Puri

5 | The Bachelor, the Lady and the Wedding

"I'm not afraid anymore, Sofia. I am ready to leave with Felipe even if you don't call off the wedding," Antonio said, staring straight into the darkness ahead of them. His annoying façade faded after admitting that he and his coachman are in a romantic relationship.

Sofia is now faced with a problematic, lovesick man.

He's not so bad afterall, she thought.

"But you're the only son of Don Pablo. Without you, your clan will cease jurisdiction over San Lorenzo. Another family will rise, shoving yours to the side, stripped of your riches," she reminded him. This is the very reason of their engagement, afterall. It is their parents' desperate attempt to keep their positions in the government and to acquire more riches.

Sofia would also want to believe that her parents wanted to marry her off to the Colombo's clan to secure her future. Antonio and his family have the fortune to not just support, but spoil Sofia and her descendants.

But, she was reminded of her beloved Yin Xiu. She, like Antonio, was ready to pack her bags and live in China with her lover. She also wanted every way out of the dated marriage.

"Honestly, I don't know," Antonio said. "I'm so selfish, am I not?"

Sofia shook her head no. "You are just in love, Antonio. And... we were just unfortunate to love them at this time period. Someday, in another lifetime, perhaps the world will be kinder and such love is not condemned anymore," she mused.

Antonio sighed. He is restless. "I cannot wait another lifetime, Sofia. I want to be happy in this lifetime too, since it's the only lifetime I'm sure Felipe and I both exists," he said.

"Help me Sofia," he added. "I'm done being afraid."

Sofia's lips twitched. She looked back to where Xiu was standing, watching them like a hawk. "I guess you're right," she decided.

"Now tell me, Antonio," she continued, returning her gaze towards him. "How do you plan to stop this wedding?"

-fin-