RJ's POV
This is it, the moment that I will be meeting the girl I am set to marry in a couple of months. I can't believe I have this feeling of excitement in meeting her. Maybe because, I really got curious about the stuff that she does. I have a strong feeling na lesbian ang Charmaine na yun eh, sino na naman kasi ang tunay na babae, ang magkakahilig sa motocross sports? Kalokohan na straight ang babaing yun.
My Dad and I are five minutes early with our appointment with the Mendozas. After a few minutes I saw Teddy Mendoza approaching our table alone. Mukhang hindi ko na kailangang magpa-annul at ngayon pa lang back-out na ang Charmaine Mendoza na kailangan ko daw pakasalan.
"Hi, sorry for being late. Kanina pa ba kayo?" Teddy Mendoza said while shaking my Dad's hand.
"No, you are just in time, kami lang ang maagang dumating and don't worry halos kararating lang rin namin." My Dad replied. "By the way, meet my son RJ. He is my junior, Richard Faulkerson, Jr." my dad said. I stood up and offer Teddy Mendoza a hand shake and he accepted it
"Good evening sir." I said.
"Good evening, you may call me Tito Teddy, RJ." He replied. "I thought we are meeting RD, nasaan ang panganay mo Ricky?" He asked my Dad.
"Katulad ng panganay mo Teddy, lumipad papuntang LA si RD two days ago." Ricky said.
"If that is the case, ibig bang sabihin RJ will take RD's place? Alam ba ni RJ what is this meeting all about?" Tito Teddy asked.
"Yes, Papa and I already explained it to him." my Dad replied
"I hope you are okay with this kind of set-up RJ." Tito Teddy said
"Honestly Tito Teddy, I am not. Who would be comfortable in this kind of arrangement?" I sincerely replied.
"Then what made you agree?" Tito Teddy asked.
"Lolo asked me to give it a try. I am not in a relationship now, so wala naman masasagasaan. Who knows, your daughter and I might become good friends." I replied. I did not tell them yet my plan about annulling the marriage. I have to discuss this first with his daughter to get her support. Mahirap nang mag-isa lang ako sa planong ng pagpapa-annul, hindi ako mananalo kay Richard Faulkerson, Sr. at Teodoro Mendoza.
"Where is your daughter?" My Dad asked.
"Naghahanap ng parking, nauna na ako dito kasi baka nga nandito na kayo. We don't want to be late." Tito teddy replied.
"Alam po ba nya kung para saan ang meeting na 'to Tito Teddy?" I asked
"Yes, pinaliwanag na namin sa kanya ni Tita Mary mo." Tito Teddy replied. "Oh, there she is"
As I looked at the entrance I saw a young lady in her early twenties. Kahit malayo pa I can see how her face perfectly fits her beautiful eyes, cute nose and that Angelina Joli shape of lips. If this is the Charmaine Mendoza that I stalk in social media then I could say that her photos in her social media accounts do not give justice in how she really looks like in person.
"Sorry to keep you waiting gentlemen, medyo mahirap ang parking dito, umabot na ako sa fifth level to get a slot." She casually said.
"I don't mind waiting for a beautiful girl like you, iha" My dad said.
"Thank you for the complement sir, but let me get this straight hindi naman po kayo ang papakasalan ko di ba?" She asked and my Dad chuckles.
"I like her Teddy, she is very straightforward." My Dad commented.
"She certainly is Ricky. Please meet my youngest daughter Charmaine Dei. Charm, he is Richard Faulkerson, Sr. and his son Richard Faulkerson, Jr." Tito Teddy said.
"Good evening, Sir" She greeted my Dad.
"Good evening iha. You may call me Tito Ricky, and this is my son, RJ." My dad said. I offered my hand to her for a handshake and she coldly accepted it, she did not look into my eyes.
"RJ? I thought I will be meeting RD." She asked.
"RD left for LA two days ago." My Dad replied
"Getting even with my Ate." She replied as she sits besides Tito Teddy fronting me
"So shall we start discussing about the wedding?" My Dad asked while I keep silent and prefers to look at the lady in front of me.
"What is there to discuss Tito Ricky? Are we talking about a church wedding? Parang hindi naman nabanggit ng Tatay ko that I will be wearing a wedding gown. I am just thinking of a civil wedding then we all go back to our personal stuff after the ceremony." Charmaine straightly asked
"I'm sorry iha, your father and I was not able to discuss about it yet, kaya siguro hindi nya nasabi sa iyo. Our family is actually expecting a grand wedding." My Dad said.
"Is it necessary? I understand that being married to your son is our only agenda here. Grand wedding are only for those couples who are truly in love with each other." She fiercely replied
"That's why we need to have a grand wedding para hindi lumabas na arranged marriage" Tito Teddy explained.
"It will be a waste of time Tay, nobody would believe that RJ and I are in love because they have not seen us together ever since. How could you convince those people in your circle that we are getting married because we love each other?" She continue talking.
I can't believe I am watching a woman right now as fierce as she is. Kung si Kuya RD ang nasa sitwasyon ko ngayon, malamang nag walk out na yun. Pero hindi ako magpapatalo sa tapang ng babaing ito.
"Then from now on, you have to spare more time to be with me in every gatherings that I will be attending." I quickly said.
"What??? Spare more time for parties? Oh no, I am not into those stuff please." She objected
"But that is your obligation as my fiancée." I said.
"Fiancée? Who's the fiancée, again?" She asked.
"You are, technically you are my fiancée now, since pumayag kang magpakasal sa akin." I replied.
"Sa kasal lang ako pumayag, hindi ang baguhin nakasanayan ko na." She said.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you have no choice kundi baguhin ang nakasanayan mo." I sarcastically said. I am the man here, hindi pwedeng diktahan lang ako ng isang babaing ngayon ko lang nakilala.
"Mukhang magiging exciting ang household nyo after the wedding." my Dad butts-in as Maine throw a sharp stare at me which I just shrugs off.
"So kelan ang kasal ng mga bata Ricky?" Tito Teddy asked.
"From three to six months, depende sa availability ng simbahan." My Dad said.
"Are we really pushing through with that church wedding?" Charmaine again asked.
"Yes we are and you cannot do anything about it, so stop complaining" Tito Teddy told her. I smirk and I make sure that she sees it.
"I already contacted a wedding coordinator, and I set a meeting with them the day after tomorrow. Make sure na magkasama kayong dalawa sa meeting na yun" my Dad said but Charmaine remains mum.
"If that's case, you have to give me your digits, Charmaine." I said
"Para saan na naman?" She asked and obviously very annoyed. Madali lang palang pikunin ang babaing ito eh therefore madaling magpa annul.
"How can we go out on a date if you will not give me your number? The people need to see us dating before the wedding." I sarcastically replied.
I can see how pissed off she is but I find her such an obedient daughter "Give me your phone." She told me and I gladly gave it to her. After she keys in her number to my phone she return it to me with a fierce look.
"Are you not going to get my digits too?" I asked to pissed her off more.
"You have my number already, you may send me a text message, magpakilala ka para masave ko ang number mo because if not diretso sa trash ang message mo. Also, I don't answer calls that is not in my phone book." she said
"Noted my future wife." I continued teasing.
"Please don't call me that." She straightly said.
"What's wrong with that, you are my future wife di ba?" I replied.
"Just shut up Faulkerson, Jr." she fiercely replied.