Lavender

The room is filled with lavender aroma. They said it was a sedative to relieve my nervousness.

Who wouldn’t be nervous? It’s my wedding day!

I glance at the huge mirror. My makeup is almost done. It’s simple yet my features are perfectly highlighted.

“Did I think your wedding was simple and private? Why is there the media and so many people?”

“You can’t hide a Morrisons wedding.” Freeda said behind me.

“Anyway, Celiza’s beauty deserves to be broadcast!”

“I’m excited for you Ate Celz! When I saw you in Kuya’s car I knew you’re the one he’s gonna marry!”

“Wow, you really saw what?” Miranda.

“Well, maybe my brother too.”

“Oh what are you doing here inside?”

“We’re just reminiscing, Aunty!”

“This isn’t the day for that, maybe what else do you remember!” she laughed.

“Mom!”

“Why? I didn’t say anything ah! Anyway you look gorgeous Celiza! This is where you really fit in, in luxury.”

“Mom, stop it. Anyone can hear you. Freed is just here, oh!”

“Oh no worries Tita! It’s true what Tita said that you’re really good here ate Celz! Just look at you!”

“Oh right? Very beautiful child! Mother’s mana!”

“Where’s Dad?”

“Still in church. Is that over?”

“Almost done Mom.”

“I wonder if Aurora is going.”

“You invited her Mom? Why? I mean—”

“Ethics, Celiza. Another is that he must witness the good events in your life so that he can be even more vigilant.”

“Haynako Mom no.” I shook my promise. It’s definitely not going to go because Tito is still in the hospital. My wife will take precedence over my marriage.

“Ay bet really Tita! Very witty!” Miranda laughed.

“So you should have invited your chaka highschool friends Celiza!”

“There’s fb live.”

“Pota bongga!” Laughter filled the room.

“Mommy?” I followed the gaze in the direction of Freeda’s eye.

“What are you doing here? Don’t say you’re going to stop the wedding? It won’t happen—-“

“Can we talk?”

My brows furrowed, she said it straight.

“You can’t talk with my daughter.”

“Mom its alright. Leave us first.”

“Are you serious Celiza? Maybe later—-“

“Mom is fine.”

She sighed. “Fine. We’re only outside if you need us. And don’t stay here long because your wedding is about to begin.”

I nodded and faced Mrs. Morrison.

“I’ll get straight with you——”

“You can’t talk me out of the wedding Mrs. Morrison. I know you don’t like me but you have to accept that I am the woman Magnus loves as much as I respect you as Magnus’ Mother, the first woman he loved. You’re important for him and I don’t want to stand in between the two of you. “

“I’ll admit it. I don’t want my son to marry you. But I don’t want him to live an unhappy life. You see …”

“Alfredo—- His dad is forced to marry me. He had no choice. He tried to fight it but as soon as he heard I was pregnant with Magnus he agreed to marry me. I … I didn’t pay attention to how he felt because I was happy he’s married to me. He’s never cold towards me and Magnus. He never expressed how mad he was at me. He loves our children more than anyone else. But even after years, we already have two children. He never looks at me the way he did with the woman he loves. “

She took a deep breath.

“I don’t want Magnus to relive his father’s misery. Even though it’s hard I will push the selfishness out of my system to prevent the mistakes I did. I want my son to be happy and I know Alfredo longs to be happy too. “ Her teary eyes stared at me, her emotions were inconceivable.

Its like she took off her mean mask to be true for once, not just for Magnus but for herself.

My eyes remained on her. I can’t believe I’m hearing this from her. She finally freed herself from greed and viciousness. She truly accepts Magnus’ decision now but why does it seem like she’s not only freeing herself from greed and selfishness?

“I want Aira to be the wife of my son because I like her. I keep on pushing her to him without knowing how she feels whenever Magnus chooses you over her.”

He smiled bitterly. “I don’t want her to end up like me. No matter how she built a family he wanted, she will never give him his happiness. Even though she won over his true love she will never win his heart.”

A tear escaped her eyes.

My chest tightened. Her truth saddened me. Her words are deep and real. She’s lost in her feelings that it felt like she’s pertaining to herself rather than Aira.

“Mrs. Morrison—-“ before I could even comfort her she cut me off.

“I’ll allow this marriage to happen but I still don’t like you Celiza.”

“The feelings are mutual.” I joke to lighten up her mood. She chuckled but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. It wiped away the tears dripping down his cheeks.

“Thank you Mommy.”

Her brows raised. “I agreed to the wedding but that doesn’t mean you can call me that. Its still Mrs. Morrison for you.”

In that instant her mean mask is back again.

“Just try.” I laughed.

“No matter how hard you try. I’ll never allow you to call me like that—-“

“Emelda?”

Her eyes widened when Tito Alfredo walked in the room. His piercing eyes darted to her. She senses the seriousness of her voice.

“Are you forcing her to stop the wedding?”

“That’s not what you think.”

“Why are you doing this Emelda? Why won’t you let your son be happy—-“

“I did. I came here to say that I accept her relationship with Magnus that I wont bother them anymore.”

“Is that true Celiza?”

“Yes, of course it is. I mean, yes. In fact, Mommy Emelda allowed me to call her Mommy. She was the one who suggested it.”

I chuckled when she glared at me.

“Well then, let’s go now. Anyway, you look gorgeous Celiza. We’ll go first and the guests are already waiting.”

“Thank you po, see you!”

After they left, Mom and Mirand opened up to me.

“What happened?”

“Were you hurt? Oh, that woman can really taste me!”

“Mom, no! She didn’t do anything.”

Her brow raised. “What was said?”

“She seems to be ready for the wedding.”

“Really ?!” and Freeda.

I nodded.

“Agreed? Maybe it’s money or a bag — you’re married to him?”

“Not Miranda. She’s really willing.”

“Tsk. Maybe I’m sorry for what he’s going to do to you and Magnus.”

“She wants Magnus to be happy.”

“It’s all right! That’s right first! Your hair isn’t done yet. Let me fix it. Miranda, call it that,” she said.

Miranda followed suit. They just quickly fixed my hair. Miranda and Freeda left first to see what was going on outside while Mom stayed with me.

I caressed the soft fabric gown. I looked in the mirror again.

This is the day you’ve been waiting for Celiza, you’re getting married!

The photographer took a moment to be included in our wedding photos. The photographer hadn’t taken many shots when the door suddenly opened.

“Ate Celz …” Freeda said. Her eyes are teary. Her face reddened and she swallowed multiple times.

Why does he look like that? Why does he seem restless?

It’s been a while since I’ve been so excited. So why is his forehead furrowed and like tears?

Shit.

I don’t know why but my chest throbbed harder because of his appearance.

“Freeda, why ?!” I stammered.

He quickly opened the flat screen of the hotel room.

‘Now there are spreading pictures of famous international model and famous engineer Tommy Christian or Toci Alberson with a beautiful woman in the car who according to our source is also a local model Celiza Carosca. The pictures are now viral on social media and all netizens are asking who Celiza Carosca really is in the life of the famous engineer and international model. ‘

I stiffened where I stood. My heart thudded rapidly.

Shows pictures of us kissing in her car. We’re drunk on that! How was that obtained? Did I also get pushed with him?

“Oh my ---” mom covered her mouth.

The bottom of my eyes got hot.

Why ?!

For what reason

Wherefore

Why does that issue have to come up now ?!

I turned to Freeda. It looked sad at me. I’m sure Magnus has seen that!

What will happen?!

What if he didn’t show up at our wedding because of that ?!

How ?!