Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 8

Chapter VIII

Tristan's heart pounded with excitement as he approached the quaint coffee shop where he and Maricar often met for their morning ritual. It was the same place where they had their first coffee after her disastrous blind date.

He could barely contain his anticipation—he had planned this for a long time. He had noticed for quite some time that she needed a break, and he felt that today was the day.

Maricar was waiting at their usual table by the window, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she saw him.

"Good morning, Baby," she greeted, leaning in for a quick kiss. "You've got a beautiful smile today, huh?"

"Morning, beautiful," Tristan replied, his eyes sparkling with a secret he had been keeping for weeks. "I have a surprise for you."

Maricar raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? I'm getting nervous now."

Tristan grinned and handed her a small envelope. She opened it with curious fingers and found two first-class tickets to Tokyo inside.

"We're going to Japan!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "When?"

"Right now," Tristan said, barely able to keep his excitement in check. "Our flight leaves in three hours. I've already packed for both of us. Tania knows what to do while you're gone. As for the kids, Maricris will take care of them while we're abroad."

Maricar's eyes filled with happy tears. "Tristan... you're amazing," she whispered, hugging him tightly. "I can't believe you did all this!"

She was still staring at the tickets when she realized they were already at the airport. As they arrived, the excitement only grew.

The journey to Tokyo was smooth and filled with moments of laughter and shared dreams. Even on the plane, Maricar couldn't stop smiling and laughing, and Tristan loved every bit of it.

He had meticulously planned every detail of their trip, ensuring that each day would be a new adventure. He wanted to help her forget, even just for a while, about Dominic's return with no memory.

Their first day in Tokyo was spent exploring the bustling streets of Shibuya, marveling at the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Of course, Tristan insisted she try sushi at a local restaurant. Maricar's joy was infectious, her laughter echoing as they navigated the neon-lit streets.

On the second day, they visited the serene Meiji Shrine, where they wrote their wishes on small wooden plaques and hung them alongside thousands of others. The tranquility of the shrine offered a peaceful respite from the city's frenetic energy.

More days passed, and they immersed themselves in Japan's culture and history. They explored the ancient temples of Kyoto, took a scenic train ride to the picturesque town of Hakone, and enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony. Tristan watched with adoration as Maricar's eyes sparkled with wonder at every new experience.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

She looked at him. "Yes... Yes, I am..." She smiled and hugged him. "I just miss the kids, but... I'm so glad we did this. Thank you, Baby... I love you."

He hugged her tightly. That's all that matters.

One morning, as they prepared to visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, Maricar suddenly stopped, placing a hand on her stomach.

"Are you okay?" Tristan asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I think so," she replied, frowning slightly. "I just feel a bit nauseous. Did we eat something weird last night?"

Tristan gently rubbed her back. "We can take it easy today if you need to."

"No, I don't want to miss anything," she insisted, smiling despite the discomfort. "It'll probably pass..."

They continued their trip, and although Maricar tried to push through, the symptoms persisted. She couldn't explain what she was feeling.

She felt unusually tired and noticed a heightened sensitivity to certain smells, which triggered waves of nausea. Maricar wanted to blame it on jet lag, but despite these unsettling feelings, she remained determined to enjoy every moment of their trip.

Until one day, as they strolled through the vibrant streets of Osaka, Maricar's steps faltered. "Hey..." Thankfully, Tristan caught her just in time and guided her to a nearby bench.

"Baby, we need to talk," Tristan said gently, concern etched on his face. "You've been feeling unwell for days. Maybe we should see a doctor?"

Maricar sighed, leaning into him. "You're right. I don't want to worry, but something feels different..." It felt familiar to her, but she wanted to be sure. "Is it okay if we wait until we get back to the Philippines? We're going home tomorrow anyway..."

"Can you manage?" He was really worried. "There are plenty of clinics here."

She smirked. "We don't speak Nihongo." She held his hand. "I think we should just go back to our room. I'll rest for now?"

Tristan didn't agree right away—he was really worried—but in the end, he gave in. He put his arms around her. "Okay, let's go."

When they returned to the hotel room, Maricar felt a little better. However, the strange feeling didn't go away—it just changed.

Tristan was now at the desk, working in front of his laptop. She looked at him and once again found him so handsome—her future husband.

"You're giving me that look again," Tristan said, taking off his glasses and looking at her.

"Huh? What look?"

"You look at me like you want to be kissed." He smirked. "You should be resting, Baby."

"You're not tiring to look at." She chuckled. She shrieked when he pulled her legs to the edge of the bed. "Tristan!"

"I love you."

She caressed his cheek and met his loving gaze. "I love you... Thank you for this trip, Baby."

"Don't worry, we'll come back here. Next time, with the kids." He promised. Maricar's heart melted again at his words. Hearing and seeing his eyes—sincere and speaking about her children—warmed her heart.

"Let's do that..." She chuckled as she felt his hand slip inside her blouse, then his gentle kisses on her neck. Their world once again spun only around each other.