UNLIKE OUR FIRST DATE, where I followed him while we held hands, this time was different. I walked alone towards the hotel entrance while he tried to keep up with me.Many people greeted him, and some greeted me as well. A few even took candid photos without any shame.Even though he greeted those who greeted him, he kept trying to catch up with me. I stopped when I reached the waitress who was to guide us to our reserved table. He reached me and quickly put his hand on my waist."This way, please."We walked to the table together, and I didn't comment on his hand on my waist, even though it annoyed me. It would only make a scene if I reacted.In a gentlemanly manner, he helped me with my chair before sitting across from me. Not long after, I noticed someone I knew near our table. I frowned and looked at Damon. He noticed my reaction and followed my gaze.Luis Bulusan was there, too. He was with a woman and was watching us!"Shall we serve the first course, sir?""Yes, please," Damon
"WHAT'S happening here?" Damon's cold voice interrupted.Luis and I both turned to look at Damon. He was standing in the hallway, approaching us. His eyes moved from mine to Luis's hand holding mine, and his expression darkened. When he reached us, he quickly pulled my hand away.Luis is tall and slender, but Damon is taller and more muscular, and years older than us, making him look more intimidating in front of Luis. Luis stepped back as Damon positioned himself between us."What did you do to her?" Damon demanded.Luis hesitated to respond. I expected him to say something, but he seemed too intimidated."Are you alright?" Damon asked me.My tears stopped, but my eyes still stung from almost crying earlier. Damon looked at me closely."Are you alright, Ysabelle?" he asked gently.I nodded. He placed his hand on my lower back and glanced at Luis."Let's go. You look unwell..." Damon said, and we started to walk away.We had only taken a few steps when Luis spoke again."Ysabelle, you
I DIDN'T know how we managed to stay quiet and calm during that time.We walked out hand in hand, drawing curious glances in the lobby. He didn't have time to call the valet, so we took the elevator to the parking lot.We moved quickly, but he still made sure to open the car door for me. Once inside, he immediately pulled me close for another round of passionate kisses. I almost expected it, and I gave in to his kisses right away.His hands were everywhere. I was pushed back, and he easily reclined my seat while we continued kissing. We were getting lost in the kisses and his touches when we both heard our phones ringing!He kept kissing me, seemingly ignoring the ringing. However, I glanced at my phone and got a bit worried when I saw Mama calling. She doesn’t call me often, especially knowing that I was on a date with Damon!"Damon, Mama's calling," I whispered between kisses, but he didn’t respond.Instead, his kisses moved from my lips to my neck."Damon," I whispered again, still
THE NEXT day came easily. In the silence of the mansion when I was alone, it was hard to believe that a grand wedding was just days away.Our wedding will be held in a small chapel at one of our country clubs. Mama wanted more, but in the end, she agreed to keep it simple and private, as much as possible. Especially since the nature of the wedding wasn’t ideal, but Papa insisted on making it grand to show that I am finally tamed and no longer the drug addict and alcoholic socialite Morata princess.I couldn’t believe that I was so indifferent to the idea. Or maybe it just hadn’t sunk in yet. I was getting married to someone I barely knew.A year ago, I was at a yacht party, enjoying the best of life.I heard the usual protocol of the house staff when Mama and Papa arrived. This time, however, I heard that a visitor was with their convoy. I peeked out the window and immediately confirmed it when I saw the following vehicle.I quickly ran to my room. I had been lazy all day, so I didn’t
WE agreed on everything. We continued with the planned activities for the day without any distraction from the shoot. We rode horses, each on our own, and spent an hour riding until we reached the golf course.When we arrived, we played golf. We were both competitive, and the game became more intense as we adjusted the rules.In the end, he won and flashed a broad smile at me.I glared at him. I wanted to protest and had hoped he would let me win. I didn’t like losing just for my own satisfaction, but it was okay because he had shown himself to be a gentleman!Why did I even expect that? This guy would do anything to win!But he didn’t have to be a gentleman or give in to me just to win. No way!“So what are the activities this afternoon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.We had finished lunch and rested. He smirked.“Don’t you want to rest? I tired you out with golf.”“No, I’m fine. I have all evening to relax.”“So you agree? You’ll stay here?”I shrugged. “There’s no difference, so why
I COULDN'T sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about how peaceful the day was even though I was in an awkward situation.My parents forced me to marry someone I didn’t know.We didn’t get along and didn’t like each other.Is it possible to have a peaceful day in the middle of all this suffering and fighting?I sulked as I remembered the photographers and videographers. Apart from that part, most of the time, I forgot they were there.After Damon and I swam quietly, he rested in the suite. I showered first while he prepared our dinner at the restaurant. He also spent some time with the photographers and videographers. By the time he came back to the suite, I was done.“You can check out our photos and videos outside. I ordered food for the photographers and videographers,” he said.I nodded. I was only slightly interested in the photos, but to give him space, I stood up. “Okay, I’ll check it out. You stay here and rest if you want.”He nodded.I went outside and briefly entertained the sta
WE entered the study, one of the areas in the block used as my father's office when he's here. Now, my two cousins brought me in. I sat in my father's swivel chair while they stood in front of me, looking like predators.I frowned at both of them. Dio looked dark, with longer-than-usual wavy hair, wearing khaki pants, brown boots, and a white v-neck t-shirt. Nics, closer to the desk, had a clean haircut, probably for the wedding. He was still in black slacks and a white dress shirt, looking ready for work even on vacation."Happy now that your plans are working? Covering up all my scandals?" I said sarcastically."Why did you get involved in those scandals in the first place, Ysa?" Nics replied."And this is the best advice you can give my father?" They fell silent, looking at me."If you two were forced to marry someone you didn't know or like, could you handle it?" At first, I thought they understood what was happening. I thought they felt some remorse. But then, they shrugged it o
THE DAY went by really fast. We entertained more guests as the hours passed, and both Damon and I were busy.At one point, I almost forgot I was pretending because I was so engrossed in talking with the guests. As the sun set, the reality of what would happen tomorrow hit me.Damon's relatives wanted us to dine separately, as there's a superstition that the groom shouldn't see the bride the night before the wedding. I heard my mom say it was alright and that we wouldn't sleep together. But because Damon's older relatives insisted, my mom agreed.Now, I'm in another restaurant with my family, while Damon is with his family at another restaurant.I was happy to be with my family, but this made me feel the impending wedding more acutely. My mom came to my room when it was time for bed. I was a bit surprised that she came alone and didn't bring my dad. I hadn't talked to my dad all day, and I was starting to think he was avoiding me."I'm glad you're doing well," she said, sitting on the
MY FATHER stood strong and mighty at the door. It was still closed, and the sponsors and guests had just entered.Everything felt surreal to me, like it was all happening in slow motion. Even the white curtain and the delicate white roses adorning the door seemed to move in slow motion. The day was windy, and my veil fluttered in the breeze. I held onto my father's arm tightly, with his hand resting on mine. My mother stood beside me, smiling and reassuring me that everything would be okay.The door opened. It felt like a magical door leading us to a new world. Except, this world felt like it would be hell for me.I'm not a particularly religious person. I talk to God in my head occasionally, but this time, as I took my small steps down the red carpet, I confessed that I didn't like what was happening. But I would trust in it because it was already happening.The first time I saw Damon at the altar was when we entered the chapel. His eyes were fixed on me as I walked down the aisle.I
THE DAY went by really fast. We entertained more guests as the hours passed, and both Damon and I were busy.At one point, I almost forgot I was pretending because I was so engrossed in talking with the guests. As the sun set, the reality of what would happen tomorrow hit me.Damon's relatives wanted us to dine separately, as there's a superstition that the groom shouldn't see the bride the night before the wedding. I heard my mom say it was alright and that we wouldn't sleep together. But because Damon's older relatives insisted, my mom agreed.Now, I'm in another restaurant with my family, while Damon is with his family at another restaurant.I was happy to be with my family, but this made me feel the impending wedding more acutely. My mom came to my room when it was time for bed. I was a bit surprised that she came alone and didn't bring my dad. I hadn't talked to my dad all day, and I was starting to think he was avoiding me."I'm glad you're doing well," she said, sitting on the
WE entered the study, one of the areas in the block used as my father's office when he's here. Now, my two cousins brought me in. I sat in my father's swivel chair while they stood in front of me, looking like predators.I frowned at both of them. Dio looked dark, with longer-than-usual wavy hair, wearing khaki pants, brown boots, and a white v-neck t-shirt. Nics, closer to the desk, had a clean haircut, probably for the wedding. He was still in black slacks and a white dress shirt, looking ready for work even on vacation."Happy now that your plans are working? Covering up all my scandals?" I said sarcastically."Why did you get involved in those scandals in the first place, Ysa?" Nics replied."And this is the best advice you can give my father?" They fell silent, looking at me."If you two were forced to marry someone you didn't know or like, could you handle it?" At first, I thought they understood what was happening. I thought they felt some remorse. But then, they shrugged it o
I COULDN'T sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about how peaceful the day was even though I was in an awkward situation.My parents forced me to marry someone I didn’t know.We didn’t get along and didn’t like each other.Is it possible to have a peaceful day in the middle of all this suffering and fighting?I sulked as I remembered the photographers and videographers. Apart from that part, most of the time, I forgot they were there.After Damon and I swam quietly, he rested in the suite. I showered first while he prepared our dinner at the restaurant. He also spent some time with the photographers and videographers. By the time he came back to the suite, I was done.“You can check out our photos and videos outside. I ordered food for the photographers and videographers,” he said.I nodded. I was only slightly interested in the photos, but to give him space, I stood up. “Okay, I’ll check it out. You stay here and rest if you want.”He nodded.I went outside and briefly entertained the sta
WE agreed on everything. We continued with the planned activities for the day without any distraction from the shoot. We rode horses, each on our own, and spent an hour riding until we reached the golf course.When we arrived, we played golf. We were both competitive, and the game became more intense as we adjusted the rules.In the end, he won and flashed a broad smile at me.I glared at him. I wanted to protest and had hoped he would let me win. I didn’t like losing just for my own satisfaction, but it was okay because he had shown himself to be a gentleman!Why did I even expect that? This guy would do anything to win!But he didn’t have to be a gentleman or give in to me just to win. No way!“So what are the activities this afternoon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.We had finished lunch and rested. He smirked.“Don’t you want to rest? I tired you out with golf.”“No, I’m fine. I have all evening to relax.”“So you agree? You’ll stay here?”I shrugged. “There’s no difference, so why
THE NEXT day came easily. In the silence of the mansion when I was alone, it was hard to believe that a grand wedding was just days away.Our wedding will be held in a small chapel at one of our country clubs. Mama wanted more, but in the end, she agreed to keep it simple and private, as much as possible. Especially since the nature of the wedding wasn’t ideal, but Papa insisted on making it grand to show that I am finally tamed and no longer the drug addict and alcoholic socialite Morata princess.I couldn’t believe that I was so indifferent to the idea. Or maybe it just hadn’t sunk in yet. I was getting married to someone I barely knew.A year ago, I was at a yacht party, enjoying the best of life.I heard the usual protocol of the house staff when Mama and Papa arrived. This time, however, I heard that a visitor was with their convoy. I peeked out the window and immediately confirmed it when I saw the following vehicle.I quickly ran to my room. I had been lazy all day, so I didn’t
I DIDN'T know how we managed to stay quiet and calm during that time.We walked out hand in hand, drawing curious glances in the lobby. He didn't have time to call the valet, so we took the elevator to the parking lot.We moved quickly, but he still made sure to open the car door for me. Once inside, he immediately pulled me close for another round of passionate kisses. I almost expected it, and I gave in to his kisses right away.His hands were everywhere. I was pushed back, and he easily reclined my seat while we continued kissing. We were getting lost in the kisses and his touches when we both heard our phones ringing!He kept kissing me, seemingly ignoring the ringing. However, I glanced at my phone and got a bit worried when I saw Mama calling. She doesn’t call me often, especially knowing that I was on a date with Damon!"Damon, Mama's calling," I whispered between kisses, but he didn’t respond.Instead, his kisses moved from my lips to my neck."Damon," I whispered again, still
"WHAT'S happening here?" Damon's cold voice interrupted.Luis and I both turned to look at Damon. He was standing in the hallway, approaching us. His eyes moved from mine to Luis's hand holding mine, and his expression darkened. When he reached us, he quickly pulled my hand away.Luis is tall and slender, but Damon is taller and more muscular, and years older than us, making him look more intimidating in front of Luis. Luis stepped back as Damon positioned himself between us."What did you do to her?" Damon demanded.Luis hesitated to respond. I expected him to say something, but he seemed too intimidated."Are you alright?" Damon asked me.My tears stopped, but my eyes still stung from almost crying earlier. Damon looked at me closely."Are you alright, Ysabelle?" he asked gently.I nodded. He placed his hand on my lower back and glanced at Luis."Let's go. You look unwell..." Damon said, and we started to walk away.We had only taken a few steps when Luis spoke again."Ysabelle, you
UNLIKE OUR FIRST DATE, where I followed him while we held hands, this time was different. I walked alone towards the hotel entrance while he tried to keep up with me.Many people greeted him, and some greeted me as well. A few even took candid photos without any shame.Even though he greeted those who greeted him, he kept trying to catch up with me. I stopped when I reached the waitress who was to guide us to our reserved table. He reached me and quickly put his hand on my waist."This way, please."We walked to the table together, and I didn't comment on his hand on my waist, even though it annoyed me. It would only make a scene if I reacted.In a gentlemanly manner, he helped me with my chair before sitting across from me. Not long after, I noticed someone I knew near our table. I frowned and looked at Damon. He noticed my reaction and followed my gaze.Luis Bulusan was there, too. He was with a woman and was watching us!"Shall we serve the first course, sir?""Yes, please," Damon