Arrangements

13

Today is the wedding but I cannot really tell if this is a wedding or a photoshoot for a magazine. Regardless, I follow everything my secretary instructs me to do. She's the one who did most of the planning and talking with the organizers in my stead.

Most of my friends has come. They share with me their reactions when they received the invites. They thought Claire would be the bride but turns out it's my ex, Anna.

Everything is complicated.

Finally, I am informed that the bridal car has arrived. They instruct me to get ready.

Almost everything is ready as to what we'd rehearsed but there is one thing not in order. Dave.

I can sense his madness as he approaches me.

"Why are you-" I couldn't finish my line. He pulls my collar and then my right arm to the fire exit near the venue room. He assures the door is locked after we entered.

"Have you gone crazy?!" I protest while I can hear the worrying noise outside.

"It cannot be you! It cannot be Anna!" He shouts. I punch him hard and approach the door to exit but he pulls me again and pushes me against the wall.

"I will haunt you if you hurt Anna. She's sick and don't make her worse."

I am to push him away. But I am silenced. Anna is sick?

Many people come over from the floors above and below us. Some pull Dave and take him away while some  worry about me.

Mom and dad ask me what was that about. I remind them that Dave is Anna's ex-husband that he hasn't gotten over Anna.

The organizers are fast that they have managed the situation. Everything is fine again.

The entourage is all happily smiling except for Kuya Miko. I politely ignore it.

The emcee finally announces the entrance of the bride. She is far from me so I cannot see her face yet, until she extends her hands to tito. Her veil seems fading that her face shines to me. Her smile makes her more gorgeous. I can't help it but to smile too.

As she walks nearer and nearer, I can feel my heart beat faster and louder. I am surely nervous that I want to back out. Suddenly, I remember Claire. Claire should be my bride. It should be Claire whom I will say I do to, whom I will spend my night with later and the following nights, whom I will eat breakfast with. Not Anna.

After I remember Claire, everything becomes plain to me. I simply follow all that what need to be done like a robot. I want this day to end already.

I am really tired. The day was long. Right after the reception, I quickly take a bath to sleep already. But as I walk out of the bathroom, I see Anna in front of a mirror, unzipping her gown.

"Love, need help," she says as she struggles to reach her back.

I slowly walk to her and unzip her gown. And then she takes it off. I am stunned that I have to fake a cough to retrieve my cool.

She's in her black laced underwear only while I am covered with a towel only.

She lifts her gown and walks in the closet. She returns and still in her underwear. She walks around the room comfortably that makes me awkward.

Finally, she wears her bath robe and walks in the bathroom.

I suddenly feel hot. I felt glued on the carpeted floor while she was roaming around. This is our first night being married.

I lower the air conditioner's temperature and wear a shirt and boxer.

I open the curtains and walk out to the lanai for fresh air. I don't think I can safely survive this night. My tiredness are worn off, I can't even sleep.

I sigh to the thought of Anna walking around in front of me almost naked while we're alone in this room.

I do push-ups against the floor, the wall, the chairs... everything to wear off the hotness I feel. It's hard, especially with the fact that we're now actually married.

I feel tired enough again so I go to bed and force myself to sleep. Tomorrow is another day. I'll settle everything in the office, talk to dad and then to tito. I will file for annulment as soon as possible.

I fell asleep until I feel warm hands touch me, and then a warm body behind me, and arms that hug me. Suddenly, I feel hot again.

"Love," Anna whispers. I feel caught off guard.

"Anna," I say, pretending sleepy.

"Today's very tiring, isn't it? But I'm very happy," she informs.

I am about to get up to get away from her but she suddenly kisses my neck. "Goodnight," she says and hugs me tighter. I feel a sudden electricity from my neck that run through my whole body.

I can feel her head leaning on my back. She fell asleep.

All I can do is to sigh. This is my worst and hardest night.

I guess this will be a long night for me.