CHAPTER 1

She was stunned when the cab Dino and she were riding in came to a stop at a motel. He grabbed her arm to assist her in exiting the vehicle while she was still in shock. She avoided looking at the driver out of shyness because she knew he was already having negative thoughts about both of them.

She stepped out of the cab silently. Dino handed the payment to the old driver. She waited for the car to leave before speaking.

She softly questioned her fiance, "W-why are we here again?"

She lost count of how many times he took her there throughout their six-year relationship, despite her repeated refusals.

Dino pleadedly said, "Yaz, give me what I want. Our wedding is next month, right?"

"That's right. You've already waited six years, so how long will we wait to fulfill your request legally? How long is one month?"

He remained silent. She could even make out the gaping of his jaws when he turned to face another way.

The tone of the man's voice was a mix of sullenness and fury. "Are you always going to disgrace me like this? In the six years we've been together, it looks like you still don't trust me."

She had a somewhat guilty feeling. Dino found it difficult to suppress his needs as a man. Her parents were pretty traditional when she was little. Despite how much she adored her boyfriend, she couldn't commit herself to him because of her conservative personality.

"Din," she said as she reached out to touch her boyfriend's face.

He called a cab passing by.

His forehead was creased, and he didn't even look at her, saying, "I can't accompany you to your home anymore. I'm going somewhere else."

"Where are you headed?"

He no longer appeared to be in the mood, saying, "Just anywhere! Go ahead. Get in the cab."

She boarded the waiting cab with reluctance. She was ashamed to take the front seat. Her attention was caught once more by Dino, who was in a different cab. He left right away and stopped speaking to her.

She was restless when the driver started the car. Her mind stayed on Dino. She was on the verge of exiting the cab and consenting to Dino's demand. She is, after all, going to be his wife in a month. She might have said yes to him if he hadn't quickly gotten into another cab.

Last month, he also asked her out, and it was then that she first observed a difference in his behavior when she declined. He used to understand her reasons for not wanting anything to happen sexually between them.

She had dreams of giving herself away on their first night as a married couple. Since she was a young child, her mother has ingrained in her mind that the nicest present she can give her spouse, according to her, is her virginity.

When Dino invited her that day, she assumed they were just going for a casual stroll. She had the day off because it was Sunday. She's an office clerk at a small company. She didn't anticipate his attempting to request again for a sexual encounter.

As soon as they halted in front of their house, she paid the driver and alighted. Her parents weren't there because they went to visit her Aunt Ellen, his father's sister, in Manila. A celebration was being thrown at her aunt's home because her husband had just gotten back from abroad.

Dino invited her out, so she declined to go with her parents. She also doesn't get to go to her aunt's house as much now that her relationship with Carrie, her cousin, didn't work out when Carrie discovered her boyfriend sneakily flirting with her. The first time Troy made an attempt at cheating on her, she told her cousin about it, but Carrie didn't believe her.

Instead, Carrie became upset and began behaving differently around her until she herself caught her boyfriend. Carrie learned about the texts the man had sent her that she had never replied to.

Her cousin confronted her and referred to her as flirty instead of becoming enraged with Troy.

She formerly resided at her Aunt Ellen's home because she attended high school there. She decided to go back to her hometown when she was in college due to the deteriorating friendship with Carrie. Her aunt was still helping her out financially with her studies until she graduated.

Since her father's accident rendered him unable to work, he has been assisting her mother, a market vendor. Their Aunt Ellen offered to help because their parents couldn't afford to pay for their education.

She had barely visited her aunt's house with her family a handful of times since leaving because she still hadn't resolved her misunderstanding with Carrie.

Joshua, her younger brother, is currently employed in Manila. Currently, her brother is staying with her Aunt Ellen. They owe a great deal to their aunt, and she would never forget that.

She immediately went straight to her room and locked herself in. She sat on the bed and picked up the phone. Dino did not text. When he couldn't bring her home, he would always call or text to make sure she arrived home safely.

She tried to call her fiancé, but all she heard was the phone ringing. He didn't pick up the phone when she called him five times.

She just let it go because she thought he was just grumpy. She was aware that he would soon feel better and be able to communicate with her once more. Her fiancé was unable to go a day without clearing up their disagreements.

She sighed and set the phone aside. She took a forward glance. She grinned at the sight of the bridal dress hanging on the hanger. She got to her feet and went to the dress.

The outline of the dress is simple. Dino was with her when the dress was measured. The dress she will wear to their wedding next month is white. They both agreed that a white traje de boda would look good on her, so she was confident she would wear it as she made her way down the church aisle.

Given that she comes from a very traditional household, the fact that she will be a virgin bride is very significant.

She never gave into temptation. She never caved in to pressure. She only allowed Dino to kiss her. She always stops his hands as soon as they begin to move. She still has her self-control.

She stroked the garments. Her superstitious mother advised her not to wear it; she hadn't done so yet.

If she doesn't try the gown on, how will she know if it fits? Will they only make it a problem on the actual wedding day?

She gently took the clothing off the hanger, as if someone had urged her. Without looking away, she laid the clothing delicately atop the bed.

She removed her clothes, leaving only her underpants behind. As soon as she put on the wedding dress, she was unable to conceal her enthusiasm. It is the perfect size for her.

She went straight to the big mirror in the cabinet and gazed into it. She grinned. She looks great in the dress. She doesn't have makeup on yet still looks stunning in what she's wearing.

It's not boring to observe her beauty. She has fair skin, long hair that is straight, and Dino's hue contrasts sharply with hers. Her guy used to be the school's popular boy. In elementary school, they were in the same class, and when they entered college, they grew closer together.

"Yazmin! I'm going upstairs. I've been asking you for a while-"

Mhariel, who had just arrived, was stunned when the door to her room opened.

"Come on! Why are you wearing your wedding dress?" She asked in surprise when she saw her wearing her traje de boda.

Mhariel is younger than her and also her elementary classmate. She did not finish school because she dropped out of college. Right now, she's just helping out by keeping an eye on her parents' store.

"Is it lovely?" She smiled and asked that question. She paid her friend's recent remarks no regard. She is also aware that Mhariel does not hold superstitious beliefs.

The shock was gone from her friend's face, and Mhariel approached her while examining her bridal gown.

"Why is your wedding dress so tightly cuffed? I'm hoping you at least bare a little skin—if just on your shoulders. If I'm getting married, I'll dress very sensually." Her bed was empty after she moved away from her.

Mhariel always feels like home to them because she is often in their house. She has other friends. She is really a naughty girl. Her family is used to her friend's behavior.

She took another look at herself in the mirror.

"It's alright. Dino also liked it when he looked at the design."

"Hmm... Bear in mind that the ladies will pursue Dino. When you get married, perhaps you'll appear more like an old-fashioned lady." Mhariel was still face down on her bed, and her voice seemed void.

She observed that Mhariel's short skirt was still slipping. Additionally, the woman had a flowing blouse on, exposing more of her flawless stomach and a navel-piercing earring.

She was also unsure of how their relationship had developed given their vast differences. Mhariel has several suitors because her friend is very attractive. She switches men like she switches outfits.

She was ready to speak when Mhariel’s phone rang abruptly. When she turned to look at the phone screen, she noticed the glimmer in her eyes. She excitedly stood up and then sat on her bed.

"Hi! I'm happy you called. I thought you two were together. Ahm, okay. I'm not doing anything. Why? Where are you? Alright, I'm going there. " Her friend's excitement cannot be denied while talking to the person on the other line.

"Yaz, I'll go out first." Mhariel promptly said her farewell.

She even went to her drawer, put on her lipstick, and used the makeup there. Her friend even combed her frizzy hair.

"Another boyfriend?" She teased, keeping an eye on her friend.

Mhariel simply grinned mysteriously.

"When will you introduce him to me?" Before the woman exited the room, she questioned.

She looked at her.

"Once he chose me over his current girlfriend!" She giggled when she answered her, then hurriedly left her room.

She simply smiled and shook her head. Mhariel recently ended a two-month romance, and in less than a week, she has found a new one.

She took the phone while still dressed in her bridal gown and sat on the bed. She made another attempt to call Dino, but his phone was busy.

She frowned. He might be speaking with his supervisor.

He works for a sizable corporation as an engineer. Since they place a higher priority on saving for their marriage, he has only recently begun, so he hasn't actually purchased the items he wants to, like a car. Her fiancé has lofty goals.

When her boyfriend's line was still busy, she begrudgingly hung up the phone.

She felt bad for turning down his request again. She might agree to the man's request if he tries again.

After all, she will be Mrs. Yazmin Ibarra next month. She doesn't want them to experience conflict prior to their nuptials.

What if she gives him her present in advance before becoming his bride?