The Torn Contract

Find the love that comforts you,

A love that stays, constant and true,

Like a sky that is always blue.

I smiled genuinely when, in the video, Rayana ended her vow by reading a poem. Never did I expect her to end up with my cousin, Rhette. I don't know how Rhette got my best friend. But I'm happy for Rayana.

Even though Rhette acts like a stupid person sometimes, he knows how to take care of someone. Especially for the one he loves.

I laughed when Kuya Jace took a picture of the younger brother. Rhette was crying while watching their wedding video, even though the other clips were shot earlier. Rhette's hired video tech didn't slow down either. Videos and photos are neatly laid out.

"I heard it was edited by Kazuki," said Ollie suddenly.

"Who?" I said

"The one who edited the wedding video, it was Kazuki."

"Kazuki? Who is that?" I asked, frowning.

Olympia looked at me as if there was something wrong with what I said. "Why?" I was surprised. He shook his head at me, now his face was in disbelief.

"Kazuki, Jaslene. Your cousin's friend from high school to college."

I was surprised by what she said. "Huh?!" I looked at her confused. Aside from Ender and Keitaro, are there any other friends I don't know about?

"Seriously?! Don't you know him? That's so impossible, they always tease him to court you—"

“Kazuki! Man!”

Olympia couldn't finish what she was going to say. She and Evelisse turned to the back when they heard Rhette's voice. "Thank you, man! Really! It's such a good video. It's a good thing I got to take advantage of your talent!" I heard Rhette's laughed.

Rhette's friend laughed. “You're crazy!” I watched them exchange a quick bro-hug.

Olympia leaned toward the table, her eyes wide. “Are you seriously for real, Jaslene?! You don’t know him? He’s literally famous at school!” I let out a sigh at her.

“I really don’t know him,” I replied flatly.

The confused look on her face just moments ago was now replaced with a teasing smirk. “Want me to introduce you? He might be the answer to your prayers!” I glared at Ollie, while Elsie just laughed beside her.

“Stop it, Olympia! You know I’m allergic to guys!”

“Oh, please! You’re literally the only single one left in our batch!” she added.

“Don’t you think it’s time to find a cure, Jaslene?” Elsie chimed in.

These idiots! I just shook my head at them. Here they go again! That's why when it was time for pictures with the bride and groom, Ollie immediately grabbed me by the arm and planted me right next to her—specifically to place me right next to Rhette’s friend, whom I was seeing for the very first time.

“Sorry,” I whispered when I bumped into him. Because of the "invisible gap" Ollie kept insisting on, she kept pushing me closer even though there was already plenty of space.

“It’s fine, Miss Ma’am.”

Ollie clutched my dress, holding back her laughter. “Stop it, Olympia,” I said when she shoved me yet again.

Ollie looked at me innocently. “Evelisse said to adjust,”

“Huh?” Evelisse asked, sounding confused, clearly completely clueless about what Olympia was up to.

I caught Ollie glaring daggers at Elsie, warning her with her eyes. Elsie then cleared her throat. “Sorry, Jas! There’s just no space over here!” She then glanced at the guy beside me. “Sorry, Kazuki,” Elsie added, wearing a massive grin.

I honestly didn't know what these two were trying to pull anymore! I was dying of second-hand embarrassment from their antics. “I’m so sorry,” I told the guy next to me—the one they called Kazuki. “My friends are just completely crazy.”

He chuckled. The hair on the back of my neck stood up at the sound of his laughter. “It’s fine, Jas,” he said.

I wasn't really surprised that he knew my name. Rhette had probably mentioned me to him, which was the exact opposite of what my cousin did for me—I didn't even know he had another best friend aside from his usual crazy group.

“Alright, let's squeeze in a little bit more, please!” the photographer called out. I cleared my throat when Ollie pulled me close to her. “There you go! Sir, please move a little closer to Ma’am,” the photographer instructed the man beside me.

Following the photographer's request, Kazuki closed the gap between us. It felt like I had fallen straight into a trap. I was caught by his eyes, which seemed to speak volumes. The color of his eyes perfectly matched the exact shade of ink I frequently used in my paintings.

Green.

“Stay still, please! In 3, 2, 1—”

“Look at the camera, Miss Ma’am,” he whispered in my ear.

Startled, I looked straight ahead and flashed my sweetest smile.

“Next up is the family of our bride,” the photographer called out, but the three of us stayed in our spots just as Rayana had requested.

Evelisse, Olympia, Rayana, and I have been childhood best friends. Come to think of it, the elders here in Cento Uno even placed bets on which of the four of us would marry first. The old folks guessed it would be Olympia. Ollie even laughed it off back then.

But look at how playful the world is—the one we least expected to settle down early was the one who went first. And with my cousin, of all people?!

Rae and Rhette used to be like cats and dogs, always teasing each other, with neither one willing to back down. And I honestly can't deny that Rhette used to have quite the reputation as a womanizer.

Rayana, on the other hand, was well-known for being polite, pretty, and brainy. Down to the smallest detail, the two of them were worlds apart. I can't blame our elementary teachers for being shocked that these two ended up together.

If I am not mistaken, Rayana actually stabbed Rhette with a pencil back when we were in Grade Five. I just never imagined they would develop feelings for each other in college. No wonder Rhette kept making trips to Manila, acting like he was just going to the market to buy soy sauce.

But you can see the effort. Yes, Rhette may have been a bad boy before, but I never expected that only Rayana could soften his bad-boy side.

“Before anything else, of course, we would also love to hear a speech from the groom's cousin. May we call Ms. Divina Jaslene for her speech?” I almost spat out the Pepsi I was drinking the moment my name was called.

I stared at the front in sheer confusion. And I knew it! Looking at the expressions on the newlyweds' faces, I just knew they were both behind this!“Go! Jaslene!” Ollie cheered, making it sound like I was marching off to war.

Well, to be honest, it kind of felt that way to me. I hate crowds. I absolutely despise being the center of attention. “Wow! The groom’s cousin is absolutely gorgeous!” the gay emcee chimed in.

“She’s still available! To anyone who wants to try their luck!” I shot a glare at Rhette. He just couldn't stop trying to sell me off.

“You'll have to get through me first!” Kuya Asxel, my second oldest brother, piped up. The guests laughed at his remark. I had my hand pressed against my forehead as I walked up to the front.

“I see! It looks like there are plenty of suitors, but they’ll have to get past the big brothers first!”

The guests laughed again. I looked away to find somewhere else to focus and fixed my eyes on a pot of bougainvilleas off to the side, thinking I was safe. But I regretted it instantly when I saw him leaning right there, those green eyes already waiting for me. He smiled, and I had to look away before I forgot my own name.

“Alright, Ma’am Divina, the floor is yours.” the emcee said. I murmured a quick thanks as he handed me the microphone.

Rhette laughed when he saw me scratch my head. “Relax, Manang Divina!” he teased. I desperately wanted to twist Rhette's ear right then and there, but because this was a special day, I decided to set my shyness aside for a moment.

I cleared my throat. “Uhh, I didn’t prepare a speech for the bride, Rae—who is my best friend—or for the groom, Rhette, my cousin. But above all else, I just want to say, congratulations,” I said, smiling at them. The newlyweds smiled back at me sweetly.

“She hasn't even started yet, Rayana! You're being so dramatic!” Ollie yelled when she saw Rae pretending to cry. I let out a little laugh. I know they did that to loosen me up.

“Oh, she hasn't started yet?” Rayana chimed in.

I cleared my throat to continue. “To the newlyweds. It’s true I’m not exactly in a position to give relationship advice since I’m no expert, but I just want to wish you both a happy life. Rhette, you know the saying—happy wife, happy life, right?”

Rhette nodded at me. “Of course!” he shouted back cheerfully.

“Woah! That’s my boy right there!” Ender suddenly shouted out of nowhere. He was one of Rhette’s crazy best friends.

I just shook my head; Ender really never ran out of antics. Before I could lose my train of thought, I kept speaking. “Rayana, there’s no doubt in my mind that Rhette will be a wonderful husband. Because before he was your man, he was my cousin—and he has always been someone I could count on as family.”

I chuckled when my tears suddenly fell. I didn't know it would feel like this to witness firsthand something they say was built out of love.

I grew up with Rhette always by my side. He stood as a friend and a brother to me, aside from my actual brothers. I know that he genuinely loves my best friend.

I took a deep breath to continue. “Uhh... Rhette. Rayana and I grew up together, just like the way we grew up with you. She isn’t just a best friend to me; she became a routine—a daily part of my life. Now that she has become your wife, I want you to not just make her a routine, but instead, treat her as your life. Again, congratulations to both of you. I love you guys. Please, call me first once I have nieces and nephews already!”

“Hey, no fair!” Ollie shouted. Once again, the guests burst into laughter. I immediately walked over to the newlyweds to give them a tight hug.

“Thank you, Jas. I love you, cousin. I hope you will be able to find the one who can light up your eyes. You know that I genuinely want you to be happy, just like me, right?” Rhette whispered to me. I nodded back at him.

I understood what he meant.

Olympia and Evelisse were next to give their messages to the newlyweds. Obviously, Ollie being Ollie, nothing came out of her mouth but pure nonsense and teasing for the new couple. But I know that some of her words actually made sense. The guests were absolutely loving her, too.

“I see! It looks like Ma’am is ready to get married herself!” the emcee playfully teased Ollie. Ollie looked right at me when the emcee handed the mic back to her. Even before she could say a word, I already knew exactly what was about to come out of her mouth.

And I wasn’t wrong...

“Actually,” some of the guests laughed when she proudly flashed her ring. “I’m already engaged to my boyfriend. And to be honest, so is another friend of ours and the bride,”

I wanted to bury my face in my hands when Elsie started waving from beside me. “So you already know who you should give that bouquet to, right, Rae?” Ollie said, looking pointedly at Rayana. Rayana just smirked right back at her.

And there they go again, starting up the teasing all over again!

“Maybe there’s a coincidence where someone else here is single, too. Because in our batch back in Claveria, Jaslene is the only one left behind. Oh gosh! She might actually reach the last number on the calendar before she gets married! Do you guys agree?” Olympia added as a parting shot.

“My youngest son is still single, Miliani!” a few neighbors and some of Mama's friends jokingly called out to her. Mama just shook her head.

“She’s allowed to get married now! Just drop by the house to court her!” Kuya Cillian chimed in this time. Seriously? Even my oldest brother was joining in on their jokes now.

“Hold on! She can’t get married yet! It’s my turn first before the youngest!” Kuya Axsel countered.

“That’s because you guys were way too overprotective back then, Kuya! Look at her now, she’s practically a man-hater!” Ollie joked. I just shook my head and pouted. Here we go again, the attention was right back on me!

“Oh, perfect! This editor of yours is single too, Rhette! Maybe he can go over and court her, Cillian!” My eyes widened as I instantly located and stared down Keitaro. One of Rhette's best friends.

“So, what’s the deal, Jaslene? Do I get a whole lechon out of this or what?!” Keitaro’s voice boomed, followed by the laughter of my brothers.

My face didn't just burn. It felt like fire was crawling from my chest all the way up to my ears. The very attention I had spent my entire life avoiding was suddenly a blinding spotlight aimed directly at me.

I gripped the hem of my dress tightly—wishing for nothing more than for the ground here in Claveria to just swallow me whole. Why was everyone ganging up on me?!

My eyes landed on Kazuki. Unlike the others, he didn't join in on the noise. He simply leaned back, watching me with a small, knowing smirk that appeared just as our eyes locked. It was that look—so composed it was almost unnerving—that made my heart race wildly, thumping like a trapped bird against my chest.

I was waiting for him to intervene, to say that he wasn't single. With how attractive the guy was, there was no way he didn't have a woman in his life! But even after several minutes of everyone teasing the two of us, he did absolutely nothing. If anything, he actually seemed amused. I frowned.

No matter how far they took this teasing, no one could break the promise I had set in stone. Men are nothing but a headache! I don't want it! I don't want to fall in love, and so what if I’m the only single one left in Batch 1997?!

I would rather live alone than pick the wrong man…

“No thanks!” I shouted back. They just shook their heads at my response.

Well, I feel it kinda looks that way to me. I hate crowds. I absolutely hate being the center of attention.

“Wow! Our groom’s cousin is absolutely stunning!” the flamboyant emcee exclaimed.

“She’s still available! To anyone interested!” Rhette chimed in. I shot him a death glare as he shamelessly started playing matchmaker again.

“You’ve got to get through me first!” added Kuya Axsel, my second oldest brother. The guests erupted in laughter. I pressed a hand to my forehead, walking toward the front.

“I see! It looks like there are many who want to court her, but they have to court the older brothers first!”

The guests laughed again. I looked away, fixing my gaze on a pot of bougainvillea off to the side, thinking I was safe. But I regretted it instantly when I saw him leaning right there, those green eyes already waiting for me. He smiled, and I had to look away before I forgot my own name.

“Alright, Ma’am Divina, the floor is yours,” the emcee sa