The Impostor Wife

CHAPTER 1: THE VOWS

NOONG BATA pa ako na plano ko na kung anong klaseng kasal ang gusto ko. Kahit iyong matalik kong kaibigan ng elementarya ay maraming wedding gowns ng ginuhit para sa akin. I thought what I imagined before is way too extravagant for me.

Pero ito ako ngayon naglalakad palapit sa altar. The sweet melody from the background doesn't matches the hard beating of my heart. The different smell of the flowers makes me nauseous.

A dream wedding. Isang klase ng kasal na pinangarap ko.Everything is perfect, to my expensive white gown, to an extravagant entourage, to a perfect set up in a wide garden, flowers neatly piled in every corner, wealthy people crowded the place, my father standing at my side--what this people thought as my real father-- and the most gorgeous groom waiting at the altar.

That's him.

Si Lance Arcega, isang multi-millionaire businessman sa edad na trenta. He rarely smiles, always the serious face, domineering and cunning, that's why even how handsome and rich he is, women are scared to cross his path or go near him.

Kuntento na silang pangarapin ang lalaki sa malayo. But now the centuries hottest bachelor will be married to a spoiled brat, happy-go-lucky heiress of Rivera's International Groups and Companies.

People look at me as if I am the most beautiful girl they ever saw, whispering how my future husband and I are match made in heaven -- but somehow I got the feeling that what they're saying is different from what they truly feels. They can't hide to me the judging look and envious gaze ; or the mumbling that the marriage won't last.

This is all so overwhelming except that...

Hindi ako ang tunay na ikakasal, ang lalaking naghahatid sa akin sa altar ay hindi ko tunay na ama, kahit ni isa man lang sa mga taong nandito ay hindi ko kapamilya, walang mga kakilala and the handsome groom waiting at the altar is unaware of the truth... and I should keep it that way.

All he knew I am Collin Rivera, the girl he's been forced to marry. Yes, this is an arranged marriage like what wealthy families do to expand their riches, business and connections.

Dapat di ko 'to ginawa pero hindi kaya ng konsensya ko na pabayaan na lang ang dalawang taong tumulong sa akin.

No one suspected that I am an impostor except of course to Collin's parents who beg for my help.

Mr. Antonio Rivera ushers me to the altar and I know he knows that I'm shaking. I feel anytime I would pass out from all the nerves creeping into my body. Kinakabahan ako sa anumang resultang magaganap pagkatapos ng kasal na ito.

I know I would regret it, pero alam ko sa sakripisyong ito matutulungan ko ng labis ang mga taong naglitas ng buhay ko.

We walk slowly but I feel like we are running in marathon ---I can see the finish line.

Mr. Antonio held my hand and smile at me reassuringly when we stop. Ngumiti ako pabalik --- nagpapasalamat sa manipis na telang nakatabing sa aking mukha kung hindi makikita nito ang pangiginig ng aking labi dahil sa sobrang kaba.

Nang tumingin ako sa harap, di ko mapigilang manlamig, those pair of beautiful dark brown eyes look at me coldly. Ramdam niya ang biglaang paninigas ng binti...because the way Lance look at her seems like he knew something's wrong with her.

Her thoughts run wild.

Alam niya na ba?

Thinking about it makes my heart thud like running horses. She's wearing a veil; how would he know so fast. She perfected her impersonation of Collin. Practicing a hundredth time Collin's reaction, Collin's gestures, Collin's likes and dislikes.

I was assured that Lance and Collin was never in the same social circles. Minsan lang magkasalamuha ang dalawa at kalimitan ay ini-ignora ng lalaki ang mga tao sa paligid.

Sinubukan niyang ipalagay ang sarili. Nang tumutok ang titig ng lalaki sa kanya ay agad siyang ngumiti dito. The veil is thin and she knew he saw her smile...a smile she never given to him, even the real Collin.

That's it!

Because for the briefest moment she caught something flashing across his gaze ... maybe his real feelings towards her --- annoyance. He wasn't prepared of her smile.

Alam niya naman na malamig ang pakikitungo ng lalaki sa kanya lalo na sa marriage set up nila. From the preparation of their wedding, walang Lance na dumating pero naroon ang mama nito who actively participate . They say he was just so busy in some business matters, but who would buy that. Alam niyang alibi lang iyon ng lalaki para iwasan siya, mabuti nga at naisipan pa nitong pumunta sa mismong araw ng kasal nila.

Thinking about that cause her pain.

Perpektong kasal pero hindi perpektong pagsasama.

Alam niyang walang dahilan na makaramdam siya ng gan'on, ang tangi niya lang dapat gawin ay magtiis-- just a little longer and she'll be free from this charade.

I know he doesn't want this marriage, I can see it in his bored look. He never attempts to throw even a single glance at me when both family gathered together. Maybe he was just an obedient son who follows his parents without arguing and honestly speaking it's not what I expected, knowing his reputation.

Alam niyang ginawa ng mga magulang ni Collin at Lance iyon para magkakilanlan ng mabuti ang dalawa. Pero dahil ako ang nagpapanggap na Collin, minsanan lang ako magsalita. Mas pinili kong makinig na lang sa kung anumang pinag-uusapan ---fearing I might do things that would reveal my true identity. I would plaster a fake smile just for the sake of Mr. and Mrs. Rivera. Everything is smooth sailing that's why I'm still here, continuing my dangerous facade.

Akala ko dahil sa ngiti ko ay makakaisa na ako but then my plans backfired when the annoyance that I saw vanished instantly; I even questioned myself if I really saw it because he returned my smile with his rare smirks. That smirks is laden with some mischief I knew I should never challenge.

Alam niyang maraming na intriga sa ngiti na binigay ng lalaki sa kanya. Pero alam niyang may ibang kahulugan ang ngiting iyon. Halos lahat ng tibay ng loob niya ay nawala.

Kailangan ko na bang tumakbo na?

She's a fast runner, maybe she could give it a go.

Hihingi na lang ako ng paumanhin sa mga Rivera at magpapakalayo-layo?

Nanigas siya ng maramdaman niyang ibinigay na pala ni Mr. Antonio ang kamay niya kay Lance.

"Please take care of my daughter. Despite how people thought of you, I knew you'll be a great husband. " saad ni Mr. Antonio. It's so awkward, knowing that I'm not his real daughter. I wish that someday when I get married my real father would be the one who would walk me in the aisle. It brought tears to my eyes thinking about that. I blink my eyes a few times to fight the tears.

I thought he wouldn't answer . " I will do that Tito. "

The way he said it --- his words feel so reassuring, maybe that is why a lot of people trusted and respected him.

"Thank you Lance, I look forward for this amazing union. Collin is a smart girl, you'll like her eventually after getting to know her more." Ngumiti si Mr. Antonio na parang nabunutan ng tinik. He knew full well how Lance keeps his promise.

Sa susunod na maisipan kong magpakasal, hinding hindi ako magpapakasal sa tulad ni Lance. Nakakatakot ang katulad nitong lalaki. Sa gwapong anyo nito makikitaan kung gaano ito ka delikado.

Dangerous and domineering.

People are aware of that.

No one can make him kneel down or vow and by merely seeing him, average people like her would cower. Many would avoid his eyes and one wrong mistake in front of him would had a serious consequences.

He has the power to ruin your life.

Kaya sinong tanga ang magpapatali sa isang katulad nito. Actually, marami. Halos halikan na nga ng mga kababaihan ang kanyang dinadaanan.

Pero isa si Lance na challenge sa mga kababaihan. He raised womens competiveness. Payag silang pagpakaalipin dito makuha lang ang mailap nitong puso.

A wild horse that they wish they could tame.

Pero siguro hindi naman siya katulad ng mga ito.

Hindi nga ba?

I even started to doubt myself because of him ---and that's scary losing my ability to think clearly.

I felt a light squeeze in my hand, pulling me back from my reverie.

I met his gaze once again , there------ I realize, there's no going back.

Sa titig nito, I recognized that clearly . His challenging me, to back out or tie myself in this loveless matrimony.

I return the looks he gave me and for almost like an eternity, we stood there looking at each other.

Lumakas ang bulungan ng mga tao sa paligid.

Doon lahat ay saksi kahit di ng mga ito alam...

A war has just begun.

I can feel the tension building up between us. Nabalik silang dalawa sa kasalukuyan ng marinig ang ingay ng mga tao.

Tumigil na ang musika. Umihip ang hangin kasabay ng halimuyak ng mga bulaklak sa paligid.

Hindi ko alam kung ramdam nito ang nginig ng kamay ko pero hindi ito nagpakita na naapektuhan ito sa nangyari. Inalalayan siya ng lalaki palapit sa harap ng pareng magkakasal sa kanila. I silently uttered my prayers to save my soul from doing this. Praying that everything will be fine and fall under the plan.

All is just a plan Atashia!

We listen as the priest started preaching for the wedding mass. Mas lalo kong naramdaman ang kaba, there's no going back.

But in all my struggles, Lance eyes never leaving mine. His watching all the twitch of my lips or every blink I've done. He's studying me, judging me ---intimidating me.

Nakakabaliw.

That's his effect.

Pinili kong iiwas ang tingin sa kanya –but then he uttered the final word.

“I do.”

Ako na ang susunod na sasagot. I'm...I'm prepared. Even if it doesn't show.

My voice is clear when I answer. “I do.” Nagpanggap akong sumulyap sa mga bisita para iwasan ang mata ng lalaki.

We exchange our solemn vows, kasabay ng pagsuot ng sing-sing sa isa't isa. Maybe because of nervousness that I was aware how warm is his hand mine.

Then the feeling of dread...excitement came when the priest announce.

“ You may now kiss the bride.”