It Started Without Love

Chapter 3

“What’s this fuss all about Therese Margareth?!” galit na galit si dad ng nakapasok ako sa loob ng bahay namin. “You left Liam in the resto without even informing him at ganitong oras ka na uuwi?!” pilit siyang pinapakalma ni mommy. Gusto kong sumagot pero di rin naman ako pakikinggan kaya’t nanahimik lang ako.

“Anak, Liam worriedly came here a while ago. He’s been contacting us since afternoon pero we were on a conference. Hindi ka rin niya macontact dahil wala siyang number mo. What happened? May emergency ba?” mom asked calmly.

“I just need to change my clothes mom, natapunan ako ng iced tea sa resto, I did not bother to inform him dahil may kausap siya, I think it’s a client or a business associate. I called Ash instead para masundo ako.” I apologize to them, galit pa rin si dad pero di na siya nagsalita pa ulit. Hindi ko na rin lang sinabi ang totoong rason para hindi na lumaki pa ang gulo. Knowing mom, she will surely talk to Tatiana about that.

A week already passed and tapos na rin akong magpaenroll sa med school. Today is Sunday and it’s our schedule for the prenup photoshoot.

“Reese, tara na daw sa baba.” Ash is here kasama ang ibang pang bridesmaid at mga kasali sa entourage. It’s really happening. Parang hindi ako makapaniwala but yes, a month from now, ikakasal na kami. They wanted us to get married before I get busy sa school, actually my enrolment is still pending dahil gusto nilang Suarez na ang apelyidong dadalhin ko sa pag-aaral. I wanted to carry Gozon para sana sa kanila ni dad at mom but they said they’re okay na dahil Gozon naman daw ang dala ko sa nursing days ko until I am already a Registered Nurse.

Nang makababa ako ay nagkakatuwaan na sila sa may garden, malapit sa pool. The photoshoot went smoothly, hindi na kami nahirapan ni Liam dahil sanay naman na rin yata siyang kunan ng litrato. Though there were times na medyo naiilang ako sa mga position namin, I still managed to act naturally.
It’s already passed lunchtime when we wrap it all up. Naglakad na ako papasok sa loob at aakyat na sa kwarto ko ng tinawag ako ulit ni dad.

“Therese Margareth, where are you going?” may halong pagbabanta ang boses niya. I did not try to hide my irritation when I faced them.

“Can I just change my clothes first?” mom caress dad’s arm for him to calm down. Tahimik lang din ang mga tao na nasa long table na nakaupo. Ash stood up and approach me.

“Sasamahan ko lang si Reese tito, we will be back immediately.” I marched towards the living room and up to my room, angrily. Bakit ba kasi di nila ako iniintindi.

“You know you still have time to change your mind love.” Ash said sweetly.

“And what? Dad will surely do what he told me. I won’t get even a single dime from him and worse, no one will give me scholarship at kung makapag-aral man ako, walang tatanggap sa akin. Dad is so influential, and he is ruthless as we all know.” Ash sighed. Kahit naman sino, walang magagawa pag si dad na ang nagsabi.

After changing my clothes, we go back to the garden, they are already eating and talking happily with each other. Tito Anton and Tita Lisa is with mom and dad. Nandoon naman si Liam sa mga kabarkada niya na siyang mga groom’s men. Napatingin sila ng umupo na kami ni Ash sa kabilang table kasama ang mga bride’s maid ko. Ang mga bride’s maid ko ay ang mga kabarkada namin ni Ash, si Laila, and Alexa. Ate Lindsy did not join them anymore dahil buntis ito. Si Ash naman ang Maid of Honor ko.

I was about to stood up to get my own food when someone suddenly put a plate with foods in front of me. Tiningnan ko muna kung sino ito, akala ko si mommy pero nabigla ako ng si Liam iyon. Walang imik na tinanggap ko na lang at nagsimulang kumain. Pasulyapsulyap lang ang mga kasama namin. Umalis siya saglit at naglapag ulit ng baso na may juice at isa pa para sa tubig bago siya bumalik sa table nila.