage is permanent and sacred. So, as long as you are not married, you should discuss issues about children and parenting, spirituality and faith, your careers, conflict resolution. , intimacy and cohabitation, especially commitment. "

I suddenly dropped myself on the floor. I bumped into the cement and burst into tears in an instant.

"Is there no other way?" I burst into tears. "That's why I just asked Maya to be my proxy so that we can have a date for our wedding, without the public noticing ... If it's her name on the paper, the reporters here at church won't attack you. I just wanted to quietly marry the love of my life and to protect the people of this church! "

I dramatically lifted my gaze to the priest. I saw it standing, mouth open and, wide-eyed watching me.

Good!

I also caught a glimpse of Zac and Ruther in my peripheral vision. Zac took a step once and his lips were the same color as his skin. Groom is on my side. He wrapped one arm around my shoulder in fear I might fall off the chair.

Such a Groom! Send it!

I threw away Ruther's hold and glared at him. "'Don't stop me, Babe! I'm tired of holding back! I really want to be with you to death!" I declare explicitly. "If you can even control your passion for me, me, not anymore! I love you so much!"