The Billionaire's Contract Wife [COMPLETED]

Eighty: No Going Back

[Some more months later.]

Mabilis na lumipas ang mga araw. Naging busy kami ni Louie pareho. Me, with medical school. And him, with their companies. 

Pero nag-uusap pa din naman kami madalas. Unlike dati na tumatawag lang ito para makausap ang anak namin, now he would also call me kahit alam niyang tulog na si Loulou. 

Nope, we're still not crossing the line. We are taking our time. But we still find time to update each other about each other's life. Hindi na lang puro si Loulou ang pinag-uusapan namin. 

We also tell each other "I miss you" pero hanggang doon na lang muna.

This arrangement is better for the both of us. No expectation. No pressure. Yet, we are saving whatever is left in us. 

Naisip ko nga, kahit 'di man kami magkabalikan, at least we remained friends. For Loulou's sake. 

It was during one of our video calls when he told me na nakausap na niyang muli ang mga parents ni Ethan. 

"They don't want to press charges anymore," anito. "Matagal na daw nananahimik si Ethan. And they want me to find peace, as well. Sabi ng mama niya, patawarin ko na daw ang sarili ko dahil alam daw niyang iyon ang gusto ni Ethan. Na mas matatahimik daw si Ethan kapag tuluyan ko nang napatawad ang aking sarili."

"And guess what, Aera." He sounded excited. "I was able to visit Ethan's grave for the very first time. Dati kasi pinagbabawalan ako nila Mama. And then, when I grew up, ako na mismo ang umayaw. Natatakot ako. Tinatalo ako ng guilt na nararamdaman ko. I felt like I didn't even deserve to visit his resting place." 

At hindi ko maipaliwanag ang sayang nararamdaman ko nang marinig ko yun. Finally. Louie's getting the closure that he needed. 

And some weeks before Loulou's second birthday, he said, "Mukhang hindi na naman ako aabot sa birthday ni Loulou. I'll be in London at that time for a very important business deal. I just can't cancel or move it even if I wanted to.  I am so sorry," he sounded apologetic. 

"That's fine, Louie. Really," I assured him. "Ang sabi ko naman 'di ba, there's no pressure. I totally understand."

"But I want to be there. I will be missing two consecutive birthdays already," he whined like a kid. I could almost imagine him pouting. 

"We can celebrate once you're here. It doesn't really matter," I suggested. 

"No, it does. That's not the same thing." Yes, he could be really stubborn at times. 

Then an idea suddenly popped in my head. 

"Ilang araw ka sa London?" I asked. 

"Five," he said. "I'm gonna be there by Thursday. Then I have to fly back to the Philippines by Tuesday because of another business engagement." 

"Loulou's birthday falls on a Saturday," I said. 

"I know."

I hesitated for a while before I gained the courage to ask. "Do you want us to fly to London instead?" 

I heard him gasp. "Are you serious?" He suddenly sounded so excited. 

"Yeah. I think we can actually do that."

"But you have to attend your classes."

"I have no classes on Saturdays. I'll just skip univ on Monday. That would be fine."

"Are you really serious?" ang tila hindi makapaniwala nitong tanong. 

"Yes, I am. Do you want us to meet you there?" ang balik-tanong ko dito.