Chapter 2: Wedding Preparations

Anna sat in Nora Guevarra’s art studio. Nora, multiple pens in front of her, was showing her a couple of sketches of wedding dresses.

“What do you think, Anna?" Nora asked her excitedly.

"Those are all great sketches, Nora. They're really lovely,” Anna answered, flipping through the pages.

She stopped at a sketch of a princess-style wedding gown. The dress started with a fitted bodice, and flared from the waist down into a full, dramatic skirt. The ball gown silhouette of the dress was simply captivating.

Nora's eyes lit up when she saw Anna's expression on seeing the dress.

“I really do admire your taste, Anna.”

"Do you think this would look great on me?” Anna asked, longingly.

"Everything would look great on you, honestly. But this one would look enchanting on you!”

Anna smiled sweetly at Nora. She had always been close with Dalton's younger sister. Nora adored her ever since they were kids, and Anna loved her like a true sister.

“Let’s start with the modifications right now so we can send the design to the dress makers!” Nora laid down the materials enthusiastically.

Anna took a pencil to help Nora with the design. She always admired Nora's creativity, but she also wanted to take part in the making of her wedding dress.

After a few hours, they heard a knock on Nora's studio. The door opened and Dianne Guevarra walked in.

“Mom!" Nora greeted.

“Hello my darlings! I know you said that you wanted to do some work, but I was just so excited!"

She walked over to Anna, showing her pictures of different houses.

“Anna, my dear, which of these houses do you like the most?"

Anna scrolled through the pictures. Modern, luxurious houses appeared one by one.

“They're all lovely, Mrs. Guevarra! I don't think I can decide which to pick. I guess I'll just have to rely on your impeccable taste!”

Dianne smiled lovingly at Anna.

"Oh, I'm excited for the day when you finally call me ‘mom’!”

“A week later, and we'll finally be sisters!" Nora added.

Anna smiled gratefully at them. It would be nice to finally have a mom and a sister. But she can't help but feel a pang in her heart knowing what this means for Dalton.

Dianne was admiring the sketch of the wedding dress when Anna's phone rang.

She excused herself before stepping into another room.

She took a glance at the screen. It was Dalton.

She took a deep breath before answering the phone and pressing it to her right ear.

“Yes, Dalton?" she started.

At the other end of the line, Dalton let out a sigh of relief.

“I thought you weren't going to pick up again." There was sadness in his voice.

Anna cleared her throat. “I'm sorry, I was…busy.”

Dalton was silent for a moment.

“Anna," he said. “I think you know why I called you.

"I know you think we have to get through with this engagement, but we do have a choice. We can say no, both of us.”

"Dalton, even if I can, I won't.”

"Why?” Dalton's voice started to break.

Anna was sure that he was trying so hard to control his emotions.

"I don't think you're that cruel, Anna."

“Why won't you marry me?" Anna shot at him.

Dalton took a deep breath before answering.

“Because of Lara."

"Lara?” Anna repeated in shock.

"Yes,” Dalton answered.

"What has Lara got to do with this?”

"What do you think, Anna?"

"Are you…” Anna stammered. "Are you in love with Lara?”

"I am.”

Anna's lips moved, but no words came out. Her head started to spin. All this time, Dalton was rejecting her for a girl? He was in love with someone else?

Anna didn't even know he liked someone. She didn't know that such a girl existed.

Her mind raced back to the time she first heard of the name, Lara. They had been hanging out in one of their villas as usual when Dalton brought up a girl's name.

Anna had whipped her head in his direction. He was leaning on the balcony, enjoying the view. While Anna was busy stacking up strawberries on her gelato.

"Huh?" She popped a strawberry in her mouth.

Dalton chuckled. "I said, that Lara girl just looks extra beautiful."

"Who? Is she here?" She creased her forehead. She knows that not everyone is allowed near their villa.

"She isn't here," Dalton faced her. "She's a popular girl in my university. She's really beautiful."

"Huh," Anna had said. "This is the first time I'm hearing you have eyes."

Anna didn't pay much attention to that since she really wasn't quite familiar with the girl.

She and Dalton attended different universities. Dalton's university focused on business, while her university focused on law.

She's not quite acquainted with the students at Dalton's university, unless they were guys who were interested in her. Dalton would shoo them away, though.

"They're terrible choices, really," he would tell her.

She didn't mind. She wasn't interested in them anyway. Although, she was grateful that Dalton was looking out for her.

“Anna,” Dalton's voice sounded through the phone. "If we continue with this, we would be making the greatest mistake of our lives.”

“No, Dalton," Anna stammered. “You don't understand."

“You're right," Dalton almost shouted, his patience wearing thin. “I don't. I really don't understand why you'd be this heartless. You know how much I value marriage. It's not just any game for me.

“If I do have to marry, it would be with the girl I love with all my heart. Otherwise, I would just be fooling myself!”

“I'm sorry," Anna mumbled before ending the phone call.

Anna dropped down on the nearest chair.

Would this really be the greatest mistake of their lives? Can they still call the whole thing off?

No, Anna thought. It had already been broadcast to the entire city. Half the wedding plans had already been done. They can't back out now.

But Dalton's confession that he loves Lara made Anna doubt herself. Would it really be too late to call off the wedding now?

It won't be impossible, anyway, Anna thought. Maybe there's still some time to make things right, after all.

She got up, dialling a number on her phone.