Chapter 4

I interacted with the sea of shoppers scattered in the market. I didn’t hesitate to collide with some blocking my path.

"Plague you're really young!" furious cry of the old fishmonger. He was pushing to pick up the goods he had slipped on the road when I knocked down his bucket. "You have a day with me too, Irah! 'When I find out where you live, I'll really pick you up from the cops!"

Yes. I have been famous since I was young. But, these days, my popularity is not due to pleasant reasons.

While running, I quickly turned to the salesman. I rubbed my face and poked him with my red tongue.

I grinned angrily when his anger evaporated from his nostrils. I also noticed that the young man was no longer on my tail so, my mouth widened as far as my ears.

Finally! I escaped him too!

All my life, I have felt nothing but hatred for my father. But, on these occasions, I am thankful I inherited her long legs.

But, if he hadn’t just turned his back on us and mom, surely, I wouldn’t have needed feet like this. I won't have to steal just to fill my stomac

Oof!

" I moaned loudly. I immediately felt my hard ass fall to the ground.

"S-sorry!" sorry the young man I bumped into. He quickly offered me a palm.

I slapped his hand violently. I immediately pushed myself upright and shook my clothes soaked in the mud.

My nose was stuffed with the slimy smell of mud. I followed the source of the liquid and saw that it leaked from the spilled water of the fish tubs.

"'Don't even get in the way!' I immediately hit him on the shoulder and passed him so that I could enter the empty alley he was blocking.

"Uhm ... My necklace ..." he hesitated.

I violently turned to face the man. I stared at her, especially her elegant dress. I was disgusted to see his expensive watch. Sure, there's a price for your one-year meal.

"Oh!" I shouted. I threw her broken necklace at her face. "Next time, don't be surprised if you go to the market wearing that! Or better yet don't go here! You don't fit in here!"

I quickly turned away. I was about to leave when he suddenly spoke,

"I'm sorry. This necklace is a family heirloom," he stuffed the jewelry into the pocket of his blazer. He patted it before looking me straight in the eye. "The eldest son of the dela Torre inherits its pendant. I'll be devastated if I don't take it back."

My mouth fell open. My eyebrows furrowed even more.

Is this young man crazy? Why would he apologize when I stole it from him?

Suddenly my heart stopped so, I gently stroked my chest. Do I have a guilty conscience. This isn't the first time I've stolen, ah !? I must be accustomed to taking someone else’s property.

"If you're not mean, why are you stealing?"I'm just really curious why a beautiful beauty like you does this."

One step backwards. Confused, I stared at the mad young man.

What beautiful beauty is she talking about? Who? Me?

I suddenly burst into laughter. I almost collapsed with the trembling of my abdominal muscles. "So see a doctor! Your vision looks blurry!"

The young man's eyebrows met sharply. "Huh! Why?" he asked. He folded his arms and shifted his weight to one foot. "No problem with my eyes. I can see fine. I'm telling the truth." he insisted.

Suddenly my laughter stopped. I took another step back.

I looked down at the rag I was wearing. It was obvious how filthy I was under my slimy smell.

Where here is beautiful? My nails are covered in mud or my skin is itchy?

He is really stupid.

s-him to disappear from the world. W-I don't have money so, I'm forced ... I'm forced!"

I let out a fake moan. My false tears quickly followed the release. I cough for more convincing. I gasped and pretended to be out of breath.

The young man did not say a word. The only sound from him was his departing footsteps.

I smiled maliciously. I can believe something again because of my show.

I stood up again and handcuffed my clothes. I ruffled my messy hair with my fingers and turned the accumulated sharp water into a mirror.

I laughed my nose when I saw my angry look. But, I couldn’t resist the gentle heat that enveloped my heart.

For the first time, someone told me I was beautiful. For the first time, someone asked why I was doing this instead of judging me.

"Here." insert a familiar voice in my mind.

I lifted my gaze. I saw a bag of water dangling from the young man's hand.

I wonderfully looked at him as I accepted the water. I was even more confused when he next handed me his gold watch.

"Don't cry anymore ... Here, take it. I can't give you the necklace but, that's fine," he said. He smiled sweetly when I accepted the watch. "I'll just tell mommy that I lost that. She'll probably ground me but, her anger will also pass. The important thing is, your dad is healed."

Suddenly my dry throat hardened. I can't open my jaw. "W-wait ..." I could only say. My eyes were glued to his gentle face.

Is this person ignorant or is he just a fool? Did he believe me?

He really lacks the brain screw!

"Oh, he! I'll be first," he grabbed my attention. He raised one of his palms in the air. "Maybe Daddy and Mommy are already looking for me. So, bye! Be careful!"

He immediately grinned and stepped forward. He slowly accelerated until he was running when I passed.

"AHH! Wait a minute!" I call the young man. I watched him stop and slowly face me.

He is a very handsome man ..

"A-what's your name?" I swallowed.

"Me?" he asked while pointing to himself. He smiled broadly. "My name is Za

Ruther. Ruther is the one he introduced to me," I lied.

I bit my lip, hard. I forcefully avoided Zac's piercing stare at me.

I could see Zac squeezing his necklace into my peripheral vision. So, I closed my eyes to dispel the image of the gradual opening of her mouth.

"He was the first person to treat me like a human being. He didn't judge me on the dirt of what I was wearing ... And, even though I was obviously circling him, he chose to give me the benefit of the doubt. There is no doubt. he helped me even though he knew his mother would scold him ..., "I said. I slowly opened

my lids and turned to Ruther. I stared at him tenderly with moist eyes. "I was amazed at R-ruther's kindness. Because of him, I learned there are still good people left in this world."

Father looked relieved. She sighed and smiled sweetly at Groom.

"I'm proud of you, son," he declared with a high forehead. He placed his palm on one of Ruther's shoulders. "I have no more regret that I missed this situation of you and Irah. You are a good example to the parishioners of this church."

Ruther stiffened in his place. He could only nod to the priest. His eyes of disbelief never left my face. He bit his lower lip again before he swallowed.

"When I got home, I showed my mom the watch of, umm, Ruther. She suddenly swallowed it before she left so, I didn't eat anything that night," I continued. I rubbed my foot against my leg for a moment and turned my gaze back to Father. "The next day, he came back home and dragged me to a wealthy subdivision. He forcibly put me in a palace-like house that turned out to be the residence of the dela Torre."

Father and Ruther stared at Zac. I silently prayed that he would not relax that the leading actor of my story was wrong.

I sneezed hard to get the two gentlemen's attention again. I took a deep breath when their full attention returned to me.

"My mother sold the gold watch to ladies and gentlemen. I was among those she sold. So, that's when my life began as a maid for the dela Torre family," I said. "But, instead of treating me as a slave, the couple educated me.

They gave me my own room and treated me like a child. Maya and Shiela loved me as their sister and Zac protected me from those who bullied me. .Their family showered me with love and respect that I never had before. I was so grateful. It was all surreal ... "

Father looked away from me. He glanced at Zac for a moment and tapped him on the shoulder.

The priest sighed and smiled at me a little. Full of concern the emotion shone in his crystalline eyes.

"It's really hard what you went through in your youth, hija. And, it's harder on the chest to listen to it than just read," he said. "But, I'm glad you got through all that, with the help of those who took care of you and ..." He opened both his arms. "... here you are now very successful! So, how did you get closer to Ruther? Didn't you leave the country to mold your talent in the field of art?"

I squeezed the stem of the bouquet again. I firmly closed my mouth before I met Zac's confused gaze.

It's time I confess my feelings.

"It was through letters, Father ... We became penpals," I said. "All Ruther wanted was to check on me and to make sure that I don't feel alone while I'm there but, what he didn't know, I was already overwhelmed by his kindness. It was I who fell for him, first."

"Irah ..." Zac whispered very weakly. He took a step back and shook his head slowly.

I gave him my sweetest, most apologetic smile before I swallowed the sadness that was clogging my throat. I forced myself to shift my tearful gaze to Ruther.

I let my tears fall freely.

"The truth of the matter is, s-I think, I fell for him before we even wrote letters to each other ... I-most likely, he was already in love with me n-when I first saw him," he continued ko. I wrapped my hand around the groom's arm and squeezed it tightly. "He's always kind and gentle to me. He's attentive and caring ... He's the most wonderful man I have ever met. So, I will do everything to keep him and his family safe. Everyone ..."

Ruther met my gaze. I could feel his gaze pierce through my eyes and dive deeply into my soul.

He was obviously thinking deeply as he watched my heart crack freely. He placed his palm on my hand and he gently rubbed the back of my palm.

He's trying to comfort me.

Ruther pointed to the handkerchief he was hugging me. "Wipe away the tears," she whispered softly. "Hala, go ahead! You're going to look like a panda ... Your make-up is melting."

I couldn’t help but let out a quick laugh. I lightly slapped Ruther with a flower on the arm before I touched his handkerchief under my eyes.

I was stunned for a moment when Ruther's laughter also faintly escaped. I didn't expect that coz he looked so stoic a while ago.

"It looks like you really love each other. That's good and, may the joy not help your eyes," the priest said with a smile. "Oh he ... Let's go to the hall and when I marry you. Let's not wait for many of your guests! And ..." Father ran forward and whispered in my ear, "..I hope, hija, please accommodate my autograph request for my nephew, later. "

I laughed modestly. "Of course, Father!" I turned to Groom and gently pulled him by the arm. "Let's go?" I invite. I immediately turned my back on Zac so I wouldn't turn around.

My heart immediately shattered into the number of stars in the sky, underneath my tight corset the heavy layers of petticoats. But, I didn't paint that on my face.

It may be such a waste that I go to the altar with others, just minutes after I confessed my feelings to the man I loved for several years, but, it is what it is. I will not allow the future of dela Torre - of Zac - to be in jeopardy for my own happiness. I will, at least, pay for their kindness, with my own happiness!

I followed the priest when he came out of the vestry. Ruther helped me quickly when I struggled to get past the door of the crowded room.

For a few seconds he shifted the position of the petticoat. Sweat dripped down his forehead before he pushed me out so, I returned his red handkerchief.

I waited for Ruther to come back to my side. I rubbed my de-gwates hand on his arm again before I guided him back over the stage.

I caught glimpses of Zac behind us before he passed and returned to his seat next to the bridesmaids. Her hair became more disheveled and her eyebrows met sharply.

My heart secretly craked again.

One by one the guests stood as they watched the priest return in front of the altar. Gradually, the buzz of gossip in the air died down when Ruther and I returned to our seats, earlier.

I found myself again next to the groom, opposite the priest. I took a deep breath before exhaling the nervousness I was feeling.

On my side, Ruther was still as stiff as a board. It was obvious from his slightly raised shoulders that he was nervous. However, the distance between us was much smaller than before. He's still a good 3 inches away from me, though.

Father caught my attention when he raised his hands in the air. The music died quickly when he spoke.

"We're gathered here today to witness the union of Irah Lacosta and Ruther Buenaventura, as they exchange their vows of marriage. We rejoice with them in their delight of finding love with each other, and support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship, "the priest began. He lowered his hands and wrapped them around his stomach. "But, should anyone here present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

The entire cathedral was immediately enveloped in deafening silence. Only the chirping of birds in the nests of the tall pillars made a noise.

Suddenly the heels cracked behind me so, I was distracted. My hair stood on end when I saw Zac step forward, twice

Except for the receding footsteps of the man of honor, the people inside the church remained silent. I glanced at Zac over my shoulder for a moment and saw him swallowed by the open double-door on the side of the Cathedral.

I was slightly inclined to my proxy bride. I lowered my voice, "Adorable?"

Irah suddenly tensed and she almost jumped into her seat. She slowly turned to me, briefly showing her pain-stricken face, before she smiled sweetly.

"Hmm?" she hummed fondly.

My eyebrows furrowed. If I wasn't just confident in my sharpness, I'd think I just rolled my eyes.

Still, I brushed what I saw aside.

"I don't appreciate being called adorable ..." I said quietly.

Irah dropped her smile and looked at me mysteriously. She lightly ran her fingers over my cheek before she released her sickly sweet smile, again.

She smiled and rubbed her nose. "Aww ... If you can't think of a sensible excuse, just don't complain." he chirped softly. He squeezed my face and pulled my cheek.

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath when Irah released my face. I felt her momentarily lean over my shoulder before she stood straight, again, and faced the altar squarely.

Immediately the thrilling screams of some guests behind us rang out. The others no longer whispered when they declared how sweet we are as a couple.

I, on the other hand, had goosebumps all over my body. Although I was amazed when Irah manipulated me and Father with her acting, earlier, I was still horrified by her ability to drive the emotions of my entire guest list.

This woman is dangerous!

I grit my teeth. "Fine! But, you better pick one for more convincing." I whispered. I accompanied Irah to the sign of the cross - the signal for the ceremony to continue.

"Pick what?" he whispered back. He did not look at me.

To Be Continued.....