A Love Worth Fighting For

CHAPTER 2

If the ceremony felt like a dream…

The reception felt like stepping into another world.

The beach where we exchanged vows had completely transformed.

Kanina puro white roses at ceremony chairs lang ang naroon.

But now?

It looked like a royal celebration.

A massive glass pavilion had been built directly on the sand overlooking the ocean. Crystal chandeliers hung from the transparent ceiling, reflecting thousands of warm golden lights. Long tables decorated with white orchids, roses, and candles stretched across the entire venue.

Everything shimmered.

Everything looked impossibly elegant.

The ocean waves quietly crashed in the background, as if even nature itself was part of the celebration.

I stood beside Sebastian as guests slowly entered the reception area.

World leaders.

Tech moguls.

Hollywood celebrities.

European royalty.

And yet…

When Sebastian held my hand, he looked completely uninterested in anyone else.

Like none of them mattered.

Like the only thing he cared about…

Was me.

“Mrs. Montemayor.”

His voice was low beside my ear.

The word sent a strange warmth through my chest.

Mrs. Montemayor.

I looked at him.

“You sound suspiciously happy saying that.”

He smirked slightly.

“I married the smartest woman in the room.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“You say that like you didn’t already know that before proposing.”

He leaned closer.

“I knew.”

His fingers intertwined with mine.

“I just like reminding everyone.”

Before I could answer, the master of ceremonies suddenly spoke through the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention please.”

The music lowered slightly as everyone turned toward the center of the pavilion.

“Tonight we celebrate the union of two extraordinary people. And now, it is our honor to invite the newly married couple…”

He smiled dramatically.

“Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Montemayor.”

Applause erupted instantly.

Some guests even stood.

The orchestra slowly began playing a soft, romantic melody.

My heart jumped.

Oh no.

The first dance.

Sebastian looked at me.

“Ready?”

I whispered nervously.

“I thought billionaires hired professionals for this.”

He chuckled softly.

“I offered.”

“And?”

“You said no.”

I sighed.

“Right.”

Because I did say that.

If this wedding was about us…

Then I wanted something real.

Not rehearsed.

Sebastian gently placed one hand on my waist.

His other hand lifted mine.

The moment the music swelled…

We began to move.

Slowly.

Gracefully.

Surprisingly… naturally.

I looked up at him.

“You dance well.”

He smirked.

“I had good motivation.”

“What motivation?”

“You.”

My cheeks warmed.

Typical Sebastian.

Confident.

Direct.

Dangerously charming.

The guests watched quietly as we moved across the dance floor.

Some smiling.

Some whispering.

Some recording the moment.

But none of that mattered.

Because right now…

It felt like we were the only two people in the room.

Sebastian pulled me slightly closer.

“You’re nervous.”

I blinked.

“How can you tell?”

“Your fingers.”

He squeezed my hand gently.

“You always do that when you're thinking too much.”

I exhaled slowly.

“I'm just not used to this.”

“This?”

I glanced around the room.

The billionaires.

The chandeliers.

The luxury.

“The world you live in.”

Sebastian looked around briefly.

Then he leaned down and whispered near my ear.

“This world?”

His thumb brushed softly against my waist.

“I built it.”

Then he looked straight into my eyes.

“But you…”

His voice softened.

“You’re the only thing here that actually matters to me.”

My chest tightened again.

God.

How does he say things like that so easily?

The music slowed.

Sebastian suddenly spun me gently.

The guests clapped softly at the move.

I laughed quietly.

“You practiced that.”

He looked offended.

“I watched one video.”

“One?”

“Three.”

I shook my head, smiling.

“You're unbelievable.”

“Yet you married me.”

“Still processing that decision.”

The guests laughed softly as we danced, clearly catching parts of our conversation.

But then the music softened again.

Sebastian’s expression changed.

His playful smile faded slightly.

He looked at me the way he did earlier at the altar.

Deep.

Serious.

Almost intense.

“Bella.”

“Yes?”

“Are you happy?”

The question caught me off guard.

I stared at him.

Then I answered honestly.

“Yes.”

His shoulders relaxed slightly.

Like he had been holding his breath.

“Good.”

“Why?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he simply pulled me a little closer.

Close enough that I could hear his heartbeat.

And then he murmured softly—

“Because I would destroy anyone who ever makes you unhappy.”

I froze.

The way he said it wasn’t dramatic.

It wasn’t a joke.

It sounded like a fact.

For a moment, I didn’t know if I should laugh…

Or be slightly terrified.

Then the music reached its final note.

Sebastian dipped me gently.

The guests erupted into applause.

Cheers echoed across the beach.

Sebastian helped me back up slowly.

Our faces only inches apart.

“Congratulations,” he whispered.

“For what?”

“For surviving your first dance as the wife of a billionaire.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Barely.”

He smiled.

But then his gaze softened again.

After our first dance, the entire pavilion filled with applause.

Halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng hiyawan ng mga bisita. Some were whistling, some were clapping loudly, habang ang orchestra ay dahan-dahang huminto sa pagtugtog.

Sebastian gently guided me toward our seats at the center table.

The table of the Montemayors.

Nasa paligid namin sina Daddy Alejandro, Mommy Victoria, ilang close family friends, at ang bestfriend kong si Claudine na mukhang may balak nang manggulo ngayong gabi.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Claudine… wag kang magkalat.”

She grinned like a villain.

“Too late.”

Oh no.

Biglang nagsalita ang host sa microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, ngayon naman ay maririnig natin ang speech ng maid of honor.”

The spotlight slowly moved.

Straight to Claudine.

Napapikit ako.

Patay.

Claudine walked confidently to the stage habang may hawak na wine glass at microphone.

Pagharap niya sa audience, ngumiti siya—yung ngiting alam mong may kalokohan.

“Hello everyone.”

The guests smiled politely.

“Para sa mga hindi nakakakilala sa akin, I’m Claudine Valdez… the best friend of the bride.”

She pointed dramatically at me.

“Since college.”

Then she sighed dramatically.

“At unfortunately… I know everything about her.”

The guests laughed lightly.

I covered my face.

Sebastian leaned closer to me.

“I feel like this will be entertaining.”

“You have no idea,” I muttered.

Claudine continued.

“Alam niyo ba… itong si Arabella—sobrang talino.”

She raised a finger.

“Summa c*m Laude.”

The crowd clapped.

“Yes yes, impressive.”

Then she tilted her head, a teasing smile forming.

“But what’s even more impressive…”

She paused.

“…is kung paano niya tinakbuhan ang lalaking ‘yan.”

She pointed straight at Sebastian.

The crowd reacted immediately—some gasped, some laughed.

I froze.

“CLAUDINE.”

Sebastian raised a brow, clearly amused.

“Oh?” he whispered beside me.

Claudine continued like she just exposed the biggest secret.

“Yes. Tinakbuhan niya si Sebastian Montemayor.”

She paced slightly on stage.

“Imagine this—one of the richest, most powerful men in the world…”

She gestured dramatically toward him.

“…nagpapapansin.”

The guests chuckled.

“And what did Arabella do?”

She pointed at me again.

“Iniiwasan siya.”

The laughter grew louder.

I buried my face in my hands.

“Hindi dahil suplada siya—”

Claudine added quickly.

“—kundi dahil nalaman niya kung gaano kayaman ‘to.”

More laughter.

Sebastian laughed softly beside me.

“That sounds accurate,” he murmured.

Claudine continued.

“Biglang nagka-crisis si girl.”

She mimicked me.

“‘Hindi pwede. Red flag. Sobrang yaman. Delikado ‘to.’”

The guests burst into laughter.

Even Mommy Victoria was smiling widely.

“But guess what?”

Claudine lifted her glass slightly.

“Hindi siya tinigilan.”

She looked at Sebastian.

“Mr. Montemayor… persistent ka pala.”

Sebastian smirked faintly.

“I had to be.”

The guests reacted with soft “oooohs.”

Claudine nodded approvingly.

“Flowers. Random visits. Business advice na hindi naman hinihingi…”

The crowd laughed again.

I groaned.

“Please stop.”

“But the best part?”

Claudine grinned.

“Si Arabella… pilit siyang ini-ignore.”

She paused.

“…habang si Sebastian—”

She placed a hand dramatically over her chest.

“—tinamaan na pala ng kupido.”

The audience melted into laughter and soft reactions.

Claudine’s expression softened slightly.

“And somewhere between pag-iwas… at pangungulit…”

She looked at me.

“…nahulog din siya.”

My chest tightened.

Then she turned to Sebastian again.

“Sebastian…”

Her tone shifted—still playful, but sincere.

“You didn’t just marry a brilliant woman.”

She smiled gently.

“You married someone who knows how to stand on her own… even when the world is offering her everything.”

The room grew quieter.

“And yet…”

She lifted her glass.

“She still chose you.”

Sebastian’s hand tightened around mine.

Claudine smirked again.

“But remember this—”

She pointed at him.

“If you ever hurt her…”

She leaned closer to the mic.

“…I still know where the knives are.”

The guests roared with laughter.

Sebastian raised his hands jokingly.

“Duly noted.”

Claudine lifted her glass high.

“To Arabella and Sebastian.”

“To love, persistence… at sa lalaking hindi sumuko.”

“And to Bella…”

She smiled softly.

“…for finally not running away.”

Everyone cheered.

I covered my face again.

“Unbelievable.”

Sebastian leaned in and kissed my temple softly.

“I like her.”

“Of course you do.”

“Now, we invite the father of the groom… Mr. Alejandro Montemayor.”

The entire room immediately grew respectful.

Daddy Alejandro slowly stood up.

His presence alone carried authority.

One of the most powerful businessmen in Asia.

But when he looked at Sebastian…

His expression softened.

He took the microphone.

“Good evening.”

His voice was calm but powerful.

“Most of you know my son as a businessman.”

He glanced at Sebastian.

“A visionary.”

A few guests nodded.

“But today…”

He looked at me.

“…I want to talk about him as a man.”

The room became silent.

“When Sebastian was young, he was already brilliant.”

Some guests smiled knowingly.

“But brilliance often comes with loneliness.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened slightly.

“I watched my son build empires.”

Daddy Alejandro paused.

“But I also watched him build walls around his heart.”

My chest tightened.

Then he looked at me again.

“Until he met Arabella.”

The guests listened closely.

“Sebastian told me about a girl in a coffee shop.”

Some guests chuckled softly.

“He said…”

Daddy Alejandro smiled.

“‘Dad, I think I just met the only person in the world who isn’t impressed by me.’”

The room laughed.

I glanced at Sebastian.

He looked slightly embarrassed.

Daddy Alejandro lifted his glass.

“Arabella.”

His voice softened.

“You may have come into this world without a family.”

My throat tightened.

“But starting today…”

He gestured to the entire Montemayor table.

“You have one.”

Mommy Victoria wiped a tear.

“And as Sebastian’s father…”

His tone turned serious.

“I promise you this.”

“If anyone in this world ever tries to hurt you…”

His eyes darkened slightly.

“They will have to answer to the Montemayor family.”

The room erupted into applause.

I felt tears in my eyes again.

Sebastian gently squeezed my hand under the table.

But while everyone was clapping…

I suddenly felt something strange.

A feeling.

Like someone was staring at me.

I slowly looked across the reception hall.

Through the crowd.

And then I saw him.

A man standing near the far end of the pavilion.

Tall.

Dressed in a dark suit.

Watching me.

Not smiling.

Not clapping.

Just staring.

Our eyes met for a second.

Something about him felt… unsettling.

Then suddenly—

A voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Mrs. Montemayor.”

I turned.

A distinguished looking businessman stood beside our table.

Around late forties.

Confident smile.

“Allow me to congratulate you.”

He extended his hand.

“Victor Langford.”

Sebastian’s body stiffened slightly beside me.

I politely shook his hand.

“Thank you.”

Victor smiled.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Youngest senior economic analyst in the Bangko Sentral, correct?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

He chuckled.

“Impressive.”

Then his eyes lingered a little too long on me.

“You’re even more remarkable in person.”

Before I could respond—

Sebastian’s arm suddenly wrapped around my waist.

Firm.

Possessive.

He pulled me slightly closer to him.

Victor noticed immediately.

Sebastian’s voice was calm.

But cold.

“Mr. Langford.”

Victor smiled.

“Sebastian.”

Sebastian didn’t smile back.

“My wife is still greeting guests.”

The emphasis on my wife was unmistakable.

Victor chuckled lightly.

“Of course.”

He nodded politely and stepped away.

The moment he left—

I looked at Sebastian.

“Was that necessary?”

Sebastian took a sip of his wine calmly.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He leaned slightly closer to me.

His voice low enough that only I could hear.

“Because he was looking at you like you weren’t married.”

My eyebrows lifted.

“You’re jealous.”

He didn’t deny it.

Instead, he placed a soft kiss on my temple.

“Very.”

But when I glanced again toward the far end of the pavilion…

The mysterious man who had been staring at me earlier—

Was gone.

And for some reason…

That unsettled me more.

The reception was still alive.

Naririnig ko ang music na pumupuno sa buong pavilion—

a mix of elegant orchestra and soft modern beats—habang ang mga bisita ay patuloy na nag-uusap, nagtatawanan, at nagto-toast sa kasal namin.

The chandeliers above us sparkled like falling stars, reflecting against crystal glasses and polished floors, habang ang buong lugar ay nagliliwanag sa sobrang engrande ng setup.

Everything felt surreal.

Everything felt… too perfect.

Nakatayo kami ngayon ni Sebastian sa gitna mismo ng reception, surrounded by powerful people—

mga politiko, bilyonaryo, at mga kilalang personalidad sa iba’t ibang industriya—lahat sila present para ipagdiwang ang pagsasama namin.

Pero sa dami ng tao—

parang kaming dalawa lang ang nasa sarili naming mundo.

I found myself staring at my ring again.

Hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in.

Dahan-dahan kong tinaas ang kamay ko, pinagmamasdan kung paano kumikislap ang diamond sa ilalim ng ilaw.

Then I turned to him.

“Sebastian.”

He looked down at me immediately.

“Yes… Mrs. Montemayor?”

Napatawa ako nang mahina, hindi makapaniwala sa tunog ng pangalan ko.

“Mrs. Montemayor?” ulit ko, parang tinitikman ang salita.

Then I smiled.

“Yes…”

mahina kong sagot,

“…that’s me.”

Ngumiti siya.

Yung tipong kalmado lang, pero may dalang confidence na hindi mo pwedeng i-ignore.

“Yes,” sabi niya, bahagyang yumuko para mas mapalapit sa akin.

“That’s you.”

Then he added, softer—

“My wife.”

Sa dalawang salitang iyon—

parang may mainit na kumalat sa dibdib ko.

My husband.

God.

Ang bilis ng lahat.

Two years ago, I was just a girl behind a coffee counter.

Now—

I was standing here,

in the middle of one of the most extravagant receptions anyone could ever imagine—

married to him.

Napalingon ako sa paligid.

Laughter.

Music.

Champagne.

“Your guests are still celebrating,” sabi ko, may halong amusement habang pinapanood ang ilang bisita na nagche-cheer sa dance floor.

Sumunod ang tingin niya.

Then bumalik agad sa akin.

And without hesitation—

“Let’s get out of here.”

Napakurap ako.

“What?”

Hindi nagbago ang expression niya.

Calm.

Collected.

Pero seryoso.

“Let’s leave.”

Napatawa ako sa disbelief.

“You want to leave your own reception?”

Bahagya siyang nagkibit-balikat.

“They’ll survive.”

“Sebastian…”

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

Mahigpit.

Mainit.

“Bella.”

Tumigil ang mundo.

Yung tono niya—

yung alam kong hindi na siya magbabago ng isip.

“Trust me.”

Tinitigan ko siya ng ilang segundo.

Then I sighed.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Pero kahit gano’n—

hinawakan ko pa rin ang kamay niya nang mas mahigpit.

“Fine.”

Ngumiti siya, parang inaasahan na niya ang sagot ko.

Then, without warning—

lumapit siya nang bahagya at nagsalita nang sapat para marinig ng mga nasa paligid namin.

“We’re leaving.”

Sandaling katahimikan.

Then—

tawanan.

“Already?!” sigaw ng isa sa mga bisita.

“Montemayor! Hindi pa tapos ang reception!” dagdag pa ng isa, natatawa.

Napailing ako, bahagyang namumula.

“Sebastian…”

mahina kong sabi, pinipigilan ang tawa.

Pero siya—

hindi nagpapatinag.

“As much as I appreciate all of you being here,” dagdag niya, may konting smirk sa labi,

“my wife deserves my full attention tonight.”

Mas lalong lumakas ang tawanan.

May nag-cheer.

May nag-toast ulit.

At ako—

napailing na lang habang napapangiti.

“Grabe ka talaga…”

Pero bago pa ako makapagdagdag—

hinila na niya ako palayo mula sa gitna ng reception.

Thirty minutes later…

We were no longer at the beach.

Instead, a sleek black convoy of luxury SUVs was speeding down the private road leading away from the resort.

I looked out the window.

“Are we seriously escaping our own wedding?”

Sebastian sat beside me, completely relaxed.

“Yes.”

“Claudine is going to kill me.”

“She’s currently dancing with three French businessmen.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“I checked before we left.”

I shook my head.

“That sounds exactly like her.”

The car finally slowed.

Then the gates ahead opened.

Beyond them—

A private runway stretched under the night sky.

And at the center of it…

Stood the aircraft.

My jaw dropped slightly.

“Sebastian…”

The jet was enormous.

Sleek.

Matte black.

The Montemayor crest subtly painted near the entrance.

The stairs were already lowered.

Waiting for us.

“That’s your plane?”

He glanced at it casually.

“Yes.”

“What kind of plane is that?”

He answered simply.

“My Gulfstream G700.”

My eyes widened.

“You have a private jet?”

He looked mildly amused.

“I have three.”

Of course he does.

The car stopped near the stairs.

The door opened for us.

Sebastian stepped out first, then offered his hand.

“Mrs. Montemayor.”

I took it.

Still slightly in shock.

The cool night air brushed against my skin as we walked toward the jet.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead he guided me up the stairs and inside.

The moment we entered—

I froze.

The interior looked more like a luxury penthouse than an airplane.

Cream leather seats.

A long lounge sofa.

Soft golden lighting.

Even a small bar.

“This is insane.”

Sebastian chuckled softly.

“Wait until you see the bedroom.”

I turned toward him slowly.

“There’s a bedroom??”

He simply smiled.

Then he gently took my hand again as the cabin door closed behind us.

“Welcome to the Montemayor honeymoon.”

I tilted my head.

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Which one?”

“Where are we going?”

Sebastian leaned slightly closer to me, his presence warm, steady—

his voice dropping just enough to make my heart skip.

“Milan.”

Napakurap ako.

“Milan… Italy?”

He nodded, calm as ever.

“For about fifteen hours in the air,” dagdag niya, parang wala lang,

“and we’ll land just before sunrise.”

Bahagyang napanganga ako.

“Fifteen hours…?”

He smiled faintly.

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll have breakfast overlooking Lake Como.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya, still trying to process everything.

“You planned all of this?”

“Of course.”

Walang pag-aalinlangan.

Parang natural lang sa kanya.

Sa labas ng cabin, unti-unti nang umandar ang mga makina—

a deep, powerful hum filling the entire aircraft.

Ramdam ko ang vibration sa ilalim ng paa ko.

Real.

This was really happening.

Dahan-dahang hinaplos ni Sebastian ang kamay ko gamit ang hinlalaki niya.

“First stop of our honeymoon.”

Then, mas mahina—

mas personal—

“And we have the entire world after that.”

Napahinga ako nang malalim habang sumasandal sa upuan.

From an orphan girl…

to this.

Flying across continents on a private jet—

with a man who could give me the world…

and chose to share it with me.

Life really had a strange way of changing everything.

At habang unti-unting gumagalaw ang eroplano sa runway—

palayo sa lahat ng nakasanayan ko—

hinigpitan ni Sebastian ang hawak sa kamay ko.

And just like that—

our fifteen-hour journey began.