Chapter 6

CHAPTER #6

SIENNA POV

"Charity gala. Formal attire. Plus one mandatory."

That was the message. From Lolo. And guess who my plus one was?

I stared at my reflection. Champagne-colored silk. A soft slit on the side. Hair pulled up, with a few strands loose to soften my face. I looked… elegant. Like someone who belonged to Dorian’s world.

Even if I never really did.

Dumating siya sa pickup location not in his usual SUV, but in a sleek black car that probably costs more than my entire medical school tuition.

He stepped out in a tailored black suit. Clean. Crisp. Lethal.

Pagbukas niya ng pinto, nagkatitigan kami. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natigilan. Maybe it was the way he looked at me not with awe, not with charm…

Just attention.

"Okay ka lang?" tanong niya, casual.

Tumango ako. "Let's get this over with."

The ballroom was glowing in soft lights. Crystal chandeliers. Golden table settings. Photographers. Socialites. CEOs. Political names.

And us.

"Smile," he whispered habang pinipicturan kami sa red carpet entrance. "You're supposed to be in love with me, remember?"

"Give me a reason and I will," I muttered back.

Napahinto siya sa paglalakad, bahagyang natawa. "Not bad, Doc."

Akala ko ba hindi siya marunong tumawa. Nakakainis talaga. Bakit pa kasi ako pumasok sa ganito?

The event flowed. Wine glasses. Short speeches. Awkward introductions. People kept asking how we met, how long we’ve been together, and if "wedding bells" were near.

I lied through my smile.

"College friends turned late lovers," Dorian answered smoothly at one point, his hand brushing mine under the table. "They say the best kind of love takes time."

I nearly choked on my drink.

Later that night, habang nagsasayawan na ang karamihan, I excused myself and went to the balcony for air.

Mabigat ang pakiramdam ko. Not just from the heels. Or the fake answers. But from the truth I can’t say aloud.

That I was standing there, dressed in silk and pretending to be someone’s future…

When I already promised mine to someone who might never wake up.

"You okay?" His voice cut through the air like a soft chisel.

I didn't look at him right away. Just leaned against the railing. "I'm not built for this world."

He moved beside me. "Neither am I. I just play the part better."

Bumuo siya ng katahimikan.

Then he said something I didn’t expect.

"Earlier, when that woman asked if we were getting married…" He paused. "For a second, I forgot we were pretending. Pero tama naman, malapit na ang kasal natin. Pinabilis nila para wala ng takas."

Napalingon ako. Our eyes met.

There it was again that flicker.

Hindi niya ako hinawakan. Walang drama. But his voice was raw when he whispered,

"If things were different… would you have given me a real chance?"

Ang sakit ng tanong.

Because I didn't know the answer. At paano ba niya naisipang magtanong ng ganun.

Bad idea Mr. Valencia.

"I don’t fall for distractions," I said, quietly.

"But maybe," he said, "I'm not one."

"Know your limits. Mr. Valencia."

Tumango lang siya at ngumiti.

Nauna kaming umuwi, hinatid niya ako.

Wala ng thank you, bumaba ako at tinalikuran siya. Pagkapasok ko sa loob naghubad na ako.

Palagi na lang akong pagod dahil sa setwasyong 'to.

Morning.

I woke up to 42 messages.

Four from Lolo.

Twelve from my hospital group chat.

And one, from my best friend, just said.

"GIRL. ANO. TO. 😭💀"

[image attachment]

Napaupo ako sa kama.

My heart thudded as I opened the photo.

And there it was.

Me. In my champagne silk gown.

Dorian. In his tailored suit. Standing on the balcony. Leaned in. Foreheads nearly touching.

My eyes closed. His lips so close to mine.

It looked intimate. Romantic. Real.

But I remember that moment.

I was closing my eyes from exhaustion.

He leaned in to say something.

No kiss. No intent.

But the photo didn’t care about the truth.

It just… looked perfect.

"Sien."

Lolo’s voice over the phone was calm but firm.

"Sien, nag-viral ang photo n'yo ni Dorian. The press thinks you're engaged. Valencia Group just released a statement confirming you’re in a serious relationship."

"What?" Tumayo ako. "Wala tayong…! Lolo, fake lang ‘to, right? We agreed on limits…"

"Calm down. I know that. But the world doesn’t. And honestly, Sien, you two look…"

He sighed.

" …in love. Dapat lang dahil malapit na ang kasal niyo."

Gusto kung magtanong kung bakit ganun ka dali pero hindi ko na lang ginawa. Pinilit ko na lang manahimik. Inisip ko nalang 'yung sinabi ni Dorian. "Pinabilis nila para wala ng takas."

I stormed into the Valencia building that afternoon, half out of breath, heart pounding.

Pag-akyat ko sa executive floor, the receptionist looked up in awe. "Oh my gosh. Dra. Diaz… I saw the picture. You’re beautiful."

I forced a smile. "Where’s Dorian?"

"Boardroom. He’s with PR."

Syempre. Fixing the chaos he caused.

Pumasok ako nang hindi kumakatok.

"Miss. Diaz." He stood from the head of the table. Calm. Polished. Still Dorian.

"You told them we’re together?" I said, keeping my voice low, but sharp.

"I didn't tell them anything. But I didn't deny it either," sagot niya, steady. "Malapit ka ng maging asawa ko kaya dapat lang. You're future Mrs. Valencia, so?"

"Why?!"

"Because our grandfathers are already running with it. Our names are in tomorrow's print. The gala donors sent gifts. There’s a floral arrangement with a note that says 'To the future Valencias.' Kasi ganun naman talaga."

My jaw clenched.

"This isn't what we agreed on."

"No, it's not," he admitted. "But this isn't just about us anymore. This is a show now and we either play the leads, or get crushed by the script. Pumayag na tayo kaya hindi na ‘yon mababawi."

Napaluhod ako sa upuan. Bakit hindi ko ‘yon naisip agad? Pumunta pa ako rito? Hindi ako nag iisip.

All this… for a lie?

But the worst part wasn't the media. It was the voice in my head asking: Why did it look so real?

And why, deep down… did it feel a little bit real, too?

Later that night, habang nasa ER ako, isa sa mga nurse approached me.

"Dok, may flowers po kayo."

I blinked. "From who?"

"Wala pong sender name. Pero may note."

Kinuha ko ang card. Bukas.

"If we're going to be watched anyway, might as well enjoy the view." -D.

Napatingin ako sa hallway.

He wasn't there. But his shadow was everywhere.

Kailangan ko ng masanay siguro sa kanya. Malapit na ang kasal and… I didn't imagine kung anong mangyayari. Magiging asawa ko na talaga siya.