Chapter 1

Alora’s POV

Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa aking mga labi habang nakatitig ako sa aking replica sa salamin. My black, wavy, shoulder-length hair is tied in a bun on top, and some strands fall beside my cheeks.

I wore a sky-blue corset maxi dress paired with my gold necklace with a Heart of the Ocean diamond pendant. I bought this dress last year when Danzon promised to marry me.

And finally! Tonight is our engagement. Hindi na tumigil ang isip ko sa pag-imagine sa mga mangyayari sa gabing iyon. Sobrang excited at saya ko. Sampung taon kong inalagaan ang pagmamahal ko kay Danzon. Childhood sweetheart ko siya, magkaibigan ang mga tatay namin who also arranged a married for two of us.

But my dad died before his wish became true. He won’t be able to witness me marrying the man he wants for me. My eyes filled with tears as sadness swallowed my heart.

“Ma’am, the car is ready,” Leo, my butler, said behind my room’s door.

“I’m coming,” I answered.

Kinuha ko ang aking silver shoulder bag sa mesita at isinukbit sa aking balikat. Isinuot ko na ang light blue three inches sandals at lumabas ng kuwarto. Naghihintay na sa akin si Leo sa lobby ng dalawang palapag na bahay.

Nang makalapit ako sa kan’ya ay iginiya niya ako palabas hanggang sa parking lot. Pinagbuksan pa niya ko ang p***o sa backseat at hinintay na makasakay. Pagkuwan ay sumakay na rin siya, umupo sa tabi ng driver.

Leo has served me since I was sixteen, and he’s one of my dad’s trusted people. Because I’m the only child, my father has always been protective of me. He spoiled me like a fragile princess. And even my future husband－he chose him for me, but I was thankful. He chose Danzon, the only man I want to marry.

Pagdating namin sa hotel kung saan ang venue ng engagement ay lalong kumabog ang aking dibdib. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang pinapahiwatig ng kabang nararamdaman ko. Iginiit ko na dahil lang iyon sa excitement.

Pero habang palapit ako sa ballroom ay lalong sumidhi ang kaba sa aking dibdib, na para bang may mangyayaring hindi maganda. But I didn’t mind; I kept walking until a woman in a maroon suit blocked my way. She greeted me with a wide smile.

“Ma’am, are you Alora Mendez?” tanong ng babae.

“Yes, I am,” nakangiti kong tugon.

“The reception of your engagement has changed. Please, follow me.”

Sumunod naman ako sa babae. Nakasunod din sa akin si Leo. At hindi ko na maintindihan ang aking nararamdaman. Mas lamang na ang kaba na parang may mali. Ang alam ko’y sa indoor garden reception nag-book si Danzon. Pero dinala ako ng babae sa malaking ballroom hall.

“Sigurado ka ba na dito ang venue ng engagement namin ni Danzon Richmoore, miss?” hindi natiis kong tanong sa babae.

“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Richmoore reserved this place.”

Nang makapasok kami sa malawak na ballroom, nilibot ko ng tingin ang paligid. Simple lang ang dikorasyon, maraming fresh roses na iba-ibang kulay. May red carpet sa gitna, magagarang chandelier sa kisame, at ang cocktail tables ay nababalot ng pulang sapin.

Huminto ang aking tingin sa lalaking nakasuot ng itim na suit na humahakbang palapit sa akin. Pamilyar ang kan’yang mukha. Sigurado ako na nakita ko na siya sa Richmoore mansion.

“You’re finally here, Ms. Mendez. Mr. Richmoore will be late, but we can start the party now,” sabi ng lalaki, bahagya pa itong yumuko bilang paggalang sa akin.

Kunot-noong tinitigan ko sa mukha ang lalaki. “P-Pero sabi ni Danzon sa chat ay nauna na siya sa hotel,” sabi ko na may pagtataka.

“Sorry, ma’am, Sir Danzon is not here. Nasa indoor garden reception siya for his own engagement party.”

Natigilan ako at iginiit na mali ang aking narinig. “B-But I’m Danzon’s fiancée,” giit ko nang ako’y mahimasmasan.

“Hindi po ba si Ms. Marga Mendez ang fiancée niya? Sila kasi ang nakita ko sa couple picture kanina sa labas ng reception.”

Ilang sandali kong inintindi ang ibig sabihin ng lalaki. Now, my heart pounded so danm hard! I was convinced that it wasn’t because of excitement; it was because something was off. The idea of Danzon and Marga holding an engagement party terrified me.

Without a word, I ran out of the ballroom and headed to the indoor garden reception.

Ngunit nang makapasok ako sa entrance ay tila napako ang aking mga paa sa sahig nang masaksihan ko sina Danzon at Marga na naghahalikan sa mini stage at pinapalakpakan ng mga tao.

I was stunned and couldn’t even utter a single word because there are no words that can explain what I felt at the moment. While my eyes were fixed on the couple passionately kissing each other, my heart burst with so much pain- pain that I’ve never felt before.

I felt my heart shatter into tiny pieces, and my tears ran out of my burning eyes. My nerves began shaking without proper direction. I was confused, but one thing I was sure of: I was fooled, betrayed.

Hindi ko namalayan na humahakbang na ang aking mga paa palapit sa stage. Natigil ang palakpak ng mga tao, nabaling sa akin ang kanilang atensiyon. At sa pagkakataong iyon ay tumigil ang halikan nina Danzon at Marga. They looked at me like I was an uninvited guest.

Marga wore the silver half-shoulder evening gown with a side slit. Her slender body fit into the dress, making her more stunning, and her mahogany brown straight hair fell to her shoulders. And Danzon wore a cream suit. His freshly clean-cut hair changed his aura, along with aftershaved jaw and chin.

I focused on their appearances to distract myself from the pain I couldn’t stop from tearing my heart apart. But it’s useless. Lalong nadurog ang puso ko nang makitang nakangiti pa si Danzon, na tila alam na nito ang mangyayari.

“W-What is the meaning of this, Danzon?” I finally asked in a trembling voice. Pain erupted in my words.

Danzon’s smile faded as he set his eyes on my face. He stepped down towards me. Akmang hahawakan niya ang aking kamay ngunit iniwaksi ko iyon.

“Don’t touch me! Magpaliwag ka!” asik ko sa kan’ya.

Bumuntonghininga siya. “I’m sorry. I tried to tell you the truth but you’re too happy to distract. You refused to talk about negative things so I didn’t bother you. But something changed. I’m not your fiance anymore. I chose Marga,” he explained.

But his words broke my heart completely. Bumagsak sa palad ko ang bigat ng aking emosyon at nasampal ko sa pisngi si Danzon. Lalong nanginig ang kalamnan ko sa galit.

“You betrayed me! You promised to marry me, and now you’re about to marry another woman- si Marga pa talaga na pinsan ko? Tell me the truth. How long have you two been cheating behind my back?” puno ng hinanakit kong palatak.

My vision blurred as tears covered both my eyes, but I remained furious.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Alora. Ilang taon ko ring pinag-isipan kung worth it bang pakasalan kita. But I realized you’re not the woman I need. I need someone who can help me with my company. Dad can’t help me anymore, and Marga’s company is perfect for me. She’s smart and good at business, too,” ani Danzon.

Lalo lamang akong nanaggalaiti. “Hindi ba kita natutulungan? I’m doing my best to contribute to your company’s success! Seriously, Danzon? Do you ever love me?”

Inusig ko na siya. Pero hindi ako sinagot ni Danzon. Lumapit na rin sa amin si Marga at siya ang sumagot sa aking tanong.

“Alora, love alone can’t keep a company alive. Danzon needs a partner who can help him survive all the business chaos. What can you do for him? You love him, just like that? Come on, accept the reality,” may pangugutyang ani Marga.

Nabaling ang titig ko kay Marga at napakuyom ako ng mga palad. Gustong-gusto ko na siyang sampalin pero alam kong gaganti siya. I need timing.

“So, alam mo ang plano ni Danzon, and you’re just watching me like a fool? Hindi ako naniniwala na dahil lang sa business kaya ikaw ang pinili ni Danzon! I noticed how you two talk behind my back. I just ignored it because I trust Danzon, but it seems I was wrong. The man I trusted the most is the one who betrayed me! And you, Marga, you’re my cousin. How dare you steal my man!”

Hindi na ako nakapagtimpi at nasampal ko sa pisngi si Marga. Pero gumanti siya kaagad, itinulak pa niya ako sa balikat kaya napaupo ako sa sahig. Napadaing ako sa sakit, pero mas masakit na makitang nakatitig lang sa akin si Danzon.

Certainly, he doesn’t care for me anymore, and that was the most painful fact.

Marga stepped closer to me and leaned in to see my face. “Can’t you see, Alora? Danzon never loved you. He just entertained you because he wants to get close to me. And you’re right, we’re secretly dating. Danzon's choice to marry me isn’t just about business. He just realized you’re useless to him. You can’t even save your father’s company, which is now on the verge of bankruptcy. You should thank him. He chose someone as his substitute to be your fiancé.”

Nanginig na ang aking buong katawan at gusto kong sugurin si Marga ngunit wala na akong lakas. Nanghihina ako dahil sa masakit na emosyon. Nagpumilit akong tumayo at sinampal ulit si Danzon sa pingi. Pero muli rin akong itinulak ni Marga.

Napaatras ako pero nanatiling nakatayo.

“How dare you ruin my engagement, Alora!” asik ni Marga.

“So, I am the one who is ruining your engagement? What about mine? You stole my fiancé!” nanggagalaiting singhal ko.

“You’re not aware because you’re busy pursuing your nonsense dream of being a singer! Inimbita ka namin ni Lolo sa family dinner last week, pero hindi ka sumipot, kaya huwag kang manisi kung wala kang alam! Your late father agreed to change the business partnership agreement with the Richmoore family, including your marriage to Danzon. Kaso biglang namatay ang daddy mo kaya si Danzon na ang nagdesisyon.”

Lalo lamang nanikip ang aking dibdib. Binalingan ko si Danzon na hindi ako matitigan sa mga mata. Mugto na ang mga mata ko dahil sa walang tigil na pagluha.

“You all betrayed me! Danzon, you promised me you would stay by my side forever. I love you, and I know you love me, too,” humihikbing giit ko.

Hindi pa rin umimik si Danzon, marahil ay dahil sa guilt. Si Marga ang muling humarap sa akin.

“Alora, my dear cousin, you should learn how the business world runs. You should realize that love doesn’t matter, and you need someone who can save a dying company. Maging practical ka. If you can’t afford to lose your father’s company, you should marry Draven. This is reality. Life should be balanced, including in relationships. Kung kayo ni Danzon ang magsasama, kawawa ang kompanya,” ani Marga sa mahinahon, ngunit may pang-iinsultong tinig.

Natigilan ako nang marinig ko ang pangalan ni Draven, ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Danzon na isang business tycoon.

“A-Anong sabi mo, Marga? Ano ang kinalaman dito ni Draven?” tanong ko sa nanginginig pa ring tinig.

Sa pagkakataong iyon ay nagsalita na si Danzon. “Draven is your fiancé now, Alora. He’s my substitute. Only he can help you save your father’s company. Dad set your engagement with Draven tonight, too,” anito.

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Never comes in my mind that Draven Richmoore will interfere in my life. He’s a cold-hearted man, ni never ko siyang nakausap nang personal.

“Y-You're lying! Sinasabi mo lang ‘yan para manahimik ako!” giit ko.

“I’m telling the truth.”

“No! I can’t accept this! Hindi ko kayo mapapatawad, Danzon!”

Muli kong sinugod si Danzon pero nagtawag na ng guwardiya si Marga at inutusang palabasin ako. May dalawang lalaking naka-suit ang lumapit sa akin, akmang hahawakan ako sa magkabilang balikat ngunit may lalaking sumigaw.

“Don’t touch her!”

Napalingon ang lahat sa likuran, sa lalaking sumigaw. Pumihit din ako sa likuran. Natigilan ako nang mapako ang aking titig sa lalaking matangkad, nakasuot ng custom black suit, clean cut ang buhok, maputi at makinis ang kutis.

His sharp eyes are set only on me. He looks dominant, and his clenching sharp jaws are visible. His thin, straight nose shines in the spotlight; his perfectly thin lips are naturally reddish, made even more attractive by his little cleft chin.

I couldn’t help but hold my breath for a second as I stared at his handsome face. The people split as he walked straight towards the stage, approaching us. The atmosphere suddenly changed.

“D-Draven….” I murmured without realizing it.