Simula

SANTY'S POV

What if I tell you that I know when and where I'm going to die, would you believe me? That slowly and agonizingly, I saw my life slip from my hands right before my very eyes. Yes, I know that I'm dying and why.

I should have run to safety and hide from the claws of death but no, I did the exact opposite any sane person will do. Call it pure stupidity, for me it's a sacrifice a daughter should do for her family. A duty to fulfill.

I welcome death with my arms open and walked to it willingly with my Louboutin-clad feet and expensive white Vera Wang dress as armor. Who would have thought that death will be this extravagant?

I closed my eyes as I gripped the handle of the small bouquet the lady gave me earlier. I guess she's the organizer of this eulogy.

My wedding.

In an hour or so, I will be exchanging 'I do' with the man whose family has more riches than the GDP of a small country. The man whom the press dubbed as dangerously beautiful and equally ruthless, the female population bows down to him whenever he's around. The man my father owed a huge amount of money, fifty million pesos to be exact.

Seven Torrevillas.

I huffed and stared at my reflection at the thick glass window of the office I'm in.

Kung sa iba'y heto ang araw na pinakahihintay nila't pinapangrap, hindi ako. Right now, all I wanted to do is be the ordinary Santy Vidal with a mundane schedule- aral, library, bahay. Last week, I was that girl. A 20-year old AB Masscom student who's busy with her upcoming exams and term papers. But fate has a funny way for everything, it'll throw you to the things or situation wherein wala kang alam at sa kaso ko, 'di ko gusto.

"I'll wring his neck, Sixto. Que barbabaridad! Saan ka nakakita na ang bride ang naghihintay sa groom? Nakakahiya."

Bahagya akong lumingon sa kaliwa at nakitang masinsinang nag uusap sina Don Sixto at Doña Laarni Torrevillas. They are my soon-to-be in-laws.

"Relax, darling. Katatapos ko lang makausap si Bob, na-traffic lang sila from NAIA but they're on their way here," anang Don at pinisil ang braso ng ginang.

"Ayusin mo lang na hindi lalayas 'yang panganay mo. I know Seven, Sixto. He wouldn't agree with this madness."

"Darling, we're through with this right? Relax."

The regal matriarch raised both her hands that were clad with designer white gloves just like mine. "Fine. Fine. Kung bakit kasi madalian ang kasal ng mga bata? Alam mong pag-uusapan tayo ng mga amigas ko. They will think that Seven got Santy pregnant. Dios Mio!"

"Laarni..."

Natigilan ang ginang at tumingin sa pwesto ko. Napansin na pala ng mabait na Don ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa ng asawa.

Alanganing ngumiti sa 'kin ang ginang habang hinahawi ang ilang hibla ng buhok na tumabing sa mukha nito."S-santy, hija. Parating na sila. Na-traffic lang."

"Okay lang ho," I nod and gave them a reassuring smile. At least, may dalawang taong alam kong bukas palad akong tanggap sa pamilya nila, sa kabia ng rason ng kasalang ito.

Sabay-sabay kaming napatingin sa pinto ng bumukas iyon at iluwa ang isa sa mga hottest bachelor ng reino. Otto Torrevillas in a three-piece dark gray suit armed with nothing but oozing charms.

"Hello. I'm not late, am I?"

"No. The groom is not yet here, so you're still on time," ani Don Sixto sa pangalawang anak.

Otto smiled and stepped inside the room. He gave his parents a peck in the cheeks then stopped few steps before me. He tilted his head to the right while both of his hands are on his back. He regards me intently, studying my every feature as if I'm a complex puzzle he needs to solve.

I shifted on my chair and averted my gaze.

"You look beautiful. Gorgeous. I'm Otto. A pleasure to meet you, Santy."

A deep husky tone demanded my attention and automatically I turn to face him. Mesmerizing brown eyes stared at me with amusement. Hindi ko mapigilang matulala sa kaharap. Otto, just like the rest of the Torrevillas men, is a God gift to women. Or to humanity just like how Bee describes them the other day. Their genes— beautiful face, muscular body, and height, made every man on the planet insecure to their core and probably cursing the almighty why life is unfair.

Lahat ba sila ganito ang epekto sa kababaihan? Naisip ko.

Otto cleared his throat. Nag init ang magkabilang pisngi ko at nanginginig na tinanggap ang kamay nitong kanina pa nakalahad.

"Please t-to meet you."

I thought it was just an ordinary hand shake. Nagulat ako nang dalhin nito sa labi ang kanang kamay ko't marahang hinalikan ang likod ng palad ko. Hindi ko naiwasang pamulahan ng mukha dahil sa ginawa nito. I'm not used with that kind of attention.

"Welcome to the family, Santy," he smiled sweetly then let go of my right hand.

"Enough, Otto. Take your seat."

"Si, Mama."

Naupo ito sa likuran ko. Habang ako nama'y muling iniikot ang paningin sa paligid. Bakit parang mas lumakas yata ang buga ng aircondition unit sa loob ng VIP room ng munisipyo? Is this normal, the nerves that I'm feeling especially that my groom is still MIA?

Relax, Santy. The sooner this will be over, the better. Pilit kong kinakalma ang sarili.

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa loob ng isang VIP room sa kapitolyo ng Makati. It was transformed into a small chapel by the staff of Doña Laarni. Hindi pumayag ang ginang na simple lang ang maging ayos ng venue, kahit kapos sa oras nagawa pa din nitong gawing elegante ang opisina. Anim lang naman ang attendees ng private wedding na iyon pero sa mga nagkalat na upuan, hula kong kakasya kahit na dalawampu.

I should have invited Bee, she'll be delighted and over the moon with this charade. But for the life of me, I cannot bring her to this ceremony. Ayokong lalong madagdagan ang awa sa 'kin ng pinsan. Tama nang alam niyang ikakasal ako ngayong araw at kung sino ang groom. I want to save her from all these dramas.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa bouquet ng white stephanotis pagka isip kay Bee. She gave me one of her pep talks last night, encouraging me to hope for the best out of this situation. Will this union bring happiness to me and Seven just like what these dainty flowers in my hand symbolize? Nobody knows.

Wala sa loob na napatingin ako sa wall clock. It's ten minutes before two in the afternoon. The rites were supposed to start at 12:30 meaning we've been here for almost an hour waiting for my groom. Ibig ding sabihin halos isang araw nang hindi nasasayaran ng pagkain ang tiyan ko.

"Santy, here. It looks like you need it now."

"Thank you," inabot ko ang bote ng mineral water mula kay Otto at tahimik na uminom.

From my peripheral, I saw my father was already inside the room, joining us. Nakaupo sa likuran nila Don Sixto at seryosong kausap ang head ng pamilyang maya-maya lang ay kabibilangan ko na din.

I still remember the day he broke to me the news that turned my world 180 degrees. Maraming tanong ang hindi sinagot ng ama ko pero isa lang ang malinaw matapos ang pag haharap naming iyon, wala akong choice. I willed my eyes not to shed a single tear when my father's words echoed inside my head.

'You have to do it. Ikaw lang at walang iba. Dapat nga'y magpasalamat ka pa sa 'kin, for bringing this opportunity to you. A sinner like you doesn't deserve the riches of your husband's family. Do your part, Santy. Marry him and please your husband.'

"I know it's just nerves and wedding jitters. Or sort of. But if any consolation, my brother's a drop-dead gorgeous beast. Hindi ka lugi, Santy. Might as well enjoy him as your arm candy."

My back straightened up and I looked at Otto with my eyes wider than usual. He's grinning and true enough I laugh for the first time in so many days.

"There. Mas lalo kang gumaganda kapag tumatawa."

"Thank you. Can't help the nerves."

"Understandable naman 'yon. Lalo na sa ganitong pagkakataon. Just relax."

Hindi ko na nagawang sagutin si Otto dahil pabalibag na bumukas ang pinto. Sabay-sabay kaming napatayo't tulalang nakatingin sa bulto na naroon.

"Seven!"

I swallowed all the bile that rises from my throat. My stomach churned and I want to throw up as I gaze at the man who's standing tall at the doorway, giving us his cold and murderous gaze. Madlim ang mukha nito at matalim ang mga matang pinasadahan kami ng tingin, huminto iyon sa 'kin.

And God, if looks could kill malamang ay kanina pa ko bumulagta sa tingin na ipinukol sa 'kin ni Seven Torrevillas. I heard rumors that he's dangerous yet there's something much more sinister about him that the press forgets to tell the public.

Seven's devastatingly handsome and his presence alone will disarm any breathing human. Tall, broad shoulders, sculpted nose, strong and prominent jaw with five o'clock shadows, topping it off with deep-set dark eyes.

I blinked and swallowed anxiously.

He's chaos dressed in an expensive Armani suit and Italian leather shoes.

"Papa, es una broma? Mierda!" He thundered then slam his fist onto the wooden door.

"Son, words!"

Ilang segundong nagsukatan ng tingin ang mag ama bago walang kibong tumalikod si Seven. Naiwan kaming lima na tulalang nagkatitigan. Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko.

I'm not aware that I was holding my breath. God, my groom's presence made the room tinier than usual, and admittedly, the fear that I'm feeling now gnaw every bone in my body.

"Give me a minute. Otto, tell the mayor we'll start in 5 minutes," Don Sixto fix the lapel of his suit then leave the four of us inside the chilly room.

Walang salitang sumunod din dito si Otto.

"There's just a misunderstanding, Nico. Santy," Doña Laarni breaks the awkward silence swirling around the room. "Let's get you ready, okay?"

Lumapit sa 'kin ang ginang at inayos ang mga bobby pins na nakapalibot sa buhok ko. The hairdresser did a masterpiece on my long dark hair. She pulled it back and do wonders with it, I heard her telling me that it's a coiffure chignon. To finish her handiwork, small white lilies were placed on my hair. In any other circumstances, mag tatatalon ako sa tuwa sa ganda at ayos ko ngayong araw.

Pero habang tumatagal, mas lalong gusto kong umatras at tumakbo palayo sa lahat ng ito. Seven's presence, his rage–the danger he's exuding creates an immense red flag in my head.

"I believe we can start, Doña Laarni?" pukaw sa 'min ng mayor.

Hindi ko namalayang nakabalik na pala si Otto at kasama na nito ang mag o-officaite ng kasal.

"Si. Just a couple of minutes, Mayor. May inaayos lang saglit ang anak ko."

Tumango ang alkalde at tahimik na naupo sa gitna habang ako'y tarantang napatingin sa pwesto ni dad. Nabasa marahil nito ang nasa isip ko kaya mariin itong umiling. Nasa mga mata nito ang tahimik na babala. I need to behave and do my part.

"Let's get this shit over and done, shall we?"

"Sin vergeunza. Seven!?" Saway ni Doña Laarni sa anak na papalapit sa pwesto namin.

Hindi pinansin ni Seven ang galit ng ina. Puno ng poot ang matang kinuha nito ang braso ko't hinila ako sa tapat ng mayor.

"Start. Now."

Tarantang tumayo ang alkade na hula ko'y hindi nalalayo ang edad sa ama ko. I winced as Seven's finger dug deeper into my arms. Long sleeve ang suot kong dress pero sa higpit ng pagkakahawak nito sa 'kin, alam kong mag iiwan 'yon ng marka.

"We are here today gathered for the union of Mr. Al—"

"For fuck's sake! Stop the blabbering old man," hinablot ni Seven ang bible at galit na nilapag iyon sa lamesang nakapagitan sa 'min at sa mayor.

"Puta de madre, Seven," Don Sixto blurted out much to our surprise.

Lalong humigpit ang hawak ni Seven sa braso ko. Napangiwi ako at naluluhang napatingala sa katabi. Lalo akong nanginig sa takot nang makita ang ngiti nito.

It was the smile of the devil. It sends a shiver down my spine as I caught a glimpse of the kind of cruelty Seven can inflict on someone.

"This is my wedding, Papa. You did your part, yes? Preparing and looking for a suitable bride," he spares me a glance. It was quick but enough to make my knees sway. "We don't need that lengthy vows," ibinalik nito ang tingin sa harap.

"I do. Now give me the fucking document."

"H-ha? Your bride needs to say her part, Sir."

"Did she have to?" maanghang na tanong ni Seven pero ang mga mata'y nakapako sa 'kin. "She's been here since 12, isn't that a sign how she's excited to marry me?"

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumukuha ng tapang lalo na sa harap-harapang galit at pamamahiya ni Seven sa 'kin.

"Seven por dios por santo!" Bulalas ni Doña Laarni mula sa likuran.

"I d-do," I decided it's time for me to say those words that will seal my fate with the furious man beside me.

"Happy? Where's the contract? Bilis."

Hindi malaman ng kawawang alkalde kung paano iaabot ang puting papel kay Seven.

"H-here Sir."

Hinablot iyon ni Seven, inilapag sa lamesa't mabilis na pinirmahan.

"Your turn, woman," inilagay nito ang ballpen sa palad ko't inilapit ang mukha sa kaliwang tenga ko. "Sign your death sentence."

Napalunok ako't humigpit ang hawak ko sa ballpen. Gosh, will I survive Seven and this marriage?

"Sign."

I winced. Tarantang pinirmahan ko ang papel na nasa harapan.

"Y-your now husband and wife," anang alkalde't puno nang pag-aalala ang tingin na ibinigay sa 'kin.

"Okay. Done."

Nagtatakang sinundan ko ng tingin ang papalayong bulto ni Seven.

"Siete, umayos ka!"

Tumigil ito saglit at nilingon ang ina. To my surprise, he sarcastically laughs.

"Oh, my bad. How rude of me, right Mama?" Taas ang kamay na saad nito't hinarap ako. "Fucking traditions."

"Oh, God!" I shrieked when out of the blue, a strong arm snaked around my waist pulling me closer to the most muscular body I've ever encounter. Musk, spice, and a hint of sandalwood wafted around my nose. Is this how danger smell? Piquant, waking up some interest I didn't know I have.

"Let's give them a show, wife. That's what they came here for, yes?" He spat the words and as quick as lightning, claimed my surprise lips.

The full, and warm mouth was pressed against my unspoiled one. I froze. Ganito ba lahat ng first kiss? A soft cry escaped my mouth when I felt his tongue against my lips, seeking entrance.

What will I do? Call it instinct or what but my mouth opened for him. A taste of mint exploded inside my mouth. Seven lapped my mouth and imagine my shock when I felt a tingling sensation run through my whole body because of that carnal kiss. I closed my eyes and let Seven sealed my coffin with our first kiss as husband and wife.

Hindi ko maintindihan pero may kung anong estraherong pakiramdam ang pinupukaw sa 'kin ng halik na iyon. And just when I'm starting to savor it, doon naman ako padaskol na binitawan ng asawa.

"This was one great spectacle. You can now all go home. Tapos nang palabas."

I quickly opened my eyes and I met Seven's furious dark hooded eyes.

"My staff will pick you up."

Mabilis itong tumalikod at iniwan ako sa gitna, tulala at maluha-luha.