Once Upon a Memory

trece

Third Person's POV

The routine had become familiar—every Friday, Greggy and Alfy would have dinner together, just the two of them. It was their time to catch up, to slowly piece together the years they had lost. Twenty years wasn't something they could make up for overnight. Maybe it would take a lifetime.

Greggy was still adjusting, but he was trying. He made it a point to ask about Alfy's work, his interests, his childhood memories. Some nights, Alfy would casually mention Audrey, and Greggy would listen, soaking up every little detail. It hurt, but he wanted to know. He wanted to understand the daughter he never got to meet.

Tonight, they were at a quiet restaurant in BGC. Alfy was animatedly talking about a new project he was working on when he suddenly paused.

"You okay, Dad?" he asked.

Greggy blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard. It wasn't the first time Alfy had called him that, but it still felt new—like a privilege he wasn't sure he deserved.

"Yeah," Greggy said, offering a small smile. "Just... still getting used to this."

Alfy smirked. "Well, you better get used to it. We still have a lot of Friday nights to go."

Greggy chuckled, the warmth in his chest undeniable.

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

Meanwhile, across the city, Irene was at Patty's house for their usual Wine Night. This time, Patty was hosting, which meant an elaborate spread of cheeses, chocolates, and, of course, the most expensive bottles of wine she could find.

Irene swirled the deep red liquid in her glass, her mind elsewhere.

Rachel, ever the observant one, leaned back against the couch. "Ano na naman iniisip mo?" she asked, raising a brow.

Irene sighed. "Greggy."

Patty and Rachel exchanged looks before Rachel smirked. "Ayan na nga ba."

Irene groaned. "Hindi ganon. I just—" She hesitated, setting down her glass. "Nakita ko siyang sobrang wasak, Rach. Hindi ko 'yon in-expect. Akala ko dati na hindi niya malalamangan yung sakit na naramdaman ko, pero ngayon... parang hindi ko alam kung sino sa'min ang mas nasaktan."

Rachel casually popped a grape into her mouth. "Alam mo, 'no? Nag-aalala ka pa rin sa kanya."

Irene shot her a glare. "Hindi ako nag-aalala."

Patty snorted. "Talaga? Pero iniisip mo pa rin siya?"

"Gusto ko lang naman makabawi... Sa lahat ng mga pagkakamali kong akala ko pinoprotektahan ko lang siya..." She frowned, staring sadly.

Patty reached out for Irene's hand and smiled, "Then show it. Ikaw na mismo ang gustong makabawi, Ai."

Irene opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. Because, really, what was the point of denying it? She had spent years convincing herself that Greggy was nothing more than a chapter of her past, but if that were true, why was she still thinking about him?

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

The next day, work brought them together again. Marcos Global and Araneta Properties had another meeting scheduled with board members to discuss the latest improvements in their residential project. These meetings were standard now—Greggy and Irene had mastered the art of keeping things strictly business.

At least, that was the plan.

They had just entered the elevator when the worst possible thing happened. The lights flickered, the floor jolted slightly beneath them, and then—silence.