Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Patricia's POV (Party)

The next day, I just woke up that Callum was no longer at home, maybe he was already at work.

"What a playful morning again" I whispered.

My eyes focused on the side table where the invitation Callum had given last night was placed. It will happen tonight. I can't help but be nervous.

Habang kumakain ako ng almusal ay may dumating na isang delivery. A woman handed me a large white box. "Maybe you're mistaken. I didn't order anything-"

"Sa inyo po ito, Mam Zara. Ipinadala po ito ni Mrs. Velasquez para isuot niyo sa party" the girl smiled sweetly.

I accepted the box and she left immediately.

Damn, why are they treating me so special? I opened the box out of confussion and almost dropped my jaw when I saw what inside.

I picked up a champagne dress that included a pair of nude stilletos with a tiny crystal design around it.

Gosh, it's so pretty!

Clothes and shoes like this were surely expensive! Well, I won't be surprised because they are rich.

There's still amazement in me when I received a call from mommy.

"Mommy" bungad ko.

"Pat! I heard the Velasquez will also attend the Salvadors' party and you'll be with them since you are Callum's wife!" mom's excited voice enwrap my ears. She sounds so happy.

"Yeah.."

"Do you already have clothes to wear? Well, I can talk to our designer to make you look good-"

"I have something to wear, mom"

"Oh! Your husband bought you, I guess?"

"Actually, it's from his mom"

Mommy and I talked for a long time because she still said a lot of tips about what will happen later in the party. She also taught me what to do in front of people later since all of them are rich.

I was annoyed so I ended our call.

Mabilis umikot ang oras at buong mag hapon ay wala akong ginawa kundi kumain, matulog at humiga. Nag luto ako ng pagkain hanggang sumapit na ang gabi.

Since wala kaming kasama na katulong ay ako ang nag bukas ng gate para kay Callum ng dumating siya. Hinintay ko siya'ng makalabas ng sasakyan. "Hey" bungad niya.

"H-Hi.." I shyly smiled at him.

I stared more closely at his face and he was not obviously tired from work. He's still able to smile and look fresh. Damn, what am I thinking?

He was holding a black attache case and we walked in together. I couldn't even understand myself why I was acting like this. What's happening to me? "Did you already-"

"Eat?" I cut him off. "Yes.."

"Are you excited later? Is it okay with you to go with me?" he asked and sat on the sofa.

"Uh, yeah. No problem with me.."

Saglit akong tumalikod at pumunta sa kusina para timplahan siya ng kape. I know he's tired and he needs a little relaxment.

"Coffee.." I placed it in front of him.

He looked up and I could see the amazement in him. Kahit ako ay hindi rin alam kung bakit ginawa iyon. Maybe I'm used to it too since we're often together here at home. "Thank you"

I couldn't help but look at his lips and my face reddened out of a sudden. Shit!

I just went to my room to take a shower and get ready. After I took a bath, I put light make up on my face, I'm used to it since I participate in beauty pageants so I learned how to do make up.

I also just let my long hair fall down. I put on my dress and stared at myself in the large mirror. I just saw that this dress had a long slit showing my legs. I also wore my heels which made me even taller.

Lastly, I grabbed my bag and left the room. I bit my lip as I walked down to the stairs and saw Callum's back, he was standing and waiting for me.

He heard the sound of my shoes so he turned around. I immediately averted his eyes when he glared at me from head to toe, it was only for a moment but the impact was different. Tila nagkakarera ang dib-dib ko. "You look great" ani Callum ng makalapit na ako.

Nag init ang mukha ko habang nakayuko parin. "T-Thanks" "Let's go?"

I nodded.

Nauna akong lumabas at sumakay sa sasakyan. Sa biyahe naman ay hindi ako mapakali at iniisip ang mangyayari sa'kin mamaya. Hindi ko nga kilala ang makakasalamuha namin doon kaya kailangan ko talagang dumikit kay Callum. I know my parents are also invited and they will also bring my brother, Jordan.

Nakarating kami sa isang mataas at malaking building kung nasaan ang venue. Nasa bukana pa lang kami ng entrance ay kumakawala na ang liwanag galing sa loob. Mayroong mahabang red carpet doon kaya kahit kinakabahan ay inilingkis ko ang kamay ko sa braso ni Callum at sabay kami nag lakad.

Halos magulantang ako at mapapikit ng salubungin kami ng kislap ng mga camera. Halos buong sulok ay mayroon kaya napilitan na naman akong ngumiti dahil alam kong lalabas ito sa mga articles.

The venue was so good. The design was all elegant and organized along with the tables and chairs.

"Callum Velasquez!"

We were greeted by a man I think was in his mid 60's. He smiled and hugged Callum.

"Mr. Salvador, happy birthday" Callum said so my face lighted.

He's the celebrant?

I smiled when his gaze turned to me.

"I believe that this gorgeous woman is your wife?"

I laugh a bit and accepted his hand, a litle bit concious. "Happy birthday po.."

"She's Patricia Clemente. My wife" Callum introduced me.

He held my hand and Mr. Salvador smiled because of that. Pakiramdam ko'y umakyat na naman sa mukha ang dugo ko.

Iniwan na kami ni Mr. Salvador dahil marami na ang dumarating na bisita. Umupo kami ni Callum sa isang table and we started eating. Callum's some collageous are approaching our table and he has introduced me as his wife several times. Marahan ang pagkain ko at panay ang tingin sa paligid dahil pansin ko na ang iba ay nagtatagal ang mata sa'kin.

"Excuse me, I'll be back" paalam ni Callum bago tumingin sa mga lalaking siguro'y kaedad na ni daddy sa kabilang table.

I know he's famous and known as a business man that's why.

Maya-maya ay dumating na sila mommy ngunit sa ibang table sila umupo.

"Mom!" I mouthed and saw Jordan waved at me.

Hindi ko na napigilan at lumapit na ako sa table nila.

"Pat, you're so pretty! Where's Callum?" mommy asked.

"He's just around" I kissed them before I seated.

We talked and I was happy because I missed them. After a while, my parents also became busy and started to talk to their friends and left our table.

Jordan and I were the only ones left. My brother was busy on his cellphone while I was still looking around. Trying to find Callum.

Mas dumarami ang tao at nag simula na ang program. The speech from celebrant started but Callum was still not there until I could see him standing in the middle of the crowd and talking to a woman. Sa postura pa lang ng kausap niya ay kilala ko na ito.

It's Zara Banner again.

She looks stunning with her fitted long red dress.

Almost all the cameras were pointed at her. She was the center of attraction. I lost my smile when I saw how bright her eyes were when Callum looked at her.

Her hand wrapped around Callum's arm as they looked at the camera to take a picture. I took a deep breath to get some air. Callum was smiling too. He looks happy.

Hindi ko alam pero nakaramdam ako ng pagkadismaya. Kinuha ko ang bag ko at tumayo papunta sa comfort room. Marami ang cubicle kaya sa pinakaunahan na lang ako pumasok. Tumitig lang ako sa repleksyon ko sa salamin at nag retouch. It took me a few minutes inside the cubicle before deciding to go out when I heard a familiar voice. They were on the next cubicle.

"Gosh! He's still affect the hell out of me! I could have kissed him! It's obvious that he's longing for me" it was Zara's voice.

"You're so obvious! I heard he's with his wife. In fareness, maganda nga siya" I heard another voice, maybe her friend.

"Duh, as if she can dictate Callum's feelings!" Zara's sound irritated. "He doesn't love her and he's only for me. And for my own opinion, she's not that pretty plus... she has no fashion!" Wait, is she referring to me? She seems mad.

Rinig ko ang papalabas nilang yabag kaya hindi muna ako lumabas. What they said had an impact on me. So she came here for purpose? And that's because of Callum.

Hilaw akong napangisi sa sarili at bumalik sa venue na mabigat ang dib-dib.