Chapter:7

“I’ll go book a flight first, Mama.”

“Alright, your dad and I will be waiting here, Gabriel,” she said. He immediately told his cousin what happened.

“Alexa, Dad had a heart attack. I need to go back to America.”

“What? How’s Uncle doing?”

“Dad’s in critical condition. Alexa, please don’t tell anyone I’m leaving. Not even Samantha.”

“Okay, you have my word.”

From that day on, Gabriel never showed up at the casino again.

“Erika, have you seen Gabriel?” I asked my co-worker curiously. It had been almost a week since I last saw him at the casino, and I was starting to feel suspicious.

“You’re right, I haven’t seen him either. I wonder what happened. Why don’t you ask the boss—maybe he knows where Gabriel went.”

“Right, they are close, aren’t they?”

“There’s the boss now, go talk to him.”

“Boss,” I called out while he was in a conversation.

“Oh, Samantha, is there a problem? Just a second, let me step away. What’s going on, dear?”

“Boss, do you know where Gabriel is?”

“No, he didn’t say anything to me. I’m surprised too—I haven’t seen him around,” he replied.

“Okay, thank you, boss,” I said, then walked to a corner where no one could see me cry.

“Where could Samantha be? Samantha! Where are you?”

“I’m here, Erika.”

“Why are you here? Are you crying?”

“No, I’m not crying.”

“You are crying. What really happened? Did something happen between you and Sir Gabriel?”

“Erika, just between us, okay? Yes, something happened between us,” I told my friend.

“Men, they disappear after getting what they want,” she said, then hugged me.

“I don’t feel like working, Erika. I just want to go home and rest.”

“I’ll talk to the boss. I understand—I went through something like that too. It’s a painful feeling.”

“Thanks, Erika. I’m glad you understand.”

Gabriel was also thinking about Samantha at that moment, wondering if he made the right decision not to tell her he was leaving.

“Am I doing the right thing? I’ve made someone believe in something. I love Samantha. But I have to follow what my father wants. I’ll come back, Samantha. Oh, Mom’s calling.”

“Son, what time is your flight?” his mother asked.

“Ma, tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.,” he replied.

“Thank you, son. Your father has been in the hospital for almost a week. He’s been asking for you. He needs surgery.”

“Tell Dad I’ll be there tomorrow morning. I’ll head straight to the hospital.”

“Okay, hijo. See you soon.”

As for me, I didn’t know what to do. Why was I so stupid in love? I just gave up my womanhood to that Gabriel Bustamante.

“Gabriel, show up, please,” I said in my head, while tears streamed down my face. I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep. The next day, I had no idea that was the day Gabriel would leave. Meanwhile, I was deeply worried because my body felt strange. I was dizzy and easily tired.

“Alexa, did you tell anyone that I’m going to America?”

“No one, promise. Are you scared someone might see you off?”

“I just don’t want to complicate things. My father needs me more.”

“Fair enough. But didn’t you say you like that girl from the casino? What happened?”

“Yes, I love Samantha. That’s why I don’t want to hurt her or let her hope for something. You know how Mom is.”

“You’re such a coward. That poor girl.”

“Alright, I’m off. My flight’s at 10. You’re welcome to stay here at my place.”

“I’d rather stay at your condo. Can I use it while you’re gone?”

“Sure. Here’s the key. Bye, Alexa.”

“Take care—watch out for those girls over there!” she joked.

“Manong, can we go faster, please? I’m running late,” he said to the driver.

He arrived at the airport, and just as he was entering the departure area, Samantha crossed his mind.

“I’m sorry, Samantha. But I have to do this for my parents.” Soon after, Gabriel was on his flight to America. Meanwhile, Samantha lost the will to go to work.

“Samantha, you have to work and keep living,” I told myself in front of the mirror, then broke down in tears.

“Hello, Erika, I won’t be coming in today. I really feel sick,” I said over the phone.

“What? Don’t force yourself. Do you want me to come over?” Erika asked, concerned.

“Please just tell the boss. I’ll be back tomorrow.” My parents were also worried about me because I hadn’t called them in almost a week.

“Answer the phone, child,” said Aling Julie as she dialed my number for the tenth time.

“Hello, Nay?”

“Child, what’s going on? You used to call us every day, and now it’s been almost a week. Your father and I are worried about you.”

“Nay, I’m okay, really. I just haven’t been feeling well.”

“Come home so we can take care of you,” my mom said, worried.

“Call us if there’s a problem. Don’t keep it all to yourself,” she added.

“I’ll tell you, Nay. Take care of yourselves. I’ll send money once I get my salary.”

“Don’t worry about the money. Your father and I have enough. Just take care of yourself.”

“Yes, Nay. Thank you.” I hung up the phone.

“Erika, what’s going on with Samantha? Why hasn’t she come in yet?” asked the boss.

“She’s still feeling sick, sir. But she said she’ll be in tomorrow.”

“That’s good, because I was about to start looking for her replacement.”

“No need, sir. She’ll be back tomorrow.”

CALIFORNIA, USA – 6:30 AM

Gabriel finally arrived in America and went straight to the hospital.

“Son, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where’s Dad?”

“Come, hijo. This is his room.”

“Dad, I’m sorry I didn’t come right away. What did the doctor say, Mom?”

“He needs surgery. Son, you must be tired. Go rest first and come back later. The driver’s outside. He’ll take you home.”

“Okay, Ma.”

Back in the Philippines, Samantha couldn’t stay still. She decided to visit Gabriel’s condo.

“Yes, are you Samantha?” a woman asked.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I’m Gabriel’s cousin,” she said.

“Where’s Gabriel? I haven’t seen him.”

“He didn’t tell me where he was going. He just left.”

“If he comes back, please tell him I was looking for him.”

“Come in, Samantha. I bought food.”

“I won’t stay long,” but she insisted I come in.

“How long have you worked at the casino?”

“Not too long.”

“Eat, Samantha. That Gabriel never changes. But maybe he just had something important to deal with and didn’t tell you. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

“Thank you, Alexa. I won’t stay long.”

“Do you want me to drop you off?”

“No need. I’m okay, Alexa.”

Then I left, still feeling heavy-hearted, especially since it seemed like his cousin was hiding something and wouldn’t tell me where Gabriel really was. When I got home, I felt dizzy again and nauseated from the smell of the food I ate.

“Maybe I’m pregnant. This feels different.”

Despite how I felt, I still went to work.

“Samantha, thank you for being here. I’m overwhelmed,” said Erika.

I sighed heavily, still feeling weak.

“How are you? Are you feeling better?”

“Not really, but I have to work.”

“You still look pale. Sit down and rest for now. Help out later when you feel better,” Erika said, concerned.

“Samantha, good thing you’re back,” said my boss.

“Boss, do you know where Gabriel is?”

“I don’t. He didn’t tell me anything. I’ve been wondering myself—he’s been gone for two weeks now.”

“If you hear anything, please let me know.”

Then I saw Edward and asked him too, hoping he knew where Gabriel was.

“Edward, can I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“Have you seen Gabriel?”

“No. Hasn’t he shown up to you either? We even made a bet on who’d win your heart. Whoever won would keep pursuing you. Gabriel won… and now he just vanished. That guy’s something else.”

I was furious when I heard they had made a bet about me.