My Instant Husband

Chapter Six

Red's POV

I sat still as the makeup artist worked, my hands tightly clasped on my lap. The silence in the suite was almost deafening, save for the soft strokes of the brush against my skin and the faint hum of the air conditioner. Today was the day—the day I would be bound to that insufferable man named Perseus Montanari. The reality of it all was sinking in like an unbearable weight on my chest.

I could still back out if I wanted to. No one was physically holding me down, no chains binding me to this fate. But backing out now meant dealing with the heavy consequences—the backlash, the scandal, the inevitable disappointment in my parents' eyes. I could already imagine the headlines, the whispers among the elite, the way people would dissect my every move as if I were a mere puppet in their entertainment. If I were selfish, I wouldn't be sitting here, allowing myself to be transformed into a bride I never wished to be. I would be far away, living a life where no one could dictate my choices except me.

"Open now your eyes, Miss," the makeup artist, a flamboyant yet precise man, instructed as he applied the finishing touch to my eyeshadow.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back at me felt unfamiliar, almost like a stranger. Her features were flawless—eyes accentuated by soft shimmering hues, lips painted with a deep shade of red, cheekbones sculpted to perfection. She looked ethereal, like someone who belonged on the cover of a high-fashion magazine. Yet despite the beauty, there was an emptiness in her gaze. My gaze.

I forced myself to smile, testing the expression on my lips, but it felt foreign. Plastic. Hollow. The kind of smile people wore to hide something they could never put into words. I wasn't glowing with excitement like a bride should be. If anything, I looked like a perfectly wrapped gift, adorned with all the right ribbons and lace but lifeless on the inside.

"Bakit naman mukha kang problemado, Miss?" the makeup artist asked, arching a perfectly shaped brow as he rummaged through his makeup kit. "This is one of the biggest happenings in your life! You should be happy. In fact, hindi ka naman lugi sa mapapangasawa mo. He's filthy rich and so handsome. If I were you, I'd be jumping with excitement."

I didn't respond. Instead, I let my gaze wander to the massive wedding dress draped across the queen-sized bed. The fabric shimmered under the soft lighting, the intricate lace and delicate beadwork looking as if they had been woven by the hands of a goddess. It was stunning—every bit the dress of a fairytale bride. But that was the problem. This wasn't a fairytale. This wasn't a love story. This was a contract. A transaction. A deal sealed with vows instead of ink.

I had always imagined designing my own wedding dress when the time came—envisioned myself sketching every detail, choosing the fabric, making it a reflection of who I was. But instead, this dress, though breathtaking, felt like a symbol of everything I had no control over. A beautiful cage.

"Pwede bang palitan ang lipstick ko? Can we use nude color instead?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

"Ayy naku, sorry, Miss, utos kasi ni Mr. Montanari na red ang lipstick mo," he replied, still digging through his kit.

Of course. Even something as small as the color of my lipstick had to be dictated by him. My jaw clenched. Napaka-bossy niya talaga. It was always his way, his rules. Kahit sa maliliit na bagay, gusto niyang masunod. Napuno na ako sa pagiging controlling niya. If he kept this up, I wasn't sure how long I could last in this marriage.

"Uhh, Miss, should we put on some fake eyelashes?" he asked nervously, clearly still searching for the missing piece of his makeup kit.

I exhaled sharply, gripping the arms of the chair. Maybe I should just disappear before they found the damn lashes.

"No need, my eyelashes are already thick and long," saad ko sa kanya habang pinagmamasdan ang sarili ko sa salamin. Kita ko namang parang nakahinga siya nang maluwag matapos marinig ang sinabi ko.

Napataas ang kilay ko. Will Perseus scold him kapag hindi niya nagawa nang perpekto ang makeup ko? Napailing ako. Tae talaga itong si Perseus, masyadong perfectionist. Para bang isang malaking proyekto lang itong kasal namin, hindi isang lifelong commitment.

Habang inaayos na ng bakla ang buhok ko, nagsalita siya muli, tila binabasa ang iniisip ko. "Gusto lang ni Mr. Montanari na perfect lahat kasi kasal niyo ito, Miss. Maraming media sa kasal niyo mamaya, at sigurado akong papatok 'to kahit saang news and magazines."

Napakurap ako. Right. The media. The flashing cameras. The curious eyes of the world watching our every move like we were some kind of royal couple. Hindi lang ito simpleng kasal—isa itong palabas, isang grand event na siguradong pag-uusapan sa mga susunod na linggo.

Aasikasuhin ba niya ang lahat ng ito kung hindi lang dahil sa image niya? Would he care this much if we weren't bound by whatever twisted arrangement brought us here?

Sasagot pa sana ako nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng suite.

Napalingon ako roon, at parang huminto ang paghinga ko.

There he was, standing at the doorway with his tuxedo on. His crisp black suit hugged his frame perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and tall stature. He looked... hot. Infuriatingly so. The kind of breathtaking that made women weak in the knees—except ako, siyempre.

Sinara niya ang pinto sa likod niya, his sharp gaze locked onto mine.

Anong ginagawa niya rito?

Dapat nauna na siya sa simbahan, di ba? Hindi kaya... pumunta siya rito para sabihin sa akin na hindi na matutuloy ang kasal? Na bigla niyang na-realize na may ibang babae siyang gusto?

Oh my God.

Napanganga ako sa naisip ko. What if this was it? What if he finally decided to call this whole thing off? My heart pounded against my chest—not in fear, but in anticipation. A flicker of excitement sparked in me at the thought of being free.

The makeup artist, who had been fixing my hair, also froze at the sight of Perseus.

"Ah, kakausapin niyo po ba si Miss Montenegro?" tanong niya, breaking the heavy silence in the room.

Perseus, still standing with his arms crossed, shook his head.

"Continue what you're doing. I'm watching," he simply said.

Disappointed.

Ganoon na lang kabilis nawala ang excitement ko.

Hindi ko na lang inalintana ang presensya niya sa loob ng suite. Pinilit kong i-focus ang sarili ko sa ginagawa ng makeup artist, kahit na ramdam kong nasa likod lang siya, tahimik na pinapanood ang bawat galaw ko.

I should've known better than to expect him to back out first.

Kung may isa man sa aming dalawa na dapat umatras, dapat ako iyon.

The makeup artist clipped a delicate white butterfly hairpiece into my hair, placing it perfectly at the center. The small glitters on it shimmered under the warm glow of the vanity lights. Ang ganda. Pero kahit gaano pa ito kaganda, hindi nito kayang takpan ang lungkot na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

He then picked up a spray bottle, positioning it a few inches away from my face. The cool mist landed gently on my skin, sealing the makeup in place. He moved the bottle over my hair and neck, ensuring everything was flawless.

"All done," he said with a smile, stepping back to admire his work.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked at myself in the mirror again.

Wow.

Even I had to admit—I looked stunning. Almost unrecognizable. Almost like a bride who was actually looking forward to her wedding day.

The makeup artist gave me a small nod before turning to Perseus. "I'll take my leave now, Mr. Montanari."

Tumango ako at nag-mouth ng 'thank you' sa kanya. Ngumiti naman siya bago lumabas ng suite, isinasara nang marahan ang pinto sa likod niya.

Pagkalabas niya, ramdam kong agad na lumapit si Perseus sa akin.

Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa armrest ng upuan nang maramdaman kong pumwesto siya sa likod ko, ang mga kamay niya nakatukod sa armchair. Napatingin ako sa kanya sa salamin, at doon namin itinuloy ang tahimik na pagtititigan.

There was something in his gaze—something intense, unreadable.

Then, he leaned in ever so slightly, his lips just inches away from my ear.

"Such a beauty," he whispered.

Napakagat ako sa labi, pilit pinipigilan ang sariling mag-react.

Damn it.

I hated how his voice sent an unexplainable shiver down my spine.

Huminga ako nang malalim, pilit na kinakalma ang sarili ko habang nilalaro ang mga daliri ko. My heart was pounding, not because of excitement, but because of the overwhelming mix of emotions I couldn't even begin to process.

Napatingin ako sa kanya sa salamin. Nakatayo siya sa likod ko, hands in his pockets, looking so damn confident as if he had everything under control. Meanwhile, ako? I felt like a prisoner waiting for my sentence.

"Why are you here? You're supposed to be in the church waiting for my arrival," saad ko sa kanya, trying to keep my voice firm despite the storm inside me.

Hindi siya sumagot agad. Instead, he leaned down slightly, his lips getting dangerously close to my ear.

"I can't wait there, baka tumakas ka pa," he chuckled, his deep voice sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.

Napalingon ako sa kanya, at agad akong natigilan.

Our faces were just inches apart. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, searching for something—doubt? Fear? Or maybe a hint of surrender?

Gusto kong ilayo ang sarili ko, pero mas nangibabaw ang inis ko.

"Sa tingin mo tatakas ako?" matapang kong saad, staring straight into his eyes, refusing to back down.

"Hmm, probably." Sagot niya na para bang sigurado na siya roon.

Biglang tumama sa mukha ko ang hininga niya. Napapikit ako sandali. Damn it. Even his breath smelled good—warm, fresh, and slightly minty. Ano bang pabango 'tong gamit niya at parang may hypnotizing effect?

Napakapit ako sa upuan para pigilan ang sarili kong mahilo sa amoy niya.

Ito ba talaga magiging asawa ko? Final na? Wala nang atrasan?

I composed myself, straightened my back, then placed my hands on his chest. With all my strength, I pushed him away.

"Aba, umalis ka na nga!" mariin kong sabi, rolling my eyes.

Pero lalo lang siyang natawa, hindi man lang natinag sa ginawa ko. He looked too entertained by my reaction, which only annoyed me more.

"Tumigil ka nga sa kakatawa," inis kong bulyaw.

"Ang cute mo kasi, Red," he teased, smirking.

Napakagat ako sa loob ng pisngi ko. Nanggaling pa talaga sa kanya na baka tumakas ako?

"Do you really think I can escape? Puro bodyguards mo ang nasa labas ng suite, Perseus!" sigaw ko sa kanya, frustration clear in my voice.

Umupo siya sa edge ng kama, his eyes landing on my wedding dress na nakalatag sa kama. Tahimik niyang pinagmasdan ito, as if he was deep in thought.

"That's for your safety, Red," pormal niyang saad.

Napataas ang isa kong kilay.

Oh well! So I needed protection now, huh? Para saan? Para hindi ako ma-kidnap at maipatutubos sa kanya? Para hindi ako mapahamak sa mga babaeng nagkakandarapa sa kanya at siguradong maiinggit sa posisyon ko?

Kaya niyang gawin 'to sa akin, pero hindi niya ako kayang tanungin kung gusto ko ba talaga ang kasal na 'to?

"Tss," I scoffed, crossing my arms.

Tumayo siya at naglakad papalapit sa akin. Umupo siya sa mesa sa harapan ko at pinagkrus ang mga braso niya.

Wow. Wala talagang manners. Sino bang nagturo sa kanya na ang mga mesa inuupuan?

"Stop being grumpy around me, Red," he said, his voice turning serious. "Wag kang magsungit dahil kahit anong gawin mo, you're still marrying me, and later on, married to me. Kaya wala kang kawala."

Pinanood ko siya habang mas lalo pang lumapit. His eyes darkened, his expression unreadable.

"You should be good to me," he continued, his voice dropping an octave lower. "I'll become your husband, and you'll be my wife. Eternally. Kaya stop that attitude of yours..."

Lumunok ako. Bakit parang bumibigat ang paligid?

"Or else," he leaned in, his lips a breath away from my ear, "I'm gonna punish you... real hard."

My breath hitched.

Tila nalulunod ako sa mga mata niya, and for a second, I forgot how to function. He was too close. His presence too overwhelming.

Napatango na lang ako, unable to think of a proper response.

He smirked. "Good girl. Now, simulan natin sa pagtawag mo sa akin ng 'love'."

Napakurap ako.

Ang kapal!