Ilang linggo pagkatapos ng dinner na 'yun, Irene decided to visit and meet her sister, Imee. Ngayon lang sila nagkita ulit dahil hindi magkatugma ang schedule nila. She was busy with the preparations for the wedding in the next 4 months.
She rang the doorbell at her sister's doorstep, pinagbuksan siya ng asawa nito.
"Oh. Imee, nandito na si Irene!" sigaw ni Tommy. They did a cheek kiss at pumasok na si Irene sa penthouse ng Ate niya.
She saw Imee in the living room preparing her son's bags. Tumakbo si Borgy at Mike papunta sa kanya at niyakap siya ng mga pamangkin niya.
"I missed you, boys!" hinagkan niya ang mga ulo nito. "Kumain na kayo 'dun, may shool pa kayo, pagagalitan na naman kayo ng Mommy niyo." natawa ang dalawa at bumalik na sa dining table at nagsimula ng kumain.
Binati niya ang kapatid at napaupo sa couch.
"Oh. Ang aga mo ngayon? May lakad ka mamaya?" tanong ni Imee.
Tumango si Irene at sumagot, "Aasikasuhin ko 'yung gagawa ng invitations."
"Wala ba kayong wedding organizer? Imposible, si Mommy pa..."
"Meron naman but I don't like the designs for the invitations. At sinabihan ko na si Mommy that, at least let me decide for my wedding." Irene sighed.
Biglang sumabat si Tommy na nagpapakain ng anak. "Congratulations nga pala, Irene."
Tumango si Irene at ngumiti. "Thank you. Groomsmen ka ah."
"Nakausap mo na ba Groom mo para diyan? Ba't parang nagdedesisyon ka? 'E dapat sa side niya 'yun." alma ni Imee.
"Sinabi ko na sa kanya na magdadagdag ako ng apat sa groomsmen niya."
"Apat?"
Tumango si Irene. "Bonget. Alfred. Tsaka si Tommy. May idadagdag pa akong isa pero hindi pa nagconfirm,"
Imee disregarded what Irene said. Umalis na ang mga bata kasama si Tommy, leaving Imee and Irene alone. Imee sat down with Irene at the dining table, they ate their breakfast as Irene ranted to Imee about this wedding.
"I told Daddy pa nga na what if I decline, tas ikaw daw 'yung pipilitin niya sa kumpanya! And I know you already have your freedom, at ayaw ko naman mawalan ka ng oras sa mga pamangkin ko! Bonget doesn't want the job, so did Aimee!?" mabilis na sabi ni Irene, halatang naiinis.
Imee chuckled. "You're left with no choice. 'Yan kasi... sinanay mo si Daddy na hindi ka humihindi sa kanya, ayan tuloy."
Irene sighed and sipped on the glass of juice.
"So ano na plano? Sino bridesmaids mo?"
"Mag-uusap pa kami ni Greggy tungkol diyan. I've decided naman na on some parts. Ikaw ang Matron of Honor ko, tas si Greggy bahala na siya kung sino ang Best Man niya. My bridesmaids would be Aimee, Dawn, Cristina and Ditta. Kulang pa nga ng dalawa. Si Borgy at Mike ang ring bearer at bible bearer." sabi ni Irene sa kapatid.
"Wala naman bang problema sa side ni Greggy?"
"Wala naman. It's actually weird cause they're letting us organize our own wedding. Sinabihan na rin kami ni Don Luis noong isang araw that they bought us a penthouse." Irene added.
Imee smirked. "Wow ah! Handang-handa na sa buhay asawa! Taray! Mrs. Araneta ka na pala niyan,"
Sumama ang mukha ni Irene."That's ridiculous."
"Sus... Baka malaman ko na lang may nangyayari na pala—" hindi na siya pinatapos ni Irene.
"Ate!" saway niya.
Napatawa si Imee. She really loves teasing Irene. Paano ba kasi, palaging seryoso ito. Very straightforward. She feels like her sister needs to do something fun.
Irene left after talking with her sister. She went to the suppliers for the invitations and picked out some designs. While, Irene was busy with the preparations. Greggy took the chance to talk to his girlfriend, Isabelle, about their set-up.
"What? You're getting married?! Paano ako?!" Isabelle was hysterical.
"I know... It's so confusing. But you know, I have to follow Dad or else you'll find me in the dumpsters. Dad will surely take everything from me, Isa. At alam kong idadamay ka niya. You know Dad," Greggy held her hand. Natahimik ang babae.
"What about us, Greggy? Are you just going to drop me like a hot potato?!"
Greg held Isabelle's face. "No... Nakausap ko na si Irene, she was fine with it because she doesn't even like this set-up. She just wants the position. May plano kami na maghihiwalay rin kami pagkatapos namin makuha ang mga posisyon namin."
"Bakit hindi na lang kasi ang mga kapatid mo?" umiiyak na sabi ni Isabelle.
"My sisters doesn't have interest in the business, Isa. I can't disappoint Dad, I'm his only son. I'll bring shame to the family. I'm so sorry, hon, that I have to keep you in secret and see you discreetly." Greggy felt sorry.
Humiwalay si Isabelle sa kanya at lumayo, "Please leave. Kailangan ko munang mag-isip. Give me space, Greggy. Kahit ngayon lang,"
Greggy nodded and sighed. "Okay, hon. I'll call you."
Greggy left his girlfriend's place and went back to his own condo. He started packing his things as to what his Dad advised him. He suddenly received a message from Irene.
From: Irene Marcos
I'm done picking the invitations designs. When are you free? We need to talk about the guests. I'll send you the schedule for the preparations. Thank you.
It followed another message.
From: Irene Marcos
(This week)
Wednesday at 10 AM picking of rings
Friday at 2 PM food tasting
Saturday at 1 PM choosing the venue
(Next week)
Tuesday at 9 AM Gown and suit fitting
Wednesday at 10 AM choosing the theme
Friday at 1 PM flowers picking
Sunday at 3 PM reception venue
(Next month)
1st Monday at 8 AM process the papers
1st Wednesday at 10 AM engagement announcement
1st Thursday at 9 AM entourage fitting
2nd Friday at 2 PM meet with the guest of honors
3rd Thursday at 3 PM canvass for make up artists
(Next next month)
1st Saturday at 2 PM pre-nuptial shoot
This is not the final list so baka may madagdag pa. You have to meet me this week to plan the entourage and guests we want to invite. Thank you, let's keep in touch.
Greggy replied to Irene.
To: Irene Marcos
Are you free now? I'm free today. Manila Pen?
He went to bathe as he waited for her reply. Pagkatapos niyang magbihis, he read Irene's reply.
From: Irene Marcos
Okay. On my way there.
He quickly grabbed his keys and drove to Manila Peninsula. Nakarating agad siya doon, he gave his key to the valet driver. He found where Irene was. Simple lang ang suot nito but he can't deny that she looks beautiful. Nagsusulat ito sa planner.
"Am I late?" sabi ni Greggy at umupo sa harap niya.
Irene shook her head. "I just got here. Let's start," seryosong sabi nito. Greggy couldn't do anything but nod. "Do you have anyone in mind na magiging Best Man mo?"
"Iñigo Zobel, he's my closest friend." diretsong sagot ni Greggy. Irene wrote his name on the planner.
"By the way, I just want to let you know that my nephews will be the ring bearer and bible bearer. You okay with that?"
"Yes, sure. Wala rin naman akong kilalang batang lalaki. How about the flowergirls? 'Di ba may ganoon? Have you decided na rin ba?" ani Greggy.
"No, actually. May kakilala ka ba?"
Greggy shook his head. "I'll try to ask my relatives and update you."
"Alright. My Matron of Honor will be my older sister, Imee. Can I add her husband, my brother and my cousin in your groomsmen? I need seven." sabi ni Irene.
They look like Greggy was being interviewed for a job and Irene was the strict boss.
"Oh sure, no worries. Wala rin akong gaano kakilala para maging groomsmen ko. Do we still need four?" tumango si Irene. "My brothers, Jorge and Francisco. Sila lang 'yung malapit sa akin na pwedeng maging groomsmen ko 'e," napakamot ng ulo si Grrggy.
Nangunot ang noo ni Irene. This man doesn't have friends? Ang aura niya mukhang nasa gimikan palagi kasama ang barkada 'e.
"Are you sure?" naguguluhan na tanong ni Irene.
Tumango si Greggy. "Yeah. Ikaw na bahala."
Irene sighed. "I'll just add my friend's husband tas 'yung isa kong kaibigan, I still have to wait for his confirmation though."
"Your bridesmaids, tapos na?"
Irene nodded and answered. "Aimee, Dawn, Cristina and Ditta. Kulang pa ng dalawa actually— 'Di ba may kapatid kang mga babae? I'll just add them to my bridesmaids."
"Are you sure you're okay with that?" tumango si Irene. "Okay, then... Patricia and Elvira."
Tumango si Irene at patuloy na sumulat. They continued talking about the details of their upcoming wedding and the show that they will create during the engagement announcement. It will be a heck of a show.
Mabilis duman ang mga araw. Mas lalo silang naging abala sa mga lakad nila para sa kasal. Their engagement was a talk of town. They were all over tabloids and news, even in the entertainment industry.
Irene's gown will be made by a very famous designer that is known worldwide, as is Greggy.
Champagne Rose will be the color of the bridesmaids dress in differents cuts, they made them choose the kind of dress the want. While, the Matron of Honor will be wearing Teracotta colored dress. The men will be wearing Barong Tagalog. The flowergirls will be wearing pearl pink silk gowns and Borgy and Mike will be wearing barong.
They want to somehow stick to culture and be modern too.
Irene's bouquet will be in a composite shape with the combination of Kadupul, Baby's breath and Gladiolus flower. Carnation will be the flower that the flower girls will bring and spread on the aisle.
They shot their prenup shoot a weeks before their wedding with a theme of Philippine Culture, as per Irene's request. They also had Polo and Golf themed prenup shoot, as per what Greggy wanted.
The night before their wedding haunted the both of them. They got a reality check so fast that they are really going to tie the knot the moment the sun rises.
"Paano kung tumakbo ka na lang papalayo?" suhestiyon ni Irene kay Greggy.
["Para ano? Para sa akin madisappoint ang Daddy ko at mawawalan ako ng lahat ng pinaghirapan ko? No way, Miss. I'd rather suffer from this marriage than to lose everything I worked hard for."] sabi ni Greggy sa kabilang linya.
"I guess we don't have any choice. Wala na ba tayong nakalimutan for the wedding?"
["I don''t know... Should we meet and check?"]
"Huwag na, ako na. Papagalitan tayo ni Mommy, bawal daw magkita bago ikasal 'di ba? Magkakaroon daw ng hindi magandang pagsasama."