Chapter 3: Two Lives, One Lie

The sound of his second phone buzzing on silent was the first crack in Gabriel’s carefully built illusion.

It sat face down on the hotel nightstand, vibrating like a quiet accusation. Gabriel didn’t flinch—at least not outwardly. He just ran a hand through his hair, took a deep breath, and let the silence of the suite wrap around him like a noose.

He reached for it, swiped to unlock.

Andrea (Wife): 6 Missed Calls. 1 New Message.

"Are you still at the client dinner? It’s almost midnight. Please don’t forget your promise—no more late nights."

His thumb hovered over the reply button. He’d rehearsed this a hundred times. His lies weren’t impulsive anymore. They were practiced. Perfected.

"I’m sorry, love. The client wouldn’t stop talking. I’ll come home early tomorrow. I miss you."

He hit send and dropped the phone back onto the nightstand like it burned him.

Behind him, Celina stirred in the hotel bed, hair splayed across the pillows like a halo. Her eyes fluttered open, sleepy and soft. “Gab?”

Gabriel turned with a practiced smile. “Sorry, did I wake you?”

“No,” she whispered, reaching for his hand. “Was that work again?”

He nodded, easing back into bed beside her. “Yeah. Just finalizing a deal. It’s been a long day.”

Celina curled into his side, the way she always did when she wanted comfort. “You work too hard, love.”

“I have to,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. “So I can give you the life you deserve.”

She smiled, completely unaware of the truths hidden beneath the warmth of his touch.

And Gabriel?

Gabriel stared up at the ceiling, heart pounding, mind racing.

He was slipping—and he knew it.

---

Gabriel’s days were spreadsheets and board meetings. His nights were a meticulously timed dance between two women.

Each had a schedule. Andrea expected dinner by 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and a weekend date every other Friday. Celina wanted late night drives, breakfast in bed, and long conversations about their future.

His calendars were color-coded in his mind. His excuses were recycled and refined.

But lately… cracks were showing.

Like yesterday.

---

“You said you were with your brother,” Andrea had said, arms crossed, voice barely concealing the tremble underneath.

Gabriel kept his face calm. “I was. He needed help with something.”

“Then why did Marga say she saw you at that new café in Makati—alone?” Her eyes searched his face, desperate. “Gabriel, please don’t lie.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder, gently, rehearsed. “Andrea, I didn’t want to stress you. I went there before heading to my brother’s. I needed air. Work’s been overwhelming.”

Her eyes didn’t fully trust, but her heart wanted to. She gave him a quiet nod.

And just like that, the lie lived another day.

---

Today, the stress was mounting.

In his car, two phones sat in the console. One vibrated with Celina’s photo flashing across the screen. The other buzzed a reminder from Andrea’s calendar: “Don’t forget our anniversary dinner tomorrow.”

He gripped the steering wheel tighter, breath caught in his throat.

Damn it.

He forgot the date.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, pulling over. He needed to think. Fast.

He dialed a florist. “Yes, I need an anniversary bouquet. Urgent delivery. The biggest one you have. And chocolates.”

His voice trembled with the weight of guilt. Of pressure. Of time closing in.

---

Later that night, at Andrea’s, he arrived with roses in hand, a practiced grin, and that ever-so-slight cologne Celina hadn’t yet discovered.

“You remembered,” Andrea beamed, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the bouquet.

“Of course I did,” he lied with ease, kissing her cheek. “Happy anniversary, love.”

She led him to the dining table, set with candles, a home-cooked meal, and two wine glasses already half full. “I made your favorite. Kare-kare.”

Gabriel sat, heart thudding like a drum. As she spoke—about memories, their first date, and how far they’d come—his mind was half-present. Half haunted.

Because Celina had called three times already.

And he hadn’t picked up once.

---

Back at the hotel the next day, Celina paced the living room.

“Why weren’t you answering last night?” she asked the second he walked through the door.

Gabriel dropped his keys into the dish, his smile still plastered on. “I told you I had a business dinner. It ran long.”

“You usually text. Just one message would’ve been enough,” she said, softer now, hurt peeking through.

He walked to her and cupped her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I was just… drained. I didn’t want to bring that energy here.”

Celina blinked up at him, the fight slowly fading from her. “You promise that’s all it was?”

“I promise,” he said.

And again, the lie lived another day.

That night, as Gabriel drifted off beside Celina, his second phone lit up with a new message.

Andrea: “I checked with your brother. He said he hasn’t seen you in weeks. I need the truth, Gabriel. What’s going on?!”

Gabriel’s eyes flew open.

And for the first time, he didn’t have a ready lie.