Miggy's POV
The set-up is back to normal. I can't go home every night because I'm just wasting my time on the flight due to the distance and the heavy traffic "back and forth". Carla and Meynard's parents are already at home to accompany mommy temporarily and for daddy's coming forty days. Meynard and I went back to my condo after a full day of work. The launch for the commercial endorsed by Gabie is coming soon, so even though there are a lot of worries in my mind, it's okay because it's exciting to see her again. I watched his commercial when I was asked for my opinion while we were in the conference room in preparation for the upcoming launching.
So since then, I've been more excited about the upcoming launch. I've been working overtime in the office almost every day because there are things that need to be taken care of. Apart from the upcoming launch, there will be a photo shoot and a commercial shoot for another client. Along with the layered work in the office for the mutual projects we handle for clients, I also had to deal with what Uncle Rick and Uncle Manuel and I had planned to meet with Willie. So we are here today at our former meeting place, but this time we are with Uncle Manuel. We are having dinner together. He said that he took Aunt Beth home earlier so that she wouldn't be bored and so that she wouldn't be doubted because Auntie would have fun with her mommy.
"This is Manuel Sansesbastian Gabriel's older brother," Rick explained to Willie about his uncle Manuel.
"And this is Willie Angeles, the private investigator that Miggy hired," continued Uncle Rick. The two of them shook hands and looked at each other earlier when they arrived and then we ate.
"So, I was told by Miggy everything that had happened in your investigation. As far as I understand, you have seen the child. Since the last time you met here for the last information you gave them, have you talked to him? "Uncle Manuel asked Willie.
"Yes, I'm trying to befriend him. He mentioned that he is a working student and he is alone in life, so he has to work hard, "Manuel sighed and then was shaken by what he heard.
"I want to see him and talk to him, but I'm hesitant because he might be upset," Manuel said sadly.
"That's what my previous uncle thought," I replied. "That's why Uncle Rick and I talked about the need to let you know in case you can think of a way that we don't have a hard time approaching and introducing ourselves to him," I added.
I heard Rick sneeze on it. "This is what I thought today, maybe it is possible and if you agree with this idea. We will ask Willie to meet with him on the day off so that he does not have to miss class. You will invent your own reason, because you know how to talk. We need to spend enough time that day so that we can be there when they meet and when we can work together to explain to him all the events, "he explained to all of us.
"And when he understands what we want to convey to him, then you can tell him what plans you will make to help him, even if they will make the life of the poor child easier," he added.
"That's right, I agree with that idea because it's clean and I think it's easier for us to understand him when we work together to explain to him the things he should have known for a long time," said Uncle Manuel.
Meynard sneezed next to me and then said, "Excuse me, can't she be scared or think about things when she sees only men who want to talk to her?" he asked hesitantly.
"I don't think he works at the bar, so he's used to talking to different men," Willie answered Meynard's question.
"So it's better for him to be comfortable. We'll earn money at a restaurant so he won't think we're going to do something bad to him," said Uncle Rick. I saw Uncle Manuel, Meynard and Willie nod.
"What can you say, Miggy son?" sits down with Manuel.
I could only say, "Everything we talked about is okay with me," but the truth is, I was worried that the next day, when we could talk to her properly, I thought about how to deal with mommy.
"I know a lot of things are going on in your mind right now, but don't worry because we are here to help you. We won't leave you alone, and as for your mommy, we'll plan that next time. Right now we have to fix the thing that should have been fixed a long time ago and my brother wants to do it for his son, "Tito explained to us.
"Thank you" was my only response.
The conversation continued about our upcoming meeting with daddy's daughter, Teresa, who is, of course, my sister. I know he's my brother because we have the same father. I can't be angry with him because I know he's innocent. He didn't choose to be the son of a nightmare. The truth is, I felt sorry for him because of the hardships he went through. He grew up full of grief, he had to fight alone because his father was not by his side, and he was orphaned early by his mother. The life I had lived in her life was so far away that I really wanted to help her since I heard her true condition, except for daddy's desire to get her back.
It was agreed that Willie would call us immediately to let us know when they could agree to meet Gabie. So that we can also prepare for our trip there, Willie will go first and then he will approach us when he informs us that there are people with him because we want to introduce ourselves to him.
"Relax brother, you've been a caretaker before," Meynard said as we prepared to leave for Bulacan. It's Saturday, so we made an excuse to mommy that I couldn't go home because I had to finish something. So he said I had to be there all day on Tuesday for my daddy's forty-day visit, so that there wouldn't be many more questions. I just agreed. Even the truth is I don't know how else to divide my time with everything I face now.
"I do not know? I think it was even worse that I felt when I was waiting to be interviewed for a job application, "I said.
Based on the stories I heard from Willie about him, "Everything will be fine later. I think it's easy to talk to and explain to Gabriel."
We finally got out of my unit so we could get down to the parking lot. Lunch time was discussed, but we chose to leave early because we might be trapped in traffic out of Manila.
Our flight was quiet. Only weak music could be heard inside the car. The speaker was connected to Meynard's cellphone, so his playlists could now be heard playing, along with Lany's music. I received a call earlier from Uncle Manuel that he was also going. I'm still not comfortable. I honestly don't know what will happen later when we meet her. I know it's not all easy now, but we all have to face it to finish, and everything will be fine.
"I hope so…" I could only say.
"You can do it, brother, and keep in mind that you are not alone in this fight."We are here for you, so don't worry. There will be no problems. Soon after, this problem will be the only one we need to think about. But for now, don't do that to calm down, "he explained to me.
"Okay."
I knew he wasn't convinced by my answer because he was out of breath and was still shaking. So I just turned my gaze out the window to see what we were going through. We immediately went to one of the most famous restaurants in Guiguinto, Bulacan, which is just along the highway, so it is easy to find. Willie suggested that here because he already has huts where we can just eat there, so we will have privacy in our future conversations.
When we got to the place, she was beautiful and cozy. There were indeed small huts like Willie mentioned to us. They were far enough away from each other, so they were nice and ideal for us. The air was also fresh, so I liked the place. Someone greeted our staff of such a restaurant and then we said that we needed a hut and we ordered food to be ready when they arrived. We haven't seen where Willie and Gabie are yet. All I know is that they'll be here first. But to make sure and to let Willie know that Meynard and I are here, I called him Meynard because I can't talk when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
"They've been here before," I heard him say after he hung up.
I received a text message from uncle Rick that he was coming in and uncle Manuel was also close, so I was even more nervous because we would all be face-to-face in a few moments.
"Uncle Rick is here. Uncle Manuel is also close, so I will see him a little later. I know this is the day I've been waiting for, but I don't know how to talk to him and deal with him, "I told Meynard as he sipped juice from the straw of his glass.
"You want me to ask if they have alcohol here? Maybe you'll calm down when you drink a little, but just a few shots, right? You won't get drunk, just a little. Okay? " Then he left me alone in the hut.
"Dad, that's it. Please help me figure out how to deal with her. I don't know how to even start a conversation with her dad. I hope everything will be okay. I will accept it if he gets mad at me. I don't know my dad. My brain was confused by the amount that entered my mind that could possibly happen. Help me, dad, because you know that I am doing this for you. I don't know what I'm going to do without the help of tito Rick, your bestfriend. I am now with Tito Manuel because I really need a solid support system for this. I know this won't be easy for all of us dads, especially mommy. I don't know how she is going to react or handle this if the time comes that we need to tell her about this, "I'm in that state again, the second time I talked to daddy when...
"Miggy! Miggy? Are you okay? " I returned to the present when I felt Uncle Rick's soft pat on my back. That obviously worried his looks at me.
"Yeah, I'm fine tito. I'm sorry I spaced out. "
"Are you sure you're okay? Because it doesn't look like that, "he assured.
"Yes, I'm really okay."
"Why are you here alone? Where is Meynard?"
"Ah, they will ask if they have wine available here," I explained.
"Okay."
"Uncle Manuel came a while ago, because when I received your message, he also sent a message. I also received his message that he was coming soon, "I said, changing the subject.
"Just in time, it's lunch time again."
"I have already ordered, then it will be served when we are all here. Then Meynard talked to Willie and said that they are already here, then we will send them here when my uncle arrives, "I added.
"Good."
It wasn't long before Uncle Manuel and Meynard arrived at the same time, so I informed Meynard about Willie. I started drinking while waiting for them. One shot each from Uncle Rick and Uncle Manuel, but I was over three, so I wasn't surprised that Meynard took the bottle away from me. I just let him because I understand why he did that and then I know I can't get drunk.
Willie and Gabie arrived at the same time as the food was being served. She is obviously shy. She is white, tall, her hair is brown with natural curls at the end that are over her shoulder length, her face is rice-shaped, her nose is piercing, her lips are thin and her eyebrows are shaped. She has deep-set eyes with naturally thick, long lashes and a slim body. Maybe he inherited all the features from his mother. She can be a model. She is beautiful even if she doesn't have make-up.
"Everyone, this is Gabriella Therese Alonzo," Willie introduced us all. I can't take my eyes off of her. I know she can feel our stares at her, so she's even more embarrassed to look at us. He can't look at us while he's shaking hands with them, because I'm in the middle and a bit far from him, so he's probably the last to shake my hand.
"Hands? Is that how I greet my brother? He's my brother because isn't he daddy's son? "I whispered to myself. I'm confused because I don't know how to deal with him.
I suddenly felt that Meynard was pushing me to my side, so I was brought back to the present.
"Hi! I'm Miggy. You can call me brother Miggy, "when I accepted his handshake. Then I felt that we both had cold hands.
"It's sitting. Sit down, let's eat! The food was served perfectly. Ah, maybe you want to eat something or maybe you have allergies. Don't be shy to say so, "said Uncle Manuel, who was obviously confused. I know he doesn't know how to treat me.
"It's okay, I can't be chosen for food, then I don't have food allergies," he said softly as he looked at Willie.
"Good. Good, "he only said.
Meynard ordered a lot for us because he didn't know if my companions wanted to eat me. While eating, silence prevailed over all of us. I knew we were all just hanging out with each other. I couldn't help but look at him while eating. I noticed he didn't eat much, so I kissed Meynard. Then I simply taught him what I meant.
"Ah, more food. Eat well, don't be ashamed of us, "said Meynard's nanny who just gave him a small smile and then nodded.
"Of course, just eat hija. Don't be ashamed of us, we intend to order a lot of food so that we can all eat enough to be full, "agreed tito Manuel, which was taken into account by tito Rick. As he replied to Meynard, he just smiled a little then nodded at them.
I couldn't understand my food. I felt like I was chewing for a long time because I was staring straight at him. I also once caught him looking at us one by one. Maybe like me, he also has a hard time eating with us, because in fact he is a stranger to us and he is like that to us, so it's only natural that he will hesitate and be ashamed. I knew I was just being mean to all of us.
I wish someone would start talking to somehow reduce the denial we all have and the tension that I don't know if I'm the only one feeling it or them as well. I couldn't if I was the one to start speaking because I didn't know what to say.
With the quantity I ordered, we did not consume everything that was served on our table. I don't know if everyone is really full or just not exhausted because of our own feelings. When Uncle Manuel saw that we had finished eating…
"Ah Willie, do you have something to say?" He looked at Uncle Manuel when he heard the question. Of us all, he is probably the most calm-faced.
He sneezed first before speaking.
"Gabriella, like I told you, don't be afraid or worried and most of all have bad thoughts because they have no bad intentions towards you. They just have something important to explain to you that I know you know nothing about, and you should know it for a long time. It's also the way you won't have too much difficulty in your life. Please let them listen carefully, everything they say is for your good, "he explained to her.
"Ask if there are things you don't understand," Willie added. He didn't say a word but just nodded hesitantly at us. I was able to drink water because my chest started to swell again.
I heard Uncle Manuel sneeze.
Maybe hija is wondering why we are here today. If there are things you don't know about your personality, I can say today maybe all that can be answered. That is the big reason why we are here. Sorry if we just came, showed up and introduced ourselves to you. "I saw in his face that he was obviously confused by what he had heard.
"I'm your father's sister; she's your father's sister Miggy," he pointed out to me.
"He ordered that you be sought to identify and help you with your needs. Willie was ordered to find you. We didn't know what happened to your mother and father until Miggy saw a birthday greeting card that your mother gave to your father on his birthday, "Tito stopped speaking as he waited for the card to be released.
I took out the birthday greeting card and handed it to her. She slowly handed it to me with her hand obviously shaking.
Tito was silent and no one spoke next. We let him read what was written on that card in his mother's handwriting. I could see tears in his eyes as he read what was written on the card and his hands seemed to be shaking even more. He put one hand over his mouth to stop sobbing, and Willie, who was next to him, immediately joined him.
He stammered and didn't know what to say. He was prevented from sobbing, so he was given water to somehow calm him down or wake him up somehow.