C2 2

“WE will miss you, dude! We can’t believe that a playboy like you will finally tie a knot.”

Deive wanted to hit his friend’s face with the glass when Sidney started to become dramatic. He becomes emotional under the spirit of wine, even with just a drop.

It was in contrast with the party they threw for him. It was full of beautiful women. They were at his other friend’s condo. Lucien’s penthouse was perfect for events like tonight. It was heaven for four virile young men.

The four of them - him, Lucian, Sidney and Averill were best of friends. They’ve been together since they were kids. They were as thick as thieves and they got along when it comes to women and their foolish pranks.

“Did you bring me here so you can cry for me as if I am dying?” Deive asked.

“This is your stag party, bro!” said Averill and tapped his shoulder.

He shook his head and drank the four seasons cocktail. He can’t drink because he would drive later. And he couldn’t flirt with the gorgeous women in the room. He just wanted to spend time with his friends.

“I am not yet getting married. Why the stag party?” Deive inquired.

“Because you will finally meet the woman that you grandfather had chosen for you.” Lucian filled his glass with brandy. “And you will stay with her for a couple of months or so. I am sure she won’t let you leave her side.”

“Rock and roll, man! If the woman is that beautiful, I won’t let her go either. I will even chain her to my bed and give her babies,” Sidney said with a mischievous grin on his face.

He wanted to pummel his face. “Hey! This is my future bride we are discussing. Have some respect. I am not a maniac. We just want to get to know each other before we plan our wedding.”

“You are not a maniac. You are just a lady killer.” And Averill nailed him with that comment. “But can you really become faithful to your bride, Deive?”

He was constantly at the dating scene. He had no permanent girlfriend and settling down or walking down the aisle was never a part of his plans. He just wanted to live his life to the fullest.

All he cared about was his job and family. That’s why he was challenged by his grandfather. Grandpa Jorje wanted him to marry the granddaughter of his best friend if he wanted the capital for the business he wanted to start with his friends and to make ammends with his past faults.

“That’s why we were shocked when you said that you are getting married,” Lucian said. “Is that really serious?”

“I have to marry her. I want to break away from my grandfather’s chain. I want our dream cruise ship to push through.”

Their group had been dreaming of having their own cruise ship since they were in college. They had been under their family’s thumb, slaving on their family’s companies. Deive was trained to manage Hontiveros Coco Industries, a company which exports coconut products.

It was not his dream but it was what his grandfather wanted. Marrying Callea was his only chance to do whatever he wanted. His younger brother, Keiran, was ready to take over. But the old man didn’t want to let him go. His loan won’t get approved and he couldn’t get the capital infuse he needed if he won’t follow his grandfather’s condition.

“Do you think it is right? This is the new millenium!” Sidney complained and raise his arms. “I can’t believe arranged marriage is still practiced in the modern world.”

“I think it is fitting,” Lucian commented. Then he glanced at him menacingly. “Your womanizing reputation nailed you down.”

Deive whispered an oath. Ruby Canales, a daughter of their client from Argentina wanted him so badly but he turned her down. When he didn’t accept her advances, she announced that she was pregnant and he was the father. It was almost a shotgut wedding. His client wanted him to marry Ruby but he refused. He didn’t even kiss that lunatic. Could she get pregnant just by breathing.

So they lost a huge client and it affected their business.

It was not his fault that women wanted a piece of him. He was guilty about enjoying women’s company. But where Ruby was concerned, he was innocent.

“You are running away from a shotgun wedding only to marry another,” Sidney mumbled while shaking his head. “I don’t get it.”

“Any woman will do except Rubie Canales! And besides, Callea is so fine. She’s sweet and innocent and she has a face of an angel,” Deive voiced dreamily. She was his savior.

The last time he saw Callea, she was just fifteen years old. She was already beautiful then. And according to Tomasino Lopez, Sr. she’s still an angel. He was living in solitdude at the Lopez’s mansion in Nagcarlan, Laguna. No boyfriend since birth. How lucky could he get?

“Hmmm… not your type!” Averill interjected. “She’s too sweet for your taste.”

He liked his women wild and sophisticated. Those who were not interested with commitment. But he didn’t have a choice now, did he? He would get what he wanted if he will do his grandfather’s bidding. He had to endure it.

He stood up then tapped Lucian’s shoulder. “I have to go, guys! Don’t worry. I can handle this perfectly,” he declared with full confidence.

I am in total control of the situation.

His deep dimples showed up on both of his cheeks when he thought about it. He could easily ask Callea to do this bidding. He already had a contract for their arranged marriage. He could discuss it once he got close to her. He could easily charm her.

But his confidence started to dwindle as he was trapped South Luzon Expressway. It was still an hour or so from Nagcarlan, Laguna. And he freakin’ hated traffic because it ruined his mood.

It was already nine o’clock when he reached the end of the expressway. He was supposed to arrive at eight in the evening for dinner. His grandfather said so.

It was his first meeting with Callea and he was late. Not a good sign.

After an hour, he finally entered the town of Nagcarlan. He flinched when his cellphone rang. He grimaced when he saw his grandfather’s name registered on the phone screen as the caller. He breathed deeply before he answered the call. “Hello, Grandpa!”

“Where are you, Deive? Do you now what time it is?”

He gulped when he saw that it was already half an hour after ten in the evening. “I am here at Nagcarlan, Grandpa.” He tried his best to be cheerful. “I am near Villa Celesta.”

“Where exactly are you?”

“Ahhh…” He looked out the window and tried to check out the establishments in the dark of the night. “I just passed Neneng’s Sari Sari Store.”

“Where is it?”

“Near the two mango trees beside the tamarind tree.” And he was not sure if it was tamarind tree because there was no street lights.

“Are you trying to be funny? I am telling you, you are not!” his old man blasted that almost ruined his eardrums. “I already told you that Callea prepared dinner and you must be there by eight. Where have you been? To your paramour?”

He twisted his lips. “Of course not. It was traffic.”

“You are driving my patience! Have you forgotten that your womanizing landed you into trouble in the first place? You shoudl be grateful that I am still considerate with you. Look what I got you. A perfect wife. Callea is beautiful and kind. She knew how to take care of the house. And she’s very cultured. She’s an artist, too.”

“Yes. I know. She’s perfect. Thanks for choosing well, Grandpa.” He tried his best to hide the sarcasm. He couldn’t imagine what his future would be with Callea. He never thought about settling down with a woman. So many girls, so little time. And because of Callea Lopez, his fun time was over.

“Better keep that in mind. Give my kisses to Callea.” Then his grandfather ended the call.

“Callea! Callea! She would be perfect if she had a sound mind for business as well. ” A naughty smile formed on his lips. “And if she’s scorching hot in bed.”

Deive let out a whistle. A lady in public but a vixen in bed. Now that’s the idea.

He was busy dreaming about his bride when he noticed something cross the road. “Whoa!”