Chapter 1 Marriage

• VERONICA LUNA
• "Luna, I want you to meet my boyfriend." My twin Camille promised as I was dragged outside.
• My hair stood on end when a tall man got out of the car. I was at a loss for words over his sheer hotness, and far too fascinated by the man walking toward us. Camille hugged the man by the arm. I don’t know but Camille seems to be forced to act.
• "Luna, I want you to meet, Dylan Caden. My boyfriend."
• "Hi." He smiled.
• I saw him extend his hand but couldn't bring myself to shake it. And I couldn't tear my eyes away from his face. When his brows snapped together at the delay, I lurched back to reality and hastily placed my cold hand in his large, warm one.
• "Luna," I murmured breathlessly. His strong handshake sent tingles up my spine and through my body.
• "Veronica was right. You're identical." His laughter was music to my ears.
• "Ahm, yeah." I smiled sparingly and both my cheeks warmed.
• Veronica is what she calls Camille. We both have Veronica by name, I am Veronica Luna and my twin is Veronica Camille. It was our mother's name, but we never saw it because she died giving birth to us.
• "How long have you been together?" I asked as we walked into the house.
• Dylan turned to me and I averted my gaze. My heart is beating so fast. "Let's see, six months."
• I just nodded and we went inside. We found Papa sitting on the one sitter sofa. His eyes were cold when he looked at me. I bowed my head and stopped walking.
• "What's wrong?" Camille whispered.
• "I should leave. Papa might get angry."
• "No. Don't leave. Stay with me." Begging for it. Wondering at the tone of his voice I chose
• not to leave it.
• Dad stood up as Dylan approached. "Dylan Caden! I thought you weren't going."
• Dylan smiled and shook Dad's hand. "Hello, sir."
• We sat down and the maid brought a snack into the living room. "Any special reason why you visited at this hour? It's past dinner time."
• Dylan cleared his throat and took one of Camille's hands. "Uncle, I want to marry your
• daughter."
• I think Dad expected the announcement because he doesn’t look shocked. But I could feel Camille stiffened next to Dylan. I felt her anxiety.
• "Isn't too fast? You both know each other for only a few months, am I right?" I butt in.
• Dad glared at me, his expression was dark. "You're not involved in this conversation and you're
• not the one to decide on it. So, leave."
• "B-But, 'Pa—"
• "I said, leave! Now!"
• I got up and headed to where our pool was. I removed my sandals and dipped my leg in the water. I don’t know how long I’ve been mesmerized by the absence. I just felt that someone was beside me. Camille also dipped her feet in the water.
• She sighed. "I'm going to get married, Luna."
• "You didn't reject him? You've only dated for six months."
• Her feet partly played with the water. "We need him, Luna."
• "What do you mean by that?"
• "Dad lost the gamble and got into big debt. We're going to sink, Luna."
• I looked into the distance. "Camille."
• "Yeah?"
• "He's your boyfriend and you love each other; I think everything will be alright. You are kind and understanding, I'm sure your relationship will work."
• She laughed softly. "Sometimes I think I'd rather be you. I want to be invisible too."
• "You don't know how it feels to be treated like air, Camille. It's hard. Why did Mama die because of me?"
• They thought Dad had only one child. I was not seen on the Ultrasound because Camille allegedly covered me and when Mama took me out, she was out of breath.
• "It's not your fault at all. Other people's brains are just narrow, Luna. One day, he will realize that he's lucky to have a daughter like you." Camille said softly as she looked at the water.
• "Congratulations. You're going to be a Reyes."
• "Yeah." She laughed heartily. "Someday, I'm going to be free as a bird."
• I never asked her what she meant by that. When Dylan left, I watched his car until I could no longer
• see it.
• A few days passed and Camille was too busy arranging her wedding. We hardly see each other anymore because of the amount of work he does. While I do a lot of clothing designs because my customer needs to see that tomorrow. I drank almost a few coffees just to keep from falling asleep, because the deadline was small, and I still lacked the best design.
• I was sitting in front of my table and my eyes were already closing when my door opened, and Camille entered. I was drowsy. I looked at my watch and found that it was four o'clock in the morning and I was still not sleeping.
• "Hi," she says.
• "Why are you still up?" I yawned.
• She averted her gaze. "Uhm, because I just want you to sign something."
• I looked at the folder she was holding.
• "Huh? What?"
• "Ahm, I want to make you a partner in the new business I'm going to build. Uhm, just sign
• here."
• I held out my hand. "Give me."
• When I touched the folder I felt dizzy. Camille immediately approached me.
• "Sign that and go to sleep."
• "Wait, I'll read more." I searched for my reading glasses, but Camille stopped me.
• "Don't. I won't fool you because you're my sister. Just sign here," she says. I nodded and picked up the ballpen and signed it. I sparingly smiled at her and walked over to my bed.
• After two days I flew to the Cagayan De Oro to deliver the drafts. I scheduled flights on the day of Camille's wedding because that's the only available day. After all, it's peak season this December.
• When I entered the airport some passengers were upset due to the flight delay. I panicked because the ceremony would start in a few hours. I called Camille to tell her my situation
• "I'm sorry, Veronica Camille. I can't reach your wedding." I said tearfully. I didn't want to miss my only sister's wedding. But because I also didn't expect my plane to crash back to Bulacan.
• "What?!"
• "I'm sorry. My flight will be delayed." I’ve been walking around the airport a few times and been restless.
• "E-Even at the r-reception?"
• I bit my lower lip. "Sorry."
• "N-No, Luna. I-I'm the one who should apologize to you." Her voice was trembling.
• "Huh? Why? Did something happen?"
• "N-Nothing. All right. Be careful."
• "W-Wait—"
• "Bye, Luna." She says almost in a whisper.
• "Hey, wait!" She didn't wait for me to speak. I called her several times, but she isn’t answering the call.
• After Camille's wedding day, I boarded the plane. I travelled quickly to Bulacan.
• I paid for the taxi when I got to our subdivision. I walked towards the house. I opened the door and sighed when I saw Dad and Dylan in the living room.
• My face lit up. Dylan is still here so that means, Camille is here too.
• "Where's Camille?" Dad got up quickly and I was shocked when he threw the flower vase next to him at me, and I avoided it. I almost screamed in shock.
• "W-Why?"
• "You're still acting like you don’t know?! Where's Camille !?" I looked at Dylan. This was the first time he had raised his voice at me and was furious.
• "W-What? I don't know." I was so confused.
• Dad came up to me and touched my hair. I cried when I saw the anger in his eyes.
• "What did you tell her?!" He pulled me closer to where Dylan was. I winced at the pain I felt.
• Dad released me and pushed me to sit next to Dylan.
• I looked at Dylan. His eyes swelled as if he had just cried. "Don't you know better where she is? She's your wife."
• "No. She isn't."
• "H-Huh?"
• He showed me a paper. It was their marriage certificate. But I was even more surprised when I saw my name written on it and I signed it.
• "Tell me, Luna." Dylan touched my arms. I winced in pain. "Where is Camille and what does that mean?!"
• "I do not know!" I'm confused. Why are they so mad at me? "I'm also confused as to why my name is on the marriage certificate."
• "Bullshit!" Annoyed he says. "Come with me, and we'll check to see if I'm really at fault."
• We went somewhere and checked my signature there. When I found out it wasn't my signature, the marriage was null and void.
• "What's the result?" I was devastated to hear Dylan's authoritative voice.
• I bent down and straightened up in my seat. Facing us was a man who had checked my signature and a lawyer.
• "This is authentic. Miss Garcia, based on the strokes of your signature and your signature on the marriage certificate are identical." Said the professional who checked my signature.
• "H-How—" I swallowed. "Can't a marriage be annulled?"
• "Annulment." The attorney said we were invited as well.
• I looked at Dylan. I saw the anger in his eyes. His jaw was also furious. I suddenly remembered Camille coming into my room and someone signing my document. Is this the marriage certificate?
• "F*ck!" Dylan is very mad. "I have to get married to get Papa's inheritance for me! I did get married but not to the woman I love."
• I was hurt by what he said.
• "Let's have an annulment," I said.
• "It's not possible yet. According to the law, you can't file an annulment one day after being married." The lawyer took a deep breath and looked at Dylan. "Mister Reyes, don't you have to get your inheritance? Why don't you suffer a little first? You can file an annulment after you get your inheritance."
• "Damn it!" He stood up and left the conference room.
• I was startled by the loud closing of the door. My tears flowed.
• I feel so unwanted.