Velvet Rose (COMPLETED)

Chapter Thirty Six

- Raphael-

Six months after...

It was the fastest annulment case ever at dahil sa mga kakilala ko noon sa Law school ay naging maayos ang proseso.

They knew how important Marizella was to me kaya hindi sila nag-alinlangan na tulungan ako kaya andito kami ngayon sa isang wedding coordinator sa Maynila para magset ng wedding date.

"Congratulations Miss Fortaleza and we are glad that you have chosen us to be part of your wedding." Bungad ng sikat na wedding coordinator sa amin at tumango lang si Marizella tila hindi naman nakikinig sa presentation ng coordinator.

"Is there something wrong?" Tanong ko sa kanya tapos napatitig siya sa akin as if wondering what I just said.

"No. Nothing. Everything is perfect." Sagot niya tapos nakatitig sa labas ng glass doors.

Sa pagkakaalam ko lahat ng brides ay excited sa kanilang kasal pero tila walang gana magplano si Mari which puzzles me. She would always just nod to every suggestion the coordinator mentioned.

"You seem so far away lately." I commented and she looked back at me as we drove towards the Fortaleza Mansion.

"Sorry. The stress of making sure my life is in order again is quite overwhelming."

"Then it is me who should apologize since I'm the cause." I said sincerely then grasped her hand to kiss it but she pulled her hand away.

Eto ang madalas kong napapansin kay Mari na ayaw niya na hinahawakan ko ang kamay niya in public. Mailap. Aloof. Pero kapag gabi ay hinahayaan niyang sambahin ko ang katawan niya pero pagdating ng umaga ay wala na siya sa aking tabi.

Is it because she doesn't feel the same way about me anymore?

Napatingin ako sa kanya habang panay text niya sa iPhone niya which she has been doing lately. Most of the time hindi ko siya makasama dahil lagi siyang nasa labas kasama si Ida or si Nanay Remy.

But who am I to complain if her days are with them but her nights are with me?

Naisip ko lang na naninibago pa rin si Mari sa sitwasyon namin. We have been apart for 3 years and it must have been painful for her to have me wed to Cristela and had her son. She didn't say outright that she resented me pero hindi ko rin alam if napatawad niya ako.

"When will you transfer all my inheritance?" Bigla niyang tanong na ikinagulat ko kasi ngayon niya lang ulit inungkat ang tungkol doon sa nakaraang na anim na buwan.

"After the wedding, I will draft a prenuptial contract that all will be under your name. I will not get a cent, I promise." I said assuringly.

"Hindi naman sa ganun, Raphael. I just want to have full control so I can make necessary changes in the businesses soon."

"I know and our wedding's in a month na so konting tiis na lang." She nodded then went typing something on her phone again.

Ngayon lang kami nagkasama ng maayos so I want to take her on a date. Never kami nagdate ng pormal noon three years ago kaya before kami ikasal ay gusto ko lang na makasama siya.

I miss her smile.

The one that reaches her eyes.

Ngayon tila tipid ang ngiti niya at hindi ko man lang narinig siyang tumawa.

Naisipan kong dalhin siya sa Enchanted Kingdom para makapag-rides kami. Somehow to melt her stiff demeanor and bring out the fun side of Mari that I used to know.