Tricked (Montenegro Series #1)

Epilogue

Epilogue

I took a deep long breath while roaming my eyes inside this huge church. I was here, standing at the altar, waiting for almost an hour for my beloved. I gasped and my eyes went misty. My heart beat triumphantly. At last! I felt the excitement rushing through my veins. Ikakasal na rin ako! At sa taong pinakamamahal ko pa! Sa wakas!

To be honest, I have a week of sleepless nights prior to my wedding. Masyado na kasi akong excited na ikasal kay Natalie. Pakiramdam ko, isang taon yata ang isang buwan na preparasyon. Xander would always tease me because I was the one who's more hands-on in wedding preparation than Natalie.

I just want my prinsesa to rest. If ever that I needed her recommendations in respect with the designs and motifs, I'd ask her first. If I know she's tired, I'll ask Sheree. Thank God she's helping me a lot dahil marami siyang alam na gusto ni Natalie na pambabae at kaartehan kaysa sa akin. Ayoko naman kasing mapagod ang asawa ko. Sa kama, ayun, do'n ko na lang siya puwedeng pagurin. Doon ko lang siya puwedeng pa-ungulin sa pagod. I smirked playfully at my thought.

"Congratulations, Travis," nakangiting bati ng alam kong isa sa mga business friends ni Dad. I didn't know nor her so much, actually. Nagtataka kasi ako na kung batiin niya ako, parang nagkita na kami, noon. Sino 'to sa mga kaibigan ni Dad?

Matamis ang ngiti na sinukli ko sa kaniya. "Thank you po."

"Mom!"

I startled and blinked as Ate Trinity approached the woman and gave her a peck. My lips half-parted and my eyes grew wide.

Tumatawang niyakap ng matanda si ate Trinity na kararating lang suot-suot ang kaniyang black infinity dress na open ang likod. Gumanti rin ng yakap si ate.

"Y-You're..." I gasped.

Nilingon na ako ni ate Trinity nang nakangisi. "Yes, Travis. Meet my mom, Narcissa," Ate Trinity introduced with spark of proud in her eyes.

I shifted my gaze to the woman my mom feared of. She's a bit older from my mom and she looked fierce with her demeanor. But her smiles are genuine. I never thought ate Trinity will invite her here!

"Hey, Travis," she offered her hand. "You looked so amazed at me." she smiled. "You just don't know but your mom is a great person. Sayang nga lang at hindi niya masasaksihan ang kasal mo. But I know that she's proud of you. She truly does."

Nangilid ang mga mata ko, nangangatal ang katawan. At the corner of my eyes, ate Trinity smiled knowingly and walked near me. She hugged me at my waist.

"Have you ever met my mother? By any chance?" I stammered.

Tumango siyang nakangiti. "She's very young but she's wonderful and adorable, Travis."

"D-did you get mad at my mom?"

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi nito. Kinabahan ako.

"She destroyed your family. I-I was the product of---"

She cut me off by shaking his head. A small smile stretched across her lips. "No one destroyed us in the first place. Teodoro and I decided before to cut our ties without ill-feelings. Wala kang kinalaman doon, Travis."

I want to sob but Trinity's mom raised her hand and waved in the air. "Hey, today is your wedding. Don't ruin it, ano ka ba," she laughingly said.

Ate Trinity grinned. "Oo nga. Mamaya niyan, panda na pala ang pinakasalan ni Natalie. Ikaw rin," she teased.

I nodded and brushed my tears away. The woman gave me her warm hug and bid goodbye. Hinalikan naman ako ni Trinity sa pisngi at tuluyan nang nagpaalam sa akin ang dalawa. They shared the same chair I reserved for the Montenegros.