Chapter 1 

Irah Lacosta is at the peak of her popularity. His name is famous inside and outside the country. Left and right are his projects as an artist in various fields of industry. She is a multi-award-winning actress, diamond recording artist and model coveted by all magazines. He has nothing more to ask for in his career.

Her easy life continues to head where she wants it to go. Everyone agrees with whatever he wants.

But, everything changed when she attended the wedding of Maya dela Torre, the younger sister of her lone crush Zac dela Torre. She found out that Maya left Ruther Buenaventura at the altar to join her best friend Derek Monterona.

To save his family, he decided to give up the good course of his life. He entered the complex life of a Mrs. Buenaventura.

became a wife

I feel stupid! I must look like a fool! Earlier my feet were singing to the one standing here on the side of the altar!

I firmly wiped the sweat on my forehead with a handkerchief. I have been waiting for more than half an hour. But, not even Maya's shadow, still did not appear. I hope she's safe ...I looked at the handkerchief I had. Draw there the chocolate-colored stain from the dust that clung to my face. I tucked the fabric back into the chest pocket of my white tuxedo. I arranged the red rose boutonniere on the collar of my coat, before I rearranged ours.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I forcefully ignored the migraine that was consuming my senses, now.

Goodness! I'm beyond embarrassed. And, I'm an idiot for waiting for my bride who, I'm sure, will not show up!

I turned to my parents. They were glaring at me as if I was the biggest disappointment in their lives.

I can not blame them. It's true that I caused a lot of embarrassment to the family even though my fiancee ran away from me. I mean, what Buenaventura main family heir gets abandoned at the altar?

Only me...Derek, where else do you know Maya can go?" I asked my best man. I looked back and remembered again that he hadn't come to church either.

I stared at the floor. I never felt more alone in my life, than now.

Derek would never betray me!" I repeatedly said to myself. But, I can't help it. I can no longer resist my suspicion that they are probably together ...

Crap! I felt my skull split into two!

This is literally the worst day of my life! This is my greatest and only failure since I was named the sole heir to the wealth of the Buenaventuras

CREAK The cracking double door caught the attention of everyone inside the church. For a moment the dazzling sunlight struggled to enter outside before it finally lit up the entire space inside the sacred building.

Everyone hushed when the bridal entourage was fully displayed. Even my bored relatives, first stopped to panic about the tragedy that had befallen me.

My heart pounded hard. Looks like Maya has arrived!

But, why is it, Derek isn't there yet? Why hasn't he come yet?

Did he join the search party without letting me know? Maybe he didn't know that Maya had been found ...

Suddenly the priest stood up and he motioned to the musicians. The choir members immediately went to their seats before the Bridal Chorus played on the giant organ of the castle-like church.

The bridesmaids marched slowly. Earlier my groomsmen came in so, they didn't have escorts. The principal and secondary sponsors are also inside the church.

The girls were followed by the ring bearer, coin bearer and bible bearer. They were all frustrated, perhaps bored. The entry of flower girls is even more chaotic. One by one they tantrums in the de-carpet aisle so, their parents picked them up.

I laughed inside. I understand what they are going through.

I, the groom, am bored of waiting here inside! They even afford kids who don't understand why they are splashed with red petals in the hallway! Zac, my fiances older brother, walked next. Her hair is messy and apparently, she is having a hard time looking happy As far as I know, the sister, who is Maya's maid of honor, should be in her place. But, for some reason, this is the standing man of honor.

My forehead furrowed. The number is reportedly absent at this wedding.

I nodded to Zac when he approached me. I wondered for a moment. Usually, the maid, este, man of honor do not greet the groom. But, because maybe, he's the bride's brother, he decided to shake my hand.

Zac stopped in front of me and let out a deep breath. He didn't offer me his hand. He smiled apologetically and tapped me twice on the shoulder. She sighed again, while looking at my shoes, before she turned and stepped aside from the bridesmaids.

My eyebrows furrowed. I marveled at the strange demeanor and forlorn expression etched on Zac's face.

But, soon, I tore my attention away from him. My bride has been exposed in the distance. It was behind his mother and his gloved palm was anchored to the arm of his father, Mr. Bruce dela Torre. A very beautiful bouquet of red roses was in his other hand. My wrist was throbbing loudly inside my ear. Deafening shivers dominate my entire system.

I had goosebumps everywhere as I watched my future-wife glide closer to me. My heart clenched in my throat at the sight of her exquisiteness.

She looked tenfold more elegant than usual. Perhaps, this is the effect of her white wedding ball gown and the tulle veil, which reached up to her feet.

Suddenly I was staggered to my feet. I chose Maya's wedding gown so, I knew it wasn't her wedding dress.

Is this it? Is this why she was late to the wedding? Didn't he like the dress I chose so, he looked for something to change? No ... No ... It's not like that ... Even if Maya changes her gown to buy the highest heels, she won't suddenly grow tall like that! Maya is just as small as her father. But, right now, my bride is towering a good 6-inches above Mr. dela Torre.

My brain is a mess. The guests accompanied the bee-like questions that echoed through my mind.

The closer my bride got to me, the louder the people buzzed. In fact, the surprised visitors even stood, in the back, after they saw him up close.

THIS WOMAN IS NOT MY BRIDE!

Mr. has stopped. dela Torre and the mystery woman across from me. The gentleman shunned I think.

He hugged the woman tightly and called her, "son". He turned his back on me straight away and went to the side of his trembling wife's seat.

The space between my thick eyebrows furrowed even more. She can't be, ate Shiela, the only other daughter I know Maya's sister. It's not so slender Who are you ..." I whispered to the stooped woman hiding under the thick veil. Remarkably I was only a few inches away from her heeled bulk.

He lifted his face. Unlike the dela Torre, he addressed me directly. He unfolded his covered face and let me stare at him intently. I took a deep breath when I finally recognized her.

I know this woman! I mean, who doesn't? He was a member of the great guests of the dela Torre family. She is internationally famous!

According to Maya, she and Irah grew up together. So, he dragged me to accompany him to watch the shows he starred in.

But, why is she in front of me now, and not Maya? Why was he the one delivered by Mr. dela Torre sa altar?

I turned to my parents for help. Because the bride brought by Mr. is wrong. dela Torre mine.

However, I did not pursue my complaint. They seem to be starstruck by her loveliness, like my entire clan.

"Hi, I'm Irah. Pleased to meet you ... Maya can't come so, I'll take her place," she whispered softly. He neatly wrapped his fingers around my arm and smiled a little. Elegantly sink both dimples on her cheeks. "I know you're confused why I'm here. Let's just say, I'm trying to save our families' reputation. I'll take care of all the complicated 'back. "appreciate it if you'll cooperate ,

I was forced to swallow. I remained stunned and speechless until he secretly pulled me over so we could go to the waiting priest.

Other than her asking for "cooperation", I can think of no other way to save me from this botched wedding's disgrace. So, I hardened my stomach.

With long strides, I quickly led Irah to the opposite altar. I stood tall beside him, took a deep breath, and leaned over to bring my mouth close to his ear.Fine. Let's do this. I'll cooperate as long as we talk after all this commotion," I whispered as he nodded. "And, one more thing ..."

"What?" he whispered back. He let go of my arm and moved his palm around the stems of the bouquet.

It's not Arthur ... I'm Ruther." hit

Oh! We're half an hour late!" my personal assistant screamed in shock. He handed me my wine-colored heel.

"Thanks ..." I answered quickly. I put the shoe in the small space next to my foot. They camouflaged the maroon bardot dress I carelessly laid on the floor.

I struggled to bend over the backseat of the crowded van I was riding in to take off the white 3-inch peep-toe heel on my right foot. With my bare foot, I stepped on my left shoe and also released my other foot.

As I tucked my feet in the red stilettos, Krystel quickly unbuttoned the straps on the beaded corset of my white wedding ball gown. I immediately felt relief when the compression of the bodice of the dress loosened in my lungs.

I turned my back on Krystel when I couldn't open the zipper of the wedding gown. When he finished pulling it down, I wiggled like a worm to get out of the shiny outfit. I stood with my head down and kicked the gown to my side.

"We're really mad at your manager, Miss Irah. Madame Joy said, the wedding you're going to is high profile so, you can't get lost there," the assistant said. He picked up the gown I dropped on the floor and threw it on 

the empty seat in the middle row of the back compartment of the van. "Oh no! That will ruin your image! The newspaper even announced your attendance at the wedding. Surely, many fans have been waiting for you at church!"

I glanced at Krystel's worried look for a moment.

My assistant is brown and has long curly hair. Her eyebrows are thin and so are the lashes that line her eyelids. The tip of his nose is medium with a small round lump at the top. His forehead is quite wide, glistening whenever the sun shines.

There's nothing we can do. Direk wanted to shoot all the wedding scenes earlier so, to extend the shooting by an hour," I said. I tucked my feet into the skirt of my wine-colored dress. "I don't tend to be late for events but, better late than absent."

I shook my hips until the waistline of the dress went up to my waist. I rested the lacy sleeves peacefully off my shoulders.

I turned to Krystel again so she could close the zipper. He immediately helped me. He automatically handed me the round hand mirror and burgundy lipstick. I accepted those after I adjusted the tightness of the bardot dress on my body.

"Here we go, miss." said Al, the Celestial Artists Management company driver assigned to me. Because he was so good at driving, we were only 30 minutes late plus, I still couldn't get up even though I was moving here in the back.

I returned the lipstick to Krystel. I decided not to change the shiny color of honey pink lipstick in my mouth.

I don't want to make a mistake in the drawing because the driver is already turning the van into the jerky driveway of the church. The lipstick might even spread in my mouth I would still be embarrassed by my fans.

Anyway, the whole color of my dress is weak in motif. Maybe the bride will forgive me if my lips aren't blood-colored.

I studied my appearance in the mirror. The elegant bridal make-up made earlier by the make-up artist on the set is still floating on my face.

The shadow painted on my lids was bronze. It blended darker outwards and brightened into a luminous pearl in the middle of my sharp nose. The eyeliner on the waterline of my lower eyelids is white while the one above is black. Black mascara covered my long lashes. I memorized the make-up strokes on my face because I liked the neutral color-combination chosen by the make-up artist. I also liked the mahogany brown color that was lightly drawn on my eyebrows. Nor is there too much shadow on the sides of my nose. The copper-pink blush even accentuated my high cheekbones.

I couldn't help but smile as I examined the soft french twist hairdo that's dangling elegantly behind me. I'll see him again after 4 years!

Would he like the brilliant stones scattered in my hair, like stars in the dark sky? Will he say I am beautiful, as he says in the letters he sends, when I am still out of the country?

Now that I'm successful, do I have the right to like Zac?

I looked up when the van finally stopped in front of the church. I set the mirror down next to me. I saw a garden of white flowers cover the closed arch door. Just the entrance, it's grand. What is there inside?

But, wait ... Is the whole bridal entourage still outside? And, why are they looking at my van as if they have been waiting for me for a while?

To Be Continued....