"Will you sign here please?" Attorney Silas instructed me. He pointed at the blank line above my full name. I carefully held the pen so they would not notice that my hands were trembling. Two weeks had passed since the death of Don Agustin Rivera. And his lawyer was here to facilitate what we had agreed about before his death.

After I signed, he took the papers and placed them inside his briefcase, "I will see both of you after three weeks for the civil wedding. Your father ordered me to process it eight months ago."

Then he shook hands with Bram and me. He then walked out of the library. We were inside the Rivera ancestral house here in Laguna, a province two hours away from Manila. We could see Mt. Makiling from afar from where we were seated. Bram stood up and walked towards the door. I heard him open the door and then he paused. I turned to see why he paused.

"Do you have a ride home?" Bram asked me. He looked bored.

"Yes, I brought my car," I answered him.

"Good then, see you at the wedding," he said, then he closed the door.

Wedding Day

I stared at myself in the mirror here in the restroom of the city hall. A judge would officiate my marriage with Bram. Last night I was having second thoughts regarding this ensemble. Because this would be like a scripted wedding, why should I wear a white dress? My mother told me that I still needed to look presentable even if it was just an arranged-marriage wedding. I placed both my hands on my waist so I could see my knee-length box pleated skirt.

My white top was tucked in. It emphasized my small waist even more. I looked down at my three-inch white pumps and sighed. I think I look okay? I decided to use light pink lipstick, light brown eyeshadows and just a little bit of blush on my cheeks. I was not really good with make-up but I did my best today.

My mom did my hair. She made a half ponytail and curled the lower part of my hair so it would not go to my face. One last look at myself, then I went out of the restroom. My mother was waiting for me outside. She was wearing a white dress and two inch sandals of the same color. She was also wearing light make-up. Our civil wedding would start at 10am. We walked towards the courtroom where the wedding would take place.

Uncle Theo was my father's older brother. He stood up when he saw my mom and me. He would be one of my witnesses. The other witness would be my mom's older sister, Aunt Lydia. I glanced at the side where Bram and his witnesses were seated. I was surprised that he was looking in my direction. When our eyes met, he looked surprised at first, then he scowled and looked away to other directions. I turned away from him when I heard someone calling the room to order.

Glass House, Laguna

Uncle Theo and mom dropped me at the house where Bram and I would fulfill the requests of Don Agustin. I heard the door closing as the driver went out after he took my two luggage inside. I squeezed my white handbag as I stared at the grand staircase with its glass banister.

"Hello, my name is Maria," said a woman from behind me, "I'm going to be your butler."

I was a bit startled but I extended my right hand so I could reach hers, "Hello, I'm Emma," I said with a small smile.

"Here, let me walk you to the elevator," Maria said as she pulled out both my luggage. I thought she looked strong for her age. She had some white hair on her meticulously made bun. She also looked taller than me; my best guest for her height would be five foot seven. Just two inches higher than my height.

The elevator was just behind the grand staircase of this two-storey house. I wanted to help Maria with my two luggage but I stopped myself. When the elevator door opened, my mouth dropped. The whole interior was in gold. I was staring at the ceiling of the elevator when Maria called my attention.

"Ready, Madam?" Maria asked while she held a button on the right side of the elevator.

"I'm sorry, yes," I replied as I entered the elevator. When the elevator closed, I released a long breath. I did not realize that I was holding it. Maria took me to a room that was bigger than my mother's and my room combined.

"This will be your private quarters, Madam," Maria told me after he placed my luggage inside the room, "Do you want me to help you unpack?"

I bit my lower lip to hide my nervousness and smiled at her, "Yes please," I uttered.

"May I?" Maria asked as she pointed to my luggage. I answered her with a nod and she laid it down on the floor and opened the zipper. She opened one of the mirrored cabinets and I saw empty shelves. Then she started folding my clothes and putting them in there.

"Do you want to change your clothing now, Madam?" Maria asked while she continued her task.

"No, I can manage. Thank you," I told her. I kneeled on the floor and started to open my other luggage.

"Do you prefer your dinner at seven in the evening, Madam?" Maria asked when I was removing my shoes.

"Yes, that would be great," I replied and looked for my home clothes and pulled out my laptop bag. I bit my lower lip again because I was starting to panic. I was thinking about what I would wear later this evening.

"We were told that Sir Bram would come home late. Are you expecting any visitors, Madam?" Maria asked me again, then she closed my empty luggage.

"No," I answered with an awkward smile. I had a lot of questions in my mind. Did the servants know that this was an arranged marriage? I highly doubted that. Were they given instructions? What was I supposed to do now?

"I see, so it would be dinner for one?" Maria asked again as she started on my other luggage.

I sighed and asked her, "Can I eat my dinner here in my room?"

"Of course, Madam," Maria answered immediately. She worked effortlessly with my clothes when she added, "You have a beautiful view from your balcony."

"Thank you. I prefer my dinner to being there on my balcony," I said. Then I stood up with my shorts and shirt in my hand.

"As you wish, Madam," Maria responded. She was so fast that she finished the second luggage quickly. Then she walked me through my room.

She showed me the bathroom, the balcony and the mini living room. All this time I was observing her attitude towards me. She was very polite and professional. Her small smile appeared genuine to me, but I could never really tell. She then left me on my own to change and told me that I could call her at the intercom if I needed anything.

I placed my laptop bag at the foot of the nightstand. I yawned and slowly laid down on the huge queen-sized bed. I looked up at the ceiling. I closed my eyes and shook my head from side to side. I turned to my left side to face the balcony. Maria opened the curtains for me during my room tour. It was probably past five in the afternoon. I watched the red-orange sky as the sun went down.

I was awakened by the shrill ringing of the intercom. I sat down for a moment and slowly walked barefooted towards the cabinet where the intercom phone was mounted on the wall.

"Hello?" I said and leaned on the wall with eyes closed.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Madam. I just called to say that your dinner is ready. Can we bring it up now?" Maria said on the other line.

I opened my eyes and stared at the dark balcony area, "Yes please," I answered as I scanned the dark room. Only the light that was coming from the corridor illuminated the lower part of my room door.

"Thank you, Madam. We'll be there in a few minutes," Maria said then she hung up.

I placed the receiver back and turned on the bathroom light. I walked towards the end of the bed to get my shorts and top when I noticed there was someone seated on the settee in my mini living area.

I gasped in surprise, then lowered my head so I could see clearly. It was Bram. His eyes were closed and his head was resting on the backrest of the settee. I grabbed my clothes then quickly walked back to the bathroom and closed the door.

I removed all my wedding clothes and showered. All my toiletries were neatly arranged in my bathroom so I kind of felt like I was at home. I washed all the hair spray that my mom used on my hair and I scrubbed my body a little harder tonight. I felt comforted as I removed all the memories of what had happened in the courtroom. I closed my eyes and let the water flow down my body. I let the water wash away all the mocking stares that Bram gave me earlier.

This was what I got for five million pesos? Cold treatment and mocking stares. I was thinking of how I could tell my brother to disappear from the face of the earth! But I could not do that. I loved my brother and I would protect him no matter what.

I dried myself and got dressed. I was plugging the hairdryer when I heard a knock on my door. I opened the bathroom door and went out. My eyes immediately landed on the settee but Bram was no longer there. I ran to the door and opened it for Maria.

"Good evening, Madam. Can we prepare your dinner now?" Maria asked as she pointed at the tray of food that was being pushed by a uniformed guy.

I nodded and said, "Yes please, come in," then I followed them with my eyes as they walked to the balcony.

I went back to the bathroom and dried my hair. I did not know how long I took to do it but when I came out, Maria was standing by the balcony waiting for me.

"Oh, I thought you left?" I told her while I stood by the bathroom door.

"I will stay here until you finish eating, Madam," Maria said with a small smile.

"Oh, I see," was my response, then I wore my slippers and went out of the balcony.

There were plants on the sides of the balcony. The round wooden table was on the right side. They lit up four outdoor lamps at the four corners of the balcony. I could see the view of the mountain from where Maria made me sit.

"I turned all three mosquito lamps on, Madam," Maria stated as she opened the cover of my food. It was a rib-eye steak with mashed potato on the side.

"Wow!" I exclaimed when I saw the food. Then I looked up at Maria, "Thank you for preparing this Maria and for the candle lights."

"You're welcome, Madam. Enjoy the food while it's hot," Maria said. She placed the cover on the tray and stood facing my direction.

I had already started with my food when I remembered something and turned to Maria, "Maria, was Bram here earlier?" I asked.

"Yes Madam, but he went out again," she answered politely, and I just nodded.

She was very attentive to me until I finished my meal. She also gave me the Wi-Fi password and the streaming service that the house was subscribed to.

After I brushed my teeth, I switched on the lamp on my nightstand. I picked up my laptop and placed it on the right side of the bed. I sat on the left and pulled it out of its bag. I turned it on and checked my emails. There were some emails from Attorney Silas that I was required to read. I grabbed my handbag and fished out my eyeglasses and started reading.

After two hours, I removed my glasses and placed them on the nightstand, then I massaged my eyes. The twenty-page document was overwhelming and I had so many questions in my head. I listed all my questions on my Google drive, so I could compose an email tomorrow about it. I turned off my laptop and placed it inside the drawer of my nightstand. I stood up and went under the covers to prepare to sleep.

I thought about the invitation by one of the relatives of Bram. She was one of his aunts. Attorney Silas said that she was a former actress and a model. Her name was Calla Rivera. I sighed and got my phone from the nightstand. I set an alarm for six thirty in the morning. I saw a few messages from my mom so I tapped it open.

Mom: How are you, darling? Are they treating you well? I'm sorry that you have to do this. Just tell me what you need and I will help you.

I stared at my mom's message for about a minute and sighed. I decided to respond to her tomorrow. There were many things that I need help with right now. But I would tell my mother tomorrow, after I meet with Bram's aunt. I returned my phone to the nightstand and turned off the lamp. I hoped that tomorrow would be better for me.

The movement on the bed woke me. I gasped and sat up when I smelled the scent of liquor in the air. Someone moved to the right side of the bed.

"Will you relax! It's just me," I heard Bram's voice as it resonated throughout the room. I wrinkled my nose with the smell of his breath. I could see his silhouette as he laid down on the bed. I removed my blanket and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Bram asked, irritation evident in his voice.

"I'm going to pee," I told him as I rounded the bed and went to the bathroom.

After I was done urinating, I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment and bit my lower lip. I was not ready for this. But this was the price that I needed to pay. I momentarily closed my eyes, then opened them again and went out of the bathroom. I walked over to my side of the bed and laid down again. I was relieved when I heard Bram snoring softly. I turned off the lamp and went back to sleep.

I woke up when I felt someone cupping my left breast. I gasped loudly, but I did not stop Bram. This was part of the deal. He started to kiss my neck. I sighed and closed my eyes. I removed my bra before I went to sleep. So when Bram removed my top, he easily accessed my breasts and moaned as he sucked each one. I could not stop gasping for air because this was the first time that a man would do this to me.

I did not have a choice but to place both my hands on his shoulders as he kissed and sucked my entire upper body. Then he slowly removed my lower garments and started to kiss me there.

"Bram!" I uttered his name.

"You're mine," Bram whispered as he continued sucking me down there. He held both my legs open. I had never felt this sensation before and I did not know where to hold on, so I grabbed the mattress instead.

I felt Bram's touch inside me and I gasped when I felt him near me. He slowly went inside me and I called out his name.

"I'll be gentle, I promise," he whispered, then he went deeper inside me, "You're so tight, baby."

I heard the endearment but the pain was overpowering me. I was saying his name as he went in and out of me and kissed me. Then I wrapped my legs around his waist when I felt him going faster and then he moaned so loud. He rested his head on the right side of my neck. We were both panting. I closed my eyes and savored the sensation that Bram gave me. I was already falling asleep when I felt him pull me closer towards his body. He murmured something in my ear, then he kissed my neck.

My phone alarm woke Bram and me. He put on his clothes and left my room without a word. My head started to spin when I got up quickly. I turned off my alarm and tried to get out of bed but I could not. I felt the pain down there.

I turned and saw the blood on the sheets. There was so much blood on the bed! I hoped Maria would not say anything if I asked her for a new mattress. I picked up my scattered clothing and went straight to the bathroom and took a bath. I went out of my bathroom in a robe. I stared at my hanged clothing and checked them one by one.

I was still sore down there and it was very difficult to move, but I needed to get ready. I was deciding if I should wear a dress or pants. I was getting ready to go to the condominium unit of Bram's Aunt in the Manila area. Maybe a dress would be good? I chose my above the knee navy blue dress and closed the cabinet so I could use its full-length mirror.

The blue puff sleeve dress looked good on my skin so I decided to wear it. I wore my two-inch sandals and pulled up my hair in a ponytail. I put out my black sling bag and just threw all my essentials there, then called Maria through the intercom.

Maria already knew my schedule. She was the one who gave it to me when she was touring me through my room. I assumed she would know everything that I would do before I did it. She also gave me the details of Miss Calla Rivera's unit. When I got there, I was surprised that the receptionist was expecting me.

She walked me towards the elevator and told me where to go. I had an idea how Bram's Aunt looked because Maria gave me a photo of her. When I walked out of the elevator on her floor, I recognized her instantly. My knees started to shake and the soreness down there was not helping. My only consolation was Bram's Aunt was smiling at me.

"Darling, I'm Calla," she gave me a hug and she kissed both my cheeks.

"Hello, Miss Calla," I said with an impish smile.

"Dear, please don't call me 'Miss Calla'," she said as she opened the door of her unit, "Call me Aunt Calla or just Calla."

"Okay, Aunt Calla," I answered and followed her.

"Are you okay dear? You look like you're in pain," Aunt Calla said, then she held my right arm and stared at me.

I was a little shy to tell her what happened but I needed to tell someone, so I said, "It was our first night last night..." I paused, then continued, "I am still sore down there."

"Oh my darling! You're a virgin? Bram hit the jackpot! Bravo!" Aunt Calla said, "Do you need a pain reliever or hot compress?"

"I'm good, I have pain meds in my bag. It's just a little uncomfortable, that's all," I said. I sat on the sofa that she pointed at me.

"Darling, no need to be shy. I could not even remember my first time!" Aunt Calla said, then she laughed out loud.