2. Secret wedding.

Weekend came about so quickly. Before I knew it, I was with my grandfather and we were talking with the Dela Vegas in his house.

Marionne and Ben Dela Vega were a sweet couple. They didn't say anything about how huge I was nor did they try to convince me to lose weight.

My future groom, Nicholas, was a poker face. When he saw me, he didn't say anything except for a short "hi". But he was respectful towards my grandfather like he was his own.

I wondered how Grandpa had a close relationship with our visitors. As far as I could remember, there was not a single instance that I saw my grandfather with the Dela Vegas.

Maybe I just didn't care enough when he was still actively involved in our business?

"So, we're gonna set the wedding when?" Marionne asked. If I am right, I could actually see genuine excitement on her face.

"We shall leave that matter to you," answered my grandfather. "After all, my darling Angelina is fine with whatever your decision is."

"Oh, that's wonderful then, Mr. Samaniego," Ben said.

"Call me Uncle. Haven't I always told you that we are family? There's no need to be so formal."

"Of course, Uncle Damien. Thank you for your trust in our boy here. Rest assured that we will make sure he treats Yna well."

Ben patted Nicholas' shoulders. For me, it was like a cue. Because after that, Nicholas smiled at Grandpa as he began saying what's on his mind.

"Grandpa, if Yna will agree, I would like the wedding to be held in the first week of next month," Nicholas said, throwing me a quick glance and returning his gaze towards grandpa at once. As if he couldn't bear to look at me for more than a second.

With that, I bit my lower lip in embarrassment. Why am I even here? I told Grandpa that I oppose this marriage because I couldn't ruin Nicholas' image by tying him to a marriage with me.

Yet, when the weekend came, just one call from Grandpa and I am here. So, yeah. Maybe I did want to be married to this handsome man in front of me.

Nicholas was undeniably gorgeous in his attire today and I'm just trying my best not to steal him a glance from time to time.

"That's in two weeks, grandson," Grandpa responded, a little hesitant.

It was just then that I realized what Nicki said. Indeed, wasn't he setting the date so soon? I can't even lose a hundred pounds that quick!

"Grandpa, we are not announcing the wedding to the public. So, two weeks is enough to prepare a private wedding," Nicki continued.

His words drastically changed Grandpa's countenance. He was angry at Nicholas' idea of a private wedding. We weren't dumb. The man was suggesting a secret wedding!

I felt my heart break. That's how disgusting I am to him that he didn't want anyone else to know about us?

"How dare—"

"Grandpa!" I immediately cut my grandfather and held his hands before he could stand up and smash Nicholas with his cane. I knew I had to agree with Nicholas so I wouldn't appear so pathetic. "You know, I actually agree with his idea. A secret wedding is not that bad. This whole marriage thing will surely embarrass them if we let the public know–"

"No, Yna. That's not about it," Ben interrupted me. "This is actually an honor for us to be a part of your family. Just the thing is, we don't want anyone to misinterpret your marriage. People would surely ask why you suddenly got married. I believe that's what my son meant."

"I don't care what the people would think!" Grandpa said angrily. "What do you think of my granddaughter? She doesn't deserve a grand wedding? If you feel embarrassed about this, then the wedding is off!" He stood up and was about to leave the room.

Okay. I agree with that too. It's probably best to call the wedding off. After all, I'm not comfortable. I just feel like there's something I'm missing here.

The true intention, perhaps? That's right. Nicki wouldn't agree to this if he wouldn't gain something from this sacrifice that he was about to do.

"You got it wrong, Grandpa," Nicholas calmly stood up as well and tried to ease up my grandfather. "Of course, Yna deserved a grand wedding. That's why we should do the wedding right. Didn't you want us to marry before your birthday in a month's time? I don't want to give Yna a rushed grand wedding. We should plan all the little details carefully to perfection. And that would take time. So, a secret wedding in two weeks is perfect for me. But if Yna has other plans, I'd be happy to hear what she has in mind."

With that said, he shifted his gaze on me again. His emotionless eyes told me nothing.

"I–," I gulped. "I–."

'Come on, Yna? Why are you stuttering?' I reprimanded myself as my mind went nuts. What am I supposed to say? I am not like this. No one had ever rendered me speechless like this. Why did a mere cold and blank gaze from Nicholas send my mind blank?

"Yna, dear, think about this carefully," Marionne held my hand.

I was ready to say that I agree with Grandpa. But when I saw the sadness in my old man's eyes, I changed my mind. It might be because rejecting Nicholas Dela Vega's idea of a wedding would mean my grandfather would have to start searching for another willing person to marry me again.

But I know that it's okay with Grandpa. Because he loves me and I am that important to him.

But what about me? Would I let him do that shameful thing again? Would I let him beg random people to marry his fatso grandchild? So, I made a decision.

"Grandpa, Nicholas is right," I said, looking only at my grandfather even if Nicki was just beside him. "Besides, you know what I want. I don't like people talking about me. If we make this marriage public, they will surely say nasty things about me."

"Why are you thinking like that, Angelina? You are not lesser person because—"

"Just agree, Grandpa!" I snapped. I did not want him to say that I'm fat and all. It's embarrassing!

"Are you sure about this?" Worry was still in his eyes.

"I am," I affirmed, risking looking at my future groom, who at a fleeting moment, tugged the corner of his mouth into a smile. But no. Did he just… smirk?

"Great," Nicholas said. "Shall we plan the details, Grandpa?" he added, guiding back my grandfather to his seat.

Boy, I felt like I just dug my own grave like a very willing victim looking for her death.

—

Two weeks passed like a gust of wind. When I woke up on the morning of my wedding day, I couldn't believe I was about to end the bachelor days of the most handsome man I've ever known.

Although Nicki and I never talked again after that weekend in Grandpa's house, I was in constant communication with his mom. I didn't actually understand why Marionne was excited.

Like why? Did she really genuinely wanted me for a daughter-in-law?

I let the thought slip in the back of my mind as I put on my wedding dress. It was a simple white dress, but still an expensive one. I didn't want to look like a clown or a trying hard bride in a designer's gown. So, this would do.

"This is ridicilous! What are you wearing, Yna?" My cousin, Bettina, suddenly barged in my room. "That's basically a rug! Are you trying to insult Nicholas more than he already is?!"

"A rug costing hundred thousand dollars?" I frowned but not really offended. This was Bettina, my good for nothing, beauty without brain cousin.

"Whoah?! That much? Weren't you scammed, Yna?" she asked exagerratedly. "You know what, change into something else. A pink gown, perhaps? That way, you would just let your true nature show. A pig!" she burst out laughing after that.

"Nicholas didn't mind when I showed him the dress, so why would you?" I asked back, rubbing in her face that my groom approved my attire.

But the truth was, I was hurt. She was right. I am a pig. I did try losing weight over the past two weeks. But I guess, I haven't successfully shed ten pounds.

"You know, I still don't understand why Grandpa would have to choose Nicholas for you. I mean, I understand that he needed to basically marry you off because no one in his right mind would accept a pig like you. But then, Nicholas–"

I continued fixing myself to the best that I could manage and paid Bettina, who continued to blabber, no mind.

"I mean, why not me?" she frustratingly stomped her feet like a child. "Nicholas deserved someone like me!"

"Alright, alright. If you wanted so badly to marry him, go and present yourself as his bride!" I said, trying not to lose my cool as I let my beautiful black hair cascade in my shoulders.

"I cannot do that!"

"Then stop complaining here. Go and ask Grandpa instead. You still have thirty minutes to stop this wedding!" I rolled my eyes and watched her exit my room.

I walked to my window and pulled the curtain to the side. The wedding venue was just right in Grandpa's backyard.

We have a few selected visitors aside from Nicki's family and mine. It's a very private, not to mention, a secret wedding.

Whatever everyone would witness today, they swore to never ever tell anyone. Only Nicholas and I had the right to announce our marriage at the right time.

I sighed. I can't believe I agreed to this.

"Really, Yna?" I asked myself.

Before I get emotional, I left the window and waited patiently until my presence was required in the ceremony.

—

And just like that, in a matter of an hour, I married Nicholas Dela Vega.

Everyone was happy, at least, we all looked happy. But I knew, in our hearts, there's the lingering doubt.

Bettina for example, she was envious. My other cousin, Pamela, was smiling. Yet it was obvious that she wasn't very happy. My Aunts and Uncles are doubtful of what the Dela Vegas would get from this marriage.

I could not say they were wrong. I am doubtful myself.

When the groom was told he could already kiss the bride, Nicki looked down at me for a second with his still icy eyes before he bent and kissed my forehead.

Of course! It had to be my forehead. I was expecting him to just kiss my head or not kiss me at all!

'Liar!' My mind said. 'You actually looked forward to that kiss!

I dismissed my thoughts and smiled at our families. Grandpa was teary-eyed. He was happy. And for me, it's worth everything seeing his smile.

"Welcome to our family, Yna," Ben and Marionne hugged me. Well, it was warm. I didn't expect that.

"Thank you," I whispered. My eyes accidentally caught a glimpse of Nicki who was just watching us.

I didn't understand why he was so distant and cold. Then again, he was forced into this. That's understandable. I pulled my gaze away as Grandpa approached me.

"Now, I can already die anytime," he said.

"If you dare die, I will divorce that man at once," I answered. Just thinking about how I might lose my old man anytime soon gave me the fear in my heart.

"Angelina, that's not how a marriage work. From now on, strive to be a better version of yourself for your husband. I don't want to hear that word divorce again. Understood?" Grandpa sternly said.

"Alright. Just don't say you will die again."

"I'm old. Do you think I still have a lot of years ahead of me?" he asked, seemingly wanting to knock some sense into my head. And then he called Nicholas. "I am entrusting you my granddaughter from now on, Nicholas. Do not make her cry. Remember, I will make you pay for every drop of tear."

"Of course, Grandpa!" Nicholas laughed. "I wouldn't dare. I believe that Yna and I have a good future together," he said, looking at me with his blank eyes.

How could he do that? Say another thing and look at me with such an air of enigma.

What was this man really up to?