BILLIONAIRE SERIES4: ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO MY ENEMY: ETHAN HARRIS MONTELLO

CHAPTER FOUR

Narinig ko ang pagbuga ng katabi ko pero pinigilan ko ang sarili kong lingunin siya, pero umabot na lamang ang ilan pang segundo pero hindi pa din siya nagsasalita kaya tiningnan ko siya at tumawa ng peke.

“Well, at least we made it through the ceremony without any objections, right? I was half expecting someone to object.” pabiro kong sabi pero tila walang epekto iyon.

“I was expecting you to.” sagot lamang nito na kinabuga ko nalang. Silent or not, it’s still akward between us. I thought things would get easier between us once we were officially married.

“Bumalik nalang tayo sa reception. There’s no point in waiting here kung wala ka lang din namang sasabihin sa akin.” saad ko at no’ng akmang tatalikuran ko na siya para lumabas ay pinigilan ako nito sa paghawak ng aking kamay at sunod-sunod akong napalunok ng isandal sa may pintuan habang hawak pa din nito ang aking isang kamay.

Wait? What’s happening?!

“Chiara, wait. I do have something to say to you.”

“Pinapakaba mo naman ako, Montello.” napapikit siya saka huminga ng malalim, bago ako nito tinitigan sa aking mga mata, na tila pinagaaralan ang buo kong mukha, o ang movements ko.

“I know I’m your enemy. I know you’ve been taught to hate me. I just... Ayoko lang matakot ka sa akin, Chiara. Whatever stories you’ve heard about me or the Montello family... Our reputation may be brutal, but I’ll never hurt you. I promise you.“ ani Ethan na kinaiwas ko ng tingin.

“Gusto kong maniwala sa’yo, but... all my life, I’ve been warned never to trust any Montello. Those feelings won’t change overnight.”

“I know, but we need to put the past behind us now. Your father is right. Our family is stronger together, we could be stronger together too, if we give this marriage a chance. It’s up to us what we do in our union.” aniya na lubhang kinagulat ko, dahil ibang-iba ang Ethan na kaharap ko ngayon sa Ethan na nakilala ko last week at ang Ethan na kasama ko sa altar.

Hindi ko mapigilan mapangiti. “Mukhang hindi pa nga kita masyadong kilala, may pagka-sentimental ka din pala.” pabiro kong saad na kinatawa naman niya ng mahina saka nito sinalubong ang aking tingin.

“It’s my wedding day. I think I’m allowed to be sentimental.” saad nito saka siya huminga muli ng malalim habang iniipit ang iilang buhok sa gilid ng aking tainga. “Speak your mind, wife. Tell me your truth. How do you see our future?” hindi naman ako agad nakahuma sa pagsambit nito sa katagang ‘Wife’.

Inalis ko ang pagkakahawak nito sa aking kamay saka ito inilayo ng konti sa akin para magkaroon man lang ng pagitan sa aming dal’wa. Mababakas naman ang pagtataka sa kaniyang mukha.

“Thank you for saying all of that. I’ll try to keep it in mind as we start our future together.” he nod.

“That’s all I ask.” nabaling naman ang aming tingin sa pinto ng makarinig kami ng katok. Pagbukas ni Ethan ay ang kaniyang ama at nakangiti ito habang pinagmamasdan kaming dal’wa.

“Well, that’s it then. There’s no backing out now. Unless we get the marriage annulled.” tila pabirong saad niya sa amin.

“There will be no annulments and no backing out. You wanted this, father.” huminga ng malalim si Mr. Montello sa tinuran ni Ethan.

“Yes, I suppose I did. Still, it was stranger than I thought it would be, watching my son marry a bianchi.” komento pa nito habang naglalabas ng malalim na paghinga. Maya-maya, nagpakita ito ng pilit na pagngiti sa amin. Sobrang taliwas niya sa Mr. Montello na nakilala ko sa engagement party namin ni Ethan, doon, makikita mo na masaya naman siya sa nangyayari.

“Mukhang naga-antay na ang bisita natin.” saad ko dahil parang nagkaroon ng malaking tensyon sa aming tatlo.

“Oh! Yeah, that’s what I came to tell you. Are you ready to be announced as Mr. And Mrs. Montello?” katanungan nito na nagpatigil sa akin. Mukhang hindi pa din talaga nagsi-sink in sa utak ko ang mga nangyayari. Parang ang hirap pa din matanggap na magiging parte na ako ng pamilya nila at magiging Montello na din.

This is impossible!

Tila nababasa naman ni Ethan ang aking iniisip, kaya naman ang kamay kong nanginginig ay marahan nitong pinisil bago ito inilagay sa kaniyang braso’t bumulong sa akin.

“One step at a time, Chiara. Come on, I want to show off my beautiful wife to everyone I know. Even if she is Bianchi.” saad nito at muli kong nakita ang kaniyang magandang pagngiti.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil sa kakaibang pakiramdam nanamang nadama ko, simula ito kanina pa at mukhang hindi basta-basta kakalma ang dibdib ko kung ganito siya palagi.

Mukhang hindi ko na maitatago ang attraction na nararamdaman ko sa kaniya ngayon, but that doesn’t mean our marriage will ever be real.

________

I BARELY get a chance to breathe for the rest of the day, let alone spend any more time with Ethan.

Everybody wants their moment with me, and I spend my wedding reception meeting and greeting friends and relatives.

“Chiara!” nagulat naman ako sa pagtawag sa akin ng isang babae, hindi ko siya kilala pero sobrang laki ng ngiti nito sa akin. “... It’s so good to finally meet you. I’m Solenn, Ethan’s twin sister. I’ve heard so much about you.” saad pa nito ng makalapit siya sa akin saka inilahad ang kaniyang kamay na agad ko namang tinanggap.

“Oh, really? From who?” takang-tanong ko.

“From everyone, of course! People can’t stop talking about you.” saad nito at napakamot naman ako sa leeg ko, natawa naman ito ng mahina sa naging reaksyon ko. “I always knew my brother would end up with the most beautiful bride anyone’s ever seen. You look stunning today, Chiara.” puri nito sa akin na kinailang ko lalo.

“Thank you.” I said while scrutinize Solenn as she smiles at me, looking for any sign the she’s being anything less than genuine.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem a lot happier that I married Ethan than most of your relatives.” ngumiti ito sa sinabi ko.

“What can I say? I’ve always wanted a sister.” sabi niya na kinatango ko nalang. “So, what do you think of Ethan so far? Has he swept you off your feet yet?” panunudyo nito at pakiramdam ko ay biglang naginit ang aking pisngi.

“That doesn’t seem like his style. I can’t imagine Ethan sweeping anybody off their feet, least of all the daughter of the enemy.” sabi ko dito.

“I’ve always had a hunch that my twin brother is a secret romantic. I’m sure you’ll see that side of him soon, if you haven’t already!” I sighed.

“Actually, not yet.”

“You and Ethan still don’t know each other very well, so it’s my job to tell you what an amazing husband he’s going to be.” tila proud na proud niyang bida sa kaniyang kakambal.

“Sa tingin mo?” may pagaalangan kong tanong at mabilis siyang tumango.

“I know so. There’s no one more loyal than Ethan. No one more honorable. He’ll take such good care of you, Chiara. Believe me, you’ll see it very soon.” tila siguradong saad nito.

“Well, I hope so.” I feel myself flush at Solenn’s words. The idea of Ethan taking care of me fills me with the strangest sort of pride.

“Solenn. I see you’re mixing with the enemy. Some of us prefer to keep our distance.” mataray na saad ng babaing lumapit sa amin. Solenn crosses her arms and turned to her.

“We’re all on the same side now, Katrina. Besides, if you wanted to keep your distance, you wouldn’t have walked over here.” sagot naman ni Solenn na kinatahimik no’ng babae.

Agad niyang binalik ang tingin sa akin. “Chiara, this is Katrina. She and I grew up together. She’s a close friend of my family’s.―”

“And an special close friend of Ethan’s too.” dagdag naman ng Laura na matalim na ang tingin sa akin.

“Nice to meet you, Katrina.” my words sound half-hearted, even to me, but Katrina doesn’t seem to care. She stares at me like I’m a stain she just noticed in her shoe.