It Started With A Lie

--Chapter Four-

     "Can I ask a favour?" she said to no one in specific.

     "Ano 'yon dear?" tanong ng baklang nag-aayos ng gown niya.

     "You see, medyo kinakabahan ako and I need this magical moment to sink in. Pwede bang iwan n'yo muna akong mag-isa?"

     Natigilan ang bakla at sumulyap sa kinatatayuan ni Valeria, asking for the woman's permission.

       "I know na mahigpit na bilin ni James na dapat may mga matang palaging nakatutok sa akin but I really need time to settle my emotions," todo emote niyang wika. The past few days were really hell for her. Gusto niyang magwala, gusto niyang magalit, gusto niyang manakit but she tried all her best to be the prim and proper Alessadra Xandria dahil sa mga matang nakatutok sa kanya.

       Hindi niya alam kung ano ang trip ni James ngunit may dalawang bodyguard itong sunod ng sunod sa kanya. Alam niyang minamanmanan ng lalaki ang kilos niya. Maliban dito, nandiyan rin si Valeria na hindi niya maarok ang tunay na saloobin. Masaya at very welcoming ito kapag kaharap siya pero hindi lang iisang beses niya itong nahuling matalim ang pagkakatitig sa kanya. 'This family is so weird,' naisip niya minsan.

     "Isang oras pa naman bago ang kasal. I'll ask someone to fetch you kapag ok na ako." She hates it that she's almost begging but the situation calls for it.

      "Oh, it's not like binabantayan ka namin, Alessandra. We just want you to be relaxed and ready to become Mrs. James Kane. I'm sorry if you're getting the wrong idea." Pagkuwa'y tinanguan nito ang assistant. "Let's go. Kailangan ko rin namang mag-entertain ng mga bisita sa ibaba."

      Nang makalabas na si Valeria at ang mga alipores nito ay patingkayad na sumilip si Xandria sa pinto. Nang masigurong wala nang tao sa labas ay mabilis niyang ini-lock ang pinto at hinubad ang suot na wedding gown. She almost tore the dress dahil nahirapan siyang abutin ang zipper nito.

     She threw everything on the bed, the dress, the shoes, the veil even the pieces of jewelry. In the next couple of minutes, she is expected to show in the hotel's garden wearing those expensive things. Bagay na hindi mangyayari.

     She unpinned her hair, braided it and took a wig from the backpack Jeana prepared for her. Ipinuslit iyon ni Jeana kanina bago pa man dumating sina Valeria sa hotel room niya. From the same backpack, she also took-out a scarf, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a black hooded jacket. From another bag, she took out a pair of rubber shoes. She hurriedly changed into her disguised outfit and examined herself in the mirror. When satisfied, nag send na siya ng mensahe sa kaibigan.

      Hindi nagtagal ay narinig na niyang may kumakatok sa pinto. Checking through the peep-hole, nakita niyang nakatayo sa labas ng pinto ang kaibigan niya. Agad niya itong pinagbuksan. Her friend was dressed exactly as she was dressed. Pati kulay ng wig nila ay magkapareho. She duplicated her.

     "Ready?" Jeana asked.

     She nodded.

       "Have you checked the video I sent you?" tanong nito. Nang umiling siya'y napalatak ito. "You check it kapag malayo ka na rito. I don't regret helping you. This family is disgusting!" sabi pa na tila diring-diri.

      Nagtaka siya sa sinabi at reaksiyon nito. "Why?"

     "There's no time to discuss it. Check the videos I sent you later and you will understand. Sa ngayon, you need to go."

     "Alright!" she gave her a high-five.

     "I had manipulated one of the cameras in the hallway but the other one is still functional. Make sure to have you back on it," Jeana reminded.