3:00 A.M.

XXIII

Everything inside the huge room conspired against me: the spotlight that permanently stayed on us, creating more suspense on the sudden turn of events, blinded my vision; the chatters and whispers directed towards us; the eyes that scrutinized every inch of me, discerning every angle and judging every flaw; the painful drop of seconds, thinning the air for more pressure, clouded me.

I should have been conscious or maybe become a little panic because of the unwanted attention but not even those can nudge away the anger that had been simmering inside me.

In instinct, my hand immediately balled into a fist and before I knew what I was doing, it landed hard on Lucas' stomach.

Gasps echoed the huge room.

He, having his hard abs and all those muscles from his workouts, only winced to my full strength punch.

He clutched his stomach in slight pain.

"Never do that to me again." I hissed while pointing a finger at him.

He pursed a guilty smile, "I deserved that."

I didn't answer. It feels as though we're in a theatrical play with these ogling people as the audience but I couldn't care much about them except for the man standing with his sorry ass in front of me.

Lucas looked at the crowd in front of us, as if assessing the whole event.

"I just gave space for you to think and the next thing I hear is you're getting married." He said in a scolding manner while his brow arched.

I slumped my back.

Had you been here, I would've been on an entirely different situation now. I thought but the emotions welled up inside me. Suddenly, all the toll of pretending to be fine and feigning determination worn off.

I grabbed him by the collar and kissed him. It wasn't a torrid one nor a peck. It was a kiss to let him know that despite the aching pride and hints of betrayal still glinting in my heart, I still wanted him to be here no matter how late he is.

He's here. He came for me.

I pulled back and he immediately collected me into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you in the first place." He said on my neck.

I shook my head and inhaled more of his scent to anchor my being and let it soothe me.

"Thank you. For coming back." I whispered.

He nodded but before we can cherish the moment even more, a voice pierced through the interlude of romance we were sharing.

"What the hell's going on?!" Mr. Owen's voice boomed to the corners of the huge room and made everybody stopped.

"Oh God." I heard Michael muttered over the microphone.

"Michael! Explain this nonsense!"

Michael quickly ran to his father and as he did so, there was another commotion happening on the enormous entrance doors.

Three men in bodyguard suit jogged towards Mr. Owen but we couldn't hear what they were saying.

"Tana, Lucas."

I turned and saw my parents rushing towards us.

"Dad, Mom." I quickly hugged them both.

When I pulled back, Lucas immediately stepped forward to face my parents.