Shadows of a Loveless Marriage

Chapter four

The First Meeting

The morning sun streamed through the curtains of Alea's modest room, casting a soft golden glow on her pale walls. She stared at herself in the mirror, adjusting the simple dress she had chosen for the day. It was nothing extravagant, but it was the best she had—neat and presentable. She felt the knot in her stomach tighten with every passing second, dreading the meeting that was about to change the course of her life.

"Anak, handa ka na ba?" Her father's voice came from outside her door, gentle but heavy with guilt.

She took a deep breath and opened the door, giving him a small nod. "Opo, Papa."

The drive to the Montemayor estate was quiet. Alea stared out the window, watching the cityscape transition into wide, sprawling fields and high gates. The grandeur of the Montemayor mansion loomed ahead, intimidating in its elegance. She clenched her fists in her lap, forcing herself to stay composed.

As they stepped inside, the grandeur of the estate overwhelmed her senses. The tall ceilings, the ornate chandeliers, the polished floors that gleamed like mirrors—it was a far cry from the modest home she had grown up in. She felt out of place, as though every corner of the room was silently judging her.

"Mr. Montemayor will be here shortly," said one of the housekeepers, gesturing for them to sit in the lavishly furnished living room.

Alea tried to calm her nerves, but her heart raced with every ticking second. Her father sat beside her, his hands clasped tightly, his expression a mixture of nervousness and hope.

Then, the doors opened.

A tall, broad-shouldered man entered the room, his stride confident and deliberate. His dark hair was neatly combed, and he wore a tailored suit that emphasized his powerful presence. His sharp features were intimidating, his piercing eyes assessing her with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

"Damon Montemayor," the man introduced himself, his voice deep and steady. "So, you're the woman my father has chosen."

Alea stood awkwardly, her hands trembling as she forced a polite smile. "Alea Flores," she replied, her voice barely audible.

Damon's gaze swept over her, his expression unreadable. "You seem... ordinary."

The words stung, but Alea held her composure. "I didn't ask for this arrangement any more than you did," she replied, surprising herself with the firmness in her tone.

Damon raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by her response. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps? But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Let's make one thing clear," Damon said, stepping closer. "This marriage is a business transaction. I don't expect anything more from you, and I hope you don't expect anything from me."

Alea met his gaze, her chest tightening. "That's fine by me. I'm only doing this for my family."

Their eyes locked for a moment, the tension between them palpable. It was clear that neither of them wanted this arrangement, but they were both bound by obligations they couldn't escape.

"Very well," Damon finally said, breaking the silence. He turned to Mr. Montemayor, who had entered the room moments earlier. "Let's get this over with. When is the wedding date?"

Mr. Montemayor smiled, his sharp features softening slightly. "Two weeks from now. We'll take care of the preparations. All you need to do is show up."

Two weeks. Alea's heart sank. It felt so sudden, so final.

As the meeting continued, Alea felt increasingly like a spectator in her own life. Decisions were made without her input—what she would wear, where the ceremony would be held, who would attend. It was as though she were just another piece of the Montemayors' grand puzzle, a pawn in a game she didn't understand.

When the meeting concluded, Damon barely spared her a glance as he left the room. His cold demeanor left her with a sinking feeling in her chest.

Her father placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as they exited the estate. "Anak, maraming salamat. Alam kong mahirap ito para sa'yo, pero napakalaking tulong nito sa ating pamilya."

Alea nodded silently, unable to find the words to respond.

That night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the weight of everything pressed down on her. Two weeks. In two weeks, she would be someone's wife. A stranger's wife.

And yet, as much as she hated the thought, she couldn't deny the faint curiosity that lingered in her mind. Who was Damon Montemayor, really? And what kind of life awaited her in the shadow of this loveless marriage?

Kinabukasan, Alea woke up earlier than usual, her mind still clouded by the events of the previous day. The weight of Damon Montemayor's cold words lingered in her thoughts, and the image of his piercing gaze replayed in her mind. She couldn't shake off the strange mixture of resentment and curiosity she felt toward him.

"Anak, kumain ka na muna," her mother said softly as she entered the kitchen. "Mukhang hindi ka nakatulog nang maayos."

Alea managed a weak smile. "Ayos lang po ako, Mama. Nag-iisip lang."

Her mother sighed, brushing a hand gently against her cheek. "Alam kong mahirap ito para sa'yo. Pero naniniwala akong kaya mo ito. Malakas ka, Alea."

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Salamat, Mama. Pipilitin ko pong kayanin."

Sa Mansion ng Montemayor

Two days after their first meeting, Alea found herself standing once again at the grand doors of the Montemayor mansion. This time, she was there alone. Mr. Guillermo Montemayor had summoned her to discuss the details of the wedding.

As the butler led her inside, Alea couldn't help but admire the intricate details of the mansion's interior—the marble floors, the crystal chandeliers, the expensive paintings that adorned the walls. Everything screamed power and wealth, but it also felt cold and impersonal.

"Miss Alea, dito po kayo," said the butler as he opened the door to a private study.

She stepped inside and found Damon sitting by the large mahogany desk, a cup of coffee in hand. He looked up from the documents he was reading, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Miss Valverde," he greeted, his tone neutral. "I didn't expect you to arrive this early."

Alea straightened her posture, meeting his gaze. "Sinabi po ni Mr. Montemayor na kailangan kong pumunta nang maaga. Ayokong magpahintay."

Damon's lips curled into a faint smirk, as if amused by her formality. "You're very punctual. That's a good trait."

Before Alea could respond, Guillermo Montemayor entered the room, his commanding presence filling the space. "Ah, Alea! Mabuti't narito ka na."

Guillermo gestured for her to sit across from Damon. As she took her seat, she noticed the stack of papers on the desk—legal documents, contracts, and what appeared to be a prenuptial agreement.

"Kailangan nating ayusin ang mga detalye," Guillermo began. "Ang kasal ay magiging simple ngunit elegante. Tanging mga malalapit na pamilya't kaibigan lamang ang dadalo."

Alea nodded, her hands tightly clasped on her lap. Every decision felt so clinical, so devoid of emotion.

"Isa pa," Guillermo continued, his tone becoming more serious. "Nais kong maging malinaw sa inyo pareho. Ang kasal na ito ay hindi lamang para sa pamilya Flores, kundi para rin sa amin. This is a partnership. Both of you are expected to act as a couple in public."

Damon leaned back in his chair, his expression slightly irritated. "I understand the arrangement, Father. There's no need to remind me."

Guillermo's gaze shifted to Alea. "At ikaw, Alea? Handa ka bang tanggapin ang responsibilidad na ito?"

She hesitated for a moment, but the thought of her family's dire situation pushed her to nod. "Opo, handa po ako."

Pagkatapos ng Pulong

After the meeting, Alea stepped out into the garden to clear her head. The estate's garden was breathtaking—a sea of roses, tulips, and orchids arranged in perfect symmetry. But despite its beauty, she felt no peace.

"I see you're not used to this kind of life," came Damon's voice from behind her.

She turned to find him standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. The sunlight hit his features, making him look even more intimidating.

"No, I'm not," Alea replied honestly. "Pero hindi ko naman ito hiniling."

Damon tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. "You're different," he said, almost to himself.

"Different how?"

"You're not like the women I usually deal with. Most of them would jump at the chance to marry into this family. But you... you seem reluctant."

Alea crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "Tama ka. Ayoko ng kasal na ito. Pero ginagawa ko ito para sa pamilya ko. Para sa kanila, handa akong isakripisyo ang sarili kong kalayaan."

For the first time, Damon's cold demeanor seemed to crack. There was a flicker of something in his eyes—respect, perhaps? But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Then we're on the same page," he said, his tone softening slightly. "Let's just get through this... arrangement. No expectations, no emotions."

Alea's heart sank at his words, but she forced herself to nod. "No expectations. No emotions."

As Damon walked away, Alea couldn't help but wonder if it was truly possible to remain detached in a situation like this. How could she guard her heart when it was already trapped in the shadows of a loveless marriage?