The Billionaire's Contract Wife [COMPLETED]

Fifty-Eight: The Big Surprise

[A few weeks later.]

“Place fillets on a large piece of heavy-duty foil, skin side down…” 

I paused the video I was watching on YouTube to follow the instructions carefully. I was trying to prepare garlic and herb artichoke salmon.

Hindi ko naman talaga talent ang magluto pero pinipilit ko. 

Salamat, YouTube.

Sana lang talaga ‘wag pumalpak. ‘Di ko talaga alam kung tama ba ‘tong mga pinaggagawa ko. 

I was trying to prepare a surprise dinner for Louie for the very first time. Kabado-bente ako. Sana lang talaga maging okay resulta. 

Kahit na ‘di masarap basta nakakain lang, hehe.

I was planning to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Actually, hindi ngayon ang anniversary namin. Last week pa. Kaso nasa Shanghai si Louie ng ilang araw kaya ‘di kami makapag-celebrate.

They’re going home tonight. Finally.

Kausap ko sa phone si Mei kanina bago ‘yung flight nila kaya tantyado ko kung anong oras sila darating. 

Super excited na ako. Excited na kabado. 

I also prepared garden chickpea salad. Saka naghanda na rin ako nung paborito niyang wine. Bumili na din ako ng cake kanina. 

Naglagay na din ako ng konting balloons. Medyo cheesy pero yes na, cute naman tingnan. Saka first time ko naman mag-effort for Louie kaya itodo ko na.

I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, it's past 7pm already. Baka kalalapag lang nila sa airport ngayon. Considering na medyo matrapik 'pag ganitong rush hour, I still have enough time to prepare. May time pa akong maligo pagkatapos kong maihanda ang lahat. 

We just landed.

Mei sent the message about 20 minutes ago, ‘di ko lang agad nabasa kasi nga busy ako. 

Okay, thank you. Reply sent.

After I get everything done, dali-dali ko nang sinetup ang table. When everything’s ready, I rushed to take a shower. I made it quick. Baka kasi dumating na si Louie. 

I then put on a pretty dress I haven’t worn yet. Nag-make up ng konti, nag-ayos ng buhok. Nagpabango. Nagpa-ikot-ikot sa harap ng salamin. 

“Ganda mo, gurl!” I told my own reflection, satisfied with how I look. 

Ewan ko ba, parang pakiramdam ko’y habang tumatagal ay lalong tumaas ang self-esteem ko. I feel so beautiful recently. I feel like I am glowing.

Iba talaga ‘pag in love, hehe.

I even winked at my own reflection bago ako lumabas ng kwarto para salubungin si Louie. 

Para akong kiti-kiting ‘di mapakali. I kept fixing the table arrangement kahit na wala namang mali. I kept checking my own reflection, too. Daig ko pa ang teenager na first time na makikipag-date. 

I didn’t know why but I am feeling extra nervous today. 

But it has been more than an hour already since I got that message from Mei but Louie’s not here yet.

I have decided to message Mei again.

Mei? Where are you now?

I didn’t get any reply from her. I started to get worried.

Nagpalakad-lakad ako sa sala, fighting the urge to call Louie. 

If only he was wearing the bracelet right now, I thought. Because he’s not.