Chapter 6: A Loveless Knot

[Elle Alvarez]

The ceremony commenced with the sun radiantly shining on our wedding day. It presented a picture-perfect scene, adorned with flowers in every corner, and the air was filled with love and anticipation. Little did everyone know, the love between us newlyweds was absent, replaced by a meticulously orchestrated union fueled by ambition and greed.

"Please state your vows," came the request.

"I love you, just be mine. Forever," he uttered, the sweet words I longed to hear, but meant for another girl. Yes! It's for his NEW girlfriend. Kendrick spoke as though he was the one making the vows. Damn! How I wished I were the one he was talking to! Annoyance and sadness washed over me. I glanced at him momentarily but ended up staring.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Whoa! This guy had some nerve! He even raised his brows at me! The priest gazed at me as if I were the most important person on earth. He stared, his patience unyielding. Guilt consumed me, and I forced out insincere promises. In the grand church, we exchanged vows. The ceremony concluded with a loveless kiss, forgettable pictures, unwelcome scenarios, and deceived attendees.

News of our 'lavish wedding' spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the world. People reacted with a mix of envy, joy, and indifference, oblivious to the absence of genuine love between us. The media portrayed us as the epitome of a fairy tale romance, while the truth lay hidden beneath our glamorous facade. Indeed, we played our roles well.

Though the union of our families, the Alvarez and the Martinez, had been meticulously planned, the agreement was simple: Klyde would control the Martinez wealth, and in return, my family would revive our struggling company, Elle Inc.

"What now?" I asked. The wedding was over. Ano na? We were currently in a meeting, a private one, of course. Sino ba naman gusto mabuko, diba?

"Now, we proceed to the investments. Martinez will invest until you can stand back up and on your own, just as we agreed," Mr. Martinez answered.

"Investments?" Dad exclaimed.

"Yes, our company will invest in your company. A check will also be provided. Furthermore, an investment is the best way to attract other companies to invest in yours. They'll believe your company is worth it because the Martinez family trusts you, and we are now united. Your surname is linked to ours," Klyde interjected in his cold manner. He explained it so matter-of-factly.

"And you?" I asked. So? What about him, Elle? Tsk!

"You do not have to worry, my wife. I’ll take care of it," he assured with a smile that nearly made us both nauseous. Scary! Wife your face!

The world rejoiced, and as days passed, it became evident that things were going according to plan.

Once powerful and prosperous, my family's empire had crumbled due to mismanagement, financial hardship, and my stubbornness. In contrast, Klyde's family sought to expand influence and secure a financial future. Clearly, ours was a marriage of convenience, devoid of genuine affection or emotional connection. As the wedding celebrations concluded, the transfer of the Martinez wealth to Klyde began. Assets shifted, accounts updated, and the once-dwindling Alvarez Inc. experienced a resurgence. The outside world saw success and prosperity, yet beneath the surface, emptiness and deceit lurked.

"Hey, Alvarez. Aren’t you ready yet?" Klyde yelled. Aba! The guy was in a hurry!

"Sandali!" I yelled back. But before I could leave my room, I heard a noise—the car engine starting and fading away. And there it was! Left behind again! It always happened; why did I even hurry? I called a cab, arranging a ride to some destination.

It’s a business party. Ganito na ba palaging eksena? Nakakapagod nang magpanggap! Pagdating, I walked towards him. Ganito ang scenario namin. A few meters away, his car was parked, waiting for me, and together we headed to wherever we were going. Malay ko ba kung bakit parang ayaw akong samahan sa sasakyan. Arte!

"What took you so long?" he said in his baritone voice. Calm but with a hint of impatience.

"You left me, remember?" I retorted sarcastically. He just rolled his eyes at me! Grumpy!

We played our roles flawlessly, smiling for the cameras and attending public events as a power couple. We became the object of envy, our luxurious lifestyle capturing the imagination of those who saw us. However, deep down, we lived as mere acquaintances, our hearts untouched by love or affection for one another.

"Anong ulam mo?" I asked him. Curious lang, mukhang masarap eh. We were currently having a meal. He sat on one side of the table, and so did I.

"Cook your own," he casually remarked.

"Wash the dishes when you're done," he added. And he even gave an order! I simply rolled my eyes. Whatever! I continued eating until I cleaned up my used dishes and other items, except for his. I know it's childish, but I really enjoy annoying him. It's the only way I can endure this monotonous life. Just after cleaning, I plopped onto the sofa and started watching a random movie. I noticed he poured himself a glass of water, while his gaze remained fixated on the unwashed dish. I thought he'd get mad, but what followed surprised me!

"Ahhhh!" I squinted as he picked up the dish and tossed it! Into the trash! I thought he was going to reprimand me! And why did he throw it away? Weird! I shook my head and continued watching.

Two days passed, and I noticed a change—his habits transforming. The way he used his items had become disposable! That's allowed? Well, that's fair since he's too lazy to wash! After eating, he'd just dispose of his things. Fine by me! I didn't mind; after all, he's wealthy. As usual, the house was chilly—both literally and figuratively.

The world saw a couple destined for happiness, but our souls longed for something more. Each night, we retreated to our separate rooms, our hearts burdened by the weight of our choices. The silence in our lives was deafening, our isolation palpable.

While the world celebrated our success, we grappled with the emptiness of our existence. Our wealth could never replace the warmth that true love provides. We were captives of our own design, trapped in a loveless union that offered material gain but denied emotional fulfillment.

And so, the illusion of love continued to deceive the world, while we lived our lives within a gilded cage we had fashioned ourselves. Our story serves as a reminder that wealth and power can never replace the genuine warmth of love. People wonder if we'll ever find a way to break free from the chains that bind us.

"Hide!" I instinctively grabbed Klyde's arm, urgently seeking refuge somewhere as we rushed to the restaurant for dinner after a seemingly unending meeting.

"Why would you hide?" he asked, his grip gently pulling me to a stop.

My heart raced as I gazed at my ex-boyfriend seated with Klyde's ex-girlfriend, sharing a meal together. Perhaps it was a date, or just two people catching up. Our eyes locked briefly, a fleeting connection that held echoes of our past. I turned my gaze away quickly, unable to withstand his penetrating stare. We were strangers now, our history reduced to mere memories. Maybe he had moved on, and I couldn't help but think, "Good for you. You probably moved on."

At the restaurant, Klyde and I settled into our seats, the aroma of food filling the air. It was a moment of quiet respite, a brief pause from the whirlwind of our lives. His words sliced through the tranquility, breaking my reverie.

"Stop staring at him," he chided gently, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

I shifted my gaze, feeling caught in the act. Had I really been staring? A guilty flush crept up my cheeks. Yes, I had. But deep down, I knew that it should have been me in that seat, sharing a meal with the person I had once cared for.

Damn it, Elle! I scolded myself internally, my frustration echoing in the recesses of my mind. It was time to let go, to look forward, not back.

"Just look at me, only me," Klyde's words were a gentle reminder, an anchor pulling me away from the past and back into the present.