Declaration

REESE looked at the guests inside the event hall.

They arrived at the place five minutes early and Reese was with her grandfather when they came inside the event hall.

Nasa likod lang rin nila sila Reema at ang magulang nilang dalawa.

The women wore evening gowns, expensive jewels with its big shining stones and most of the men inside the event hall were dressed in a black tux and suit.

This was the first time Reese had attended such an elegant and formal event, and of course, she can't be absent on the day of her marriage announcement.

Reese was the only person inside the event hall wearing such an outstanding red halter neck mermaid dress, she did not wear any kind of jewels with big stones or such.

She just came here with simple accessories. Her long hair was tied into an elegant bun and she did not apply that much makeup.

Reese can't help but to feel anxious, people were looking at her with confused expressions and just like what she expected… she really is unknown to the crowd.

"Reema, Reese." Pagtawag ng matanda sa kanilang magkapatid.

Napatingin silang dalawa ni Reema sa lolo nila at lumapit.

"The two of you stay here, we're going to check if everything is settled now. We still have to greet the Lim family." Paalam nito sa kanilang dalawa.

Masayang tumango si Reema na tila ba gusto niya ang mangyayari.

"Yes, lolo. We'll behave." Magalang na saad ni Reema na halos ikasuka ni Reese. Hindi niya kinakaya ang ka-plastikan ng kapatid.

Sumama ang ama at ina nila sa lolo nilang dalawa at nanatili silang nakatayo sa puwesto nila.

A server suddenly stopped and handed the two of them champagne.

The two of them happily took the champagne glass and Reese took a sip from her glass.

"Don't embarrass our family, big sister." Biglaang wika ni Reema. "I know this is your first time with this kind of event, so if you need help from a person who's exposed to things like this, I'm willing to help." Mayroong mapang-asar na ngiti sa mga labi ng kapatid niya.

Reese gave her a sigh and she took a short look at Reema from head to toe and Reese can't help but to chuckle lightly.

"From the way you're dressed today, I think the Chen family is embarrassed enough." Wika niya at umiwas ng tingin. "I mean, who would wear such a high slit dress in a formal party. Mali yata ang venue na pinuntahan mo, little sister. This is a marriage announcement event, not the bar, okay?"

Reese gave Reema a smile that says that it's one point for her.

Reema should just shut up for the whole event because it's really annoying to hear her voice.

Wala na kasing magandang lumalabas sa bibig nito.

"Aren't you curious about your husband?" Reema asked in a low voice while holding the stem of her champagne flute.

Reese looked at her sister who's smirking in front of her now.

"I heard rumors that the young master of the Lim family is actually a fat, arrogant, aloof man. There's nothing good with him. That's why I suddenly pity you, big sister. Imagine? Marrying that kind of guy." Anito sa mapanglait na boses.

Mahinang natawa si Reese sa sinabi ng kapatid.

"You're really good with rumors, Reema." Wika niya at sumimsim sa champagne niya.

"You don't have to problem what my husband will look, ang intindihin mo yung sarili mo. May nahanap ka na bang part-time job para tustusan sarili mo?" Pagtatanong ni Reese sa mapang-asar na tono.

She saw Reema gritted her teeth because of annoyance.

"Sabagay, hindi naman ako ang ikakasal. Hindi ko na dapat intindihin ang itsura ng mapapangasawa mo, oh how I want to see your reaction when you see the man you'll marry." Wika ni Reema.

Mariing tinignan ni Reese ang kapatid at wala siyang nagawa kung 'di manahimik lang.

"Well, goodluck with your marriage, my dear sister." Bakas ang sarkasmo sa boses ni Reema at walang nagawa si Reese kung 'di bigyan ito ng ngiti at iwan ag kapatid sa puwesto nila.

Reese left her champagne flute at the table and she immediately looked around the place, gusto niyang magpahangin habang hindi pa nagsisimula ang nasabing event.

Nang makita ni Reese ang isang labasan na magdadala sa kanya sa hardin ng lugar ay kaagad siyang naglakad papasok sa hardin at natigilan siya nang makita ang isang lalaki na nakatayo sa hardin at tila may kausap sa telepono.

"No, I haven't greeted them, Mom." Wika nito at napahilot sa sintido.

The guest Reese saw was somehow stressed with the person he's talking to overt the phone.

"I'm not here to find myself a date, mom. I'm here to celebrate my bestfriend's marriage announcement, okay? Well, I have to end the call." Saad nito at kaagad na binaba ang tawag.

Nabigla si Reese nang harapin siya nito at nagkasalubong ang mga mata nila. Nakita ni Reese ang natural na kulay abong mga mata nito.

Reese stood there like she did not eavesdropped the person's call with his mother.

Bestfriend's marriage? So, he's friends with her unknown fiance, huh?

Naphilot si Reese sa sintido niya at napabuntong hininga.

"I'm sorry for being impolite, I didn't mean to eavesdrop." Seryosong wika ni Reese, "Akala ko walang tao." Dagdag na paliwanag ni Reese.

Hindi alam ni Reese kung bakit parang normal na sa mga mata nito ang kalamigan at hindi nagustuhan ni Reese ang emosyon sa mga mata nito.

Umiling ang binata sa kanya at nakapamulsang nginitian siya.

"No, it's fine." Seryosong wika nito.

Tumango si Reese at nagpunta sa upuan na nasa tabi ng binata kung saan matatanaw ang buong hardin.

"Well, I hope you don't mind if I sit here." Pormal na wika ni Reese.

"Go ahead." Maikling sagot nito at kaagad namang umupo si Reese sa upuan at napatitig sa buong hardin.

Nagtataka si Reese kung bakit hindi umaalis ang binata sa puwestong kinatatayuan nito at akala naman ni Reese ay aalis ito pagkatapos makipag-usap sa telepono.

"I kind of heard you mention about the young master of the Lim family. Do you know what he looks like?" Panimulang wika ni Reese at tumayo. "I'm kind of curious on how he looks, since he's a mysterious face in the business industry." Dagdag ni Reese.

"Why? Are you a paparazzi?" Pagtatanong nito sa kanya.

"No, I'm not. Sorry again for being impolite..." Wika ni Reese at naglahad ng kamay. "I'm Reese." Pagpapakilala ni Reese.

Tinanggap iyon ng binata at kalauna'y nagpakilala rin. "I'm Kyrone."

"You're friends with the young master, huh? Can I know what kind of person he is?"

"Well, I really can't tell you about that." Anito, "There are two ways of describing him, it's either based on my friendship with him or based on the rumors. So, I can't really tell you about it." Sagot nito.

Reese felt unsatisfied, she heaved a sigh and gave him a smile.

"Okay, I won't force you, but from what I have heard from the rumors, he's a fat, arrogant, aloof man. So, I'm kind of worried about the person he'll be marrying."

Hindi pwedeng sabihin kaagad ni Reese na siya ang mapapangasawa ng kaibigan nito, she still has to stay lowkey at everything she does.

After all, she's unknown to everyone.

Mahinang natawa si Kyrone at napaharap sa kanya.

"Narinig ko narin ang usap-usapan na 'yan. Well, those words were kind of harsh, but it's funny at the same time." Matawa-tawang wika Kyrone sa kanya.

Kyrone sighed and gave a chuckle.

"I'm also worried about my friend. I mean, I heard rumors that he'll be marrying Reema Chen, the second young miss of the Chen family. That Reema has a bad reputation to begin with. I had heard everything about her. She's a good-for-nothing, well those were according to the rumors I have heard." Dagdag ni Kyrone.

Reese wants to laugh at what he just said about her own sister. Those are not rumors at all! Reema really has a bad reputation at her age.

She wants to tell Kyrone that everything he just told her was true! It's not a rumor at all.

"That's how you describe a person who's spoiled." Seryosong wika ni Reese at nagpakita ng ngiti.

"Reese, there you are!" Her grandfather called her out.

Nabigla si Reese nang marinig ang pagtawag sa kanya ng lolo niya.

"Lolo, is there anything wrong?" Pagtatanong ni Reese sa lolo niya.

Napatingin ang lolo niya kay Kyrone at tila mayroon itong ngiti na binigay sa binata.

"Kyrone, it's nice to meet you here. I guess it's been how many years, huh? Nu'ng huli kitang nakita ay limang taong gulang ka palang, and it was in Italy as far as I can remember." Masayang wika ng lolo niya.

"It's nice to see you here too, Master Chen. Yea, it's been how many years." Kyrone replied with a smile and the two of them shaked hands. "Is she your granddaughter too, Master Chen?"

"Yes, she's my eldest granddaughter." Nakangiting wika nito. "Well, I guess you already met."

"So, she's the mysterious eldest young miss of the Chen family." Nakangiting wika ni Kyrone at nginitian siya.

"The announcement will start, let's all go inside." Nakangiting wika ng lolo niya na kaagad naman nilang sinunod.

Nakasunod lang silang dalawa ni Kyrone sa lolo niya.

"Sorry, I didn't mention that I'm a Chen." Pagpapaumanhin ni Reese.

"No, it's fine." Anito, "It's just that… I guess it's a surprise that I met the mysterious young miss of the Chen family here." Dagdag na wika ni Kyrone.

Napatingin si Reese sa paligid at nakita na nakahanda na ang mga tao sa i-aanunsiyo ng dalawang pamilya.

Reese doesn't feel any nervousness or anxiety with the crowd, hindi man siya sanay sa ganitong klaseng bagay, but this is just a step forward to her new beginning.

"Let's go, Reese. The Lim family wants to meet you, they want to see you first before they start the anouncement." Bulong sa kanya ng lolo niya at napatango siya.

Lumapit si Reese kay Kyrone at nginitian ito.

"I have to go now, Kyrone. It's nice to meet you, Kyrone. I hope we can be friends." Nakangiting wika ni Reese.

Kyrone replied to her with a smile.

"It was nice to meet you too, Reese."

Nang nakapag-paalam na siya sa kaibigan ay kaagad na siyang lumapit sa lolo niya at pumunta sa pribadong kuwarto kung nasaan nag-uusap ang pamilya niya at pamilya ng mapapangasawa niya.

As soon as the they reached the private room, kaagad na bumungad ang masasayng usapan ng magulang niya at ang magulang ng mapapangasawa niya.

They all looked at her when they went inside the private room.

They definitely stopped talking as soon as they saw her coming.

Mr. and Mrs. Lim seems to be surprised when they saw her, of course they would give her this kind of reaction! She was never seen nor exposed ever since then.

"Here they are!" Masayang wika ng ina niya at lumapit sa kanya ito.

She clung onto her arms and Reese can't help but to give her mother a force smile.

Reese can't take the fakeness of her mother.

"Reese, you're finally here." Masayang wika nito sa kanya at nilapit siya sa kausap nilang dalawa ng ama niya.

"Have a seat, Reese." Wika ng ama niya at kaagad naman nagpunta si Reese sa bakanteng upuan at bago siya umupo ay binati niya muna ang magulang ng mapapangasawa niya.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lim." Reese greeted and she gave them a bow to show her respect and politeness.

Tumayo si Mrs. Lim at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

"No need to be formal, Reese. You're my daughter-in-law now, you can just call me mom and you can also call you father-in-law dad." Nakangiting saad nito sa kanya.

It was a bit fast for Reese to call her like that, she thought at first that he mother-in-law would be someone who is strict or whatsoever.

Reese just gave her a warm smile and all she has to do now is to just agree to call her mother-in-law as mom.

"Okay, mom… dad... It's nice to meet you." She greeted them once again.

"Hindi ko alam na may panganay kayo, I thought it will be Reema." Nagtatakang wika ni Mr. Lim.

"We thought that it would be much better if Reese would marry your son instead, since Reese is the first young miss of the Chen family." Paliwanag ng ama niya.

Prenteng ngumiti si Reese sa mag-asawang Lim.

"Reema's still in university and I want her to enjoy her life too, she's still young to get married." Nakangiting saad ni Reese. "I'm sorry if the one your son will be marrying is not Reema, I hope you understand the situation ---"

"No, no, no." Pigil sa kanya ni Mr. Lim. "It's not that I'm against it, Reese. I was just curious for the reason. I'm happy to see my daughter-in-law." Nakangiting dagdag ni Mr. Lim.

"I really can't believe that the first young miss is really gorgeous." Puri sa kanya ni Mrs. Lim.

Napangiti si Reese sa sinabi nito sa kanya.

"Thank you, mom." Hindi sanay si Reese na tawagin ito sa ganitong paraan pero kailangan niyang masanay na tawagin ito.

Nabigla si Reese nang mapahiyaw ang ginang sa tuwa dahil sa sinabi niya.

"I finally got myself a daughter." Wika ni Mrs. Lim. "I'm happy to have you in our family, Reese." Dagdag ni Mrs. Lim.

Bakit parang mas ramdam pa ni Reese ang pagmamahal ng mag-asawang Lim kaysa sa sarili niyang magulang?

Nawala ang ngiti ni Reese dahil sa naisip. Reese suddenly remembered that she had to tell them about her condition. She can't keep it to them, right?

"Is there anything wrong, Reese?" Pagtatanong ni Mr. Lim sa kanya.

Nagtatakang tinignan naman siya ng ina at kaagad siyang tinanong nito.

"Ayos ka lang, Reese?"

Reese wanted to puke from her mother's fakeness, but she still has to act.

Nginitian niya ang ina at si Mr. Lim.

"I'm fine, mommy…" she looked at Mr. Lim, "I just want to say something about my condition, mom and dad." Wika ni Reese sa mag-asawang Lim.

Hinihintay ng mag-asawang Lim ang sasabihin niya at dito nakaramdam ng kaba si Reese dahil baka magbago ang turing ng mga ito sa kanya dahil sa kondisyon niya.

"I'm actually suffering from a rare disorder called sun allergy. I hope you can ---"

"There's nothing wrong regarding your sun allergy, my dear daughter." Nakangiting wika ni Mrs. Lim. "Your grandfather already told us about it and we understand. It's not your fault to have one."

Lumambot ang puso ni Reese sa sinabi ni Mrs. Lim sa kanya.

How she wish that her parents treats her the same way Mr. and Mrs. Lim treats her.

Malaki ang ngiti na binigay ni Reese sa mag-asawang Lim.

"Thank you for being understanding." Pasasalamat ni Reese.

"Shall we start the announcement?" Singit ng ama ni Reese.

"Now that everything's settled…" Mahinang wika ni Mr. Lim. "We should go, huwag na natin paghintayin pa ang mga bisita." Dagdag ni Mr. Lim.

"How about you, Reese? Are you ready?" Pagtatanong ng ina sa kanya.

Reese gave her mother a fake smile and gave her a nod. "Of course, let's go."

Sabay-sabay silang lumabas at ang nagpunta sa stage ay ang mag-asawang Lim at ang magulang niya.

Naiwan si Reese sa baba ng stage kasama ang lolo niya. Pero ang nanatiling mysteryo kay Reese ay ang itsura ng mapapangasawa niya.

Hindi niya pa ito nakikita at nagsisimula na siyang magduda kung ano ba ito. Iniisip niya tuloy kung totoo ba ang sinasabi ni Reema sa kanya tungkol sa binata.

Mabait ang mag-asawang Lim sa kanya kaya kahit sino pa ang magiging asawa niya ay hindi niya ito dapat husgahan.

"You're finally getting married, Reese." Wika ng lolo niya. "Hindi ako makapaniwala sa bilis ng panahon." Dagdag pa nito.

"I agree with you, lolo. Me, myself, can't also believe that I'm getting married." Wika ni Reese at napabuntong hininga.

"I want to ask you a favor, Reese." Mahinang wika ng lolo niya at napatingin si Reese at nagbigay ng nagtatakang tingin, her grandfather looked very serious and she doesn't know what he'll say to her.

"What favor, lolo?" She asked.

"Please don't fall in love with your husband, okay? I am telling you this for your safety and since you were really not the person who should get married but we have no choice." '

Reese wants to know the reason behind her grandfather's favor, but before she could ask, they already started the announcement.

"Thank you for attending this special event for our family." Masayang anunsiyo ni Mrs. Lim. "I am with the great partnership between the two family and our recent successful project. Mula sa mga ninuno pa lang ng pamilyang Chen at Lim ay sadyang malapit na talaga ang dalawang pamilya." Dagdag ni Mrs. Lim.

"Mas lalo pang pinalalim ang pagkakaibigan ng dalawang pamilya sa pahgitan ng kasal sa ikaapat na henerasyon ng dalawang pamilya." Wika naman ng ina niya. "We are happily announcing the marriage between the first young miss of the Chen family and the young master of the Lim family."

Reese was startled when someone suddenly grabbed her hand and the person brought her up on the stage.

Reese couldn't even mutter any word when she just found herself in front of the crowd while this unknown man's holding her.

"Let me welcome you to the young miss of the Chen family and my son." Nakangiting anunsyo ni Mrs. Lim at nabigla si Reese sa sinabi nito.

Her son? The person who grabbed her up to the stage is her son?

"Good evening everyone, I'm Severus Lim. Thank you for coming to this awaited event of our family." Nakangiting saad nito at hindi maiwasan ni Reese na tignan ang kapatid niya na bakas sa mukha ang pagkadismaya at hindi alam ni Reese kung bakit.

The guests were looking at her as if they just saw a new face in the industry.

She can clearly see how they whispered and looked at her with amazement that Reese never knew that will happen.

Reese was also confused on why the hell would Reema walk out as if she didn't like what she just saw.

Reese was confused about what just happened and she just found herself smiling at the guests and they were all clapping from the announcement they just made.

Hindi nalang namalayan ni Reese na nakababa na pala sila sa stage, Reese was left speechless on what just happened.

She never knew that she would react this way. Nagpunta sila muli sa private room na inuukupa nila kanina at masayang nag-uusap ang mga magulang niya, ang lolo niya at ang mag-asawang Lim.

"Reese." Bumalik si Reese sa huwisyo nang tawagin siya ni Mrs. Lim.

"Yes, mom?" Reese asked as she immediately answered Mrs. Lim.

"We will go and entertain the guest, I'll leave the two of you here to talk." Nakangiting wika ni Mrs. Lim sa kanya at hinawakan pa nito ang parehong kamay niya. "I know that this is sudden, but I hope you too get to know each other well. I can't let you think you'll marry a stranger, okay?"

"Okay then, thank you, mom." Saad ni Reese at binigyan ng ngiti si Mrs. Lim.

Reese gave them a smile and she looked at them as they left the room.

The last person who left the room was her grandfather and Reese suddenly remembered what he just asked for her earlier.

Reese took that favor in mind, she also has no plan on falling for a stranger.

The smile Reese was wearing was gone and she looked at the person sitting on the couch while holding a wine glass that was prepared for the two of them.

Reese sat on the couch just across the young master of the Lim family. As far as she can remember, his name is Severus.

Pagkaupo na pagkaupo ni Reese ay kaagad niyang kinuha ang wine glass na mayroong na nakasalin na wine, she took a small sip from the drink and she immediately faced Severus.

She finally got to see him in person.

The rumor was not true at all, he's clearly not fat nor ugly. He's far from anything in the rumor.

"Why does it look like you believed the rumors, Ms. Chen?" He asked in a silvery voice.

"Can't help it." Wika ni Reese sa nang-aasar na tono. "I have never met you personally, so it's normal to believe those rumors." Dagdag ni Reese at biglang naalala ang kapatid.The reason why she did not accept the marriage was because of the rumors.

Hindi mapigilan ni Reese ang pagtawa dahil sa ginawa ng kapatid.

If she knew that the young master of the Lim family would look like this, she would definitely accept the marriage.

Judging the way her sister thinks, she would definitely accept the marriage within this moment.

She would completely brag about getting married to Severus.

"Is there anything funny, Ms. Chen?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Severus sa kanya.

"Hindi mo na kailangang maging pormal sa akin, you can just call me Reese." Reese said in a toneless voice, showing no emotion at all.

"Okay, then… Reese, I want to ask you why did you accept this marriage?"

"There's no particular reason…" Nakangising wika ni Reese at sumimsim sa wine na hawak niya. "This is just a plain political marriage. Using this marriage, both families will benefit and gain something. So you can say that it's a loveless or just pure contractual marriage. I hope you think the same way too, Severus." Pagpapaliwanag ni Reese sa seryosong tono.

Binaba nito ang hawak-hawak na wine glass at ngumisi.

"Ah, so you're not that old-fashioned." Wika nito, "Though this is just a political marriage, I hope you can still see yourself as a married woman and do your duties as Mrs. Lim."

Mahinang natawa si Reese at nilapag niya rin ang wine glass niya sa lamesa at seryosong tinignan si Severus.

"Do you think I'm the type of woman who does adultery?" Bakas ang sarkasmo sa boses ni Reese.

Truth to be told, how can she commit adultery when in fact she doesn't want to date at all? She doesn't want to get married too, but what can she do, right?

"I'm just saying, Reese. I didn't mean to offend you." Wika nito at binigay sa kanya ang marriage registration. "Fill this up."

Kinuha ni Reese ang registration at hindi makapaniwalang sa araw na 'to ay magiging legal na mag-asawa na sila. Everything happened in just a day!

"What's with the hurry?" Reese asked as she filled up the form. Yung parte niya na lang ang hindi naka-fill up.

Hinihintay ni Reese ang sagot nito sa tinanong niya pero mas nairita lang si Reese nang makita niya na hindi siya nito pinapansin at pinapanood lang siya nito na mag fill-up ng form.

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ni Reese na fill-up ang form, binigay niya kaagad ito kay Severus at kinuha kaagad nito ang form at nilapag sa lamesa ang isang velvet box.

Hindi na kailangan pang tanungin ni Reese kung ano ang laman ng velvet box na 'yon, kaagad niyang kinuha at binuksan iyon.

"You are aware that this is just a loveless marriage," Seryosong panimula ni Severus. "it doesn't matter if I love you or not, I can only promise you that I'll be faithful in this marriage. So, I hope you can comply too."

Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi ni Severus at alam ni Reese na seryoso ito base sa kung ano ang sinabi nito sa kanya.

She doesn't care at all if he'll be faithful or not.

As long as she can see her sister struggling, she'll be happy. This is the main reason why she accepted the marriage.

She wanted to let her parents and sister see her strive even though she has this rare disease that they hate so much.

"I hope we can stay with each other's private life." Wika ni Reese at nilapag ang velvet box.

Kinuha ni Severus ang singsing sa velvet box at sinuot iyon sa kanya.

"It depends on the situation." Sagot nito sa sinabi niya. "Well, let's go out and greet the guests, Mrs. Lim." Wika nito at nag-abot ng kamay sa kanya.

Tinanggap ni Reese ang kamay nito at sabay silang lumabas sa silid.