Wild Affair

Prologue "Ma, I can't. I have a lot on my plate right now, here in Manila," I argued, massaging my temples. My mother's voice crackled through the phone, her tone laced with disappointment. I glanced at the wedding invitation Claire had sent me a few days ago, lying on my desk. "But hija, it's your sister's wedding. Can you put your work aside for a bit? Aren't you happy for Claire?" my mother pressed, her voice tinged with a hint of pleading. I let out a frustrated sigh, rolling my eyes. "Of course, I'm happy for Claire! It's just, I really can't, Ma. Please understand. I'll send her gifts." I forced a smile into my voice, trying to mask the sarcasm. "Your presence is the best gift, Sofia. It's also a chance for you to meet your sister's fiancé." Oh, I know him well! I thought, a wave of bitterness washing over me. "I'll think about it, Ma. I have to go, my client is here. I'll call you later. Bye." I hung up the phone, closing my eyes tightly. Truth be told, I didn't have a client. It was just an excuse to get my mother off my back. I knew her, she wouldn't stop nagging until she got her way. I had found out about Claire's wedding last week when the invitation arrived at my condo. I was shocked. Claire had never introduced a boyfriend to us. I had even thought she was a lesbian, considering she was still single at 35, and her close circle seemed to be mostly female. I had assumed she had a preference for women, especially since she was surrounded by them. Even my parents were taken aback by Claire's sudden announcement. No boyfriend, but a wedding? My sister was a whirlwind of surprises. Claire and I were the only siblings, and she was the older one, by three years. We were never close, never shared anything about our lives, our personal struggles, our love lives. I never felt comfortable confiding in her, and she seemed uninterested in my life. She was a private person, her attention always focused on reading or riding horses at the ranch. I never understood why she was so distant. After high school, I moved to Manila to pursue my passion for fashion design, specializing in bags, shoes, and clothing. My parents supported my decision, and I thrived in the city, eventually landing a good job and establishing my own fashion couture. Claire, on the other hand, stayed in La Trinidad, helping my parents manage our family business. We occasionally saw each other, but our interactions were mostly polite greetings. A wall seemed to exist between us, an invisible barrier that prevented us from truly connecting. My mother had noticed the gap between us and once asked if we were fighting. But we never argued or had any major disagreements. We just drifted apart, becoming strangers to each other. Now, she was getting married. And I had no idea. If it weren't for the wedding invitation, I wouldn't have known. Honestly, I would have preferred to remain oblivious. Four years had passed since I last saw Dylan, my ex-boyfriend. The day he left me, the day he broke my heart. He had to leave for America due to family business problems. His father had suffered a heart attack, and Dylan was the only one his family could rely on. I refused to let him go. I told him I would wait, no matter how long it took, because I loved him so much. But Dylan pushed me away, no matter how hard I pleaded with him to stay. I was helpless, my pleas falling on deaf ears. The pain had been unbearable. After two years together, he just walked away. Dylan was the only man I had ever loved so deeply, the only man I had ever been with for that long. And now, he was getting married. To my sister! I crumpled the wedding invitation in my hand, anger coursing through me. I couldn't accept it. Of all the men in the world, why did Claire have to choose my ex? How could I possibly be happy for her when my ex was going to be my brother-in-law? It was a f*****g no way!