THE WEDDING GOWN

Chapter 2               When Saturday came, she was very early. Promptly at 7 she arrives at her new job and waited for the owner to come. True enough at exactly 7:45 in the morning, Don Juan Mariano arrived driven by his old driver. He slowly climbed out of the car with his usual lion head cane and signature hat. The driver after dropping him off drove away.  He nods at her and she smiled brightly.             “Good morning, Sir.” She greeted him.             He looked her up and down and said, “Are you going to a party?”             She flushed and said, “We have a deal last Sunday. I will be working for you, remember?”             “How could I forget?”

CHAPTER 4   Horses!? She watched the approaching animals and their rider coming towards her. It was so close that the dust on its heels envelope her and suffocated her. She could only stare in disbelief. Then someone dragged and rolled with her on the side path and they rolled together into the six feet side ditch. He put his hand on his mouth and his whole body pinning her to the wet grassy ground. She can hear the long procession of horses passing by. She cannot look since the man with her pinned her like a vise. She could only stare at his cold black eyes, and his lower face covered with a black bandana to hide his identity. The longer she stayed pinned by his body, the feel of uncomfortable feeling heating her. She can feel the strength and the leanness of him but she was too terrified to move less he would hurt her.               The last contingent of the riders passes them by without a hitched. W

  CHAPTER 7   Maya pinned her hair with an excellent comb courtesy of Dona Elena. The comb is exquisitely decorated with pearls and diamonds forming into tiny Sampaguita flowers. She keeps staring at it when Maya shyly shows her the comb.                "Are you sure it's for me?" She whispered. Gently, she touched the beautiful comb.                "Yes. Dona Elena said this would suit you. "                Gabi smiled at Maya. "I feel like a young princess. "                "You are beautiful, Senorita. The young hacienderos would love you. Soon you would also be engaged like Senora Juliana."      &n

Chapter 8   Gabi stayed still inside the jute sack. She was already awake when the two kidnappers hauled her on the horse. Gabi tried to wiggle her way out, but her hands and feet were tied too tight. This incident must be a horror movie, she thought hysterically. Losing her life before she could go home paralyzed her with fear. Goodness, she would die not being kissed! "Hauled her up, gently!" she heard an elderly voice command the younger man, but its warning was too late; he dropped her like a sack of potato to the floor. Gabi bit the cloth tied to her mouth to stop herself from gagging on her saliva."Dios Mio! Can't you be more careful?""I'm sorry, Senor." He heard the apologetic voice of the young man. "Is she still alive?" A hand tried to feel her heartbeat. Gabi squirmed to avoid the hand he put on her breast. The man laughed, "Well, it looks like she is still breathing."Footsteps were coming. The two men fell silent a

CHAPTER 10  Before she could even fathom what was her next action, she threw a punch at the man who she hated with all her being right now. It landed on one of his cheeks. He touched it gently, but his eyes glittered fire. The men below who saw everything stop what they are doing. Some even make a sign of the cross. Deafening silence descended on the pirates as they saw him being punched by a woman. They waited for his move. The bird squawked from above as if sending a warning to her. Without a word, Theo’s arms snaked out on her and fold her to his hardened body and before she could even react, he kissed her. The kiss took her by surprise. Gabi could not even think, the only thought she had was how the kiss was so good she wanted more. Her lips melted with his and her arms pulled him closer to her. All her being felt alive.  They scream and the laughter of the pirates full back her to reality. Gabi pushed him, as the full force of her action