The Reluctant Bride (Completed)

Chapter 1: The Problem

Chapter 1: The Problem

Alcohol.

Once again she turns to alcohol to find solace.

Alone and sad, she sat at the counter of the One World Bar with a shot of tequila.

She can't believe that her grandfather did this. This is the worst of her grandfather's controlling family policies and she hated it. It was a big mistake for her to come home.

"A Pale Pilsen John." A tall man sat beside her. She noticed because she saw his reflection in the mirror in front of the bar.  He was good-looking in a Lee Min Ho sort of way.  He had a boyish charm yet exuded a man of the world appeal.  He was in a well-tailored Armani suit.  Custom-made, Kate thought.  

Kate was on her third shot of tequila.  The man was a nice view to look at but the man's gall of sitting beside her irritated her, especially when there were ten other available seats on the long bar. She only wanted to drown in alcohol in utter silence with nothing but her thoughts. She needed to plan. Quick.

"Tough day?" the guy asked, directed at her, and took a quick drink from his bottle of beer.

Presko. Naisip ni Kate.

"Please, I don't talk to strangers." Kate downed the third shot and stood up and sat three stools away from the guy. She ordered a fourth shot. "Iwan mo na dito ang bote John." She told the bartender who indeed left the bottle of tequila in front of her.

"Hey, I was just being nice." The tall man said then moved to the seat beside her bringing with him his bottle of beer. "And you should take that with salt and lime." he smiled.  It was unnerving.

"Pwede ba!" she faced him irritated, anger now evident on her face. She saw the handsome Chinese mestizo features smiling again and she felt insulted. "I want to be alone." Kate downed the fourth shot without batting an eyelash. The man did not leave.

"Dahan dahan ang pag-inom. You might not have enough left to get you home." the man further commented.  To that Kate gave a sarcastic smile.

Makulit din 'tong intsik na 'to.

"I don't have a home." Kate declared. It surprised her that she said it out loud dahil totoo.  She doesn't have a home anymore.  With her Gramps ordering her around, she had just about had it.  She is not going home.

"Everyone has a home. Lahat ng tao may pamilya." He said confidently. It prompted Kate to pour another shot.

"Pwes, ako ang exception. Ako, wala!" she said with a sarcastic smile.

"Parang ang laki ng problema mo." The man took another drink from his bottle.

"Ano ba pakialam mo?" Kate took another shot.

"I might be able to help you know." The man smiled at her. It was a comforting smile, like the warm rays of the sun on a cold winter morning.

"You have no idea." Kate poured herself another shot.

She noticed he was looking at her through the mirror in front of the Bar.

"Didn't your Mom teach you some manners?" Kate commented. "Don't you know it's rude to stare at people?"

"Sorry... I just find you so... " hindi mahanap ni Red ang tamang word.

"So what?"

"Stunning."  Stunniing, dahil hanggang ngayon nalulula pa rin siya sa ganda ni Kate.

"Stunning?" Napangiti si Kate. Nawala saglit ang problemang kinakaharap.

"I was going to say beautiful but you're more than beautiful."

Hanep sa pick-up line ang mokong. Natawa sa sarili si Kate. Lumagok uli ng isang shot.

"See... I made you smile." nakangiting comment ng lalaki.

"Huwag ka ngang pa-cute." saad ng dalaga. Kate turned to her side to face the man. She was stunned.

The mirror in front of the bar did not do any justice. Gwapo is not enough to descibe the man. Alam niyang matangkad ito, around 6'2". Pero ang katawan... shit! To die for. His dark suit fit him perfectly showing off solid shoulders and a broad chest. Tumayo ito at umalis sa kinauupuan.

"Excuse me, I'll be back." ngiti ulit ng lalaki. His gesture of standing up and turning around to approach someone gave her a perfect view of his butt.

Shit! Pati butt perfect! Oh how she wants to see him without his clothes on. Perfect din kaya without the suit?

Why am I having these thoughts?! Kate shook her head as if wanting to shake off her thoughts. Nalalasing na yata ako.

Then, she saw someone familiar. She immediately stood up and started to leave. She left P1,500 on the bar.  Alam na niya ang presyuhan ng mga alak sa ganitong establishment.

Kate was already woozy and tipsy. She evaded the men whom she knew was looking for her by going through the exit by the restrooms. She was able to identify one of them as Abe, her grandfather's bodyguard and personal assistant. He was the familiar man she saw enter the Bar. She took the fire exit and found herself in the parking lot.

Unfortunately, the men she were evading were quick. They were at the parking lot too. She hid behind one of the cars but they were getting near her. She quickly tried to open every car door she came across.

Please... please... open up...

She tried a Toyota Vios. It was locked. The next car was a Fortuner. Its alarm went off drawing attention to her position. She quickly walked to another car. A BMW X5. Surprisingly it was open. She entered the passenger side of the front seat. She heaved a sigh of relief as she saw the men walk past her. The car was heavily tinted. She said a quick prayer of thanks and closed her eyes. In a few seconds, exhaustion set in.