THE CROWDED MARRIAGE

Chapter 3

Maeve Dominique Valencia
-present-

"Isn't it time for us to move on our own?" I suggested.

After the engagement party, this is the second time that our parents have met to talk about the wedding. But this time, me and my parents were the ones who went to Ivory's mansion—his parents' mansion.

Ivory's mom happily agreed with me. "Yes. The earlier, the better, so they could know more about themselves before they get married. You know, kahit magkakilala na itong mga anak natin simula nang mga bata pa ay matagal na rin silang lumaki ng malayo sa isa't isa. I agree with Maeve's suggestion."

Ivory stared at me. It feels like he knows my plan by just observing me talk with both of our parents. He knows that I wanted to get away from the mansion and have my own freedom.

Even with his serious face, I saw the little smirk on his lips when he looked at my parents.

"Why not I move into your mansion, Tita? So you could also look out for me and look on us," Ivory suggested. He looked at my mom and then at his mother.

Everyone looks like they agree with Ivory.

No.

"That's a good idea, Ivory," my Dad says. He agreed more than everyone else because he's overprotective of me. "So I can also observe if you really deserve my daughter."

Ivory's father and my Dad even laugh at it, even though there's nothing laughable about the statement.

I fisted my hand tightly underneath the table when everyone agreed with the thought with finality. Talo na ako. Kahit na ikakasal na ay kulong pa rin ako sa lugar ng parents ko.

"Okay. So Ivory and Maeve, our daughter, will stay in our mansion," my mom finally declared, and everyone nodded their heads.

My eyes went to Ivory. His lips are now visible with a little smile like he's mocking me for not getting what I wanted.

I don't want them to notice my frustration, so I just focus my attention on the food I'm eating.

This is a family dinner at Mortimeroz's mansion. They invited us to be here. And after almost two decades, this is the first time I get to see their mansion again. The last time I went here, I was still in elementary school, just like Ivory.

Now that time flies so fast, we are getting married as adults. But Ivory and I are different from when we were still kids. We are far different from who we are now.

Our parents talk about our upcoming wedding. Ivory and I were both silent while listening to them. We will just talk once they ask us questions.

Pareho na kaming ibang-iba ni Ivory sa dati naming ugali, pero may isa kaming pagkakapareho ngayon... 'yon ay maging sunud-sunuran sa mga magulang namin at wala kaming magawa.

We both don't like the wedding, but we have no choice because it's our parents' mutual decision, as they think Ivory and I still know each other like when we were kids.

Actually, I was shocked when my parents first announced to me that I would get married to Ivory. I thought their family would hate me for what happened in the past... but they actually didn't open up about it until now.

I have a lot of questions, but I don't know how I will talk about the past because I blamed myself for it all my life when that happened. Maybe, just like them, I need to bury the past in order to move forward.

"Next week, Ivory, you can move in with our house. You are very much welcome to our home," my mom muttered in a motherly tone to Ivory.

"Yes, Tita," Ivory answered.