A Marriage Of Inconvenience (Series #1)

Chapter 1: Mrs. Navarez

The bride was wearing an off-shoulder gown, accentuating her smooth, slender shoulder. Although there was a frown on her face, it didn't mar the charming beauty she was giving off. This was it, this was the day she hadn't been waiting for—her wedding day. It was a garden wedding. Simple but elegant. Naisipan ng ama niya na ganapin ang kasalan sa back garden ng mansyon at sa mansyon na rin gaganapin ang reception.

She rolled her eyes at the thought.

Everything was ridiculous. From the garden wedding, to the wedding gown and to the guy who agreed to marry her. This day should be her happiest moment but no, she shook her head mentally, almost laughing out loud. Hindi siya masaya at hindi siya natutuwa sa mga nangyayari! Isipin pang ikakasal siya sa lalaking mahirap!

Hindi siya matapobre, pero ang maikasal dito? Ang mawalan ng mamanahin? Hindi ito nakakatuwa.

Ang pagdating ng sasakyan ang nagpabalikwas sa iniisip niya. And she didn't even know why'd she ran to the balcony and watched the groom getting out of the car. The man was wearing a barong tagalog—the urge to roll her eyes again was too strong but she refrained herself—and white shirt underneath it, and a tight faded jeans and black shoes. She'd probably never recognized all his ex-boyfriends in a group of people, but never this man. Mangingibabaw ito sa karamihan. Not just because James Navarez was tall but he had a commanding personality and she didn't even know the meaning of thunderstruck until she saw him.

Napakalakas ng dating nito, mapasaan man o kahit mapadikit kanino ay nangingibabaw ito. O marahil para lamang sa kaniya iyon. Dahil aminin man niya o hindi ay lagi niya ito napapansin.

Marahil ay naramdaman nitong naroon siya sa balkonahe kaya sandali itong huminto at tumingala. Their eyes met, a cold discerning eyes to hers, and her legs wobbled for a bit. Kung hindi siya nakahawak sa railings ay baka kanina pa dumausdos ang katawan niya sa sahig. Nagsalubong ang makapal na kilay nito at bahagya siyang tinanguan bago naglakad papasok sa mansyon.

Napabuga siya ng hangin nang wala na ito sa kaniyang paningin. Gusto niyang matawa, hindi dahil natutuwa siya kundi dahil sa hinanakit. Wala ng bago sa kaniya iyon, kada magkikita sila nito ay mas malamig pa sa yelo ang pakikitungo nito sa kaniya.

Oh well, she shrugged her shoulder, it was not as if she give a damn. In fact, she really didn't even give a damn about him. She always reminded herself of that. To her, James was nothing. Should be nothing. But why did it feels like at the back of her mind, something was telling her that she did give a damn. And it made a confuse beating on her heart.

Napailing na muli ang babae. Pakiramdam niya ay nababaliw na siya.

Makalipas nang ilang sandali ay umalis siya sa balkonahe at lumabas ng kwarto. Because whether she likes it or not, she had to meet her soon-to-be husband, right?

Nang makalabas ay nahinto siya sa puno ng hagdanan nang makita itong nag-aabang sa baba at nakatingala sa kaniya. Walang ka-emosyon emosyon ang mukha nito.

"Naghihintay na sila sa atin, Germay." Anito sa baritonong tinig, napaka-pormal, na para bang hindi siya kakilala nito.

Which was ridiculous.

Umikot ang mga mata niya bago inayos ang veil sa ulo at itinakip sa mukha. Naglakad siya pababa ng hagdanan, patungo dito. Parang halos himatayin siya sa bilis ng tibok ng puso niya habang bumababa patungo dito, at para bang may kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan niya ng hawakan nito ang siko niya upang akayin sa back garden.

Gustuhin mang pumikwas ay hindi niya magawa dahil mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa braso niya, na para bang alam ni James na tatakas siya.

Any moment now she would be Mrs. James Navarez. At dahil sa kaisipang iyon ay muling namuo ang galit sa puso niya para sa Papa niya at kapatid. She hated them for doing this to her. She hated her father for making her decide something she didn't want to. She hated her twin sister for not getting home and claiming what was rightfully hers.