Shangri-La Hotel BGC, Taguig

Kathleen exhales as she fit a wedding gown and then thought of walking in the aisle but too bad, she wasn’t the one who’s going to get married. She look around the different designs of gowns in mannequin with frowns. Andromeda is fitting these gowns? There’s many of it. ​​

“I want a gown perfect for the summer. My daughter’s curves would look amazing on this.” Fiona said as she checked the mermaid style gown. Then she looked at Kathleen with a smile. “Wow, that looks good on you. You should have the same gown for your wedding.” Kathleen flushes and acted cute.

Then Fiona turn back and check the staffs that are coming. She glance at her wrist watch with exhales.

“Where’s Zachary?” She asked the staffs.

“Here.” Zach came and greet Fiona with a kiss on cheek.

“Ohh, here you are.” Then he look behind him. “Where’s my daughter?”

“She’ll be here.” He said with a smile.

“Oh. Tsk.” She shook her head.

Kathleen thought of something and then she smiled. She talk to the photographer and watch Zach strode to the sofa pull out his phone and sat down. He check few messages and Kathleen childishly run to him and sat down as she wrapped her arm to his. She smile at him.

“Zach, can you do me a favor?”

“What favor?” He asked not even glancing at her. She squeeze her breast and show it to him, but he was too busy texting Andromeda that he doesn’t give a shit on her. She kisses his cheek that makes him stop. He pull out his arm and notice the camera man. He stood and that’s when Andromeda caught them. But it’s not like she care.

Fiona frown at Andromeda for being late. She only sat down on the stool and look around and sigh cause of boredom. Zachary walk toward her and reach her chin as he kiss her lips. Fiona was surprised on Zach’s actions and smile in excitement. However, Andromeda only looked at him monotonously. Then Zach kiss her lips again and again.

“Let’s not make them wait, okay?”

Fiona call the make up artist and the stylist. Then Andromeda look at Kathleen.

“Why won’t you just marry Kathleen? She’s so ready after all.” Andromeda said that makes everyone stopped. Zachary chuckled and gritted his teeth as he reach her chin.

“Don’t be so absurd, Honey. You are my bride. One and only.” He insisted. She looked at him with tired eyes. He then patted her head. “Just an hour or so. Then we are going home so you could rest.”

He then face the makeup artist.

“Don’t put a lot of makeup on her. Natural was perfect. She don’t need fixing because she’s perfect.”

He said and strode to the dressing room to fit his own suit. He stayed there because he knew that it will take long enough to fix her from hair to face to dress. He pull out his phone and open his cloud storage. His old files appears, and it was their photos before their wedding. And their pictorial with gown and tuxedo.

She look so beautiful, happy and so carefree. Their photographer was so satisfied with their flirting and little games. They have photos on the beach, garden and even on the bed. Zachary smile as he watch their video. As the video ended, his smile faded.

What would happen if he didn’t leave her? Would they still be together and maybe have a lot of children? He would be coming home early just to see those little angels running around and would welcome him and kiss him. He put down his phone and went to Andromeda’s dressing room. They all stop but did not stop him from entering.

They fix her hair so fast and then her makeup is done. It was simple and she was so beautiful and perfect.

“Leave us.” He said and they all leave. Zachary stood behind her as she look at herself in the mirror emotionlessly. He hugged her from behind and kiss her ear. “Let’s work this out. Okay?”

“How?”

“Just go with the flow.”

Andromeda stealthily reach her stomach and gripped on her robe.

“Remember when you asked me if we could let the photographer took photos of our honeymoon?” He smiled and Andromeda smile a little. “The shock on his face was so funny that you laugh out loud. I want you to smile and laugh like that again.”

She look at him trying to beg him to stop this. But he walk around her and kneel in front of her.

“I’m sorry, Andy for leaving you. I am not begging you to forgive me instantly. I am begging you to help me go through this. Let’s work this out again.”

“The Andromeda you know is dead.”

“Andy.” He intertwined his fingers with her and played on the engagement ring he gave. “Please…”

“Do I have a choice?” She reach the wet tissue and wipe the lipstick on his cheeks.

No matter how she denies it, her love for him was there. It never faded. She never forget it. The pain stills together with the painful memories. But she loves him so much that it hurts.

Their pictorial goes on and Kathleen keep making a scene. Trying to be the highlight. Andromeda would roll her eyes and sigh. But Zach keep on clinging on her and someone, Andromeda feel comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. It’s weird but she loves how he clings to her.

***

General Alexandro Mondragon check on few reports and photos of people that tried to kill Andromeda when she was in Iraq. Someone also tried to kill her when she’s in Greece and in New York five years ago. Anywhere she went—there’s always someone or people who wanted her dead.

They know that she was his only heiress and James, his grandson doesn’t matched Andromeda from skills. He didn’t see any interest from James that he see to Andromeda. He exhales and toss the folders on the table.

“Do everything to keep her safe. Marrying her to Pattinson was enough for a moment. I need help. Search for Andel.” Alexandro told Lucas his Cornel. Lucas turn back from him and reach his phone to contact Andel but his number is unreachable.

He contact his men to find Andel.

“Sir, I can’t reach his number.”

“That asshole.” Alexandro gritted. He knows how Andel works with his electronic stuffs. That stuffs includes his own invention of gadgets and he’s good at it. He wanted him to be with Andromeda but Andel is already working with his other cousin Sabrina, the founder of Empire of Professional Undercover Agents.

“Call, Zachary, tell him to meet me.” He told his trusted secretary. “Lucas, find Andel and bring him to me.”

“Yes, Sir.” Lucas saluted and Alexandro nodded as Lucas turn back and left the room.

“The wedding is near.” He mutter. “I wanted to keep it simple and quiet so there nothing bad will happen.”

His Secretary, Major Roy Graciano nodded and settle a venue. But as Alexandro think of it deep—it is still possible that someone will ruin the wedding. He was hoping that there will be no bombing or so. It will be chaotic. Damn it.

They just received few threats recently. So there’s no other choice for him but to force her to marry Zachary Pattinson.