Chapter 19
1343 Words
Navarro Mansion – One Month Before the Wedding
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“Okay! Simula na ng final wedding coordination meeting!” sigaw ni Doña Clarisse habang may hawak na clip board at whistle.
Yes. Whistle.
“Whistle, Ma?” bulong ni Stine, napapailing habang naka-slouch sa couch.
“Para may authority!” sagot ni Clarisse, proudly wearing a custom Team Bride shirt.
Nasa living room ang buong barkada, pamilya, at mga "assigned helpers." Kung sa tingin ni Stine at Alaric ay sila ang in-charge, clearly, they were mistaken.
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The chaos began.
• Doña Vivian (Alaric’s mom) brought out mood boards na parang pang interior design. “Gold-accented aisle runners or champagne shimmer?”
• Don Ramon and Don Emilio were arguing over flower arrangements. “Bakit puro puti?! Anong masama sa orchids na violet?”
• Theo, Ram, and Jace were taste-testing cakes. Not assigned. Not invited. Just… eating.
• Eli and Zion were trying on barong options sa gitna ng sala.
• Mika (Stine’s cousin) was video-calling from abroad para i-veto ang bridesmaids’ shoes.
• And poor Alaric, who just wanted coffee, was being measured by the tailor for the seventh time.
“Do I really need five outfit changes?” reklamo ni Alaric, habang may karayom sa balikat niya.
Stine, sipping her iced coffee, laughed. “You’re marrying into chaos, sweetheart. Accept your fate.”
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Meanwhile...
“Nak, kelan mo balak mag-baby?”
“Pwedeng twins? May lahi tayo ng twins ha.”
“Gusto ko apo na lalaki ha. Para may taga-mana ng negosyo.”
That was just breakfast. 😩
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Later that afternoon, habang pinagpipilian kung piano version or string quartet ng “Perfect” ni Ed Sheeran sa bridal walk…
Stine pulled Alaric into the balcony for air.
“Saglit lang,” hingal niya. “Bakit parang may presscon?”
Alaric leaned his head on her shoulder. “I thought running companies was stressful. Apparently, weddings are worse.”
“Help,” she whispered.
“Nope. I’m enjoying this. You look cute when panicking.”
She smacked his arm playfully.
He pulled her close. “But seriously… this is crazy. But it’s our kind of crazy.”
She smiled. “With floral chaos and cake thieves.”
“With your mom as general commander.”
“With your dad arguing over shades of blush pink.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
Then whispered at the same time—
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
The chaos of wedding preparations was momentarily replaced by silence.
Stine was inside, busy finalizing gown fittings. Meanwhile, Alaric found himself seated in the garden patio with Don Emilio, Doña Vivian, Don Ramon, and Doña Clarisse — four parents who looked unusually calm, sipping tea and eating kakanin.
“Hindi niyo ba kami papagalitan today?” biro ni Alaric, smiling as he took a seat.
Doña Clarisse laughed. “Oh? Gusto mo ba ng bagong listahan ng mga gawain, iho?”
“Pass po muna,” natatawang sagot niya. “Actually… may gusto lang akong sabihin.”
Nagkatinginan ang apat. Curious.
Alaric cleared his throat, suddenly serious.
“I just… wanted to say thank you.”
“Teka, tama ba narinig ko?” tanong ni Don Ramon, kunwaring nagtataka. “Nagpapasalamat si Alaric Ybañez?”
“Hoy,” Alaric chuckled. “Seryoso po ‘to.”
He took a deep breath and looked at all four of them — eyes soft, voice steady.
“Thank you for not giving up on me. On us.”
“Back then, I was so sure Stine was just... a rival. A brat. A challenge,” he chuckled. “But you saw something we didn’t. Or maybe, something we were both too scared to admit.”
Their smiles softened.
“Kung hindi n’yo kami pinilit magpunta sa New York, kung hindi kayo naging makulit sa business meetings, charity events, kung hindi n’yo kami pinilit magsama kahit nagtatalakan kami 24/7...”
He paused, shaking his head gently.
“…I wouldn’t have realized how much I loved her.”
Doña Vivian wiped a tear from her eye. “Alaric…”
“She changed my life,” he continued, voice low. “And I’m lucky. Kasi hindi lahat ng tao binibigyan ng second chance to make things right.”
He turned to all of them.
“So thank you — for giving me mine.”
Silence.
Then Doña Clarisse stood, walked up to him, and hugged him tightly.
“Anak ka na rin sa’min,” she whispered. “Stine’s lucky to have you. And we’re lucky to call you family.”
Don Emilio patted his shoulder. “Make her happy. That’s all we ask.”
Alaric smiled, his eyes glassy. “I will. Every day.”
From the distance, Stine peeked out from the balcony, watching her fiancé hug both sets of parents.
She smiled.
“Drama king,” she whispered fondly.
But she meant it with all the love in the world.
3 days before the wedding — Bridal boutique, early evening
Stine was in her final fitting sa mismong boutique na. Hindi nya kasi nagustuhan ang fitting nong sinukat nya sa bahay. Kaya pina adjust nya. The gown shimmered like starlight, hugging her figure perfectly. Doña Clarisse was tearing up beside her. Mika was screaming over the veil. Everyone was in full wedding mode.
Until the boutique door slammed open.
“Wow. So this is what ‘stealing’ looks like.”
Everyone turned.
It was her again.
Camille.
Still stunning. Still venomous. Still delusional.
Wearing heels too high and confidence too fake, she sauntered in like she had every right to be there.
“Security,” Mika hissed, but Stine raised a hand.
“Let her speak,” she said calmly, not even removing her veil.
“Hindi ka ba kinikilabutan?” Camille spat. “You think you actually won?”
“No,” Stine said, meeting her glare. “I know I did.”
Camille laughed bitterly. “You think he changed for you? He’ll get tired of you. Just like he did with me. And every other girl before you.”
Stine walked toward her, slowly, gracefully — a goddess in silk.
“You’re right,” she said softly.
Camille blinked.
“You’re right. Alaric had a past. He was messy, careless, immature. Just like me.”
“But here’s the difference…” Stine leaned closer. “He chose to become a better man. And he did that for himself. And for me. Not because of anyone’s past — but because of our future.”
Camille rolled her eyes. “You think I care about your vows?”
“No. But you cared enough to show up here,” Stine said with a raised brow. “And that’s the saddest part.”
SLAP.
No—not from Stine.
It was Doña Clarisse.
“Alam mo, iha,” she said coldly, “we let you be. We didn’t say a word the last time. But now? Tatlong araw na lang ang kasal ng anak ko and you dare pull this stunt?”
“Ma,” Stine said gently, placing a hand on her mom’s arm.
“I’m fine.”
Then she turned back to Camille.
“This is the last time I’ll waste a word on you,” she said. “But just so we’re clear…”
Stine stepped closer and whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“If you try again, I won’t just slap you. I’ll bury you legally, socially, and emotionally. So walk out with what’s left of your dignity—if you still have any.”
Security finally escorted Camille out.
Later that night, Alaric found out what happened.
He was pacing, fists clenched.
“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve—”
“She’s not worth your anger,” Stine interrupted, wrapping her arms around his waist. “She tried. And failed. Again.”
Alaric pulled her close, forehead pressed against hers.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m marrying you.”
- Writer
