BERNADETTE'S chest tightened as she tried to control her emotion. She thought this day would be the beginning of a good relationship between her and Leandro's parents. Her boyfriend picked her up earlier this day to introduce her to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Imperial, but it did not happen. The couple just nodded at her a little, then immediately guided their son in one corner and talked to him privately. When Leandro returned, he explained that his parents were in a hurry.
Bernadette was very disappointed. That was not the first. In fact, it was the third time that her boyfriend had tried to talk to his parents to introduce her to them. Though his parents did not say directly on her face, she already knew the meaning of their actions. The glaring truth was they didn't like her for their son for the simple reason that maybe, she didn't pass to their standards to be their son's wife.
"Love, I'm sorry. Maybe this isn't yet the right time for you to meet them and get acquainted," Leandro said sadly; his arm was around her shoulder.
She looked up at him, trying to read what was in his mind.
"Don't look at me like that," he said and gently squeezed her shoulder.
"I'm scared, Leandro…"
"Sshhh, don't be. I promise, everything will be okay and you'll get to talk to my parents. And when that happens, we'll push through our plans. We'll get married and start our own family."
Leandro caressed her face but she shoved his hand. "Why don't you just tell me the truth that your parents don't like me? You know what, I can accept—"
"That's not true. Don't think any negative, okay," he said calmly, trying to pacify her.
"But this is already the third time, Leandro! If they really don't like me, was it really hard for them to at least talk to me as if I'm just an ordinary guest? Didn't you see how they looked at me? Your parents don't like me! They don't like me for you!" She almost cried in desperation.
Leandro hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. "Look at me," he said emotionally, then raised her face. "Always remember that I love you, okay. I don't care about them because you are my life and my priority. I love you more than anything else, and I promise that I will never leave you. Not even once, you hear me?"
"Leandro..."
"Do you love me, too?"
Bernadette couldn't stop her tears down her cheeks. "Your son and I love you so much," she said while looking at his face. Shocked filled Leandro's face. For a moment, it was obvious that he didn't know what to say. "You heard it right. I'm pregnant with our first son," she confirmed.
His face filled with too much happiness. He then bent down and picked her up, then kissed her. She returned his kisses passionately while hugging him tightly around his neck. Leandro was right. He loved her and he'd never leave her ever. She'd believed him. She'd trusted him. And no matter what happened, she'd hold him by his promise.
BERNADETTE didn't know why her heart was suddenly beating very fast. She'd prayed a few times but she still felt anxious. She was afraid of something she didn't know.
She automatically touched her flat stomach and caressed it. When Leandro brought her to the OB-GYN for a checkup, the doctor assured that their baby was in good condition. So maybe her pregnancy was not the reason for her fear.
Leandro suddenly entered her mind. He was in Davao to visit a branch of their family business and was supposed to stay there for three days. After that, he'd return immediately to introduce her to his parents on the wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Imperial.
Bernadette heaved a sigh. She just hoped that nothing bad happened to Leandro. She was hopeful the last time they talked. He promised that they would start the preparation of their wedding as soon as he came back and she was looking forward to it.
She was startled a little when the phone in the living room rang. It took her a few seconds before she reached for the phone, and then answered it.
"Love!"
It was a relief to hear his voice again.
Leandro told her that he was safe and there were no problems in Davao. Their branch manager was also handling the business well, so his father had nothing to worry about.
When she asked him when he would be going home, he didn't answer the question.
"Love, I've got a surprise for you! I hope you'll like it," he rather said.
"Don't bother too much. Just promise me to be safe, okay?" she replied.
After exchanging sweet nothings, Leandro bid his goodbye. Bernadette hung up the phone. She tried to calm herself, thinking about his promise. Nothing bad would happen. Nothing. Leandro wouldn't be harmed. He'd go back to fulfill his promise.
But that was just what she thought. It never crossed her mind that the last time she had seen Leandro would also be their last time together.