Marriage.
One of the most significant decisions a person can make – choosing someone to stand beside you, for better or for worse, for the rest of your life.
For my friends, it's the happiest and most beautiful moment they could ever imagine.
Maybe for them...
But not for me.
"Serenaaaa! OMG, Ikakasal ka na girl!"
Before Macy even reached the dressing room, her excited voice already echoed down the hallway. She burst in, eyes sparkling with pure joy while her gown swishing around her legs. A few seconds later, Hanna and Kate followed, gently scolding her for being too loud.
"Congratulations, Serena. I'm so happy for you," Kate whispered, her eyes already misting with tears. Hanna, unable to hold back, burst into soft sobs as she wrapped her arms around me. Macy, the ever emotional one, quickly followed suit.
I pulled them into a tight hug, feeling the warmth of their embrace, trying to find comfort in their genuine happiness for me.
"I'm so happy for you! Wala bang pa-prayer reveal dyan?!" Macy teased, making us all burst into a fit of laughter. She had always been the clown of our group – the one who could light up even the heaviest of our hearts.
"Come on, girls. Don't make the bride cry."
We all turned at the sound of a familiar, deep voice.
Daemon?
I wasn't expecting him to be here. He had been in Spain, caught up with their family's business. He said he couldn't make it, that he had too much on his plate. But here he was, standing in front of me, looking at me like I was the only person in the room.
"I thought you weren't coming!" I said, half-relieved, half-annoyed. I playfully smacked his arm, making him chuckle as he rubbed the spot where I hit him.
"Me? Miss your wedding? Not a chance."
He opened his arms wide, that familiar, easy smile tugging at his lips — the same one that got us through high school heartbreaks, long nights, and bad life choices.
Without thinking, I ran into his embrace.
We held each other tightly, and for a moment, it was like time folded in on itself. His familiar scent — warm, grounding, unmistakably him.
My best friend.
"I missed you," he whispered near my ear, a little laugh tucked beneath his words.
"I missed you too," I breathed, smiling as I pulled back.
Before we could say anything else, Ms. Jillian, the coordinator, called my name, reminding me that the ceremony was about to begin. Macy, Hanna, and Kate gave me one last, tight hug before slipping out of the room, leaving just me and Daemon.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the wild rhythm of my heart. But Daemon must have seen right through me—the nerves I tried so hard to hide—because he stepped closer,gazing me with his softening eyes with the edge in his expression melting into something quiet... almost gentle.
"You good?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I managed a shaky nod. "Yeah... I'm good."
Without another word, he offered his arm, and I clung to it as he led me out to the waiting car. The ride to the church felt like a blur with my thoughts in a chaotic swirl of doubt and determination.
As we pulled up to the grand, flower-lined entrance, Daemon suddenly grabbed my hand, his grip is firm yet gentle, like he was trying to anchor me in place.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice low and serious. His eyes, usually so playful were filled with worry.
I hadn't told him about the deal that Isaac and I made, but he had always been able to read me like an open book.
"Just say the word, and I'll help you run away," he added, his jaw clenching slightly.
I stared at him, his words hanging in the air like a lifeline. I could see the silent plea in his eyes, the faintest flicker of hope that I might still change my mind.
I let out a shaky breath and forced a smile. "I've made up my mind, Daemon. I'm marrying Isaac."
He studied my face for a long, intense moment, as if searching for any trace of doubt and reason to stop me.
"Look... this is my wedding. You should be happy for me," I added, trying to sound confident, even though my heart felt like it was about to shatter. "Besides... Isaac isn't that bad." I forced a smile once again.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips, but he didn't argue. He just sighed and slips his hand from mine, as he leans back in his seat.
"Alright," he finally said, his voice tinged with resignation. "If you say so."
For a moment, the car fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the distant sound of church bells.
"Shall we?" I asked.
Daemon paused for a single, loaded heartbeat before pushing the door open. He stepped out and offered me his hand. I took it, feeling his warmth seep into my cold, trembling fingers as I stepped out into the bright, unforgiving sunlight, spotlighting every breath, every doubt, every thought I'd buried beneath the lace and vows. I wasn't ready. But I had to be.
As we approached the towering church doors draped in blooms too perfect to be real, my mom rushed over with her face already streaked with tears.
"I can't believe my little girl is getting married," she whispered, pulling me into a tight and trembling hug. "If only your father could see this."
Her words hit harder than I expected.
I couldn't speak. I just held her back, afraid that if I opened my mouth, I'd break.
Then, from the side, Kuya Wayde appeared.
My brother. My protector.
His jaw clenched, eyes bright with unshed tears. He didn't say a word—just gently offered me his arm like he always had, like he always would.
Together, we walked toward the entrance. The heavy doors of the church creaked open in slow, dramatic unison, and music echoed out like a wave crashing over us.
With each step down the aisle, the weight of my decision pressed harder against my chest. The entire church, a sea of flowers and crystal chandeliers, felt like a dream – or maybe a beautiful nightmare.
Everyone was here—family, friends, relatives I barely remembered, media and business tycoons in suits. All eyes were on me. Watching. Judging. Wondering how it feels to be the woman marrying the most sought bachelor of town and the sole heir of the country's one of the most powerful bloodlines.
Isaac Aziel Ramirez.
"Please take care of Serena." My Mom's voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks. Kuya placed a hand on Isaac's shoulder—firm and protective—as if handing me over with an unspoken warning.
"I will, Mrs. Atienza," Isaac answered politely.
He extended his arm as I drew closer, a quiet gesture wrapped in formality—yet it felt so much more. I slipped my trembling hand onto it, and for a moment, our eyes met.
Just a second...Just one look.
But in that single glance, everything unraveled.
The weight of everything we kept unspoken.
"Please, all be seated."
The sudden hush that swept over the church felt like a heavy, pressing silence. The only sounds I could hear were the soft clicks of camera shutters and the frantic, pounding rhythm of my heart. My pulse raced and each beat echos in my ears. Instinctively, I tightened my grip on Isaac's arm as my fingers trembling against his sleeve.
I felt his gaze on me, and a moment later, his warm hand gently enveloped mine, steadying my cold and shaking fingers. I glanced up at him startled, only to find him looking straight ahead with his calm expression, almost unreadable.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate a very important moment in the lives of Serena Isabel Atienza and Isaac Aziel Ramirez..."
Isaac leaned in slightly, his voice was low but clear enough for me to hear.
"Smile... everyone's watching," he whispered, as he curled his lips into a charming and almost affectionate smile. For a split second, I was caught off guard. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that smile was real – that he was truly, deeply in love with me.
From the outside, Isaac seemed like the perfect man – a sought-after bachelor, admired by many for his sharp mind, striking looks, and impeccable manners. A man known not just for his wealth, but for his quiet generosity and composed demeanor.
Yet, despite knowing each other for years, we had never been close. Our conversations had always been brief, polite exchanges, our worlds never really overlapping. And that's what still confuses me – why would someone like him choose someone like me to be his wife?
"Serena, please place the ring on Isaac's finger and repeat after me."
The priest's voice broke through my scattered thoughts.
As I reached for the ring, my mind raced, struggling to grasp the reality of this moment. I had dreamed of my wedding day, like most girls do, but never with someone like Isaac...
"I...Serena Isabel Atienza, take you, Isaac Aziel Ramirez, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love."
A man I never loved...
"I will trust you and honor you. Whatever may come, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, I promise to faithfully love you today, tomorrow, and forever. 'Til death do us part."
Not even a hint of affection...
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
My breath was caught.
Isaac turned to face me, and the in that instant, the noise of the crowd vanished. His eyes locked with mine—deep and unreadable—and for a moment, I couldn't move, even couldn't think. There was something in his gaze I couldn't quite name... something that made my pulse stutter and my knees weaken.
He stepped closer, slowly, like the space between us was sacred. His hand reached up to my veil, and he paused.
"May I?" he asked, his voice was steady, but I could feel it—the quiet storm beneath his calm.
I nodded, unable to find words. I lifted my arms, wrapping them around his neck like instinct, needing something to hold onto, needing him to anchor me.
He wrapped his arms around me as his breath brushed my lips. It was warm and patient. Turning my whole world tilted...
He kissed me.
Not one born of passion. But slow and deliberate. A kiss meant to be seen, but with a depth only I could feel. Like he was telling me something through it.
Like he was promising...
The room erupted in applause.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez."
And just like that...
My fate was sealed.