Gold Ring of Betrayal

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIII - The Intimate Wedding

THE garden was full of white roses, it was a simple garden wedding ceremony but Helise was happy seeing her family and close friends here. She missed them so much. Now, her heart is full. Hindi niya lubos akalain na months after her divorce ay nasa ganitong kalagayan na siya ngayon. She was supposed to be unhappy and bitterly moving on because parting ways with your childhood sweetheart was a disaster in emotion. But thanks to Kallisto her now husband, he helped her a lot to cope up the pain. Halos hindi na nga masyadong naalala ni Helise si Tristan at ang balak niyang paghihiganti rito. She felt contented and very much happy right now.

“A toast for our lovely newlyweds!” sigaw ni Monica.

Her friends and other visitors cheered.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” the guests chanted.

Hinapit naman siya ni Kallisto sa kaniyang bewang at mabilis na hinagkan sa labi. Malaki ang ngiti nito na hinalikan pa siya sa noo kaya hindi mapigilan ni Helise ang mapapikit. Pakiramdam ni Helise ay nakalutang siya sa mga ulap. This is something that she didn’t imagine. This is something that every woman was dreaming for. A happy ending? Nope. A beginning.

“Oh my god! Your wedding is perfect, Hel.” sabi ni Jelly.

She’s now in her group of friends while Kalli was busy entertaining other guests.

“I heard Kallisto planned all of these?” tanong ni Samantha. “How I wish I can go back time, gusto ko rin ng intimate wedding like this. Less stress.” ani Samantha.

“As if naman papayag si kuya.” pakli niya sa kaibigan.

Natawa naman sila pareho. They’re complete, Chesca, Jelly, Monica and Samantha. She’s very happy to see them here.

“So, kailan ang balik niyo ng Pilipinas?” si Monica.

Sumimsim si Helise ng champagne na hawak. “by the end of the month.”

“Naku, pag-uwi niyo for sure may laman na yan.” biro pa ni Jelly. “kabugin mo ang kabit ng ex-husband mo.”

Her ex-husband’s mistress? Ang balita niya mula kay Jelly ay nanganak daw ito ng kulang sa buwan pero malusog ang bata. Tristan was very much happy to see his ‘baby girl’ not knowing that that baby isn’t his in the first place. Ang pinagtataka lang ni Helise ay kung paano hindi nalaman ng kasamahang doctor nila Jelly ang hustong edad ng bata sa sinapupunan. Maybe, binayaran ito ng Barbara na iyon or talagang may kasabwat ito sa panloloko?

Well, handang handa na si Helise na makita ang dalawang ito sa pagbabalik. She’s more that ready to face them with revenge and see their life a living hell.

Natapos ang araw na iyon, sina Samatha at ang kuya Henry niya kasama si Hunnirose ay bumalik rin ng Pilipinas kahapunan pagkatapos ng ceremony. Her mother stayed at some hotel nearby. Sina Jelly, Chesca at Monica naman ay nililibot pa ang Spain, bukas pa ng gabi ang balik ng mga kaibigan sa Pilipinas.

Nandito sila ngayon sa ancestral house ng mga Salvatore, she’s one of them now. Maagang nagpahinga si Don Philippe Salvatore pati na rin si Aunt Paustina.

Naabutan ni Helise si Kallisto na nag-aayos ng ilang mga regalo sa silid. Pansin niyang bagong ligo na ito, ngunit hindi pa nakabihis. He’s still wearing his white bath robe. Kanina pa naman naka-ligo si Helise, now she’s wearing her silk night gown. Ngayon ay nagsisisi na siya kung bakit ganoon ang suot niya. Nawala sa isip niya na simula ngayong gabi ay magtatabi na sila ni Kallisto sa iisang kama.

God, Helise! This is what she was anticipating for, kahit noong hindi pa sila kasal. She admitted to herself that she was lusting over Kallisto. Iba pa rin talaga kapag narito ka na sa sitwasyong ito, she’s.... Nervous?