THE CROWDED MARRIAGE

Chapter 5

Maeve Dominique Valencia
-present-

Making Ivory and Filoah meet was the stupidest thing I've done.

I had no idea that making such a stupid plan would make my day worse than it already was.

I kept my composure even though I was affected by their exchange of gazes with each other. I tried my best to smile, even though all I want to do now is walk away from them.

The three women offered me a smile, even Filoah, who had been silent since they came into our mansion. She never dared to look at Ivory again, but I can still feel how Ivory stared at her without even thinking that people might notice it.

"Let's go to the garden. The air there is fresh, and I prepared some snacks for all of you."

They all followed me until we got into the garden, and it took us a couple of minutes to walk from inside the mansion to here, until underneath our shoes and sandals was the grass, the well-manicured lawn area of the garden.

The fountain in the middle of the garden welcomed our sight, but I just didn't mind it and went straight to the table with chairs enough for all of us.

My smile never leaves my lips as I look at them. The three maids were behind us with enough distance to not really hear our important talk, but enough to hear my voice when I needed them.

I can still see the three of them looking around the whole garden. I wait for minutes for them to be mesmerized by the landscape at our place.

The whole mansion is huge. Gumamit din sila ng golf cart kanina para makarating pa sa main gate ng mansion namin, so I think it is still fresh in their minds that they are here.

And this whole garden is what my Mom loves the most, so this place is well taken care of, like it's different from the whole world. This is her pride in our place.

There were well-cut trees beside the roadway of the garden, and there were also different flowers—my mother's personal collection. So the garden smelled exquisitely sweet and would make you feel like you were in a magical place.

"Your mansion is really big. This is the second time I've gotten here, but I'm still fascinated," Elani started while her eyes were still shining. "I personally love the designs."

"Thank you. You can roam around after our discussion about the plans for the wedding," I muttered.

The other girl, who was named Isabel, and Elani both nodded their heads. I took a glance at Filoah, who was now looking only at her hands underneath the table that I couldn't see.

"Anyway, before we start, do you need anything? I'll ask our maid to prepare anything you want."

Agad na umiling-iling si Isabel. "Hindi na po, ma'am Maeve! Sobra-sobra na po itong hinanda niyo para sa amin," magalang na sabi niya habang nakatingin sa table na may mga pagkaing pinahanda ko na kanina nang ipagpaalam sa akin ng bodyguard namin na nakapasok na sila sa village namin.

"Isabel's right. We feel so welcomed here," Elani added with a hint of gratitude in her voice.

Then my eyes moved to Filoah, who was still silent and refused to look at me again, and to Ivory, who was just beside me.

"How about you... Filoah?" I asked nicely.

Her head quickly looked up at me, and our eyes met. She gave me an awkward smile.

"I'm alright. Ayos na sa amin itong hinanda mo. Salamat," sagot niya.

I gave her a small nod with her answer. I don't hold any grudges against her... and I admit now that it was a wrong move of mine to bring her here in front of Ivory. I'm aware that they just recently broke up, probably because she got to know about the engagement or the wedding itself.