The Annulment

Chapter 3

"Our princess is really beautiful. You are so perfect, Beatriz. So glamorous!"

I smiled at my mother's remarks. I winked at her then turned to the mirror. I just finished having my makeup. And I can’t help but adore the woman I’m seeing on the mirror. She’s definitely the most beautiful version of myself.

A version of me that’s in love. A version of a strong and intelligent woman with so much blessings. A version that I’m so proud of.

Mommy approached me. She held my shoulder while looking at my refection on the mirror. “I know that my only daughter is beautiful but I never imagined you as a full grown woman. You’re still my baby, Beatriz.”

I giggled. I faced and hugged her. “I will be forever your baby, Mommy. Always.”

I felt a tap on my back. She caressed my hair. “Of course, no one can change that.”

I kissed her on the cheek. A tear almost fell from my eyes when I saw how she looked at me.

Her eyes started to well up. “I’m so sorry, I’m being emotional again.”

I pouted. “It’s alright, Mom. You can be emotional anytime you want.” I pointed my closet. "I'll just change Mom."

My mother nodded. “of course, Sweetie.”

I went to the direction of my walk-in closet and changed into a simple yet elegant gown. I even laugh as I saw my reflection on the huge rectangular mirror.

I spent another thirty minutes on fixing my dress. I turned around for a few times to make sure that I look nice even though I know I am. But I really want to be more confident.

After checking myself for a few times, I decided to get out of my room. I went downstairs and saw my loving parents at the end of the staircase.

They both looked at me with so much love and adoration.

"You are glowing, Beatriz! Is it because of Jazon?" Daddy teased me. "You'll be Mrs. Saavedra soon, Sweetie."

I felt like my face turned red. I smiled shyly then turned to them. "Are you guys aware that he wants to marry me? Why don't you tell me that?"

I saw my father flinched while my mother's smile faded.

"Oh, yeah of course! He really wants to marry you Sweetie," my father replied. He approached me and caressed my cheek. "He's been waiting for this to happen. We told him that we can give him our permission if he'll wait for you to graduate. And he really did. I'm impressed."

I ignored the not so nice atmosphere they have. I smiled widely. I still can't believe that in just a few days, I'll be Jazon's wife! It’s like a dream. A very good one!

Like what he told me yesterday, everything is ready. From the wedding invitations to the wedding gowns and the venues to our honeymoon. He settled them in just a short period of time. I can even feel his excitement.

"Oh, dear. What are you thinking? Why do you keep blushing?" My Mom hugged my side.

I nodded more than once. "Nothing Mommy, nothing. I still can't believe that I'm marrying the man of my dreams!" I said trying to stay normal.

What the heck, Beatriz? Honeymoon, really? You're thinking ahead again!

I saw Daddy became uneasy.

"Is there something wrong Dad?" I asked. I approached him and fixed his tie. “Mom chose a nice tie.”

My father shook his head, " Oh, it's nothing, Sweetie. I can't just accept the fact that in just a few days, I'll walk you towards another man. I'm so used to being the only man in your life. I don't want to share my unica hija to anyone."

I smiled and suppressed my emotion, "I'm not leaving, Daddy. Don't worry, I'll visit you and Mom here every day. I'll make your favorite dish, go and play golf with you on the weekends or shopping with Mom!"

My mother chuckled. "Oh you two, please stop that! We need to go so that we won't be late to Jazon's homecoming party!"

"Okay. Girls, do your final touch or whatever. I'll wait for both of you outside," Dad said before going outside.

I looked again at the mirror. I really like what I'm seeing right now. I hope Jazon will like my look too.

I'm wearing a skin-toned off shoulder gown. The gown hugged my body and showed my body's proportion.

"You're really a grown woman now, Beatriz." Mommy held my shoulder. "No one deserve my princess, even Jazon don't deserve you."

I frowned then I faced my mother. "Mom, it's the opposite. Jazon doesn't deserve me. He's hardworking, smart, responsible and a real gentleman. And look at his achievements, even though he's still young, he managed to achieve all of that. I'm very honored to marry him. And I think, there are many women who deserves him more than me."

Mommy shook her head. Her both hands held my face. "No, Sweetie. You don't have to feel like that. You are our princess. You are beautiful, smart and a very good daughter. You deserve everything that this world has to offer."

I giggled. "Of course you'll say that Mommy. I'm your daughter, after all."

"Sweetie…" My mother's serious tone caught my attention. "You are still young, if you think that you are not ready to get married, just tell us. We'll stop this."

"Mommy!"

My Mom chuckled. "I just can't let you go that easy, you know. I'm just trying to stop you from leaving our house."

I hugged her side. "I won't leave you or this house, Mom. I will be forever your daughter, but I really want to marry Jazon."

"Alright…" My Mom held my hand. "So let's go to your husband to be's party?"

I nodded and happily ambled out of the house with her.

We saw Daddy talking to his phone. He simply put down the phone when he saw us approaching him.

"Look at my most favorite girls, both are gorgeous!" He kissed our cheeks.

"Oh Adolfo, we are the only girls in your life!" Mommy hit my Dad's arm slightly.

I and dad laughed. They asked me to excuse them for a while. I went directly to our car and sat on the backseat.

I saw my father told something to my mother. I just waited for a while then I felt the car's engine started.

The car went outside and after a minute, we're already in the road.

Jazon's welcome party will be held at a hotel. It's already evening and the party will start at eight o'clock later.

I peeked at my watch, it's only six.

I just stared at the view outside the car's window. I'm really excited that I forgot to tell Lucett. I gasped when I suddenly remember my best friend. I really forgot to tell her, oh my God!

I took my phone out of my purse and called her.

"Hello? Who do I owe this call from the great Beatriz Cara Ledezma?"

I chuckled when I heard her way of greetings. "Hey, Lucettia Morfori, I have something to tell you later. Where are you by the way?"

My best friend giggled, "We are almost at The Palace, how about you?" The Palace is a five-star hotel wherein Jazon's party will took place.

"We are still twenty minutes away."

I imagined my best friend rolling her eyes. "So, let's just see each other later? And you have so many stories to tell me later, alright? You have to tell me what happened to your date yesterday. Or if you two did something or whatever!"

I smiled, imagining what will be her reaction if I tell her later that I'm marrying Jazon. For sure, she will pull all my hair out!

"Sure. Let's see each other later. Bye!" I ended the call.

There's a bit of traffic and that's why the usual twenty minutes ride became forty-five minutes. It took us one hour and thirty minutes before we arrived at The Palace. Good thing, we're still on time and there's still time left before the start of the party.

I saw some familiar faces of businessmen and women inside the venue. Lots of people in the business field greeted us. Some approached us and talked to my parents.

One staff, an organizer maybe, approached us. She guided us to our table located at the front. My eyes wandered at the venue. The ambiance is really classy.

There are so many guests here that came from the well-known households.

I saw some of my schoolmates here with their parents. Even the senators, a few judge and prosecutors! They are all here!

My brow raised when I saw one of our board of directors with a socialite holding his arm. That's his new wife if I remembered it correctly. Oh, men and their proud egos.

I’m trying to look for Lucett but due to lots of visitors, I can't even find the witch's hair!

"Are you looking for Jazon, hija?"

My eyes widened when I saw Aunt Shiela. She kissed my Mom's cheek before kissing mine.

"Aunt!"

"Oh, look at my future daughter-in-law, she's a woman now," she complimented me making my cheeks blushed.

"Shiela," my Mom acknowledged her. "I'm really excited to see Jazon but he's nowhere to be found."

Aunt Shiela giggled. "Oh, Roxanne, he's with his father and the investors, you know the guys. They are all about business, expansion and investments!"

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

The master of ceremonies caught our attention. He first introduced himself. He said things about the Saavedra's Group of Companies and their past and current achievements. The Saavedra’s history in business world. After that long introduction, he called Jazon's parents.

"I'll be back," Aunt Shiela told us before she walked towards the mini stage with Jazon's father who showed before her.

"Everyone," Uncle Jacob started his speech." I'm very thankful for all of you for coming tonight. All of you knew why we gathered here tonight. This is to inform all of you the return of the next president of Saavedra's Group of Companies. Ladies and Gentlemen, I want you to greet my only son, Jazon Lucas Saavedra."

We all clapped our hands. I'm so proud just by looking at the man I've been dreaming ever since.

"Thank you everyone!" Jazon happily greeted his guests. "I know all of are very familiar of who I am. And I think, I don't have to introduce myself again. Instead…" He paused. "I want to introduce the woman I'll marry in a few days..."

I heard everyone gasped. Whispers filled the whole place. I'm not shock by his sudden announcement but I never expected this.

"Everyone, I want all of you to meet the only daughter of The Empire and the woman I will marry, my wife to be, the future Mrs. Jazon Lucas Saavedra, Ms. Beatriz Cara Ledezma and her parents."

Surprised, I almost forgot to breath when he walked towards our table. He held my hand and guided me towards the mini-stage.

"Everyone, meet the woman of my life, Beatriz." He announced to everyone.

He raised my right hand, showing everyone the ring he gave me yesterday.

Everyone clapped their hands. I saw some as dumbfounded as I am. I saw Mom's crying while Dad's hugging her.

And my best friend, Lucettia's on her usual surprise self while looking at us.