~~
The Araneta prefers to stay home and rest because they've been occupied for the past few days and have opted to take a short break in their house. It was still early morning, it was cloudy and rainy, so Greggy and Irene remained in their bedroom, cuddling each other.
Greggy: [cuddling Irene] I miss you, honey
Irene: [smiled, hugs Greggy] Me too, we are so busy lately
Greggy: I know, can we just stay here doing nothing for the day? Just you and me.
Irene: [chuckled] Well this time, it'll be just us.
Greggy: [holds his wife's hand] It's been so many years since we've shared our lives, and each year that love grows, even more, Irene.
Irene: [thankful] Again, Giving myself to you was the best decision, I've ever made.
The couple stares lovingly at one other, reminiscing on how swiftly time has passed from when they were newlyweds to having children and perhaps even now that they have grandkids already. Their love for each other grew stronger over time, as did their experiences in life and the countless joys they shared, especially after they were gifted with their three children.
Irene and Greggy decided to go downstairs for breakfast, and as they were walking down, they heard someone playing the piano, and they just stopped and listened to it; it was Yara, who was playing her all-time favorite playlist.
Irene: [amazed] Aww, that's her favorite song
Greggy: And yours too, right?
Irene: I keep hearing her humming that song or one of the songs on her playlists.
Greggy: It's one of her favorites because it's one of yours as well.
Irene: [melancholy feeling] That music always has reminded me of Donna's emotion over how quickly her daughter Sophie is growing up and the absence of time they have spent next to each other, that's why I always make sure to make all the time needed for our daughter so I don't miss her growing.
As the couple nears their daughter, Yara is still playing the piano and singing at the same time, completely unaware that her parents are watching her. While Yara was singing, her dad was taken aback by how enchanting her voice was, as he rarely heard his daughter sing, knowing Yara's shy and reserved personality.
"Slipping through my fingers all the time I try to capture every minute, the feeling in it, slipping through my fingers all the time. Do I see what's in her mind, each time I think I'm close to knowing? She keeps on growing, slipping through my fingers all the time"
Irene: [surprised, proud] Are you awed by your daughter's talent?
Greggy: I am! [smiled proudly]
Irene: Well, She got that from her mom! [winked proudly at Greggy]
Greggy: I enjoy seeing her play instruments, but I love hearing her sing so much more.
Irene: I know, dear, fingers crossed that we always catch her often. [chortles]
Yara had finished singing and playing the piano when Yaya called to tell her that her crepes were ready by the pool. Apart from her room, that's her favorite part of their house, where she can read quite a lot of books or play her violin.
"Alana, ready na yung crepes mo"
Yara: Great, Thank you, Ate!
"Ay, Irene! Greggy! Andyan pala kayo."
Yara: [startled] Mom and Dad? Did you...
Greggy: Hi darling, good morning. [kissed Yara's forehead]
Irene: We've just recently woken up, baby.
Yara: Oh alright, good morning Mom and Dad [hugged them]
Irene: Did you have your breakfast na?
Yara: Was about to.
Irene: Okay love, [smiled] will join you in a while
As they move to their kitchen, they check to see what their breakfast will be this morning.
Irene: Yara almost caught us [giggled]
"Mabuti nga, nakita ko sumenyas itong si Greg"
Irene: She'll be shy if she sees us talaga.
"Sinabi mo pa, nakikinig nga lang kami dito habang kumakanta at nagppiano yun..."
Greggy: Sobrang ganda, diba, manang?
"Oo, grabe manang mana sayo Irene, darating din ang time na di na yan mahihiya."
Irene: [confident] There's only one person I know who can make Yara sing, and that's Mama Meldy.
Greggy: [nodding] That's for sure, and she can't say no to her grandmother.
-At the Pool Area-
Irene: What are you reading little girl? [curious]
Yara: Don Quixote, mama
Greggy: In Spanish? [glanced at the book]
Yara: Sí Papi
Greggy: Hablas español muy bien mi hija
Yara: No muy bueno en eso papá pero sigo aprendiendo
English translation:
Greggy: In Spanish? [glanced at the book]
Yara: Yes dad
Greggy: You speak Spanish very well hija.
Yara: Still not very good at it Dad but am still learning
Irene: Who gave that to you love?
Yara: Tita Mommy got it for me.
Irene: That's a nice gift, Yar. Kaya pala it's so familiar to me, this is Manang's favorite book, she reads that yearly.
Yara: Right, and she was able to acquire a copy of it even though it's hard to find these days, especially since it's written in Spanish.
While Yara was reading a book, Greggy decided to just stay in the pool area while responding to emails from his office, and next to him was Irene making small talk with her friends about where they should go and meet later.
Irene: [on call with her friends] So, will meet at People's Palace?
Dawn: Yes, Irene!
Kaye: Mia, you're muted. [laughed]
Mia: [unmutes herself] Sorry, can you hear me na ba?
Irene: [smiled] Yes, we can hear you na
Mia: Is lunchtime okay with you guys?
Ana: Sure, Mia.
Irene: Yes.
Michelle: See you then!
Irene asked Greggy for permission to go out to lunch with her friends, and he immediately agreed and said that he will be the one to drive Irene to the restaurant where they were going to eat. Greggy suddenly asked his daughter to join him so that he could spend time bonding with her and walking around the mall.
Greggy: Hija, wanna come with dad?
Irene: You will hatid me to the restaurant, my love
Yara: Hmm alright, I don't have much to do today.
Greggy: You guys should prepare now, bagal pa naman kayo to prepare. [chuckling]
Yara: Not me only [pointing at her mom]
The family had bathed and was ready to leave, Yara had finished preparing herself and was just in the living room finishing a book she had started reading this morning. Greggy's car, as well as their security, were ready to leave as the couple went down from their room.
-At Greenbelt-
Irene: I will just call you later babe.
Greggy: Okay, will just be around the place
Irene: Yara, you want to say hello first to your Tita's?
Yara: Okay mama!
Greggy and Yara enter the restaurant for a while to say hello to Irene's friends.
Greggy: Good afternoon ladies. [waving]
Irene: We're complete na pala
Yara: Hello Tita's [beso, mano]
Irene: [beso] Happy Birthday Mia!
Greggy: Happy Birthday Mia
Mia: Thanks Irene and Greg
Dawn: Greg and Yara [beso] glad to see you two as well.
Irene: He'll bond daw with his daughter [shrugged her shoulders]
Michelle: Naks! Gregorio! [smiles]
Yara: Happy birthday Tita Mia!
Mia: Thanks Yara, so big na.
Ana: And so beautiful like her mom
Kaye: I see Tita Meldy in her Irene.
Michelle: Me too, Kaye!
Greggy: Oh sige, will leave you guys muna, enjoy!
Irene: You guys take care! [kissed Greggy]
Yara: [bobbing, smiles] Bye Mom and Tita's
Irene: No kiss for mom? [mugging]
Yara: Oh right [chuckles and kisses her mom] see you later mommy.
(ctto) @dawnzulueta/@analorenzanadeocampo
While Greggy and Yara were leaving Irene and her friends, the two decided to have lunch at Sala, since Greggy wanted to eat their Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks and Yara wanted to have their Ham and Truffle Pizza as well as try their Prawn and Dill Soufflé
They were very satisfied with what they ate, and after a few minutes, they left the restaurant and proceeded to Dior to look for some new stuff. They entered immediately, even though people were queuing outside waiting for their turn to enter and shop. Yara wondered how they got in so quickly, only to realize that it was his dad who'd already managed to make a reservation and had no idea that her dad had a surprise for her, which is why they went to the store to pick it up.
"Good afternoon Sir Greg"
Greggy: Hello Carmella, is everything ready to go?
"Yes Sir! We just need your signature po, sina Ma'am Irene at Ms. Yara po pala?"
Greggy: My wife is with her friends and Yara's there [pointing at his daughter]
"Ay, ayun si Ms. Yara."
Greggy: Assist her if she wants anything, she doesn't know I bought something for her and her mom.
"Copy Sir Greggy! You can wait po Sir at the lounge."
Greggy: Okay, thank you, Carmella
"Hi Ms. Yara"
Yara: Hello Ms. Carmella
"You're dad said, he will be waiting at the lounge, do you like anything?"
Yara: Alright po, do you have my size for these shoes?
"Hmm, wait for a while, hmm we do have your size for the B30 in cream"
Yara: [delighted] Yay! I'll have that po, please. How much is this Saddle Bag?
"The black one? That's roughly around 167k"
Yara: [thinking] I'm considering buying it, but I think white would be nice as well. I wish my mommy was here to help me decide.
[laughing] "Anything will suit you naman, Ms. Yara"
Yara: I will get the black nalang, here's my card Ms. Carmella
Carmella accepted Yara's card, but she didn't swipe it; instead, it was swiped on Greggy's card because that was his order. Yara returned to her dad to wait for her purchases. While Carmella was on her way to the VIP lounge, carrying Greggy's surprises for his daughter, she handed the shopping bags to Yara.
Yara: [dumbfounded] I only purchased two items.
"That's for you, Ms. Yara"
Yara: [confused] What? I only got the shoes and the bag
Greggy: [smiled] Open it, bear.
Yara: Dad? Did you...no
Greggy: [laughing] Open it
Yara: [astonished] a DIOR Evolution Necklace!? Oh my gosh, Gracias Daddy!
Greggy: De nada, hija [puts the necklace on her daughter]
"And here is your card, Ms. Yara. I didn't swipe it."
Yara: [puzzled] Oh why? Is there a problem with my card?
"It's working just fine, it's just that Sir Greg paid for all of it"
Yara: [dazed] Oh my gosh, Dad![mixes-up] I should have settled my bill, you talaga!
Greggy: [gleaming] You're welcome, my koala bear.
Yara: [grinning] Am super dyahe to you, Dad!
Greggy: [contented] As long as you're happy, that's more important to me. I also got your mom a bag, do you think she'll like it?
Yara: Can I see it? [showed the bag] That's super pretty! She'll love it, dad!
Carmella thanked Greggy and Yara for their Dior items purchased, and they thanked her in return. Irene messaged that they should go back to the restaurant and meet there to go home, as she was tired already. Irene can already see her husband and daughter talking and laughing joyously in the distance.
Irene: [radiating happiness] Look at my husband and my daughter
Dawn: They look so happy, Irene! [smiled sweetly]
Michelle: You are so blessed to have Yara, Irene
Irene: [nodding, joyful] Of course, that little girl is our life.
Dawn: She's the sweetest girl ever and super close to you Irene.
Michelle: That's so true, a very sweet girl indeed.
Ana: And Greg is overly protective of his only daughter.
Irene: I agree with that Ana. [bobbing]
Dawn: Irene, I have to go, [beso] it was lovely catching up with you and the girls. Greg, Yara, bye! You all take care [waved]
They said their farewells to each other, Irene and Dawn went out first.
Irene: [looking] Wow, you bought so much stuff for today.
Yara: Mama look, [showed Irene] Dad got me a necklace
Irene: That's super pretty Yar! [kissed her daughter on the forehead] What else did you get?
Yara: [ecstatic] I bought some shoes and a bag, but it turned out that Daddy paid for them, and had collusion with Ms. Carmella
Irene: [laughing] You're so adorable my baby.
They immediately got into their car and continued their kwentuhan, while a few minutes later, Greggy prompted Yara to give their surprise to Irene.
Yara: Mommy [eagerly pumped]
Irene: [turning towards Yara] Yes, baby?
Yara: [elated] We have something for you as well.
Irene: Oh really!? [puzzled]
Yara: Here Mom, [handed the gift] Dad got that for you.
Irene: [baffled, surprised] Wow it's so pretty and the design is so nice, a Lady D-Lite bag. Thank you honey [kissed Greggy] and my little girl. You talaga Gregorio Maria Araneta III, but thank you, honey!
Greggy: All for the both of you. [smiling from within]
~~
For preferences, these are the stuff mentioned in the story a Saddle Bag in Black Leather Calfskin, a B30 Sneaker Cream Mesh, a DIO(R) Evolution Necklace, and a Lady D-Lite embroidered with the latte Toile de Joy Zodiac motif. (c)