#4th chapter It's Not Goodbye

CHAPTER 4
 
"Princess Esmeralda, are you ready?" Victor said excitedly.
 
"Yes, I am." She said while emerging from the dressing room of a prestigious salon she's not familiar with.
She wears the dress they bought in her store. It is a body-fit dress that enhances the curves of her body.
 
Since the motif is the color peach, she wears a white silk dress with a peach accent. This was one of her favorite designs when she was 23 years old. She never expected that Victor would pick it for her.
Paired with delicate makeup, her beauty stands out 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 an enchantress. But his eyes narrowed upon seeing the shade of lipstick she wears. This girl loves the brown shade of lipstick.
 
"May I suggest that you wear another color of lipstick?" He suggested.
Although she surprised, Esmeralda agreed. It might not be suitable for her outfit today. "But I don't have any other shades. It's all in the shades of brown and tan. Don't tell me we will rush to the store for just a lipstick?" All the cosmetics used by the beautician are her 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 squealed 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 Victor's neck. When Victor released her slowly, she was red in embarrassment. How did she react? Oh, she only hugged him back! Oh, gosh! She wished she would disappear.
 
"What a shameless man." she cursed in her heart.
 
"That's it. Your lips are naturally red, why cover it with brown?" he said with dreamy eyes. "I love you, Esmeralda. Please don't 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 salon employees. He has 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 can't think straight since this 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 embarrassment.
 
"Okay, let's go honey. I took your silence as 'yes'. I love you Esmeralda." Victor told her, then grabbed her hand and led her to his car. "You might wonder where I got this Lamborghini. Well, I borrowed it from a friend." He's defensive. He's explaining eventhough she's not asking. Esmeralda kept silent until they reached the venue of the reception.
 
When they entered the hall, they were welcomed by an usherette who was stunned with them. She wonders who this celebrity couple is. All eyes were on them until they went to their seats. They are so amazed at 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 fingernails dug to her palm.
 
She forgot to look for the esteemed guest she's anticipating - the owner of E.M.Fashion. She doesn't care anymore whether that CEO attends or not. She was focused on the fired secretary whome she hated to the core.
 
She recalled the praises from the employees about this woman's excellence and the way Alexander looked 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 dares to show up on their wedding day?
 
"Alexander, the secretary you fired dares to attend our wedding. Have you invited her?" She wondered.
 
Alexander nods his head "No, but I think, that's the girl my son is dating. From now on, let's just accept her. I don't want to intervene with my son's happiness. By the way, the man beside her is my son."
 
She agreed but deep inside, she promised herself that no one can steal Alexander's wealth and attention from her. She thinks of a way to embarrass her and let her see that their status is like 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, it's time for the newlyweds' closing remarks and announcement.
 
"I am very glad to have you today. Please allow me to take this opportunity to introduce to you my only son, the heir of Tan Company, Victor Alex Tan. Let's give him a round of applause!" It's Alexander. He knows, it's about time to let the world know the real heir.
 
Victor already expected this to happen, so he was prepared. He held Esmeralda's hand tightly and pulled her up to stand beside him.
 
She was very surprised. She never expected that the man, the co-employee she is in love with, was her boss. Her boss! She can't 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 is this happening?
 
Victor, on the other hand, smiled sweetly as they were standing. He planned to introduce her to everyone as his beloved woman. But when he is about to speak, his stepmother Greta speaks 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 knows that her sweet smile is just a mask to her dark heart.
 
"As a future part of our family, would you mind rendering us a song? Or for your fiancé. Just sing for us." She looks down on Esmeralda. She knows that she can't sing. Also, no one in the lower class dares to sing in front of the upper class, not to mention the huge number of guests.
 
To her surprise, Esmeralda agreed. Esmeralda gave a song titled, "Can This Be Love? " by a Filipina Artist by the name Sarah Geronimo. The song is not familiar to them so they took note of the song title to play it on youtube in case it is a beautiful song. When the accompaniment was played in 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 so good that everyone forgot to breathe.
 
" ..this is the first time, I'm gonna say I love you.." when she sang the chorus of the song, she looked at Victor lovingly. Now she was sure Victor was the man she would introduce to her parents. He is proud of her even though 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 I love you ." her melodious voice .
 
"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 for 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 were holding a microphone, that's why the crowd was frenzied when they heard their words of love.
 
Everyone was chattering happily but then, a sound of a gunshot echoed through the hall. A scream and shriek of a terrified crowd followed through.