Ashford Series 1: Loveless Vows

Chapter 4

Sabrinna POV

After the wedding, I felt a mix of emotions—relief, exhaustion, and a strange sense of disbelief. The ceremony was beautiful, no doubt, but it was also overwhelming.

Hindi ako sanay sa karangyaan kaya para akong nabubulag sa kinis at ilaw ng reception hall.

I grew up in a modest family where celebrations were simple and intimate, but today, everything was grand and luxurious. The venue was breathtaking, the decorations were stunning, and the number of guests… well, it was far more than I ever imagined.

My mother-in-law had taken charge of most of the arrangements, and while I appreciated her efforts, it all felt so far from what I was familiar with.

I smiled through the evening, greeting people I barely knew, trying to keep up with the formalities. The whole reception was like a whirlwind—fancy meals, expensive wine, and people dressed in designer clothes.

When it was finally time to leave, there was no grand exit, no elaborate send-off. We just quietly slipped away. There was no honeymoon waiting for us, no romantic getaway. Instead, we went home—just the two of us—tired and both want to sleep.

And when we got home in the mansion, the silence between us was heavy, no maids, no butler, and no other people was in the mansion except for the two of us.

Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko at gagawin. Ganito ba kapag bagong kasal? Ano ba ang ginagawa nila kapag tapos na ang kasal?

"Uh, gusto mo na ba mag pahinga?" Tanong ko.

Humarap siya sa akin at namulsa, "We need to talk."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ko, "Talk about what?"

"About what will happen after this."

Napaatras ako, kinakabahan ako sa sinasabi niya at mas lalong kinakabahan ako sa kung ano man ang gawin niya.

I mean he gave a good performance last time but I'm not making the same mistake again.

"Why do you look so scared? I'm not going to do anything that would upset you, I just want us to talk."

Oh, "Ahh sige, maupo tayo."

Umupo ako sa pang isahang sofa habang umupo naman siya sa sofa na nasa harap ko. Hindi ko talaga alam ang gagawin ko dahil ang awkward, akalain mong asawa ko ang kaharap ko ngayon. Asawa na hindi ko lubusang kilala.

"Well, I know what happened was so sudden, and Mom insisted that we get married. I don't know what she did to make you say yes, she won't tell me, and I'm not interested in what the two of you talked about. I just wanted to say sorry. Mom always wants me to get married, and I do too, but for some reason, everyone keeps leaving me behind."

I heard him sigh, hindi ko akalaing seryoso pala ang pag uusapan namin. Simula pa lang nung nakita ko siya sa bar, alam ko na mabuting tao siya.

Especially how gentle he was that night.

"I want to settle down since I have nothing left to do anymore, but not this way, not with a marriage contract that only lasts for five months. I hope you don't blame my mother. I don't know what her agenda is, but she meant no harm. I promise not to lay a finger on you, so you can trust me while we're living under the same roof."

Nakatulala akong nakatingin sa kaniya, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko dahil nasabi na niya ang gusto kong mangyari. Pakiramdam ko tuloy nababasa niya ang isipan ko o ‘di naman kaya ay marunong lang talaga siyang makiramdam.

"Thank you, sana tuparin mo ang sinasabi mo pero sana wag ka din mahiya sa akin. Kahit di tayo mag kakilala legal na mag asawa kaya tayo! Maging komportable ka lang sa akin at ganun din ako sa iyo, as long as wala tayong gawing masama sa isa't isa." Nakangiting tugon ko.

Tumango tango siya, "Yeah. I can definitely do that. Wag ka sana humiling na bilhan kita ng mamahaling bagay, alam kong mayaman ang pamilya ko pero ni isang mana ay wala akong kinuha kahit ako ang panganay. I want to live on my own using my hard earned money. Pero I can provide naman. You know." He said with a hint of hesitation. Kita ko din ang hiya sa mukha niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko, ano bang tingin sa akin ng lalaking ito? Gold digger? Hindi ko nga kayang titigan ang reception hall kasi masyadong fancy eh. Anong buhay ba ang naranasan niya to the point na aakalain niyang manghihingi ako?

Umiling nalang ako, "So, friends? Okay lang namang landiin kita kahit slight lang? Asawa naman kita eh." Pabirong sabi ko sabay kindat.

Mukhang nakuha niya naman ang gusto kong iparating dahil tumawa lang ito at sumandal sa sofa, "Hm why not. You can try, gaya ng sabi mo asawa mo ako. Malay natin mas tumagal."

Inirapan ko siya, "Naku mas naniniwala pa akong may puting uwak keysa ang patulan mo ang katulad ko."

Pinag krus ni Prime ang kaniyang braso, seryoso siyang tumingin sa mga mata ko, "Subukan natin."

Kaagad naman akong natahimik, "Biro lang eh."

"Weak." He whispered.

Pero narinig ko yun kaya pinulot ko ang unan na nasa sofa at binato sakaniya, "Pag ikaw talaga nilandi ko manginginig ‘yang tuhod mo sa kilig."

Pailing iling na tumayo si Prime sa sofa at lumapit sa akin, tinanggal niya ang mga nakakabit sa buhok ko pagkatapos ay inilapit niya ang kaniyang bibig sa aking tenga upang bumulong.

"I can make your knees and legs shake as well. Pero hindi sa kilig."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at pakiramdam ko ay namula ang aking pisngi, hinampas ko ang balikat niya at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"What? Ikaw nag simula." Natatawang sambit niya.

Kumuha ulit ako ng unan at akmang ibabato sakaniya nang bigla itong tumakbo paakyat sa ikalawang palapag. Tawa ito nang tawa at maya maya pa ay narinig ko siyang sumigaw.

"You shouldn't have flirted with me if you can't handle it, sweetie!"

Napanganga ako, sino sabing hindi ko siya kayang harapin?! Titingnan natin kung sino ang unang bibigay bukas.

Wag mo akong hinahamon, Prime Cyril Ashford!

To be continued