"Princess Esmeralda, are you ready?" Said Victor excitedly.
"Yes I am." She said while emerging from dressing room of a prestigious salon she's not familiar with.
She wear the dress they bought in her own store. It is a body fit dress which enhances the curves of her body.
Since the motiff is color peach, she wears a white silk dress with a peach accent. This was one of her most favorite designs when she's 23 years old. She never expected that Victor would pick it for her.
Paired with a delicate makeup, her beauty standout even more. All the beauticians on duty turned their heads to look at her, only to drop their jaws.
Victor was very stunned. He is speechless. The beauty before him is like a godess from a greek mytology, Aprhodite. But his eyes narrowed upon seeing the shade of lipstick she wears. This girl really loves brown shade of lipstick.
"May I suggest that you wear other color of lipstick?"
Although surprised, she agreed. It might not suitable for her outfit today. "But I dont have any other shades. It's all in the shades of brown and tan. Dont tell me we will rush to the store for just a lipstick?" All the cosmetics used by the beautician is her own personal use, and no other colors.
"No need. I have a way." Just like that, he embraced Esmeralda tightly by her small waist,while towering her. The salon employees squeeled in excitement to the lovebirds before their eyes.
Her heart flutters so much that she can hear her heart beating fast. When he cupped her face and gave her a long passionate kiss, their world stopped. She didn't even noticed that she put her arms around Victors neck. When Victor released her slowly, she was red in embarrasment. How did she reacted? Oh she only hugged him back!! Oh gush! She wished she would disappear.
"What a shameless man" she cursed in her heart.
"Thats it. Your lips is naturally red, why cover it with brown?" he said with a dreamy eyes. "I love you Esmeralda. Please dont ever change even after the wedding." He said with his forehead against hers. "Do you love me?". He did not mind the people around. Anyway, all of them are the salon employees. He have booked a one day salon treatment for her. No worries because no one is taking pictures nor recording videos.
Her mind is still in chaos after the kiss. She cant think straight since this is is her very first kiss. She never expected it to be this way. Nevertheless, she's so happy. But she's still speechless because of extreme embarassment.
"Okay lets go honey. I took your silence as 'yes' I love you Esmeralda." Victor said to her, then grabbed her hand and lead her to his car. "You might wonder where did I got this lamborgini. Well, I barrowed it from a friend." He's defensive. He's explaining though she's not asking. Esmeralda is still speechless until they reached the venue of the reception.
When they entered the hall, they were welcomed by an usherette who is stunned with them. She wonder who are these celebrity couple. All eyes were on them until they went to their seat. They are so amazed with the beautiful couple who entered just in time.
When the entourage began, they shifted their attention to the bride and groom. They are equally gorgeous. They noticed that the groom had a resemblance to the last guest who just entered. The wedding ceremony proceeded.
After the announcement that Alexander Tan and Gretchen Lim a.ka. Greta now husband and wife, Greta spotted Esmeralda from afar. She was shocked , that her finger nails dug to her palm.
She forgot to look for the esteemed guest she's anticipating - the owner of E.M.Fashion. She dont care anymore whether that CEO attends or not. She was focused on the fired secretary she hated to the core.
She recalled the praises from the employees about this womans excellence, and the way Alexander look at her with fondness in his eyes. That's why she warned the secretary to resign immediately, but she was very stubborn. And now she have the audacity to showup in their wedding day?
"Alexander, the secretary you fired have the audacity to attend our wedding. Have you invited her?" She wondered.
Alexander nods his head "No, but I think thats the girl my son is dating. From now on, lets just accept her. I dont want to intervene with my sons happiness. By the way, the man beside her is my son."
She agreed but deep inside, she promised herself that no one can steal Alexanders wealth from her. She think of a way to embarass her and let her see that their status is compared to heaven and earth. They are the heaven(unreachable), and the girl is compared to Earth which can be stepped on.
After all the guests said their best wishes, its time for the newly weds closing remarks and announcement.
"I am very glad to have you today. Please allow me to take this opportunity to welcome my only son, the heir of Tan Company, Victor Alex Tan. Lets give him a round of applause!" Its Alexander. He know, its about time to let the world know the real heir.
Victor already expected this to happen, so he was prepared. He held Esmeraldas hand tightly and pulled her up to stand beside him.
She was very surprised. She never expected that the man, her co employee she is inloved with, is her boss. Her boss! She cant hear anything right at the moment.
Her mind wanders to the scene a while back in the salon. She can still recall how her lips tingled with the kiss. And now, how on earth this is happening?
Victor, on the other hand smiled sweetly as they are standing. He planned to introduce her to everyone as his beloved woman. But when he is about to speak,his stepmother Greta speak over the microphone while looking at them.
"We are also happy to announce that my stepson finally found someone to be with him forever! Maybe they will be the next couple to hold a grand wedding." She exclaimed happily. No one know its a mask.
"As a future part of our family, would you mind to render us a song? Or for your fiancé. Just sing for us." She looks down on Esmeralda. She know she cant sing. No one in the lower class have the courage to sing infront of the upper class, not to mention the huge number of guests.
To her surprise, Esmeralda agreed. Esmeralda gave a song title "Can This be Love? " by a Filipina Artist by the name Sarah Geronimo. The song is not familiar with them so they took note of the song title to play it on youtube incase it is a beautiful song. When the accompaniment was played on the air, you can even hear a pin drop.
All eyes and ears on her, especially Victor. He had paid attention to her every move. So he never noticed anyone except Esmeralda.
When she began to sing, everyone gasped in astonishment. Her voice is too good that everyone forgot to breath.
" ..this is the first time, I'm gonna say I love you.." when she sings the chorus of the song, she looked at Victor lovingly. Now she was sure, Victor is the man she would introduce to her parents. He is proud of her eventhough in his eyes, she's a mere secretary.
"It's the first time I ever felt so helpless deep inside
If I had to say a thousand times I'd tell you once again
This is the first time I'm gonna say ' love you' ."
"Is that for me?" Interrupted Victor while she's singing.
"Yes" she answered back, in between the lines. After her song, everyone has a dreamy eyes full of admiration to the young couple.
"I love you so much, Esmeralda" he said passionately while he held her hand.
"I love you too Victor" Esmeralda replied while conquering his very loud heartbeat.They forgot that they are holding a microphone, so the huge crowd frenzied when they heard their words of love.
Everyone is chattering happily but then, a sound of a gunshot echoed through the hall, and a scream and shriek of terrified crowd followed through.