My Happily Ever After

3 - I Do

Abby's POV...

"You're working here?" I asked Gorio with wide eyes.

"Y-yeah. I-I was hired…by uhm...your grandfather to take care of your horses." he answered nervously.

"Obviously." I pointed out and chuckled. "You're in the stable now brushing Spirit's hair. I was just trying to start a conversation."

"y-yeah?" he muttered. 

"Hey. Don't be nervous around me. I don't bite." I replied confidently and winked at him.

"O-okay." he stuttered. I smiled.

"You're doing it again." I said and smiled brightly. I shook my head and looked at him. "Do you know how to ride?"

"Yeah." he answered softly.

"Good. Let’s go!" I told him excitedly. "You can ride Spirit and I'll go with Tala."

"Really?"

"Why not?" I asked back and immediately went to Tala as fixed the saddle on her.

"Alright." he said and smiled brightly. He also fixed Spirit's saddle and went to inspect the saddle I placed on Tala.

"I think I know how to put a saddle…" I commented.

"I just wanna make sure everything's okay." he said rechecking if everything is in place.

I smiled inwardly knowing that he kinda cares for me. "Whatever."

He just chuckled as we walked out of the stable with the horses.

"Race to the creek?" I dared with a smirk.

"Y-you sure about that?' He asked nervously. "Not that I'm not confident of course. I…uhm...just don't want you to get hurt. The creek’s quite far."

"Sweet. Don't worry. I can manage." I responded and winked. "So, game on?"

"You have 10 seconds as a head start, princess." he said. I immediately ride on Tala and started as I see him getting on Spirit.

***

I shook my head as I smiled nervously in front of the mirror. I breathed in deeply and sighed. I can't believe I am getting married today. I've always thought that my wedding will be only for my prince charming but I was wrong. Fairy tales don't exist in real life. Happy ever after is just a myth. 

"Hey, gorgeous!" A voice from behind me say and we both squealed as she runs to me and hugged me tightly. "I missed you!"

"Me, too." I replied as I hugged her back and she pulls away.

"Don't you dare cry again and ruin your make up." She warned and I chuckled. "Gosh, you look sooo beautiful Abby."

"I do?" I asked teasingly.

"Absolutely. Your future husband's jaw will drop when he sees you."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm serious." she said firmly.

"Whatever." I said as I nervously fidget on my hands.

"You're nervous."

"I am. Who will not be?" I commented. “I don't even know my groom's name."

"Are you sure you really wanna do this?" she asked. "If you’re doing this just to move on from your feelings for that stupid guy named G-"

"Emz." I interrupted. "I am."

"Really?"

"I am. This is the only thing I can do to make my grandfather happy." I said, teary eyed. “Plus the fact that this marriage will actually save the company and the hacienda. So I must do this, Emz.”

Emilia, my best friends just smiled at me comfortingly.

"I'll always be here. You know that, right?" Emily responded and I just nod my head. "You can do this."

I smiled bitterly and tried to blink back the tears. Over the years as I grew up, I was a very tough girl. But after my first love left me broken and I lost my parents, I was never the same...especially when I finally knew why he left. I was devastated. And to think that my parent's death was also my fault, I lost all my pride and self-confidence. I became so vulnerable and fragile. Sensitive. I got so depressed. But good thing I was able to bounce back a little. But I became emotional. I cry easily. I slowly sink into my own shell and built walls around me. I never ever wanted to experience that pain again and so I buried myself and hid behind my camera, canvasses, and paintings. I never go out with other people since then. Except with Emz.

"You can do this." She said again with lots of eagerness.

"I can do this." I echoed and she smiled.

***

We were about to go to the garden where the wedding is to be held when my phone continuously rang. I smiled when I saw that it was my Tito Julio.

"Tito Julio?"

"Thank God you answered your phone, sweetie." He said breathlessly over the other line. "Why were you not answering the phone?"

"Oh, sorry. They were busy dressing me up for my wedding." I reasoned.

"What?!! You're really gonna do it?!" He hissed, sounding mad. "You can't marry that guy?!"

"Tito, I already told you. I am not being forced to do this. I agreed and I can't back out now." I explained again.

Why is he so mad? 

I already told him my side of the story. 

I thought he understood. 

He's currently in China right now for some business he doesn't wanna tell me. And he definitely said that he'll be mad at me forever if I go through this arranged marriage.

"But, sweetie...you don't even know the man." He said firmly. 

"I know and whatever may happen…I'll gladly accept." I insisted. “I trust Pop’s decision. And it’s all gonna be okay.”

"No. Don't do this to yourself. I am telling you to stop this nonsense now!" He said angrily.

I was about to answer when the event manager popped her head at the door and signaled for me to go down. I looked at Emilia and she nodded. I sighed.

"Look, I don't have time for this now Tito. Whether you like it or not. I am getting married today." I said and ended the call.

"He's mad?" Emilia asked and I nodded. "He's crazy."

She just shook her and I furrowed my brows at her. "He's just concerned about me."

"But you've decided and he must respect that." She insisted.

Emilia never really got along with Tito Julio but she knows that we’re very close.

"I know."

Emilia shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't mind him. He'll get over it. Let’s go."

"Okay."

***

I forced a smile as I walked down the aisle. I was nervous as hell. And when I looked around, the view was absolutely stunning. I was never involved in the preparation of this wedding but the way it was designed looked exactly how I imagined my wedding would be when I was young. The flowers, the theme and motif, the colors, and all the details. It looks exactly a scene from a fairytale book. It somehow made me a bit more relaxed and calm. I looked forward and there I see a man in white standing in front of everyone. I bet he's not as so happy about the wedding as I am since I can only see his back. He looks so big and tall.

He didn't even bother to turn and see me as I enter.

My grandfather smiled widely as I reached him. Then he gently took my hand and hooked it on his arm. He looked weak and pale but still, I can see that he's really happy to see me getting married. I already told him that he can just stay on his wheelchair and watch but he insisted that I needed someone who will walk on the aisle with me.

"Oh...you're very beautiful, iha." He whispered to my ear and I kissed his cheek. 

"Thanks, Pop."

"You trust me, right?" He suddenly asked and I nodded. He smiled weakly and held my hand tightly.

I turned my gaze again in front and the man slowly turned to face the audience. I gasped when I saw his face. It's like all the people around me became blurry and I can only see him. I can't even believe that I am seeing him. I have prayed so much back then for this moment to happen. I wished everyday back then that he comes back to me and I would gladly accept him. I thought and dreamed about him all these years and I just can't believe that he is the man standing there in front to marry me. Tears started to form in my eyes as I nervously approached him. But he was just looking at me with cold eyes, not with the warm and loving eyes I remembered.

"Please take good care of her, Gorio." My grandfather said as he took Gorio's hand and placed my hand on his. He just nodded and gave a ‘yes, sir’ nod to my grandfather.

And I, I was left speechless. I really can't believe that I am seeing him now after 8 long years. As we stand in front, I just stared at him…memorizing all his features. He was still as handsome as I remembered. He aged magnificently. He looks the same but more matured and masculine. He doesn't wear glasses now and his hair is combed nicely, not the messy look I used to see. He looked like a man in tuxedo who stepped out fresh from a magazine. And now, he's standing right next to me. 

"So you dream to have a grand wedding?" Gorio asked as he looked at me in the eye. 

"Of course, I'm an heiress. I should have a grand wedding." I said firmly and he pouted, his face bothered. "Just like fairy tales, I wanted to have my own happily ever after. And marry in a set up just like that of a fairy tale book."

"I might not afford it." He silently said under his breath afterwards and I chuckled because I heard it.

"Hey. I'm 18 and you're 23. We still have a long way to go. It's not like we're marrying now." I said and turned to him. "There are a lot of things that could happen in the future. It's too early to say now. You know. Maybe we're not meant to be. You might end up with a different girl and I might end up a different guy--"

"As if I'll let that happen." He muttered as he interrupted me and his face hardened. 

"Whoa. Since when did you become so tense?" I said as I tease him. "Loosen up, will you? I was just stating facts. Nothing's permanent in this world and you, for sure, know that. Everything changes."

"Why do you say that so casually? Like you are so sure that eventually we won't be together?" He asked, looking hurt.

"I don't mean it that way--" 

"Don't you like me?" He asked.

I was taken aback with his question.

Don’t I like him? 

The pain in his eyes were now evident that I didn’t answer him right away. But his eyes softened as he looked at me intently.

"I…I do..." I answered quite hesitantly.

"I love you, princess. And even if how many times you lecture me about 'change'...the fact that I love you will never change." He said as he gently cupped my burning cheeks and looked at me intently. "I love you sooo much, princess."

"I…I…"

“You don’t have to answer yet. I told you I will wait until you feel the same way too.” He said and smiled sweetly.

And so I also smiled back at him.

He suddenly hugged me tightly. "If only I am rich enough now...then I will definitely marry you right away so no one can take you away from me."

"Possessive much?"

"Very."

I just smiled and hugged him back.

"I'll make sure that you'll end up marrying me, princess."

"Where's this confidence coming from Gorio?" 

Then he pulled away and placed my hand in his chest where I felt his heartbeat. "Here."

What was happening around me didn't matter for a moment when those memories flooded my mind until the Minister called my attention for us to exchange our rings and vows.

"Do you, Abigail Luiz, take Gregorio Salvador, Jr. as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" 

"I..I.." Then I met his eyes, it was cold. So cold. I shivered. I turned my gaze to Emilia and she was just as shocked as me. And then to Pop, hesitating, and then he nodded and mouth 'trust me'. 

"Ms. Luiz?" The minister asked, calling my attention as crowd started murmuring in the background.

Then I looked at him again. I think I saw some flash of hurt in his eyes but in a blink, it was gone. And was changed with extreme coldness. 

"I…I" I hesitated as I look at him in the eye and sighed. "...do...I do..."

I immediately looked down as I said those words and hurriedly placed the ring on his finger, my hands were shaky.

"Do you, Gregorio Salvador, Jr., take Abigail Luiz as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"   

"I do." He responded right away, his voice was sure, firm and clear.

Then he also placed the ring on my finger and the minister smiled.

"So then by the power vested on me, I now pronounce husband and wife."

Then the crowd stood up and clapped loudly. I saw my grandfather teary eyed, happily smiling at us.

Right. This is to make my grandfather happy. It's for him.

"You may now seal this marriage with a kiss." The minister proclaimed and everyone cheered.

I looked at Gorio who was also staring at me. I was so nervous and somehow excited. Then slowly cupped my cheek and leaned down. I closed my eyes anticipating his kiss that I've so long dreamed about. But his lips just met my cheeks at a certain angle so the people will think he actually kissed me in the lips even if he didn't. Tears flowed freely as I felt totally rejected. And I wiped it quickly as he pulled away from me.

What was I even expecting?

"Congratulations!" Everyone yelled in the background and clapped as the fireworks started to BOOM.

***