My Puppy Love (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 13 - The Wedding

My family and friends are now here staying in the island's hotel for our wedding tomorrow. I'm pacing back and forth inside my room. Guilt is eating me up. This is my last chance to tell Alex the truth. I tried to tell him for the past days, but I cannot find the courage to do so. Then I heard a knock on my door.

"Leila? It's me Mary."

I instantly open the door.

"Come inside."

We walked towards the couch.

"How are you? You don't look fine?"

"Because I'm not. I haven't told Alex yet." I said worriedly. I combed my hair using my finger out of frustrations then burying my face in my hands.

"Hey, you have to trust Alex. You have to trust his love. He's been in love with you for fifteen years now. I know he'll understand."

"What if he won't? What if he will hate me?" I asked still in doubt. I'm so scared.

"Then you have to face the consequences. Because that's what love is."

"I'm so scared Mary." tears started to fell down my face again. Mary hugged me while stroking my back.

"I know you can do it. You have to do it. For your peace of mind and for your happiness."

I cried even harder. I stayed inside her arms. She's the only person I can rely on right now. I can't even tell my parents. Three loud knocks on the door startled us. I wiped my tears away before getting up to open the door. Mary is following me as I open the door. I was shocked when Alex's dimmed face welcomed me. He's looking expressionless. My heart started to beat so hard. It made me scared and nervous. My eyes focused on the brown envelop he's holding. Oh clenched my chest! Fear started building up inside me more and more. My gaze moved up onto his face again. His eyes are full of contempt and anger.

"A-Alex, let m-me e-explain." Tears started to flow again in my eyes. I tried to reach for his hand but he moved it away. He instead looked at Mary.

"Will you excuse us for a while? Leila and I need to talk." his voice is cold and emotionless. 

"Will you be fine Leila?" Mary asked me. I just nod despite the I'm feeling right now. My hands are trembling.

"Call me if you need me."

Mary gave me a final glance before finally leaving the room. Alex entered the room then locked the door behind him. 

"Will you explain this to me now?"

Alex threw the contents of the brown envelop on the floor. They were photos of me together with Bernard eating in the restaurant while gazing at each other lovingly, there are lots of them actually. Then one specific photo caught my eyes, it is a photo wherein I and Bernard are actually kissing! I felt like my whole world was shattered right in front of my eyes. It was when Bernard forced himself to me. But I know that Alex won't believe whatever I say now since I'm smiling and laughing in the previous photos and above all because of all the lies that I made up.

"It's not what you think." I said softly. My whole body is trembling now.

"Then explain to me what it is for God's sake!" he said it almost shouting while grabbing both of my arms. I stared at his face. It is red maybe because of so much anger. It's breaking my heart. 

"I-I'm sorry A-Alex. I'm sorry." 

"That's not what I want to hear Leila! I want you to explain to me everything. I want to know the truth. And don't even try to make another lie, Carmela told me everything!"

"I-I was young, I'm not sure about my feelings. I-I wanted to s-stay in Manila. B-but mom and dad won't allow me. They only allowed me because you said that I need to find my own path first before getting married. Dad, he's listening to you. That's why I ride on to the idea of us getting married. The man in the photo is B-Bernard h-he's my f-friend. I thought I feel something for him. But I'm wrong. I wanted to tell you the truth this time I swear, I wanted to, but I cannot find the courage to do so. After all the lies, I don't know if you can forgive me. I-I'm sorry!" 

"Why didn't you tell me about this before this damn wedding?!"

"Because I don't want to lose you. I-I love you."

He forcefully let go of my arm which is painful. He looked straight into my eyes. I cannot find love there, only hatred. It broke my heart.

"I gave you so many chances and opportunities to tell me about this but you didn't." he stepped closer to me, I stepped back.

"And now, you expect me to believe this bullshit after all your lies?!" he stepped closer again, then I stepped back.

"You're the most selfish and conceited person I know. How do you do this to people huh?"  he stepped forward again, I tried to step back again but I felt the cold wall on my back. I cannot escape from his anger now.

"Damn you for playing my feelings!" His fist raised then punched the wall beside my head. I shouted while holding my head. I really thought that he will punch my face. It didn't land on my face. I slowly looked at his face, the looked on his face broke my heart. Tears started flowing down his face.

"You're not the woman I love you anymore. I thought you're not like my mom, but you're actually just exactly like her. Selfish and self-centered. Honestly, I don't know you anymore, I don't know you at all. All I can feel now is hate."

I cried so hard while pressing my chest. I slowly fell down on my knees. I could believe that I'll actually lose him after all. But if this is the only way that he can forgive me, even if it will mean death to me, I'll do it.

"I-I'm sorry. I'll do anything just to have your forgiveness. If you really can't stand my presence, I can tell our parents that our wedding is off. I'll handle everyt-"

I was startled again when he held my arm, forcing me to stand up.

"What did you say?" he asked between gritted teeth. His face darkened even more.

"I-I'll c-cancel the w-wedding. But don't worry I'll take responsibility. I'll tell them the whole truth." But he seems to get angrier.

"You're really something. You're not contented in hurting me, and now you wanted to hurt our parents as well!"

"B-but--" 

"You listen to me carefully, you'll show up tomorrow. And we'll get married. You will not say anything that might hurt them, do you understand?! If you think that you can easily get away from me, you have to think twice. I'll make sure to make your life a living hell. I assure you that."

He let go of my arm that caused me to fell on the floor. Then he stormed out of my room without looking back. I cried again.

*****

I tried so hard to act normal the next day. But people around me noticed my eyebags. I just made an alibi that I'm just nervous for today that I wasn't able to sleep. I tried to be as lively as possible. Though deep inside me, I know I'm dying.

My glam team is done doing my make up. I looked at my reflection. My glam team did a good job. I'm gorgeous, but my eyes are full of sadness. Well, why should I be happy? I'll be entering a one-sided love marriage now. I feel like going to prison. But just like what Mary told me before, I have to endure it. This is my punishment. I forced a smile when my parents entered my dressing room.

"Hi mom, hi dad."

"I can't believe it you're getting married now." My mom said in tears. I hugged her.

"Stop it mom, you'll ruin your make-up." I said jokingly.

"Latisha, don't make your daughter cry. She's too beautiful to cry."

My dad said while tapping my mom on her shoulders.

"You're so beautiful Leila."

My dad said lovingly then he embraced me.

"Thanks for everything dad."

"Everything for you my princess."

*****

We've been here for a couple of minutes now but Alex is not yet inside the chapel. Some people started to panic which scares me too. But whatever his decision is, I will never blame him. I'll accept it wholeheartedly. I clasped my bouquet. Maybe he realized that he really can't marry me.

"Finally he's here."

I instantly lifted my head. He is? I searched for him in the chapel's entrance. He's indeed there standing very dashing in his suit. I don't know if I should be happy because he's still marrying me despite everything I've done or sad because I know that he's doing this against his will?

The music started to play. The entourage entered the chapel until finally, it's my turn to walk down the aisle. Everything is perfect except what I'm feeling. I started walking down the aisle. Alex is waiting for me in the middle. He even smiled at me. Is that for real? I thought I'm just imagining things, but he's actually smiling. As we slowly walked towards him, I can't control my heart from pounding so hard. Despite all, I can't deny the fact that I love this man. Tears fell down my face again. This feeling overwhelms me. Then, I'm finally facing him. He hugged my father then, kissed my mom on the cheeks. Then finally he looked at me.

"Hey love, stop crying we're getting married, you're not getting thrown into prison." he said jokingly. But I felt like he's being sarcastic. He gently lifted my veil to wipe my tears with his fingers. The people were touched by his action. My dad gave my hand to him, then he gently put it on his arm. My parents kissed me on my forehead. Before finally, we walked together towards the altar.

He's smiling from ear to ear. I was startled when he whispered something in my ear.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but your sentence has not been lifted."

My smile froze.

"You have to smile. You don't want to embarrass me do you?"

He warned. I forced myself to smile again.

Throughout the wedding ceremony, my mind seems to be drifting off. I just go with the flow. I cannot feel myself.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mr. Alexander Cyled Forte, you may now kiss your lovely wife."

I was awakened by these words from the priest. I suddenly felt disoriented and confused. For sure he can't kiss me now th--. My thoughts were cut off when he slowly lifted my veil. Is he really kissing me? I'm not even done processing it when his face slowly descended onto mine. He kissed me passionately. I closed my eyes. I kept my eyes closed not realizing that he already ended the kiss.

"Let's save the rest for later love." he said teasingly. I instantly opened my eyes. Then I saw people giving me teasing looks. I blushed profusely. He intentionally embarrassed me!