chapter 5

"That's my dad and his wife." Ruther whispered quickly. "His name is Carlos Buenaventura."

I immediately smiled broadly. My dimples buried freely on both my cheeks. I raised both my eyebrows to light up my eyes. I effortlessly looked excited.

My approaching father-in-law quickly responded with a smile. Her eyes were shining.

I didn't waste my time looking at the little lady wrapped around Carlos' arm. Based on the way Ruther tells who she is, she's not his mother and they're not in good terms.

"Mano po, sir." I said modestly. I took Ruther's father's free hand and gently touched my forehead to the back of his palm.

"Bless you, hija." its friendly response. He didn't want to let the smirk dance in his mouth. "And, please ... 'Don't say' sir '. Call me Dad because from today on, you're my daughter."

I stared at the floor for a moment while pinching my runaway hair to my ear. I slowly looked up and shyly smiled at Carlos sweetly.

"All right, Dad ..." I giggled softly. The only part I didn’t act was the awkwardness I felt at Dad calling him.

The laughter went down my mother -in -law's throat. His laughter was mixed with excitement and pride.

"Good! That's good!" happy with this promise. "You know, you're really beautiful, hija, especially now that your veil is no longer blocking your face! But, don't get me wrong. You still look captivating in your posters. I should know because my wife, Lydia, collects all your merchandise! "

Carlos happily patted Lydia's palm, squeezing her arm. He looked at it with a smile and gently urged him to step closer to me.

I raised my forehead to Lydia. Hinead-to-foot ko siya and easily concluded that she's tiny.

But, actually, for a Pinay, her height is average. I'm really tall and I'm still three inches in heels.

I also noticed that Carlos' wife was average — she didn't look suitable as a "lady" of a prominent house. If he hadn’t just dressed in branded clothing, most likely, he would have looked like the fishmongers in the market when I was young. If she hadn’t just worn expensive make-up, surely, no good man “of status”, like Carlos, would have looked at her.

Is he careful or good? Oh, please ... Only rich old women can catch women like her if she's either one of those. I’ve seen it so many times in the industry I entered. Often, they are good, not vigilant.

I really hate women like those. They use their bodies as weapons to get what they want! People like them give hardworking women like me a hard time. They condition the brains of men that women are only good in bed so there is always no equality in opportunities!

Lydia's eyes lit up as she raised the back of her hand in the air. At the same time, the gold that adorned various parts of his body sparkled in his grin.

It's obvious from the light on his face that he's a die-hard fan of mine. And, she seems elated that her idol will hand over her.

In her dreams!

"I see. Thanks." bored I said. I wrapped my hand around Ruther's arm and leaned against him.

I quickly felt Ruther's strange erection, under my touch. I also noticed that we have been greeting guests before but, only now he is silent like this.

Something about Carlos and Lydia must be making him extra uncomfortable. So, I stroked the length of his arm before I lightly kissed him on the cheek.

"Honey, let's go? My foot is already singing. Please" I complained cute. I pointed to the center stage when he turned to me.

"A-ah! Yes, your — yes ..." Ruther stuttered. He immediately looked away and he bit his lip.

Slowly the color of twilight rose on his face. He looked just exactly like when he kissed me in front of the altar, earlier.

My palms grew cold when I remembered the feeling when he tore my veil. The feeling was surreal when I first saw him with no netting blocking my sight.

He was drawn to my acting and didn’t seem to know what he was doing. Yet, his supple lips were gentle and shy when he erased the space between us.

"Okay!" contrary-brow said Carlos. He glanced at Lydia's flushed face for a moment, who quickly withdrew her hand. "Go there, hija. The reception will start again."

"Yes, Dad! Thank you po!" I said kindly. I freely showed Carlos my sweetest smile.

I suddenly dropped both my shoulders. I sighed and held my mother -in -law with both hands. Sadly I met his confused look. Immediately my eyes shone with liquid.

"I'm sorry, Dad, if I'm not in my best behavior. I'm just so tired, I can't stay and chat," I said. "I just got back from shooting, earlier. Then, I went straight to the church ... That's why I—"

"—Oh, no! Don't worry, son! I understand," he replied immediately. He squeezed my palms and restored the vigor to his wide smile. "I really admire women, like you, Irah! You're busy with your career, not like other women who just rely on their husbands." He turned to Ruther. "You got yourself a good one, son! For once, I'm proud of you."

Ruther's eyebrows met. But, he still remained silent.

The frown on Lydia's face looked as sour. She was clearly offended by my attitude especially what her husband said.

The woman pulled my father -in -law's arm as he quickly waved at us. He immediately wrapped himself around the old man's side and never looked at me again.

"What's up with that?" Ruther suddenly asked. She helped me sit in our seat behind the garden-like bridal table.

"With what?" maangmaangan ko.

Ruther sat quietly beside me. He stared at me for a few seconds before he explained,

"With how you treated her."

I met Ruther's gaze. I bit my lower lip and smiled lovingly at him. I combed the hair over her ear with my finger. Then, I placed my palm on his hand resting on the table.

"Because it's what makes, sense ..."

The announcement of the masters of ceremonies began to resonate. They welcomed the guest warmly and we were happily declared husband and wife.

Deafening applause rang out in the vast hall. Everyone was happy except for Lydia who I meant to annoy.

Ruther suddenly raised his hand. He locked my fingers between his. "What do you mean, it makes sense?"

His tight grip immediately sent tingles down my spine. My vision was sucked in by the mysterious darkness that danced behind his sharp eyes.

"I-it's because ..." I swallowed. "It's because you're not in good terms!" I quickly withdrew my hand and carefully placed it on my lap. I shifted my gaze to the MC and accompanied the guests with laughter.

"H-how did you know?" he whispered again. He was also looking at the reception hosts.

"Because you'd call her mom if you were close and stepmom if you were civil," I whispered back. I covered my mouth and laughed ostensibly after I clapped. "Yeah, I know she's not your mother 'coz you don't exactly look like your dad and it's impossible that you look like her. Besides, you'd never call your biological mother your dad's' wife' ... So, I acted like I dislike her ... "

"Why?" he asked.

I turned to Ruther and gently stroked the flower on the nose. I wrinkled my nose and laughed before he hit me on the shoulder.

"Because I'm your wife, consort. And, we're supposed to have known each other for years," I explained. "It'd be weird if I'm sweet to people you don't like. They'd suspect that I don't actually know you ..."

Ruther was silent for a moment. He picked up the goblet on the table and quickly threw the water down his throat.

"Wow, your attention to details is impeccable. You're a smooth story-teller ... No wonder you became a famous artist." he said shaking. He returned the glass he was holding to the table.

"Thank you." I smile outwardly. I raised my forehead and picked up water as well. "I worked hard to become as convincing as this. So, I'm proud of my craft."

As Ruther laughed at the nose. "Well, as an actress, I'm proud of you. But, as a husband, I'm not ..."

I tilted my head. I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows.

What is this man saying. Doesn't he have a brain? Isn't my craft the reason why HE was saved from this disastrous excuse of a wedding?

"Why not?" I'm having a hard time questioning. I quickly sipped water before throwing my glass on the table. "Isn't my performance the reason why everyone here is happy, now?"

Ruther's eyes glazed over at me. The very serious mold painted on her beautiful face.

“Because your exceptional performance makes me distrust you,” he said directly. "Ever since our paths crossed dun sa simbahan, all you did was manipulate me into doing and feeling whatever you want. And, you have the skills to easily maneuver the emotions of an entire assembly ..."

I stiffened even more. My words stuck in my throat.

Isn't that exactly the point? Wasn't I supposed to make the entire crowd believe in the authenticity of our fake love story?

"It scares me how quickly I fell for your shows. At this rate, I'm not far from just being your puppet," he added. "This wedding is as fake as you are, just like you thought everyone was happy here, now ... You should know that the most because, you're just as unhappy as I am in our situation. "

I laughed at the nose and leaned back in the chair. I shook my arms and averted my eyes.

"What nonsense are you talking about!" I quietly hissed. I quickly patted my foot on the floor.

"That nonesense is you love someone else too," he said complacently. Ruther turned to the man of honor, who was sipping red wine one after another. "Based on your body language, I could somehow tell who he is. The one you love is none other than Zac."

I suppressed the opening of my mouth. I quickly turned off the slight widening of my eyes.

How did Ruther know? When and what did he notice? Wasn't I careful about my body language and facial expression? Didn’t I use the same caliber of acting, earlier, as I use in movies?

I puffed a laugh. I picked up a table napkin and wiped the sides of my mouth.

"That's preposterous. Zac is just like my brother," I calmly declared. I put the swab on top of my lap and repeated your iron. "Besides, it doesn't matter. I'm stuck with you, now."

Ruther watched me with raised eyebrows as he rubbed my thighs. He smirked slightly before he leaned back. "Whatever makes you sleep at night."

We never talked again. Ruther was busy with his cocktail drink while I was sipping mouth-watering appetizers.

From bite-sized caprese crostini, bacon-wrapped dates, to mini salad boats they have and much more. And, it is obvious from their appearance that the food quality is the highest.

I took tiny bites of everything because the corset was pinching me. If it weren’t for what I was wearing, most likely, I would have absorbed the foods!

Wasteful! I would be the type who doesn't put on weight no matter what I eat. I can be a pig but still maintain my slender figure after depositing on the throne.

Anyway ... I feel like melted butter with expensive flavor playing on my tongue. I’ve been to many high-end restaurants so, I knew immediately that the dishes were made by high-quality chefs.

I could easily tell that every detail of this reception was really spent. Just like the snacks I taste, the whole place is also very grand.

The venue proudly showcased an unrestrained fairytale-like charm. Its red design is obviously based on Maya's princess-like taste.

Crystal chandeliers flowed like waterfalls from the ceiling. They glow like fireworks in the dark night. Its light bounces off the red row of rose gardens that elegantly mediate the long tables of the guests. Dancing over the scattered gold candelabras are the celebratory flames of red candles.

The rest of the reception went unusually well. I was confused by the guests who did not bother to take pictures of me.

Of course, I still acted dead to Ruther even though I was disgusted with what he said. I can't have me appear like an imperfect bride because the cameras are scattered in the venue.

I'm a freaking celebrity! I have to look graceful, elegant and happily "in-love".

During the first dance, I glared at Ruther as we glided along the vastness of the dancefloor. I tearfully smiled at him and clung myself to him until I watched him fight himself.

His eyes would lose focus every now and then and squeeze his shoulder muscles. It's like he's losing control of his senses before he tries to dismiss it.

Ruther is weird ...

Anyway, that's where I could feel the shape of his body. He is very tone under his white tuxedo.

I wondered what field of sports he was interested in. He must be dedicated to his sport for his elegance to be rocky.

The father-daughter dance followed. Mr. dela Torre tapped Ruther on the shoulder to ask him for permission to let me dance.

I couldn't stop my real tears from flowing when he hugged me tightly. He apologized for what Maya had done because I was involved in this mess.

Him worrying about my career the happiness made me feel that I have a father who loves me. I appreciated him more because not once did he think I should do it as payment for my indebtedness to their family.

In fact, I felt bad because he thanked me so much for saving Maya's public honor. Unbeknownst to him, the dela Torre rescued more than my public honor. So, there’s just nothing like this sacrifice in the gratitude I feel for them.

The rest of the program continued in a blur. The only thing that stuck in my mind was the wedding toast of the man of honor.

Zac was as drunk as a skunk when he raised his wine glass. He said a lot but I didn't understand because he was a slurring mess.

However, he revealed something that almost tore the mask I was wearing. He said, "Pre ... Take care of my Irah! I love that! If you hurt her, I'll take it back from you."

Then he passed out.

I jumped upright when Zac fainted back and I firmly grabbed my exploding chest. I took a deep breath when I saw that the gentleman had caught him.

I was in a state of shock because I've never seen him in such a state. He's always been a proper gentleman, through and through!

But I was most shocked when he said that he loved me. How and when else? How come he never told me that in the four years we had exchanged letters?

Well, it's not that I can really blame him ... I also didn't confess until earlier, in front of Father.

I noticed Ruther lean over and cross his legs. So, I quickly glanced at him.

My opponent immediately heated up when he laughed uncontrollably at my nose. He had "I am right" conspicuously written all over his smug face.

I grit my teeth tightly. I shivered holding back the rounding of my fists. I modestly went back to sitting and concern replaced my shocked look.

I can't let Ruther look at me like this! I’m not a sucker performer who just loses lightly.

It's against what he wants, huh? Then, I accept his challenge!

"I know we talked in church earlier that we'll talk after the wedding. But ..," I fell down on the soft sofa that swallowed with all my weight. "can we do it tomorrow? I was tired at the reception, earlier, of entertaining your guests. Besides, I also met my fans who had been waiting for me outside all day. Plus, I haven't relaxing since my shooting this morning ... "

Ruther turned to me. He unties his tie.

"Yeah, sure ... I'm tired too and my head is killing me," he agreed. He laid his tie and suit jacket on the armrest on the other side of the sofa. "You have nothing to lose in that conversation. We're married."

I raised an eyebrow at Ruther. My eyes wandered to the gold ring on his finger busy removing the buttons of his vest.

"Excuse me? I'm not trying to avoid it!" I insisted. I stomped my feet in the air until my white heels flew somewhere. "I'm just exhausted and still too pissed off at what happened, to think straight."

Ruther laughed once. "Oh, so you can be honest," he said excitedly. He bent down to loosen his belts. "Forgive me if I can't easily distinguish whether you're lying or not. You're one hell of an actress."

His insulting tone pierced my heart. But, I still faked a smile.

"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment!" 'ka ko. I secretly narrowed my eyes.

I put my feet on top of the armrest and laid my head across. I made sure I didn’t put on Ruther’s clothes because maybe that’s what he would say again. I don't have the energy now and I'm really not in the mood to quarrel with him.