Chapter 3

BLACK

It's only been one week yet a lot of problems have occurred one by one. First, the health condition of Maya's grandpa is getting worse. They urgently need to transfer him to a hospital. Second, in order to transfer her friend's grandpa to a more equipped hospital, Maya signed the one-year marriage contract that Lorenzo has offered. Third, Maya is getting married today.

                                         

She couldn't believe that her friend is getting married today. They have dreamed of getting married to the man they truly love, not just because of a contract. But she can't complain. This is her friend's decision and she will support her no matter what. She will protect her from those people who will try to hurt her friend. They're not only friends, but like sisters as well.

They have already tried on their dresses. Of course, she's the maid of honor. Although she hates the wedding, she still appreciated the dress that was given to her. She looks good in it. Having a tanned skin has an edge.

The budget for the wedding were all shouldered by the Tanaleons. How cliche also that the reception will be held on one of the Hotels of the Huescas. She just doesn't understand why they allow the wedding even to take place on their hotel. She finds it really weird and fishy.

"You must be so excited that you haven't gotten any sleep," she told her friend, noticing the eyebags under her eyes. The makeup artists were putting every beauty product on Maya's face, which she doesn't know the name.

Rosell is now wearing a peach-colored dress as it was the motif of the wedding. Her long brown hair is down with little hairpins making it look neat. Her friend is wearing a beautiful white dress for the wedding which suits her very well.

 "Don't worry, ma'am. You still look beautiful," one of the gay staff assured Maya.

It's true. Maya still looks beautiful even with the eyebags and small pimples. She's a very beautiful bride and that guy is too lucky to have her.

"Please get ready, girls," the wedding organizer called them.

They all stood up and Rosell helped her friend as her gown is too big and she wears heels.

"I'll accompany you to the car. Grandpa Avelino is already there," she said, referring to the bridal car that will bring them to the church.

A few minutes left and the ceremony will start. She can feel her friend's nervousness just like her. She doesn't know if she's thrilled or excited.

When they reached the bridal car, they both saw the old man there in his suit. Although the old man feels weak, he really did his best to come at the ceremony to accompany his granddaughter to the altar.

"You look handsome today, grandpa," she praised the old man.

He only replied with a hearty laugh. She then told Maya to ride the car so they can arrive on time, while she went to another car to reach there earlier.

UPON arriving, the organizers of the event prepared them for the walk. The ceremony started. Now, they are all just waiting for the bride to enter the church.

Rosell let her eyes wandered around the venue. Her eyes then stopped on a guy. Looking handsome while wearing a black tuxedo, his hair is neatly styled, but he has a stoic look on his face. Seems like he does not want this wedding to happen, but his friend must have convinced him.

She kept staring at him when he suddenly raised his eyes, looking straight at her. She immediately avoided the eye contact and just looked at floor. She doesn't want him to think of something else again.

Music filled the entire venue. Flashes and clicking of cameras also started. She turned to look at the entrance of the church.

There, her best friend is walking down the aisle with arms clinging on her grandpa. She cannot see her face clearly because of the veil, but she knew that the woman was crying.

Her tears also fell down as she looks at them. She saw grandpa Avelino's genuine smile. The old man didn't use his wheel chair because he insisted on walking with his granddaughter despite the fact that he's weak.

As they reached the end, she saw the old man tapping Lorenzo's shoulder while whispering something. Maybe some blessings.

The ceremony then started.

VESTER is enraged with the fact that his best friend married another woman. He noticed his sister looking at the couple with very sad eyes. He felt sorry for her. He knew how much Valerie loves him, yet he just wasted those just because he got another woman pregnant.

Earlier, he noticed Rosell staring at him.

'That woman must be jealous of her friend,' he thought. He then shook his head at disappointment. But still, he couldn't say no to his friend.

He held his sister's hand and squeezed it, trying to ease her feelings. Valerie turned to look at him and mouthed, "I'm fine" even though she's clearly not.

The ceremony went on without any problems. Till the priest said, "You are now husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

He watched his sister's reaction and saw her closing her eyes. She doesn't want to watch the newly married couple kissing passionately. He felt even more sorry for her. He gazed and saw Rosell clapping while smiling a little. His forehead even creased.

 'I will not let you celebrate today, when my sister is in sorrow." He thought to himself, directing his fiery eyes to Rosell.

ROSELL is at the bar counter of the hotel, sighing while looking at her friend. They are now at the reception and the guests filled the venue. She feels genuinely happy for her friend, but she's worried for her too. She drank a glass of God-knows-what kind of alcohol. She felt the bitterness flowed down her throat. It has sooth her nerves.

She already old Maya that she will not join the bouquet tossing as it's corny for her. If she will get married, it will be a simple celebration as long as she's happy. She will even feel happier if her groom is Marcus— her long-time boyfriend.

After a few more glasses, she stood up to use the washroom. She even sighted Loisa flirting with whoever guy she sees. She must be itching to have a rich boyfriend. It's obvious that the woman is envy with Maya. The groom's cousins kept on ordering her around like a maid too.

Even Maya's uncle and auntie keep on greeting and chatting with the guests like they were elites. She just shook her head.

Because of looking around not minding her path. She is not aware of her path and bumped on someone. The wine on the glass that the man was holding poured on her dress.

"Is this your strategy? Your way to catch attention?"

She was busy looking at the stain on her dress, but raised her head upon hearing the familiar voice. She immediately rolled her eyes.

"Bro, who's this chick?" his companion asked, who was also one of the groomsmen.

"Nah. Someone who's into me. She's a bit annoying."

Not having the strength to fight back, she just ignored Vester, and went on her way. However, the guy grabbed her arm, making her stop.

"What the hell?" she complained because of his tight grip.

The guy immediately released her arm like he just touched someone with a contagious disease.

"You're really shameless. I have told you and your friend before to stay away from Lorenzo, but you still managed to bewitch him. You badly want to marry a rich man."

"FYI, Mr. Huesca. It's not Maya's fault if Lorenzo fell in love with her and not your bratty sister."

"You! You dare insult my sister!" he shouted, pointing at her.

"Bro, calm down. She's just a girl," his companion stopped him.

This doctor is making himself a clown. Insulting her first, but also loses his composure first. She wanted to laugh at him.

"Remember this, whatever you and you friend will do, you are no match with Valerie. You're out on the same page. My sister is humble and kind, while people like you are like snakes in our lives."

"I thought I was a chicken? Why am I a snake now?" she asked, slightly laughing. She just couldn't understand his guy. He's like a woman that just keep on babbling stupid things.

The guy scanned her from head to toe with an insulting look on his face.

"If this is one of your schemes, constantly bumping to me and making me angry, it doesn't work. Even if you wear expensive clothes, you still look like a beggar. Even if you go naked in front of me, I will still not flirt with you. You're a walking turn-off."

Her temper rose at the added insult. What the heck is this guy saying again? His insult is so out of line. His mouth has no filter. Barking constantly like a dog.

"I'm not fond of dogs like you either," she stated then went to the washroom, leaving the guy enraged.

She heard him calling her, but she didn't look back. She just continued walking till she reached the washroom. Looking at herself on the mirror, she tried calm down. Water splashed on her face as she washed it using her hands.

The fact is, she was hurt at his words. She knew the things he said very well. There is no need to say those out loud. A person of low class like her will never blend in with those rich people. She knew it very well.

However, she won't allow him to insult Maya like that. She has expected this to happen that's why she tried to stop her friend. Being poor didn't give them any choice, but to agree on the rich people's condition.

In the end, she couldn't do anything. Maya still married Lorenzo. Who is she to not support her friend's decision? She will be just behind her, ready to help.

As long as she can, she would protect and defend her friend. It's just one year. After that, it will be over. Whoever tries to harm them, she will definitely fight back.

She went out of the washroom after doing her thing, and plans to go to Maya. However, she pass the men’s washroom and heard some guys talking.

“Change of plans. Let’s get to plan B,”

She stopped on her tracks after hearing one of the guys talk. ‘Plan B?’ What kind of plan are they talking about? Why does she care tho?

“Are you sure?”

“Orders from the higher-ups. Joker has been caught.”

Her eyes turned into slit after hearing the weird conversation. Something is definitely fishy.

“We haven’t expected that there were guards in-disguise at the church. Those Tanaleons have planned this very well.”

Rosell even got suspicious of the guys after hearing them mention the Tanaleons.

“It’s alright. Make sure that we’ll successfully take the woman with us.”

She’s very confused right now. Who’s the woman they are talking about? Why are they gonna take her? Do they mean escort her or kidnap her? She got goosebumps all of a sudden.

“Let’s do this unnoticed. Don’t hurt the woman. We’ll just f*cking scare Lorenzo.”

After hearing Lorenzo’s name, she got even more curious. Which Lorenzo though? The II or the III?

“We can’t hurt her, but we could taste her, right? He got a very beautiful bride.”

“Rascal! Are you gonna r*pe that woman? I heard she’s pregnant.”

“So, what? It does not matter. I just want to know how good that woman is because Lorenzo married her.”

She got nervous. Her suspicions grew stronger. Who else got married today? Who will they call bride of Lorenzo? Who is pregnant? It’s definitely not Ruella Tanaleon.

“Do you want the higher-ups to kill you? The order is to not hurt Mariyanna Aguilar. We’ll just take her.”

She gasped and stepped back. They are really talking about Maya, her best friend! Kidnap? They plan to kidnap her friend?

“Let’s do this quick. Make the task go smoothly as planned.”

Even though she’s trembling because of nervousness, she tried to run out there to warn Maya. However, even before she could take a step, she felt a hard thing hit her head. She fell on the cold floor and her consciousness is slowly pulling her.

A man is standing in front of her, wearing a mask with a bottle of whiskey on his hands.

“You’re not being careful. Our plan nearly got ruined…”

Then everything turned black.