The Billionaire's Contract Wife [COMPLETED]

Forty-Seven: Taking What's Mine

I saw Louie from a distance, he was talking to some people. I just came from the comfort room.

Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, kausap nito ang lola nito na noo'y nasa wheelchair, ang mommy nito, ang isa sa mga tita nito, si Monica, at isa pang ginang na hindi ko kilala. Mommy marahil ni Monica dahil kanina ko pa sila nakitang magkasama.

Nakita kong nagpalinga-linga si Louie. It looked like he was looking for me. 

I immediately hid myself from him. 

I stayed hidden for a couple of minutes bago ko sila sinilip muli. They were still talking. 

"They look good together, don't they?" anang pamilyar na boses mula sa aking likuran. 

Napaiktad ako. 

It was Alexandria. Mukhang kanina pa ako nito tinitingnan. 

"They were arranged to be married ever since they were kids. So I can only imagine how devastated Monica must've felt when news about Louie and you broke out basically weeks after their engagement was formally announced in the public," anito habang nakatuon ang mga mata kina Louie.

I was flustered. I didn't know how to respond.

Bumaling ito sa akin sabay simsim ng wine mula sa hawak nitong baso bago muling nagsalita.

"I have nothing against you, really," anito. "It's just that, you just don't have any idea kung gaano kalaki ang responsibilidad na nakaatang sa mga balikat ni Louie. He needed someone na kaya siyang tulungang pasanin ang responsibilidad na iyon. And I'm sorry to say this but that's not you."

I tried to calm myself down. I got this.

"I understand where you're coming from and I totally respect that," ang sabi ko dito sa mahinahong tono. "But I believe that Louie knows what he's doing. I know he has reasons why he broke off his engagement with Monica and decided to marry me instead."

Saglit itong nag-isip bago nagpatangu-tango. 

"I think you're right," anito. "He's a smart man. He knows what he's doing. That's why he's keeping his options open."

I don't get it. 

"He must be in love with you now," she continued. "But alam kong alam nyang sooner or later, he had no choice but to face who he really is. Hindi niya iyon forever na matatakasan. That should explain why he married you in China and not here in the Philippines. So that when that day comes, getting himself divorced won't be a problem."

Gagi, ang sakit! Ganito pala kasakit masaksak ng katotohanan! 

"So if I were you, I'll just enjoy it while it lasts," anito bago ako tuluyang tinalikuran.

I was left dumbfounded.

Saktong may dumaang waiter na may dalang tray ng drinks sa harapan ko. I helped myself with one glass at saka inisang tungga ang laman nito.

Ba't ba ako naiiyak, eh, alam ko naman yung totoo? Alam ko naman yung pinasok ko?

I looked at Louie. Umalis na yung lola at mommy nito pero kausap pa din nito ang tita nito, si Monica, at yung nanay ni Monica. 

Nagpakawala ako ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga.

Alexandria was right, I should just enjoy what we have while it lasts.

Maaaring may hangganan ang kung anumang namamagitan sa amin ni Louie. But that doesn't change the fact that right at this very moment, I am Aera del Rosario.

Sa mata ng Diyos at sa mata ng tao, I am Louie's wife and he is my husband. 

Louie's mine. 

Bitbit ang lakas ng loob na hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling, nagmartsa ako papunta sa kinatatayuan nila Louie. 

He didn't notice me right away kaya agad kong ipinulupot ang kamay ko sa braso nito.

Mukhang nagulat pa ito nang mapansin ako.

"Oh, where have you been? I was looking for you." His eyes practically twinkled when he saw me.

"I bumped into someone while I was on my way out of the comfort room," sabi ko dito. 

"Oh, by the way, Tita, Monica, I would like you to meet my wife, Aera," ang pagpapakilala nito sa akin sa mga kausap nito.

"Nice meeting you po," ang sabi ko dun sa ginang. "Monica and I have met already."

"Oh, you did?" Louie was surprised.

I just smiled.

"Y-yeah. We did," ang tila napipilitang wika ni Monica. "We bumped into each other somewhere a few days ago."

Nagpatangu-tango si Louie. "Nice, nice. This is Monica's mom, by the way. They're family friends."

So I was right. It was her mom.

It's funny how he just called his ex-fiancé a "family friend." 

Bumaling ako dito. "Can I talk to you for a second?" 

"Right now?"

I nodded. "Yeah. If you don't mind."

Bumaling ito dun sa mga kausap nito. "If you'll excuse us po…"

"Sure, sure, go ahead," anang mommy ni Monica.

Ang sama ng tingin nung tita ni Louie sa akin pero 'di ko pinasin. Nag-smile lang ako sa mga ito bago ako iginiyang palayo ni Louie sa mga ito.

He brought me somewhere na wala masyadong tao. 

"What is it? May problema ba?" He looked worried.

Ngunit sa halip na sagutin ang tanong nito ay lumapit ako dito. I tiptoed, put my arms around his neck, and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

Mukhang nagulat ito sa ginawa ko.

"Hey, what was that for?" ang nakangiti nitong wika. 

"Nothing. I just want to take back what's mine," ang sabi ko bago humakbang paatras. "Let's go?"

I spun around to go back to the party but he was quick enough to catch my arm and spun me around again to face him.

"Not so fast, Mrs. del Rosario," anito.

Kinabahan ako. 

"What? But I really have nothing else to tell you."

"Well, I just want to take what's mine, too," he said before he cupped my face and bent over to kiss me on the lips.

And the next thing I know, he got me pinned against the wall as he kissed me wildly in the mouth.

I was basically out of breath when he withdrew from me, only to look me in the eyes and asked, "Were you jealous of Monica?" 

He was smirking.

"I… uhmmm.. w-well…" I stammered.

I gave up. There's no point in denying when he can see right through me. 

"W-well, I guess.. I am?" ang pag-amin ko habang nakikipagtitigan dito. 

Nakita ko ang paglapad ng mga ngiti nito bago ako nito hinawakan sa may kamay at saka hinilang papuntang elevator.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I have something to show you," he said before he led me to the elevator.

[Author's Note: Bantayan n'yo muna si Francine, hehe.]