He's My Ruined Luck

Chapter 3 : The Shoe Fits

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Today is the D-day and Lianne along with her friends and their one-month contract boyfriends, all thanks to the Lucky 9 game, are present to celebrate this one special day for their dear friend, Angel.

Matapos makapasok ng pares nila Michelle, sumunod naman ang pares nila Lianne at Feliciano sa entourage ng kasal ni Angel.

Nakaangkla ang kamay ni Lianne sa braso ni Feliciano habang mabilis ang t***k ng kaniyang puso. Naiilang siya sa mga mapanuring tingin na ibinibigay sa kanilang dalawa ng mga reporters habang naglalakad sa isle. Pero pinilit niyang huwag magpatalo sa hiya at pagka-conscious na nararamdaman niya. Sa halip, itinuon niya ang atensyon sa kabuuan ng buong lugar at sa pamilyar na musika na tumutugtog para sa entourage, Right Here Waiting For You, na siyang wedding march song na pinili ni Angel.

The whole church was covered with glimmering silver and baby pink colors. Little pink peonies and white roses decorated the isle, matching Lianne's and her friends's baby pink flowy dresses as the bridesmaids.

Lianne was never fond of media and exposures. She hated being on the spotlight. For her, being popular, with a lot of people watching your every move and criticizing your every decision, is suffocating.

Sa kabila ng matayog na pangalan na nagawa niyang maabot para sa sarili, hindi niya kailanman nagustuhan ang kasikatang dala ng pangalang 'yon. Most of the time, she would just prefer to be the simple and traditional woman that she is than to be Lianne Agonia, one of the richest and youngest CEO and bachelorette in the country.

“Smile, Lia. You look very beautiful, Sweetie,” bulong sa kaniya ni Feliciano na malaki ang pagkakangiti sa lahat ng cameras na madadaanan nila habang akay-akay siya sa paglalakad sa gitna ng isle.

Lianne, with a forced smile on her face, gave him a sideway glance, “Sanay na sanay ka sa ganito. Maybe, you’re so used to fame and spotlight,” her hold around his right arm tightened as the blinding lights coming from flashing cameras and buzzing noise from the reporters bugged the hell out of her.

Tanging si Feliciano na lang ang dahilan ni Lianne kung bakit hindi siya nagko-collapse mula sa napakaraming tao at maingay na bulong-bulongan. Everyone were curious about the dashing guy in an all-black suit that she's with, right now. Everyone were admiring Feliciano Cadavedo and his dazzling charm.

"This is suffocating," she whispered to him and Feliciano, literally dragged her to continue walking.

"Malapit na, Sweetie. Kaunti na lang," he cheered for her, pasting a wide smile to everyone to hide Lianne's cowering frame due to intense intimidation and shyness.

"I feel... I feel inferior beside you," she admitted, slightly leaning on him to have more support in keeping her balance. Her legs felt like jelly as the time passed by.

She was heaving deep breaths as they near their seats. Pasimple niyang muling binalingan si Feliciano na nagiging lakas niya upang maipagpatuloy ang paglalakad sa kabila ng maraming tao.

Hindi niya kilala ang binata at kung ano ang buhay nito bago masali sa larong Lucky 9 at makilala siya. Pero alam ni Lianne na mapagkakatiwalaan niya si Feliciano. At least, that's what her gut was telling her. Unknowingly, she felt at ease towards him and it felt like it was really her fate to pick Mr. Number 4 during the Lucky 9 game.

"Malapit na, Sweetie. Good job," he whispered, assisting Lianne with the utmost carefulness.

"Tss. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ko kagustong magpalamon ngayon sa lupa."

"You're too beautiful to be left under this crust. I will not let that happen." Feliciano grinned, teasing her with his usual but totally charismatic playfulness.

Lianne pouted, realizing she just stared at him for almost a second or two because he looked too dashing with that wide grin.

"Umayos ka nga. Tigilan mo ako sa pambobola mo," she warned.

"Hindi 'yon bola. Lying shouldn't be done to a beautiful girl like you."

"Feliciano, napakaharot mo talaga!"

Feliciano chuckled. "Am I?" He teased her, tucking a lose strand that escaped Lianne's bun behind her ear. He took her hand as they turned to the right side of the entourage where their seats were located. It was next to Cristel and her partner, also a guy from the Lucky 9 game.

"May camera!" she hissed, shooting a deadly glare.

'So?' he mouthed, still grinning. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ng binata sa kamay ni Lianne na sandaling ikinatigil niya.

“Hey Lia!” That's the only time, Lianne came back to her senses. She immediately smiled at Cristel, the one who called her.

"You look beautiful, Tel." Lianne giggled when she saw Cristel. Her ever-so childish and 'maldita' friend, rolled her eyes to the guy seating next to her. ‘Yon si Mr. Number 6 from the Lucky 9 game.

Akala ni Lianne, si Deme lang ang hindi kasundo ang napili niyang lalaki pero mukhang si Cristel din pala.

“Sana all magkasundo, Lia." Cristel run her hand through her bob-cut hair, a deep frown on her forehead. "Naiinggit ako sa ’yo kasi mukhang literal na sinuwerte ka kay Feliciano,” she added, snorting at her situation that she considers ill-fated.

"Siguro nga, sinuwerte talaga ako sa kaniya," Lianne agreed, looking at Mr. Number 4 of the Lucky 9 game.

Kahapon, bilang bahagi ng rules ng Lucky 9, kinailangan niyang ipakilala si Feliciano sa media bilang kaniyang boyfriend. She received mixed reactions for her sudden announcement. However, she still thinks that she could consider herself 'lucky' for choosing Feliciano out of the nine guys that night.

Kasundo niya si Feliciano at naiintindihan ang ilang limitations niya. Nirerespeto rin ng binata ang boundaries sa fake relationship nilang dalawa at walang pagkakataon sa nakalipas na isang linggo na hindi naging gentleman sa kaniya si Feliciano.

"Sana all, Lia. Sana all!" gigil na sambit ni Cristel bago pasimpleng kinurot sa tagiliran ang lalaking katabi niya.

Natawa na lang si Lianne sa pagtatalo nila Cristel at ng lalaking napili nito. "Kalma, Tel. Nasa simbahan pa tayo at masyadong maraming press para mag-away kayo," Lianne said, turning her attention at the altar where Enzo, the groom, was eagerly waiting for his bride.

"Enzo looks excited," Feliciano said, causing for Lianne to look at him.

"He should be. My friend worths more than diamond or gold."

Nakangiting tumingin si Lianne kay Feliciano na nakatayo sa tabi niya. Napatango ang lalaki sa kaniyang tinuran habang nanatili ang tingin nito sa altar.

Hindi naman napigilan ni Lianne na tingnan ang kabuuan ng itsura ni Feliciano sa suot nitong suit at sa naka-brush up nitong buhok.

He's really handsome, she thought, her eyes looking carefully on his facial features. Maganda at mapupungay ang mga mata, matangos ang ilong at manipis ang labi. Makisig din ang pangangatawan nito.

Lianne blushed when her gaze went down to Feliciano’s body. Sa kabila ng suot nitong suit ay bumakat pa rin ang mga muscles nito dahil sa pagkakahapit ng tela sa mga braso ng binata. She bit her lower lip when her gaze went to his jawline. Iyon marahil ang pinakanagustuhan ni Lianne sa features ni Feliciano. His very defined jawline contributes to his manly look.

“Done checking me out?” A grin spread on his lips, averting his gaze from the altar to meet her gaze. “Stop blushing, Lia. Nakakaakit masiyado. Baka makalimutan kong nasa simbahan tayo.” Kumindat pa siya sa dalaga na lalong naging dahilan ng pamumula ng mga pisngi nito.

Feliciano felt his heart melted with the innocence he saw in her.

"Stop being so cute with your blushing cheeks," Feliciano remarked, leaning a bit forward and giving Lianne a kiss on her forehead which took her by surprise.

"Feli..."

Hindi lang si Lianne ang nagulat sa ginawang 'yon ni Feliciano kun'di pati ang mga kaibigan ni Lianne na kasama nila sa hanay na 'yon.

“Sana all, bine-baby!” Rexjene commented, giving Lianne a teasing grin.

"Sana all may kiss sa forehead!" Cristel added, making Lianne to blush even more.

"Ang landi-landi mo, Feli," Lianne nudged his side.

"Ang ganda mo kasi."

"Feli kasi!"

"Okay. Landi mode off," he finally said, making Lianne sigh in relief. "Mamaya na lang ulit, sweetie."

"Feli, tama na!"

"Okay. Okay. Tama na nga po." He laughed, winking at her when she shot him a deadly glare.

"Feli!"