chapter 3

Ruther was confused by what I was doing and saying. Her face could not be painted and her eyebrows were knotted.

So, before he could react, I immediately confronted the priest. I bent down until my forehead reached for his shiny shoes.

"Please. Please help us to be right in the eyes of the Lord ... Ar-Ruther and I can marry the judge but, it is important for us that our oneness be sacred," I meaningfully asked. . I muffled my trembling voice. "I am ready to do anything, Father, if you will allow me. Please allow me to attend any seminar after the wedding. By that time, the public interest in my marriage will probably subside. I mean, I will no longer be. will cause inconvenience to the other bride and groom. "

I felt Father kneel across from me and gently place his palm on the top of my head. The old man sighed before holding me in both arms. He helped me sit up.

"Hija, I understand your attitude. And, I'm glad you love so much one of the devout parishioners of this church," Ruther coughed weakly. "So, I will help you ... We will continue the marriage on the condition that YOU TWO attend the pre-Cana, well, post-Cana again ... You also need to submit all your papers and the notarized affidavits as soon as possible soon. For now, we will return to the church hall for the ceremony. "

My eyes lit up. I could almost see my iris quake, happily.

I can’t believe my inventions worked. It's really good and I didn't walk down the aisle before, just for nothing.

Father smiled at me very sweetly. "I just have one question."

I patted my finger under my eyes. "What's that, Father?"

"How did you meet and love Ruther when you were out of the country for four years?"

Dead ...

I was stunned by Father's question. What will I say? I did NOT think that far ahead!

I stared at the smiling old man. I watched how the black danced in his eyes. Stop the smile that tries to disappear from her lips. A faint tinge of red blushed shyly on both her cheeks.

How did he know it had been four years since I left the country? It was only two years ago when I reached the peak of success. That should've been the beginning of my fame, here in the country.

Don't tell me ...

Is he my FAN?

"I read in your autobiography," Father replied to my silent question. He insisted on casting spells before sneezing. "N-my nephew left his book here so, I have a copy. F-he's your fan."

"Ah ... that's right ..." I answered weakly. My heart kept pounding as I clawed my brain to fabricate our love story. But, I can’t think of a story without a big hole.

"If you don't mind, hija, I'd like to tell him something about you that he doesn't know yet. I'm sure he'll be happy with that." explanation of the priest.

I blinked one after another. I squeezed the bouquet I was holding.

It's true that no gossip comes out about my love life. I'm so busy with my career so, I never showed interest in any man.

I am a career woman, through the through. And, I always stayed clear from men who could tarnish my reputation.

I turned to Ruther. He looked clueless so, he's useless.

But, I still smiled at him sweetly. I drowned in his gaze for a moment before I faced the old man again.

The show must go on ...

"Oh, Father! I wouldn't mind sharing our story for my avid fans. But ..." I forced a blush on my cheeks before I bowed and smiled shyly. "I don't want to make Ruther uncomfortable. My muffin is still shy."

The priest laughed for a moment. He turned his gaze to the man next to me. "Is it true? In that case, I will ask your permission," he said. The old man stood up and smiled a little. "Can I know the story of how you meant to be? And, don't worry ... As your bride said, before, it's just me. I promise, I'll only tell my niece."

Ruther stared at me. I immediately reciprocated him with a talking look. All he needs to do is say, no.

He also stood up and offered his hand. He easily helped me to my feet when I accepted his palm.

My knees went numb for a while so, I barely fell. I felt faint tingles on my spine when Groom's chest briefly caught my full weight.

Weird ...

Ruther's strong arm instinctively anchored around my waist. We looked at each other for a moment before he let me go. We stepped sideways together to increase our distance. I awkwardly looked away while the groom's eyes went to the priest.

To my horror, Ruther suddenly nodded. My vision darkened as fast as Father's face lit up.

Curse this nincompoop! I think he was too much to follow when I said, "Just nod"!

NOOO!

The priest's lively gaze flashed back at me. Her eyes were shining so, I was forced to smile. Her eagerness was obvious as she leaned forward. His open body language screamed, "I'm waiting."

Drat! I quickly looked around the entire vestry. I need to find something for inspiration in the story I will invent! I need to get through!

"We met ... when we were kids ..." I began.

My eyes were glued to Zac. My panicked gaze landed on him.

Since, I don't have time to make up a love story, I decided to just draw a story from my past. And, the closest I have to the feeling of falling in love was what I felt for this gentle man.

If earlier, Ruther and I had been shifting his opposite-brow eyes, now, his full attention is focused exclusively on me. His shoulders loosened and he swallowed for a moment.

For years, I hid my developing feelings for Zac. And, now that I am getting married, this is the last and unique opportunity for me to confess to her.

"I was a rebellious child, then. At a young age, I learned to live myself in any way — right or wrong," I continued. I took a deep breath before I shifted my gaze to the priest. "As I wrote in my autobiography, my mother didn't have time to guide me through my childhood because she was busy finding a racket for us to eat. My American father, on the other hand, never showed up again since he found out I was pregnant. my mother."

Father nodded. "Yes, I remember. Your youth hasn't been easy."

I accompanied the old man in nodding. I looked up to my left and remembered my complicated past.

The first day Zac and I met immediately came to my mind. That was the day my life changed for the better.

I bit my lip, hard. I forcefully avoided Zac's piercing stare at me.

I could see Zac squeezing his necklace into my peripheral vision. So, I closed my eyes to dispel the image of the gradual opening of her mouth.

"He was the first person to treat me like a human being. He didn't judge me on the dirt of what I was wearing ... And, even though I was obviously circling him, he chose to give me the benefit of the doubt. There is no doubt. he helped me even though he knew his mother would scold him ..., "I said. I slowly opened my lids and turned to Ruther. I stared at him tenderly with moist eyes. "I was amazed at R-ruther's kindness. Because of him, I learned there are still good people left in this world."

Father looked relieved. She sighed and smiled sweetly at Groom.

"I'm proud of you, son," he declared with a high forehead. He placed his palm on one of Ruther's shoulders. "I have no more regret that I missed this situation of you and Irah. You are a good example to the parishioners of this church."

Ruther stiffened in his place. He could only nod to the priest. His eyes of disbelief never left my face. He bit his lower lip again before he swallowed.

"When I got home, I showed my mom the watch of, umm, Ruther. She suddenly swallowed it before she left so, I didn't eat anything that night," I continued. I rubbed my foot against my leg for a moment and turned my gaze back to Father. "The next day, he came back home and dragged me to a wealthy subdivision. He forcibly put me in a palace-like house that turned out to be the residence of the dela Torre."

Father and Ruther stared at Zac. I silently prayed that he would not relax that the leading actor of my story was wrong.

I sneezed hard to get the two gentlemen's attention again. I took a deep breath when their full attention returned to me.

"My mother sold the gold watch to ladies and gentlemen. I was among those she sold. So, that's when my life began as a maid for the dela Torre family," I said. "But, instead of treating me as a slave, the couple educated me. They gave me my own room and treated me like a child. Maya and Shiela loved me as their sister and Zac protected me from those who nambubully me. .Their family showered me with love and respect that I never had before. I was so grateful. It was all surreal ... "

Father looked away from me. He glanced at Zac for a moment and tapped him on the shoulder.

The priest sighed and smiled at me a little. Full of concern the emotion shone in his crystalline eyes.

"It's really hard what you went through in your youth, hija. And, it's harder on the chest to listen to it than just read," he said. "But, I'm glad you got through all that, with the help of those who took care of you and ..." He opened both his arms. "... here you are now — very successful! So, how did you get closer to Ruther? Didn't you leave the country to mold your talent in the field of art?"

I squeezed the stem of the bouquet again. I firmly closed my mouth before I met Zac's confused gaze.

It's time I confess my feelings.

"It was through letters, Father ... We became penpals," I said. "All Ruther wanted was to check on me and to make sure that I don't feel alone while I'm there but, what he didn't know, I was already overwhelmed by his kindness. It was I who fell for him, first."

"Irah ..." Zac whispered very weakly. He took a step back and shook his head slowly.

I gave him my sweetest, most apologetic smile before I swallowed the sadness that was clogging my throat. I forced myself to shift my tearful gaze to Ruther.

I let my tears fall freely.

"The truth of the matter is, s-I think, I fell for him before we even wrote letters to each other ... I-most likely, he was already in love with me n-when I first saw him," he continued ko. I wrapped my hand around the groom's arm and squeezed it tightly. "He's always kind and gentle to me. He's attentive and caring ... He's the most wonderful man I have ever met. So, I will do everything to keep him and his family safe. Everyone ..."

Ruther met my gaze. I could feel his gaze pierce through my eyes and dive deeply into my soul.

He was obviously thinking deeply as he watched my heart crack freely. He placed his palm on my hand and he gently rubbed the back of my palm.

He's trying to comfort me.

Ruther pointed to the handkerchief he was hugging me. "Wipe away the tears," she whispered softly. "Hala, go ahead! You're going to look like a panda ... Your make-up is melting."

I couldn’t help but let out a quick laugh. I lightly slapped Ruther with a flower on the arm before I touched his handkerchief under my eyes.

I was stunned for a moment when Ruther's laughter also faintly escaped. I didn't expect that coz he looked so stoic a while ago.

"It looks like you really love each other. That's good and, may the joy not help your eyes," the priest said with a smile. "Oh he ... Let's go to the hall and when I marry you. Let's not wait for many of your guests! And ..." Father ran forward and whispered in my ear, "..I hope, hija, please accommodate my autograph request for my nephew, later. "

I laughed modestly. "Of course, Father!" I turned to Groom and gently pulled him by the arm. "Let's go?" I invite. I immediately turned my back on Zac so I wouldn't turn around.