• March 20
Mr. Vicente Clamende calling...
10:07am
Accept Decline
Matthew
"To what do I owe this call Sir?
And good morning."
(Chuckles)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Good morning boy!"
(In his robust voice)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"How is my English Rose doing in your company, Matthew-boy?"
Matthew
"So far so good, Sir."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Laughs)
"I know my apo, Matthew-boy.
Binibigyan ka ba ng sakit ng ulo?"
Matthew
"It was hate at first sight, Sir."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"I see, I see. Dahil ba dun sa pinaka-una
ninyong pag-kikita?"
Matthew
"Yes. I am actually surprised
she never told you? "
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Sa'yo ko na lang nalaman nung sinabi mo.
And I trust that you're treating her well?"
Matthew
"Of course, Sir. I just have a
question though."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Silence)
Matthew
"I've never seen her to one of your parties, Sir. And she mentioned that her Mom's side of the family hates her. Except you, Sir. And sila Theo."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Silence)
Matthew
(Clears throat)
"If it's a family matter, obviously, I apologized Sir. Nacurious lang din ako sa sinabi nya. Nahawa na ako ng apo nyo sa pagiging kyuryuso.
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"That's... okay. The thing is."
(Silence)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Nobody hates her. Atleast not when I'm looking. May sinabi ba sya sa'yo na may nang-away sa kanya na kapamilya nya?"
Matthew
"Wala naman po, Sir na (clears throat) recently. Just told me some old story when she was little. And..."
Matthew
"And if she were to tell me something serious,
I'd tell you right away, Sir."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Kahit sabihin nya na 'wag
mo sabihin sa akin?"
Matthew
"If it's for her own good. At pag may nang-aaway sa kanya? Yes, I'd tell you. But I'll make sure I already solved it before telling you, Sir."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"You know, Matthew-boy, if it's possible, I'd like you to be my apo's boyfriend."
(Laughs)
Matthew
(Coughs)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Laughs)
"You okay, Matthew-boy?"
Matthew
(Clears throat)
"Yes. Uh."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"My daughter. Bianca's my only child from my last marriage. As you know, her mother and I separated before she died from a heartattack. " Blaire's Mummy was married before he met Blaire's Dad. She married young to her bestfriend. It was a blissful married. That is until she left for England to study. She loved it there."
Matthew
(Silence)
"She sounds like a lovely woman."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"She was."
(Silence)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Then she met Blaire's Dad there.
Nagkaroon sila ng relasyon habang kasal sya."
(Clears throat)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"They had an affair, Matthew-boy."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"It... it was tough for everyone. Especially when she came home pregnant."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"The divorced from her first husband.
was a hush hush. But despite all of that,
I could not and would not throw her away. She's my daughter. Her siblings were having none of it. It disappoints me to no end dahil sa pera handa nilang kalimutan ang kapatid nila. Half siblings or not."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Said she was a disgrace to the family. Bianca, Blaire's Mummy, choose to leave the family. Said she wanted to be with Dante. Blaire's Dad. She even asked me not to include her in my will. Said she loves me without it and will continue to love me."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"They had a happy life. Lived in England for 7 years. Without the prying eyes. But moved back here, said she wanted to be closer to me. But still far away enough from her siblings. Until their 15th wedding anniversary. They had an accident. Hit and run. Dante died dahil sa impact."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Clesrs throat)
"My Biance held on as long as she could. Until she couldn't and she joined Dante. I was never angry at them nor Dante. He was a great husband to my Bianca and a great father to my Andrew and Blaire."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"You know why she named my Blaire, English Rose? Because England is where she met Dante. I remember her telling me before she passed away, 'Papá, I know what I did was wrong. But please, don't love my children less because of it." And I never did. I will love and protect Bianca's children until my dying day."
Matthew
(Chuckles)
"Kaya pala may
pa English accent."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Chuckles)
"She does have a bit of an English, accent."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Matthew, I appreciate when
you said you'll tell me everything
about her if it's for her own good."
Matthew
"I will, Sir. I promise you that."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Thank you, Matthew-boy. And never speak to her about this conversation."
Matthew
"I understand."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"My Blaire, she'd be good to you."
Matthew
"Are you match-making now, Sir?"
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Chuckles)
"If there's anything I learned of being this old,
is that something rare and special only comes once in a lifetime. Minsan hinde dadating. Pero pag may dumating sa'yo, I hope you don't get too blinded by what you think you have is already enough to something you much much more deserve, Matthew-boy."
Matthew
"You really are match-making me
with your grandaughter? Alam ko gwapo
ako at matalino, but I think your
trust, Sir, is too much."
(Chuckles)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"You are more than your mistakes, Son."
Matthew
(Silence)
Mr. Vicente Clemende
(Sighs)
"You're a good man, Matthew-boy.
In case you forgot."
Matthew
(Clears throat)
"I appreciate that, Sir."
Mr. Vicente Clemende
"Call me, Grandpa."
(Laughs)
Matthew
(Laughs nervously)
End call
11:15am