I am just his wife

I woke up EARLY to prepare breakfast for my husband Lucas. Today he is leaving Manila but later at 9AM.

They had a business trip to Pangasinan and they thought of going there by ship. They can even ride the company's private helicopter.

I stared at him for a long time as if I was getting familiar with his handsome face. I ran my fingers all over his face.

I also caressed her soft hair. I couldn't stop kissing her head.

I gently squeezed his sharp nose. I smiled when his sharp nose crinkled. I shook my head and laughed softly because of how he gently held my hand before he removed it too. I kissed that then I left him still asleep in our bed.

When I left the room with my husband and I, the door on the other side opened and I took big steps to approach that side.

"Baby..." I muttered softly when I saw my three year old son. He just woke up. Her long hair is messy and she is still cute as she rubs her eyes.

He immediately separated from us because he is a big boy so he sleeps in his room but there are times when he also sleeps with us.

"Mommy?" he called me sleepy.

"Good morning, baby. How's your sleep, son?" I aksed him and quickly promised him. He wrapped his small arm around my neck and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Fine..." he simply answered me. He was even sleepy because his voice and aura were not in the mood. I rubbed his back then I started to go down from the stairs.

Lucas and I have been married for four years, Eberjey Lucas Villanueva is his full name and Louie Zhi is our eldest son.

My husband is a business tycoon and he now runs their company that manufactures materials for the construction of buildings and houses. He also became an investor in companies owned by his close friends.

I am also a professor at Albison College University. I finished my course at Stanford University and my Master in Degree.

I grew up in the States but I was also born in this country and I chose to teach in Albison. My parents are here. Lucas and I only met in the States and he first offered me to live in the Philippines for good, and I agree. That was time we became.

I also don't want to be away from my family. My dad just wanted me to study abroad because all my siblings also chose to study there.

We have five siblings and I am the eldest, followed by Sander, who is only one year apart. Clover, Ishie, they are three years apart and our youngest brother is Zynder, he is only ten years old now.

My parents are not strict so they don't control us in the things we want. So when I said that I wanted to teach they immediately agreed. Because what we want to achieve in life is our own decision and they will not be an obstacle for our dream.

Not all parents are like them. Children are often pressured by their parents being strict and controlling them. They prefer to be followed because they know what is best for their children. But they didn't ask if that was what their children wanted? Is that what their hearts are crying out for?

We can't stop someone's dream, even your own child. Especially if you have your own mind, decision and stance in life.

"Mommy?" I heard Louie Zhi calling me again.

We got to the kitchen and I carefully put her down in the highchair. I first adjusted his sitting position so he wouldn't fall.

"What do you want, baby? Fresh milk or warm milk?" I asked him. Sometimes he wants cold milk.

"Hot milk, 'My..." he replied, still having trouble pronouncing it. I nodded my head and planted a soft kiss on the top of his head before I approached the fridge to prepare his milk.

I opened it and took the fresh milk to heat it up. I smiled at my son when our eyes met. His eyes were wide, silently watching my every move. His arm was on the island table and turned it into a pillow.

My son, Louie Zhi. He got more of my physical appearance. He looks a lot more like me than his daddy, who only got him with his eyes and his demeanor, which is a bit quiet, snobbish and stuck up. He smiled at me.

"I will cook our breakfast first while we were waiting for your milk to heat up, right LZ?" I said softly to him. LZ is the nickname given to him by his daddy, he likes it anyway.

"It's okay, 'My..." he answered and I laughed when he yawned.

"Are you still sleepy?" I asked him.

"A little bit, but I'm really awake," he panted.

I opened the rice cooker because I knew there was some rice left in there to make my sangagang. We have maids here but they only move about their work when we give orders.

If I'm not too busy, I cook for our breakfast and dinner. It was only during lunch time because I was at university at that time. LZ is sometimes left at our mansion with his babysitter.

But I often take him with me. So my students have fun with him. She would come home to us with red cheeks and lipstick smeared all over her cheeks. He won't complain but he immediately thinks badly of people who want to stop him but when it comes to his father. He reports.

He would just tell her, "That's how handsome he is. It's confusing." I just couldn't get enough because of his arrogant and airy Daddy Lucas.

My son smiled at me, he moved his eyebrows up and down. What a silly kid, his attitude, inherited from his father.

The heater rang while I was frying the rice that I added two eggs to. I turned off the stove first and poured milk into a glass.

That litte cup by LZ has cartoon characters on it. His favorite anime. I approached him and gave him his milk.

"Do you want it in your feeding bottle, LZ?" I asked smiling. His muzzle got longer because of that.

"I'm a big boy now, 'My," he reasoned out. I laughed at him and kissed his cheek before I returned to my cooking.

I finished what I was going to cook, fried rice with egg, hotdog that my brother loves to eat, beef tapa and pancit canton. Juice and coffee that is still steaming because of its heat.

'Just as I had served on the table, I first saw LZ chewing on a hot dog. I held both of my waists. He took one bite after another and he had finished two pieces of it only then he noticed my presence.

"Oops!" he exclaimed and even covered his mouth when he realized that I had caught him. I just laughed because of his naughty child.

"It's okay, honey. Eat well and I'll just call your Dad," I told him. He shook his head and he pointed his little finger on my back.

"'Dy is here. Come on, 'Dy. I'm so hungry," he said with a snort and I turned my back.

It turned out that my husband was standing at the door while leaning on it. His hand is just crossed on his chest and he has a smile on his face as he watches my mother and me. He was wearing only a plane dark blue shirt and black pajamas. She hasn't bathed yet but she looks fresh.

He smiled at me and started walking towards where LZ and I were. He first greeted our son. Tousled her hair after kissing the top of her head.

"Good morning, kiddo. You're already sneaking three hotdogs without Mommy noticing, ah," he said teasingly. The boy quickly protested.

"Dy, I only ate the two not three hotdogs," he defensively said and shook his head repeatedly.

"LZ, what about the three you were holding right now? Isn't that three?" he asked with a smile.

"But 'Dy, I didn't eat yet. I was just holding this..." Lucas just laughed because of his son's excuse.

"Where's my fist bump, little bud?" he asked and carefully raised his clenched fist. LZ's muzzle no longer squinted and he just gently pressed his small fist. His smile is still sweet. He is very happy when they do that.

"Oh, that's my boy," he said and put her hair back in order. After he messed up... Hey...

I turned around to get a pitcher from the fridge when I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist. At the same time he kissed my neck, causing my body hair to stand up and my heart to beat fast. I'm like this, my heart if only he were nearby.

"Good morning, wife. Thank you for the breakfast," he said to me softly. He gently turned me towards him.

"Son, close your eyes," he said and I even saw him quickly cover his eyes. I was about to laugh when my husband quickly grabbed me by the waist, close to him and claimed my lips completely.

His lips moved for a moment and bit my lower lip then he released me. I know he's not satisfied yet, but he can't take it long, especially since LZ is right in front of us.

"Good morning, too," I greeted him back. I reached for her hair and also fixed it that was falling on her forehead.

I could feel his heavy gaze on me but I ignored it. I looked down at his thick eyebrows, at his eyes that could see the twinkle and different emotions that he also often showed me. Down to his sharp nose and his lips with the corner slightly rising.

I only stopped looking at him when he caressed my cheek.

"I love you," he said sincerely.

"I love you too," I said and planted a light kiss on my forehead.

"I love you, too, Miss." We both laughed because of LZ's reply. "But I wanna eat now," he added.

Lucas pulled me away when I pointed to our refrigerator. "I'll just get a pitcher, hon," I told him. He shook his head.

"Just sit down and I'll take it," he said and I just let him.

I sat next to LZ and I spooned him some fried rice. He himself took many hotdogs from his plate. That's five. Her milk is half as well.

Lucas came back and sat down next to our son. So we have LZ in the middle.

As is his habit, I was the first one he scooped up rice on his plate.

"Thanks, hon," I said to which he just smiled.

"You're always welcome, wife," he said. I brought the cup of coffee closer to his plate. It was water for LZ who also quickly reached out and asked her Daddy to drink it.

"Don't you have ANYTHING left, hon?" I asked my wife. Now he is really ready for his departure. He was wearing a black office attire.

I approached him to fix his tie and his strong arms wrapped around my waist.

"It's like I don't want to leave. I'd rather be here with LZ," he said and sighed.

"Me too," I admitted. Since yesterday when he told me that they were going to Pangasinan, I was not sure that he would really leave even though it was still their business trip. I don't know why I'm being negative now.

"But I need to, wife. This is for you and our daughter LZ," he said and kissed my forehead sweetly. I smiled at what he did and I put my arm around his neck.

He greeted me with a firm kiss that I immediately responded to. "Be careful there," I said when we let go of each other. His thumb even caressed the side of my lips. He was catching his own breath too.

"You and LZ are here too. I love you so much, Bythesea. I love you and LZ. Remember that without you, I wouldn't be here either," he said, making me nod. "Don't take me away. I don't want you to see me leave," he reminded. I just laughed.

"I love you too, hon. LZ and I will wait for you," I promised.

"I'll call when we get there, okay?"

"Alright, I'll wait for your call."

I did follow what my husband told me and we didn't take him even to the gate, LZ and I.

I must admit that I felt strange as I thought about him leaving. I'm used to him always leaving because of their business trip, but not now that I really can't be bothered.

But just a few minutes ago he called me and somehow the weight on my chest was lightened. I heard his voice, I was sure he was fine. I will wait for his second call later to reassure me.

I took care of my son, I gave him a bath first. I have school today. I will take him again first. He is not noisy in our classroom. He is really the only one my students are confused about.

LZ made me wear a white polo shirt with a blue stripe and also blue shorts, black rubber shoes.

"I'm with you again, Mom?" He asked me innocently and I just nodded.

"Yes, son," I answered.

"When do I go to school, Mom?" he asked more. This is not the first time he has asked me. Many times already. He is only three years old and he is really excited to study.

"Soon, son. You must be six or seven years old," I said and showed him my fingers.

"Ahh..." he replied nodding.

"Ahh..." I imitated him making him grin, his little teeth showing again. I gently squeezed both of his cheeks and kissed them too.

I'm also wearing our ACU uniform, the light pink blouse and slacks. I also let my hair fall past my shoulders. I took my handbag and LZ's backpack as well. My cellphone and wallet are already inside.

"Let's go, son," I begged him and held out my hand. He jumped up and down when he held my hand.

I have my own car so I won't have any trouble. I rarely use it because my husband always picks me up. At least sometimes he gets away from his company. As long as we go to work and go home together.

When my son and I were outside, a familiar car stopped. The window rolled down and Lucas' brother peeked in.

"Aunt Civana!" LZ happily said her aunt's name. He waved at us and opened the door of their car.

"Hi to my nephew Louie Zhi. How are you, LZ?" Ate Civana asked softly. He is my husband's only sibling.

"I'm good, Aunt Civana!" LZ replied hyper and his Aunt Civana joined him.

"Today my brother is leaving. Why, that fool, Bythesea, even warned me that if I left his mother and daughter I would be angry. Who is older than the two of us?" His eyes were rolling and I just laughed.

"My wife, Ate Civana, is just too overprotective," I said.

"It's good that you didn't get tired of my brother's appearance and his behavior, hm," he continued.

"Sister," I said. I looked at his car. "Who is with you, Sister?" I asked because his driver didn't even get off.

"That's your Sister Marylyn, Bythesea. Hey, Mary! What else are you doing there and why aren't you coming down?! Congratulate my nephew for his efforts!" LZ laughed out loud when her aunt screamed. "Your Marylyn is acting, LZ."

Ate Marylyn came down and approached LZ first. He kisses her on the cheek.

"We haven't seen each other for three days, LZ, Ninang has already missed you," he said and picked her up. "Pogi is still over. I told my husband that we will have another baby, then if I conceive I will borrow the one I am having from his Mommy and Daddy. I'll take it home first," he joked.

"And what are you going to do with my nephew, anyway?" Ate Civana asked her best friend. He even crossed both his arms over his chest.

"I'll just stare at it day and night, even all night long," Ate Marylyn answered and while she was saying that, she was seriously staring at my son's face.

It was just a comfort to them and they did nothing but laugh.

"My niece was even made into a doll. Oh, maybe Bythesea will be late for their class. Alas, alas... Our chikahan is getting too long. Bythe, we will take care of your son first," Ate Civana said and I looked at my son.

"Are you okay with Ate Civana and Ninang Marylyn first, son?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Yes, Mommy..."

"Don't worry, LZ. Your cousins ​​and your Godmother's daughter are at home. You have someone there," said Ate Civana.

"Go ahead, Aunt Civana." I smiled when he gestured to me. His Godmother quickly put him down and ran to me.

I met him and knelt down to hug him. "Just behave, son," I said softly and kissed the top of his head.

"Okie-dokie, my Mommy," he answered.

***

When I arrived at the university, all the students greeted me. So the atmosphere around me was very lively, but when I remembered my husband's departure, it seemed to bother me again. I fall into deep thought.

I looked at the sky. He is clear, the weather is good. Haring sun is good to watch.

"You take care of my wife. Please don't leave him," I silently prayed then I started walking and headed for the faculty room.

My class is later at 8:30AM so I still have enough time to prepare. I arranged my papers on the table first.

"Good morning, Ma'am Bythesea," my co-teacher greeted me. As for Ma'am Giannis, she is in her mid-40s.

"Good morning too, Ma'am Giannis," I greeted her back.

There were only a few professors inside but others came one after the other.

"Do you know the news?" they asked more.

"What news is that?"

They are not difficult to live with because they are all kind and friendly. Except for a new teacher from America. He was two years younger than me.

"Ma'am Nermiza, she is said to have resigned. Yesterday he submitted his resignation letter to the president's office." I stopped what I was doing when I heard that.

Ma'am Nermiza resigned immediately? He's only been here for two months, ah.

"That artistic and charming girl will definitely not last long. Thank you, I can breathe easy." Our colleagues laughed because of what Ma'am Jessica said.

"Take it easy, Ma'am Jessica. Maybe someone will hear us. Because that is strong for the president of our university."

"I wonder what kind of person he is."

"That's enough, you are really very curious about Ma'am Nermiza's life. The important thing now is that he is no longer here. He will no longer be a threat to you," I said to which they immediately agreed.

"Ma'am Bythesea. Your husband is the most handsome person who comes to our university. I know that Sir Lucas loves you very much, but when that woman shows me that she is planning something bad for you, I will forget the look on her face." I nodded and laughed too.

I am not unaware of that. I have been noticing Ma'am Nermiza's gradual attention to my husband for a long time. Good thing Lucas didn't care about him.

Then again, he will not be punished. My husband loves me and he can't just replace LZ and me with someone like that girl.

"I'm going to be first, my class is about to start," I said goodbye to them.

"Alright, Ma'am. Good luck," they said at the same time.

"Good luck to you too," I replied with a smile.

My all-day class is over. It's only until 4PM so LZ doesn't get bored waiting for me every time he goes to school with me.

My son is also very patient. It was inherited from his Daddy Lucas. He also doesn't complain even though he looks very fed up. The only time he really saw me was that he smiled at me.

"I will pass my daughter, Ate Civana," I promised. He's the one I'm talking to on my phone.

"Alright, Bythe. Be careful, okay?" he said from the other line and I said goodbye too.

I took a glance at my wristwatch. The mansion of Ate Civana and her husband Kuya Greed is not far from here. So just a few minutes later, I arrived right away.

Their house is big, that's to be expected because both Kuya and Greed are rich, eh.

I even caught up with LZ with his cousins ​​and Sister Marylyn's son.

"Aunt Byth! LZ, your Mommy!" Cyanide was the first you saw me. Sister Civana's son.

"Mommy!" LZ happily called me and ran towards me. He was surprised to see me.

"How's your day, son?" I asked him as a carried him. He kissed my cheek.

He is wearing different clothes. Maybe he also played all day with his cousins ​​so he changed immediately. This is his outfit that I chose to bring earlier and it was just inside his backpack. Then your milk.

"It's good, Mom. We built a house earlier," he told me and brought the little superhero toy closer to my face. "Tito Greed gave it to me, Mommy," he said with a smile.

"Your Uncle Greed spoiled you too much, ah," I said and squeezed his cheek.

"Let it go, Bythesea. Only once if my niece requests," Ate Civana said.

"Thank you for taking care of my son, Sister," I said.

"Hey, Bythesea. We're family so don't say thank you to me," he said.

We spent a few more minutes at their house and Ate Civana had coffee with me when Ate Marylyn appeared. I know they are both busy too, eh.

They even joked that we should follow LZ and I think so... Lucas and I might have our second baby on the way. Because I've noticed these past few days, my mood is changing and I'm getting a bit more fleshy again. I'm just waiting for my morning sickness. I'm craving it too. I just don't show it to my husband because I want to surprise him.

Maybe when he gets home I will tell him and another thing is that I am not sure if I am pregnant yet. "What do you want, LZ? A baby sister or a little brother?" I asked my son.

My mother and I are in the room. It is said that he will sleep here while his Daddy is away. We finished eating our dinner so we went to bed.

He sat on my arm while hugging me. "Hmm, a baby sister and a brother too, Mommy?"

I pinched his nose. "Son, just one at a time... Mommy can't handle it when there are two of them," I said accompanied by a soft laugh.

"Like twins, Mom, right?" I nodded my head. I looked at the digital clock on the bedside table and saw that it was 7:57 pm. "What's wrong, Mom?" LZ asked me when he noticed my sudden silence.

"I forgot to ask your Daddy what time they will arrive in Pangasinan," I said and for some unknown reason I suddenly became nervous again. I moved LZ's head to his small pillow. "Just a moment, son. I will only call your Aunt Elysian. Your uncles are on their business trip," I said and adjusted the blanket around his body. I got out of bed and approached the sofa.

My handbag was there and I really forgot my cellphone. It's still on silent mode because that's my work when I'm in class.

"Comeback here, Mommy," my daughter said softly enough for me to hear. I smiled and nodded, I just took my phone and then I went back.

I just sat next to him and stroked his hair. "Go to sleep, my son," I said softly.

"I want to talk to my Dad too, Mommy. Can I?" I nodded. "Yes... I missed him already," he said.

"Hello, Bythesea?" answered Elysian on the other line. Elysian is a close friend of mine, I only met him because our husbands are both good friends.

That's nice and not really plastic when talking to you. I heard it from Lucas what happened to him before. Fortunately, everything went well with them. That's why he and his wife are still in the end.

You can't separate two people who love each other very much. Unless of course someone cheats in a relationship. But that still depends on your partner's company.

"I forgot to ask my wife earlier, what time they will arrive in Pangasinan. With Jaydel, right Elys?" I will ask.

"They should have an update by 4PM, because they will arrive soon. Hasn't Lucas called you yet, Bythesea?" he asked me. Just by what he said, my nervousness increased in my chest.

"I didn't receive even a missed call, Elys. And he didn't send me a text message either. I'm just worried because he promised me that he would call me when they arrived but until now he hasn't called me. Why is it?" I asked and tightened my grip on my cellphone.

"I'll call Jaydel first, Bythesea. Because he hadn't been with her before, I didn't ask why. He hasn't come home yet. I will update you later when my wife has answered something for me. Don't worry too much, Bythe. Nothing bad will happen to Lucas. Then those men sympathize when your wife is destroyed," he said and I sighed.

"Thank you, Elysian. I will wait for your call."

"Try to call Reolla as well. Maybe his wife, Poirier, was also with him," he said to which I just nodded.

"Okay," I replied and called Reolla next but no one answered on the other line. I sighed again.

"Mommy?" I looked at my son.

"Sleep first, LZ," I said and bent down to kiss her sense. His eyes are wide and any moment he will fall asleep.

"Lie down, Mommy," he said and snorted. Although the nervousness in my chest has decreased a little, I can't help but worry and my mind is on Lucas.

I hope he's okay. Because I don't know what will happen to me when I find out that he is in danger. I hope not. I can't handle that.

I just patted LZ's back and soon I saw his eyes slowly closing.

"I love you, son... good night, LZ..." I said. My only intention was to put him to sleep but I also fell asleep. I didn't realize that.

I just woke up when I heard commotion in my background. My head feels heavy as if I've been hit with a hammer and I can't wake up yet because I'm still really sleepy. But when I heard the voice of my son crying, I was thrown back to my feet.

"LZ?!" I was shocked when I said his name and that's how scared I was when I saw that he was no longer by my side. My heart beat faster and I got off the bed. "Son, LZ?!" I almost cried because I was so scared but it disappeared when I saw Reolla and Elysian. I looked around and saw that they were all complete.

"Bythesea!" Ate Civana called me crying. Wait, why is he crying?

He hugged me tightly and was crying on my shoulder. "Te, don't surprise Bythesea," said Palencia and she even rubbed Ate Civana's back. His shoulders shook violently.

"A-What happened, Sister? And why are you all here?" I'm still confused about the question. Reolla was busy helping my son who cried loudly.

"B-Bythesea..."

"What? A-What happened? B-Why? Why is my child crying?" I asked nervously.

There were a lot of them but I still managed to look at them one by one because I wanted them to answer my question. The way they looked at me made me even more nervous.

It seemed very difficult for all of them to answer because every time our eyes met, they voluntarily avoided and bowed but there were also tears. I don't understand them anymore.

What is really going on? Why can they look at me like that and why don't they answer me?!

"B-Why are you like that? Why are you just staring at me? S-Answer me... Answer my question what's going on?!" I could no longer avoid raising my voice and it echoed inside our house. LZ cried at the same time.

"Listen, Bythesea," said Agnes and approached me. Ate Civana loosened her embrace from me.

Agnes held both of my shoulders and stared at me intently. "W-Will you answer me, A-Agnes?" I asked him pleadingly.

"Don't be surprised, okay?" I nodded to what he said. I caught my own breath when his mouth began to open. "Lucas, their ship sank..." he said directly and it was as if time stopped for a moment or maybe that's just my feeling.

I also feel like I will be deafened by the force of the drum in my chest. The hair on my body stood up and my rest tightened so much that my heart throbbed.

"W-What's that, Agnes?" I stuttered to ask him. My hands were shaking and the corners of my eyes immediately warmed up. "Agnes, please... P-Repeat what you said..."

"Lucas' ship sank at 7PM. They didn't leave right away--" I didn't hear some of what he said because I couldn't hear anything else. My vision was spinning until it was already dark.

"Oh my, God, Bythesea!" I heard them all scream before I lost consciousness.