His Last name, My Secret

Chapter 1 Third Person POV  “You may now kiss the bride.” The priest’s voice echoed clearly in Zia’s ears, na parang isang biglaang gising mula sa isang bangungot na gustong-gusto niyang takasan. Before she could even react, Hunter quickly lifted her veil in a swift, almost impatient motion. Then, he pressed his lips against hers, catching her completely off guard. Napasinghap si Zia nang maramdaman ang bahagyang pagbaba ng mga ngipin ni Hunter to bite her lower lip. It stung—enough to make her open her eyes and look straight at him. But Hunter wasn't even looking at her. Ang galit nitong titig ay nakatuon na sa mga bisitang nasa harapan nila the moment he released her. Right! She almost forgot. Ngayong araw… naging legal na asawa na siya ni Hunter Del Tiero. In the name of power and business, and never by choice. There was this heavy, empty feeling sa dibdib ni Zia. How could she be happy kung ang araw na ito ay binuo lamang ng mga kasinungalingan at sapilitang pangako? Simula pa lang nang pagdesisyunan ng kanilang mga magulang ang kanilang kapalaran, alam na ni Zia na hindi ito isang love story na dapat niyang ikakilig. This is a transaction at isang mapanganib na desisyon ng dalawang makapangyarihang pamilya. She’s only twenty-two—young, innocent, and full of dreams. Mga pangarap tungkol sa buhay na siya mismo ang pipili, hindi ng ibang tao. But everything became pointless nang kausapin siya ng kanyang mga magulang isang hapon to coldly announce na ikakasal siya kay Hunter. She wasn't even given the chance to prepare, and lalong hindi siya binigyan ng karapatang tumanggi. And Hunter? He didn't take the news well either. Hunter is twenty-nine now, powerful, intimidating, and dangerous. Baka nga may gusto na itong iba. Not her. It could never be her. Namana ni Hunter ang napakalaking Del Tiero Real Estate empire matapos magretiro ang ama nitong si Emilio Del Tiero. He is the golden boy of the industry: napakagumpay, makapangyarihan, at untouchable. Samantalang si Zia? Isa lang siyang anak ng pamilyang desperadong ikabit ang kanilang pangalan sa mga Del Tiero. The long-time friendship of their parents became the rope tied around their necks. Naputol ang pag-iisip ni Zia nang bigla niyang maramdaman ang bigat sa kanyang paa. Pasimpleng tinapakan ni Hunter ang kanyang paa, and it was hard enough na pakiramdam niya ay bumaon ang sarili niyang kuko sa loob ng suot niyang flat sandals. It was a subtle step, ngunit sapat na upang manginig si Zia.Pasimpleng tiningnan siya ni Hunter. It was a look full of warning, kaya naman agad siyang ngumiti nang pilit kahit nanginginig ang kanyang mga labi. She hooked her arm through Hunter’s, at sabay silang naglakad patungo sa mesa kung saan naghihintay ang kanilang mga pamilya that all smiling, celebrating the union of two people who were secretly breaking inside. “Congratulations, lovebirds!” masayang bati ng kanyang Aunt Raquel habang mahigpit siyang niyayakap. Lovebirds? Mapait na napangiti si Zia, dahil sa kanyang narinig. Ganoon pa man, she thanked the guests habang si Hunter naman remained cold and emotionless. Nagbibigay lamang ito ng tipid na ngiti at malamig na tingin sa mga tao. But even though Zia was smiling, ramdam niya ang bigat ng titig ng kanyang ama—ang matalim at mapanuring mga mata ni Raul Aldama. A silent reminder of who holds the remote control to her life. Raul Aldama is a man who doesn't know the word “no.” Kapag may gusto siya, kukunin niya iyon, no matter the cost, even if it means sacrificing his own children. Kahit si Zyra, ang pinakamamahal niyang ate, ay napilitang magpakasal sa isang Pakistani CEO dahil sa madidilim na business deal ng kanilang ama. But somehow, sinuwerte si Zyra na hinid kagaya niya. At first, nakita ni Zia ang hirap ng kanyang ate, the awkward silences, and the forced smiles whenever she was with her husband. Pero kalaunan, love eventually bloomed between her and Sameer. He is kind, patient, and deeply in love with Zyra. It was the exact opposite of the man Zia just married. Ang nag-iisang Hunter Del Tiero, who always brought a sense of danger whenever he was around. Hunter was like a wild beast ready to strike, cold, unshakable, and unwilling to accept anyone. Aloof. Meticulous. Temperamental. Especially when it came to her. Kahit noong mga bata pa sila, despite their families being close, ni minsan hindi siya binalingan ni Hunter kahit isang sulyap, na tila ba hindi siya nag eexixst sa mundo nito. To him, she was just invisible air. Kaya hindi din siya gaanong close sa panganay ng mga Del Tiero. Later on, nalaman niya na nag-aral si Hunter sa isa sa mga pinakasakat na unibersidad sa mundo. The Harvard University. What is she compared to that? Isa lang siyang sheltered daughter living off her father’s money, studying Architecture, a course she didn't even choose.bThe truth is, pangarap niyang maging doktor. But Raul Aldama didn't care about her dreams, dahil ang mahalaga lang dito ay image, power, and control. So she had to let go of that dream at natuto na lang siyang magpinta. It wasn't a replacement for medicine, but it became her sanctuary during the times na kinokontrol ang buhay niya. When the world got too heavy, she would lock herself in the art room and paint until her hands went numb, just to ease the heavy feeling in her chest. “Hey, Zi.” Her train of thought was interrupted when she heard a familiar voice. Paglingon niya, she saw Zyra, beautiful and glowing as ever, pero halata sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala. Zia immediately hugged her sister tightly, as if she never wanted to let go. She held back her tears dahil alam niyang hindi siya pwedeng umiyak ngayon. “Hi,” mahina niyang bati. “You look sad. Are you alright?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Zyra. Mabilis na tumango si Zia and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m good. Kumain ka na ba? There's so much food on the table,” she said, trying to change the subject. “I’m full. Don’t worry about me. Actually…” nag-atubili si Zyra. “Sameer and I are leaving for Paris tonight. Umuwi lang talaga kami for your wedding, Zi.” It felt like something sharp pierced Zia’s heart. She didn't want Zyra to leave. Not now, kung kailan kailangan niya ang kanyang kapatid. But no words came out of her throat. Instead, ngumiti lang siya para ipakita rito na maayos lang siya. “I see… Take care,” mahina niyang sagot. “Zi, I’m sorry,” Zyra’s voice was filled with guilt. “I wish I could stay. But promise me, call me if anything happens. Especially if he doesn’t treat you right.” Pinisil ni Zia ang kamay ng ate niya at ngumiti. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself. Besides… Hunter won't hurt me. I’m sure of it.” But that lie felt like a heavy stone in her mouth. Because the truth is… she doesn't know Hunter at all, and she has no idea what he is capable of doing to her.Pinatatag na lang talaga niya ang kanyang sarili, dahil wala naman siyang choice kundi maging malakas mag-isa. “You’ll be fine,” Zyra said comfortingly. “Sometimes love comes when you least expect it. Look at me. I thought I’d never love Sameer, pero ngayon, we’re already planning for a baby.” Mahinang natawa si Zia, genuinely happy for her sister kahit na unti-unting nadudurog ang sarili niyang puso. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered as she hugged her again. “I’ll miss you too. Be strong, Zi. And remember, you’re never alone.” “I promise.” They had just pulled apart nang may biglang humawak sa braso ni Zia, it was tight and painful. Pagtingala niya, Hunter was standing there. His aura was dark. His face was blank, but his eyes were like ice—cold and unreadable. “Let’s go,” he commanded shortly. Napatingin si Zia kay Zyra, who quickly gave her an encouraging nod. But the nervousness in her chest wouldn't go away. With trembling hands, inayos niya ang mabigat na wedding gown at sumunod kay Hunter palabas ng mansyon. Hunter opened the car door and got in immediately, leaving her struggling to follow with her heavy dress. Naglambitin ang tela ng kanyang damit sa pagpasok sa sasakyan kaya napilitan siyang hilahin ito nang papasok ng kotse. “What are you doing?” he snapped, nakakunot ang noong nakatingin sa kanya. Startled, mabilis niyang isiniksik ang mahabang gown inside. She couldn't help but wonder kung bakit pa siya nagsuot ng napakagarbong damit gayong simple lang naman ang kasal nila. No grand reception. No big celebration. Just a pure business deal. “We’re going to my house. Once you're there, you don’t leave. You don’t visit your family. You stay there unless I say otherwise. Understand?” Every word he uttered felt like a slap to Zia’s face. Nanginig ang kanyang mga kamay kaya agad niyang pinagsalikop ang mga daliri to hide the fear she was feeling. “Hunter… what about my things?” mahina niyang tanong. His gaze sharpened as he sharply turned to look at her. “I don’t care. Figure it out.” She could hardly breathe sa bagsik ng boses nito. Quietly, she took out her phone and texted her yaya to pack her things and send them over to Hunter’s house. “There’s still a lot we need to discuss,” malamig na pahayag ni Hunter. “So prepare yourself. Because living under my roof… will be hell.” Napatingin si Zia sa kanya at lihim na napalunok. She didn't look at him again at pinilit na lang ituon ang paningin sa labas ng bintana. It was better to watch the passing lights kaysa sa lalaking katabi niya who acts as if she committed a crime against him, samantalang pareho lang naman silang naipit sa sitwasyon.