chapter 2

"So? This is your surprise?" The smile on my lips could not be erased. He nodded and bit my nose.

"Max!" I slapped him.

"I really like biting you" His tongue softened. I pinched his nose this kissed him on his lips.

"I love you. And thank you for this. I really appreciate it very much" He nodded then carry me through the dining table. I laughed.

"Max!"

"I missed being with you in terms like this baby"

He lowered me to the chair. He sat down in front of it. The smile on my lips doesn't really go away. I feel like I'm going to faint with excitement and feel so sorry.

"Let's eat? I know you were hungry at your graduation earlier" I nodded and started moving the food. He did the same.

A few minutes later we were finished as well. A variety of food is on the table. Some were familiar to me and others I didn’t know so I didn’t move.

"You don't like that?" He pointed to a meal that had a lot of what what ingredient. I shook.

"I'm not familiar with that."

"Try it. It's delicious" I let out a deep sigh.

"Maybe next time?" He nodded and approached me. He wiped my mouth.

"The mess you really ate" he commented laughing. I just stared.

"That's how I really am so you can't do anything"

"Let's go? I h-have s-something to t-tell you" He stammered. My eyebrows rose.

"Why stuttering baby?"

"Ah basta! Come on" He pulled me towards where. On the side of the hill I hadn’t noticed before because my attention wasn’t there.

He took me to a gazebo where rose petals were all around. Fragrance of flowers and balloons hanging on the ceiling.

"Wow" Max's hand shook as he held me. Worried I turned to him.

"Is there a problem?" He shook his head quietly. But I'm not comfortable. There is something really different about what he is doing.

"Max?" He led me inside the gazebo. With every step I took, I stepped on hundreds of petals. That with every walk I feel a twinge of nervousness in my chest.

We stopped in the middle. I can't help but be amazed at the beauty of the arrangement. I feel so important that he even did this to me.

"W-What's this?" He touched both my cheeks and kissed me on the face one by one.

"Remember the last time you told me about planning a family? You said—

"M-Max" He wiped the tears who keeps falling from my eyes. He pressed his face to my neck and whispered.

"I love you baby. You said that you'll be ready if you graduate right? I t-think" I bit my lip to feel the wetness of my shoulder.

"A-Are you s-serious?" I was exhausted at all. I didn't think he remembered everything.

Max and I are six years together. I answered him when we were at highschool. He's my crush. The ultimate one. So when he flirted and I saw that he was sincere in every move, I answered him. And he stayed loyal and faithful after six years. I think we need to commit more.

"Baby?" I cried as he slowly knelt in front of me. With the arrival of the musicians I didn’t know where they came from. They just started playing a faint music.

"Oh My God M-Max" I sniffed. I was shaken and couldn't breathe.

I used to blame other stars in teleseries when they cried when someone proposed. Because I feel like they over react too much. But now, seeing him kneeling down his knees is so much kill of happiness for me.

It's nice to die in happiness!

"I know this is too fast. You just graduated. B-But baby I c-can't last long k-knowing that y-you a-aren't mine. I love you so much, Vienna Celestine Madrigal. I love you so much "He snatched a small box from his pocket. A red velvet box. I bit my lip too much!

I dreamed it right? I dreamed of it! And once it happens to me and all I see on my knees is the person I love so much, I don’t care anymore. I'll be with him for the rest of my life.

He slowly opened the box. A infinity ring matching a tiny diamonds traces welcomed me. An expensive ring. That's not possible with someone like me.

"M-Max. This is t-to much"

"No. It's not too much. That's just the thing for the person I'll love for life" Tears dripped from her eyes. I want to wipe that. But there's a part of my heart that I just let go because it's nice to feel that someone is crying because of you. That you feel like you are a precious diamond.

"I can't reach the star. I can't reach the sun nor the moon. But I can give you my whole life. My whole world. I can give you everything. My name and everything you want. J-just be m-my f-forever. Till night and d-day "He smiled at me.

"Vienna Celestine Madrigal ... Will you be my partner till forever? Will you give me the rest of your life? B-Baby ... Will you marry me?" My tears have no impetus to flow. Because of that, my vision is blurred. But I clearly heard everything. The strength of my heartbeat.

"The moment I laid my eyes on you Max is the moment I let myself be with you forever" He smiled at what I said.

I'm nervous. But I do not care anymore. I just want him. Only him.

I took a deep breath before answering.

"Yes! It's a Yes Maximor Vensantius Villano!"

I could not sleep that night. Max took me to Tita's house. I was still socializing with the guests so I was very tired. Max said goodbye after a little party. He always said 'i love you' to me and called me 'wife' even though we were engaged.

Tita even repeated what happened to me so I was able to tell the story in no time. The old man was very excited. She said she was so happy for the two of us. He was very happy and said he wanted us to have children. I was still stunned by what he said e. His advance too.

I am currently lying in bed. Not on its own and not knowing what to do. I still want to sleep but my mind is wide awake. I looked at the walk clock and saw that it was only four in the morning.

I raised my right hand where the ring was. I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at that. A very good memory happened last night.

Max loves me.

I took it and kissed it before returning it again.

I turned my phone on first before taking a shower. I saw a few massages there but mostly with Max. Others are from a few acquaintances and greet me.

After bathing. I was stunned again.

Just before everything sinks in on me.

How is Max's family? Aunt Veronica and sister Denise don't like me. Tito Rafael didn't care. What are we going to do? Who?

Should we continue it? Is our love enough? Will I really be able to fight the family of the person I love? I feel like they're the ones I'm fighting against, Mama.

I looked at the wall clock again. I gasped when I saw it was six in the morning. Time flows quickly!

"Ven! The one you can marry here!" I was startled by Tita's shout behind my door. I adjusted myself before answering.

"Yes! It's coming down!" I heard his footsteps go away. I stared at myself in the mirror before coming down.

I was just on the stairs when I saw my fiancé's wide eyes. Her messy hair, thick eyebrows and her attractive lips.

I'll be with him forever? Why does the thought seem so debilitating?

"Good morning, my wife!" He met me on the stairs and kissed me on the lips. I was even a little embarrassed because Tita and Tito were here.

I'm really thankful that they don't have children so they've considered me a child since I was orphaned.

"Good morning too baby" He picked me up and carried me to a chair.

"I love you"

"I love you more"

"No, i love you most"

"You don't know how much I love you" I smiled. He held my hand with the ring and we both stared at it.

"You'll be my Wife soon."

"Yeah, it's like you've just been dating" I laughed. He shook his head and kissed the bridge of my nose.

He took a deep breath.

"I want to have dinner at home later. Your family and mine. So we can talk about our wedding—

"M-Max" I chilled. I don't want Tita to involve her Mommy in the mockery either!

Even if it's just me.

"I know what you're thinking. Don't worry I won't leave the mother of my children"

I nodded to Max. I really want her parents to like me. But no, we are far apart. He can buy luxuries he want. But me? I need to strive hard just to have a better life. Sometimes, more is lacking.

"I won't leave you alone. Please?" His eyes twinkled. I was surprised when Tita stepped in behind us.

"Vienna needs that because you can marry this Max. You can't just get married without their family knowing. I won't allow that" He said.

I thought about what he said. I think this is the right time to face all the hindrances between us. Moreover, it has been almost two years since his mother humiliated me on the entire campus of the school.

I sucked.

"Okay"

Max said goodbye after that. The smile on the lips could not be erased. He said he would pick us up at six o'clock in the evening. I agreed.

"What will you wear Ven?" Tita asked as she stole my clothes in the bedroom. It's four o'clock in the afternoon so the closer I get, the more nervous I get.

"Ahm, anything" He nodded and nodded again.

He took a dress out of the drawer.

"This child? It's beautiful" He showed me the dress.

It's a red floral dress above the knee. Off shoulder height and with a simple small belt at the waist. I smiled. Tita also really has a taste.

"That's right, Tita"

He said goodbye and also looked for something that he and Tito could wear. I was left alone in my room. I can’t forget what will happen later. I’m not nervous about anything insulting they say to me but I’m hurt for aunt.

I consider them my own parents.

When it was five o'clock. I'm done bathing and getting dressed. I just face the mirror while combing my hair.

I talk to myself to be formal in front of Max’s family. To be casual and calm.

"Ven?" I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in, Auntie" I heard her footsteps entering. I saw his reflection from the mirror. He was also dressed.

"Are you nervous?" He took the comb and he combed my hair.

"Quite a bit" I'll admit. The old man sighed.

"I know you're having a hard time with your situation but all I can say is, fight if you love each other" I nodded.

We didn't stay there long either because Tito called and said that Max was here.

Down the stairs, he stood up as soon as he saw me.

He's wearing a tuxedo and his hair is in place accurately. He has this fresh aura that even you will collide.

"Good morning ... and to my gorgeous baby" He said and kissed me.

They laughed.

"Come on we might be late!" Max and I nodded and turned to his car.

The two adults were in the back seat while I was in the passenger seat next to Max in the driver's seat.

He held my cold hand.

"Breath. They won't harm you and your family"

We were quiet the whole trip. No one dared to speak. Even me and Max. I could hear the throb of my chest. Pride goes well with everything.

The road turned toward a massive gate. When we saw it, it immediately opened.

I looked into the distance at their mansion. There I realized the true state of our lives. He's living like a prince while I am living like a slave.

He stopped the car on the side where there was a large fountain.

"It's nice here" Tita commented. It wasn't my first time there. He brought me here when I told him that we would not have done it because my situation had worsened when he did that. My grades dropped even though I knew I was getting high. I just did Deadma. So when I grumaduate and suma cum laude I got. I was so excited. I feel, I have been forgiven by bad luck.

Max got down and opened the back seat.

He helped them get out before me.

We went inside holding hands when their giant door opened while they followed behind.

"Good evening, Sir and visitors" The maids greeted while bowing.

I was overwhelmed by the new designs that were inside. Some have changed and some are still the same. A few years have passed.

He took us to the dining area. I saw a large dining table full of a variety of food. But what made me nervous was the pair of disconcerted eyes staring at me.

"Well, the guests are already here" Refina said without emotion. I was so close to Max's arm. He turned to me and smiled.

"Mom, Dad, and sister. This is Vienna Celestine Madrigal and her Aunt and uncle who raised her like their own child"

"Who doesn't know that beautiful" Ate Denise whispered that we all heard. Refina laughed. He growled but I stopped him.

"Stop me. I can sew that woman's mouth"

"Oh, let's take a sit" Her mommy's support. Rafael didn't care and just sipped his wine.

Max sat us down one by one. is on my right while Max is on my left.

"Well, I heard that you're getting married? Is Vienna right?" I nodded even nervously.

"Opo"

"So, I'm not going to wander around anymore" He sneezed and shook his head to laugh.

"You don't belong to my child like I told you before. You don't have class. You don't have a breeding style yet. Otherwise, you don't have a brilliance. I want a woman I can be proud of."

"She's kind and smart" I could feel Tita's anger when she said that.

Tita Refina shrugged.

"Well, what am I going to do with kind and clever scourge land like him?"

"Maybe janitor mom" Ate Denise sighed. I was hurt by what he said. I bowed.

"Ate! Don't you ever say that!"

"Well young brother, it's better for you to just marry a madman than a sensible flirt" I really don't know why he calls me flirty e I'm not flirting at all!

"Fuck it! Take that back! She's not flirting!" It grinned demonically and turned to me with glaring eyes.

"Are you really not flirting Vienna? Why don't you tell my sister who you really are" I was confused by what she said.

"We're here for the fucking marriage not with your nonsense talk ate!"

"We came here for a wedding" Tita added.

She shrugged then raised her eyebrows. He took the glass of wine with the contents and threw it aa my face.

"Wash first in case your flirtatious body gets clean" I was surprised by what he did. So did aunt and Max. Tito and Tito Rafael stay calmed. Tita Refina was laughing.

"Nice one my dear child"

Irritated with anger the brother turned around.

"How dare you ate!" He also took the goblet of wine and poured it on his sister's face. I was shocked at what he did. Ate Denise pointed at me in tears.

"You're to blame for this! You poisoned Max's brain!" He said and marched away. Tita Refina shouted.

"Max! You have no respect for your sister!"

"Don't you ever dare hurt her or what! Because I'm the one you can fight!" He said and pulled me away with Tito and Tita.

My tears flowed. He stopped for a moment and looked back.

"And we will fucking continue our wedding with or without your blessing" He said and we turned to show.