The Cold Billionaire's Wife

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Callista's Point of View

"Sigurado ka ba talaga dito, Calli?" Tanong ni Alliah sa akin habang pinapanood niya akong magluto.

It had been a week since that embarrassing night with Ice when my Sinigang turned out poorly. It had also been a week since I enrolled in a cooking and baking class, determined to improve my culinary skills and become the perfect wife for Ice.

Yes, nag-enroll muna ako sa cooking and baking class to start the journey of me, becoming an ideal wife for Ice.

"Yes. Gamay ko na ito kaya huwag kang mag-alala diyan," I replied with newfound determination, a glimmer of hope shining in my eyes.

Tonight's menu is Kare-Kare at plano ko rin gumawa ng mini-cake for dessert. Confident naman ako dahil feeling ko naman ay magagawa ko ng maayos itong ginagawa ko. Talagang nag-aral kaya ako ng mabuti para dito. I had spent hours studying recipes, techniques, and flavor combinations, determined to create a meal that would capture his heart and make him see me in a different light.

"Hays ewan ko ba naman kasi sa'yo bakit ka pa nage-effort sa asawa mong sing lamig ng yelo ang puso," Buntong-hininga ni Alliah. Napatigil naman ako sa aking ginagawa.

Nag-eeffort lang naman ako dahil gusto kong maging isang mabuting asawa para sa kaniya. And alam naman natin kung ano talaga ang tunay na rason kung bakit ginagawa ko ang lahat ng ito. Gusto ko lang naman mapansin niya ako at mahalin kagaya ng pagmamahal na mayroon ako para sa kaniya.

"It's not just about him, Alli," I finally said, my voice filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "It's about me too. I want to become a better version of myself, someone who can be proud of her accomplishments in the kitchen and in life."

Alliah's eyes softened, understanding the depth of my words. She knew that my journey of self-improvement was not solely for Ice's sake but also for my own growth and happiness.

"I'm sorry if I touched on something sensitive, Calli. You know I'm always here for you, no matter what," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern and unwavering support.

I smiled gratefully at her, feeling the warmth of her friendship wash over me.

"It's okay, Alli." I said, reassuring her. Alam ko namang nag-aalala lang siya sa akin. Kinuwento ko kasi sa kaniya kung anong nangyari that night and alam niyang sobra akong nasaktan. And as her best friend, kilala na niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Alam niyang big deal sa akin ang mga nangyari ng gabing iyon.

"Still, I'm always here for you, okay? Kapag talaga sinaktan ka niyang si Ice, malilintikan talaga siya sa akin." Anito na may panggigil sa kaniyang boses.

Natawa naman ako kay Alliah. She's always on fire at talagang sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, talagang maaasahan siya.

"Thank you but I can handle him myself," I said, confidently as I wink at her. Alliah chuckles at um-oo na lang siya sa sinabi ko.

With renewed determination, I immersed myself in the cooking process. As the fragrant aromas of garlic, onions, and spices filled the air, I felt a surge of confidence. This time, I would make a dish that Ice couldn't resist.

While the Kare-Kare simmered on the stove, I invited Alliah to be my taste tester, her opinion crucial in determining the success of my culinary endeavors.

"So, how was it?" Kabadong tanong ko habang hinihintay ko ang reaksiyon ni Alliah pagkatapos niyang tikman ang niluto ko.

Napatigil saglit si Alliah at dahil doon ay mas lalo akong kinabahan. Hindi na naman ba masarap?

"Alli?" Kinakabahan kong tawag sa pangalan niya. Suddenly, a mischievous smile formed on Alliah's face as she looked at me, eyes sparkling with delight.

"Ang sarap! Sakto lang 'yong lasa. Hindi matabang, hindi rin maalat," she exclaimed, reaching for another spoonful of the creamy sauce.

Relief washed over me, accompanied by a sense of accomplishment.

"Talaga?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko kay Alliah at para makumbinse nga akong talagang masarap ang aking niluto ay agad akong kumuha ng kutsara at tinikman ito.

Nanglaki naman ang mga mata ko sa tuwa nang mapatunayan kong masarap nga ang niluto kong Kare-Kare. I had done it—I had finally created a dish that was not only edible but truly delectable.

"Ang sarap nga!" Tuwang-tuwa na pahayag ko ay Alliah. Halos tumalon ako sa saya dahil sa wakas ay nakagawa rin ako ng isang masarap na pagkain. First time ko ito at sana naman ay magustuhan ito ni Ice.

Pagkatapos kumain ni Alliah ay nagpaalam na itong uuwi na. Lumalalim na rin kasi ang gabi at maya-maya lang din ay pauwi na si Ice galing trabaho. While waiting for Ice, I busied myself with setting the table and preparing the mini-cake I had made. I wanted everything to be perfect, a gesture of my love and dedication.

Nakakapagtaka pa nga dahil alas-sais ang uwi ni Ice ngunit alas-otso na ng gabi at wala pa rin ito. Siguro'y may tinatapos pa ito sa trabaho.

Tapos ko na rin i-bake ang cake at ayos na ang hapag-kainan. Si Ice na lamang ang kulang.

Muli akong tumingin sa orasan na nakasabit sa dingding ng bahay namin at mag-aalas-nuebe na.

As minutes turned into hours, my anticipation grew. Where could Ice be? The lingering worry gnawed at the back of my mind, but I dismissed it, convincing myself that he must have been caught up with work or some other unforeseen circumstance.

But deep down, a nagging fear whispered its doubts, reminding me of his recent distant behavior and the wounds he had unintentionally inflicted on my heart.

Napagpasyahan ko na lamang na hintayin ito sa salas habang nanonood ng TV ngunit dahil sa pagod ay hindi ko rin namalayan na nakaidlip pala ako.

Nagising ako sa tunog ng pagbukas at sara ng pinto at pagtingin ko ay doon ko nakita si Ice na pumasok ng bahay habang niluluwagan ang kaniyang necktie.

Pupungas-pungas pa ako na napatingin sa orasan at kita kong alas-onse na ng gabi. Ngayon lang siya umuwi?

"Kakauwi mo lang?" I blurted out, the words escaping my lips before I could filter them. Embarrassment washed over me like a tidal wave, but the question had already been asked.

Ice's gaze turned cold, his eyes locking with mine, sending a shiver down my spine. I regretted my slip-up instantly, but I couldn't take the words back.

"What do you think?" Iritableng sagot niya sa akin. Napahiya naman ako. Obvious na nga pero nagtanong pa rin ako.

Tumayo ako mula sa aking inuupuan upang salubungin si Ice. Kukunin ko sana ang case na hawak niya ngunit agad niya itong inilayo sa akin. Natigil naman ako. Pahiya na naman ako doon.

My heart sank, my cheeks burning with humiliation once again. I felt like a fool, trying to reach out to someone who seemed determined to keep his distance.

"Uhm. Kumain ka na ba? May hinanda akong pagkain. Tara kain na tayo." I stammered, desperately trying to hide my unease as I mustered a hesitant smile.

Ice's gaze remained emotionless, devoid of any flicker of gratitude or appreciation. I braced myself for rejection, hoping against hope that he would at least accept my invitation and recognize the effort I had put into preparing a meal for him.

But his response pierced through the air, shattering my fragile hopes and dreams.

"I already had dinner outside," he said coldly, his voice slicing through the silence like a knife. Without uttering another word, he turned and ascended the stairs, leaving me standing there, shattered and heavy-hearted.

Naiwan naman akong dismayado at may mabigat na pakiramdam. Disappointment and confusion swirled within me, intertwining with the hurt that had already seeped into my soul. It felt like a punch in the gut, a cruel blow to the fragile connection I had hoped to rebuild. Kumain na pala siya sa labas. Sana man lang ay inabisuhan niya akong kakain siya sa labas para sana hindi na ako naghanda ng pagkain para sa kaniya. Sayang naman ang mga niluto ko.

Akala ko'y tuluyan nang nakaakyat si Ice ngunit nagulat na lamang ako ng marinig kong muli itong nagsalita. As I stood there, frozen in disbelief, Ice's voice echoed down the staircase, leaving me teetering on the precipice of despair.

"Next time, there's no need for you to wait for me. Don't waste your time preparing our meals. I always have dinner outside."

His words struck me like a dagger to the heart, their impact resonating deeply within my wounded soul. The message was clear and cutting, tearing down the foundation of my hopes and dreams.

In that very moment, the dream I had clung to, the hope that had been the driving force behind my tireless efforts, shattered into countless irreparable fragments. It was as if my entire world had crumbled, leaving me suspended in a void of despair.