CHAPTER 1

● Yazmin

I THREW myself into a black side-ruched knot body dress layered with a white trench coat. I kept my hair untied and added a gold necklace as jewelry. Hindi ako palaging nagme-make up, natural lang ang aking mukha at nilagyan ko ng konting lipstick.

Just because they're gonna sell me off tonight doesn't mean I have to feel less anyhow. I snickered, staring at myself in the mirror when I remembered what Dad said last morning.

Kumatok ang kasambahay hudyat na kailangan na naming umalis. Alas singko pa lang, atat talaga silang mawala ako sa litrato. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago lumabas ng kwarto.

"Yazmin..." Dad blurted out when he saw me descending the stairs.

On the living room couch, Darcy and her mother scoffed silently at me. I gave them a cold shoulder and turned to my father who is somehow staring at me in awe. "Y-You look just like her..."

"Daveon, let's go." agad na singit ni Tita Darlynn.

I rolled my eyes at her. Kahit kailan, ang hilig niyang pumapel sa tuwing naiisip ni Daddy si Mommy. She's a great actress and a pretender kaya palaging nag-aaway kami ni Daddy. He is blinded by her whims. He couldn't see she is just marrying him for this money.

Dad seated beside our driver.

Binuksan ni Mardly ang pintuan para sa akin at mauuna na sanang pumasok si Darcy ngunit humarang ako at naunang pumasok. She glared at me. "Miss Darcy..." minuwestra ni Mardly ang second seat ng Fortuner.

Suminghap siya. "No. I don't want to sit there."

"Ayaw ni Miss Yazmin na may katabi sa inuupuan niya." pormal na tugon ni Mardly.

Nakasuot ako ng sunglasses kaya hindi halata na nakatingin ako ng pagilid sa reaksyon ni Darcy. She is fuming mad but her mother whispered something into her ear.

Padabog siyang umupo sa aking likuran at ganoon din ang Ina niya.

Tahimik ang biyahe patungo sa MonteHolet. A staff informed us that the other family we're meeting is already in the top restaurant. Nasa huli ako. Magkatabing naglalakad si Daddy at Tita Darlynn at kasunod naman si Darcy.

"Good evening, Architect..." a uniformed waiter greeted.

"Good evening. Montemayor reservations,"

"Yes, Sir. This way please..." anito. "Mr. Elias Montemayor booked the whole place,"

Malawak ang restaurant na pinasukan namin. Tatlong staff lang ang nakita ko sa loob na tahimik na ginagawa ang trabaho nila.

Deep down, kinakabahan ako. Pero desidido na ako. Kasi kahit aayawan ko ang kasal na ito, gagawin ni Dad ang lahat para mapa-Oo ako sa gusto niyang ito. He loves his business so much to the point where my rights was invalidated.

"Mr. Montemayor," natutuwang bati ni Daddy.

Tumayo ang lalaking tinawag niya. He is around the same age as Dad and they shook their hands. With him, standing beside, is a gorgeous and formal woman which I conclude that it's his wife. "Audriana," bati ni Tita Darlynn.

The woman smiled but I can sense that she is not fully friendly with Tita Darlynn.

"Hi, Darlynn," malamyos ang boses nito.

"Oh, this is Yazmin Paige Kortez," Tita Darlynn proudly pushed me.

Darcy smirked at me.

"Hi, hija. I am Audriana Montemayor," she smiled and offered a big smile at me.

Magaan ang pakikitungo niya sa akin. She's not hostile like the greet she gave to my stepmother. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at inabot ang kamay niyang nilahad.

"You're so beautiful, hija." puri niya.

"Yazmin," si Mr. Montemayor. "I'm Elias Montemayor,"

I slightly nod my head. "Sir,"

He smiled and Mrs. Montemayor whispered something to her husband.

Napansin ko ang agad na paglagay ni Mr. Montemayor sa kamay sa baywang ng asawa. I smiled at them politely when they both smiled at me after their little whispering.

Dad had the audacity to chuckle. "Seems like you both already liked my daughter."

"Oh, Daveon. Who wouldn't like Jasmine's daughter? She's smart, prim and brave. Not like other girls out there who wants to swim in pool of money." halakhak ni Mrs. Montemayor.

Napangisi ako ng palihim. Someone behind me was struck by those words. ‘Ma'am. I like you already, too.’ I said in inside of my head

Tumikhim si Tita Darlynn. "We raised Yazmin to be a good wife, Audriana. We're proud of her."

"I'm sure," makahulugang sabi ni Mrs. Montemayor. "Let's continue our conversation at the table, shall we?" singgit ni Mr. Montemayor.

"Right," said Dad.

"Our son will be here. Sinusundo pa ng panganay namin," pahayag ni Mrs. Montemayor. "Yazmin, hija, please seat here."

Kumurap ako bigla. This is a ten seater square table. Three on both sides and two seats on each front.

Tinuro ni Mrs. Montemayor ang upuan na nasa dulo. Ginawa ko iyon at umupo sa silya na iyon. On my right is a vacant seat and on the right of the vacant seat is where Mr. Montemayor Seated along with his wife. Sa kaliwa ko ay si Daddy, Tita Darlynn at Darcy.

◇◇◇◇◇

●To be continue