sixty-two

Kao

I couldn't contain the smile on my face as I saw Pete walking towards me with the chaos of happy people all scattered in the university ground.

I shook my head as I saw how he was trying to squeeze his way through the many people around with his show off huge ass bouquet of flowers for me.

"Thanks."

I said as he was successfully able to hand me the bouquet.

"But you really didn't have to do this you know. Specially with this many people. Aren't you even aware of the deathly glares you're getting for photobombing and humping people on your way here?"

He kissed me on my temple before he responded.

"Don't care. I just want to give my boyfriend his bouquet and congratulations kiss."

Pete winked at me before he held my waist and pulled me in close.

The huge bouquet sandwiched between us as we shared a chaste kiss.

"Congratulations, on your graduation babe, and with highest honors I see."

I smiled wildly back at him.

"Thank you. Won't be able to do this without you tho."

I said with all honesty.

Three years had passed and so many things happened between Pete and I.

Some were great and others not so, but being with him made all those things bearable as it is.

After he left and with happened to my parents, living with my not so filial family members stopped me from dreaming of ever finishing school or even live my life as I see fit.

But then Pete came back and as he did the first time he appeared in my life, with me trying so hard to be nonchalant about it, but he did make things easy for me.

That wouldn't be hard considering how rich he is but that's another story.

Because I'm talking about the emotional comfort that Pete had given me all these time.

Yes I'm still scared and maybe heart broken at some point and part of my memories, but being with Pete, having him with me makes everything bearable and livable that sometimes I tend to forget that I even went through all those heart aches.

And I think I love him more for that.

I know he doesn't want anything in return and that he was being honest when he said that he's happy just seeing me happy but in my own little ways, I also want to give back and make him see that I appreciate him and am thankful for him and for everything that he did for me.

Starting off with the course I took in college when I finally agreed to go back to school.

I originally wanted to be an engineer but seeing Pete again, and seeing how he tends to juggle stuff in between all his of his businesses on the country and abroad, I realized I wanted to help him.

Ease his burden as much as I could.

That's why I shifted to business management and just two months ago, after my internship from another company much to my boyfriend's dismay, I officially joined him as an underling.

And as much as he was very vocal on how happy he was about it, I am too.

Finally, I can rightfully be with him with the knowledge and skill that I had in order for me to help him out.

For a change.

As it was always him who's always got all the hands and well—body to lend.

I'm still quiet nervous about the job but I've got Pete with me so I'm confident that everything will be alright.

As it is with him.

"I'd like to grab the credit but really, babe. It's all on you. You worked hard for it for years. Working and studying at the same time. You pushed your self this far. And I'm so proud. Don't ever doubt yourself again. You don't need people who don't need you."

That response from my boyfriend brought me back to the present, only to drift back to the past yet again with what he said.

I know he was pertaining to what happened between me and Aunty Ling and her daughter Tili.

It was a some two three months ago when I finally got the confirmation that I'd be graduating with highest honors that after I told Pete, I decided to tell Aunty Ling and Lili and even invite them to the ceremony.

I figured, it's been years, and I'm quiet capable now, so maybe I can patch things up with them.

As it is, whatever happened, they're still my only family.

But even before I could open my mouth for a greeting, Aunty Ling started cursing and throwing things at me yelling for me to never show my face again.

I tried to understand her and reason out with her but she wasn't listening to me.

Instead, she kept saying hurtful things that in the end, even if I know those weren't true, I still felt bad.

And it was the case until I went back to my place.

Thank god I have a Pete in my life who makes everything feel better.

And his family too.

"Thank you."

I was almost whispering but Pete heard it.

"For coming back and not giving up on me. Actually, for everything. Thank you for everything."

I added before he can fully crunch his brows at me.

"You're my everything."

He said almost instantly and I didn't know how to react.

With this occasion and this many people around with my heart so happy and my boyfriend being all tacky.

"Pictures. We should have pictures. For souvenirs."

I told him as I felt my face burned with what he said and he very well knew it as he laughed and wrapped an arm around me before asking the photographer that passed by to take our photo and I thought the smile I gave that time was one of the happiest—all with Pete beside me.

"I still think this is so unnecessary but wow the place! It's gorgeous."

I told my boyfriend sitting opposite me.

We were in an open air restaurant over looking the whole city lights for the graduation dinner my boyfriend kept on bugging me about.

A dinner which I think really is not much needed.

For one, the place looks hella expensive—as expected form Pete.

Two, we've had two parties in honor of my graduation.

The first one was the lunch Caleb and Rein insisted on paying right after my graduation rights, just few hours after the couple with their adorable kid arrived from Thailand for their much awaited vacation.

They really planned to attend the rights but their flight got delayed so they wanted to make up for it with the brunch.

The second one was at Pete's mansion.

With his parents who are now mine too—as they insisted.

And my classmates present.

Including Caizer who I had a short fall out with when he confessed about liking me early on which I turned down.

But we're friends now and he apologized for being difficult about what happened.

Pete still doesn't like him that much but they're civil and I think that's a start.

It was a small and simple dinner but it made me so happy seeing everyone I love and care about in one of the best nights of my life.

"Because I want to celebrate your graduation alone. Just the two of us."

Was my boyfriend's response when I asked him why we still need to dine out.

"We hardly ever had alone time together lately."

He said just about three days since I graduated.

"I'm practically living here. Staying with you in your room and you tell me we hardly ever had alone time?"

Caleb and Rein with there baby were staying with Pete in the mansion and since we all wanted to catch up before the family started their island tour, I gave in to Pete asking me to 'leave' my apartment.

"It's different. We have guests. Although I enjoy having them with us, I still can't help but miss you when you're all over them."

I rolled my eyes.

A thirty year old billionaire is sulking.

But he's cute.

So I let him be.

"Fine. Fine. But this will be the last splurge for my graduation, alright?"

He smiled.

"Copy."

And so here I am almost gasping for air holding the menu looking at food names I had no idea how to pronounce with price that could actually pay for college.

"Pete, can't we just go somewhere less I don't know—like this?"

"Why, baby, you don't like the food?"

"More like I don't like the price."

The billionaire laugh then looked at me differently.

"Babe, it's all on me, don't worry."

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not worrying that you can't pay. I'm worried that I might actually run with the food to pawn instead of eating it. These prices are ridiculous!"

I seethed.

Good thing, Pete dismissed the server earlier while we examined the food list.

"Tonight is your night. You can do whatever you like. You can run with the food if you want. Just make sure to bring me with you."

I rolled my eyes again and shook my head.

Yep.

I have a crazy, handsome, billionaire boyfriend whom I love dearly so I just closed my eyes before I let him order for us.

"I'm so full. I don't think I can move."

I said as I dropped my cutlery and took a sip of the heavenly wine Apollo bought which price I could actually pay for a condo.

"Good. Cause I need you just right where you are."

I furrowed my brows at my boyfriend with that smirk on his face but I let it go as I saw the wait staff approached us with our bill and Pete was quick to take it.

I saw how he examined it and I didn't know what his reaction meant as I was distracted by him clearing his throat before he made a move to get his wallet for his card to pay when he stilled and blinked at me.

"What???"

I mouthed at him as he shook his head at me while perusing his suit.

"I think I left my wallet at home."

And I was the one who blinked at him.

I didn't bring my card with me because he insisted and I'm sure I only had enough cash in my wallet to pay for a glass of sparking water with how pricey this restaurant is.

"I'm sorry babe, but can you cover the bill for me?"

My eyes widened at Pete as he pushed the receipt towards me and I could only look at the wait staff waiting for us.

"Can you excuse us for a while?"

The wait staff smiled before he left.

"Do you really think I carry the amount of money that can pay for this fancy dinner on regular basis?"

I asked my boyfriend in utter confusion and disbelief.

I can't believe I'm with a billionaire in this kind of situation.

"And to think I even left my card at home because you asked me to."

I didn't have much but I'm sure my card can pay us up.

"I'm really sorry babe. This wouldn't be a problem if only I made reservations before hand but they were full the time I asked and I just tried my luck coming here tonight. Good thing they have a table vacant."

I can't believe this.

Now what?

Ah.

"Call Caleb."

Pete smiled at me gingerly.

"I think I also left my phone."

I gaped at my boyfriend.

Really now???

For a business man, he sure was complacent.

And of all the time that I could leave my phone without battery, I chose now???

I looked at my boyfriend and thought of ways how to get out of this situation without being shamed.

If I base it on the price of the food I saw earlier more or less we'll be paying around 30 to 50 thousand.

Sometimes Pete could easily pay.

If he had his card.

But he hadn't.

And now what???

"What if you just tell them who you are and put it on your tab? I'm sure they'll let you once you get verified."

My boyfriend eyed me before he spoke.

"Yeah. Or maybe you could just check the bill out and see. Who knows maybe you could just afford it?"

I looked at my boyfriend with an un amused face.

Is he joking???

"I only have 2thousand with me."

I told him.

"With some coins maybe."

I pointed out.

"So, Pete, there's no use of me checking the bill out because even so, I still can't afford it."

I saw my strangely forgetful boyfriend tonight shrug.

"You can't be so sure. Just check it out."

Pete said as he pushed the leather paper jacket towards me which contained the bill.

I rolled my eyes.

"No need."

I said under my breath trying not to cause anymore scene.

"Yes need."

Pete insisted as he pushed the bill at me again and we were staring at each other trying to test each of our resolve and I lost when the jerk pouted and acted cute.

I rolled my eyes again and snatched the bill enclosed in that fancy leather jacket just to get this over and done with.

I nonchalantly opened it preparing myself to it to be shocked with the amount but when I finally saw what was written on the paper, I was even more shocked.

Beyond words.

As I blinked at the paper on my hand back at my boyfriend staring and smiling at me.

"P—Pete—-what...?"

I bit on my lower lip and stared at what I'm holding yet again as my boyfriend stood up only to kneel down in front of me as the light in that part of the restaurant changed and a music started playing.

I felt my hands trembled and felt cold all over as I looked at my boyfriend and the silver band glistening over a sheet of paper that should have been telling me the amount of money we owe the restaurant but instead, there's only two words there that says: marry me?

"Babe, Kao, I love you. And as pompous as it may seem, but I know. And I'm confident, that you love me too."

Pete was starting straight right at me as he said those words and I heard faint cheers on the back ground before everything faded and there was only Pete kneeling in front of me holding my hand holding the ring I saw in our supposed bill.

"We've waited long enough. And as much as I am willing to wait for you in this lifetime and the next, I'm hoping that you'd let me wait for you a little less to know your thoughts about spending the rest of both our lives together. So my love, if you may, will you give me your answer to the question on the sheet?"

I had no idea I was crying now as I chuckled and stared at the blurry paper and my heart can't seem to endure the happiness I was feeling at the moment.

"Babe?"

My boyfriend inquired as I just cried and stared at the ring in my hand.

"You're not gonna say no right? But Err you can say no. No pressure. As I said, I'm willing to wait—."

I don't let him finish.

"Ask me. I want to hear it."

I told him as I held the ring in between my right think and forefinger.

"I want to hear it from you. I don't want to just read it."

Pete smiled and I smiled back before he opened his mouth.

"Kao Angelo Serano. My love. My now and my tomorrow. I love you. Spend the rest of your forever with me. Marry me."

The cheers were back in my ears as I sniffed and dried my eyes looking at the handsome face of the kindest guy I know and love and right there and then, I know what I had to say.

I stood up and held Pete's hand as I pulled him to stand with me and handed him the ring as I extended my hand at him and I saw him smile as I raised my ring finger.

"Yes. In all of our tomorrow, yes, babe, I'll marry you."

Cheers and congratulations erupted in the restaurant as Pete and I kissed sealing our forever that very night and I know deep in my heart that there would never be anyone other that him that I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Ours was not the easiest relationship and we even had to take a break I did think would be forever.

But fate brought us back together and I was glad it did.

Because there was no one I'd take a second chance at love with other that him.

My past.

And future.

My always.

Charles Pete Santiago.

My soon to be husband.

My love.

My billionaire ex boyfriend.

The End

Hi!

To everyone who's still reading this, thank you!!!!

You've waited long enough for this.

I didn't mean for you to but life happened that I had to stop writing for a while. But I'm back now for you, and for Kao and Pete.

This one seemed a bit rushed I know, because in a way it is. I'm just really swamped right now so I couldn't write the chapters I supposed (want) to write. And since writer's block is looming over, I decided to just finish this one.

Anyhow, thank you so much for being faithful and for loving and waiting for them.

I hope it was worth your while. I hope you're not THAT disappointed.☹️😅 Till then,

S5m💙

p.s. something to look forward to on the next page 😉