Miggy's POV
The setup was back to normal, or as normal as it could be now. I couldn't go home every night — the distance and the terrible traffic made it a waste of time. Carla and Meynard's parents were already at home to accompany Mommy for now, especially with Daddy's forty-day memorial coming up.
Meynard and I returned to my condo after a long day at work. Gabie's commercial launch was coming soon. Even with so much weighing on my mind, I felt a spark of excitement every time I thought of seeing her again. I remembered watching the commercial during a meeting and being asked for my opinion. Since then, I'd been counting down the days, throwing myself into overtime work to prepare for the launch.
Besides that, launch, there was also a photo shoot and another commercial for a different client. The workload was layered and heavy, but that wasn't all I had to manage. Uncle Rick, Uncle Manuel, and I had arranged to meet with Willie — the private investigator — at our old meeting spot, but this time Uncle Manuel joined us.
We had dinner together. Uncle Manuel had taken Aunt Beth home earlier so she wouldn't get bored or suspicious — Aunt Beth always had fun with her mommy.
"This is Manuel Sansebastian Gabriel's older brother," Uncle Rick introduced him to Willie.
"And this is Willie Angeles, the private investigator Miggy hired," Uncle Rick added. The two shook hands when they arrived, then we ate.
"So, Miggy told me everything about your investigation," Uncle Manuel said to Willie. "From what I understand, you've seen the child? Since your last meeting, have you talked to her?"
"Yes, I'm trying to befriend her," Willie replied. "Based on Willie's information she's a working student, alone in the world, and working hard." Manuel sighed deeply, clearly moved.
"I want to meet her and talk, but I hesitate. I'm afraid she might be upset."
"That's exactly what Uncle Rick felt," I said. "That's why we thought it best to let you know, so you can figure out a way to approach and introduce yourself without making things harder."
Uncle Rick cleared his throat. "Here's my idea. On her day off, Willie will meet with her — so she won't miss class. You'll make up a reason for being there because you know how to talk. We'll all be there, too, so we can explain everything to her together."
"When she understands what we want to say, you can tell her about the plans we have to help her — to make her life easier," Rick added.
"Exactly," Uncle Manuel nodded. "It's better to do this together so she sees we're sincere."
Meynard coughed lightly beside me and asked, "Do you think she might be scared or suspicious seeing only men trying to talk to him?"
"I don't think so. He's not new to talking to men, especially in his line of work," Willie replied.
"So, it's better if she's comfortable," Uncle Rick said. "We'll meet her at a restaurant so she won't think we're up to anything bad." Uncle Manuel, Meynard, and Willie all agreed.
"What do you think, Miggy?" Manuel asked, sitting beside me.
"All of that sounds fine," I said, but inside I was worried — about how to deal with Mommy when the time came.
"I know a lot is on your mind," Uncle Rick said gently. "But don't worry. We're here to help. We won't leave you alone. As for your mom, we'll handle that when the time is right. Right now, we have to fix what should have been fixed a long time ago. My brother wants to do that for his daughter."
"Thank you," I whispered.
We talked about our upcoming meeting with Daddy's daughter, Gabriella Therese — my sister. I knew she was my sister because we shared the same father. I wasn't angry at her. I knew she was innocent, caught in a nightmare not of her own making. In fact, I felt sorry for her. Her life had been hard — full of grief, fighting alone without a father by her side, orphaned early by her mother. The life I had lived was worlds apart from her. Hearing about her struggles made me want to help, even if Daddy wanted her back for other reasons.
We promised that Willie would phone us as soon as they planned to see Gabie so we could prepare. Willie would go first, then summon us when others joined him so we could properly introduce ourselves.
***
"Relax, brother. All will be well. Trust me." Meynard said as we prepared to leave for Bulacan. It was Saturday, so I told Mommy that I needed to stay late to finish some work. I had to be there all-day Tuesday for Daddy's forty-day memorial to avoid too many questions. I agreed — though honestly, I didn't know how to balance everything on my plate.
"I don't know. It felt worse than waiting for a job interview," I confessed.
Willie's stories helped. "Everything will be fine. He's easy to talk to and explain things to."
We left the condo quietly. The car speaker played soft music from Meynard's playlist — Cold Play's songs filling the air. Uncle Manuel called earlier to say he was joining us.
I still felt uneasy. I honestly didn't know what would happen when we met her. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but we had to face it. I hoped everything would be okay.
"I hope so…" I whispered.
"You can do this, brother. Remember, you're not alone. We're here. There won't be problems. Soon, this will be the only issue on your mind. For now, try to calm down," Meynard said.
I gave a weak nod, looking out the window.
We stopped at a popular restaurant in Guiguinto, Bulacan — just off the highway, easy to find. Willie picked the place because of its huts, which offered privacy for our conversations.
The restaurant was beautiful and cozy, just like Willie said. The huts were spaced far apart, perfect for us. The fresh air helped calm me a little.
The staff greeted us warmly as we asked for a hut and ordered food to be ready for when they arrived.
I hadn't seen where Willie and Gabie were yet, but Meynard told me they'd been there before. I called Willie to let him know we were waiting.
"Uncle Rick is here. Uncle Manuel is close too," Meynard said after the call.
My nerves tightened even more — soon we'd all be face-to-face.
"Want me to check if they have alcohol? A little might calm you," Meynard offered. "Just a few shots. You won't get drunk." Then he left me alone in the hut.
"Dad, help me. I don't know how to talk to her, how to start. I hope everything's okay. I'll accept it if she's mad. I don't know my dad. My mind is overwhelmed with every possibility. Help me, Dad. You know I'm doing this for you. I don't know what I'll do without uncle Rick's help, or Tito Manuel's. I need them. This won't be easy — especially for Mommy. I don't know how she'll react."
I was pulled back to the present when Uncle Rick gently patted my back.
"Miggy? Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine, uncle. Sorry, I spaced out."
"You sure? You don't look fine."
"I really am."
"Where's Meynard?"
"He's asking if they have wine here," I explained.
"Okay."
"Uncle Manuel came a little while ago. I told him you messaged. He's coming soon."
"Good timing. It's lunchtime."
"We ordered already. It'll be ready when everyone's here. Meynard said Willie's here too — we'll send them over when Uncle Manuel arrives."
"Good."
Soon, Uncle Manuel and Meynard arrived together. I told Meynard Willie was here too. I started drinking while waiting — one shot each from Uncle Rick and Uncle Manuel. I had over three and wasn't surprised when Meynard took the bottle away. I understood. No way I was getting drunk.
Willie and Gabie arrived as the food was served. Gabie was obviously shy. She was tall and fair, with brown hair that curled naturally over her shoulders. Her face was shaped like a rice grain — slim, with a piercing nose, thin lips, well-shaped eyebrows, deep-set eyes framed by thick lashes, and a slender figure. Maybe she inherited those features from her mother. She could be a model. Beautiful, even without makeup.
"Everyone, this is Gabriella Therese Alonzo," Willie introduced her.
I couldn't take my eyes off her. She seemed to feel our stares and grew even more embarrassed, avoiding eye contact as she shook hands with each of us. I was standing in the middle, a little far from her, so I was last to shake her hand.
"Shake hands? Is that how I greet my sister?" I whispered to myself, confused. "She's my sister — Daddy's daughter, right?"
Meynard nudged me. I forced myself back.
"Hi! I'm Miggy. You can just call me Brother Miggy," I said as I took her hand. I felt how cold both our hands were.
"Please, sit down. Let's eat," Uncle Manuel said, a little awkwardly. "The food should be just right. And if you have any allergies or don't like something, just tell us. Don't be shy."
Gabie looked at Willie and whispered softly, "It's okay. I don't have any allergies."
"That's good," Uncle Manuel nodded with relief.
Meynard had ordered plenty of food, unsure what Gabie would want. As we ate, a heavy silence settled over us all. I couldn't help but watch her. She barely touched her food.
I nudged Meynard, silently telling him to encourage her to eat more.
"Don't be shy, eat up," Meynard smiled gently, noticing the tension.
"Exactly. We ordered plenty so no one would go hungry," Uncle Manuel added with a warm smile. Uncle Rick nodded in agreement.
I wasn't really eating. My eyes kept drifting to Gabie, and I caught her glancing around nervously, almost as if she was measuring us, deciding whether to trust. She was a stranger to us, just as we were strangers to her — it was only natural she'd hesitate.
I wished someone would break the silence, ease the tension. But I couldn't find the words.
Despite all the food, much of it remained untouched. I didn't know if everyone was too full or if the awkward feelings kept our appetites at bay.
When we finished eating, Uncle Manuel spoke up, "Willie, maybe you can say something now?"
Willie, calm and steady, cleared his throat and then spoke.
"Gabriella, like I told you before, don't be afraid or worried. Please don't have any bad thoughts about us — we come with no harm, only important things to share. Things you don't know yet but should. Things that will help you in your life."
He looked at her with patient kindness. "If you don't understand something, please ask. We're here to help."
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.
Uncle Manuel cleared his throat, then added gently, "Maybe you're wondering why we're here today. There are things about yourself you might not know — things we hope to explain. That's the reason for this meeting."
He glanced at Gabie, then at me. "I'm your father's brother — your uncle."
He continued carefully, "We were asked to find you, to help you with anything you might need. We only learned about you recently — from a birthday card your mother gave your father."
Uncle Manuel paused, waiting for her to speak or react.
I took out the birthday card and handed it to Gabie. Her hands trembled as she reached for it.
Silence fell again as she read the familiar handwriting — her mother's. I could see tears welling up in her eyes. Her hands shook more, and she covered her mouth to hold back sobs.
Willie immediately handed her a glass of water, while Uncle Manuel watched her with a heavy heart.
She struggled to find words. The weight of the moment was overwhelming — but this was just the beginning.