The Billionaire's Contract Wife [COMPLETED]

Fourteen: Getting Permission

“What were you doing the whole day? Bakit ‘di kita makontak? I’ve been trying to ---” 

Natigil ang aking mama sa pagsasalita nang mapansin niyang ‘di ako nag-iisa. She started nagging me the moment she opened the door. Pero dahil lumabas si Louie mula sa aking likuran, bigla itong natigil.

Natuon ang mga mata nito kay Louie na noo’y nakatayo pa rin sa aking likuran. I watched as her eyes widened with surprise.

“Good evening po,” narinig kong wika ni Louie.

Walang salitang niluwagan ng aking mama ang pagkakabukas ng pintuan habang nakatitig pa rin dito. It was as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. 

Kulang na lang ay magkusot ito ng mga mata upang masigurong hindi guni-guni o multo ang nakikita nito.

“I’m with Louie. But he’s leaving right away. He just brought me here,” I said. 

“But why? Why don’t you join us for dinner? Andito ka na rin lang. I didn’t prepare anything fancy since I didn’t know you’re coming but ---”

“He’s busy. He couldn’t join us for dinner. He had important things to do,” ang putol ko sa sinasabi ng mama ko. 

“Nope, I’m good,” Louie said, to my frustrations. “I can actually join you tonight.”

“O, pwede naman pala. 'Wag mo kasing pangunahan,” ang baling ng mama ko sa akin. 

Gusto kong pandilatan ng mga mata si Louie pero syempre ‘di ko magawa. He’s still my boss.

At talagang nauna pa itong pumasok ng bahay kaysa sa akin. 

My twin sisters came running down the stairs when they heard me. They looked so excited upon seeing me. They raced towards me at saka nag-unahang yakapin ako. 

I hugged them both, too. 

They’re Mia and Julia. They’re six-year-olds. 

“I missed you, ate,” ani Mia. 

“I missed you more, ate,” ang sabi naman ni Julia. 

“No, I missed you even more!” ang muling wika ni Mia.

“No, I missed you the most!” ani Julia, mukhang ayaw din talagang magpatalo. 

“Mas miss na miss ko kayong dalawa,” ang natatawa kong wika habang mas lalo pang hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa mga ito. 

I tickled them, too. Sabay itong nagtawanan. 

I caught Louie watching us intently. He was poker-faced so I have no idea what's going on in his mind. 

“It’s past dinner time already. Baka gutom na si Louie. Mamaya n’yo na ituloy ang harutan,” anang mama ko habang nagpatiunang maglakad papunta sa dining area. 

“Are you sure you wanna join us? You don’t really have to,” ang sabi ko kay Louie, hoping that he’ll change his mind. 

“Yup, I’m good. Wala naman akong gagawin," anito bago sumunod sa mama ko. 

I sighed in frustration. 

Naramdaman ko na lang na hinihila na ako ng dalawa kong kapatid pasunod sa mga ito. 

The next moment, we’re all gathered around the dining table. My stepfather, Manuel, joined us, as well. 

“Aren’t you gonna formally introduce Louie to us?” anang mama ko habang ini-aabot ang bowl ng kanin kay Louie. 

Oo nga pala. Sa sobrang anxious ko, ni hindi ko maalalang pormal na i-introduce si Louie sa mga ito.

“Well, as you already know, he’s… he’s Louie Alexander del Rosario,” I started in a small voice. “He’s… he is my…” Shucks, ang hirap sabihin! “He’s my fiancé."