Chapitre 7: Chapter 6
I opened my eyes as soon as I realized that Brocoña is about to kiss me in my dream. Damn that woman. What happened last night is a total package of disaster. She's really going to make my life like a living hell. I check my phone and bolts upright as I remember what day it is today. I breathed heavily.
Why did I even have the chance to see the first rays of the sun today knowing that I'll be married to some fraggle battle-ax like her?
I trudge out to the kitchen to get some coffee. Mom and dad were in the dining area having serious conversations while Amang's reading the newspaper. I poured coffee into a mug and stroll my way to the kitchen down the dining area.
I sat adjacent to my mom and served myself a good amount of food.
"Why don't we reschedule it, Anton? Hindi naman sila nagmamadali at ayaw ng anak mo." Mom took a sip of her coffee. Balot ng pagaalala ang mga mata niya.
"This is important, Stella. I will send him there even by hook or by crook." Dad wipes his mouth.
"If we won't settle this, he will fly back to Seattle and everything will be put to waste." Pumikit nang mariin si mom at humawak kay dad.
I know for a fact it's me they're talking about. And he said it, by fair means or fouls, I will end up turning my way off the edge of a cliff and walk myself back to the verdant; they took full control in my life.
"Let me rot in hell, father." Tumingin ito sa akin. "I'd rather die inside the jail or work in a grocery store than to live with Brocoña."
My life during my rehabilitation in Acre Ranch and the years I've spent inside Monroe Correctional Complex after the incident, by far is much better than what is ahead of me after this marriage. I could predict my life will shatter if I and Celestine will live under a roof.
"I don't think this marriage is a reliable source of security both for me and for the company." Uminom ng tubig si dad.
The silent treatment is a sign of lack of interest. They are worried, I understand, but I can live my life without any help. I shut my eyes tight as I reminisce the past.
Growing up was hard especially when school was not my playground, the street was, with my fellow runaway kids at the age of seven. Tydus, Connor, North, Paxton and I had several criminal records in stealing and selling drugs.
Seattle was my turning point although I was on and off the rehab for six years before I decided to fully be out the influence of drugs. Pero hindi palaging patag ang daan. A few years later, I was eighteen when I stumbled across a humungous rock that caused my fallout again and sent me to jail.
I was devastated, despondent and I had no better control over my impulses that pushed me to the edge; the tunnel I was in has no exit and the darkness inside felt like a rope. I lost it all again. The five of us remained at MCC not until my case was dropped.
There was a video made stating it wasn't murder, it was suicide. Nobody knows how it happened but it made it clear that I didn't soak my hands in the mud.
"Get dressed after eating, the wedding will start in an hour." Nagbuntong hininga ako.
He stood from his seat and went upstairs. Umiling ako at kumain. No need for belabor nor even bother preparing an argumentative speech. He won't listen to me either.
"Remember what I said to you, apo. I want my great-grandchild sooner than later." I drank the glass of water. Nakng, sarap sapakin kung 'di ko lang lolo. Ni halikan nga 'di ko magawa pucha.
Ok, guilty as charged but what happened in my condo would be the last.
Tumayo si mom nang matapos kumain. Tumabi siya sa 'kin. She smiled bitterly.
"You'll be fine. Celestine's the one for you." Her eyes were full of sadness.
"Like I have other options."
I left the breakfast table and escorted myself back to my room to get dressed. I went to the patio after.
The overlooking view of the city is relaxing; the wind whirling around gives me shivers and the leaves dancing in the rhythm of the birds humming brings me back to the memories of my sweetest downfall. This place was our safest haven, our home but now it became a hell that tortures me with our happiest memories together.
"Eliot," Tumingin ako sa kaliwa. A familiar figure was standing on the lawn area.
"Babe," I mumbled unable to process what's happening. I held her cheek and caressed it.
"Why are you marrying her—" Pumilig ang ulo niya sa dibdib ko at humikbi. Humiwalay ako sa kan'ya.
I was about to kiss her when suddenly she's all gone. I opened my eyes. I was panting and my chest is tight. Another nightmare. Tumingin ako sa orasan. I stood from the couch. Mom neared me and patted my back pero iniwan ko siya.
"You're still having your nightmares. Have you been skipping your medicines?"
"It's the price I need to pay. No medication can clear them out my head."
I stormed out of the living room with no further discussions. I don't need tablets and I can handle psychoanalysis on my own to repress my thoughts.
Paglabas ay naghihintay ang puting limousine. Inside the limo were four men sitting in front of me and all of them were in black suits. I got inside and we drove off. In amidst of picturing and visualizing my life after the wedding, I heard two of them were giggling.
It got me confused I look at them and they were blushing.
What the heck?
"I can stare at him all day. Look how hot he is." wika ng isa na kulay silver ang buhok. Sinangayunan siya ng tatlo.
I can't believe dad actually did this. Not that I am against the LGBT community and what not, but sending me with four gay bastards as my security? What the actual fuck was he thinking?
"One more time I hear you mumbling, I will slit your throat." Banta ko.
Natahimik naman sila pero may mga oras ding nahuhuli kong humaharot.
The trip was one hell of a ride. Nakahinga lang akong maluwag nang marating ang isang itim na gate. The car parked outside and the two of the four gays forcefully held me on my arm and drag me out of the car.
"I can manage! Back off!" Hindi sila bumitaw at mas humigpit ang hawak sa akin.
We got inside the mansion and they lead me to the far end of the aisle next to the altar and told me to wait for the pastor who will bless our marriage. I heard mumbles across from the sea of crowds. We were exactly on the lawn area. There are only a few of the visitors but you can say they are elites. Most are from the business industry.
The place was neatly decorated with white flowers. At the center were pillars with white see-through cloth hanging on both ends connecting each pillar. There were crystal beads hanging on the tent; it's a rustic outdoor wedding I would want to attend. Classic.
Wala akong kilala kahit sino maliban na lang kay Tydus na ngising-ngisi sa akin kasama ang asawa. Lumapit silang dalawa at umakap sa akin. I missed the guy..
"Heard Blake burned your cards." Humalakhak siya at uminom ng wine. "Man I missed you."
The felons are down to walking their paths on their own and the good ol' days will remain as a memory.
"Fuck your in-laws for making your wedding exclusive only for their own kind." I got the sarcasm.
"Escaping the correctional wasn't that hard huh," He cocks his head on one side with a smirk on his lips and raised his glass.
"Worth the effort and money," Tumawa siya at humawak nang mahigpit sa kamay ni Disic.
"She's here!" Sigaw ng organizer kaya nagitla ang lahat at napatingin sa dulo ng aisle.
"Moment of truth. Best of wishes, buddy." Tydus hug me and patted me on my back.
Best of luck for my life. Bless me.
Umangat ang ulo ko nang ituro ni Dad si Celestine. My eyes widen and my jaw dropped when I saw her walking down the aisle. I am caught on my track and dumbfounded right on the spot. If you think that slow-motion doesn't happen in real life, think again. It's happening right now.
I can clearly see my life before my eyes; I can see her ocean deep eyes. She is my pulchritudinous protagonist.
It was actually Ashlynn whom I've hoped and imagined would be here but at the end, after watching the predicted future that I never want to have especially if it's with Celestine, I found myself coming to a place I expected Ashlynn to be.
The place where I should be the first to see but fate turned the table; it is solid, grey and interred above the cemetery meadow surrounded with withered flowers, her tomb.
She was as cold as the ice in the north pole and as dusty as the desert. However, that is where this marriage should be, beneath the ground even if it's with Ashlynn or with Celestine.
"Not your cliché type, huh." she said smirking, "and this one is for you in case you run away from me." This is a disaster.
She can't even wear appropriate attire. She was only wearing a grey sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a black air huarache with her round aviators. May dala ring baseball bat na nakapatong sa balikat niya.
What a perfect wedding.
"Get straight to the part where you'll ask me if I am willing to marry this idiot. I'm in a hurry." Ngumisi ito.
Hindi nakapagprotesta ang Pastor nang itutok ang baseball bat sa kan'ya. Natawa ang mga bisita but not me. I'm disgusted. She's disrespectful.
"Do you, Maria Celestine Brocoña take Edward Eliot Javier to be your trollfully wedded—" Hindi man lang nakatapos ang pastor dahil nagsalita na si Celestine.
Atat siyang maikasal sa 'kin? Sobrang gwapo ko kase, I won't deny that.
"Yes, you don't have to ask him because he's left with no choice."
Humarap siya sa 'kin, humawak ang isang kamay sa likod ng ulo ko at tumitig sa mga mata.
"You are officially mine Edward, mine and mine alone. Don't forget what I've told you before."
Ngumisi ito bago humalik ng mapusok sa akin. I'm shocked but instead of pushing her away, I responded to her kiss aggressively not minding about what people might think of us. Humawak ako sa bewang niya at ang isang kamay sa pisngi para paigtingin ang paghahalikan naming dalawa.
Lunod na lunod ako sa kaniya nang itulak niya ako palayo at pinunasan ang mga labi. Why am I always feeling aroused whenever she touches me!
"I know you want me now but save it for later, baby." Tinalikuran ako nito't umalis nang hindi nakikisalamuha sa mga bisita.
The hell, that bitch really had the guts to act like she's the one being taken advantage of?
Lumapit si Tydus sa akin na may malapad na ngiti sa labi. Yumakap siya at galak na galak sa natunghayan. Hindi ko alam kung nangaasar ang gago oh nangaasar talaga.
"Man, your wife is classic. Blimey!" She's classic as shit.
"She is. Sa sobrang classic walang aagaw."
Tydus and I talked about medically related discussions. I'm keeping myself busy to get through the day and it's good to flex your brain and talk to somebody with the same field as yours, filed of medicine. I'm a cardiologist whilst Tydus is a neurologist, a top notch.
Naputol ang usapan patungkol sa operation na isinagawa ni Tydus sa craniopagus twins nakaraan nang ipakilala ako sa mga magulang ni Celestine.
I'm blown away, her mom is beautiful. She was looking perfect with her gold modest mermaid dress with appliqué long lace sleeves. She has dark brown eyes and a pointed nose with a fair skin colour and her dad has a masculine body.
Lieutenant David Brocoña was wearing a black coat matched with his long sleeved polo. He is a 6' foot tall man and dude, you won't want to mess with this old man because if you do, you'll be dead.
He's a Brocoña and the patriarch himself is well known for his business, firearms and he's the CEO of Martines Kovrov Colt Defense; this defines why Celestine's good with guns.
It was a long day after introducing me one by one to all the visitors. I went inside the house, grabbed wine then went to the second floor. I need silence to sort out my thoughts.
Nilibot ng mga mata ko ang kabuuan ng bahay. I'm impressed, the house is quite nice with minimal interior design and it's comfortable. Pumasok ako sa kwarto. It smelled sex and booze.
Muntik pa akong atakihin nang makitang naglalakad ng hubad si Celestine mula sa banyo papuntang cabinet. Tumalikod ako. Pucha. I felt my body steaming. That instant, for a nanosecond, she could make me feel uncomfortable and aroused without putting so much effort.
She chuckled.
"Look at you being innocent and all." She wore a robe and poured wine into a glass.
I was taken aback when I saw Caleb coming from the bathroom. He kissed her on her temple that made me clutch my fist in fume.
It's not that I'm jealous but that's my wife! He shouldn't be kissing her especially now that we're married and she already has my surname!
Nagitla ako nang sumigaw si Celestine at may putok ng baril ang bumalot sa paligid. Sa balikat ko tumama ang bala at naramdaman ang pagbaon into.
"No! Eliot!" Celestine hurriedly went beside me and mandating Caleb to secure the vicinity.
Not again.
This marriage will definitely put me to my grave.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone