chapter 1

Third Person POV

SHE THREW herself into a black side-ruched knot body dress layered with a white trench coat. Hinayaan niyang nakalugay ang kanyang buhok and added a gold necklace as jewelry. Hindi siya palaging nagme-make up; natural lang ang kanyang mukha, at nilagyan niya ng konting lipstick ang labi niyang medyo may kapulahan na.

Just because they're gonna sell her off tonight doesn't mean she has to feel any less anyhow. She snickered, staring at herself in the mirror when she remembered what her Father said last morning.

Kumatok ang kasambahay hudyat na kailangan na nilang umalis. Alas singko pa lang, atat talaga ang mga ito na mawala siya sa litrato. Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga bago lumabas ng kwarto.

"Yazmin..." Her Father lurted out when he saw her descending the stairs.

On the living room couch, Darcy and her mother scoffed silently at Yazmin. But then, she just gave them a cold shoulder and turned to her father who is somehow staring at her in awe. "Y-You look just like your mom..."

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

She rolled her eyes at her. Kahit kailan, ang hilig nitong pumapel sa tuwing naiisip ni Daveon ang dating asawa nito. She's a great actress and a pretender kaya palaging nag-aaway ang mag-ama. He is blinded by her whims. Hindi makita ng ama ni Yazmin na pinakasalan lang siya nito dahil sa pera.

Daveon seated beside their driver.

Binuksan ni Mardly ang pintuan para sa kanya, at mauuna na sana siyang pumasok ngunit humarang si Darcy at naunang pumasok kaysa sa kanya. She glared at her. "Miss Darcy..." minuwestra ni Mardly ang second seat ng Fortuner.

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

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

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

Padabog itong lumipat sa kanyang likuran at ganoon din ang Ina nito.

Tahimik ang biyahe patungo sa MonteHotel. A staff informed them that the other family they're meeting is already in the top restaurant. Nasa huli siya. Magkatabing naglalakad si Daveon at Darlynn habang nakasunod naman si Darcy.

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

"Good evening. Montemayor reservations,"

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

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

Deep down, kinakabahan siya. Pero desidido na siya. Kasi kahit ayawan niya ang kasal na ito, gagawin parin ng Daddy niya ang lahat para mapa-Oo siya sa gusto nito. He loves his business so much to the point where her rights were invalidated.

"Mr. Montemayor," natutuwang bati ni Daveon sa isang makisig na lalaki kahit na may edad na ito.

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

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

"Hi, Darlynn," malamyos ang boses nito.

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

Darcy smirked at her.

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

Magaan ang pakikitungo nito sa kanya. She's not hostile like the greet she gave to her stepmother. Ngumiti siya kay Audriana at inabot ang kamay nitong nakalahad.

"You're so beautiful, hija," puri nito sa kanya.

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

Yazmin slightly nod her head. "Sir,"

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

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

“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 want to swim in a pool of money," halakhak ni Mrs. Montemayor.

Napangisi siya ng palihim. Someone behind her was struck by those words. 'Ma'am, I like you already, too,' She said inside her head

Tumikhim si 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," saad ng Daddy ni Yazmin.

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

Kumurap siya bigla. It was 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 niya iyon at umupo sa silya na iyon. On her right is a vacant seat, and on the right of the vacant seat is where Mr. Montemayor seated along with his wife. Sa kaliwa niya ay si ang Daddy niya, Darlynn at si Darcy.

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●To be continue