Chapter 8: Chapter 8

I have done many wrongs in my whole life, and in all of that, I have been able to admit it to myself even to those I have done. It gives me peace and stability. But I think this sin will kill me now for reasons I don't know. I feel that even though I know that everything happened by accident, I am really to blame. That I should know what I did that night. And now I'm trapped inside his arms. Just that easy and I couldn't do anything about it.

Love

Don't wear your corporates. Some dresses will do.

I smiled when I read that text from Ares again. I really can’t help but smile every time he texts. Aside from the fact that I can hear his voice is the proper way of his type. The apostrophes are complete and in place. This guy is really an almost perfect man. An ideal man indeed.

To Love

do you have a meeting outside the office?

After I sent that, I looked for something to wear. I was staring at my clothes in the closet for a while when my cell phone rang again. Assuming it was Ares, I hurried to read it but I was wrong.

Unknown Number

Why won't you reply to me? Is that how you treat your husband?

My forehead furrowed. I went back to his previous texts which were just teasing and I didn't even have a reply there. Should I? Why should I? What is he? An idiot, I supposed.

I threw my cell phone back on the bed and just chose a black sheath turtleneck dress. My guess is that Ares is going to a company gathering today. That’s not on his schedule so I’m not sure either. What can there be?

Right after I finished tidying up, the door slammed and mama's shout followed so I was confused.

"Ana! Ares is here! Aren't you done yet?"

I just smirked and hovered over the mirror again. I just smiled when I was satisfied with my appearance and hurried out. I almost forgot my cell phone. When I looked at that, I just saw three missed calls from that man and a text message.

Unknown Number

Still not replying, huh? See you.

My eyebrows went up when I read that. I stared at it for a while and felt nervous before finally coming out. I had just left the room when I saw Agatha approaching Ares. It seemed to say something to the latter just smiling at him. I thought it would end there but I frowned when I saw my sister kissing my fiancée's cheek.

"Oh, you're already there. Why are you taking so long? I have to pay for electricity and water. Your sister's tuition fee is also due today." I heard mama say so it got my attention.

I was silent and just gave her what she needed. When Ares saw me, he immediately approached me and smiled. I even saw by his side the smiling Agatha who also left quickly.

"As I expected," Ares uttered and glanced at my whole me. "You're glowing," he declared.

I just smiled and clung to his arm while I still couldn't get what I saw before. I simply pinched myself and turned my gaze to Ares. It was only then that I noticed that it was also not wearing its corporates. He was just wearing a gray button-down and black pants.

"Do you have an important schedule today? I probably didn't notice in your schedule--"

"No, we're just going to our wedding coordinator. Your wedding gown is ready." He cut off what I was going to say so I quickly looked at him.

I could feel my chest pounding.

"R-really?" Instead of answering me, he stopped walking so I stopped as well. He leaned in front of me and held my two hands. He even kissed it for a while so I couldn't help but smile at what he did. Ares is really sweet and caring. What else should I look for?

"I know it's so sudden, but I want our wedding to happen next week. Dad wants to rush it, so I am," he declared. My mind was puzzled for a minute.

"H-ha?" But I'm already married...

Ares's eyes widened as he stared at me. Before I could speak, his cell phone suddenly rang. I heard he even sneered before answering that. We headed to the car.

"What, Dad? I thought everything was fine. Why are you still pushing that?"

I looked at Ares when I heard the anger in his voice again. These days it’s always just angry and out of the mood. I also confirmed to Nikki that what Elena told me yesterday was right. That his brother is back and the Galvez has a proposal for him, but until now he still doesn't tell me about it.

"I can find a way! I've been here for six freaking years and he just arrived — I can't believe you!"

I was a little surprised by his shout. I felt scared especially when I saw his eyes blazing with so much anger. I was about to hold his hand when he suddenly lifted it and started the engine so I just kept quiet.

"I'm sorry, Love. Something came up..." Ares said softly as if calm so I looked at him. He glanced at me for a moment and frowned.

"I'll drop you off at the boutique first. I'll be back in 30 minutes or an hour. I'm so sorry," he softly told me. I could still hear the irritation in his voice.

I wanted to ask him what the problem was but I knew that would only add to his annoyance so I just nodded.

After Ares dropped me off at the boutique, he also left immediately. He didn't even go inside so I went alone. Fortunately, he left me with the staff there so I'm not embarrassed anymore.

A few more minutes as I was measuring the gown, I felt like someone was watching me. I looked around the entire boutique but I didn't see anything strange. I was just looking at my cellphone when it rang because of a text.

Unknown Number

You look stunning in that wedding gown. Should we repeat our wedding for you to wear that?

My eyes widened and I quickly looked around again when I read that. I stopped to look at the opposite boutique across the street where I was and there I saw the man looking like a model just standing there. It was also mumbling and staring at me. I could also see that annoying grin on his face.

I wasted no more time and informed the staff who were there then quickly went to the man. I could barely speak to him when I faced him when he lowered the wayfarers he was wearing and then stared at me from head to toe.

“W-what are you doing here? Are you stalking me?” I asked him directly. He grinned even more and suddenly became more serious.

"You're not replying, so I thought you wanted to talk to me in person," he said seriously to me and suddenly grabbed my hand so I quickly avoided him.

“W-what… what are you doing? Why are you here? Why are you following me?”

“Why are you measuring a wedding gown? Where's your ring, Anastacia Solei?” He asked me as if he was annoyed instead of answering my question.

I was taken aback because of what I heard. Suddenly my heart pounded as his brown eyes focused on me. It was sharp and rugged. It seems threatening. Suddenly, I was lost in words. I averted my eyes from him and turned in the other direction.

“W-we're not married, so please stay away from me. That night was just a mistake— ”

“You asked me to marry you and that's what you're going to tell me? You think you can get away with this easily, huh?”

I quickly turned to him because of what he said. “What? No.”

His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. His jaw clenched. The shape of his jaw became even more perfect because of what he did so I swallowed. He looked around for a moment before turning to me again.

“Let’s go somewhere else. Stop fighting and just go with me,” he told me emphatically and pulled me away from that place.

It's too late for me to avoid him at all. I just realized that I was in the car of a man I didn't know very well. I didn't even know his name but he already knew my full name. And why does he say that I was the one who asked him to get married? It doesn’t mean I don’t remember anything for him to make up a story and…

"So, you're supposed to get married in Vegas, but your fiancé ran away?"

He looked at me solemnly and just smiled shortly. I felt his grip tighten on my waist and at the same time, he put his head on my shoulder. I heard his heavy breathing.

“Then let's get married…”

I bit my lower lip and tightened the grip on the seatbelt. That was only a short scene but I knew

in myself that it was true. We were dancing in the middle of the night. Drowning to the accompaniment of music. Why did I say that?

I glanced at this man for a moment. He was driving seriously and quietly. His elbow rested on the window as his hand was in his mouth. His forehead was furrowed as if something was wrong. Ares and our impending wedding suddenly entered my mind. I shook my head violently and avoided looking at him.

"I will file an annulment as soon as possible," I said directly to him and looked out the window. Next, I heard his deep sigh.

“You can't provide for the needs of your family. Your mother and brother owe a lot and you are still sending your sister to school. You are the only one working. Why bother to file an annulment when you can't save some for yourself?”

My mouth fell open because of what he said. I wanted to look at him but I didn’t want him to see in my eyes that what he said was true.

"B-because I am getting married to the man I really love!" I could no longer restrain myself because of the extreme frustration I felt. “And you can’t do anything about it. Just leave me alone.”

“Fine. You can marry the man you say you really love…”

I quickly turned to him because of what he said. Suddenly the car stopped. He tilted his head then looked at me and smiled.

"If you can…" he threatened and winked. He looked down at my lips and then licked his lower lip.

Oh god. What have I done?