The Groom's One True Bride

Chapter 1

"Are you ready?"

Sarah looked at him, and at herself in the mirror. She hurriedly dabbed the highlighter on her face, and turned to look at him.

"Perfect," he said.

She turned to pick up her purse.

"Zitti?" she asked him, and Kiefer shrugged, "With the nanny." She nodded.

They were having dinner at the Ravenas, and are bringing Zitti. It has been a month since they have introduced Zitti to the family.

More than a month since Grandpa wouldn't talk.

And more than a month since Alyssa left.

Kiefer offered his arm to Sarah, and Sarah latched her arm to his. They walked out the room, and off to Grandpa's.

They look like a perfect couple: he with his tall frame, dark brows and brooding eyes, and lips that could take one's breath away. She was fair and fragile, like a beautiful flower on summer's day, her long slender frame every girl's dream.

But that is where it ends.

They are just for show.

For Zitti.

The love that was previously there has dried and gone. Sarah has built a wall so high, not even Kiefer can make her smile. Well, Kiefer hasn't tried. Because there never was any love in the first place.

When previously the walk towards his Grandpa's house by the backyard has always been a happy and carefree event, he has now avoided it at all costs. He would take his car and go around the block just to drop by his Grandpa's.

Just like today.

"Manong!" Dani happily greeted him, and smiled at Sarah, before extending her arms to Zitti. "Come here, my mini me!" she greeted towards the little one, which was received with a giggle

Sarah looked at Kiefer, and Kiefer just nodded.

Sarah has never been comfortable with his family. She'd go silent, and walk on tiptoes, or try to blend with the walls whenever she's with them.

He brought her to the dining room, where his Grandma and parents were already seated. "Is Thirdy coming?" he asked, noting that his cousins are already here, except for his brother. "Yes, he is. He's just waiting for Bea," his mom answered, and addressed Sarah, "Hija."

Sarah took tentative steps towards them, and reached for their hands for blessing.

Kiefer seated her just as Dani came in with Zitti, "I swear I need to frequent the gym... I'm getting out of breath just carrying this little pumpkin!"

His family was surprised with the turn of events.  After Alyssa's confession to Grandpa, he summoned everyone and started blabbering about disowning Kiefer and his family. He went on a tirade for a good hour, until he fell asleep. When he woke up the next day, he refused to talk. Would not talk.

They thought he went into a stroke, but when he was brought to the hospital, his BP was just elevated, but no signs of stroke.

It has been tough for the family, and tougher for Kiefer.  And now, he has the responsibility over Zitti, and Alyssa missing...

He couldn't stop thinking about her, about what went wrong. At night, he would drown all his demons with liquor, and in the morning, attend to his grandfather. He suddenly dropped on the floor one day, and was confined in the hospital. After that, he has promised himself he'll pick up the broken pieces of his life.

Wasn't it him who said that once she walks away, there's no going back?

He started to hate her, condemn her, for all the unnecessary pain. She lied to him when she said she has loved only him. If she did, why did she have to give up on them over such a petty disagreement?  Was it even a disagreement?