TNRS I: To The Bone (Ongoing)

Chapter 42: Foolish

"Ah, how lovely is the bride." In big smiles, Eugene welcomed me but my eyes passed through him.

"I thought I said don't let anyone in." 

"I'm so sorry miss, but he was very insistent that we should let him in." Napayuko ang babaeng staff at bahagyang napahiya. 

I sighed and waved my hand to dismiss her. Binigyan ko naman ng tingin ang mga dalawang guard ko when they entered the room and stopped them by the door. Then, I look at Eugene in a cold and unwelcoming look. 

"What do you want?" 

"Oh, come on! Hindi ba obvious? Narito ako upang batiin ka sa espesyal na araw na ito! We are finally family!"

"Oh, you didn't have to... After all, I have received your gift early this morning." Tinignan ko siya ng matalim. 

"Hehe. I don't know what gift are you talking about. But I have to say ay nag-alala kami at gusto ko sanang malaman how you are faring. Because of the horrible news, a lot of people are speculating you've been raped noong bata ka pa." 

"Really?" I lifted a brow, in gritted my teeth and high nerves.

"Ah, media, you know?" He was a meter away of approaching me when I spilled the wine in front of me, splashing a little wine onto his tuxedo, stopping him from taking another step forward. 

"Oops. My bad." I smiled. "This wedding is making me nervous." 

"Ah he he. Of course, of course. Well, gusto ko lamang sabihin na wag ka lang magpapaapekto sa kung anong nasa balita. And... Congratulations on your wedding. Now, I shall be on my way." Aniya habang pinapagpagan ang kaniyang suot as if the stain would come off. 

I watched his huge back as he goes to the door. Oh, I can see through you, you old tard. I can see that fraud smile you plaster. Baket? You think digging up my past would make me fall into my grave? 

Hindi ko alam kong paano mo nalaman ang about sa kidnapping case ko and how I was diagnosed with traumatic syndrome because of it, pero if you think it's your last resort to see if it'll ruin me, you thought wrong. 

You thought that feeding the media private information would make me shrivel on my knees and hide away from the world until i lose my sanity. Screw you. I will not succumb. Watch me walk the isle with my head held high. 

And I promise you, it'll be the last time you'll ever see me. Cause I will go after you pagkatapos ng kasal na ito and I will fucking kill you. I will fucking aim for your life.

Maghintay ka lang na hayop ka. I will soon give you your funeral after this. 

"Ma'am, it's time." 

I nodded and stood up from the couch I was sitting on, headed for the door when a heavy breathing and sweating Sienna came running into me. 

I look at my cousin with worry and confusion. "What happened to you?" 

She looked at me all paled which is more concerning.

"Sienna?" 

Sienna didn't answer and instead handed me her phone. It was a live video of the news as of the moment.

What the hell?

I stilled sa kinatatayuan ko while my eyes where glued to the scene. My hands and feets are starting to get cold. 

In the headlines it says, "Drunk driving: A famous band's lead guitarist." There was no indication whose band member it was nor was it him, but I very well recognize that car. I know that car very well even from just by looking at the wrecked front of it. 

I spent a lot of time sitting at that car's passenger seat back in college, so, how could i forget?

"Axel..." Naitakpan ko ng aking kamay ang aking bibig. Trembling and cold. My knees feeling weak. 

I was still processing what I saw, the words i was able to read. My head was still there stuck in the article until I finally reached the end of the aisle. When I look up, Tj's smiling face welcomed me with a hint of concern in his eyes. 

"You look absolutely stunning... Are you okay?" He mouthed in which I could only reply in a nod, my thoughts uncollected. 

I have rather gulped in numerous times than I could remember and it was then when the priest was turned to me. It was already my turn to make the vow. 

Hindi ko marinig at hindi ko rin nagawang maintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya. I gripped on the stems of my wedding bouquet so hard and it took one sharp prick from the rose's thorns for me to slip back into reality. 

My eyes faltered as i look at the priest with an estranged look na para bang sa wakas ay ako'y nahimasmasan. 

"Rai?" Tj was already waiting for me, for me to answer. Everyone was. 

"I..." I met his eyes, shaking my head. "I need to go." 

I think I cannot last another minute in this place knowing where I really am needed to be. He better not be in the ER laying on the bed unconscious with lots of tubes, a bend on his full head, wearing a brace around his neck with a broken leg. 

You better fucking hang on to dear life, Axel. For what I'm about to is fucking crazy and you're the one who forced me to resort to it. 

In my white velvet dress and 6 inches ivory stilettos, I ran away from the cathedral. 

As a media scheme, in order to cover up my scandal, you chose to fucking drive your car into a ditch causing a big scene. And now the media has turned their eyes on you, being the biggest news in the international television. 

Have you fucking lost your mind?! You fucking idiot!