S7VEN (La Familia Kingpin Series #1)

EPILOGUE 1. Ever Thine. Ever Mine. Ever Ours.

SANTY

WHAT IF I tell you that I know when and where forever starts? Would you lend me an ear? I hope you do.

What if I tell you that the most dreaded and considered elusive word in the dictionary, was all but true? Maniniwala ka ba? Sana, oo. 'Cause I'm the living testament. Nasilo ko si forever sa katauhan ng isang brusko, simpatiko at pasmadong Mafioso na kinatatakutan ng lahat.

As I stared down at the endless white train of my heavy embellished custom-made Vera Wang wedding ball gown, I'm all but a bundle of wedding jitters. This day I'll say 'I do' part two to the father of my child and the only man whom I gave all parts of me.

My Seven and forever.

I smile at myself. The events of the past months played in front of me like a reel. Hindi ko sukat akalain na may chance ang pagsasama namin ni Seven. We started as perfect strangers who merely know the names of each other. And now, here we are inseperable. Matamis akong napangiti, pilit nilalabanan ang mga luha. Tiyak na magwawala si Chardii kapag nakitang nasira ang makeup kong pinaghirapan nila ng team niya ng mahigit tatlong oras.

"Bambina, are you alright? Here, drink this."

"I'm okay, Papa," sagot ko sabay abot sa bote ng mineral mula sa ama.The AC of the Rolls Royce is not enough to make me relax.

Beads of sweat trickled down my spine as I start to fuss with the straw, nilagay iyon ng glam team ko kanina para raw maiwasang masira ang lipstick ko. Bahagya kong sinilip ang labas ng bintana, we're still on our way to the curch. The traffic is smooth and the weather is great. Guess, the universe is giving me so many signs today.

Relax, self. This day will be epic. My own kind of fairytale.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang malingunan ang seryosong mukha ng ama. His lips were pursed in a thin line. But it doesn't make him less handsome. Honestly, his all brooding attitude only adds up to the mix. He's gorgeous and in his prime. Women throw themselves to him, pero parati na 'di niya pinapansin ang mga iyon. I joked him one time na pwede siyang maunang magpakasal sa amin ni Seven

He just gave me a dismissive look then in a stern voice he told me his default answer- They're not your mother. Tumigil na ako after noon.

"Is everything okay?" Tanong ko't sumandal. Pasimple kong nilaro ang boquet ng white stephanotis na hawak. It's the same flowers I had at my civil wedding. I'm sentimental and romantic, I know.

"I'm still not used to that word. Papa."

I bite the insides of my cheeks while my free hand goes to capture his right hand. Mariin kong pinisil iyon. It made him smile.

"Believe me, ako rin. It was hard at first. Nasanay akong Don Gio ang tawag sa inyo pero naisip ko na bakit ko ipagkakait ang bagay na simula't sapol ay may karapatan kayo. I'm your blood. Laman niyo. I'm such a brat before and I want to apologize for giving you the hard time."

Umiling ito sabay tapik sa kamay ko. Puno ng pagmamahal ang mga mata nito habang nakatitig sa mukha ko. I cleared my throat, swallowing my sob. This pregnancy hormones and wedding jitters are messing with me.

"T-tama kayo, time heals everything. Nabulagan lang ako noon. Now, being here with you makes this day even more special. It might be too late but I want to thank you, papa. For everything and for whatever that's coming."

"Oh, Santina," his voice trembled. Dinala nito sa bibig ang mga palad ko't masuyong hinalikan. Nang mag angat ito ng mukha, hindi ako makahinga sa labis na emosyon nakita ko sa mga mata nito.