MAFIA SERIES 2: Ready, ROGUE ONE.

Kinagabihan ay naramdaman ko na ang unti-unting pagbilis ng tibok ng aking puso. The announcement of my engagement to the public is brutally nearing to its existence and I'm feeling all the bad things right now.

This is really happening. No turning back now. I just can't believe I'm finally getting caught up in a mess like marriage.

Kasalukuyan akong inaayusan ng isa sa mga kinuhang stylist ng lola ni Ethan. She mentioned that McKenzie Gold is the only one she trusts when it comes to handling events like this. I also heard from Giada that her team only caters VVIP clients.

However, I can't help but feel a little bit bothered by Ethan's sudden coldness. Although he's always been so polite still, but he wasn't his usual bubbly self. And all this happened after our little encounter at the veranda.

I wonder what set him off.

"Dear, stop creasing your forehead. Do you wanna grow wrinkles that bad?" Mackenzie joked as she tried to gently massage my forehead. I almost flinched on my seat upon my realization.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't notice." Agad kong hingi ng paumanhin. Gosh, nakakahiya. Nakalimutan kong inaayusan nga pala ako ngayon. She let out a light chuckle bago ako sinagot.

"No worries, darling. I get it. Marriage jitters? Or baka naman... lovers' quarrel?" She teased once again na ikinatahimik ko naman.

I wouldn't actually call it a lovers' quarrel. Lalo pa at una sa lahat, hindi naman talaga kami magkasintahan ni Ethan. Technically speaking, this does not count.

At pangalawa, sa pagkaka-alala ko ay hindi naman kami nag-away ni Ethan? We never even talked.. properly?

She faked a gasp and her brow shot up in curiosity.

"Oh, so it was indeed the latter?" Pag-uusisa pa niya habang patuloy pa rin ang paglalagay ng kolorete sa aking mukha.

I suddenly felt the need to clear some things up.

"N-No, it's not. Hindi naman kami nag-away ni Ethan." Agad na paliwanag ko.

I felt McKenzie pulled away from me at umayos ng pagkakatayo sa aking harapan.

"You know, hon. I've always thought that arranged marriages are a sham." Bahagya pang tumaas ang kaniyang kilay habang sinasabi ito.

Napatungo naman ako sa aking narinig.

"Kasi 'di ba, you can't be hasty with marriage, and you especially can't force love! So if it's not making you both happy, might as well try to think things thoroughly first." Seryoso niyang pagpapaala sa akin.

I appreciate how genuinely concerned she is towards my situation, but I can't help but feel bad dahil ang buong akala niya talaga ay maikakasal ako kay Ethan no matter what.

Before I could garner a response, ay muli siyang nagsalita.

"Well, that was just me lang naman. Sino ba naman ako para manghimasok sa buhay ng pamilya nang may pamilya. Kaya why don't we just think positively, and let's try to survive kahit ngayong gabi lang? Shall we?" She kept a wide smile at me, and her words were very encouraging. Kahit na hindi naman talaga ganoon ka tugma ang ilan sa mga sinabi niya sa aking sitwasyon, ay kahit papaano nakatulong pa rin siyang aliwin ako.

She continued doing my make up and when we were done ay agad na nitong tinawag ang kaniyang mga assistant upang alalayan ako sa pagsusuot ng aking damit.

The stylist mentioned that going for the simple sheath look would be perfect for this intimate garden party. They had me wear a white Molly Goddard Rosie Pintucked cotton dress.