Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Patricia's POV (The Banner Family)

When we arrived at the event location, I still couldn't help but be amazed even though I knew that this is how the situation is when you are rich.

There were elegant things surrounds us and also the guests were wearing classy clothes. And of course, the media part will not lose their place, we were welcomed by the flash of cameras. Hinapit ni Callum ang baywang ko ng pumasok kami sa grand hall.

I stood confidently and did not restrain my trembling knees due to the small amount of electricity caused by his hand on my waist. I just smiled awkwardly everytime the camera will turn to us but Callum doesn't care about it. Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganito. Kahit noon na isinasama ako nila mommy sa mga gatherings nila kasama ang mga business partners ay never akong dumalo, ngayon lang. Ngayon lang at si Callum ang kasama ko.

Just like the last time, there were people who immediately spoke to Callum and started to talk about business again. I looked around and saw different personalities but most are in business industries.

Mas marami ang mga bisita ngayon kumpara sa birthday party ni Mr. Salvador noon. Halos mahilo ako sa kintab ng kasuotan ng mga tao rito at sa pinag sama-sama nilang ingay.

Nakahanap agad si Callum ng table namin ngunit hanggang makaupo kami ay iba't ibang tao ang kumakausap sa kanya. He must be so trained about this, huh?

Dahil kung ako ang nasa sitwasyon niya ay sasakit na ang ulo ko. Well, in just a young age he was already aware of his parent's field of business.

I really can't keep up with him.

Thinking about the structures, plans and other business was already hard for me, what more if I'm the one who deal with those business partners? "Are you okay? Uncomfortable?"

Tumingin ako kay Callum na tila tinitimbang ang sitwasyon ko.

"I-I'm okay"

Mula pagkarating namin dito ay pansin ko na ang kakaibang tingin sa'kin ng ibang bisita. I don't know all of them so I really got concious.

I did all my best to act calm and won't get affected by the pressure around.

"Thank you for coming to our precious events. We would not be able to come to this without your support" said by the ceo of the Torreliza Corporation.

It's the opening speech and all of us are focused in front. All the guests were smiling and seems proud, well, who wouldn't? Their company is celebrating their 50 years now and carrying so much achievements just like Velasquez Industries.

Malayo na ang narating nito kaya naman sobra-sobra ang saya ni Mr. Torreliza, bakas ito sa mukha niya na nakikita namin sa malaking screen sa stage. All the cameras was focused on him.

"And of course, I would like to say my regards to my very loyal business partner and good friend ever since. It's no other than... Mr. Callum Velasquez"

People started to applaud as I saw Callum's fresh face on the big screen because the camera was already focused on him this time. He waved and smiled at the camera makes some guests to started murmuring adoring words towards him. Pumalakpak na rin ako at ngumiti nang biglang mag salita ulit si Mr. Torreliza.

"I also want to say hi to his beloved and beautiful wife beside him, Mrs. Patricia Velasquez"

I shifted on my seat when the attention focused on me.

I saw my whole face on the big screen and my chest started to throbbed fast. I even saw some of the cameras in front of me and almost guests that were looking at me.

My hands were trembling as I waved it to Mr. Torreliza, it also shown on the screen.

Naramdaman ko bigla ang kamay ni Callum na pumulupot sa baywang ko kaya bahagya akong napaigtad. I looked at him and my nervous faded when I saw his assuring smile.

He leaned a little for his lips to reach my ear.

"Relax.." he whispered.

I nodded as we both looked at the camera and smiled. Narinig ko ang ilang papuri ng bisita sa'min, ang iba ay kinukuhaan pa kami ng litrato.

"They are lovely aren't they?" Mr. Torreliza chuckled on the mic.

Napayuko na lang ako matapos mawala sa'min ang spotlight. Pinaghalong hiya at kaba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I'm not used to it especially when someone called me Mrs. Velasquez, it brings nervousness on my body.

Mr. Torreliza's speech ended and now he's shaking hands with the guests. We had a little interactions and I can say that he's kind. He's a bit old and he seems supportive of Callum, huh? I noticed how he grinned at Callum and keep talking about our marriage.

"There's steaks, do you want me to get you some?" Callum asked when he decided to get our own food on the buffet.

"Uh, okay.."

Hinintay ko siya na makabalik bago kumain.

Habang kumakain, pansin ko talaga ang tingin ng ibang guests samin. There's no dirt on our face so what's their problem?

"Sorry for what Mr. Torreliza said earlier. He's just talkative"

I lifted my head and found Callum's alluring eyes. Hindi ko alam pero biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. His face was innocent but there's really something on his eyes that made me feel like this. Tila ba nalulunod ako sa mga titig niya. "No problem. He's actually nice-"

"Callum Velasquez!"

I was interrupted by a deep voice.

I saw how Callum's brows met when he saw who is coming. Nanliit din ang mata ko habang nakatingin sa lalaking tingin ko'y kasing edad ni daddy habang may babae na nakahawak sa braso niya na nasisiguro kong asawa niya.

I lost my smile when I saw Zara behind them. Oh, the Banner Family. That's why they're familiar.

"Mr. Banner" Callum uttered in a serious voice.

Hindi na ako mapakali sa upuan ko dahil ramdam ko agad ang matalim na titig ni Zara sa'kin.

"It's pleasure to meet you again. Oh, here's my daughter by the way"

I looked away as Zara walked in front of us and quickly kissed Callum on the cheek. I could feel Callum's shock but I acted unaffected.

"I-It's been a while.. Callum"

My blood boils when I heard Zara's sweet voice.

"You've never visited our house, Callum" It's Zara's mother this time. "I often see you and Zara together"

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kutsara sa mga narinig. Manhid ba sila o talagang inaasar nila ako? They totally ignoring me and they're really saying that in front of me, seriously? For what? To make me mad?

I need to show them that I'm not really affected especially that I can see Zara's sticky stare at Callum while her parents was standing behind her and looks so proud with her stupidity.

I put food in my spoon and was ready to eat it but I saw Zara wrap her hand around Callum's arm in front of me.

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The spoon slide on my hands makes the food to touch on my chin down on the table. I was even surprised when the spoon crack on the plate as it fell from my trembling hand. Zara and her parents looked at me.

I heard Callum scoffed before getting a tissue and wiped the table.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh... y-yeah" I shuttered so I heard Zara's mocking laughed.

I sighed heavily and calmed myself. Extend your patience, Patricia.

"Oh, well" Mrs. Banner trailed off. "I hope you find time to visit our house, Callum. You're that busy so.."

She said that while looking at me.

I averted my gaze and was about to get a tissue when Callum get it for me.

"Stop assuming, Madam. Yes I'm too busy with my work and to my wife so.."

My eyes widened as he leaned over to wipe the traces of food on my chin. I can also see the shock on Zara's face. I even heard her mom gasped.

"Do you want to use comfort room?" tanong ni Callum kaya nagulantang ako. "I'll go with you"

Pekeng umubo si Mr. Banner kaya binalingan siya ni Callum.

"With all due respect, can you three leave? My wife is not comfortable.."

Marahas na suminghap si Zara habang nanlalaki ang mata. Kahit ako ay nagulat. Ngayon ay ako ang pinupukol ng masamang titig ng mag ina.

I looked at Callum and show him my dagger look but he just shrugged.

Iritadong umalis sila Zara sa table namin. After that, I'm still amazed at how Callum acted. Damn, how can he act rude but looks innocent at the same time? Tama ba na mamangha ako sa ginawa niya?