Zachary POV
The grand doors of the church slowly opened. Golden rays of sunlight spilled through, touching the marble floor as soft orchestral music filled the air. The whole place was adorned with white roses, fresh lilies, and crystal chandeliers that sparkled above. It was a luxurious wedding, the kind of ceremony every man could only dream of and yet, despite all the elegance, my eyes could only see one thing.
My Melody.
She walked gracefully down the long aisle, her white gown flowing like waves of the ocean, her veil shimmering with every step. My heart raced, not because of the people watching, not because of the grandeur of the church… but because of the memories that flashed in my mind the journey that brought us here.
I remember the first day I met her. White Sand Beach Resort. I was busy drowning myself in paperwork when suddenly, she entered my office without knocking. Galit na galit ako noon. No one dared to disrespect me like that but she did.
Then I asked her to bring me coffee… and she spilled it on me. My expensive suit ruined. I was furious, but what shocked me more was the way she answered me back. She was the first woman who ever had the guts to talk to me like that. That very moment, I knew she was different.
Because of her stubbornness, I punished her. I wanted to break her pride, but ironically, that was the reason we came closer. She even confessed her feelings to me once but I rejected her harshly. I was too blinded by my anger, too bewitched by Scarlet’s temptations. Scarlet always made it appear like Melody was at fault, and like a fool, I believed her lies.
The night when something happened between me and Melody… I thought she planned everything. I thought it was her scheme. But in reality, it was Scarlet’s doing. Yet I chose to believe the lie. I married Melody only on paper, swearing to myself that I would use her as an outlet for my anger and revenge.
When we moved into our house, I saw her putting up our wedding picture on the wall. But instead of feeling touched, I got angry. Every day, I brought women home just to humiliate her. And yet she endured everything in silence, even though I was slowly destroying her heart.
I was so cruel… I refused to let her inside the house while it rained and stormed. She fainted from the cold, almost got into an accident.
God, I was a monster.
She finally couldn’t endure anymore. She left me, signed the divorce papers, and for the first time, I felt something I couldn’t explain. Something broke inside me. But I ignored it until karma came for me.
Drunk. Overspeeding. Then the accident happened.
I woke up in the hospital, guilty and broken. My eyesight temporarily gone. And I thought that was the end of me. Everyone left… except Scarlet. Or so I thought. But in truth, it wasn’t Scarlet who stayed it was Melody. She pretended to be Scarlet just to care for me, to make me fight for hope again.
She treated me with kindness, with patience, with love I didn’t deserve. Even after all the pain I caused her, she stayed by my side.
When my surgery was done and I could see again, I thought everything would be okay. But she left. She left me even after saving me. My world crushed, but I couldn’t let her go. I searched everywhere until I found her with her aunt. She was angry, distant, but I didn’t stop. I proved to her that I had changed, that I loved her more than anything.
Still, I had to fight harder… because Dave was there too. And yes, I admit, they looked perfect together. But when I discovered Dave was her half-brother, I felt relief. Finally, no more rival in her heart.
Now here we are.
My vision blurred as tears fell without me noticing. Melody was almost at the altar. She saw me crying and chuckled softly through her veil. “Napakaiyakin mo naman…” she teased, her voice like music that healed me.
The ceremony began.
“Do you, Zack, take Melody as your lawful wife… to love and to cherish, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
My chest tightened. My heart overflowed. “Yes… I do. With all of me.”
“And do you, Melody, take Zack as your lawful husband…?”
Through her tears, she smiled. “Yes, I do.”
We exchanged vows.
“I was blind for so long,” I whispered as I held her hands, “not only because of the accident, but because of my pride and anger. But you… you opened my eyes. You loved me even when I was unworthy. From this day on, Melody, I promise… I will never let you cry alone again. Your pain will be my pain. Your joy, my joy. You are my forever.”
Her voice trembled as she answered, “Zack… you were my greatest pain, but also my greatest love. And even after everything, my heart always found its way back to you. I vow to love you, to stay, to forgive, and to walk with you for the rest of my life.”
“By the power vested in me,” the priest declared, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Slowly, I lifted her veil, my hands shaking. Her eyes glistened like the brightest stars. And when our lips met, the whole church erupted in applause, but to me… it felt like we were the only two souls in the world.
“Finally…” I whispered against her lips, “…my Melody. My wife. My forever.”
And this time, I knew I would never let her go again.
—
After the kiss, parang bumagal lahat ng paligid. Naririnig ko yung palakpakan, yung sigawan ng mga tao, yung choir na kumakanta pa rin sa likod… pero ang focus ko lang ay yung mainit na haplos ni Zack sa pisngi ko at yung titig niya na parang ako na talaga ang huling babaeng mamahalin niya.
“Finally… ikaw na ang asawa ko,” bulong niya, his forehead resting against mine. Natawa ako kahit tumutulo pa yung luha ko. “Iyakin ka pala, Mr. Del Rio,” sabi ko sabay punas sa pisngi niya.
The priest announced, “I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Zack Del Rio!” Biglang lumakas ang palakpakan, confetti rained down, at halos mabingi ako sa cheer ng mga tao.
Una kong naramdaman ang yakap ni Mommy Mellisa. “Anak, I’m so proud of you,” bulong niya habang mahigpit akong niyayakap. “Sana lagi kang magiging masaya kasama si Zack.”
Kasunod si Daddy. Medyo nagpipigil siya ng luha pero halata sa boses niya. “Melody, ingatan mo rin ang sarili mo… at Zack, bahala ka na sa anak ko.” then he chuckled.
Narinig ko yung sagot ni Zack, firm pero puno ng respeto. “Don’t worry, Tito. I’ll protect her with my life.”
Tumingin ako kay Zack’s mom, elegant in her gown, habang hawak ang kamay ko. “Thank you, hija, for loving my son kahit napakatigas ng ulo niya.” Natawa ako ng mahina. “He’s worth it po.”
Zack’s dad even gave me a small smile rare moment. “Welcome to the family, Melody. Finally, my son chose right.”
Bigla akong sinalubong nina Cath, Jos, at Yenny. Halos sabay-sabay silang umiiyak at tumatawa.
“Grabe, Mel! Ikaw na talaga!” sigaw ni Yenny habang nag-iiyak.
“Tama na yunh iyak mo baka maubusan ka na ng mascara,” sabi ni Jos na natawa rin.
Cath hugged me tight. “Ang ganda mo kanina sa aisle, swear! Para kang queen.”
Napahagikhik ako. “Thank you, girls. Hindi ko kakayanin kung wala kayo.”
Si James naman, nakangiti lang. “Best, I’m so happy for you.” Tumingin siya kay Zack. “Pare, ingatan mo siya, ha. Otherwise, kami bahala sa’yo.”
Umangat ang sulok ng labi ni Zack, parang mayabang pero sincere. “Relax. I already know she’s my greatest treasure.”
Lumapit naman yung mga kaibigan niya sina Blake Sandoval, Ashton Villanueva, Lee Valdez, at iba pa. Ang gagwapo nila sa mga tuxedo, parang galing lahat sa magazine cover.
Blake smirked. “So the great Zack Del Rio finally tied down, huh? Sino mag-aakala?”
Ashton laughed. “Congrats, bro. And Melody… thank you for taming this beast.”
Lee raised his glass. “To Zack and Melody may your love be richer than all the diamonds we own!”
Nagtawanan yung grupo. Ako naman, nahihiya pero Zack pulled me close by the waist, proud na proud. “You’re all just jealous. I won the best woman here.”
Then he kissed my temple in front of everyone. Syempre nagtilian agad yung mga girls sa paligid, pati friends ko sumigaw ng “Sana all!”
The ballroom was glowing fairy lights, chandeliers, elegant table set-ups. Parang fairytale.
Our first dance was magical. Zack held me so close, parang ayaw niya nang bitawan. “You know what, Melody?” bulong niya habang sumasabay kami sa music. “Dati akala ko hindi ko na mararanasan ‘to… pero now that you’re mine, I swear I’ll spend my whole life making you happy.”
Napatitig ako sa kanya. “We’ve been through the worst, Zack. But yes… now it’s only happiness. As long as we’re together.”
Later that night, nakaupo kami ni Zack sa garden ng reception hall. May fairy lights, may malamig na hangin, at mga bituin na parang nakikipag-celebrate sa amin.
He intertwined his fingers with mine and staring mo for a minute.
"I never thought I'd fall for a desperate woman like you, but damn, I still ended up chasing you.
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “"Maybe not, my ruthless billionaire... But I was the one who tamed you, who captured your heart and made you mine. And now, you're forever bound to me."
He kissed me again slow, deep, full of love. And this time, wala nang doubts, wala nang takot. Just us, starting our forever.
- THE END 💍✨
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"I know lots of readers dissatisfied/disappointed of the story's ending because they want the 2nd ml. but before you will judge my story kindly read this next slide. So, I can explain my side and the background of this story. Thank you!"
-Ms.A