The Billionaire's Trap

Chapter 12

In a blink of an eye, I found myself sitting in front of a few people, wearing a white wedding dress. Beside me is my husband, officially, Vallen Garrett Alejo.

Yes, kinasal na kami. We're currently in our reception.

Hindi ko na rin alam ang nangyari eh. Basta nagising na lang ako, binihisan at inayusan, isang iglap lang nasa simbahan na.

Ngayon, nasa reception na.

Just like I said, it's neither big nor extravagant wedding. A very simple with a very few guests.

When I said few, I mean it. Wala pa yata sa 30 katao ang nandito sa reception namin. Ibukod pa ang mga maids.

Kaunti lang, hindi ba?

"What's up?"

May lumapit na tatlong lalaki sa table namin. Our table is in the center on a small stage. Tapos nakapalibot sa'min ang iba pang tables kung saan doon nakaupo ang mga guests namin.

"Congrats, Garrett," sabi ng isang lalaking kulay orange ang buhok. He has a very sharp jawline, as well as perfect half triangular nose. He has freckles but it does suit him well.

Hindi sumagot si Vallen. Tumingin sa'kin ang lalaki at pinagmasdan ako. Nailang ako kaya umiwas ako ng tingin.

Why does he have to look at me like that?

"Pft." I glanced at him and saw him laughing... Is he laughing at me?

"Bro, you have a very timid wife there," sabi niya.

"Stop that, Tyson," suway ng isa pang lalaki sa nagngangalang Tyson.

"Hello, Garrett's wife. Your name is Lesley, right?" he asked. Tumango ako. He looks like a very serious person. Yung hindi palangiti. His hair is black so is his eyes.

"I'm Liam." Pakilala niya.

"And I'm Cohen." Pakilala ng isa pa. This one looks very shy yet cheerful. He introduced himself to me with all smiles. He's cute. Ngumiti rin ako sa kaniya.

"Yeah, yeah. Hey there, I'm Tyson."

Nawala ang aking ngiti nang magsalita siya at ipakilala ang sarili. I think among the three, si Tyson ang hindi ko makakasundo.

"That's harsh!" aniya. habang nakaturo sa akin.

"Tyson." Liam called his name once again.

"What are you doing here?" Biglang tanong ni Vallen. Nagkatinginan ang tatlo.

Umiwas ng tingin si Tyson at sumipol. Samantalang si Liam naman ay blangko ang tingin at si Cohen ay napakamot sa ulo niya.

"You didn't invite us so we gatecrash," sagot ni Cohen. Nakangiti pa rin siya.

Pero.. eh? Hindi sila invited?

"You should've told us that today's your wedding day!" ani Tyson. "I even planned to prepare a present for you!" Madamdaming dagdag niya.

"Shut up, Tyson." Seryosong sabi ni Vallen. "Get out all of you." Dagdag niya.

Eh?

Bakit?

Bakit niya pinapaalis?

Teka, nagugulumihanan ako sa nangyayari.

"Congrats, Garrett," sabi ni Liam, hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ni Vallen.

"Congrats! Best wishes!" Masayang sabi naman ni Cohen.

"Basta ninong ako." Malokong saad ni Tyson.

"Shut up, Tyson." Tila nagtitimping sabi ni Vallen. Tumawa lamang si Tyson.

I'm dang confused.

Do we even speak the same language? I can't seem to understand what's going on.

"Get out." Pag-uulit ni Vallen.

"Chill ka lang, Alejo." It was Tyson. May nakakaloko pa rin siyang ngiti sa labi.

"By the way, hindi ba magpapakilala sa'min 'yang asawa mo?" tanong niya.

"No, so get lost." Vallen said coldly.

"Ang sungit." Tumawa si Tyson. "Menopause ka na?"

Sinamaan ni Vallen ng tingin si Tyson pero ang loko, tumawa lang. Baliw ba 'tong lalaking 'to?

"U-Uhm..." Yes, it's me. Panahon na para magpakilala ako. Tumingin sila sa aking apat, oo kasama si Vallen. Kaya mas lalo akong nailang.

"She's blushing!"

...

Binulong pa, rinig ko naman.

"I-I'm Lesley Lambrente. N-Nice to m-meet you." Maikli kong sabi. Tiningnan ko sila isa-isa at nang na kay Vallen na, nakakunot ang noo niya.

"Repeat that," he said.

I tilt my head. "What?" I asked.

"Lesley Alejo. Not Lambrente," he corrected.

Oh. Natigilan ako. Oo nga. I unconsciously used Lambrente as my surname.

"Hello. I'm Lesley A-Alejo... Nice to meet you!" Muli kong pagpapakilala.

Nakita kong ngumisi si Tyson. Malaki ba ang problema ni Tyson sa pag-iisip?

"Good girl," aniya.

Sa tingin ko, oo.

"From Lambrente, huh? I see." It was Cohen, tila may inaalala siya.

"But why don't we take pictures first, no?" Cohen asked.

"It's okay with me," Liam said.

"If it's a picture with me, I'm in. Pagbibigyan ko kayo, ngayon lang," Tyson haughtily said.

"It"s okay with you, right?" Tanong ni Cohen sa aming dalawa ni Vallen.

"No."

"Yes."

Vallen and I answered in unison. He said no, I said yes. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. Pinagmasdan niya ako. Naiilang man ay ngumiti ako sa kaniya at kalaunan bumuntong-hininga siya.

"Fine." Tipid niyang sabi.

"Alright!" Cohen said happily. Pinatawag niya kay Tyson ang photographer na hindi ko alam kung saan nagpunta.

Tapos nagpunta silang tatlo sa likod.

From right to left was Tyson, Cohen and Liam, respectively.

Vallen placed his hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Ready?" The photographer asked.

"Ready!" The three answered in unison.

"1..."

"2..."

"3..."

*click*

We took many shots. I don't know why but we did. Pagkatapos ay nagpaalam ang tatlo. Marami raw kasing nakapila para kausapin kaming dalawa ni Vallen kaya aalis na sila at magbibigay-daan sa iba.

But the thing is, hindi pa inaalis ni Vallen ang kamay niya sa bewang ko. And what's worse, he's touching it gently with his thumb which makes the butterflies in my stomach run wild!

I'll flush in no time, I'm telling you.

Gaya ng sinabi ng tatlo, mayroon ngang lumapit sa amin para kausapin kami. They introduced themselves to me and congratulates us in our wedding.

Medyo na-overwhelm pa ako kasi mga bigatin sila. Yung tipong hindi ko inakalang makilala ko in person.

I'm sitting a little uncomfortable because of what Vallen's doing. But I can't say that I hate it... I somewhat like the way he touches me.

Naramdaman kong nag-init ang aking pisngi.

What the hell am I thinking?

"Are you okay?"

"H-Huh?" Mabilis kong tugon. Mabilis din ako tumunghay at tumingin kay Vallen.

"Your face is red," aniya. "Are you feeling hot?" he asked and check my forehead with the back of his hand.

"I'm not," sabi ko. Inalis niya ang kamay niya sa aking noo.

"Do you want water?"

With that, napalunok ako at biglang nakaramdam ng uhaw. Tumango ako. "Y-Yeah..." I answered.

He called for Ivan, who's standing not too far from us. "Yes, Young Master," aniya at kaagad na yumukod pagkalapit.

"Bring us water," ani Vallen.

"Right away, Young Master," saad niya. Umalis din siya para kumuha ng tubig.

"Mr. Alejo."

I froze.

I know that voice.

Bumilis ang pintig ng aking dibdib. When was the last time that I heard that voice?

I feel like I'm crying for that sole reason. But I will hold it back because what for? What would I cry for? If these tears will only come for naught.

"Mr. Lambrente," bati ni Vallen.

Yes, it was my father.

Unti-unti akong tumingin sa aking harapan. Dad is not alone. He's with Mom and of course, Lorraine.

"Congratulations, Lesley and Garrett,", Mom said. Lumapit siya makipagbeso sa akin. I just fakely smiled.

"T-Thanks..." I almost whispered. It hurts...

My heart is hurting.

Tumingin ako kay Lorraine. She's smirking. "Congrats, Lesley," sabi niya. Her words has no meaning in it and full of sarcasm.

"Congrats, Mr. Alejo." Ngumiti siya ng matamis kay Vallen. There's something different with her smile.

May pakiramdam ako na hindi magiging ordinaryo ang araw na ito. I mean, I just feel like Lorraine will do and up to something again.

Nakagat ko ang aking labi.

I hope my gut feeling is wrong because I do not want her to ruin this special day for me.

Tahimik akong nanalangin na sana ay wala siyang gawin...

Pero sa mga oras ding iyon ay hindi natupad ang aking panalangin.

Why...

Just why...

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