Chapter 3

After a moment of silence, the priest sighed. She removed her mirror and wiped it on her white chasuble.

"There is still pre-Cana so that you can be ready for your upcoming marriage ... In pre-Cana, a dedicated priest will guide you about what the Bible teaches about marriage. It will also talk about what is currently and possible you will face problems including financial issues, problems with in-laws or anything that may be an obstacle to your honesty and

performance of your role to each other, "he said. He put on his glasses again and gave me another look. "And, if necessary, the church will help you find a licensed psychologist to discuss any issues that need to be resolved before you move on ... There are many other topics to be discussed in pre-Cana. All of that, important. All of that, no. you went through. "

I secretly swallowed Father's statements. Suddenly the full weight of the responsibility associated with marriage that I suddenly placed upon myself slung over my shoulders.

I turned to Zac who could hardly stop at the weirdness. He stared at the floor with all his heart.

I shifted my attention to Groom. He patted his lower lip again.

Father is right. It is important to prepare for the wedding especially if it is a lifetime commitment.

But will I have a peaceful life if the whole family that shook me is ruined? Will I still have a face to face ladies and gentlemen if I let them watch the Buenaventuras take revenge on Zac and Maya for this mess? Will I be quiet if I voluntarily turn my back on Groom even though I know I am his only hope for redemption from this humiliating scandal?

No! Not as long as I know that I could've done something!

From the first day I dived into the field of performing arts, I thought only of my own interests. But, now, I will use my talent for the benefit of the people who matter to me - plus Groom.

It's time to showcase the skills of an international actress!

"Have you ever been in love, Father?" my question cracked in deafening silence. I looked straight into the priest's round mirror.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "W-what are you talking about? I'm a priest

"-I didn't mean to disrespect, Father. I just asked," I replied calmly. I sat down on the stool Groom had offered, earlier, and laid the bouquet on my lap. "Before you swore an oath of celibacy, did you fall in love?"

The priest was silent for a moment. The wrinkles on his forehead were deep wrinkles. His iris looked hazy. He seemed to dive into the memories he had buried deep in oblivion.

Good!

Father stared at me over his mirrors. He nodded slightly.

"That's good," I nodded. "Now, I'm comfortable that you will be open -minded about my situation with Ar

Groom lightly kicked the foot of my chair. "-Ruther!" he hissed quietly.

"U-T-H-E-R, Ruther ..." I excused.

My heart galloped wildly in my chest. I squeezed the bouquet I was holding. I hope I'm not dressed yet!

The priest took a deep breath. "But, hija-"

"We love each other. All we want is for our love to be right in the eyes of God ..." I groaned sadly.

I immediately felt deep guilt. But, I quickly discarded what in my mind. Heavy grains of tears quickly clung to my lower lashes. I bent down so that, in case my tears fell, my make-up wouldn't spread.

Father was upset when my tears fell without touching my cheeks. Her appearance softened quickly

As he should!

I tightly circled my free gloved fist and shook my whole body. I suddenly dropped my shoulders.

Gr - Ruther's eyes widened as his body moved spontaneously. He just noticed that his palms were tightly wrapped around both my shoulders

Psh ... Of course, he did!

I looked up at Ruther with wet eyes. "Thank you, darling." I smiled a little at him.

Ruther flinched slightly when I gently squeezed his hand. He blinked twice.

I focused my eyes on his protruding handkerchief. I didn't look away from the red cloth in Ruther's breast pocket until he was forced to pull it out.

Good!

"You're really sweet, Ruther," was my first proper call to Groom's name. I put my hand out of the veil to accept his handkerchief. I looked straight into the man's eyes as I sucked my tears on the edge of the handkerchief. "I love you." I lied without batting an eyelid.

Ruther's one knee gave out slightly. He stumbled a bit before he stood up straight again. He immediately averted his eyes. His ears were the color of sunset, before a raging tropical storm.

"Aww ... You're so adorable, Ruther!" I giggle truthfully. I glared at Ruther and ran a caress over his graceful arm. "Don't be shy, honey. Only Fathers are here, eh ..."

Zac sneezed so, he caught my attention. I released Ruther immediately but, I did not show that I was ashamed of what I was doing in front of him.

I have to do this ...

"Father, is there really no other way?" I will ask. I returned my worried gaze to the priest. "This is really the only way I can think of to continue our dream marriage ..."

Father leaned in front of me. "What, you mean, hija?"

"I mean ... That's true ..." I bit my lip in response. I stared at my bouquet for a moment before I looked up at the priest again. "I begged Maya to accompany Ruther to pre-Cana. Isn't it, sweetheart?" I pulled on the groom's sleeve.

Ruther looked at me with an eyebrow. His eyes were wide with fear and confusion. But, he nodded slowly, as discussed. He bit his lower lip hard before he cast a series of spells.

What a lousy actor ...

"Father, I know how important pre-Cana is. I also know it's a requirement for the church to approve a marriage. But, in my state, now, it's impossible for me to attend a seminar without being crowded by the paparazzi. I just don't want to.

please interrupt the other couples in attendance, "I figured. I shook my head before sadly bowing. "I can give up my left and right projects just to get ready for our wedding. But ...," I took a deep breath and met Father again with tearful eyes. "I don't want the quality of other couples' experience to go down."

The priest sighed. He touched the wrinkles on her forehead.

"I'm happy, hija, and you're thinking of the welfare of others. But, in doing so, you've sacrificed your chance to get to know each other better," he looked around at the groom and me. "As I said before, marriage is

permanent and sacred. So, as long as you are not married, you should discuss issues about children and parenting, spirituality and faith, your careers, conflict resolution. , intimacy and cohabitation, especially commitment. "

I suddenly dropped myself on the floor. I bumped into the cement and burst into tears in an instant.

"Is there no other way?" I burst into tears. "That's why I just asked Maya to be my proxy so that we can have a

date for our wedding, without the public noticing ... If it's her name on the paper, the reporters here at church won't attack you. I just wanted to quietly marry the love of my life and to protect the people of this church! "

I dramatically lifted my gaze to the priest. I saw it standing, mouth open and, wide-eyed watching me.

Good!

I also caught a glimpse of Zac and Ruther in my peripheral vision. Zac took a step once and his lips were the same color as his skin. Groom is on my side. He wrapped one arm around my shoulder in fear I might fall off the chair.

Such a Groom! Send it!

I threw away Ruther's hold and glared at him. "'Don't stop me, Babe! I'm tired of holding back! I really want to be with you to death!" I declare explicitly. "If you can even control your passion for me, me, not anymore! I love you so much!"

Ruther was confused by what I was doing and saying. Her face could not be painted and her eyebrows were knotted.

So, before he could react, I immediately confronted the priest. I bent down until my forehead reached for his shiny shoes.

"Please. Please help us to be right in the eyes of the Lord ... Ar-Ruther and I can marry the judge but, it is important for us that our oneness be sacred," I meaningfully asked. . I muffled my trembling voice. "I am

ready to do anything, Father, if you will allow me. Please allow me to attend any seminar after the wedding. By that time, the public interest in my marriage will probably subside. I mean, I will no longer be. will cause inconvenience to the other bride and groom. "

I felt Father kneel across from me and gently place his palm on the top of my head. The old man sighed before holding me in both arms. He helped me sit up.

"Hija, I understand your attitude. And, I'm glad you love so much one of the devout parishioners of this church," Ruther coughed weakly. "So, I will help you ... We will continue the marriage on the condition that YOU TWO attend the pre-Cana, well, post-Cana again ... You also need to submit all your papers and the notarized affidavits as soon as possible soon. For now, we will return to the church hall for the ceremony. "

My eyes lit up. I could almost see my iris quake, happily.

I can’t believe my inventions worked. It's really good and I didn't walk down the aisle before, just for nothing.

Father smiled at me very sweetly. "I just have one question."

I patted my finger under my eyes. "What's that, Father?"

"How did you meet and love Ruther when you were out of the country for four years?"

Dead ..

I was stunned by Father's question. What will I say? I did NOT think that far ahead!

I stared at the smiling old man. I watched how the black danced in his eyes. Stop the smile that tries to disappear from her lips. A faint tinge of red blushed shyly on both her cheeks.

How did he know it had been four years since I left the country? It was only two years ago when I reached the peak of success. That should've been the beginning of my fame, here in the country.

Don't tell me ...

Is he my FAN?

"I read in your autobiography," Father replied to my silent question. He insisted on casting spells before sneezing. "N-my nephew left his book here so, I have a copy. F-he's your fan."

"Ah ... that's right ..." I answered weakly. My heart kept pounding as I clawed my brain to fabricate our love story. But, I can’t think of a story without a big hole.

"If you don't mind, hija, I'd like to tell him something about you that he doesn't know yet. I'm sure he'll be happy with that." explanation of the priest.

I blinked one after another. I squeezed the bouquet I was holding.

It's true that no gossip comes out about my love life. I'm so busy with my career so, I never showed interest in any man.

I am a career woman, through the through. And, I always stayed clear from men who could tarnish my reputation.

I turned to Ruther. He looked clueless so, he's useless.

But, I still smiled at him sweetly. I drowned in his gaze for a moment before I faced the old man again.

The show must go on ...

"Oh, Father! I wouldn't mind sharing our story for my avid fans. But ..." I forced a blush on my cheeks before I bowed and smiled shyly. "I don't want to make Ruther uncomfortable. My muffin is still shy."

The priest laughed for a moment. He turned his gaze to the man next to me. "Is it true? In that case, I will ask your permission," he said. The old man stood up and smiled a little. "Can I know the story of how you meant to be? And, don't worry ... As your bride said, before, it's just me. I promise, I'll only tell my niece."

Ruther stared at me. I immediately reciprocated him with a talking look. All he needs to do is say, no.

He also stood up and offered his hand. He easily helped me to my feet when I accepted his palm.

My knees went numb for a while so, I barely fell. I felt faint tingles on my spine when Groom's chest briefly caught my full weight

Weird ...

Ruther's strong arm instinctively anchored around my waist. We looked at each other for a moment before he let me go. We stepped sideways together to increase our distance. I awkwardly looked away while the groom's eyes went to the priest.

To my horror, Ruther suddenly nodded. My vision darkened as fast as Father's face lit up.

Curse this nincompoop! I think he was too much to follow when I said, "Just nod"!

NOOO!

The priest's lively gaze flashed back at me. Her eyes were shining so, I was forced to smile. Her eagerness was obvious as she leaned forward. His open body language screamed, "I'm waiting."

Drat! I quickly looked around the entire vestry. I need to find something for inspiration in the story I will invent! I need to get through!

"We met ... when we were kids ..." I began.

My eyes were glued to Zac. My panicked gaze landed on him.

Since, I don't have time to make up a love story, I decided to just draw a story from my past. And, the closest I have to the feeling of falling in love was what I felt for this gentle man.

If earlier, Ruther and I had been shifting his opposite-brow eyes, now, his full attention is focused exclusively on me. His shoulders loosened and he swallowed for a moment.

For years, I hid my developing feelings for Zac. And, now that I am getting married, this is the last and unique opportunity for me to confess to her.

"I was a rebellious child, then. At a young age, I learned to live myself in any way right or wrong," I continued. I took a sip of air before I shifted my gaze to the priest. "As I wrote in my autobiography, my

mother didn't have time to guide me through my childhood because she was busy finding a racket for us to eat. My American father, on the other hand, never showed up again since he found out I was pregnant. my mother."

Father nodded. "Yes, I remember. Your youth hasn't been easy."

I accompanied the old man in nodding. I looked up to my left and remembered my complicated past.

The first day Zac and I met immediately came to my mind. That was the day my life changed for the better.

"Hey! Give that back to me!" cry of the young man I stole the necklace from. He had the gold jewelry in my tight fist.

To Be Continued.....