Mistaken Wedding

Chapter 1

Courtney's POV

Yawn

I can't help but yawn, I even scratched my neck while I yawn my heart out. My Mom immediately looked at me with a disbelief expression. I fight the urge to not laugh. Para syang nakakita nang hindi kanais-nais na bagay.

My Mom always looks at me like I'm such a disgrace to our family. But I'm just gonna laugh at her. I know she loves me so much.

“Courtney where are your manners?” bulong sakin ni Mommy. Hindi ko man lang kasi tinakpan ang bibig ko, I should be a women with poise but this meeting is making me bored.

I looked at her. Pumantay ako sa mukha nya, para kaming nag tatago sakanila. Napailing-iling nalang ako dahil gusto nya talagang walang masabi sakin ang mga tao sa paligid ko. She's always the protective one. Lahat nang hindi kanais-nais kong galaw ay tinatama nya.

“This is boring.” I honestly said to her.

We're in a restaurant having a dinner with their business buddies or whatever. Wala akong maintindihan sa sinasabi nila kaya nanatili akong walang imik. Nakahalumbaba ako at patingin-tingin sa ibang direksiyon. I looked anywhere except to them. Tumingin ako sa nag va-violin, may tumutugtog kasi dito sa restaurant, sakanila ko nalang tinuon ang atensyon ko.

Sumimangot ako.

I want to go to the mall, I have fifty bags in my walk in closet. I still need to buy more. Oh and also some pair of shoes, heels, doll shoes, sneakers, sandals and more. I can't wait for this meeting to be over. Should I buy jewelries too?

“Just eat.” sabi ni Mommy habang nag iimagine ako ng mga bibilhin ko. Agad na syang bumalik sa pakikipag usap, pinabayaan nya nako mag muni-muni. Si Daddy naman mukang nakalimutan na nandito pako dahil buong atensyon nya ay nasa pag didiscuss ng business nila.

My family owns three luxurious hotels here in Manila, four sa U.S at dalawa sa Italy. My Dad's a billionaire. I owned one of our hotels with my name on it, I also do modeling. I don't want to brag but I have a very sexy body. I'm doing it for exposure, I kinda preferred baking over modeling but with my parents around I can't do what I want.

My career is being controlled by my parents, but they can't control the whole me. I will still act according to what I'm feeling.

“Your hotels in U.S are doing great, the foreigners love the views located at the beach an–” blah blah blah business here, business there, business everywhere.

Kumain nalang ako ng cheesecake na nasa lamesa ko, dapat ngayon ubos nato, wala lang akong masyadong gana.

And I can make cheesecake more delicious than this. Geez! Who made this anyway? But well it's still good.

“It's getting hot here today in the city, how about having an event, people like to swim these days–”

I want to go somewhere else to kill the time, but I have to wait for them to finish. Tsk! Buti nalang masarap ang mga pagkain sa harapan ko, kundi baka naka tulog nako dito sa pag ka-boring. Inubos ko ang cheesecake at nilantakan ang iba pang pagkain.

Si Mommy ay pasimple akong sinisiko dahil ang ingay ko kumain, like I said I will do what I want, buti nalang busy ang business partners ni Dad. They won't notice me munching some foods in my mouth.

“Yes that's a good idea we can also add–” I looked again in a different direction, kain at muni-muni yun lang ang ginawa ko.

Pagtapos ko kumain ay nag scroll-scroll muna ako sa social media ko, hindi pa din sila tapos.

Naisipan kong mag take din ng mga selfies at in-update, wala pang minutes ay dumanak na ang mga reactors ko. May mga nag comment din na ang ganda ko, they complement and envy me. I liked the attention coming from my social media.

Well totoo naman, I'm pretty. Pangiti-ngiti ako sa mga comments. I reacted the comments that I liked.

I also checked my Instab and Tweerer. I have 1.977.000 followers on Acbook, 1.596.000 on Instab and 1.674.000 on Tweerer. I'm like a celebrity. Madaming nakakakilala sakin.

I giggled a little, but I didn't let them notice me.

“That will be all I guess, thank you Mr and Mrs. Cameron.” Nagulat ako nang mag sitayuan sila. Agad kong binaba ang iPhone ko.

Tapos na? Hindi ko namalayan.

Nakipag shake hands sila Daddy, nakipag shake hands din sila sakin at nag thank you, kahit wala naman akong naitulong sa discussion nila. I only act like I'm listening and interested but the truth is, I don't.

Lumabas na kami. Na stretch ko ang dalawang braso ko dahil sa ngalay, parang kakabangon ko lang sa mahimbing na tulog.

Now I have to pick a mall to buy what I want.

“Did you enjoyed the dinner sweetie?” Mommy asked with a gentle tone. I almost rolled my eyes.

“Of course, not.” I said frowning.

Bumuntong hininga sila. Nasanay nalang ang mga magulang ko sa gantong ugali ko.

“It was totally boring.” I said once again. If it was a normal dinner without business I would gladly enjoy it, but it was not.

Napa-iling sila sakin. They know me, it's obvious that I'm telling the truth.

“You should have listen to our discussion Courtney, you'll be needing their knowledge of how to handle business.” baritonong sabi ni Daddy.

He's intimidating as always. Sakanya ako mas takot kesa kay Mommy, may Mom is more gentle speaking than my Dad.

“But I don't know anything about business, just wait for Leslie to grow up she'll handle your business.” Leslie is my little sister, she's 13 years old. She's on her advance study now, she's another heirs of our family after all. She needs to learn fast.

I don't want to handle their business, I don't even know anything about it. Baking is what I want, I like to tell them that but I know they wont let me bake. Lumakad nako sa sarili kong kotse.

“Courtney you're the heirs of Evos Clan. you should know your responsibi–” I cut what Mom was about to say.

Yes. Evos corporation. When the day comes, all Dads headaches will pass to me.

Just kidding.

“Okay-okay, whatever I'll think about it.” humalik ako sa pisngi nila at sumakay na sa kotse ko.

Hindi kona hinintay pang mag salita sila. Alam ko na ang balak nilang sabihin, sesermonan na naman nila ako.

“Bye Mommy, bye Daddy.” I said sweetly.

May sarili silang kotse at driver kaya nauna nakong umalis. Hindi kona sila kailangan alalahanin. Malaki na sila.

I started my car and drove away.

Kriiinngg kriiinngg

I heard something ringing, I took out my iPhone and answered it without looking who it is.

[Courtney!] My Bestfriend shouted on the other line.

“What the f**k? Don't shout Whitney.” I said irritated.

Whitney Melena Ortega, my one and only Bestfriend.

When I say bestfriend, means she really is the best.

Nailayo ko nang bahagya ang phone ko dahil sa sigaw nya, sumakit ang tenga ko dun ah. Itinigil ko muna ang kotse ko sa tabi at baka kasi mabangga pako.

[It's an emergency.] She said in a calm voice.

Halos mapatigil ako sa pag mamaneho. Imbis na itatabi ko ang kotse ko napatigil pako mismo sa daan. Buti na walang nakasunod na kotse sa likod ko dahil baka mag-banggaan pa kami.

“What? Is someone in a hospital or something?” I asked and tried to focus on driving.

Nag hanap muna ako kung saan ko pwede itabi ang kotse ko.

Found one.

Itinabi kona ang kotse ko at tinuon ang buong atensyon kay Whitney.

[Hahaha No, but you know my Brother is getting married today right?] Kumunot ang noo ko. Yeah, I know that.

“And so? How is that an emergency?” I rolled my eyes. Nakakatawa talaga sya minsan.

Ikakasal na ang kuya nya ngayon, invited ako pero dahil sa dinner hindi ako naka punta. I don't want to go there looking like this, naka dress lang ako. My dress is so plain, formal dinner kasi. Hindi ako makakapag ayos agad, kung mag aayos ako baka tapos na ang kasal.

[You know he don't like the girl, I'm still in the airport it will take an hour for me to come back. That's why I want you to stop the wedding. I will text you the location of the church.] Medyo napatigil ako sa sinabi ng gaga kong kaibigan. Am I hearing this right? She wants me to stop two people exchanging vows infront of the lord.

I can't do that, can I?

“Are you high?” gulat kong sabi. Madrama pakong napa hawak sa dibdib ko.

“You want me to stop your Brother's wedding?” nakataas ang kilay ko, even know she's not infront of me.

Nakakaloka gusto nya akong pagawan nang eksena sa simbahan, that would be so embarrassing. Kilala ako ng mga tao dun.

[Relax Courtney my parents don't like the girl anyway, saka malaking utang na loob samin ang gagawin mo. Biro mo nag panggap lang pala syang buntis para makasal lang sa kuya ko. How dare she lied to us?] may halong panggigigil ang tono nya.

So the girl just pretended that she's pregnant?

“What? Where did you get that info?” gulat kong tanong.

[I hired someone to follow her and the f**k? She's at the bar with her b***h friends saying she pretended that she's pregnant to get my brother. It turns out wala naman talagang nangyari sakanila, my brother was just drunk that time. So please stop the wedding, I texted and tried to call Mom and Dad but they're not answering.] she frustratedly said.

That girl is so desperate.

Pretending she's pregnant? Damn gusto kong matawa, she's a desperate b***h. No wonder kuya Ethan doesn't like her. He's a true man, willing to take responsibility even know he doesn't love the girl.

“Okay I'll stop the wedding, give me the address.” I said and turned back my direction.

Am I really going to do this? Well I guess I have no choice, Whitney's my bestfriend.

Hindi nako magpapalit, I'm going there dress like this.

[Thank you Bff.] Whitney giggled and hang up the call, I rolled my eyes.

Pasalamat sya ayoko din matali si kuya Ethan sa babaeng di nya mahal. Her brother is nice, I also treat him like my own brother.

Na receive kona ang text nya at agad pinuntahan ang simbahan. Gumamit ako ng map app para masigurado ang pupuntahan ko.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela. Sure bako sa gagawin ko? Napangiwi ako, I'm imagining my self stoping the wedding. I'm gonna make a scene.

What if I just go tell Tita and Tito to stop the wedding? Umiling-iling ako, iisipin ko muna kung makakaabot ako. If they kiss I don't think I can stop them now right?

Nakadating nako sa San Agustin Church, like what Whitney send to me. Minadali ko ang pag maneho, muntik ko na nga paliparin ang sasakyan ko. Nag park muna ako ng kotse at naglakad na malapit sa pintuan ng simbahan. May mga nanonood sa labas ng gate, I feel so awkward. Naka yuko ako habang nag lalakad papunta sa may pintuan ng simbahan.

It looks like the wedding is almost done.

I looked at the guests. Ang gaganda ng suot nila. Mga naka gown din.They are all looking so stunning! I can smell money from their expensive gowns. I can't believe this is a grand wedding. Ayss! Ako lang ang mukang naligaw. I should have brought my expensive gowns with me.

Kumalma muna ako.

I'm still look pretty than them.

“If anyone here thinks these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Narinig ko ang boses ng pare sa speaker.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, this is my chance, I need to do this. Oh Whitney you owned me big time. tumakbo ako papasok. Halos mag kadapa-dapa ako sa ginawa ko.

I closed my eyes.

Without any hesitation.

“I object!” buong lakas kong sigaw.

Pag bukas ko ng mga mata ko. Lahat sila napatingin sakin, ang mga nanonood, ang pare, sakristan, ang Bride at Groom, mag sasalita sana ako ulit nang mapatigil ako. Napakurap-kurap ako sandali at unti-unti kong nababa ang kamay ko na naka taas.

Yikes!

Hindi ko kilala ang mga taong to!

Hindi din si kuya Ethan ang lalaki sa harap ng altar.

I felt like I swallowed my tongue. My heart beat starts to pound fast.

Toot

Dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang iPhone ko at sinilip ang message. I'm sweating like crazy here, I swallowed a lump in my throat.

From: Whitney

Courtney mali pala ang na send kong address, Manila Cathedral pala sorry. Eto talaga si kuya mali-mali mag bigay ng address. Buti na kausap ko kaibigan ni kuya.

Toot

From: Whitney

Anyway Courtney no need na pala pumunta, alam na ni Mom and Dad thank you nalang bff. Muaahh! See yah later. Pupuntahan kita.

Halos malaglag ko ang iPhone ko sa nabasa ko. Ang dami nang nag bubulungan at masama ang tingin sakin. Lalo akong kinabahan nang may kumukuha na ng video at pictures.

What the fuc– fudge what the fudge?

SLAP

Nakarinig ako ng isang malutong na sampal, nang tinignan ko ang ikakasal ay naabutan kong tumatakbo na paalis ang Bride.

Oh No! What have I done?

Halos mataranta ako sa nangyare, kaya habang sa umaalis na Bride sila nakatingin ay mabilis nakong tumakas papaalis.

I don't know if I should say sorry or just stay away from them. I want to say sorry and explain but what will happen next? I want to slap my self. For now I choose to stay away, I might cause more trouble if I try to approach the Bride and Groom.

Mabilis akong pumasok sa kotse ko at nag drive papaalis, I dialed Whitney's number. Ilang minutong nag ring, kagat-kagat ko ang hinlalaki ko habang hinihintay syang sumagot.

[Hello Bff?] She answered, I took a deep breath.

“Whitney!!” I screamed her name.