CHAPTER 3

Althea's POV

Morning in the province arrived quietly, like the sun didn’t want to disturb anyone. The house was already awake when I stepped out of the room—pots clinking in the kitchen, soft voices, and the smell of brewed coffee and fried garlic drifting through the hallway.

“Good morning,” I said, forcing brightness into my voice.

Daniel’s mother turned from the stove. “Ay, Althea! Come, eat. You’ll need energy today.”

Daniel walked in behind me, hair still damp, looking too awake for someone who claimed he barely slept. “We’ll go to the municipal hall after breakfast,” he said. “We just need to process a few things.”

I sat at the table, fingers automatically brushing the ring on my hand. “You mean the wedding papers? ”

“Yeah,” he said, casually. “Just signatures, IDs, and requirements. Easy.”

Across the table, Gia appeared like she had been there the whole time. She leaned her hip against the doorway, sipping coffee. “Municipal hall? ” she echoed. “Wow. Busy bride.”

Daniel’s mother chuckled. “Of course busy. The wedding is coming.”

Gia’s eyes flicked to my ring. “When is it, by the way? ” she asked, too sweet. “You haven’t told me.”

Daniel answered before I could. “Soon.”

Gia tilted her head. “Soon is when? ”

Daniel shot her a look—half warning, half amusement. “Later we’ll decide.”

“Ah,” Gia said, smiling wider. “So even the bride doesn’t know? ”

I kept my smile steady. “We’re finalizing it today.”

“Good,” she said lightly, then looked at Daniel. “Dan, don’t stress her too much. She might leave you.”

Daniel laughed. “She won’t.”

After breakfast, we left for the municipal hall. Daniel held my hand the whole ride, warm and steady, as if he could keep me calm by force. Outside the tricycle, the town looked peaceful in daylight—small stores opening, people greeting each other, and roosters crowing like they owned the roads.

When we arrived, the municipal hall was louder than I expected. Voices echoed on tiled floors. Papers shuffled. Fans whirred overhead like tired insects.

A clerk at the front desk looked up. “Yes? ”

Daniel smiled. “Good morning, Ma’am. We’re here for marriage requirements.”

The clerk’s eyes dropped to my hand. “Ah. Congratulations. Names? ”

“Daniel—” he started.

I spoke quickly. “Althea Balmes.”

The clerk wrote it down. “IDs? ”

The clerk flipped through forms. “Birth certificates? CENOMAR? Barangay certificate? ”

Daniel slid a folder forward. “We have them.”

The clerk nodded, impressed. “Prepared, huh? ” She tapped a pen against the table. “You’ll need to fill out these forms. Sign here, here, and here.”

I picked up the pen. My hand hesitated just a second before I forced it steady. 

The clerk glanced between us. “You’re both of legal age. Any previous marriages? ”

“No,” Daniel said quickly.

“No,” I echoed.

As we moved to the next window, Daniel exhaled like he’d been holding his breath. “This is going faster than I expected.”

“It is,” I said carefully. “Is there a reason we’re rushing? ”

Daniel frowned like the question surprised him. “Rushing? We’re not rushing.”

I stared at him. “Dan… you proposed yesterday. We arrived last night. Now we’re processing everything today.”

He lowered his voice. “Althea, I just want it done. A civil wedding is safer. Stronger. And—” He paused, then softened his tone. “I want you to be mine already.”

The words should have made me blush.

Instead, they made my stomach tighten.

Daniel squeezed my hand. “Our life starts once we’re married. That’s all.”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice sang behind us. “There you are! ”

Gia.

I turned and saw her walking toward us inside the hall, wearing a bright smile like she belonged here too.

“What are you doing here? ” Daniel asked, surprised.

Gia shrugged. “My aunt asked me to pay some fees. Then I heard you were here.” She leaned closer to me, grinning. “So, Bride. Did you sign your life away already? ”

Daniel sighed. “Gia—”

“I’m joking,” she said, laughing. Then her eyes slid to Daniel. “Or am I? ”

I forced a polite smile. “Just paperwork.”

Gia hummed. “Paperwork is dangerous. One wrong signature and you don’t even know what you agreed to.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened. “Stop scaring her.”

Gia lifted both hands. “Okay, okay. Relax. I’m just saying—make sure he’s worth it.”

Her tone was playful, but her eyes weren’t.

Daniel stepped closer to me. “Ignore her,” he muttered. “She likes to talk.”

We finished the last steps before noon. When the clerk told us to return in the afternoon for scheduling, Daniel looked satisfied—almost relieved.

On the ride back, he kept talking like everything was perfect. “After lunch, we decide the date. Then we’ll buy what we need. Simple.”

“Simple,” I echoed.

Daniel smiled. “You keep repeating my words.”

“I’m trying to believe them,” I said before I could stop myself.

Daniel blinked. “What? ”

I looked away quickly. “Nothing. Just… nervous.”

He kissed my forehead like he could erase my nerves with one touch. “Don’t be. I’ve got you.”

In the afternoon, we returned to the hall. The same clerk handed us a calendar and a pen. “Available schedule for civil wedding,” she said. “You may choose.”

Daniel didn’t even let me read. He pointed immediately. “Day after tomorrow.”

I looked at him sharply. “That soon? ”

The clerk raised her brows. “That’s quick.”

Daniel smiled like it was nothing. “We’re ready.”

I swallowed. “Dan, we—”

He squeezed my hand harder, cutting me off without words. Then he said softly, “Althea, please. Let’s just do it.”

The clerk waited, pen poised, watching me like she could sense hesitation.

My heart beat too loudly in my ears.

The day after tomorrow.

Two days.

Not enough time to breathe. Not enough time to think. Not enough time to tell the truth.

But Daniel’s eyes were on me—hopeful, firm, expectant—like love was something that could be scheduled and stamped and finished.

I forced my voice steady. “Okay,” I said.

The clerk wrote it down. “Day after tomorrow,” she confirmed. “You will come early. Bring witnesses. Proper attire, kahit simple lang.”

Daniel exhaled in relief, smiling like he’d won something. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

Daniel wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Two days,” he said happily. “Can you believe it? You’ll be my wife.”

I looked at the ring on my finger, glittering under the afternoon light.

Two days.

And I still hadn’t decided whether I was walking toward forever…

or walking into a trap.