His Painful Desire (Vasco Series 2)

Kabanata 1

Perfect

"You may now kiss the bride," narinig kong tugon sa amin ng pari.

Mas lalong umingay ang paligid. Lalo na nong inalis ni Nikolas ang aking belo para saglit na halikan ang labi ko. Saglit at mababaw lang iyon. Naramdaman ko ang braso ni Nikolas sa'king beywang. Hinapit niya ang beywang ko palapit sa kaniya at sabay naming hinarap ang mga tao sa simbahan. Ang pamilya ko, pati na rin ang kanyang pamilya ay nandoon din.

I swallowed hard when I met my dad's dark eyes. He was sitting next to Nikolas' father, then my eyes drifted to someone else. I've never met him before... he's not familiar with me either; maybe he's Nikolas' friend?

His eyes were a forest-green hue that glistened like sunlight filtered through leaves. Matangos ang kanyang ilong at tila parang gatas ang kaniyang kutis sa puti. Kulay karamel ang kaniyang buhok. I narrowed my eyes a bit, then I saw the small mole near his left eye. The moment his eyes drifted to mine, I immediately diverted my gaze to something else.

"Smile, Rukia... the photographers are taking our pictures," bulong sa akin ni Nikolas.

Pilit akong ngumiti sa harap ng camera. Ang braso ni Nikolas ay nanatiling nakayapos sa'king beywang. Kinuhanan din kami ng litrato na kasama ang pamilya ko, pati na rin ang kanyang pamilya.

The picture seems perfect, like a perfect family.

It was indeed a rush wedding; hindi na nila ito pinatagal. Our wedding was held in the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish Church.

Katulad ng dati ay wala na ko ulit akong nagawa dahil napagkasundo na nila ko kay Nikolas. Pinangbayad na nila ko. Ganun naman palagi, hawak at kontrolado nila ang buhay ko.

I never owned my life. I feel like I was only born to be my parents' living trophy—their investment.

Pagkatapos namin sa simbahan ay dumiretso kami sa reception. The wedding celebration is held in the Richmonde Hotel, at Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Ang halos lahat ng bisita roon ay puro mga kaibigan, katrabaho, at pamilya niya. Umuwi na kasi sila Mommy at Daddy pati na rin ang tatlo kong mga kapatid.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Nikolas," bati sa amin ng isang babae at nakipag beso ito kay Nikolas.

"Wow, Nikolas, I didn't know your wife is really beautiful," uminit ang pisngi ko sa kaniyang papuri at katulad kay Nikolas ay nakipagbeso rin ito sa'kin. "Rukia, right?" tipid lang akong ngumiti at tinanguan siya. "I'm Aiyana... anyway, I hope you don't mind, but I have to steal your husband because we have to talk about an important matter... a very private matter." tumawa ito at binalingan si Nikolas. "Right, Niko?"

Nikolas drank his wine and licked his lips. "Yeah, would you excuse us for a bit, Rukia? I promise this won't take long."

"Walang problema sa akin. Mauupo na muna ko roon sa gilid at kanina pa rin sumasakit ang paa ko," banayad kong sinabi at ngumiti pa sa kanilang dalawa.

Hinalikan niya ang labi ko. "I'll introduce you, Rukia, to my family and colleagues after this. Meron lang kaming pag uusapan importante ni Aiyana."

Tipid ko lamang siya tinanguan at umupo na. Nakita ko namang lumabas silang dalawa ng venue. Mukhang importante nga talaga ang kanilang pag uusapan. Siguro tungkol sa negosyo?

Bumuntong-hininga ako sa aking sarili at tinanggal ko ang suot kong sandals. Maingat ko ring minasahe ang paa ko paakyat sa aking binti. Nangalay ito dahil kanina pa ako nakatayo at may kataasan din ang takong na suot ko.

I am only wearing a Belle floral embroidery tie shoulder bustier schiffy wedding dress paired with my Badgley Mischka collection cher crystal embellished pump sandals. My hair is tied in a half ponytail; it has a white ribbon, and my hair is curled. I have wispy bangs. My foxy eyes are golden-brown, my nose is small yet pointed, and I have a softly rounded, arched eyebrow, while my lips are bow-shaped and I have bunny teeth. My skin tone is sand-beige.