Kabanata 2

Chapter 2

I know that everything will change after that day. Pinaghandaan ko na iyon, at ang kaba na baka hindi sumipot si Markus sa nakatakdang pamamanhikan ang nangingibabaw sa isip ko. Ilang araw na magmula ng araw na iyon at hindi na muling nagpakita si Markus.

I just know that Tito Jordan sent him a message regarding this family affair, but we've got nothing for a response.

"He will come, iha. Markus considers you as his friend. Hindi ka nya ipapahiya sa harap ng pamilya namin at pamilya mo," Tita Mel said. Markus' mother.

I smiled to hide the nervousness that I think is too obvious to be noticed by all the people around me. "Ayos lang ako, Tita. No need to worry about me..." wika ko naman upang mapanatag ito.

Tita Mel lifted her hand and put those messy hair of mine behind my ears. "Simula bata magkasama na kayo ni Markus, kaya naman kampante kami na ikaw ang makasama nya sa mahabang panahon, Elizabeth. I know that he loves you, and you two will be happy," Tita added, that instead of making me feel calm, I became more afraid and guilt started creeping me out.

Magiging masaya ba talaga kami? Knowing na napilitan lang naman si Markus sa kasalang ito.

I am not even sure if he will come tonight to formally seal the engagement between the two of us.

If ever...he will not come. I cannot imagine how those articles having me as the cover, and captioned me as "The Unwanted Bride", "The fiance who got ditched on her own engagement party", and "The downfall of the prestigious family: Aragon" will make me feel.

Napalunok ako bago naisipang magpaalam sa mga taong kasama namin ni Tita Mel. People who we know, mostly from influential families and some journalists are already around. I can sense them looking at us, as if observing our every actions. Hindi naman iyon nakaka-panibago since my family is the center of controversy right now.

Kuya Rob was put in jail last week because he was caught taking illegal substances inside a hotel, together with his friends. We, his own family didn't even know that he was doing that stupid thing too. Nagulat na lang kami ng makita ang pangalan nito sa TV. And of course, after the news, questions and accusations we're given to us. Some of them accused as without even having a valid proofs.

Investments in our company started to lower down. Halos iniwan na rin kami ng mga taong noon ay kasangga namin—only the Perez—Markus' family stayed with us. It was because they knew our family since then. They knew that we aren't like that.

I breathed deeply as I took a glass of champagne from the roaming waiter. I drank it bottoms up. Wala akong pakialam kung makita man ako ng mga reporters or makuhanan man nila ako ng litrato, as for me, there's nothing wrong from drinking a glass of champagne in this kind of party. Bahala na silang gumawa na naman ng issue.

After drinking the champagne, I left the glass on an empty table before I walked out of the mansion to go straight at the garden. I saw on a bench and rest on its back. I looked up at the dark sky before releasing a sad smile.

There is no star. The clouds are dark, and there isn't a large amount of noise. I felt the corner of my eyes teared up.

"Why is this happening, anyway?" I questioned, as if I am with someone. "Why do I have to risk our friendship? Why do I need to do this?" I added before a tear finally fall down. Napayuko ako at agad iyong pinunasan. I am wearing a mascara, I shouldn't cry to preserve my make up or else, it'll be ruined and I will look like a monster in front of the people.

I was arranging my self when a sudden noise started happening from inside the mansion. Napakunot-noo ako bago tuluyang tumayo at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik sa loob, to know the reason why everyone seemed tensed.

"Mr. Perez, you came!"

I heard a guest said that familiar surname which made me paused from walking. Napalunok ako. Mr. Perez? Is it...him?

Obviously! Siya lang naman ang isa sa mga Perez na hinihintay namin. Tito Jordan is already here from the start!

"Of course, I will. I cannot let my fiancé wait for so long..." That voice. It was from Markus! "Where is she anyway?" He asked, as if he's trying to search for me. Imbes na magpatuloy sa paglalakad ay nanatili akong nakatulos sa aking kinatatayuan. Hindi ko maintindihan.

I should be happy because Markus is now here and I'm not going to be embarrassed in front of a lot of people. But then...why do I feel like I cannot face him right now? I cannot face him and see that he's just using a mask in front of those people. Kilala ko si Markus, at alam ko kung paano sya magpanggap.

It was convincing, but it cannot be hidden from me.

"Mr. Perez, what can you say about your soon to be fiancé's family? What can you say about the allegations that we're accused to them?" One of those journalist asked.

My heart pounded in too much rage. Those scum journalists! They really don't stop themselves from asking, even if they are here in our engagement party!

"My fiance's family isn't involved to that case. Kuya Robert solely done that, and he should be punished for it, yes, but his family is way out of it. That's his own problem to solve, and his family shouldn't suffer." I hear Markus reasoned. My heart felt soft all of a sudden after hearing him save my family from embarrassment and for a deeper allegations.

I smiled secretly. Markus is really a good person. Kaya naman mas lalo akong nakakaramdam ng guilt na itali sya sakin. Kasi kung ako lang ang masusunod, I won't do this. I won't let him suffer with me forever. I will let him be with Kate and be happy.

"Here's Ms. Aragon!" I suddenly lifted my gaze upon hearing someone in front of me called my surname. Narinig iyon ng mga tao sa paligid, kasama na ang mga nakapalibot kay Markus.

Napatitig ako sa mukha ni Markus. He was smiling. "Hey, Eliza. Mind to come here with me?" He asked softly. I gulped. Markus was smiling but I can see nothing in his eyes. It lacks emotion. Proof that he's really just using a mask.

Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng kamay ko. Hindi ko malaman kung dapat ko nga ba syang lapitan. I can't even think if I can stand beside him right now. Pakiramdam ko hindi ko kakayanin.

A sudden touch on my shoulder woke me up. Nilingon ko ang taong iyon at nabungaran ko naman si Tita Mel na nakangiti sa akin. "I told you he will come. Sige na, lapitan mo na si Markus." She said softly and too casually.

Nagpakawala naman ako ng tipid na ngiti bago tumango at tuluyang humakbang palapit kay Markus. He even lifted his hand as if he's gesturing me to walk faster and be with him. I should be thankful right now because he's eventually making a show. He's trying to manipulate everyone to believe that we are a thing. That this isn't hard for us. That we aren't forced to be together.

"Hey..." I greeted upon arriving beside him. Markus just nodded at me with a smile plastered in his face.

"I'm sorry I came late...I searched for a beautiful gift that suits you," He said. I tried my best to act alright.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Markus grinned before taking something from his suit's pocket. He took a velvet box and immediately opened it. I can feel the anticipation from the persons around us, they are all waiting for him to reveal what that box has.

Markus opened it, then he lifted his gaze at me. "For you...will you marry me?" Markus suddenly asked after showing me a ring made of diamond crystals. "I searched for it because I know that this suits you better..." Dagdag pa niyang wika.

I don't know. I should be feeling happy because Markus is playing along with us—with the plan to fool the people around us about this engagement. Pero hindi ganoon ang nararamdaman ko. Instead, I feel pain. Pained by his fake actions and words.

"New ring? What about the family heirloom?" One of the guest asked after hearing about Markus' newly bought ring. According to their family tradition, a man of their family should use their family heirloom—which is a ring—whenever they proposes to the love of their life.

Tito Jordan used the ring when he asked for Tita Mel's hand. Its a proof that the man solely wants the woman he is proposing to.

Markus smiled in front of the guests and journalist in front of us. "I already told you, the ring doesn't suit my fiance's attitude. A diamond ring is the one perfect for Eliza." He reasoned out before putting his gaze back at me. It still remains the same. Emotionless. "As for the family heirloom, maybe I can give it at the right time..." He said vaguely.

I looked down as I felt my chest tightened after his words. Right time, huh? Or maybe...it should be for the right person?

"So, will you accept my proposal?" I heard Markus asked that made me look up to him. He was staring at me, same with all the people around us, anticipation is written in their faces.

He's really good in this. He really can play well.

Fine. I forced myself to let out a smile before nodding. "Of course I will." I answered, followed by a sudden tears.

Everyone cheered—even those journalists. Some captured a photo of us. Everyone seemed happy and joyful because of my answer. I even saw my parents hugging each other after hearing me said those words.

But then, while everyone is happy for us, they didn't know that my tears isn't because I am happy. This tears that continued to flow from my cheeks is a tears of pain. A pain of being trapped into this set-up, and formally ending the friendship we built since then.

And the reality that Markus will never treat me the same, ever again.