Chapter 3

　　The wedding is grand, indeed. It's beautiful. The skirtings of the chairs, to the decorations on the walls and flowers on the aisle is awesome. I wish I can have this someday. But I don't think I still can. No one would love a single parent like me anyway. Those were just seen on novels and televisions. We're in reality.

　　"Is she the bride?"

　　"Why she's not wearing a veil?"

　　"They didn't even announce that the bride is coming." "Why did she come in? SHe didn't practice?"

　　Those are just a few of the things I hear as I walk into the church. There are familiar faces of people inside. But I don't remember them. And I'm not planning to.

　　"Sam? Sam, is that you?" I turned to the woman who called me. My eyes widened as I faced her.

　　"Adele?" I screamed and gave her a hug.

　　"I thought I would never see you again!" I smiled and hugged her back.

　　"I miss you." She let go from the hug and stared at my face.

　　"I miss you too, Witch. You became more beautiful. You're sexy. You're still blooming." She said and grinned.

　　"Who's the new love of your life?" She even winked. She's Adele Castillo. She's my bestfriend since I was in grade school. SHe know everything about me specially all my problems. We would cry together whenever one of us had problems. I laughed softly and shook my head.

　　"Crazy. I have none." She blinked and her face showed that she did not believe what I was saying.

　　"Duh! I don't think because I saw you get off from a fancy black car." I was about to answer her when someone called my name again.

　　"Sam? My daughter?" I looked up and my eyes met my parents standing on the door frame. My mom is holding my father's hand. I said goodbye to Adele to talk to them. As I reached their direction, I bowed slightly to pay my respects. My father is a Japanese, no wonder why my surname is Kainashi.

　　"Good morning, Dad, Mom." I greeted in a low voice. Mommy hugged me.

　　"Gosh. Thank you for come back here at the Philippines." I feel her longing. And somehow, I feel guilty. She never knew about my son. She's clueless. I responded to her hug.

　　"I miss you too, Mom." She let go of the hug first. She looked up and blinked. After a minute, she also looked down and smiled at me.

　　"How's your life in Japan? You are famous here in Cebu. Especially in Manila. You're such a good writer and I'm so proud of you." You won't be if you knew about my son, mom. You'll never will be proud of me.

　　"I'm good, Mom. I'll just be here for a while. I have a project outside the country. So, I'm leaving tomorrow." I lied.

　　"Immediately? Can't you extend for a few days first. It's been five years, Hija." Daddy replied at the back. I smiled and shook my head.

　　"I can't, Dad." Our conversation was interrupted when a man approached our place.

　　"Dad, Mom. It's a good thing that you've arrived. Where's Resha?" Said the guy behind me.

　　"Oh. Hello there, Isaiah. She's on her way. We even had a hard time with her gown." My Mom replied.

　　"By the way, Hijo. This is Sam, my youngest." I was hesitant to face him. I took a deep breath and slowly released it. I slowly faced the man who spoke. It was as if I had jumped from standing when I found out who he was. He's looking for my sister Resha. And he called my parents 'mom and dad'.

　　"So, Isaiah. Again, this is my youngest, Sam Alexis Kainashi." Mommy patted him on the shoulder.

　　"Sam, Hija. This is Isaiah Kaius Imperial. Your sister's groom and your brother-in-law."

　　I remained on my spot. I just stared at him. This is him after five years? His physical is still the same, but he looks more mature right now. Long eyelashes, olive toned skin, dark brown eyes and hair, pointed nose. My eyes dropped to his lips. I closed my eyes tightly. Don't go down there. He's your sister's groom and will be husband later on. I opened my eyes and found him staring at me intently. I sneezed before extending my hand.

　　"I'm Sam Alexis. Your wife's sister." I smile at him. He blinked and looked at my hand. He took a deep breath and accepted my hand.

　　"I'm Isaiah Kaius Imperial." We shook hands. I let go of his hand first. It was also the right time to announce that the bride had arrived. I smiled at him first before I faced my Mommy.

　　Mommy smiled. "Come on. Just follow where you are going. The bride will follow you." I just nodded. That is when everyone formed a line. As the music begins, the march starts. One by one of the abbey, flower girls, ring bearers and godmothers and godparents marched one by one. When I will be the next march. Even if I want to walk fast to finish immediately, I know that's being unprofessional. My sister is getting marrie and It would be so rude. So even though I want to run, I choose to walk calmly. Head held high, stomach in, breast out, and I walked like a queen. I am used to wearing heels because I also went through being a model. While walking, it is inevitable to hear conversations even when the music is loud.

　　"She's even better than the Bride out there."

　　"Of course. She's Sam, my favorite author."

　　"She's more perfect with a groom."

　　"Shut up! The noise of your mouths."

　　I want to roll my eyes. Seriously, even the church has no sanctuary. And I'm still in the middle of the aisle. Is it this long? As I approach the front, I can see the groom. Standing there and looking intently at me. His face makes my mind wanders back to my son. I bowed when I got next to him. I immediately went behind him and looked at the door. I can't stand him near me. I forced myself to focus my eyes on the door slowly opening. And there goes my sister. My parents are on either side of her.

　　"Hi." I looked to the side when someone spoke. I immediately smiled.

　　"Hello."

　　"Maid of honor?" He asked and I nodded.

　　"Yes." I answered.

　　"I'm Bryle Kim. The best man." He introduced himself as he extended his right hand. I no doubt accepted his hand.

　　"I'm Sam Alexis."

　　"Sam Alexis? Your name seems familiar." He replied. I just shrugged.

　　"Maybe because I'm the bride's younger sister? And ..." I looked down at my hand he was still holding on.

　　"Your hand." He immediately let go of my hand and scratched his nape. "S-sorry." I composed my smile.

　　"It's okay." I turned again to my sister who was nearby. When she arrived at our place, she hugged Mom and Dad first. Then her eyes settled on me. I smiled and stepped forward. Without saying anything, she give me a hug. I smiled and hugged her back.

　　"Congratulations, my sister. You deserve this." I whisper. We let go of the hug. SHe touched my cheek and smiled at me.

　　"Thank you for your support, Sam." I did my best to smile even though I wanted to cry. I'm so happy for my sister.

　　"Don't mind it. I'm always behind you." SHe nodded and hugged me again. I turned to Isaiah and smiled.

　　"Take care of my sister." With an stoic face, he answered.

　　"I will." I hugged him as a sign of acceptance for him to be part of the family. And as he snake his arms on my waist to answer my hug, million and million of electrifying volts were sent all over my body. It was as if I was burning away from him. His eyes showed the wonder of what I had done. But I manage to smile and faced my sister.

　　"Please be happy with your new life." I said.