Bride by Design

C H A P T E R 1

BRIDE AT THE ALTAR

Karyssa

In their world of tea parties and of fairy tales, young girls often dream of pink and white dresses and their princes from kingdom faraway. A castle built for their needs with the charming prince to love them and cater to their whims - of happily-ever-after's every heart always wished.

Mine was the same however, it differed compared to grandiose themes; my tea parties have been simple and a little lonely with only my gray bunny to accompany me. Instead of dreaming about knights and princes, I looked forward to an elegant princess.
It was then I knew that I was not like the others.

Although, not that different.

The princess may have taken the place of a prince but love remained.
The desire and need to love and be loved did not change.

My difference was first met with disapproval, coming out to them made me feel like I murdered their precious daughter, Karyssa, the only flower in garden of wild young Amante men.
I became Karyssa, the anomaly in the otherwise impeccable family. Everyone was beside themselves with shock and wondered what went wrong and so experts were called in. They went as far as convincing me through countless therapies and counseling sessions that it was wrong and I had it wrong.

A princess was meant for a prince.

And back then, all I could do was to nod my head 'yes' and my path was made straight again.

Resolved, neither a prince nor princess shall ever claim my heart then.

No longer a kid, the tea parties turned to company events and galas. The pink pastel colors of my bedroom walls, my modest attempt at dress-up and the table for two was replaced by extravagant ballrooms, stylish clothes and hundreds of guests.

Various businessmen from different industries frequent these gatherings. For sixteen year old me, it was loud and suffocating, unnecessary but a must to show our solidarity - the Amante family as one and proud. It was there that I first met the outstanding twenty-two year old daughter of the dela Vega's.

The straight path forced upon me through years of condition made a sudden curve when Helena entered. Often times I thought romantic movies depiction of first meetings' an exaggeration but I swear she walked in and everything moved in slow motion.

My dashing princess, Helena...

Her blue knee-length half-sleeved side-slitted seersucker dress outclassed the others. Her long dark chocolate hair that falls in soft waves halfway contrasted her olive skin and framed her diamond shaped face perfectly. She towered over a few men in her heels although it was not just her height. Helena's beauty and air of authority demanded their attention.

I knew she had more than just my attention from that moment.

Helena captured my heart and held it since.

My uncles were eyeing a partnership with the dela Vega's for years and the opportunity to join hands with them presented itself through marriage - an enduring partnership. Gabriel Amante lamented the fact that he only had me and no sons to vie for the dela Vega's pride. The competition to woo the elusive Helena began and my four cousins fought against each other. They might have not been the closest bunch but this drove a deeper wedge. Only my cousin Reynolfo and I stayed unaffected.

Our families grew closer over a year but no Amante male has managed to succeed. During that time, I took advantage of the regular visits and occasional parties to inch closer to Helena. Greatly attributed to her having had enough of the testosterone-driven male flocking to her, Helena kept me by her side at all times. And I was only eager to play the part of her squire and drive the men away.